Pinterest is one of the fastest growing social networking sites and is attracting the interest of retailers as an effective way to interact with consumers. The purpose of this study was to examine: 1) determinants and impacts of Pinterest consumer experiences. Specifically, this study examined the impacts of retailer reputation, trust, perceived ease of use, and perceived usefulness on Pinterest consumer experiences on retailer SNS. 2) To identify the impacts of Pinterest consumer experiences on consumer satisfaction, behavioral intention, and online retailer relationship. The instrument used existing scales drawn from the literature. A consumer panel (n = 300) of Pinterest users that connect to apparel retailers was used to collect data through an online consumer panel. Reputation is positively related to trust and to perceived ease of use. Perceived ease of use and usefulness significantly affected retailer Pinterest consumer experiences. The impact of Pinterest consumer experiences on satisfaction and behavior intention was positive and significant. Satisfaction and behavior intention also are significantly related to online retailer relationship. Results and business implications are discussed, as well are limitations and future research.

Bakgrunden till denna rapport är att det sportvarumärke jag samarbetat med ville utveckla en modell av längdskidåkningsjacka som fanns i deras sortiment. Undersökningen gällde att identifiera förbättringspunkter på en dam- och herrvariant av denna jacka. Avsikten var att bevara plaggens design och genom förändringar i mönstrens konstruktion förbättra passform och rörelsefrihet, och därigenom plaggets funktion. Genom att konstruera, sy toiler och prova av dessa på provmodeller, har rörelsefrihet och passform kunnat utvärderas. Resultatet visade att viktiga punkter var raglanärmens konstruktion, böjningen av ärmen, kragens form, ärmhålsdjup och placering av skärlinjer. Det blev också tydligt att kombinationen av designerns och konstruktörens kunskaper tidigt i processen är a och o för ett lyckat resultat. En tydlig kommunikation mellan dessa parter kan minska antalet provplagg under produktutvecklingen.Ämnen som också behandlats under arbetet är gradering, produktspecificering och deras betydelse för plagg och produktion. I undersökningen har jag även tittat på möjligheter till ytterligare utveckling av jackornas funktion om designen kan förändras, till exempel genom att flytta skärningar och på så vis ändra modellens utseende.This study was made due to a sports brand wanting me to develop a style of cross country ski jacket that are currently part of their collection. The study contained identifying areas of possible improvement in both a men and women´s jacket. The mission was to keep the design of the jacket and on the same time improve the fit and ease of movement in the garment (and thereby the function). Through analysis of style samples, pattern construction, sewing of proto samples and fittings on models, the fit and ease of movement has been evaluated. The results are that important garment elements are the neck width, scye depth, construction of the raglan sleeve, the pre-bent sleeve and the placement of cut lines. A conclusion is that to reach a functional and nice looking garment, the designer and the pattern constructor need to cooperate in the product development phase. Good communication between these two departments can reduce the number of proto samples that has to be made.Pattern grading, product specifications and their impact on the style and production process are subjects that are also presented and discussed in this report. During the project I have also studied the possibilities of further development through style design changes. / Program: Designteknikerutbildningen

La diversification de l’offre des produits de terroir oblige les distributeurs à s’interroger sur leur implantation en magasin. Cette thèse propose de réfléchir sur la décision de l’implantation des produits de terroir dans le contexte français en adoptant une approche inter-catégorielle, au niveau général du magasin. Cette recherche étudie le rôle des stratégies d’implantation dans l’accroissement de l’accessibilité et de la facilité d’achat des produits de terroir en magasin, d’une part, et dans l’augmentation de la performance financière, d’autre part. Pour ce faire, une étude qualitative exploratoire ainsi qu’une expérimentation dans un magasin ont été menées sur les catégories de produits de terroir. / The diversification of the offer of terroir products forces distributors to question their allocation in the store. The thesis proposes to reflect on the allocation of terroir products in the French context by adopting an inter-categorial approach, at the general level of the store. This research examines the role of shelf space allocation strategies in increasing the accessibility and ease of purchase of terroir products in-store, on the one hand, and in increasing financial performance, on the other hand. Therefore, both an exploratory qualitative study and an experiment in a store have been conducted for the categories of terroir products.

Patient portals are web-based tools that provide patients with access to their health records and enhance communication with providers. Despite the efforts in expanding their use and patients interest in using them, patient portal usage remains low. Higher use of portals is associated with greater patient engagement and better healthcare quality and outcomes. This study investigated the impact of perceived usefulness (PU) and perceived ease of use (PEU) on patient portal usage. The conceptual framework was based on the Technology Acceptance Model, which suggests that PU and PEU of a system affect attitude and behavioral intention toward using the system, and ultimately the use of the system. The research questions focused on whether PU and PEU significantly affect portal usage. Participants included a convenience sample of 432 patients of Abington Health, located in Abington, PA, who had access to Abington's eClinicalWorks patient portal. Cross-sectional data collected from the completed online surveys included responses to Davis' PU and PEU measurement scale, self-reported portal login frequency and login duration, and some patient demographics. Data was analyzed by using chi-square test of independence and multinomial logistic regression. The study found that a significant relationship exists between PU and login frequency, PU and login duration, and PEU and login duration; however, the impact of PU and PEU on portal usage was not significant. The study could be repeated among a different population using a different patient portal. This study helps understand the relationship between PU/PEU and portal usage, something healthcare providers can capitalize upon when promoting portal use, and ultimately, encouraging greater patient engagement in their own health.

In today’s world, we live in a technologically advanced environment where information access is huge and limitless. The advantage to this is that, people are able to create more information, share and communicate with each other instantly on the go regardless of where they are in the world. However on the downside, with endless information, it becomes confusing and difficult to filter which information is right for a person’s need. This goes hand-in-hand for business companies, as it requires strategic processes and tools to identify the information from the market, store and evaluate it into meaningful insights and lastly communicate it efficiently so that the value of it is not lost along the way. Therefore this study focuses on how augmented reality (AR) as an emerging digital technology is able to dissect and communicate information and bring value to those who are implementing it. What is more interesting in this study is to see the usefulness and ease of using AR from commercial and non-commercial aspects in B2B field. This study was conducted through a qualitative research approach with semi-structured interviews with five companies providing and using AR applications. In conclusion, AR brings value by transferring data faster and communicating it effectively through visualization of integrating computer-generated information with the real world as one. From commercial aspect, companies could use this technology in their marketing communication to increase customer involvement and perception of the brand. In contrast, from non-commercial perspective, companies could use AR as an internal resource to increase efficiency in operation process.

This study focuses on the implementation of Learning Management System (LMS) in the higher education sector in Iraq. Its aim is to develop a policy adoption framework for LMS implementation by scientifically investigating LMS adoption using a model that combines the principles of the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Technology-Organisation-Environment (TOE) framework. The research methodology comprises of seven stages that adopts the interpretive paradigm and a mixed-methods research design. A case study design is used to investigate LMS integration in the University of Al-Qadisiyah. A TAM-TOE questionnaire is developed for the academic staff of the University of Al-Qadisiyah, in which the perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use of LMS are analysed in the case organisation. The technological, organisational, and environmental aspects of LMS implementation are also examined. The survey received valid responses from 283 academic staff. In-depth semi-structured interviews of 8 academics, administrative staff and IT personnel contributed to the qualitative data. The survey respondents are selected using stratified sampling whilst purposive sampling is used to select the interview participants. The questionnaire data was analysed using correlation analysis, whilst thematic analysis is used for the interview data. The study identifies the barriers to LMS implementation as: Lack of or limited teachers’ training, lack of commitment to constructivist pedagogy, lack of experience to use the new technology, lack of technical support, and lack of appropriate educational software. These results feed into the policy framework design. The contribution to research knowledge includes the creation of a new adoption model derived from TAM and TOE to examine the LMS implementation barriers in a war recovering economy like Iraq. This approach the integration of academic users’ acceptance with macro-level factors like government support. The results lease to the development of the LMS policy framework to guide policy makers to prioritise their limited LMS investments. The novelty of the work is the bringing together the considerations of the individual users and the socio-economic context.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-12-08T16:24:11Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 PGCA10MA064.pdf: 877931 bytes, checksum: ef65c09f07dc6c43c6a132d5ed45fb8b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-08-19 / Holstein is the dominant breed in dairy herds in southern Brazil, being known by the high milk yield, with low solids concentration, reduced fertility and longevity and high proportion of dystocia. The crossing with other specialized dairy breeds, especially Jersey, has been utilized as an option to reduce the deficiencies of the Holstein. The aim of this study was to evaluate dystocia in Holstein cows inseminated with Holstein or Jersey and performance of the calves resulted from these matings (growth, immune status and prevalence of diarrhea in the first days of life). The study was conducted at the Centro de Ciências Agroveterinárias of the Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina (UDESC) in Lages, SC, Brazil. Forty cows and heifers were randomly inseminated with Holstein or Jersey, leading to the birth of 23 Holstein calves (11 males and 12 females) and 17 crossbred calves (7 males and 10 females). The birth were observed and a scale for calving ease from 1 (easy, unassisted) and 5 (extreme difficulty) were used. After birth, calves were housed in individual pens weight, height at withers, chest diameter and diameter and length of the head were obtained, and these measures were weekly repeated. Until one hour after birth, calves fed 2 liters of colostrum, and a second dose within 8 hours. In the following two days, they received 4 liters / day of transition milk, from the 4th day began to receive 4 liters / day of whole milk and starter concentrate. On day 42, calves were weaned and the diet was based in starter concentrate added to 20% alfalfa hay. Daily supply and plenty of concentrate were weighed and fecal score assigned on a scale from 1 (normal faeces) to 4 (fluid faeces). The samples of blood serum proceeded soon after birth, with 24 hours, 15, 30, 42, 49 and 84 days of age to assess the immunity of calves. Dystocia were observed only in Holstein calves (17.39%). The F1 Holstein x Jersey had lower weight and height at birth (35.2 kg and 72 cm) compared to the Holstein straigthbred (42.8 kg and 76.3 cm) at weaning and at the end of the experiment (84 days old), with no difference in weight gain and height growth (P> 0.05). There was no difference between genetic groups in concentrate intake and feed conversion. F1 calves have higher levels of protein and immunoglobulins in blood serum with 24 hours and 15 days of age, which may result from greater colostral absorption, indicated by increased serum gamma-glutamyl trasferase. No difference was observed between genetic groups for average fecal score, however the F1 calves required fewer treatments with antibiotics for diarrhea. We conclude that crossing Holstein cows with Jersey sires reduces dystocia due to the ix smaller size of F1 calves at birth. The performance of crossbred calves is similar to the Holstein, from birth to 84 days of age, with higher immune status and requiring fewer treatments for diarrhea / A raça Holandesa predomina nos rebanhos leiteiros do Sul do Brasil, sendo conhecida pela elevada produção de leite com baixa concentração de sólidos, reduzida fertilidade e longevidade e elevada proporção de partos distócicos. O cruzamento com outras raças leiteiras especializadas, especialmente a raça Jersey, vem sendo empregado como uma opção para reduzir as deficiências da raça Holandesa. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a facilidade de parto de vacas da raça Holandesa inseminadas com Holandês ou Jersey e o desempenho dos bezerros oriundos destes acasalamentos quanto ao desenvolvimento, status imunológico e prevalência de diarréias nos primeiros dias de vida. O estudo foi desenvolvido no Centro de Ciências Agroveterinárias da Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina (UDESC), em Lages SC. Utilizaram-se 40 vacas e novilhas inseminando-as aleatoriamente com Holandês ou Jersey, das quais, obtiveram-se 23 bezerros Holandês (11 machos e 12 fêmeas) e 17 bezerros mestiços (7 machos e 10 fêmeas). Os partos foram observados e uma escala para facilidade de parto entre 1 (fácil, sem auxílio) e 5 (extrema dificuldade) foi adotada. Após o nascimento, os bezerros foram alojados em bezerreiro com baias individuais e avaliados quanto ao peso, altura à cernelha, diâmetro torácico e diâmetro e comprimento de cabeça, sendo estas medidas repedidas semanalmente. Até uma hora após o nascimento, os bezerros receberam 2 litros de colostro e uma segunda dose até 8 horas após. Nos 2 dias seguintes, recebiam 4 litros/dia de leite de transição e a partir do 4º dia passavam a recebem 4 litros/dia de leite integral e alimento concentrado a vontade. No 42º dia os bezerros eram desaleitados e a dieta passava a ser o concentrado inicial adicionado de 20% de feno. Diariamente a oferta e a sobra de concentrado foram pesadas e o escore fecal avaliado em uma escala de 1 (fezes normais) a 4 (fezes líquidas). As coletas de soro sanguíneo procederam-se logo após o nascimento, com 24h, 15, 30, 42, 49 e 84 dias de idade, para avaliar a imunidade dos bezerros. Partos distócicos foram observados somente em bezerros da raça Holandesa (17,39%). Os bezerros F1 Holandês x Jersey apresentaram menor peso e altura ao nascer (35,2 Kg e 72 cm) em comparação aos Holandês (42,8 Kg e 76,3 cm), ao desaleitamento e no final do experimento (84 dias de idade), sem diferença em ganho de peso e crescimento em altura (P>0,05). Também não houve diferença entre os grupamentos genéticos para consumo de concentrado e conversão alimentar. Os bezerros F1 apresentam níveis mais elevados de proteínas totais e imunoglobulinas no soro sanguíneo com 24h e 15 dias de idade, o que pode ser vii resultado de maior absorção colostral, indicado por maior concentração sérica de gama-glutamil trasferase. Não foi observada diferença entre os grupamentos genéticos para escore fecal médio, entretanto os bezerros F1 necessitaram menos tratamentos com antibióticos para diarréia. Conclui-se que o cruzamento entre Holandês e Jersey reduz a distocia em razão ao menor tamanho dos bezerros F1 ao nascimento. Os bezerros mestiços comportam-se de forma semelhante aos da raça Holandesa em relação ao desempenho do nascimento até os 84 dias de idade, apresentando status imunitário mais elevado e necessitando menos tratamentos para casos de diarréia

本論文研究主要關注於，黃宗羲如何在肯定理性的待發展性下，就理性的自我發展，建立一套道德哲學。 首先第一章緒論，先敘述研究之背景目的、文獻評述，擬定之研究方法及進行步驟、預期研究成果。對於黃宗羲，首在去除形上學預設對人的限制。就人在活動中的自主性、發展性，建立一套個人道德養成與推動現實理想化，密不可分的道德體系。筆者將於第二到第六章在此體系下，分別就不同脈絡的個個問題探討其哲學之建構。 第二章：黃宗羲在作品中屢稱己意在承繼劉蕺山，但單憑於此，尚難斷定黃宗羲的哲學思想是承繼劉蕺山。尤其是黃宗羲對人物思想評論，間有與劉蕺山不同之處，而當今學界，更是在黃宗羲與劉蕺山思想定位上，存在著歧異。此歧異牽涉資料援引問題，本章目的乃就當今學術界研究歧異先做一回應。首重原典的掌握，並進行對各家看法加以檢視考據。根據原典呈現，將兩者定位，並就黃宗羲對劉蕺山承繼與發展，來看黃宗羲哲學所關注的焦點。 第三章：針對於黃宗羲理論歧見最多的氣學定位，個人認為應分成兩面向來看。一是黃宗羲對天道之堅持，二是其重氣的理氣觀。而關於此兩面向，有待就黃宗羲理氣、心性與道德關係角度作說明。 第四章：論述黃宗羲哲學是心學也是氣學，就氣流行方式，認為人滯於私為惡，故必須從（1）現實無法使人成善？（2）人何以有一不依經驗的道德性？（3）此道德性如何引導人在現實成善？此三個問題做討論。本章並就理氣與心性論、工夫論之間關係，解釋人道德呈現差異與人文化成。 第五章：本章延續第四章問題論「性」的呈現，由道德意志貫徹於氣化實踐，使「性」以成其全，並論主體擴充之工夫內容。 第六章：黃宗羲認為個人的道德養成，與儒家道德世界在現實中完成乃是密不可分，因此儒家思想在社會建立社會規範，在肯定理性的待發展性下，就理性的自我發展，完成以儒家思想建立公共的規範。 最後，本論文將總結討論黃宗羲建構之哲學思想，能否真正取代陽明心學，以及其哲學的可能發展。 / This thesis mainly focuses on how Huang Zongxi （黃宗羲）established a set of moral philosophy on the basis of affirmative rational development. The first chapter of the introduction, describes the background purpose of research, literature review, the proposed research methods and measures and the expected results. Huang Zongxi, aims for removing metaphysical restrictions on human . Based on the autonomy and development of human in activities, he establishes a set of moral system in which not only personal morality can be fostered but also promotes the idealization of reality. Under this system,from the second to the sixth chapters, I will discuss the construction of his philosophy on the various contexts respectively . The second chapter discusses thatalthough Huang Zongxi repeatedly claimed that he is willing to inheritLiu Jishan (劉蕺山）in his works, it is insufficient to conclude that Huang Zongxi's philosophical thinking is indeed so.In particular, Huang Zongxi's comments on the character thought were different from that of Liu Jieshan. In today's academic world, there is disagreement betweenthe philosophical points of Huang Zongxi and Liu Jishan. The primary purpose of this chapter is to respond to the current academic disagreement which resulted from data-citing problem. Focusing on the original texts, examined the views of various critics. The two would be positioned based on the original texts. Viewing the focus of Huang Zongxi's philosophy which was based on his inheritance and development of Liu Jieshan. The third chapterconcentrates on the controversial issue about the theory of qi (氣) in Huang Zongxi’ philosophy,which should be regarded as two aspects. One is Huang Zongxi 's adherence to the tiandao (天道), the other is his emphasizing of the value of qi (氣). I would illustrated the two aspects by the discussions of the relationships of Huang Zongxi's li-qi (理氣）andxin-xing (心性）inmoral system. The fourth chapter discusses that Huang Zongxi’s philosophy is not only xin xue (心學), but also qi xue (氣學). By the way qi move, human who stagnant self-interest, become evil. Therefore it must be debated on three questions as below ：(1) Can the reality not make thepeople good? (2) Why do people have a morality that does not depend on experience? (3) How does this morality lead people to be good at reality? This chapter also explains the difference between human morality and human culture by the relationship between the theory of qi, the theory of the xin and thetheory of cultivation . In the chapter five, I continue to discuss the presentation of "xing" . Since the morality is carried out by qi’s realization, to complete xing ,and discusses the content of cultivation by the expansion of the subject. In the sixth chapter, according to Huang Zong-xi’s view , the Confucian moral world in reality, which is closely linked with the individual's moral cultivation. Therefore,Confucianism will to establish a social norms in society. Under affirmative rational development, the public norms established by Confucianism willbe completed by self-realization. Finally, I will summarize that whether Huang Zongxi's philosophy can truly replace Yangmingism (陽明心學）and the possibledevelopment of Huang’s philosophy.

The growing popularity of the internet and its activities have opened a wide range of business opportunities especially in terms of e-business. Though, reports show that the adoption rate of e-commerce in developed countries seem to be striving, a lot of developing countries still struggle with slow e-commerce adoption rate. Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is one these countries where e-commerce adoption is still in its infant stages. However, because of the recent infrastructure improvements and the growth in telecommunication services in the country, internet penetration, more specifically, mobile Internet penetration is growing at a significantly fast pace. This could mean opportunities for e-business services in DRC. The objective of this research is to investigate the factors that could influence online shopping adoption in DRC. This investigation was carried out by adapting an extended version of the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). A quantitative approach was used in the collection of data and the data was edited and analyzed using the programming language, R. Also, the analytical techniques used in conducting this research include: Descriptive Statistical Methods (Cross tabulation, frequencies) and inferential Statistical Methods (Logistic Regression, ANOVA and Chi square tests). The results from this research show that contrary to the conceptualized model in the literature review where the main constructs included: Perceived Ease of Use(PEOU), Perceived Usefulness(PU) and Perceived Trust(PT), it appears that Perceived Ease of Use(PEOU) does not have any significance in a user’s intention to shop online(p>0.01). However, this research found that Perceived Usefulness and Perceived Trust have a strong statistical significance to a user’s intention to shop online. Furthermore, we found that Gender, Income and Age do not have any moderating influence on the relationship between a user’s perception and their intention to shop online in DRC. However, when the relationship between VI perception and intention to shop online is moderated by experience, we find that there is a variation between users with prior online shopping experience and those without. While these research findings make for remarkable recommendations on a user’s intention to shop online, we recommend that further research on actual usage of e-commerce be examined in DRC to get a better understanding of consumer online behaviors.

Who are the adolescents who purposely cut or burn their wrists, arms, or some other parts of their body? The fundamental question I raise in this dissertation is whether or not the portrait of self-harming adolescents as being exposed to others’ hostility in their everyday life environments and experiencing internal adjustment problems, particularly depressive symptoms, correctly represents their symptomology. I want to answer three questions: 1) What can be done to interrupt the maladaptive link that leads adolescents who experience internalizing symptoms to perform self-harming behaviors? 2) Are adolescent self-harmers typically exposed to others’ hostility or are they also involved in hostile interactions with other people? and, 3) What are the critical interpersonal and adjustment features of adolescent selfharmers? The results show that: 1) Adolescent girls with high depressive symptoms who feel at ease communicating with their parents do not use selfharm as a coping strategy when facing negative emotional experiences to the same extent as girls with high depressive symptoms who do not experience communication with parents as easy; 2) Adolescents who are involved in mutually hostile relationships with people who they meet in their daily life express more self-harming behaviors than adolescents who are exposed to others’ hostility; and, 3) Living in mutually hostile interactions with other people and experiencing both internalizing and externalizing problems seem to be key features of adolescents who harm themselves. Taken together, the results of this dissertation go beyond the traditional representation of selfharmers, and offer a holistic way of identifying a problem scenario under which adolescents self-harm. Implications for theory and practice are discussed.