Textile product labels are provided on the clothing and household textile products to assist consumers with important product information. However, the assumption cannot be made that because the label is available on these products it will be used by consumers. Consumers do not base their pre– and post–purchasing decisions on reality but rather on what they perceive to be the reality. Thus consumers’ perceptions of textile product labels need to be studied as it influences their pre– and post–purchasing decisions and use of these labels. Consumers use their perceptions as a frame of reference for making purchasing decisions. This study determined consumers’ perceptions, in order to form a better understanding of their textile pre– and post–purchasing decisions. However, perception is not a singular concept but an interactive process. Therefore, the present study, done in the Gauteng Province, aimed to determine consumers’ perceptions of clothing and household textile labels, by focusing on the perceptual process of consumers. The first objective was to determine consumers’ awareness of labels on clothing and household textile products. Secondly, it was determined whether consumers’ attention is drawn to labels of clothing and household textile products. Thirdly it was determined whether labels on textile products are important to consumers and finally, whether consumers interpret labels on textile products. An interviewer–administered questionnaire was used as the data collection technique. A total of 411 questionnaires were administered by trained fieldworkers. The study location was three different regions in Gauteng Province, namely: Pretoria, Vereeniging and the West Rand. Public locations were used for the recruitment of respondents selected within the three regions, which included: schools, retirement villages, parking areas and government institutions. This contributed to the probability that a diverse group of respondents participated. The study population consisted of 44.5% males and 55.5% females. The home languages most spoken among the respondents were English (20.9%), Afrikaans (21.1%) or isiZulu (16.5%). Respondents generally tended to have a positive perception regarding textile product labels. The results illustrated that respondents tended to agree to be aware of label information and that the front and back panels of the label draw their attention. However respondents tended to be neutral as to whether the information is important enough to read. Respondents mostly agreed that they interpret the symbols on textile product labels. Although respondents tended to perceive textile product labels positively, it still remains unclear whether it is important enough for consumers to use these labels found on textile products. By striving to improve consumers’ perceptions regarding textile product labels through better labelling initiatives and consumer education on labels, consumers might view labels as important and use them before and after purchasing a textile product. This will in effect teach consumers how to clean and maintain textile products to extend the product’s lifespan. This would in turn contribute to the consumer’s pre– and post–purchasing satisfaction. This study additionally found that respondents’ perceptions of textile product labels were influenced by some of their demographic characteristics. Although there were no large effect sizes which illustrated practical significance, there were some small to medium tendencies regarding respondents’ perceptions of textile product labels and their demographic characteristics. Different tendencies were especially found when analysing the relationships between respondents’ perceptions and age or language. Older respondents (60 and older) tended to have a more positive perception of textile product labels than younger respondents (18 to 29 years). In addition, respondents with an African language as their home language seemed to differ from Afrikaans and English respondents. To understand South African consumers fully, researchers should understand the diversity and political history of South Africa, by focusing on cultural differences and reasons thereof. Different age generations need to be examined in further South African studies in order to determine the perceptions of consumers from different age groups regarding textile product labels. / Thesis (M. Consumer Science)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

Textile product labels are provided on the clothing and household textile products to assist consumers with important product information. However, the assumption cannot be made that because the label is available on these products it will be used by consumers. Consumers do not base their pre– and post–purchasing decisions on reality but rather on what they perceive to be the reality. Thus consumers’ perceptions of textile product labels need to be studied as it influences their pre– and post–purchasing decisions and use of these labels. Consumers use their perceptions as a frame of reference for making purchasing decisions. This study determined consumers’ perceptions, in order to form a better understanding of their textile pre– and post–purchasing decisions. However, perception is not a singular concept but an interactive process. Therefore, the present study, done in the Gauteng Province, aimed to determine consumers’ perceptions of clothing and household textile labels, by focusing on the perceptual process of consumers. The first objective was to determine consumers’ awareness of labels on clothing and household textile products. Secondly, it was determined whether consumers’ attention is drawn to labels of clothing and household textile products. Thirdly it was determined whether labels on textile products are important to consumers and finally, whether consumers interpret labels on textile products. An interviewer–administered questionnaire was used as the data collection technique. A total of 411 questionnaires were administered by trained fieldworkers. The study location was three different regions in Gauteng Province, namely: Pretoria, Vereeniging and the West Rand. Public locations were used for the recruitment of respondents selected within the three regions, which included: schools, retirement villages, parking areas and government institutions. This contributed to the probability that a diverse group of respondents participated. The study population consisted of 44.5% males and 55.5% females. The home languages most spoken among the respondents were English (20.9%), Afrikaans (21.1%) or isiZulu (16.5%). Respondents generally tended to have a positive perception regarding textile product labels. The results illustrated that respondents tended to agree to be aware of label information and that the front and back panels of the label draw their attention. However respondents tended to be neutral as to whether the information is important enough to read. Respondents mostly agreed that they interpret the symbols on textile product labels. Although respondents tended to perceive textile product labels positively, it still remains unclear whether it is important enough for consumers to use these labels found on textile products. By striving to improve consumers’ perceptions regarding textile product labels through better labelling initiatives and consumer education on labels, consumers might view labels as important and use them before and after purchasing a textile product. This will in effect teach consumers how to clean and maintain textile products to extend the product’s lifespan. This would in turn contribute to the consumer’s pre– and post–purchasing satisfaction. This study additionally found that respondents’ perceptions of textile product labels were influenced by some of their demographic characteristics. Although there were no large effect sizes which illustrated practical significance, there were some small to medium tendencies regarding respondents’ perceptions of textile product labels and their demographic characteristics. Different tendencies were especially found when analysing the relationships between respondents’ perceptions and age or language. Older respondents (60 and older) tended to have a more positive perception of textile product labels than younger respondents (18 to 29 years). In addition, respondents with an African language as their home language seemed to differ from Afrikaans and English respondents. To understand South African consumers fully, researchers should understand the diversity and political history of South Africa, by focusing on cultural differences and reasons thereof. Different age generations need to be examined in further South African studies in order to determine the perceptions of consumers from different age groups regarding textile product labels. / Thesis (M. Consumer Science)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

Im ersten theoretischen Teil der Arbeit werden die Geschichte der Heimatmuseen sowie die Forschungsgeschichte des Heimatbegriffes vorgestellt. Neben historischen und volkskundlichen Forschungen werden hier auch soziologische und ethnologische Theorien berücksichtigt, die vor dem Hintergrund der Globalisierungsdebatte entwickelt wurden. Der Heimatbegriff wird auf diese Weise mit dem Begriff locality gleichgesetzt. Im zweiten empirischen Teil werden die Bezirksmuseen der Berliner Bezirke Köpenick, Prenzlauer Berg, Kreuzberg und Neukölln beschrieben und analysiert; hierbei liegt der Schwerpunkt auf der Untersuchung der Dauer- und Wechselausstellungen und der Analyse der materiellen Kultur im Rahmen der Museumsarbeit. Das bedeutet, dass nicht nur die thematischen Ausrichtungen der Dauer- und Wechselausstellungen analysiert werden, sondern auch die Auswahl der Exponate sowie die Präsentationsweisen. Dabei finden auch Ansätze der Forschung über materielle Kultur Berücksichtigung. Schließlich wird ausgehend von den ersten beiden Teilen ein Museumsmodell entwickelt, das die herausgearbeiteten Charakteristika der Museumsarbeit aufgreift und vor dem Hintergrund des besprochenen Heimatbegriffes erweitert. Heimatmuseen werden hier als ethnographische Museen betrachtet, die aktuelle gesellschaftliche Entwicklungen und Diskussionen widerspiegeln können. / The first part of the dissertation describes the history of local museums and the history of scientific research on the concept of Heimat. Not only historical and ethnographic studies are taken into account, but also sociological and anthropological theories which were formulated against the background of the debate on globalisation. In this way Heimat and locality are treated as equivalent terms. The second empirical part describes and analyses the local museums of the districts Köpenick, Prenzlauer Berg, Kreuzberg and Neukölln in Berlin. The focus lies on the research on main and temporary exhibitions and the analysis of the role of material culture within the framework of the museums. This means the examination of both the thematic structuring of the exhibitions and the range of objects and their presentation. In the course of this material culture studies are taken into consideration. Coming from the first two parts a museum concept is formulated. This concept takes up the characteristics of the museums and adds the considerations on the terms Heimat and locality. In conclusion local museums are regarded as ethnographic museums which are able to reflect current social developments and discussions.

Die FIFA-Fußball-Weltmeisterschaft wurde 2002 erstmals von zwei Gastgebern gemeinsam ausgerichtet. Diese Kooperation entsprang jedoch nicht dem Wunsch der beiden Bewerber Südkorea und Japan, sondern es war eine Entscheidung der FIFA. Wie würden die beiden unfreiwilligen Partner mit dieser Situation umgehen? Würde die gemeinsame Gastgeberrolle vielleicht zu einer Chance werden, das gegenseitige Verhältnis zu verbessern? Betrachtet man die Fußballweltmeisterschaft aus der Perspektive der Mega-Event-Theorie, kann das Aufschluss in diesen Fragen geben. Die Ausrichtung eines Mega-Events ist eine einzigartige Gelegenheit sich der Welt darzustellen und gleichzeitig eine positive Selbstwahrnehmung zu erzeugen. Beides sind wichtige Faktoren bei dem Versuch, eine Nation auf der internationalen Bühne platzieren. Genau darum ging es auch den beiden Gastgebern Japan und Südkorea. Eine Analyse südkoreanischer und japanischer Monatszeitschriften zeigt, wie unterschiedlich dennoch die Erwartungen an und das Erleben der WM in den beiden Ländern waren. Während Japan sich durch die WM 2002 internationalisieren und das Lokale mit dem Globalen verbinden wollte, stand für Südkorea die Präsentation als dem Nachbarn Japan ebenbürtige Nation im Vordergrund. Der unterwartete Erfolg der südkoreanischen Mannschaft vermittelte den koreanischen Fans ein überwältigendes Gefühl der Einheit, das Stolz und ein neues Selbstbewusstsein hervorbrachte. Das frühe Ausscheiden der japanischen Mannschaft bewirkte unter ihren Fans ein sich Hinwenden zum koreanischen Team, wodurch eine unerwartet positive Koreaerfahrung und ein Gefühl der Gemeinschaft mit dem Nachbarland entstand. Auf diese Weise trug die unfreiwillige gemeinsame Gastgeberschaft dazu bei, dass beide Länder ihre ursprünglich mit der WM-Ausrichtung verbundenen Ziele besser umsetzen konnten, als es ihnen als alleiniger Ausrichter möglich gewesen wäre. / The 2002 FIFA Football World Cup was co-hosted by Japan and South Korea but this co-operation was not a voluntary one. What would the two unequal partners make out of FIFA’s decision? Could the co-hosting become a chance to improve their relation? To interpret the World Cup in terms of Mega-Event theory helps to answer these questions. A Mega-Event is not only a unique chance to promote one’s image to the world but also to create a positive self-image and self-awareness. Both are important processes for the relocation of a nation in the international society and both are what the hosting of a Mega-Event is about. It is here where one finds the Korean and Japanese motivation to host the World Cup 2002. An analyses of the discours in both countries monthly magazines shows how different the expectations were and how Korean and Japanese fans experienced the Event. While South Korea’s first aim was to show to the world its equal standing next to its neighbor Japan, the topics discussed in the Japanese World Cup discours suggest that internationalization was what Japan expected from hosting the Mega-Event. But when the competition started and the Korean team rushed from victory to victory the only thing that mattered were the overwelming emotions of unity millions of Koreans shared. This experience provided an unexpected sence of national pride and self-confidence that changed the Korean self-awareness. This changed attitude might be the most important outcome of Korea’s World Cup hosting. The Japanese team was kicked out of the competition more quickly but this paved the way for many Japanese fans to get more and more interested in the Korean team and to discover an unknown and fascinating Korea. The Japanese who had cheered for the Korean team experienced an unity with Korea no other event could possibly have caused. In these ways the unplaned co-hosting and its unexpected outcomes served both countries’ initial aimes better than a single-hosted Mega-Event would have done.

Mittels einer Untersuchung von standardisierten Praktiken (Stadtrundgängen und Stadtrundfahrten) und Dispositiven (Stadtkarten, Reiseführer) fürs „Touren“ von Städten zeigt diese Dissertation, (1) wie die Stadt Berlin in ein virtuelles Objekt, nämlich, einen touristischen Zielort, transformiert wird, ( 2) wie diese Transformation nicht nur durch die Bewegung von Touristen im Raum und das Unterwegssein ermöglicht wird, sondern durch touristische Kommunikation über die Stadt, und (3) wie diese emergente touristische Stadt in einer multiplen und polykontexturalen städtischen Öffentlichkeit eingebettet ist, wo sie in verschiedenen Typen von Beziehung mit naheliegenden Inszenierungen der Stadt eintritt, wie die der Stadt-Marketing und der kollektiven Erinnerungspolitik. Drei weitere Aspekte sind zu erwähnen, die den gesamten Text subtil anregen. Die Dissertation stellt eine neue Theorie des Tourismus als Kommunikationsform, und nicht als Form des Reisens, auf; sie integriert die Luhmannsche Kommunikationstheorie mit der Akteur-Netzwerk-Theorie, und sie ist durchaus empirisch, basierend auf einer jahrlangen ethnographischen Untersuchung (2005-2006) von Praktiken und Dispositiven des „Tourens“ im zeitgenössischen Berlin. / Through the study of standardized practices (walking tours, bus-tours) and devices (maps, guidebooks) for touring cities, this dissertation shows (1) how the city of Berlin is transformed into a virtual object, namely, an urban destination, (2) how such transformation is enabled not simply by tourist movement in space and being away from ‚home‘, but by tourist communication on the city, and (3) how this emergent tourist city is embedded in a multiple and polycontextural urban public sphere, in which it enters into different types of relationship with neighbouring enactments of the city, such as those of city-marketing and collective memory. Subtly informing the whole text there are three aspects to be mentioned: the dissertation proposes a new theory of tourism as a form of communication, not of travel; it integrates Luhmann’s communication theory with actor-network theory; and it is throughout empirical, based on a year-long ethnographic study (2005-2006) of touring practices and devices in contemporary Berlin.

In den Jahren 1992-1995 kamen ca. 35 Tausend bosnische Kriegsflüchtlinge nach Berlin und wurden vorübergehend geduldet. Nach Kriegsende 1995 sollten sie schnellstmöglich wieder zurückkehren. Traumatisierte und Ältere ohne Angehörige im Heimatland wurden weiterhin geduldet bis Bosnien-Herzegowina wieder aufgebaut ist. Doch der Wiederaufbau verlief schleppend. Mit dem Friedensvertrag von Dayton begannen nicht Frieden und Wiederaufbau, sondern die Konsolidierung der ethnischen Grenzen in demokratischen Strukturen. Deshalb sahen viele Flüchtlinge keine Möglichkeit in ihre Heimatorte zurückzukehren und versuchten ihre Rückkehr hinauszuschieben. Möglich war dies mithilfe der Attestierung einer kriegsbedingten Posttraumatischen Belastungsstörung und ihre psychotherapeutische Behandlung, die den Inhabenden und ihren Familienmitgliedern eine Aufenthaltsverlängerung ermöglichte und ab dem Jahr 2000 den Erhalt eines dauerhaften Aufenthaltstitels. Die Verbindung einer psychischen Krankheit und ihrer Psychotherapie mit einem Aufenthaltsrecht ist neu in der Geschichte des deutschen Ausländerrechts und obwohl Berliner Psychiater, Psychiaterinnen, Psychologinnen und Psychologen maßgeblich an der Schaffung der „Traumatisiertenregelung“ beteiligt waren, wurden ihre Atteste von der Berliner Verwaltung in Frage gestellt. In der Dissertation werden die Standpunkte der Flüchtlinge, Behandelnden und der Verwaltung dargelegt und ihre Interaktionen beschrieben.Die Rolle des Krankheitskonzeptes der Posttraumatischen Belastungsstörung wird als "boundary object" (Star/Griesemer 1989) untersucht. Der Schwerpunkt liegt auf den Lebenswelten und Taktiken der Flüchtlinge, sich in Berlin zurechtzufinden und Anerkennung und Verständnis für ihre Situation zu finden. Ihre Bedürfnisse wurden in einen psychotherapeutischen Bedarf übersetzt und damit den Berliner Psychotherapeutinnen und -therapeuten ein neues Betätigungs- und Professionalisierungfeld geboten, was kritisch hinterfragt wird. / From 1992 until 1995 about 35 thousand Bosnian war refugees fled to Berlin and were allowed to stay temporarily. After the end of the war in 1995 they were expected to leave as soon as possible. Traumatized persons and elderly without relatives in Bosnia had the possibility to prolong their visa until Bosnia is reconstructed. But the rebuilding process progressed only slowly. With the end of the war did not start the expected peace time and rebuilding but the consolidation of ethnic borders inside democratic structures. Therefore many refugees did not see a possibility to return to their property and tried to delay their return. This was possible with an medical statement certifying a war related posttraumatic stress disorder and their psychotherapeutic treatment. These medical statements ensured the extension of the visa for the concerned person and its family members. From 2000 onwards they could receive a permanent residence title. The connection of a mental illness and psychotherapy with residence entitlements is a novelty in the German aliens law. And despite the fact that psychiatrists and psychologists from Berlin were leading actors in the establishment of the „regularization of the traumatized“ their medical/psychological statements were impeached by the authorities. The dissertation describes the viewpoints of refugees, treating physicians and psychologists and the authorities and how they interact with each other. Additionally is the concept of posttraumatic stress disorder examined and discussed as „boundary object“ (Star/Griesemer 1989). An important aspect is the description of life worlds and tactics of the refugees to get along in Berlin, to gain respect and appreciation for their situation. Their needs were translated into a psychotherapeutic demand and this led to the invention of a new field of work and professionalization for psychotherapists in Berlin. This development is critically reflected.