<p>The concept of experiences may not be all that revolutionary or new, however, the notion of an economy where experiences make up the core of all businesses is. This suggestion was made by Pine and Gilmore in 1999 in their bestseller “The Experience Economy”, and since then, the concept has received a lot of positive attention. Critics of the authors’ proposal still remain few in number, and there is a lack of research re-garding experiences and consumers.</p><p>As the authors of this thesis we posed ourselves positive to the Experience Economy in general, but also a bit hesitant to the idea of companies offering experiences in all consumer contexts. Due to the lack of research regarding the demand side, we set out to explore the phenomenon of the Experience Economy from the perception of consumers. By doing so we hoped to find whether or not a foundation for Pine and Gilmore’s (1999) idea exists.</p><p>In order to explore consumers’ perceptions of the Experience Economy, we focused on what is at the core of the concept – experiences. A qualitative research approach was decided upon, and three focus group interviews were conducted. The focus groups were made up of young consumers, parents of small children, and middle aged consumers.</p><p>The empirical findings indicate that a foundation for the claim that the Experience Economy is emerging does exist, at least to the extent that no substantial barriers have been identified. However, we believe that the notion of an experience-based economy is only to be discussed if the concept is somewhat widened in its claims. That is, our summation of the consumers’ perceptions of the Experience Economy suggests that experiences need to be viewed as existing along a spectrum, ranging from a negative to a positive extreme. Rather than just being at the positive extreme, as indicated by scholars, we believe that staged experiences in the Experience Econ-omy will range from the spectrum’s neutral centre to only on rare occasions touch upon the extraordinaire.</p>

Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases of childhood. Those particularly affected are young, poor, African American children. Moreover, rates of ED visits, hospitalizations, and mortality are substantially higher for black children (Akinbami, 2006). Despite the ample published research on asthma prevalence and asthma management interventions, there is little research available on barriers to asthma care among urban low-income families as perceived by children with asthma and their caregivers. This qualitative study analyzed focus group data from five focus groups conducted with 28 participants in metropolitan Atlanta. This study found caregiver and child health beliefs and perceptions concerning the usage of daily controller medications to be a significant barrier to asthma care. Barriers to environmental control consisted mostly of financial constraints making environmental remediations difficult. Psychological distress was prevalent among both children and caregivers demonstrating the burden endured from managing a chronic illness.

This report investigates the possibilities and solutions for a sustainable municipal solid waste management in the community of Mutomo, situated in Kitui County, Kenya. The aim was to formulate an action plan to start reaching for a sustainable development in the waste sector, with citizen participation. Specific research questions were to find requests and ideas from the community members. Also, how the Swedish solid waste management system is built up in order to find potential good examples. Qualitative methods for data collection were used both in-depth interviews and focus group discussions conducted. Data collection was done with the help of an interpreter; interviewing guides and a recording device were used. The data was transcribed and thematic analysis done using NVivo. The interviews and discussions resulted in many requests and ideas regarding solid waste management. In brief; a legal dumping site, health education of the advantages of managing waste and the disadvantages if not, increase of public dustbins, increase of people employed for waste collection, an organized system for trade of waste and improved future planning of the town by the local authorities. To conclude, if a sustainable development within the waste sector is to be initiated, the local authorities have to take action and shoulder their responsibility. Improved collaboration between them and the public health office, community members and private stakeholders is essential. The proposed action plan is a good tool to use when initiating this work and would be created through co-operation with residents in Mutomo.

This paper presents the results of a focus group study exploring older individuals' perceptions of older drivers. The study extends the stereotype research of Joanisse, Gagnon, and Voloaca (2012b), further investigating the terms used to describe older drivers. Also explored were the ways older adults perceive age versus health in their considerations of driving. Three focus groups (N=24) were conducted with former and current drivers, 64 years and older, living in Asheville, North Carolina. Participants showed positivity in their descriptions of older drivers as "slow" and "cautious" and believed they adapted their driving behavior as aging demanded. Participants showed heterogeneity in their acceptance of the health issues that threatened their continued driving ability. The importance of context in understanding stereotypes of older adults is illustrated. Results are discussed in terms of ingroup/outgroup theory in line with the proposed model.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Duquesne University, 2007. / Title from document title page. Abstract included in electronic submission form. Includes bibliographical references (p.135-149) and index.

Thesis (M.S.)--Ohio University, June, 2009. / Title from PDF t.p. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 1994. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves [166]-178).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Illinois State University, 2005. / Title from title page screen, viewed September 26, 2006. Dissertation Committee: Phyllis A. McCluskey-Titus (chair), Patricia H. Klass, Carlyle J. Kalianov, Edward R. Hines. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 117-121) and abstract. Also available in print.

DREXLER, Denis. Consumer behaviour at point of purchase. Brno, 2014. 159 p. Master thesis. Mendel University in Brno, Faculty of Business and Economics. Thesis supervisor Ing. Martin Souček, Ph.D. This thesis deals with consumer behaviour and their decision making process at point of purchase. Consumer behaviour is researched within the process of buying confectionery. Methods of questionnaire, focus groups, eye-tracking and in-depth interviews have been used in the practical part. Based on results in the practical part, a model of consumer behaviour has been created. The thesis also suggests marketing recommendations which could be practically used.

Neuberger, P., Consumer behaviour of young consumers between 15-29 years on fast food market in South Moravia region. Master Thesis. Brno: Mendel University in Brno, Faculty of Business and Economics, 2015. This master thesis is focused on consumer behaviour of young consumers between 15-29 years at fast food market in South Moravia region. The main aim of this thesis is to identify factors which influence consumer during buying process at this particular group of consumers and on this principle formulate general valid marketing recommendation. Qualitative and quantitative methods are used for research. Focus groups method and questionnaire method were used in research exactly. The result of these methods were used for cluster analysis. The result of cluster analysis are cluster with similar properties and members of these clusters are influenced by same factors. On this base general valid marketing recommendations are made for each cluster. These recommendations can be used in South Moravia region.