The current approach to performance measurement in British Columbia is to select and match performance measures with strategic goals and objectives so that health administrators and decision makers can evaluate the performance of different care sectors (e.g. primary, community and acute care) within the provincial health system. Although this approach offers basic understanding of system performance, it is static and considers the performance of organizational components in isolation from their interrelationships and external influences. The purpose of this research is to enhance the current performance measurement approach in BC by linking health system variables through causal relationships and feedback loops that can impact and lead to health system sustainability. The qualitative system dynamics method was applied to develop a conceptual performance measurement model. Fifteen interviews with stakeholders were conducted at the BC Ministry of Health to validate and improve the pre-validation model. A post-validation model was then created based on the feedback and comments from the 15 interview participants. As a product of this research, the post-validation model, Web of Measures 2.0, will explain how the identified cause and feedback mechanisms both internal and external to the BC health system may help determine policy levers for designing and developing quality improvement initiatives. Although quantitative analysis is out of scope for this research, potential benefits of inputting BC data into the proposed model are discussed at the end of this thesis. / Graduate / 0769 / 0790 / qi.william.yang@gmail.com

LOHAS stands for “Lifestyle of Health and Sustainability”. LOHAS describes an emerging new lifestyle that is defined by attention to health and well-being and, environmental sustainability. The problem with the introduction of a description of a lifestyle that is supposed to capture broad social, political, economic, and behavioral changes is that the discussions of this lifestyle have moved faster than any research to support it. The validity and the conceptual richness and implications of the LOHAS can only proceed if there is a reliable and valid instrument to measure the LOHAS lifestyle; and there isn’t. The research focuses on the development of a reliable and valid LOHAS scale. The proposed research consists of five studies; specification of domain of the LOHAS, item generation, measurement purification, reliability assessment and validity assessment. This research will contribute to the understanding of the nature of LOHAS and provide a variety of theoretical and practical applications.

This final thesis deals with an analysis of segment of LOHAS (Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability) consumers on the Czech market. It investigates the existence of the consumer life style LOHAS, specifically in the South Bohemian region, which has been confirmed. Further it focuses on the main characteristic features which are typical for this segment. One of them primarily is the focus on proven brands, quality, design, smaller packaging of the products and responsible production of products preferably by local producers. It also addresses the fact the ?Lohasians? live in the area of the south Bohemia, they prefer foodstuffs/drinks based on natural sources and energetic efficient electrical devices. They think in an ecological and modern way, they like walking and while travelling they like not only having fun and enjoy adventure but they also like nature and its protection. At the same time the thesis provides information the south Bohemian followers of LOHAS are still influenced by price, marketing and sudden impulses. They don?t tend to use e.g. solar panels or hybrid cars either. It explains as well that it?s the consumers in the first place who are numerously represented in the age category over 56 years. Finally it deals with recommendations which the producers should follow if they wish this segment of consumers with large potential to be addressed.