Effects of container geometry and material on microwave cooking performance, as measured by evenness of cooking, firmness, and moisture content were compared. Three food items were heated in round, tube, loaf, and square containers made of clear glass, amber glass, thermoset polyester, and polysulfone. Unflavored gelatin, custard, and cakes were prepared three times in each of the 13 microwave containers. Evenness of cooking was determined by comparing meltdown and temperature in gelatin, temperature and separation/uncooked portions in custard, and index to volume in cakes. Firmness was measured in custard while moisture content was determined in cakes. In analysis of the data, ANOVA and Duncan's multiple range test were performed. Significant differences were found between shapes as food items heated more evenly in tube and round containers than in square containers. Food quality was affected more by shape than by material. Foods prepared in the, plastic materials were more evenly heated than in the glass materials. Statistically, shape and material interacted with each other for three measures of microwave appliance performance temperatures and separation/uncooked portions of custards, and index to volume in cakes. The interaction of shape and material was greater as the heating time increased. / Master of Science

Land-clearing fires set by settlers in the Brazilian Amazon give rise to large scale wildfires that threaten mature forests, agricultural plantations, and settlement areas. Our purpose is to examine labor devoted to fire prevention (firebreak establishment) and burning for crop production for subsistence smallholders in the Tapajós National Forest in Pará, Brazil. Both the decision to engage in each activity and the scale of the activity are examined. A household model addressing decision-making under risk is estimated using survey data from 220 households. We find economic variables such as the opportunity cost of household time, market conditions, and the hiring wage to be important predictors of both decisions (often these are more important than household or demographic considerations), as is household reliance on standing forest resources for non-timber products. We also find that the involvement of NGOs and the government plays an important role in encouraging fire prevention behavior. Our results provide support for programs that emphasize economic parameters and for considering smallholder productivity in policies that target accidental fire prevention or reduction in burning activity. / Master of Science

The aim of this research was to investigate the effect of taxes on household consumption using panel data from 94 countries from 1997―2020. These countries are grouped into 64 high―and 30 low―income countries. This study employed the generalised method of moment estimation. The results were based on estimation regressions and sensitivity analyses indicating that taxes negatively affect household consumption. Furthermore, taxes were found to be more effective at limiting household consumption in high―income countries. In conclusion, this study supports findings that were previously reported in literature. Policy makers should limit the distortive nature of taxes on household consumption by periodically assessing and controlling tax rates.

Sammanfattning Titel: Bostadsrättsbyggande i en lågkonjunktur Ämne: Kandidatuppsats i företagsekonomi, 15 hp Författare: Ebba Fritz & Emmy Rabe Nyckelord: Lågkonjunktur, kapitalstruktur, bostadsmarknaden, hushållens köpkraft Syfte: Syftet med examensarbetet är att undersöka vilka faktorer som påverkar de privata fastighetsbolagens möjlighet att anskaffa kapital för att bygga och sälja bostadsrätter. Studien kommer även att undersöka vilka faktorer som ligger till grund för att färre bostadsrätter byggs i en lågkonjunktur. Metod: I denna studie användes en abduktiv forskningsansats med en kvalitativ metod. Empiri insamlingen baseras på intervjuer från sex respondenter som representerar olika företag som är aktiva i Göteborg. Den teoretiska referensramen har tagits fram med hjälp av relevanta vetenskapliga artiklar, litteratur samt internetkällor med koppling till fastighets- & byggbranschen. Slutsats: Studiens slutsats visar att den rådande marknadssituationen har gjort det svårt för privata fastighetsbolag att anskaffa kapital för att bygga bostadsrätter. Bankernas restriktivitet har visat sig genom skärpta krav på försäljningsgrad vilket har försvårat fastighetsbolagens finansiering av nya projekt. Överskott av osålda bostadsrätter, den förhöjda räntenivån och minskad efterfrågan på grund av ekonomisk osäkerhet har också bidragit till att företagen bygger mindre. Hushållens försiktighet gällande köp av bostadsrätter på grund av höga räntor och psykologiska faktorer har bidragit till återhållsamhet och begränsad investeringsvilja vilket har varit en bidragande faktor till att fastighetsbolagen har haft svårigheter med sin försäljning. Företagen arbetar med strategisk planering för att överleva lågkonjunkturen och positionera sig för framtiden. / Abstract Title: Building condominiums in a recession Subject: Master's thesis in business administration, 15 credits Author: Ebba Fritz & Emmy Rabe Keywords: Recession, capital structure, housing market, household purchasing power Purpose: The purpose of the thesis is to investigate which factors affect the private real estate companies' ability to acquire capital to build and sell condominiums. The study will also investigate which factors are the basis for fewer condominiums being built in a recession. Method: This study used an abductive research approach with a qualitative method. The empirical data collection is based on interviews from six respondents who represent different companies that are active in Gothenburg. The theoretical frame of reference has been developed with the help of relevant scientific articles, literature and internet sources connected to the real estate & construction industry. Conclusion: The study's conclusion shows that the current market situation has made it difficult for private real estate companies to acquire capital to build condominiums. The restrictiveness of the banks has been shown through stricter requirements on the sales ratio, which has made it more difficult for the real estate companies to finance new projects. Surplus unsold condominiums, the increased interest rate and reduced demand due to economic uncertainty have also contributed to companies building less. The caution of households due to high interest rates and psychological factors has led to restraint and limited willingness to invest, which has been a contributing factor to the fact that property companies have had difficulties with their sales. The companies work with strategic planning to survive the recession and position themselves for the future.

This thesis investigates the impact that changing age demographics have on household debt-to-income ratios across 16 European countries using fixed effect panel data regression analysis. This study is conducted for the period between 2000 and 2021, and investigates how different age groups contribute to variations in household debt-to-income ratios, based on the life cycle hypothesis. Major findings point to a negative relationship in regards to the presence of older population, particularly older workers in the labor force, on debt-to-income ratios. On the other hand, the young adults, majorly those aged 30-39 years, present a correlation that is positive. The paper gives insight into how changing age structures may impact household debt at the macro level, offering considerations for policymakers.

This paper presents a quantitative study of the gendered division of labor in three nordic and three southern european countries. Using data from the European social survey round 5 about Family and Wellbeing, containing our target countries. The aim of this study is to increase knowledge about which factors affect gender equality in unpaid work at home with breadwinning women as our core focus. Previous research has found that women do the majority of work at home regardless if they have children living at home or working full time. The theoretical framework in this study is based on Hochschild. Hochschild writes about how the traditional gender code for women is to be caring, while also describing the change towards an egalitarian view of household labor and what to expect from each other as men and women.

Until recently, the legal position of domestic workers in South Africa could be described as a relic of the nineteenth century, when the contract of employment and the common law defined the employer-employee relationship. The legal rules which regulate the relationship between the domestic worker and her employer are examined. International labour standards and the legal position of domestic workers in other countries are considered. Cognisance is taken of the social phenomenon which finds domestic workers at the convergence of three lines along which inequality is generated, namely gender, race and class. Furthermore, the unique economic forces at play in this sector are examined. The law will be stretched to its limits when attempting to resolve what is, essentially, a socio-economic problem. However, the working lives of a million people are at stake. The legislature has a constitutional, political and moral responsibility to attend to reform in this sector as a matter of urgency. / Private Law / LL.M.

Im Zuge der rasanten Verbreitung von Mikrokrediten und Mikrosparprodukten werden seit etwa einem Jahrzehnt auch Mikroversicherungen an einkommensschwache Haushalte in Entwicklungsländern verkauft. Sie stellen für diese Haushalte eine Möglichkeit dar, mit den Folgen von Risiken besser umzugehen und somit ihren Wohlstand zu steigern. Diese Arbeit verwendet quantitative und qualitative Analysemethoden – basierend auf eigenen Haushaltsumfragen und Fokusgruppendiskussionen –, um die Aufnahmebedingungen von Mikroversicherung in Ghana zu untersuchen. Die Ergebnisse zeigen erstens, dass über Standarddeterminanten der Versicherungsnachfrage hinaus Faktoren informeller Vertrauensbildung und die subjektive Risikoeinschätzung eine entscheidende Rolle spielen. Dies begründet sich in bestehenden Informationsasymmetrien und einer geringen Erfahrung mit dem Versicherungsprodukt und dem Versicherer. Ferner steht die Nutzung von Mikrolebensversicherung in einer sich verstärkenden Beziehung zu der Nutzung anderer formaler Finanzdienstleistungen. Zweitens wird deutlich, dass der Wert (Client Value), den die Zielgruppe in Mikroversicherung sieht, nicht allein auf Kosten- und Nutzenerwägungen basiert. Vielmehr spielen auch emotionale- und soziale Aspekte eine Rolle. Der Kundenwert wird dabei von Faktoren wie (geringen) Finanz- und Versicherungskenntnissen, der Beeinflussung durch die soziale Gruppe und dem Vergleich mit alternativen Risikomanagementstrategien beeinflusst. Drittens bestehen genderspezifische Muster in der Aufnahme von Mikrolebensversicherung, die mit dem Haushaltstyp und regional unterschiedlichen soziokulturellen Bedingungen zusammenhängen. Die Ergebnisse weisen darauf hin, dass Präferenzen bezüglich Lebensversicherung innerhalb von Haushalten variieren und die Wahrscheinlichkeit eines Versicherungskaufs mit wachsender Verhandlungsstärke der Frau zunimmt. Die Ergebnisse legen nahe, dass Frauen eine besonders wichtige Zielgruppe für Mikrolebensversicherungen sind. / Microinsurance has been the third financial service – following microcredit and microsavings - to enter emerging financial markets in the developing world. It is widely regarded as a promising innovation that could provide high welfare gains, given that low-income people often lack efficient strategies to manage and cope with risks. This thesis applies quantitative econometric and qualitative methods – based on own household and individual survey data and focus group discussions – to investigate participation patterns and perceived value in micro life insurance in Ghana. The results of this thesis show that household, first, uptake of micro life insurance does not entirely follow the predictions made by standard insurance theories. Informal trust-building mechanisms and subjective risk perceptions turn out to play an important role in the context of information asymmetries and limited experience with formal insurance. Furthermore, there is a mutually reinforcing relationship between micro life insurance and other formal financial services available in the rural and semi-urban study areas in Ghana. Second, the perceived value of microinsurance consists not only of the expected or experienced benefits and costs, but also of quality, emotional and social dimensions. Perceptions of high or low value are driven by large discrepancies between expectations and experiences, clients’ knowledge about insurance, their interaction with peers, and the availability and effectiveness of alternative risk management options. Third, there are gender-specific patterns of market participation between and within households that are intertwined with the household type and regionally varying sociocultural conditions. Spousal preferences on insurance differ and women with a higher bargaining power are more likely to purchase insurance on their own. The results suggest that women are an important target group for the provision of micro life insurance.

by Law Yuk-fung, Cherry. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1998. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 118-128). / Abstract also in Chinese. / Acknowledgments --- p.xi / Abstract --- p.xii / Chapter Chapter One: --- Introduction --- p.1-7 / Chapter 1.1 --- An overview / Chapter 1.2 --- Research questions / Chapter 1.3 --- Conceptualization of the research topic / Chapter 1.4 --- Objective and significance / Chapter Chapter Two: --- Literature Review --- p.8-30 / Chapter 2.1 --- Theoretical perspectives / Chapter 2.2 --- Researches on racism and biased representation in media / Chapter 2.3 --- Researches on domestic servants / Chapter 2.4 --- Limitations on past researches / Chapter Chapter Three: --- Methodology --- p.31-38 / Chapter 3.1 --- Textual analysis of cultural representations / Chapter 3.2 --- In-depth interviews / Chapter 3.3 --- Contextualization of the study / Chapter Chapter Four: --- A socio-historical analysis: the Coming of Filipino Maids in Hong Kong --- p.39-48 / Chapter Chapter Five: --- Cultural Representation of Filipino Domestic Helpers in Hong Kong --- p.49-81 / Chapter 5.1 --- Media images of Filipino domestic helpers in Hong Kong / Chapter 5.2 --- Public sentiments of Hong Kong people towards the Filipino domestic helpers (over certain social protests) / Chapter 5.3 --- Social practices of Hong Kong people towards the Filipino domestic helpers at societal level / Chapter Chapter Six: --- The Interplay between Cultural Representations and Social Practices ´ؤ Findings and Discussion --- p.82-112 / Chapter 6.1. --- General findings / Chapter 6.2. --- "Employers' perceptions, values and beliefs behind their social practices" / Chapter 6.3. --- Interplay between cultural representations and social practices / Chapter 6.4. --- Theoretical linkages with the findings / Chapter Chapter Seven: --- Conclusion --- p.113-117 / Bibliography / Appendices: / Chapter I. --- Core questions of the in-depth interviews / Chapter II. --- Interviewees' profile / Chapter III. --- Figures of employment of foreign domestic helpers in Hong Kong / Chapter IV. --- "Filipino maid suspected in child abuse, behavior being recorded" / Chapter V. --- Books targeted at Filipino maids' employers / Chapter VI. --- "A visual icon for a news story about ""TeleEye""" / Chapter VII. --- News photographs of Filipino domestic helpers about they are dressing too sexy / Chapter VIII. --- Visual elements in the advertisement of employment agencies for Filipino domestic helpers / Chapter IX. --- """Maria"" ´ؤ a popular comedy with Filipino maid, called ""Maria"", as central figure" / Chapter X. --- "News headlines using the Cantonese term “bun mui"""

Cheng, Kam Lam Canny. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 135-144). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Abstract --- p.i / Acknowledgements --- p.iii / List of Abbreviations --- p.vi / List of Figures --- p.vii / List of Examples --- p.x / List of Tables --- p.x / Maps --- p.xi / Chapter Chapter One: --- Introduction Overview --- p.1 / Filipino Migration / The Filipinos as Diaspora / Theoretical Framework and Literature Review / Methodology / Where is the Field? / Language / Terminology and Stereotypes: Names Used for Filipino/as in Hong Kong / "Social Status, Social Relationships, and Time and Space Constriants" / Overview of the Thesis and Objectives of the Study / Chapter Chapter Two: --- "The Population, Employment and Soundscape of Filipino and Filipina Domestic Helpers in Hong Kong" --- p.31 / Immigration and Employment / Musicality of the Filipinos / The Role of Filipinos in Hong Kong's Musical Scene / "The Soundscape of Hong Kong, a Graphic Illustration" / Chapter Chapter Three: --- Sacred Contexts --- p.42 / "Detailed ""Sacred"" in this Thesis" / The Hong Kong Catholic Diocese and Music of the Chinese Masses / Clerical Support for the Filipino Catholic Community in Hong Kong / Profiles of Five Churches / Detailed Case Study of Two Churches / Selected Examples from Other Hong Kong Church Choirs / "Justification of ""Filipinoness""" / The Impact of Filipino Religious on the Musical Practice of Hong Kong Chinese Parishes / The Impact of Filipino Popular Music on Hong Kong Filipinos' Sacred Music / A Side Trip to the Philippines / Chapter Chapter Four: --- Secular Contexts --- p.83 / Marking Their Piece of Territory / Chater Road: Chater Square and Statue Square / Kantaka (Singing Contests) / Concert in the Park / Culture in Motion / Cultural Initiatives by the Philippine Consulate in Hong Kong / Asia Gathering / Catholic Prayer Gathering / Radio Broadcasts / Buying Recordings / Karaoke / The Hong Kong Musicians Union / Commercial Sponsors for Filipino Musical Activities / The Cordillera Men's Club / Chapter Chapter Five: --- Musical Involvement of the Filipions in Hong Kong during the Anti-World Trade Organization Campaign --- p.115 / Singing of the Filipinos / Chapter Chapter Six: --- Epilogue --- p.127 / Bibliography --- p.135