The main purpose of this dissertation is to assess ontological issues of information acquisition, focusing on information overload from an integrative perspective of two theoretical foundations, which links two perspectives of consumer behavior in information acquisition: foraging theory in behavioral ecology and information processing theory in marketing. Applying to the integrative investigation, the current research primarily emphasizes the infusion of ecological rationality (i.e., Darwinian Theory) into normative rationality (i.e., Newtonian Theory), but it is not alternative but complementary to each other. Ecological rationality, which is rooted in Darwinism, emphasizes that human behavior has developed through adaptation and natural selection as the human minds interact with environments. The current study consists of five chapters: the philosophical foundation of the rationalities, exploratory study, proposed hypotheses, empirical tests, and general discussion. A summary of the contents of each chapter is: The first chapter aims to provide an integrative framework of consumer information acquisition in order to explore ontological issues in information overload paradigm, attempting to synthesize different approaches in marketing and behavioral ecology. To explore, the current study emphasizes an integrative perspective between two theories for information acquisition (foraging and information processing), which are based on different philosophical foundations of the rationality (ecological and normative). Along with the process of the information acquisition, this study provides relevant consequences (decision-related responses and decision-related alternatives) after the information acquisition process and influential factors in temporal and psychological dimensions (time and motivation). Then, the conceptual study provides conclusion and the current research scope. The second chapter aims to examine the efficacy of the current study's theoretical integration in the process of consumer information foraging so as to approach an ontological issue in information overload paradigm: more information is better vs. less information is better (i.e., information processing theory and foraging theory under an information overload paradigm). Therefore, this study explores and examines what can be appropriate information structures to describe the ontological issue in the process of consumer information foraging. To formulate the adequate information structure, this study attempts to utilize an integrative perspective between marketing and behavioral ecology. This study examines consumers' online activities sequentially from a broad to detail approach, based on the categories of goods and services. The result, by and large, suggests a necessity of an integrative perspective to view a holistic information structure, including quantity, quality, and environment components. These structural components interactively communicate with minds when shaping the process of the consumer information foraging, which are likely to involve in the degree of information overload. Moreover, results demonstrate rather higher variation of strategic information foraging but emphasize some important communality in the initial stage of information foraging, such as the role of search engine and interpersonal communication. In addition, categories of goods and services affect shaping the pattern of strategic information foraging. Then, the conclusion of the study provides. The third chapter aims to propose a hypothetical model, based on the theoretical backgrounds in Chapter 1 and the findings of the exploratory study in Chapter 2. In addition, the pilot study was conducted to provide a concrete framework of the empirical study by checking the manipulation of holistic information structures. The manipulation of the structures includes the total quantity of information, the quality of information, and environmental information. Those structures measured on several resultant consequences, using the patch concepts (within-patch and between-patch). Controversially, in general, consumers tend to prefer more information rather than less information only when arranged information provides; otherwise, this preference attenuates. This controversial result also has conflicting variations, depending on the types of patches. Overall, the comparison in the within-patch and between-patch through displaying heterogeneous information structures suggests that holistic information structures are a more important factor than the mere quantity or quality of information. The fourth chapter empirically tests the theory-based hypothetical frameworks to assess the ontological issues in information overload paradigm using the integrative perspective of the two information acquisition theories. The findings of the empirical study suggest that the real-world information overload is not simply determined by a single dominant factor (e.g., quantity), but by the interplay of intricately intertwined factors. The factors are the following: information structures (three unarranged and four arranged information structures, including quantity, quality and environment), item categories (durables, nondurables and services), and time constraints (time pressure vs. no time pressure). The interwoven complexity implies that paradigmatic change of perspectives in relation with information overload though integrating two important conceptual factors between domain-specific dependency and universality. Moreover, the information overload begins with the browsing stage of acquiring the necessary information, not with the searching stage, suggesting the view of browsing-searching continuum that underscores the important role of the patch concept. As a whole, the conclusive findings suggest an integrative perspective between Darwinism and Non-Darwinism as a prerequisite of providing a better comprehension of the issues of the information overload paradigm. The fifth chapter is the section of general discussion including major findings, theoretical, methodological and empirical implications, limitations, and conclusive statement. / Business Administration/Marketing

Online travel agencies (OTAs) play an important role in the online travel market. OTAs offer various features, rich information, and numerous hotel choices for customers. All these hotel choices, accompanied by detailed information and supported by various website features, are generally beneficial and advantageous for hotel customers. They allow hotel customers to evaluate numerous hotels based on different characteristics, including price, location, amenities, and ratings. However, the reasons why OTA users postpone their booking decisions and switch to other hotel booking channels remain unclear. Therefore, this dissertation aimed to explore the determinants of OTA users' intention to postpone their hotel booking decisions and their intention to switch to other hotel booking channels by developing and testing a conceptual framework based on the integration of stressor-strain-outcome (SSO) framework and information processing theory (IPT). A sequential exploratory mixed-methods approach, comprising two phases (i.e., qualitative and quantitative) was employed as the research design for this dissertation. In the first phase, themes that hold significance in influencing OTA users' intention to postpone their hotel booking decisions and intention to switch to other hotel booking channels were explored by conducting thematic analysis on qualitative data collected from OTA users through three online focus groups. In the second phase, the themes that emerged from the qualitative data analysis were utilized to formulate a quantitative survey instrument for a more in-depth investigation of the research problem. A total of 700 online surveys were collected, and structural equation modeling (SEM) was conducted to analyze the quantitative data and test the study hypotheses. The study results revealed that information overload, choice overload, and system feature overload, as stressors, positively influenced strain factors including similarity confusion, ambiguity confusion, time risk, psychological risk, performance risk, privacy risk, emotional exhaustion, decision task difficulty, and untrustworthiness toward OTAs. The results also indicated that similarity confusion, performance risk, emotional exhaustion, decision task difficulty, and untrustworthiness toward OTA, as strain factors, had a positive impact on OTA users' intention to postpone their hotel booking decisions. The results further indicated that ambiguity confusion, time risk, performance risk, decision task difficulty, as strain factors, had a positive impact on OTA users' intention to switch to other hotel booking channels. This dissertation provides valuable theoretical contributions to the existing body of knowledge in the realms of travel, tourism and hospitality industries and offers significant practical implications for OTA operators to generate effective and efficient strategies to be more competitive in the travel market and avoid unwanted consequences.

The goal of this paper is to provide classroom teachers a more unified theory of cognition. The current cognitive theories of information processing, schema theory, and constructivism exhibit limitations and a lack of cohesion that make their implications for teachers unclear. This paper will be presented in five sections. 1) The first describes problems with current cognitive theories and the need for a unified theory of cognition 2) The second provides a review of the literature of current cognitive theories. 3) The third section consists of research in the history of cognitive theory both in philosophy and psychology. 4) The fourth describes how a fresh look at the philosophy of Immanuel Kant can provide a more unified cognitive theory to educational psychology. 5) Finally, the paper offers specific implications for instruction under these headings: Teachers should describe the concept to be taught as a rule. Teachers should introduce the concept rule by experience or by example. Teachers should use the concept rule as a framework for effective questioning. Teachers should describe the rule with abstract language only after students have understood the rule.

The PASS theory createsa new perspective not only on intelligence but also the way of thinking and learning in general. The c oncept of intelligence is expanded by Lurij a's Keywords: PASS Theory , PASS Rating Scale , Cognitive p rocesses, I nformation P rocessing T heory, Intervention

More research is needed to be able to fully understand the role that social media plays in elections, specifically in local elections. Candidates need to understand how it works and how they can effectively use this new communication medium. By exploring Diffusion of Innovation Theory, Social Information Processing Theory, and the Two-Way Symmetrical Model of communications this study sought to answer one overarching question: how should a candidate employ social media in a local election? This qualitative, single case study explores the 2014 recall and general election in Yorba Linda, California. Councilman Tom Lindsey and candidate Matt Palmer are the primary subjects of study. Observations were made through analysis of documentation, interviews, and participant and direct observation. The researcher was employed as the campaign manager for both Lindsey's and Palmer's campaigns. The findings support the use of social media in local campaigns on a case by case basis. Determining use depends on the demographics of the voters and the abilities of the candidate. The data suggests that social media needs to be part of comprehensive strategy that includes traditional communication tools. Observations from the case study illustrate the need for candidates to engage in two-way communication that is monitored and regulated. This study begins to establish social media as a tool that candidates can use to inexpensively reach voters in a way that showcases the candidate's personality and allows them to connect on a personal level with constituents. Social media will play a role in politics at all levels.

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在如今高度競爭且變化快速的職場中，僅僅被動接受、完成主管工作指令的部屬，已不足以幫助自己在職涯中取得成功，如何有效的向上影響主管，建立良好的上下互惠關係，已成為所有員工的首要課題，也是支持組織永續發展的關鍵。 有別於傳統以領導者為主軸的管理研究，向上影響研究強調部屬可能反過來管理主管，透過特定手段與策略來改變主管的態度與行為。過去研究已對於向上影響策略的定義與分類建立了初步的共識，與策略效能有關的研究，則大多關注於對部屬所帶來的好處，鮮少從主管的角度探討其被影響的歷程，因此本研究將主管的角色納入考量，以訊息處理理論為基礎，探討部屬向上影響策略對於主管授權的影響效果，並試圖瞭解人際信任在其中的中介作用，以及主管權力距離傾向可能扮演的調節角色。 本研究採問卷調查法施測，共蒐集291對主管-部屬對偶樣本，研究結果顯示：部屬的向上影響策略對主管授權具有顯著的影響效果，且主管對部屬的人際信任會中介向上影響策略與主管授權之間的關係，此外，本研究亦發現主管的權力距離傾向會調節部屬向上影響策略（軟性策略、硬性策略）以及人際信任之間的關係。最後，本研究針對研究結果進行討論，並對理論貢獻、實務意涵、研究限制，及未來研究方向加以闡述。 / Upward influence strategy is a gradually concerned research topic, which is considered to be highly related to organization effectiveness and numerous job outcomes. However, most of studies explored this issue from subordinates’ perspective and focused on subordinates’ outcomes, such as job satisfaction, promotion and salary progression. The present study aims at investigating the dynamic process of upward influence strategy from the perspectives of the supervisor, examining the relationship among upward influence strategies, interpersonal trust, delegation and power-distance orientation. Results from over 200 supervisor-subordinate dyads in Taiwan generally supported the hypothesis. Supervisor-perceived subordinate’ s upward influence strategies, i.e. soft, hard, rational, had a significant impact on delegation through the mediating effect of interpersonal trust. In addition, supervisor’s power-distance orientation moderated the relationships between upward influence strategies (soft strategy, hard strategy) and interpersonal trust. Managerial implications and suggestions for future research are discussed.

臺灣目前共有七家宗教頻道，而慈濟所屬的大愛電視，自1998年成立後，透過衛星播出，遍及全球，現已成為全球華人世界第二大電視臺（僅次於大陸中央電視臺）。不過到底是宗教臺？或是公益頻道？證嚴法師言明大愛電視不是以宗教立場為出發點的電視媒體經營。因為在她的解讀中，每個人都須要有宗教的依靠；「宗」是生活的宗旨，「教」是生活的教育。慈濟號稱有五百萬以上的會員，志業範圍遍及全世界近50個國家，其組織與義工型態發展，點點滴滴都在累積社會信任的資本。 大愛電視有四套關於證嚴法師的節目，本研究以即時性最強，且兼具紀實教育功能的《人間菩提》節目收視作為研究對象；運用接收分析理論，採取質化方法研究，先抽選《人間菩提》兩集主題進行分析；接著以深度訪談方式，訪問八位觀眾。這些觀眾對慈濟事務，有高涉入和低涉入的差異；觀看節目也有高收視和低收視之不同，藉以瞭解不同背景的觀眾如何透過《人間菩提》這樣的節目，去建構日常生活中對社會真實的解讀與詮釋；並瞭解當觀看《人間菩提》節目，出現感動反應後，如何產生收視之後續行動。 本研究發現，《人間菩提》節目對觀眾而言，確實具有其宗教價值與行善助人雙重元素，但不會讓觀眾認為它是傳統印象中的宗教節目，反倒能連結至受眾個人的情感與生活體驗，帶動出一股慈善力量的動能。 / In Taiwan, there are seven local religious channels, DaAi TV is owned by the Tzuchi Foundation. DaAi TV was established in 1998. Through satellite broadcasting, it has already become the second largest television station among the global Chinese population. (next to the Central Committee Television in the mainland China). The Tzu Chi Foundation is a volunteer-based, nonprofit, spiritual and welfare organization that was founded in 1966 by Dharma Master Cheng Yen. For over 40 years, the Foundation has been contributing to improved social and community services, medical care, education, and humanism in Taiwan. Tzu Chi is an international organization with over 5 million supporters. Today, Master Cheng Yen's influence on the world is revealed through inspiring stories. There are four different programs about Master Cheng Yen on DaAi TV. The change Cheng Yen attempts to initiate in society begins with the individual. Among the four programs, the content of “Life Wisdom" is the most direct. Master Cheng Yen provides “living wisdom" daily for 12 minutes. The wisdom is a record of actual events and it is updated daily. This research adopts reception analysis, thorough interviews to understand how the audience watches this type of religious program. Further, it studies the manner in which the audience interprets the content and applies it in their daily lives, in order to construct a perspective of the real world. The present research also examines the reactions of the audience upon watching the program and the manner in which the act of watching Life Wisdom influences the larger community to work toward the betterment of society.

在高工時的社會下，工作對於生活的比重愈來愈高，工作意義感對個人的重要性也與日俱增，因此，如何提升員工的工作意義感便成為了企業組織需面對的課題。過往探討工作意義感的研究顯示，除了工作特徵外，人際互動亦會對工作意義感有所影響，其中又以領導行為對於部屬工作意義感的型塑具有關鍵的重要地位。然而，對於領導行為的影響歷程，目前卻較少有量化的實徵研究出現，尤其是作為普遍於華人文化中的領導風格，家長式領導如何影響部屬的工作意義感，對華人企業主管在管理上更是格外重要。有鑑於此，本研究立基於社會訊息處理理論，探究家長式領導對於部屬工作意義感的影響，並探討工作目的與正向自我的中介效果。透過兩階段問卷施測，共收集190份有效問卷。研究結果發現仁慈領導能顯著預測工作意義感，而正向自我與工作目的在其中的中介作用則獲得部分支持。最後針對研究結果進行討論，說明理論貢獻、管理意涵、研究限制及未來研究方向。 / In modern society, employees are working longer hours than ever before. Therefore, finding meaning of work is important to employee today, and how to contribute to the perceived meaningfulness of work become a critical issue for every enterprise to face. This research model based on social information processing theory offers a theoretical approach for examining the causal effects of paternalistic leadership, a prevalent leadership style in Chinese business organizations, and the mediating role of work purpose and positive self-perceptions on subordinate meaningfulness of work. Using data form Taiwanese firms including 190 employees, results from structured equation modeling techniques supported partly our hypothesized model. Overall, this study supports and adds to the range of positive self-perceptions effects associated with paternalistic leadership and are suggestive of interventions that organizations can make to improve work meaningfulness of workers. Implications for the theory and practice of leadership are discussed.