M.Comm. / Extensive studies have been done in the past on measuring service quality where the service is delivered on a face-to-face encounter. This study assesses and measures online service quality where there is no face-to-face encounter. The service quality measures are particularly on Internet Banking service. The research problem has been stated as the lack of insight into customer perceptions on Internet Banking service quality by management in South African banks. The purpose of this study was to explore customers’ perceptions on key electronic service dimensions or factors of Internet Banking service quality. The primary objective of the study was to have an insight into how Internet Banking customers in South Africa perceive their respective banks’ performance on pre-defined electronic service quality dimensions. The secondary objective was to determine if there was any difference in Internet Banking service quality perception based on age, gender, or primary bank offering the service (service provider). Even though online shopping and Internet Banking are online services there are subtle differences between the two services. With online shopping there is a physical item that gets traded and in Internet Banking only services are traded. It is for this reason that the original E-S-Q instrument was slightly adjusted. Some of the dimensions that were excluded from the original E-S-Q instrument include flexibility, price knowledge and customization Given the purpose and objectives of the study a quantitative approach was taken as the major research approach for the study. The sampling design was a nonprobability sampling one because the convenience method of sampling was used. The survey population was all online banking users, utilizing services from South African banks. A slightly revised electronic service quality (E-S-Q), a service quality measurement instrument, was used in this study. Data was collected via a web based self administered survey. The original E-S-Q instrument measured customer service quality from an online shopping experience point of view. This study aimed at gleaning respondents’ perceptions on key Internet Banking service dimensions.

This thesis is concerned with the effect of widespread internet use on the sales of audio CDs. It analyses trends in the American and Czech markets from the end of the 1990's to today. Its analysis is based on the relationship between musical genres and their respective target audiences with the hypothesis being that genres with listeners who have adopted the internet more rapidly are more affected than other genres. The thesis proves that the decrease in music sales in the last ten years, the bulk of which have been CDs, has been caused by the graudual establishment of the internet with its probable illegal downloading of recordings and the change in format to MP3 from CD.

Magíster en Ingeniería de Negocios con Tecnologías de Información / El servicio de publicidad digital de Portalfruticola.com representa la principal fuente de ingresos de Yentzen Group. Considerando la tendencia mundial de la publicidad digital y los incipientes descontentos de clientes al inicio de este trabajo, se prevé una potencial fuga y dificultad de captura de clientes en un futuro a mediano-largo plazo. Las razones del descontento se enmarcan principalmente en la baja efectividad de las campañas publicitarias (promedio de conversión igual a 0,24% mensual/campaña para el año 2015) y un alto costo por clic equivalente. El proyecto consistió en realizar un experimento cuyo objetivo es identificar ya los factores, su combinación y niveles, que aumentan la conversión de las campañas publicitarias en Portalfruticola.com. Una de las variables es la recomendación contextual, por lo que se construirá un sistema de recomendación semático para ello. El experimento tuvo ha lugar en un nuevo espacio publicitario dada restricción de que no se puede alterar la estructura y orden de los espacios publicitarios actuales. El diseño experimental fue de tipo factorial 2^3 evaluando tres factores: formato (imagen vs texto), relevancia semántica (baja vs alta) y etiquetado (con vs sin etiquetado). Los datos analizados correspondieron al periodo entre septiembre a diciembre 2016 y fueron analizados en dos bloques de corridas debido a diferencias de normalidad de los datos. Las combinación óptima de factores es Anuncios de texto semánticamente relevantes sin etiquetado y Anuncios de texto semánticamente no relevantes sin etiquetado . El etiquetado no produjo diferencias significativas a diferencia del formato pero se recomienda eliminarlo dada la carga visual del sitio web. El formato Texto se vio potenciado cuando se combinaba con el factor Relevancia Alta logrando CTR promedio de 9,1% y 7,5% para cada grupo. Adicionalmente, el nuevo espacio publicitario demostró contribuir significativamente a la producción de clics, ya que generó un equivalente al 29,3% de los clics totales generados por el resto de las 19 posiciones publicitarias del sitio web durante el mismo periodo. Finalmente, se puede afirmar que este nuevo espacio publicitario es competitivo en el mercado, dado que se logró superar la conversión promedio mundial de Google Adsense de 0,35% y de 7,0% para Google Adwords, los que son potentes potentes de argumentos de venta. Lamentablemente, este trabajo no produjo un cambio en el comportamiento de la empresa.

Thesis advisor: Andrea Vicini / Thesis advisor: Richard Spinello / In this thesis, I try to make a small contribution to this search for an Order in cyberspace. In the first chapter I study some new dimensions of freedom, which arose together with the development of the internet. I present the technology and the culture of hackers as two sources of a new understanding of liberty in cyberspace. I also highlight two moral issues, which are present in cyberspace, and that, in my opinion, were caused by this redefinition of freedom. In the second chapter, I try to apply Christian moral theology to address, interpret, and suggest some possible solutions for some ethical issues in cyberspace. In order to build a theological foundation to address further considerations, I study the relation between God’s plan of creation and the rise of the internet. In the second section of this chapter, studying the issue of hate speech online and the phenomenon of Wikipedia, I present cyberspace simultaneously as a structure of sin and a structure of grace. The theology of the Trinity, and of Jesus as the Word of God, help me to give some Christian interpretation of this discrepancy. In the last section of this chapter, I study the phenomenon of video games, particularly online multiplayer games. I identify a deep relation between the video game culture and transhumanism, and I address its implications for morality. However, I also find some ethical virtues particularly present in the community of gamers. Finally, I identify some occurrences of the three theological virtues, faith, hope, and charity, in the virtual world of video games. This helps me to give some Christian moral interpretation of the virtual world of video games. / Thesis (STL) — Boston College, 2017. / Submitted to: Boston College. School of Theology and Ministry. / Discipline: Sacred Theology.

by Lai Wing-Lok & Wong King-Man. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1996. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 82-84). / ABSTRACT --- p.ii / TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.iii / Chapter CHAPTER I --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Chapter CHAPTER II --- BACKGROUND --- p.4 / Chapter CHAPTER III --- OPPORTUNITIES --- p.13 / Chapter CHAPTER IV --- Present Development - Internet Payment System --- p.25 / Chapter CHAPTER V --- FUTURE TREND --- p.32 / Chapter CHAPTER VI --- REAL LIFE EXAMPLES --- p.36 / Chapter CHAPTER VII --- CHALLENGES TO FACE --- p.56 / Chapter CHAPTER VIII --- LOCAL SURVEY --- p.64 / Chapter CHAPTER XI --- RECOMMENDATIONS --- p.73 / Chapter CHAPTER X --- CONCLUSIONS --- p.79 / BIBLIOGRAPHY --- p.82 / APPENDIX I SAMPLE QUESTIONNAIRE --- p.i / APPENDIX II - LOCAL SURVEY ON APPLYING INTERNET ON BUSINESS IN HONG KONG - CONSOLIDATED RESPONSES --- p.v

by Chan Chui Yiu, Chan Wai Ying. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1996. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 150-153). / ABSTRACT --- p.ii / TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.iv / LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS --- p.viii / LIST OF TABLES --- p.x / ACKNOWLEDGMENT --- p.xi / Chapter / Chapter 1. --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Chapter 2. --- PROJECT OBJECTIVE AND OUTLINE --- p.3 / Chapter 3. --- RESEARCH METHOD --- p.7 / Chapter 3.1 --- Research Design --- p.7 / Chapter 3.1.1 --- Exploratory Research --- p.7 / Chapter 3.1.2 --- Descriptive Research --- p.7 / Chapter 3.2 --- Questionnaire Design and Data Collection Method --- p.8 / Chapter 3.3 --- Sampling --- p.9 / Chapter 4. --- LITERATURE REVIEW --- p.12 / Chapter 4.1 --- Internet Development in the World --- p.12 / Chapter 4.1.1 --- Demographic Information --- p.13 / Chapter 4.1.2 --- Internet Tools and Major application --- p.20 / Chapter 4.1.3 --- Marketer's Activities --- p.23 / Chapter 4.1.4 --- Shopping On-Line --- p.25 / Chapter 4.2 --- Internet Development in Hong Kong --- p.27 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Users Number And Growth Rate --- p.27 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Internet Started Differently In Hong Kong When Compared To US --- p.28 / Chapter 4.2.3 --- HKIX Help The Development Of Internet In Hong Kong --- p.29 / Chapter 4.2.4 --- Legal Issues --- p.30 / Chapter 4.2.5 --- Other Concerns --- p.32 / Chapter 4.2.6 --- On-Line Business --- p.33 / Chapter 4.2.7 --- Cost --- p.35 / Chapter 4.2.8 --- Future Development --- p.36 / Chapter 4.3 --- Characteristics Of Internet Marketing --- p.38 / Chapter 4.3.1 --- Target Customers --- p.41 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- Communication --- p.42 / Chapter 4.3.3 --- Product --- p.49 / Chapter 4.3.4 --- Service --- p.53 / Chapter 4.3.5 --- Sales Forces --- p.54 / Chapter 4.3.6 --- Price..................................…….…… --- p.56 / Chapter 4.3.7 --- Distribution --- p.57 / Chapter 4.3.8 --- Other Characteristics of Internet Marketing --- p.57 / Chapter 4.3.9 --- Some other thorny issues of Internet-marketing on World Wide Web --- p.59 / Chapter 4.4 --- Businesses Suitable for Marketing on the Internet --- p.64 / Chapter 5. --- SURVEY FINDING: INTERNET USERS PROFILE --- p.67 / Chapter 5.1 --- Demographic Information --- p.68 / Chapter 5.2 --- Major Applications of Internet Users --- p.73 / Chapter 5.3 --- Preference on Information of Internet Users --- p.79 / Chapter 5.4 --- Perception of Shopping on Internet --- p.80 / Chapter 5.5 --- Internet Users' Likes and Dislikes …………… --- p.86 / Chapter 5.6 --- Summary.........................................................................…… --- p.89 / Chapter 6. --- CASE STUDIES OF HONG KONG COMPANIES --- p.90 / Chapter 6.1 --- VTECH Group of Company --- p.90 / Chapter 6.1.1 --- Company Background --- p.90 / Chapter 6.1.2 --- Web Page --- p.92 / Chapter 6.1.3 --- Strategy for the Internet --- p.93 / Chapter 6.1.4 --- Experience about Marketing on the Internet --- p.94 / Chapter 6.1.5 --- Future Planning --- p.96 / Chapter 6.1.6 --- Analysis and Comments --- p.96 / Chapter 6.2 --- Chow Sang Sang Jewllery Company Limited --- p.98 / Chapter 6.2.1 --- Company Background…..……………… --- p.98 / Chapter 6.2.2 --- Web Page --- p.99 / Chapter 6.2.3 --- Strategy for the Internet --- p.100 / Chapter 6.2.4 --- Experience about Marketing on the Internet --- p.102 / Chapter 6.2.5 --- Future Planning --- p.103 / Chapter 6.2.6 --- Comments --- p.104 / Chapter 6.3 --- Cathay Pacific --- p.105 / Chapter 6.3.1 --- Company Background --- p.105 / Chapter 6.3.2 --- Web Page --- p.105 / Chapter 6.3.3 --- Strategy for the Internet --- p.106 / Chapter 6.3.4 --- Experience about Marketing on the Internet --- p.108 / Chapter 6.3.5 --- Analysis and Comments --- p.109 / Chapter 6.4 --- Bar Tech Company Ltd --- p.110 / Chapter 6.4.1 --- Company Background --- p.110 / Chapter 6.4.2 --- Web Page --- p.110 / Chapter 6.4.3 --- Strategy for the Internet --- p.111 / Chapter 6.4.4 --- Experience about Marketing on the Internet --- p.112 / Chapter 6.4.5 --- Analysis and Comments --- p.112 / Chapter 7. --- STRATEGY FOR MARKETING ON THE INTERNET --- p.114 / Chapter 7.1 --- Industry Analysis and Segmentation --- p.114 / Chapter 7.2 --- Market Objectives and Internet Objectives --- p.117 / Chapter 7.3 --- Six Marketing Mix Weapons --- p.117 / Chapter 7.3.1 --- Communication Weapon --- p.118 / Chapter 7.3.2 --- Service Weapon --- p.123 / Chapter 7.3.3 --- Distribution Weapon --- p.124 / Chapter 7.3.4 --- Products Weapon --- p.125 / Chapter 7.3.5 --- Price Weapon --- p.126 / Chapter 7.3.6 --- Sales Force Weapon --- p.126 / Chapter 7.4 --- Measuring Efficiency…… --- p.127 / Chapter 7.4.1 --- Conceptual Model of Web efficiency --- p.127 / Chapter 7.4.2 --- Feasible Measures...............................................................……… --- p.130 / Chapter 7.5 --- Conclusion..................…………………………............................….… --- p.131 / Chapter 8. --- OUR EXPERIENCE AND THE LIMITATIONS OF DOING SURVEYS ON THE INTERNET --- p.132 / Chapter 8.1 --- Our Experience of Doing Survey on the Internet --- p.132 / Chapter 8.2 --- The Limitations of Our Survey --- p.134 / APPENDIXES / Chapter 1. --- Questionnaire Web Page --- p.137 / Chapter 2. --- VTECH Web Page --- p.142 / Chapter 3. --- Chow Sang Sang Jewllery Company Web Page --- p.144 / Chapter 4. --- Cathay Pacific Airways Limited Web Page --- p.146 / Chapter 5. --- Bar Tech Company Limited Web Page --- p.148 / REFERENCES --- p.150

Agencia B12 is a Spanish company specialized in digital marketing with offices in Spain, Mexico, Colombia and Peru. The firm has innovation at its core, and constantly develops tailor-made digital and traditional marketing strategies for its clients based on four values: innovation, passion, integrity and trust. Agencia B12 works primarily with clients in the telecommunications industry, and most of its revenue come from large players in their respective regions (such as Movistar, Claro and Entel in Peru). Given its highly concentrated client portfolio, Agencia B12 constantly seeks new business ventures to diversify their sources of revenue. As part of the firm’s diversification efforts, Comparatodo, a Price Comparison Website (PCW), was developed internally to benefit from such a growing and attractive industry (PCW). Comparatodo is currently operating in Spain, and Agencia B12 is planning to expand the website’s presence in other Latin American countries, starting in Peru. This report conducts an extensive research about Peru’s most promising industries and products for Comparatodo based on market size, pricing, and complexity of sales. Additionally, an analysis of direct and indirect competitors in Peru was conducted. As a result, the proposed solution is to first position Comparatodo as a PCW player in the telecommunications and financial services industry in Peru. The implementation plan is to be executed in 17 weeks and it involves different business units and personnel in the organization responsible for launching and maintaining Comparatodo. The key enablers supporting Comparatodo’s expansion in Peru are: already developed platform in Spain, internal IT department, experienced staff, extensive knowledge of digital marketing, few competitors, and opportunities in multiple industries. / Agencia B12 es una compañía española especializada en marketing digital con oficinas en España, México, Colombia y Perú. La empresa tiene como enfoque principal la innovación y desarrolla constantemente estrategias de marketing digital y tradicional a la medida para sus clientes en base a cuatro valores: innovación, pasión, integridad y confianza. Agencia B12 trabaja principalmente con clientes de la industria de telecomunicaciones y la mayoría de sus ingresos provienen de los jugadores más grandes en las regiones donde opera (como Movistar, Claro y Entel en Perú). Dada su cartera de clientes altamente concentrada, Agencia B12 se encuentra en la búsqueda de nuevos negocios para diversificar sus fuentes de ingresos. Como parte de los esfuerzos de diversificación de la empresa se ha desarrollado de manera interna Comparatodo, un sitio web de comparación de precios, con el fin de beneficiarse de esta industria tan atractiva y en crecimiento. Comparatodo opera actualmente en España y la empresa planea expandir su presencia en otros países de Latinoamérica, iniciando en Perú. Este reporte realiza una extensa investigación de las industrias y productos con mayor promesa en el Perú para Comparatodo en función a su tamaño del mercado, precios y complejidad de ventas. Además, se realizó un análisis de competidores directos e indirectos en el mercado peruano. Como resultado, la solución propuesta es posicionar a Comparatodo como un sitio web de comparación de precios en la industria de servicios financieros y telecomunicaciones en Perú. El plan de implementación consta de 17 semanas e involucra a diferentes unidades de negocio y personal de la empresa responsable del lanzamiento y mantenimiento de Comparatodo. Los habilitadores claves que respaldan la expansión de Comparatodo en Perú son: contar con la plataforma ya desarrollada en España, departamento de TI interno, personal experimentado, amplio conocimiento de marketing digital, poca competencia y oportunidades en diversas industrias. / Tesis

La tecnología, como herramienta, ha establecido un nuevo entorno en la esfera económica, social, cultural, política y por ende dentro de las administraciones públicas, a nivel del orbe. Nos encontrarnos inmersos en la llamada sociedad de la información y del conocimiento. Esta nueva sociedad plantea nuevos retos y usos que contribuyen con la construcción de estados que ponen en el centro de sus decisiones a los ciudadanos / Tesis

by Chiang Tung-Keung, Wu Po-Wan, Andy. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1998. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 77-78). / ABSTRACT --- p.ii / TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.iii / LIST OF FIGURES --- p.vi / LIST OF TABLES --- p.vii / ADKNOWLEDGEMENTS --- p.viii / Chapter / Chapter I. --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / The Wave of Internet --- p.1 / A Platform for Worldwide Communications --- p.1 / Fierce Competition of ISP Industry in Hong Kong --- p.2 / Chapter II. --- OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY --- p.4 / Chapter III. --- METHODOLOGY --- p.5 / Structure of Study --- p.5 / Literature Review and Interviews --- p.6 / Model Analysis --- p.7 / Chapter IV. --- THE INTERNET --- p.8 / Definition --- p.8 / A Brief History --- p.8 / Who Manages the Internet --- p.10 / Utilities of the Internet --- p.11 / Remote Access --- p.11 / Interpersonal Communications --- p.11 / Information Gathering --- p.12 / Commercial Operations --- p.12 / Others --- p.13 / How to Connect to the Internet - the Topology --- p.13 / How Information is Moved Over the Internet --- p.14 / Packet Switched Network --- p.15 / The Internet Protocol (“IP´ح) --- p.15 / Chapter V. --- The ISP INDUSTRY IN HONG KONG --- p.18 / Definition --- p.18 / Services of ISP --- p.18 / Internet Access --- p.18 / Value-added Services --- p.19 / WEB hosting --- p.19 / Facilities management (Server hosting) --- p.19 / System design and integration --- p.20 / WEB page design --- p.20 / Operation of ISP --- p.20 / ISP Access to the Internet Backbone --- p.20 / Common Ways of Access to ISP --- p.22 / Leased line Internet connections --- p.23 / Dialup IP connections --- p.24 / Cyber Map of Hong Kong --- p.24 / "Hong Kong Internet eXchange (""HKIX"")" --- p.25 / The Value Chain - Role of ISP --- p.27 / Cost Structure of ISP --- p.28 / Capital Cost --- p.28 / Operating Cost --- p.29 / Chapter VI. --- ISP - INDUSTRY LEVEL --- p.31 / The Past and Present of the ISP Industry in Hong Kong --- p.31 / The History --- p.31 / The Technology --- p.34 / The Government --- p.35 / The Five Forces --- p.37 / Entry barrier --- p.37 / Internal rivalry --- p.39 / Substitutes --- p.41 / Supplier power --- p.42 / Buyer power --- p.43 / The Demand --- p.44 / Competition and Profitability --- p.45 / Future Projection of the ISP Industry in Hong Kong --- p.46 / The Technology --- p.46 / The Government --- p.47 / The Five Forces --- p.48 / Entry barrier --- p.48 / Internal rivalry --- p.49 / Substitutes --- p.50 / Supplier power --- p.50 / Buyer power --- p.52 / The Demand --- p.52 / Competition and Profitability --- p.52 / Chapter VII. --- HONG KONG ISP - FIRM LEVEL --- p.54 / Value-added Analysis --- p.54 / Cost Structure --- p.55 / Cost Drivers --- p.55 / Economies of scale --- p.55 / Learning curve --- p.56 / Economies of scope --- p.57 / Benefit Drivers --- p.57 / Ease of connection --- p.57 / Traffic speed --- p.58 / Customer services --- p.59 / Hyperlinks and contents --- p.59 / Internet based services --- p.59 / Extensive sales network --- p.60 / Seller's reputation --- p.60 / Large installed base --- p.61 / Tailor-made services --- p.61 / Strategies --- p.62 / Wholesaling of Bandwidth --- p.62 / Focusing on Household Market --- p.63 / Focusing on Corporate Customers --- p.67 / Concentrating on Value-added Services --- p.68 / Integration and Alliances --- p.70 / Chapter VIII. --- CONCLUSIONS --- p.73 / APPENDIX --- p.74 / BIBLIOGRAPHY --- p.77

青少年網絡成癮已成為一個值得關註的問題。以往研究顯示，青少年網絡成癮的比例在4%到14%之間。網絡成癮的主要癥狀包括：過度使用，退縮反應，耐受性和強迫性。網絡成癮對青少年的健康，學業和人際關系都有負面影響。 / 以往對網絡成癮的研究已經發現了一些危險因素。但是以往研究存在兩方面不足。第一，多為簡單迴歸模型，較少中介模型， 較少探討危險因素之間可能的互動關係。第二，危險因素多為個人因素或網絡使用因素， 較少關注個人與環境的互動是如何提高網絡成癮風險。 / 為了彌補以上知識鴻溝，本研究提出了一個新的解釋網絡成癮的理論模型。這個模型中既包括個人因素又包括環境因素。這個理論模型的核心假設是當青少年認為網絡是滿足需要或者處理壓力的唯一途徑時，他們有可能會花費大量時間上網，也因此引發了較高的網絡成癮的風險。本研究進一步假設社交焦慮和缺乏親密朋友是導致青少年在現實生活中無法滿足人際交往需要的原因。本研究還假設壓力和迴避式應對壓力傾向是青少年不能在現實生活中處理壓力而將網絡視作應對壓力唯一途徑的原因。 / 本研究在中國上海進行。本研究是斷代式問卷研究。前測研究測量了量表的信效度，并根據結果對相關量表做進一步修正。正式研究通過非隨機抽樣方式邀請了892位年齡在12到18歲之間的中學生參加。結果顯示，52位（5.83%）參加者可被看作網絡成癮高危人群。高危人群更長時間上網，也具有更高的社交焦慮，更大的壓力和更強的迴避式應對壓力傾向。此外，中介模型的統計分析結果顯示，個人期待網絡使用是滿足需要和處理壓力的唯一途徑這一中介變量，解釋了部分社交焦慮，壓力和退縮型處理壓力傾向與網絡成癮症狀之間的關聯，該結果對本研究所假設的理論模型提供了初步的支持。 / 文末討論了本研究的限制和進一步研究的方向，并根據研究結果提出了對社會工作實務（包括預防及干預青少年網絡成癮）的建議。 / Adolescents have been found to be a vulnerable group for Internet addiction. The reportedly prevalence of "Internet addicts" ranged from 4% to 14%. The major symptoms of Internet addiction are: excessive use, withdrawal, tolerance, and compulsive use. Negative consequences of Internet addiction include physical complaints, worsening performance in work or study, and relationship problems. / Despite a number of risk factors identified, prior studies were limited in two aspects. First, previous studies assumed that risk factors operate in an additive manner with increasing numbers of risk factors leading to an increasing probability of becoming internet addicted. Not enough attention has been paid to relationships among the risk factors. Second, most risk factors were either personal attributes or internet use behaviors. This might lead to the biased assertion that either the person or the internet should be blamed for becoming addicted. / This research tried to extend previous research by proposing and testing a theoretical model which argued that the some adolescents became attached to the internet as it provided an alternative way of needs satisfaction or stress coping; the needs satisfaction or stress coping was not possible in realistic life due to some personal or contextual risk factors. The theoretical model was constructed based on outcome expectancy theory (Bandura, 1977; Jones, Corbin & Fromme, 2001; Oei & Baldwin, 1994), substitute gratification theory (Peele, 1998), and stress coping theory (Lazarus & Folkman, 1984; Abrams & Niaura, 1987) as well as some findings of previous research. / A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Shanghai, China. A non-random sample 892 adolescents (aged 12 to 18) from six secondary schools were recruited. 52(5.83%) participants were included in the high-risk group of internet addiction. Risk factors for internet addition were: male, senior secondary school students, social anxiety, stress, avoidance coping style, desirable outcome expectancy of substitute gratification (need to belong), desirable outcome expectancy of stress coping, frequency of online gaming, frequency of idling online and time spent online during weekdays. Moreover, social anxiety, stress, and avoidance coping style had both direct and indirect effects on severity of internet addiction symptoms via the mediators of desirable outcome expectancy of substitute gratification (need to belong) and desirable outcome expectancy of stress coping; the results provided preliminary support to the theoretical model proposed in this study. / Both conceptual and methodological limitations and their implications for further research were discussed. Prevention and intervention programs were proposed according to results of this study. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Gu, Minmin. / "November 2012." / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2013. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 191-207). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract and appendixes also in Chinese. / Acknowledgements --- p.i / Table of Contents --- p.iii / List of Tables --- p.vi / List of Figures --- p.viii / CHAPTER ONE --- p.1 / THE RESEARCH PROBLEM --- p.1 / BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY --- p.1 / Internet Addiction as an Emerging Problem --- p.1 / Knowledge Gaps in Previous Research on Internet Addiction --- p.3 / Intervention for Internet Addiction --- p.4 / RESEARCH OBJECTIVES --- p.6 / ORGANIZATION OF THE THESIS --- p.7 / CHAPTER TWO --- p.8 / LITERATURE REVIEW --- p.8 / DEFINITION AND MEASUREMENT OF INTERNET ADDICTION --- p.9 / Definition and Measurements of Internet Addiction in Previous Studies --- p.9 / The Evolved Definition of Addiction --- p.15 / Categorical Approach to Diagnosis for Addiction --- p.18 / Dimensional Approach to Diagnosis for Addiction --- p.21 / EMPIRICAL RESEARCH ON INTERNET ADDICTION --- p.23 / Risk Factors Identified in Mainland China --- p.23 / Risk Factors Identified in other Eastern Societies and Western Societies --- p.25 / THEORIES OF ADDICTION --- p.34 / The Relationship between Repetitive Internet Use and Internet Addiction --- p.34 / Psychosocial Theories Explaining Repetitive Internet Use --- p.39 / CHAPTER THREE --- p.55 / CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK --- p.55 / THE CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK --- p.55 / RESEARCH HYPOTHESES --- p.63 / CHAPTER FOUR --- p.68 / RESEARCH METHOD --- p.68 / RESEARCH SITE --- p.68 / Social and Economical Condition of Shanghai --- p.69 / Schooling and Extra-curricular Activities in Shanghai --- p.70 / Internet Use and Internet Addiction among Adolescents in Shanghai --- p.71 / RESEARCH DESIGN --- p.72 / PILOT STUDY --- p.72 / Samples --- p.72 / Data Collection --- p.73 / Data Analysis --- p.81 / MAIN STUDY --- p.82 / Samples --- p.82 / Data Collection --- p.86 / Data Analysis --- p.86 / ETHIC CONSIDERATIONS --- p.89 / CHAPTER FIVE --- p.90 / PILOT STUDY --- p.90 / CHINESE INTERNET ADDICTION SCALE (CIAS) --- p.92 / SELF-DEVELOPED MEASURE OF DESIRABLE OUTCOME EXPECTANCY --- p.102 / SOCIAL ANXIETY SCALE FOR ADOLESCENTS (SAS-A) --- p.104 / FRIENDSHIP INTIMACY (ADAPTED FROM THE NETWORK OF RELATIONSHIP INVENTORY) --- p.107 / SELF-DEVELOPED MEASURE OF STRESS FOR ADOLESCENTS --- p.108 / AVOIDANCE COPING STYLE (ADAPTED FROM COPE INVENTORY) --- p.112 / CHAPTER SIX --- p.115 / MAIN STUDY --- p.115 / PSYCHOMETRIC ANALYSES --- p.115 / DESCRIPTIVE STATISTICS --- p.119 / Severity of Internet Addiction Symptoms --- p.119 / Time Spent Online during Holidays, Weekends, and Weekdays --- p.120 / Zero Hour User in the Three Time Phases --- p.121 / Time Spent on Various Online Activities --- p.123 / Risk Factors --- p.124 / COMPARISON OF HIGH-RISK GROUP AND NON-HIGH-RISK GROUP --- p.126 / High-Risk Group --- p.126 / Group Differences in Time Spent Online during Holidays, Weekends and Weekdays --- p.126 / Group Differences in Time Spent on Various Online Activities --- p.127 / Group Differences in Risk Factors --- p.129 / PREDICTORS FOR SEVERITY OF INTERNET ADDICTION SYMPTOMS --- p.132 / Correlation of Dependent and Independent Variables --- p.132 / Hierarchical Regression Predicting Severity of Internet Addiction Symptoms via Demographic Variables, Personal or Environmental Inadequacies, Desirable Outcome Expectancy, Preference for Online Activities and Time Spent Online --- p.136 / Mediation Effects of Desirable Outcome Expectancies --- p.140 / CHAPTER SEVEN --- p.155 / DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS --- p.155 / ZERO-HOUR USER IN THREE DIFFERENT TIME PHASES --- p.155 / HIGH RISK GROUP OF INTERNET ADDICTION --- p.156 / GENDER DIFFERENCE IN RATE OF INTERNET ADDICTION AND SEVERITY OF INTERNET ADDICTION SYMPTOMS --- p.158 / GRADE DIFFERENCE IN SEVERITY OF INTERNET ADDICTION SYMPTOMS --- p.159 / PREFERENCE FOR ONLINE ACTIVITIES AND HIGH-RISK GROUP OF INTERNET ADDICTION --- p.160 / DESIRABLE OUTCOME EXPECTANCY OF SUBSTITUTE GRATIFICATION (NEED TO BELONG) --- p.162 / SOCIAL ANXIETY, DESIRABLE OUTCOME EXPECTANCY OF SUBSTITUTE GRATIFICATION (NEED TO BELONG) AND SEVERITY OF INTERNET ADDICTION SYMPTOMS --- p.162 / FRIENDSHIP INTIMACY, SOCIAL ANXIETY, DESIRABLE OUTCOME EXPECTANCY OF SUBSTITUTE GRATIFICATION (NEED TO BELONG) AND SEVERITY OF INTERNET ADDICTION SYMPTOMS --- p.165 / STRESS, DESIRABLE OUTCOME EXPECTANCY OF STRESS COPING AND SEVERITY OF INTERNET ADDICTION SYMPTOMS --- p.167 / AVOIDANCE COPING STYLE, DESIRABLE OUTCOME EXPECTANCY OF STRESS COPING AND SEVERITY OF INTERNET ADDICTION SYMPTOMS --- p.168 / CHAPTER EIGHT --- p.170 / LIMITATIONS AND IMPLICATIONS --- p.170 / SUMMARY OF MAJOR FINDINGS --- p.170 / LIMITATIONS OF THE THEORETICAL MODEL AND SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE RESEARCH --- p.173 / Unexplored Other Types of Desirable Outcome Expectancies --- p.173 / Unexplored Other Psychosocial Risk Factors --- p.174 / Reciprocal Relationship between Risk Factors and Severity of Internet Addiction Symptoms --- p.174 / A New Population of Interest: College Students --- p.175 / METHODLOGICAL LIMITATIONS AND SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE RESEARCH --- p.176 / The Limitations of Cross-sectional Design and Recommendation for Longitudinal Research --- p.176 / The Limitations of Non-random Sampling and Recommendations for Random Sampling --- p.177 / The limitations of Self-report Data and Recommendations for Data Collection from Multiple Sources --- p.177 / The Limitations of Quantitative Research and Recommendations for Qualitative Research --- p.178 / THEORTICAL CONTRIBUTIONS --- p.179 / Replicating and Extending Previous Empirical Research on Internet Addiction --- p.180 / Applying Outcome Expectancy Theory to Internet Addiction Research --- p.180 / Applying of Stress Coping Theory to Internet Addiction Research --- p.181 / Applying Substitute Gratification Theory to Internet Addiction Research --- p.182 / PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS --- p.183 / Intervention Programs --- p.183 / Prevention Programs --- p.189 / References --- p.191 / Chapter Appendix I --- Questionnaire for Pilot Study --- p.208 / Chapter Appendix II --- Questionnaire for Pilot Study --- p.228