Thesis (M.S.E.S.)--University of Toledo, 2009. / Typescript. "Submitted as partial fulfillment of the requirements for The Master of Science degree in Exercise Science." "A thesis entitled"--at head of title. Bibliography: leaves 57-61.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Delaware, 2009. / Principal faculty advisor: Irene S. Davis, Dept. of Physical Therapy. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hong Kong, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 208-235).

Thesis (M. Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 1994. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M. Orth.)--University of Hong Kong, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 138-154).

Residential buildings under co-ownership are properties governed by mixed systems of communal and individual property rights. Their management demands a high level of organized cooperation and coordination among them. However, owners’ collective actions are never straightforward owing to their temptation to free ride. Without owners’ collective actions, management works can be delayed or even cancelled, which results in deteriorating building conditions. With the increasing number of people living in co-owned residential buildings, whether they can overcome collective action problems and effectively manage their properties becomes important to long-term management of building stocks. Therefore, this study aims to assess management performance of co-owned residential buildings and to explore the variations of the management performance from a collective action perspective. A rigorous tool for assessing management performance of co-owned residential buildings was developed in this study. The tool consisted of a hierarchy of key performance indicators which evaluate the capability of an owners’ group to make collective decisions, enforce management rules, and monitor its buildings’ condition. The application of the tool on a co-owned residential building generates a performance profile representing its management performance. The proposed tool was used to assess the management performance of 74 sampled buildings in Hong Kong. The survey data was collected from the sampled buildings through desk studies, face-to-face interviews, questionnaires by post, and on- site inspections. Multiple regression analyses were applied to investigate the effects of the exogenous factors on building management performance. The empirical results showed that large-size owners groups were more likely to perform well in managing their properties. Homogeneous owners groups were associated with a greater likelihood to achieve high management performance. More importantly, the empirical results revealed that the owners group of a co-owned residential building were more likely obtain high performance in managing the communal properties under the following circumstances: 1) well-defined boundaries of the communal properties; 2) a fair distribution of their rights and responsibilities to management; 3) a presence of effective mechanism to regulate their use of the communal properties; and 4) a way to rapidly resolve their disputes over management. The major contribution of this study is to the field of building management. The proposed tool in this study can used by owners, property managers, investors, and policy-makers to access to management information on co-owned residential buildings, which helps them make better decisions on buildings. In addition, findings of this study provided an explanation of the variations in building management performance, which has great implications for government policies that aim to encourage owners to cooperate in management of their properties. / published_or_final_version / Real Estate and Construction / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

Background Musculoskeletal problems and falls are major contributors to disabilities, both globally and in East Asia and the Pacific. Osteoporosis and falls are common in the elderly. Their impact lies in the fragility fractures that result. Of these, hip fracture is the most costly, in terms of mortality, morbidity, and the medical and social care costs incurred. With an ageing population, the number of hip fractures is set to rise. Having a prediction model for outcomes will help risk stratification of patients, and aid planning of clinical care, rehabilitation and discharge. The objective of this study is to validate the Nottingham Hip Fracture Score for mortality prediction in Hong Kong. Methods This is a retrospective study of 2209 consecutive adult patients admitted to Caritas Medical Centre from 1st January 2007 to 31st December 2012. Data was collected from the Clinical Management System, a local rehabilitation unit database, and the Hong Kong Death Registry. Variables included to predict mortality were age, sex, place of residence, presence of ≤2 comorbidities, presence of cancer, and haemoglobin level on admission. Binary logistic regression was performed. A cognitive function test score is needed for full validation of the Nottingham Hip Fracture Score. This score was only available for patients admitted to the rehabilitation unit. A sensitivity analysis was therefore done. Results Presence of cancer [odds ratio 3.67 (2.26, 5.95)], male sex [odds ratio 2.32 (1.83, 2.93)], presence ≥2 comorbidities [odds ratio 1.38 (1.09, 1.74)] and age [odds ratio 1.05 (1.03, 1.06)] were associated with 1-year mortality. Low haemoglobin level on admission was found to be a poor prognostic factor in other studies, but appeared to be protective in ours [odds ratio 0.74 (0.70, 0.79)]. Admission from old age home was not statistically significant. Sensitivity analysis assuming both best and worst case scenarios for cognitive function test scores found the Nottingham Hip Fracture Score to be a poor prediction model in Hong Kong. Conclusions The Nottingham Hip Fracture Score was a poor prediction model in Hong Kong, because of the low hip fracture mortality rates in Hong Kong. To be locally useful, the score need to be re-calibrated. To reduce the burden of disability from hip fracture, prevention is important, as is helping patients to recover from their injury. Better understanding of variations in length of stay and discharge destinations between hospitals in Hong Kong may provide some insights into areas for improvement. / published_or_final_version / Public Health / Master / Master of Public Health

published_or_final_version / Dentistry / Master / Master of Orthodontics

published_or_final_version / Anatomy / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

This study explores the dynamics of the managerial relationship in Sino-foreign joint ventures from the perspectives of both Western expatriates and local Chinese. It is based on observations of one joint venture and some formal and informal interviews of a few other joint ventures. Through examining cross-cultural trust, communication, decision making and conflict management, this study has presented some of the problems which have appeared, shed light on their origins and suggests possible resolution strategies. The author argues that mutual understanding between Westerners and Chinese is needed to form a basis for successful managerial relationships. Furthermore, understanding must be based on equality, respect and a knowledge and appreciation of the other people's different customs and forms of self-expression. This study also cautions against the use of Western concepts in pursuing cross-cultural studies of managerial relationships in the Sino-foreign joint venture context.