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<p>The purpose of this thesis is, through a case study, to analyse how the Internet is affecting smaller independent record labels' communicational efforts, and if these companies are dealing differently with this technological change. In order to accomplish this, a number of interviews have been conducted with smaller independent record labels. The findings have been analysed using a theoretical frame of reference covering innovation management and communicational methods. Our results show that the Internet has had an effect on these labels’ communicational efforts, either directly through an increased use of online communication or indirectly through the decreasing effectiveness of some traditional channels. However, as many traditional channels are still being used, smaller independent record labels are now managing an increased number of channels simultaneously. Furthermore, the degree of online communicational efforts varies depending on musical genre, being more commonly used in popular music genres. For labels with a high online activity, social networks play a prominent role, with considerable effort and time allocated towards working with these. Also, these companies are very attentive to the rapidly changing online environment with the aim of staying at the forefront of this development.</p>

The purpose of this thesis is, through a case study, to analyse how the Internet is affecting smaller independent record labels' communicational efforts, and if these companies are dealing differently with this technological change. In order to accomplish this, a number of interviews have been conducted with smaller independent record labels. The findings have been analysed using a theoretical frame of reference covering innovation management and communicational methods. Our results show that the Internet has had an effect on these labels’ communicational efforts, either directly through an increased use of online communication or indirectly through the decreasing effectiveness of some traditional channels. However, as many traditional channels are still being used, smaller independent record labels are now managing an increased number of channels simultaneously. Furthermore, the degree of online communicational efforts varies depending on musical genre, being more commonly used in popular music genres. For labels with a high online activity, social networks play a prominent role, with considerable effort and time allocated towards working with these. Also, these companies are very attentive to the rapidly changing online environment with the aim of staying at the forefront of this development.

This thesis studies the music industry as a whole, and delves more specifically into how new technologies have disrupted the old business model. Advances in technology such as the Internet, MP3s, and file-sharing software have made it possible to bypass the traditional role of record labels, thus creating a closer link between artists and consumers. As the music industry transformed over time, the role of record labels became less defined. This has left once behemoth labels struggling to find a competitive advantage in a rapidly devolving industry. Record labels are no longer the most relevant segment of the music industry, and this work provides an in-depth analysis of the processes that destroyed their relevance. This thesis begins by examining the music industry at a macro level, before tracking record labels from their prominence to their current marginalized role. Advancements in MP3, P2P networks, and other consumer-enabling technologies have transformed the music industry. The lack of a significant response to this shifting landscape within the industry has left record labels on a slippery slope towards extinction. As record labels failed to adapt to shifting demand and changing methods of consumption, private entrepreneurs have intervened to solve inefficiencies in the market. This thesis will leave the reader with an expansive knowledge of how the music industry has transformed, as well as its future trajectory without record labels.

The purpose of my research is to examine the music industry from both the perspective of a musician and a lawyer, and draw real conclusions regarding where the music industry is heading in the 21st century. Digital technologies are overhauling the way in which musicians, record labels, and other industry professionals make a living, and my goal is to decipher what these changes mean in the long term. In light of this transformation, my research investigates whether musicians still need record labels in the digital era, and what role copyright law will continue to have in this new model.<p> The method of research for my thesis was slightly atypical. While I utilized any textbook and scholarly journal that was available on the topic, much of my most valuable research came in the form of personal interviews with some of the biggest players in the music industry, as well as various articles and studies found online.<p> My thesis argues that the roles played by artists and record labels have completely changed in the last five years, and the parties that will find success on either side of the bargaining table will be those most appreciative of and adaptive to this change. Directly related to this is the changing face of copyright in the music industry. My thesis argues that while copyright used to provide massive value from a single source in the short term, it now generates smaller amounts of value from an infinite array of sources, in the long term. The significance of this finding cannot be understated, for both artists and their investors. In this way, my research aims to be equally significant and accessible to musicians, industry professionals, and academics.

This thesis encloses quantum chemical calculations performed in the framework of density functional response theory for evaluating electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spin Hamiltonian parameters of various spin-labels in different environments. These parameters are the well known electronic g-tensor and the nitrogen hyperfine coupling constants, which are extensively explored in this work for various systems. A special attention was devoted to the relationships that form between the structural and spectroscopic properties that can be accounted for as an environmental inuence. Such environmental effects were addressed either within a fully quantum mechanical formalism, involving simplified model structures that still capture the physical properties of the extended system, or by employing a quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) approach. The latter implies that the nitroxide spin label is treated quantum mechanically, while the environment is treated in a classical discrete manner, with appropriate force fields employed for its description. The state-of- the art techniques employed in this work allow for an optimum accounting of the environmental effects that play an important role for the behaviour of EPR properties of nitroxides spin labels. One achievement presented in this thesis includes the first theoretical con_rmation of an empirical assumption that is usually made for inter-molecular distance measurement experiments in deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), involving pulsed electron-electron double resonance (PELDOR) and site-directed spin labeling (SDSL) techniques. This refers to the fact that the EPR parameters of the spin-labels are not affected by their interaction with the nucleobases from which DNA is constituted. Another important result presented deals with the inuence of a supramolecular complex on the EPR properties of an encapsulated nitroxide spin-label. The enclusion complex affects the hydrogen bonding topology that forms around the R2NO moiety of the nitroxide. This, on the other hand has a major impact on its structure which further on governs the magnitude of the spectroscopic properties. The projects and results presented in this thesis offer an example of successful usage of modern quantum chemistry techniques for the investigation of EPR parameters of spin-labels in complex systems. / <p>QC 20130318</p>

Obesity is a serious health concern in Canada. Thirty-seven percent of the population are overweight and approximately 25% are obese. Increased energy intake from eating outside the home has contributed to the rise in obesity. Approximately one quarter of all Canadians consume food in a quick-service restaurant on a given day. Although not all food consumed outside the home is of poor nutritional quality, restaurants generally offer foods that have larger portions, and are higher in calories and fat. Menu labelling has the potential to promote healthier eating by informing consumers about the calorie content of meals. Currently, there is little or no research on possible unintended effects of displaying calorie information at restaurants and quick-service establishments. In particular, it is unclear how such information would affect individuals with clinical eating disorders, or those with eating disturbances. In the current study, 325 female undergraduate students over the age of 16 took part in a 10-minute paper-based survey after meal consumption in a cafeteria on the University of Waterloo campus. The study employed a pre-post design, with data collection occurring in paired and unpaired samples one month before calorie information was added to menu boards, and one week after. In the 299 participants with usable data the prevalence of eating disturbances (EAT-26 > 20) was 10.4%. Calorie consumption decreased from baseline (mean=678.2 kcal) to follow-up (mean=602.3 kcal; p=0.049). There were no statistically significant changes in any of the other outcomes from baseline to follow-up, including body image satisfaction, anxiety, mood, and frequency of engaging in unhealthy behaviours. Additionally, there were no interactions between eating disturbance level and time, which suggests that calorie labels did not differentially affect those in this high-risk population. Overall, no adverse outcomes related to eating disturbances were associated with the implementation of calorie labels in this at-risk population. The results have potential implications for menu labelling regulations.

As shisha smoking is increasing globally, the need for a critical action to control shisha smoking consumption becomes crucial. Despite the success of cigarette warning labels in increasing smokers' awareness of the negative health effects of smoking and in motivating smokers to quit, nothing is known about the potential impact health warning labels may have on shisha users. The current study investigated the perception of effectiveness of text-only versus graphic warning among shisha smokers. This study sought to examine the impact of viewing health warning labels on perceived susceptibility and severity of shisha smoking health hazards, on motivating intentions to quit, and on changing the pattern of shisha smoking. Eligible participants first completed an online baseline questionnaire, and were then randomly assigned to one of three conditions:a control condition, in which they viewed nutrition labels (n=100) , or one of two experimental groups in which they viewed Text- only warning labels (n=117), or they viewed Graphic warning labels (n=125). In each of these three conditions, participants viewed six health warning labels and rated them using likert scale questions immediately following each label. Two weeks later, participants were invited to complete an online follow-up questionnaire. The findings indicate that Graphic tobacco warnings grab participants' attention and elicit unfavourable emotional reactions. Although there was a relatively little impact of viewing health warnings on subsequent shisha use, Graphic warnings significantly improved some of the participants' health knowledge .In addition, Graphic warnings significantly increased smokers' beliefs that shisha is harmful to health and dangerous to non-smokers. Patterns of the findings revealed that quit intentions were relatively higher among those who viewed Graphic warning labels. To our knowledge, this study is the first to examine the effect of health warnings on shisha smokers. Overall, findings provide modest support for the efficcacy of shisha warnings on establised users. Findings imply that packaging and labelling policies for shisha and shisha products require additional development. Further examination of specific themes and contents of health warnings directed specifically to shisha smokers in different cultural settings will be critical to ensure the relevance of health warnings in distinct cultural settings.

The purpose of my research is to examine the music industry from both the perspective of a musician and a lawyer, and draw real conclusions regarding where the music industry is heading in the 21st century. Digital technologies are overhauling the way in which musicians, record labels, and other industry professionals make a living, and my goal is to decipher what these changes mean in the long term. In light of this transformation, my research investigates whether musicians still need record labels in the digital era, and what role copyright law will continue to have in this new model.<p> The method of research for my thesis was slightly atypical. While I utilized any textbook and scholarly journal that was available on the topic, much of my most valuable research came in the form of personal interviews with some of the biggest players in the music industry, as well as various articles and studies found online.<p> My thesis argues that the roles played by artists and record labels have completely changed in the last five years, and the parties that will find success on either side of the bargaining table will be those most appreciative of and adaptive to this change. Directly related to this is the changing face of copyright in the music industry. My thesis argues that while copyright used to provide massive value from a single source in the short term, it now generates smaller amounts of value from an infinite array of sources, in the long term. The significance of this finding cannot be understated, for both artists and their investors. In this way, my research aims to be equally significant and accessible to musicians, industry professionals, and academics.

Bakgrund: De senaste 20 åren har varit händelserika år för detaljhandeln då kraftig tillväxt, tydlig expansion och en strukturomvandling har skett. Varukategorierna har växt och lågprisprodukter har tagits fram och en billighetstrend har skapats. Billighetstrenden ihop med strukturförändringarna är bidragande faktorer till framtagningen av egna märkesvaror (EMV). Till en början kopplades EMV samman med lågprisprodukter men den ständiga utvecklingen av dessa gör att kvalitetsnivån har ökat. EMV har blivit unika produkter som konsumenten bara kan hitta i kedjans butiker. Vi intresserar oss i att kolla på vad som gör att EMV köps och hur kunderna resonerar kring sina val. Forskningsfråga: Vilka faktorer förklarar kundens val av EMV? Syftet: Uppsatsens syfte är att skapa en förståelse och insikt för vilka bakomliggande faktorer som leder till att konsumenterna väljer ICAs EMV. Detta gör vi genom att förstå:Delsyfte 1: Syftet är att kartlägga vilka grundläggande faktorer som gör att kunderna väljer ICAs EMVDelsyfte 2: Syftet är att identifiera vilka funktioner ICAs olika EMV fyller vid kundens köpbeslut Metod: Vi har arbetat utifrån en kvalitativ forskningsmetod där våra primära källor var baserade på kvalitativa intervjuer med sexton personer. Utav dessa var åtta kunder och åtta från företaget ICA. Vi har även arbetat med en kvantitativ forskningsmetod för att få en bättre överblick över hur det ser ut hos fler kunder. Arbetet har präglats av en blandning mellan ett deduktiv och induktiv ansats vilket resulterar i en abduktiv ansats. Slutsatser: Vi har funnit två grundläggande och väsentliga faktorer som bidrar till att kunder väljer ICAs EMV, tilliten till ICA som varumärke samt märkeskännedom. Vi har även identifierat två viktiga funktioner som det enskilda EMV-märket uppfyller vid kundens köpbeslut. Den första funktionen är märkets roll för att underlätta beslutsprocesser vid valet av produkter, men också i valet inom en viss varukategori. En annan viktig funktion är att EMV-märket är bidragande till ett brett sortiment för ICA i sin helhet. / The purpose of this study has been to examine the underlying factors that lead to consumers’ purchase of private labels. Our aim has been to investigate what influences consumers purchase of private labels. We chose to work side by side with a company named ICA that is Sweden's largest supermarket. This company has the highest proportion of private labels in the Swedish retail market, and this is why we found it important to examine this company. Our research question for this study is as follows; What factors explain customers’ purchases of private label products? The method we used as a work process in this thesis is both a quantitative approach, as we have done a survey, as well as a qualitative approach with qualitative interviews conducted with members of the company ICA and with customers. The most vital part of this study was done by the qualitative approach, to get a deeper understanding of the subject. We have found two basic and essential factors that contribute customers to choose ICA´s private label products. The first one is customers trust in ICA as a brand and the second one is brand awareness. We have also identified two important functions that the privet label fulfill in the customer´s buying decision. The first is to facilitate customers buying decision process and the second one is to contribute to a wide range of products.