The ecological consumer has been a significant and central character in the development of green marketing. In an effort to enhance brand equity and increase consumers’ loyalty, companies are relying on environmental claims. From advances in processes, to product design and packaging materials that diminish waste, companies are more and more emphasizing on sustainability. The findings of previous research aiming to link purchasing and environmental concerns to socio-demographic factors have been generally inconclusive and inconsistent (Peattie, 2001). Therefore, the purpose of this study aims to identify if sustainable packaging can be used as a marketing tool to increase brand equity. In addition, the authors intended to identify who is consuming sustainable products and particularly sustainable packaging. The review of previous research concerning this topic led us to express two hypotheses. First, women are more involved by the purchasing process than men. Second, sustainable consumption is seen as a time consuming activity, economically disadvantageous and stressful (Valor, 2008). Through both a quantitative and a qualitative study we analyzed consumers’ behavior and attitude towards sustainable packaging and green consumption in general. The findings of the study allowed us to conclude that the gap between consumers’ attitude and purchasing decision concerning ecological products in general is important. The main reasons are a lack of communication, promotion and availability regarding these products as well as the high-proposed price. Furthermore, the study confirmed that women are much more involved than men in the consumption decision making process in both “classic and green” purchasing.

Microwave heating of food has increased rapidly as a food processing technique. This increases the concern that chemicals could migrate from food packaging to food. The specific effect of microwave heating in contrast to conventional heating on overall and specific migration from common plastic food storage boxes was studied in this work. The purpose was especially to determine the interaction effects of different plastics in contact with different types of foods during microwave heating. The study focused on polycarbonate (PC), poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), polypropylene homo-polymer (PP), co-polymer (PP-C) and random co-polymer (PP-R) packages. The migration determinations were evaluated at controlled times and temperatures, using a MAE device. The migrants were analyzed by GC-MS and HPLC. ESI-MS was evaluated as a new tool for migration determinations. Food/food simulant absorption and changes in degree of crystallinity during heating were also followed. Significant degradation of antioxidants Irgafos 168 and Irganox 1010 in PP packages occurred during microwave heating of the packages in food simulants containing ethanol, resulting in the formation of antioxidant degradation products. Degradation of PC by Fries chain rearrangement reaction leading to formation of 9,9-dimethylxanthene, and transesterification of PET leading to formation of diethyl terephthalate, were also observed after microwave heating the packages in ethanol and 90/10 isooctane/ethanol. These reactions were not observed during conventional heating of the packages at the same temperature, or after microwave heating of the packages in liquid food (coconut milk). The microwave heating also significantly increased the migration of cyclic oligomers from PET into ethanol and isooctane at 80 °C. Migration of compounds into coconut milk was slightly lower than calculated amounts using the EU mathematical model to predict migration of additives into foodstuffs. The results thus show that the use of ethanol as a fat food simulant during microwave heating can lead to a significant overestimation of migration as well as degradation of polymer or the incorporated additives. Some other detected migrants were dimethylbenzaldehyde, 4-ethoxy-ethyl benzoate, benzophenone, m-tert-butyl phenol and 1-methylnaphthalene. All identified migrants with associated specific migration limit (SML) values migrated in significantly lower amounts than the SML values during 1 h of microwave heating at 80 °C. The antioxidant diffusion coefficients in PP and PP co-polymers showed larger relative differences than the corresponding degrees of crystallinity in the same polymers and PP-R showed by far the fastest migration of antioxidants. / Mikrovågsuppvärmning av mat har ökat markant under de senaste åren. Detta ökar risken för att ämnen i plast migrerar från matförpackningar till mat. Den specifika effekten av mikrovågsvärmning i kontrast till konventionell värmning på total och specifik migrering från vanliga matförvaringslådor av plast studerades i denna avhandling. Syftet var i huvudsak att bestämma interaktionseffekter mellan olika typer av plaster och olika typer av mat under mikrovågsvärmning. Studien fokuserades på förpackningar av polykarbonat (PC), polyetentereftalat (PET), polypropylen homopolymer (PP), copolymer (PP-C) och random copolymer (PP-R). Migreringstesterna utfördes under kontrollerade tider och temperaturer genom att använda MAE. Migranterna analyserades med hjälp av GC-MS och HPLC. ESI-MS-analys utvärderades också som ny analysmetod för migreringstester. Absorption av mat- och matsimulanter samt förändringar i kristallinitetsgrad följdes också. Signifikant nedbrytning av antioxidanterna Irgafos 168 och Irganox 1010 i PP-förpackningar inträffade under mikrovågsvärmning av förpackningarna i etanol-innehållande matsimulanter, vilket resulterade i bildning av nedbrytningsprodukter från antioxidanterna. Nedbrytning av PC genom en Fries omfördelningsreaktion, vilket orsakade bildning av 9,9-dimetylxanten, samt transesterifikation av PET, vilket orsakade bildning av dietyltereftalat, observerades också efter mikrovågsvärmning av förpackningarna i etanol och 90/10 isooktan/etanol. Dessa reaktioner observerades ej efter konventionell värmning av förpackningarna under samma temperatur och ej heller efter mikrovågsvärmning av förpackningarna i riktig mat (kokosmjölk). Mikrovågsvärmningen ökade också betydelsefullt migrering av cykliska oligomerer från PET till etanol och isooktan under 80 °C. Specifika ämnens migrering till kokosmjölk var alla något lägre än migreringsvärden beräknade m. h. a. EU's officiella matematiska modell för förutsägelse av migrering från matförpackningar till mat. Dessa resultat visar att användandet av etanol som matsimulant för fet mat under mikrovågsvärmning kan leda till betydande överestimering av migrering, samt nedbrytning av polymer och additiv i polymeren. Andra detekterade migranter var till exempel dimetylbenzaldehyd, 4-etoxy-etylbenzoat, benzofenon, m-tertbutylfenol och 1-metylnaftalen. Alla identifierade migranter med tillhörande ‘specific migration limit’ (SML)-värden migrerade i betydelsefullt mindre mängder än ämnenas tillhörande SML-värden under 1 h mikrovågsvärmning under 80°C. Diffusionskoefficienterna för antioxidanterna i PP-förpackningarna visade större relativa skillnader än förpackningarnas motsvarande kristallinitetsgrader och migrering av antioxidanter var snabbast från PP-R. / <p>QC 20120530</p>

Starch and microbial exo-polysaccharides produced by prokaryotes (i.e. Eubacteria and Archaebacteria) and eukaryotes (i.e. phytoplankton, fungi, and algae) are recognized as a permanent source of biopolymers for the packaging industry. However, the unsuitable mechanical properties for thermoplastic applications and/or high cost of production have restricted their generalized use. Fungal isolates of the genus Ophiostoma are able to produce exo-polysaccharides or protein-like compounds in a medium containing starch as the substrate. Various analytical techniques were used as an approach to investigate the interaction between starch and the fungal extracellular metabolites and the effect of the molecular-structural modifications on the functional properties of the materials. Native starches were used as control in all experiments. Analyses performed by dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA), which provides information related to the viscoelastic properties, showed that the storage modulus (E') increased substantially after the modification of the starch showing a process of chain stiffness. The determination of the glass transition temperature (Tg) by tan  and loss modulus (E'') peaks showed various thermal transitions indicating a complex molecular aggregation due to the potential presence of dissimilar amorphous polymers. Experiments performed in DSC confirmed the presence of the various thermal transitions associated to the Tg of these materials. The first derivative of mass loss with respect to temperature during the thermogravimetric (TG) analysis was slightly lower compared with native starches (at ~630 and 650°C). However, modified starches can withstand high temperatures showing residues up to 20% at 1000°C. Studies on the characterization of the flow properties of the polymers by capillary rheology showed in both samples a shear thinning behavior. The double logarithmic plot of the shear rate vs. shear viscosity produced a straight line and in consequence a power law equation was used to describe the rheological behavior ( = K'n). The results showed that in order to achieve the same shear rate (') in both samples (modified and native starches) it is necessary to apply a higher shear stress () in the fungal treated materials. As a result, the consistency power law index (n) decreased and the consistency value increased (K). The practical consequence is that the melting point of these polysaccharides shifted to higher temperatures. By using various analytical techniques (including chromatography, spectroscopy, spectrometry) it was found that these phenomena may be due to the interaction of starch with protein-like or exo-polysaccharides or both which may influence the viscosity, bind adjacent molecules (i.e. network-like) and restrict the molecular motion. Evidences of the presence of pendant groups attached to high molecular weight compounds were also found. This information will give guidance to further structural studies and it is intended to pave the way for a variety of industrial applications.

Starch and microbial exo-polysaccharides produced by prokaryotes (i.e. Eubacteria and Archaebacteria) and eukaryotes (i.e. phytoplankton, fungi, and algae) are recognized as a permanent source of biopolymers for the packaging industry. However, the unsuitable mechanical properties for thermoplastic applications and/or high cost of production have restricted their generalized use. Fungal isolates of the genus Ophiostoma are able to produce exo-polysaccharides or protein-like compounds in a medium containing starch as the substrate. Various analytical techniques were used as an approach to investigate the interaction between starch and the fungal extracellular metabolites and the effect of the molecular-structural modifications on the functional properties of the materials. Native starches were used as control in all experiments. Analyses performed by dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA), which provides information related to the viscoelastic properties, showed that the storage modulus (E') increased substantially after the modification of the starch showing a process of chain stiffness. The determination of the glass transition temperature (Tg) by tan  and loss modulus (E'') peaks showed various thermal transitions indicating a complex molecular aggregation due to the potential presence of dissimilar amorphous polymers. Experiments performed in DSC confirmed the presence of the various thermal transitions associated to the Tg of these materials. The first derivative of mass loss with respect to temperature during the thermogravimetric (TG) analysis was slightly lower compared with native starches (at ~630 and 650°C). However, modified starches can withstand high temperatures showing residues up to 20% at 1000°C. Studies on the characterization of the flow properties of the polymers by capillary rheology showed in both samples a shear thinning behavior. The double logarithmic plot of the shear rate vs. shear viscosity produced a straight line and in consequence a power law equation was used to describe the rheological behavior ( = K'n). The results showed that in order to achieve the same shear rate (') in both samples (modified and native starches) it is necessary to apply a higher shear stress () in the fungal treated materials. As a result, the consistency power law index (n) decreased and the consistency value increased (K). The practical consequence is that the melting point of these polysaccharides shifted to higher temperatures. By using various analytical techniques (including chromatography, spectroscopy, spectrometry) it was found that these phenomena may be due to the interaction of starch with protein-like or exo-polysaccharides or both which may influence the viscosity, bind adjacent molecules (i.e. network-like) and restrict the molecular motion. Evidences of the presence of pendant groups attached to high molecular weight compounds were also found. This information will give guidance to further structural studies and it is intended to pave the way for a variety of industrial applications.

Tobacco use is responsible for 5.4 million deaths every year worldwide and a leading cause of preventable death. The burden of these deaths is rapidly shifting to low and middle-income countries, such as Brazil. Brazil is widely regarded as an international leader in tobacco control. The country has prohibited most forms of advertising; however, the cigarette pack remains a primary source of tobacco marketing. The current study sought to examine how tobacco packaging influences brand appeal and perceptions of health risk among female youth in Brazil. A between-subjects experiment was conducted in which 640 Brazilian females between the ages of 16 to 26 years participated in an online survey. Each participant was asked to view and rate a series of cigarette packages that were digitally altered to correspond to one of three experimental conditions: (1) “standard” branded cigarette packages, (2) the same packs with all brand imagery removed (“plain packaging”), or (3) the same packs with all imagery and brand descriptors removed. Participants rated the packages on perceived appeal, taste, smoothness, health risk, ease of quitting, desirability to be seen smoking, preference to try, and smoker attributes through single pack ratings and two-pack comparisons. A pack offer was used as a behavioural measure of general appeal. Linear and logistic regression modeling was used to test for differences between and within experimental conditions. Branded packs were rated as significantly more appealing, better tasting, and smoother on the throat than plain packs. Branded packs were also associated with a greater number of positive smoker attributes including style and sophistication, and were perceived as more likely to be smoked by females than the plain packs. Removing descriptors from the plain packs further decreased the ratings of appeal, taste and smoothness, and also reduced associations with positive attributes. Results of the study also indicated that packages marketed as lighter, through use of lighter coloured pack imagery, and descriptors referring to lighter colours and flavours, were more likely to be rated favourably. Over 52% of participants accepted a pack offer at the end of the study, and of those who selected a pack, more than three-quarters chose a branded pack over a plain pack. Overall, the findings suggest that plain packaging and removing descriptors from cigarette packs, including those that refer to flavours, may help to reduce the appeal of smoking, and consequently reduce smoking susceptibility among young women in Brazil.

In today's semiconductor-based computer and communication technology, system performance is determined primarily by two factors, namely on-chip and off-chip operating frequency. In this dissertation, time-domain measurement-based methods that enable gigabit data transmission in both the IC and package have been proposed using Time-Domain Reflectometry (TDR) equipment. For the evaluation of the time-domain measurement-based method, a wafer level package test vehicle was designed, fabricated and characterized using the proposed measurement-based methods. Electrical issues associated with gigabit data transmission using the wafer-level package test vehicle were investigated. The test vehicle consisted of two board transmission lines, one silicon transmission line, and solder bumps with 50um diameter and 100um pitch. In this dissertation, 1) the frequency-dependent characteristic impedance and propagation constant of the transmission lines were extracted from TDR measurements. 2) Non-physical RLGC models for transmission lines were developed from the transient behavior for the simulation of the extracted characteristic impedance and propagation constant. 3) the solder bumps with 50um diameter and 100um pitch were analytically modeled. Then, the effect of the assembled wafer-level package, silicon substrate and board material, and material interfaces on gigabit data transmission were discussed using the wafer-level package test vehicle. Finally, design recommendations for the wafer-level package on integrated board were proposed for gigabit data transmission in both the IC and package.

Abstract In 1972, Taiwan¡¦s first squid jigging vessel ¡§YUNG CHUNG¡¨ succeeded in developing fishing ground at Sea of Japan. Since that time, Taiwanese squid jigging vessels keep succeeding in developing new Squid fishing grounds in New Zealand, North Pacific Ocean, and Southwest of the Atlantic Ocean. Because the squid catch continued to grow, Taiwan began to export squid products to China, Japan, South Korea, North America, and Europe. In volumes, the top three countries of catching squids are Taiwan, China and South Korea vessels at present. However, in reality, even the freezing ability and catching quality of Taiwanese jigging vessels are much better than the other two countries, the export price for Taiwanese catch are the lowest. The major factor is because the packaging weight has not been standardized. It reduces the purchase willingness and the selling price in the overseas markets for Taiwanese catches. Currently, Taiwan now has 105 squid jigging vessels, but each vessel process the catch in their own way. Therefore, it makes the crew difficult to follow the work procedures which influence the efficiency, and result in inconsistent of the packaging weight. This research we use ¡§Analytical Hierarchy Process¡¨. Through consulting with the experts and studying based from the historical documents, we try to establish the key factors on the construction and design of our questionnaire. We then collect the answers from the fishery companies in Taiwan and sea food processing factories in China, and then we confirm the results trough the statistical analysis. We hope through a dependable data and solid research, we can provide concrete recommendations to squid fishery companies, processing factories, and Fisheries Agency of the Government on benefits of packaging weight standardization. We then hope that the ultimate goal is to help raise the Taiwanese squid price in overseas markets.

Abstract The 21st century is knowledge-economy era. In the era of knowledge economy, those who dominate the knowledge and the technology are able to meet the challenges in the future. Because of the competition in knowledge and technology, couple with the rise of information and internet technology, innovation strategy has also taken into the new century. In order to improve organizational performance, management and sharing of corporate knowledge as well as innovation strategies are getting more important, therefore, effective knowledge management and innovation strategy will be one of the key factors of corporate success. Knowledge is the core competitive advantage the most important and the most difficult to imitate. Only through constantly improving, attracting, creating and utilizing abundant knowledge, and integrating in its core competence can it superior to competitors. This thesis adopts case study on one leading domestic company in semiconductor packaging and testing industry. Conduct questionnaire methodology at managers and engineers, and survey five dimensions on knowledge management processes, leadership, corporate culture, information technology and performance evaluation. The main purpose is to realize current implementation of corporate knowledge management, activities and performance, and to conclude the development of knowledge management in the company. Specifically, the purposes of this study are as follows: First, summarize existing literature to understand the effective implementation method for knowledge management. Second, realize corporate current status of knowledge management activities. Third, research on how the company strengthens existing knowledge management practices to retain the core knowledge, enhance manpower quality, and create added value after merging into a fast-growing organization. Finally, the suggestion on KM implementation is proposed for reference. By way of questionnaire survey and in-depth interviews to understand current application and direction of knowledge management, and to conclude specific suggestions for improvement reference, hopefully this thesis benefits the company to enhance corporate competitiveness.

There are three parts in this thesis: In the first part (Chapter 2), we discuss the port excitation (Wave port vs Lumped port) suitable for sub-millimeter wave operations. We realized on printed circuit board a grounded coplanar waveguide (CPWG) and on gallium arsenic (GaAs) a microstrip line. We performed simulation on these structures using high frequency structure simulator (HFSS), and compared the results with measured ones. From the comparison, we found close match for CPWG insertion loss from 10 MHz to 67 GHz using the Wave port. However, for G-S-G lumped port, only matched up to 40 GHz. The wave port not only was more accurate, but also consumed less time in simulation. Consequently, we employed wave port as our simulation excitation for our sub-millimeter wave QFN design. In the second part (Chapter 3), we focused on design of low cost QFN for sub-millimeter wave applications. We fabricated test structures, which include IC pads and transmission lines, wire bonds, QFN leads, and G-S-G structures on printed circuit board. In HFSS simulation, our specially designed ribbon bonds and QFN configuration show return loss less than -20dB and insertion loss less than -0.4 dB up to 60 GHz. Using the same design principles, we strived to improve the performance of a commercially available QFN, which normally operates at 3 to 6 GHz. The extraction method to obtain the high frequency characteristics was introduced first, and the characteristics of a commercially available QFN (with our wire bond configuration) were then obtained. The insertion loss was less than -20 dB and insertion loss less than -0.5 dB up to 20 GHz. In Chapter 5, we discuss the performance discrepancies between the simulated ribbon bond results and that for fabricated wire bonds. In the third part (Chapter 4), we introduced a method to extract the characteristics of a single backside via and investigated the effects of die attachment on the performance of a single and multiple backside via(s). Using silver epoxy and Cu blank layer as die attach methods, we found it was important to provide a broad path (Cu blank layer), as opposed to a restrict path (like silver epoxy) to reduce the inductance of the backside vias. The conclusion and future work are provided in Chapter 5.

A Study On the Strategy of Semiconduuctor Probe Card Industry ¡V The Case of L Corportation Abstract Probe card is a kind of electronic consumption material that used in the machines of semiconductor packaging factories. For the growth of semiconductor industries of Taiwan, production capacity has been expanded in packaging manufacturers together with the requirement of probe card. Most of probe cards are imported before year 1990; but recently years, USA and Japan probe card manufacturers transferred production technique and production line to Taiwan and then Taiwan have the ability to produce the probe cards and also cooperate with other vendors in the ways of strategic alliance and technical transferring. Gradually, short lead time and in time customer service are becoming the most important items within this field. The example company L is especially analyze via Porter¡¦s SWOT for research the strategic method and find out the competition within this field, which base on quality, lead time, service and customer service, and etc. The consultation and the suggestions are as below: 1. Best quality: One of the most important items that customers concern about, and much more important than the price of the probe cards, sample company should have to strength on the administrative structure to meet the customers¡¦ requirements. 2. Variation of products Vertical probe card is the benefit based market much more than epoxy ones, high gross profit, and the competitive companies are just 2-3 ones, if the sample company can develop and get advanced within, he will be expand much in possession of markets with his high quality of products. ii 3. Focusing on key customers With the focusing on 3-5 customers with high level products and mass production, the sample company will get the stable orders with the important selling and service. 4. Customers Relationship Management (CRM) We found it¡¦s very important for this field to count on the service after selling; therefore, it¡¦s very important to do well in Customers Relationship Management (CRM) The researches above are the suggestions for sample company and only with right strategy, it¡¦s possible for him to stand one seat in this field. Key words: semiconductor, packaging factories, probe card, strategic alliance, SWOT