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Social media platforms have the potential to influence destination choice among potential travellers.Before potential travellers embark on a trip, they are faced with decision-making processes on whereto go, what to do, the best time to go, how to get there among other things. These pre-travel planning decisions can be influenced by their expectation of the experiences they will encounter at the destination and based on their perception of the destination. Their perception of destinations isusually informed by information found on social media platforms or passed on by family and friendswho have encountered similar travel experiences. Using Crompton’s model of destination choice set,this study explores the roles of social media platforms on destination choice among international students in the Umea university.

Title: Luxury Brands’ Storytelling on Social Media Date of Submission: 29th of May 2019 Authors: Klara Ekebring, Catarina Mellqvist Supervisor: Leon Caesarius Course: 2FE840, Master Thesis, 30 ECTS Purpose: The purpose of this thesis is to explore how luxury brands are communicating through brand storytelling on social media. Hence, this study is conducted from the perspective of luxury brands with the aim to provide academic and managerial indications of how luxury brands perceive storytelling of luxury value on social media platforms. Methodology: This thesis performs qualitative research and utilises an abductive research strategy in order to conduct exploratory research. Data is collected through the use of both primary and secondary data sources. The primary data collection is made by the implementation of semistructured interviews that are formed and analysed through a thematic method of analysis and the satisfying principle. The secondary data is collected through observation of social media accounts of the brands taking part in this study. Empirical findings: The data collected present features on social media that the brands are recognising when communicating through storytelling on the platforms. By informing followers about the brand by telling stories, emotions, mental connections and meaning are established. Further, the interaction that is supported on social media platforms is considered by the luxury brands and influences the role followers to have in the communication process. Conclusions: The present study has found indications that the luxury values’ brands communicate through storytelling remains unchanged and how luxury values are told through stories are adjusted to the context of social media platforms. This suggests that luxury brands communicate their luxury value through storytelling on social media platforms by recognising the features of the context and the interaction, which is argued to be fundamentally supported on the platforms. Hence, elevating the role followers have in the communication process.

Purpose: Considering previous research on consumers’ social media engagement, content types and social media platforms, the purpose of this research was to explain the relationship between social media content types employed by brands and levels of consumers’ engagement. This since brands nowadays turn more towards branded content rather than advertising and several scholars expressing an urge for explaining an assumed relationship. Method: A deductive, quantitative and cross-sectional study was conducted. Further on, a standardized self-completion questionnaire was distributed to 227 respondents, by employing a convenience sampling. 165 responses were valid and the analysis was done employing ANOVA and regression analysis. Findings: Four hypotheses were accepted; all three concerning self-oriented content as it triggers all three levels of engagement and one hypothesis for entertaining content as it triggers emotional engagement. The hypothesis regarding the moderating effect of platform was partially accepted. Hence, five out of total ten hypothesis were rejected. Research limitations: The study’s generalizability is limited by the sampling technique and by the three example posts used in the questionnaire. Plus, the condition for respondents being exposed to social media post examples is another limitation in this research. Practical implications: All the findings were composed in a framework among of which is that brands’ content on social media should be of self-oriented nature to trigger engagement on all three levels or feature entertaining content as it triggers emotional engagement. YouTube is the preferred platform, followed by Instagram and then Facebook. However, all platforms trigger emotional engagement. The content benefits from being rich media and being appreciated by the consumers. Younger consumers are more likely to be engaged. Theoretical implications and originality: The findings of this research fill in the gap and present new findings within the topic of social media content, engagement and social media platforms. Hence, considering all the theoretical findings of this research, it offers a framework that delivers a rich explanation of relationships between social media content types, the three levels of engagement and social media platform types, which can be used as a base for further investigation in this area.

Au cours de cette thèse nous avons synthétisé et étudié les propriétés d'optique linéaire et non linéaire d'octupôles 2D. Ce type d'assemblage moléculaire est connu pour posséder de bonnes propriétés d'optique non linéaire de troisième ordre, et plus particulièrement de bonnes propriétés d'absorption à deux photons (ADP). Dans ce travail, nous nous sommes plus particulièrement intéressés aux octupôles 2D à cœur isocyanurate et triazine. Les isocyanurates ont été peu étudiés pour leurs propriétés d'optique non linéaire, bien que des premiers résultats les placent comme des structures très prometteuses, tandis que les triazines sont plus reconnues pour leurs bonnes propriétés d'absorption à deux photons. Dans une première partie, une série de composés organiques à cœur isocyanurate a été synthétisé et leurs propriétés d'optique linéaire et non linéaire ont été étudiées. Ayant pu établir des relations structure/propriétés à partir de ces premières séries de molécules nous avons ensuite synthétisé une nouvelle famille d'analogues à cœur triazine possédant les mêmes groupements électro-donneurs que ceux de la série isocyanurate, afin de pouvoir comparer l'effet de cœur entre ces deux familles. Cette étude comparative nous a permis de sélectionner deux chromophores candidats pour une des applications de l'absorption à deux photons, la thérapie photodynamique à deux photons (2PPDT). Dans une deuxième partie, nous nous sommes attachés à la synthèse de dérivés hydrosolubles pour la thérapie photodynamique à deux photons. Les propriétés de photosensibilisation et biocompatibilité de ces composés ont pu être testées in vitro et in vivo grâce à une collaboration avec le groupe de Magali Gary-Bobo et Marcel Garcia (UMR 6247, Montpellier). Enfin, dans une troisième partie, nous avons tiré parti des relations structure/propriétés mises en évidence dans notre étude sur les isocyanurates organiques pour concevoir une série d'octupôles contenant des unités platine cyclométallées. Nous avons ainsi synthétisé et caractérisé une nouvelle série de complexes de platine à cœur isocyanurate, triazine ou triphénylbenzène. / During this Ph.D work, we were able to synthesize a series of 2D octupoles as well as study their linear and nonlinear optical properties. These molecular architectures are known for their good NLO properties, especially their two-photon absorption properties (TPA). In this thesis, we focused most of our work on isocyanurate and triazine cored octupoles. Isocyanurates are quite understudied even though they have recently proven to be promising for TPA applications, whereas triazines were already known for their good TPA properties. In this respect we started out by the synthesis and characterization of a series of organic isocyanurates. These compounds allowed us to derive useful structure/property relationships. We also synthesized a series of analogous triazines possessing the same donor groups than the isocyanurate series, in order to be able to compare the effect of the core in these two series. This study allowed us to select two candidate chromophores for one of the applications of TPA, twophoton photodynamic therapy (2PPDT). We then focused our efforts on making hydrosoluble version of our model compounds for 2PPDT. Thanks to a collaboration with the group of Magali Gary-Bobo and Manuel Garcia (UMR 6247, Montpellier), photosensitization and biocompatibility results have been obtained in vitro and in vivo. In the last part of this work, the structure/property relationships derived on organic molecules have been used to design a new series of cyclometalated platinum complexes arranged on isocyanurate, triazine or triphenylbenzene cores.

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to increase the understanding of how multisided platforms (MSP) could retain different user groups on their platform. To fulfill the purpose, the following research questions (RQ) were derived: RQ 1: How could MSPs design their activities to retain users on the producer side(s)? and RQ 2: How could MSPs design their activities to retain users on the consumer side(s)? Method – This study was conducted as an abductive single case study based on a multisided platform developed within the health sector. In addition, complimentary interviews were conducted to validate and expand the result from the case study. In total, 15 interviews were conducted and analyzed through thematic analysis. Findings – The findings are presented in a framework showing what activities to conduct in certain stages of platform development and is divided between two distinct platform sides, producers and consumers. The different stages are relative to critical mass i.e. how many users the MSP has and shows which activities that is necessary in these stages. Theoretical implication and Practical implication – The study suggests activities necessary for retaining users on MSPs seen to certain stages of development. Additional contributions are (1) in the beginning, MSPs should initially focus on the platform side who provides the most viable product, (2) mass in users is a prerequisite for finding the right matches, and (3) “super-platforms” with many value offerings will be key for retaining users and long-term success. The practical implications are (1) which activities that are necessary on a certain side of the MSP, (2) guiding managers with which activities that are suitable in a certain stage of platform development, and (3) provide managers with the ability to plan future activities. Limitations and Future Research – This study is conducted in South-east Asia which implies that a similar study should be conducted in a western context. Furthermore, it is limited to a single-case study of an MSP, although there were exploratory and confirmative interviews with other companies. Future research should therefore include a multiple-case study to compare how different MSPs work with retention. Lastly, further studies into what critical mass is and how to estimate that, should be considered.

A utilização racional e otimização de recursos energéticos é tema cada vez mais presente na indústria, e busca atender a critérios normativos e aspectos econômicos. Entre os métodos de análise utilizados para verificação e melhoria de eficiência energética, nas últimas décadas a Exergia vem se destacando como a ferramenta mais indicada para esse tipo de avaliação. Esse estudo realiza análise exergética em uma planta de processamento típica de uma plataforma do tipo FPSO operando em águas do litoral brasileiro. Atenção especial é dispensada à planta de compressão de gás, que possui sistema de remoção de CO2 do gás através de membranas. Conforme composição dos poços e/ou restrições operacionais, o fluxo de gás pode ser desviado do sistema de remoção de CO2, criando modos de operação. No modo de operação A todo gás do sistema de remoção de CO2 é desviado, de forma que seja possível apenas a injeção desse gás. O modo B utiliza plenamente o sistema de remoção de forma a permitir exportação máxima de gás. Já o modo de operação C trata parcialmente o gás através desse sistema, de forma a permitir exportação e injeção parciais de gás. Além dos modos de operação, são estudados também os efeitos da variação da vazão de gás exportado e da composição do petróleo (teor de CO2 e BS&W) no balanço exergético da plataforma. A combinação dessas três variáveis (modos de operação, vazão de gás exportado e composição do petróleo) representa 177 cenários de produção. O estudo desses cenários de produção por meio de determinados parâmetros (eficiência exergética, consumo específico de exergia, emissões de CO2, emissões específicas de CO2 e índice de renovabilidade exergética) permite verificar a influência de cada variável na performance da planta. / The rational use of energy resources is a theme increasingly discussed at the Industry, and the energetic optimization of processes is necessary in order to fulfill normative, as well as economic criteria. Among the analysis methods in use for verifying and improving the energetic efficiency, during last decades the Exergy has been highlighted as the most appropriated tool for these evaluations. This study performs exergetic analysis in a typical process plant in a FPSO operating in the brazilian shore waters. Special attention is given to the gas compression process plant, which has a CO2 membranes gas removal system. According to composition of well and/or operational restrictions, the gas flow can be deviated from the CO2 gas removal system, creating the operational modes. The operational mode A deviates all the gas from the CO2 gas removal system, allowing just its injection into the reservoir. The mode B uses entirely the CO2 removal system in a way that a maximum of gas exportation is possible. And the operational mode C treats partially the gas through the system, allowing partial exportation and re-injection of the gas. Besides the operational modes, the influence of export gas flow and well fluid composition (CO2 and BS&W content) in the exergy balance are also evaluated. The combination of these three variables (operational modes, export gas flow rate and well fluids composition) represents 177 production scenarios. The evaluation of these production scenarios affecting specific parameters (exergy efficiency, specific exergetic consumption, CO2 emissions, CO2 specific emissions and exergetic renewability index) allows to identify the importance of each variable in process plant performance.

Considerando-se os design methods ou os métodos de projetação arquitetônica disponíveis, a presente dissertação aborda as gramáticas da forma (shape grammars) como sistema de simulação, geração e otimização de formas. Essas gramáticas podem combinar recursos descritivos e prescritivos para a solução de problemas de projeto, principalmente por meio da geração de tipos, padrões e famílias de projeto, destinados aos contextos do design industrial e da produção arquitetônica pré-fabricada. Particularmente, o manejo de gramáticas de projeto podem qualificar projetos, cujos programas envolvam uma reprodução em escala, em que se faz necessário criar variedade, flexibilidade e versatilidade construtiva. Este objeto de estudo compõe o arcabouço teórico essencial para uma reflexão a respeito de implementações computacionais e para a automação do projeto arquitetônico. Utilizando a base teórica e a reflexão resultante, esta pesquisa procura um rebatimento prático dos fundamentos teórico-conceituais implícitos, por meio de uma análise da linguagem e da gramática de projeto presentes na arquitetura Industrializada do arquiteto João Filgueiras Lima, o Lelé, focalizando suas primeiras escolas pré-fabricadas, construidas no período de 1983 a 1993. Espera-se, com isso contribuir para que arquitetos e usuários criem e compartilhem repertórios de projeto e de processos criativos, por meio de plataformas computacionais mais amigáveis à projetação arquitetônica, as quais tomem como base, sobretudo, as especificidades desse campo do conhecimento. / Considering the design methods and the architectural design methods available, this dissertation approaches shape grammars as a system of forms simulation, generation and optimization. These grammars can combine descriptive and prescriptive resources for solving project problems, mainly through the generation of project types, standards and families, in the contexts of industrial design and prefabricated architectural production. Particularly, the handling of project grammars can qualify projects whose programs involve a reproduction in scale, where variety, flexibility and constructive versatility are necessary. This object of study makes up the essential theoretical framework for a reflection on computational implementations and for the automation of an architectural project. Using the theoretical basis and the resulting reflection, this research aims at stimulating a practical debate on the implicit theoretical and conceptual foundations, through an analysis of the language and the project grammar present in architect João Filgueiras Lima (Lele)´s industrialized architecture, focusing on his first prefabricated schools, built during the period 1983-1993. We expect to offer some contribution to architects and users so they can create and share project repertoires and creative processes through friendlier computing platforms to architectural design, which should be based, mainly, on the particularities of this knowledge field.

Open Source Design (OSD) é uma estratégia de desenvolvimento adotada por comunidades que desenvolvem produtos manufaturados colaborativamente, em um regime copyleft e rede peer to peer virtual. O resultado é um conjunto de informações capazes de permitir a fabricação remota em que o usuário pode construir o seu produto, ao invés de um sistema produtivo específico previamente definido, como no desenvolvimento tradicional. A tangibilidade e a distância física entre desenvolvedores impõem barreiras à colaboração, mas avanços como a tecnologia de impressão 3D fez surgir plataformas virtuais para o compartilhamento de arquivos que tornam esta realidade possível. O número deste tipo de plataformas é significativo e há problemas na delimitação teórica do fenômeno e questões em aberto. No desenvolvimento OSD faz-se necessário o uso de objetos de fronteira (Boundary Objects – BOs). Qual o papel destes objetos? Eles estão presentes nas plataformas citadas? As plataformas existentes possuem recursos para a gestão destes objetos? Quais as características que estas plataformas devem apresentar para viabilizar o desenvolvimento OSD? Este trabalho reúne um conjunto de investigações para elucidar as questões acima. Por meio de um estudo de caso inicial e revisões sistemáticas, os conceitos foram analisados e propostos teoricamente. Por meio de um levantamento de 686 projetos de seis comunidades OSD diferentes hospedadas na plataforma Thingiverse, auxiliado por uma análise de conteúdo sobre a relação entre plataforma e colaboração, em seis projetos de diferentes plataformas, foi possível discutir o papel das plataformas utilizadas por comunidades OSD. Discute-se a relação com o desempenho do projeto e com a colaboração alcançada, identificando-se problemas potenciais e soluções latentes. Os resultados indicam que as plataformas estudadas, entre as mais difundidas, apresentam limitações. Finalmente, por meio da análise conjunta dos resultados, à luz das práticas de gestão de configuração existentes no desenvolvimento tradicional, foi possível identificar uma lista de propriedades latentes, que poderiam ser incorporadas nas plataformas, como: estrutura do produto, versionamento, ferramentas de armazenamento e rastreabilidade, auditoria, controle da configuração e governança da interface. As propriedades identificadas são uma contribuição importante para a inserção em ferramentas de design colaborativo. / Open Source Design (OSD) is a strategy adopted by communities that develop collaboratively manufactured products in a copyleft conditions and on a peer to peer network. The result is a set of information that allow the remote manufacturing where the users can build their own products, despite of a specific productive system previously defined as the traditional development. The tangibility and the geographic distance among developers impose barriers on the collaboration, on the other hand technology breakthroughs in the 3D printer technology made arise virtual platforms to share files that made this reality achievable. The number of these types of platforms is increasing and there are difficulties to delimitating of the phenomenon and there are gaps that need investigation. Is required the use of BOs in OSD development? What is the role of these BOs? Are they used in the mentioned platforms? Do the current platforms have features to the management of BOs? Which features must these platforms have to make feasible the OSD development? This thesis gathers an amount of investigations to elucidate the questions above. Through an initial study of case and systematic revisions, the concepts were analyzed and theoretically proposed. There was collected information of 686 projects from 6 different OSD communities hosted on the Thingiverse platform; in complement a content analysis about the relation between the platform and collaboration in six projects of three different platforms, to discuss the role of the platforms used for OSD communities. It is discussed the relation between the performance project with the collaboration, identifying the potential problems and the latent solutions. The result indicates that the investigated platforms, even the most widespread, present limitations. Finally, using a combined analysis of the results, according to the practices of management configuration existent in the traditional development, it was possible to identify a list of features that could be incorporated in the platforms, such: product structure, versioning, storage tools and traceability, audits, control configuration, governance. The identified features are important contributions to the insertion in tools of collaborative design.

A tese aqui exposta dedica-se ao estudo e à maior compreensão da política norte-americana. Mais especificamente, dedica-se ao estudo da suposta polarização partidária e ascensão conservadora Republicana no período recente. Tratados como fato pela literatura especializada, o estudo aqui feito trata esses dois fenômenos como hipóteses a serem testadas. Desse modo, por meio de uma maior apreensão do que se entende por ideologias políticas como Conservadorismo e Liberalismo no contexto dos Estados Unidos, bem como de uma metodologia que privilegia o uso de plataformas nacionais como indicativo de retrato ideológico partidário; esse estudo busca evidenciar empiricamente aproximações e/ou distanciamentos entre os partidos políticos e, consequentemente, a ascensão ou o declínio de ideologias tal como o Conservadorismo no que tange ao Partido Rebublicano. Através de indicadores de gradação, rede e frequência de palavras a partir das plataformas nacionais de ambos os partidos políticos (Democrata e Republicano) no período entre 1936 a 2012; se busca evidenciar de modo mais empírico esses dois fenômenos. Os resultados nos indicam que, de fato, há uma polarização partidária no período recente; no entanto, essa não é única na história desse país. Da mesma forma, percebe-se que há uma ascensão conservadora por parte do Partido Republicano, sobretudo no que diz respeito a certas categorias de análise tal como as questões sociais. / The work exposed here is dedicated to the study and to a greater understanding of the North-American politics. More specifically, intends to study the suposedly recent party polarization and Republican conservative ascendancy. Treated as a fact by the specialized literature, the study here done treats these two phenomena as hypothesis to be tested. As such, through a greater understanding of ideologies such as Conservatism and Liberalism in the context of the United States, as well as a methodology that favors the use of national platforms as an indicative of party ideological portrait; this work seeks to empirically evidence points of similiarities and differences between the political parties and, as a consequence, the ascent or decline of ideologies such as Conservatism in reference to the Republican Party. Through indicators of gradation, wordtree and word frequency from the national platforms of the two political parties (Democratic and Republican) between 1936 and 2012; this work seeks to evidence in a more empirical way these two phenomena. The results show us that, indeed, there is a party polarization in the recent period; nevertheless, this is not the only one in the history of this country. In the same way, it can be perceived that there is a conservative ascendancy by the Republican Party, especially when dealing with some categories of analysis such as social policies.