The author studied the welfare state typology in China from a health care perspective. This study aims to figure out what type of welfare typology works in Chinese health care system through comparative welfare state typology, specifically the decommodification principle proposed by Esping-Andersen (2019) and health care decommodification index put forward by Bambra (2006). Studying the classification of Chinese welfare state typology by analysing the Chinese health care system and comparing it with other countries in the world within the scope of welfare state typology, helps China enhancing the public administration. The author found that China belongs to medium decommodification group which means it is the same decommodification level as Conservative-Corporatist regimes, but also indicates there's a huge improvement potential to high decommodification group in the future. Keywords Welfare State Typology; China; Chinese Health Care System; Health Decommodification Index Range of the Thesis: 66 pages

Diploma thesis called "Typology of weak, fragile, failing, failed, collapsed states" lays the objective to look into all kinds of collapsed states, and then it wants to compare to what measurement answers the specified typological conception to the reality. In the introduction the study attends to definitions of the terms state,sovereignty and nation which are nearly connected with the issue. As well the reasons for geographical enlistment will be given at the same time. The first chapter is focused on the characteristic features of the different types of watched states. That is why the comparison of the terms is included, its objective is specification and coherence of the terminology. The next part will be engaged in the application of chosen marks to the concrete African countries. There is simultaneously offered the answer to question, in what way and to what measurement the theoretical conception differ from the real functioning. And then it is seen if the enlistment of countries agrees with their general situation, and there are eventually watched some reasons if it does not agree. The last but one chapter is focused on the critical review of the whole typology of collapsed states and it mediates a wide range of aspects and findings which are brought by the typology. The end provides some...

The master's theses, which examines the phenomenon of state-sponsored terrorism giving the example of Islamic Republic of Iran, consists of two sections, general and specific. In the first part main theoretical concepts and definitions are be introduced. The author gives priority to differentiation between the terms of terrorism, state-sponsored terrorism and marginally also to the problematic definition of state terrorism. Detailed description of the concept of state-sponsored terrorism follow. Last but not least the author provides an insight into the history of the occurrence of this form of terrorism. The merit of the work, however, remains in particular case study of the state- sponsored terrorism, the Islamic Republic of Iran. To understand the context and causes of supporting terrorism, it is necessary to become familiar with the history of Iran (especially since 1979), its political system and the current situation in the country. This thesis will examine the reasons that led Iran to support terrorism on domestic and foreign soil, and specifically focusing on the terrorist organization Hezbollah, which Iran founded and have significantly sponsored for a long time. The intention of the thesis is to identify the main causes of Iranian support for terrorism, to determine how the relationship...

The purpose of this study was to develop a typology of small apparel manufacturers (SAMs), firms classified between SIC 2310 to 2389 and less than 50 employees. The objectives were to (a) determine if distinct manufacturing strategies existed among SAMs, (b) develop a profile of these groups using environmental factors known to affect the apparel industry and small businesses (i.e., customer service, operations, barriers, assistance, customer size, customer location, competitor size, competitor location), (c) develop a profile of SAMs based on demographics (i.e., SIC, end-use for products, manufacturing process, type of firm, fashion position, employee size, manufacturing strategy, marketing strategy, annual gross revenue), and (d) determine the existence of a relationship between SAMs use of market strategies and manufacturing strategies. Data were collected from 146 SAMs, which represented 15 states with the highest number of SAMs. Factor analysis was used to identify manufacturing strategy factors (i.e., flexibility, environmental consciousness, product attributes, lot sizes), which were used to cluster respondents; and environmental factors (i.e., customer service, education/industry awareness, flexibility, timing, unit costs, production resources, technology/automation, consistency in sales, investment capital, import reductions). Four clusters of manufacturing strategies emerged and were profiled according to environmental factors and demographic variables (i.e., products, product classification, manufacturing processes, type of firm, type of fashion, manufacturing strategies, marketing strategies, firm's employee size, annual gross revenues). Significant differences occurred among the four manufacturing strategy groups and environmental factors. Significant differences occurred among the four manufacturing strategy groups and demographic variables. No relationship existed between manufacturing strategy groups and their marketing strategy. / Ph. D.

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With the growing role of cities, rapid urbanization, transformation under shifting economic, environmental, social and demographic conditions, the purpose of architecture is changing too. The legacy of the modernist decades left a broken urban fabric of isolated buildings from the urban landscapes of streets, plots, and blocks. In its aftermath, professionals sought to revive the traditional city fabric starting from the block, as the basic element. Although recent developments produce blocks, the livability of streets and other public spaces remains questionable. With a newfound focus into the block, as the fundamental structural element in planning, architectural typologies become the starting point to translate the qualities of urban life. The relationship between two scales, the urban and the architectural, will be examined in this thesis. Architectural elements and typologies have the ability to enhance public life, fostering positive social relations through meaningful design. The following research will explore architecture in Stockholm from the scale of an urban block, to the building typologies, and finally to the modest details within a single building. The fundamental idea is to extract building types and architectural elements that have an impact on the daily life of individuals in the city of Stockholm.

The number of social media platforms (SMP hereinafter) is ever-increasing, and all of these platforms compete for more attention and content. The global social media market is expected to grow to $223.11 billion in 2022 (Social Media Global Market Report, 2022). In an era characterized by the meteoric rise and evolution of Social Media Platforms (SMPs), understanding the interplay between platform features and user behaviors is both critical and complex. In this dissertation, we aim to elucidate the relationship between SMPs and society, with the ultimate objective of fostering a healthier social media ecosystem. This dissertation is comprised of two incisive essays, both of which are underpinned by robust theoretical frameworks. The first essay adopts an expansive purview of the SMP ecosystem. Grounded in Uses and Gratifications Theory and media studies, it establishes a user typology based on the previous typologies and examines the interaction between user motives, SMP scores, and SMP features. Employing the Analytic Hierarchy Process, a sophisticated decision-making tool, the study quantifies utility-driven choices across platforms. A notable revelation is the heterogeneity in user reliance on SMP features, contingent upon their underlying motives. This essay offers critical insights into the multifaceted nature of SMP utilization. The second essay focuses specifically on Reddit's ChangeMyView community, an exemplar of constructive discourse in the SMP environment. It constructs a theoretical model premised on the Elaboration Likelihood Model and the concept of pre-suasion, and utilizes a mixed-methods approach to explore the persuasive strategies using Content Analysis. We also utilize ChatGPT in the Content Analysis to corroborate our inferences. The findings confirm our theorization about the role of the Delta reward system in fostering reflective engagement with content, which leads to informed opinion formation. Collectively, with these essays, we aim to provide extensive insights into the dynamic interplay between SMPs and users. Both essays hold significant implications for research community, SMP decision-makers, organizations that use SMPs, and a broader audience interested in optimizing their social media repertoire. Through a theory-driven and empirical lens, employing several epistemologies, this dissertation provides a holistic depiction of the SMP ecosystem. / Doctor of Philosophy / The landscape of social media is constantly evolving with an ever-growing number of platforms vying for user attention. In this dissertation, we aim to analyze the relationship between social media platforms and their users, seeking ways to foster a healthier and more constructive social media environment. This dissertation is structured into two distinct yet interconnected essays. In the first essay, we look at the broader ecosystem of social media platforms. It categorizes users based on their motivations for using social media, such as seeking information or connecting with others. We examine how different features of social media platforms cater to these diverse motivations. To accomplish this, we employ a method known as the Analytic Hierarchy Process, which is a decision-making tool used to measure and analyze choices. The key insight from this essay is the diversity in how users interact with social media features, and how this interaction is influenced by their underlying motivations. In the second essay, we take a closer look at a specific community on Reddit called ChangeMyView. This community is unique as it encourages users to engage in thoughtful and reasoned debates. In this essay, we develop a theoretical model to understand the mechanisms through which information is processed and opinions are changed within this community with a strong focus on Delta system, a feature that rewards users for successfully changing someone's opinion through challenging their view and pointing the flaws in their thinking. Collectively, the dissertation provides an in-depth understanding of the dynamic relationship between social media platforms and users. It does so through rigorous analysis underpinned by theoretical frameworks. This research is not only academically significant but also has practical implications. It provides valuable insights for decision-makers to improve social media platforms, aids organizations in understanding how best to engage with social media, and informs users on optimizing their social media interactions. In essence, this dissertation serves as a comprehensive analysis that bridges the gap between the ever-evolving features of social media platforms and the multifaceted behaviors of their users.

As early as 1831, critics attacked Joseph Smith by comparing him to Muhammad. Over time, the comparison deepened as critics and scholars observed doctrinal and political similarities between Mormonism and Islam. Later, scholars compared Joseph Smith to Muhammad because both had generated a new religion and there seemed to be several similarities in the lives of Joseph Smith and Muhammad. These and other comparisons between the two men and their religions have been made from 1831 to the present, yet there have been few thorough, non-polemic examinations of Joseph Smith and Muhammad in the typology of prophethood. While notable similarities exist in the lives of many prophets, the unique similarities shared by these two has warranted further inquiry. I argue the comparison, though initially the result of anti-Mormonism, is justifiable and enlightening. It reveals unique commonalities that occur in the lives of restoration prophets as a result of the role they are divinely called to fulfill. While modern scholarship strongly tends to ignore the possibility of divine influence, I argue that prophetic similarities between Muhammad and Joseph Smith are best explained by divine influence acting in similar circumstances. While I approach the topic in the language of a scholar, this work is intended to contribute in the context of Mormon studies. For Latter-day Saint scholars, a better understanding of Muhammad's mission and role as a prophetic figure could allow us to see him in a different light, not as founder of a false tradition, but as a revelator to his people in his own right, providing the portion of God's knowledge that he was granted, even if incomplete from a Latter-day Saint perspective.

An interesting paradox in the literature about marriage is that despite the substantial changes to marriage over the last half century, young adults remain committed to the ideal of marriage. While changes to marriage as a social institution have been well documented, research concerning the contemporary attitudes of young adults about marriage has been limited. Even less research has focused on how these contemporary attitudes may cluster young adults into groups that have different perceptions of marriage. This study explores young single adult attitudes about marriage, and group differences in these attitudes. A quota sample (n=700) of 18-35 year-old young adults was studied to understand young adults' perceptions of marriage today. Cluster analysis was then performed to analyze group differences. The young adults in this sample formed into 4 distinctive marital attitude groups: the Religious Ready, Religious Realists, Loving the Single Life/Marital Pessimists, and Secular Romantics. The formation of these attitude groups illustrates the broad variation within young adults in beliefs about marriage, especially in the dimensions of religious views of marriage, and readiness for marriage. Implications of these marital attitude groups and recommendations for further research of a marital typology for contemporary attitudes about marriage are discussed.

This study is concerned with the origin and original meaning of sacrificial blood offerings as practiced by the ancient Israelite people and their progenitors. "Modern" scriptural sources including the Pearl of Great Price, the Book of Mormon, and the Doctrine and Covenants are used along with the Bible as the basic reference material.The lack of explicit information in the Bible as to the inception and meaning of sacrifice has resulted in the development of many theories which suggest that this rite had a human beginning. These theories imply that by natural expression man began to seek favor from his god by offering sacrifice. Through the use of these additional scriptural sources, the ordinance is seen to have had a divine origin. As part of a preconceived plan which was designed to provide a means of salvation for man, God commanded Adam to offer the firstlings of his flock to the Lord.