Plastic is widely used to shape many of the daily goods produced and consumed today. Compared to wood and metal, this versatile material was recently introduced to society. The technical advances that began in the mid 1850's led to the invention of the first cellulose plastic polymers - a naturally occurring or synthetic compound consisting of large molecules made up of a linked series of repeated simple monomer (One Look on line Dictionary, 2009) - to be used at an industrial level. Inaugurating a period in which objects could have the strength of metal or wood, while also being lighter, colorful and cheaper to be manufactured. Plastics are a material that has the ability to be easily shaped (Lefteri, 2008). For me, plastic is ideal to work with, not only because its eclectic applications in product design and manufacture, but also due to its ordinary use in our globalized society. My master's research is to design functional objects using different types of plastics. My goal is to experiment with this material and understand the industrial production process behind the manufacture of the daily functional objects that surround us. Each plastic polymer has its proper usage and constraints. These characteristics are taken into account in my design process. Conceptually I allow myself to have freedom in exploring the object's form by respecting the material`s limitations as well as the techniques I have available to design and make my pieces. In conjunction with this creative research, I am using Computer Aided Design and Computer Aided Manufacturing through Computer Numerical Control and Rapid Prototyping technologies to design and produce the pieces. Furthermore, my intention is to have a deep understanding of the uses, production, discard and, recycling procedures of plastics goods. I am interested in knowing more about biodegradable, compostable and recyclable polymers in order to enjoy this great material that is evolving rapidly (Lefteri, 2008) in the contemporary society without causing environmental damage and preserve good conditions to future habitants of the Planet.

The problem of this thesis is that the investigation is tied to a country that is not fully explored to Volvo Car Corporation at the present time. Differences within culture and attitudes will be important for Volvo Car Corporation to be aware of. Will the new customers emphasize the importance of social or functional needs or do they care for the same attributes as the Swedish buyers do? The purpose of this thesis is to investigate the consumer trends within interior design in the front row of the car among young potential car buyers in China. This will be done in order to gather information that can be interpreted and valuable for Volvo Cars future business decisions. To fulfill the purpose of this theis a deductive approach have been implemented with theories that are drawn from previous research. The theories will be integrated with quantitative findings that the authors have received through a conducted Internet survey. The study was implemented on a group of Chinese students and were then compared to a sample of Swedish students. This was done in order to investigate the different tendencies for the two samples regarding the interior design within a car. The findings shows that there are both similarities and differences between the two samples which dismiss the concept of a Global Teenager. The tendencies that the authors found through the conducted research shows that the hedonic and social factors are emphasised while the utilitarian needs seem to be accounted for as obvious in the majority of cases. The findings further states that there are no strong feelings concerning Roominess and Daily Life Usage. The liking of the smaller car do give a signal that roominess and storage is not of highest importance. These two concepts were not the most preferred interior attributes and were placed in the region from three to five in the ranking. The authors conclusion for Volvo Car Corporation is that the focus should lie on the aspect of a car that generates an emotional attachment to the customer.

This study brings up the importance of using the store environment as a tool for creating positive consumer experiences. It compares two consumer shopping motives, hedonic (related to sensations and fun) and utilitarian (related to fulfilling a task). The atmospheric variables that the environment consists of are discussed and found to be affecting these two consumer groups in different ways. The study takes a quantitative approach for investigating how these two consumer types are affected by the store environment. Hedonic and utilitarian consumers are then compared to see if there are any differences in how these consumers experience the store environment. The findings show that there are no differences in what atmospherics that are liked more by a hedonic compared to a utilitarian shopper. However, atmospherics are found to be more memorable for hedonic consumers. Hedonic consumers are also found to like being in the store more when signs are clear, and when it is easy to find departments, fitting rooms and cash registers. The results also showed that to make hedonic customers revisit the store, retailers should focus on the style of the store, floor space allocation, product presentation, sound level, lighting and the interior material. To make utilitarian revisit the store, retailers should focus on atmospherics such as architecture, the cleanliness, floor space allocation, product presentation, flooring, color scheme of the store and the interior material.

Social network site (SNS) has been very popular with global Internet users since 2008, the amount of social network users grew very much. Based on some reasons, users enjoyed using social network site. However, whether the current users or new users will continue to use social network site or not is an issue today. To assure social network site¡¦s company could develop and run well in the future, we must realize the factors that can increase and retain the user to use. This study based on expectation confirmation theory (ECT) and through literature review to explore the factors that can influence the user¡¦s satisfaction. Successfully, we integrated perceived utilitarian benefit and perceived hedonic benefit into original ECT model. In this study, an empirical survey methodology with eight hypotheses was applied to verify this model. Covariance-based structural equation model (SEM) was used to analyze data and evaluate the model. The results pointed out that past ECT model with only one aspect can be extended from utilitarian and hedonic dimensions. It indicated that confirmation of utilitarian benefit, perceived utilitarian and hedonic benefits have significant influence on user¡¦s satisfaction. Lastly, user¡¦s satisfaction will positively influence the continuance intention. In sum, this study integrated utilitarian and hedonic dimensions into original ECT model, and proposed a more comprehensive framework to explain the continuance usage of social network site. This study also provided a reference model for future continuance intention research and some suggestions for social network site practitioners.

In daily life, information of losing weight or improving fitness can be seen everywhere. For example, being skinny is pretty and healthy. No matter in Western or Asian countries, we can observe that standardized ideal image has been established for years through models in advertising. Also, physical attractiveness pursuit becomes important in the global society because of advertising. Hence, more and more researchers interested in body image will take appearance and body shape into account. However, most of previous research focuses on the negative effect of self-consciousness induced by images of being thin. By distinguishing model¡¦s body size into slim and large size, this research examines the factors that may influence the effects of model¡¦s body size in advertising. The present study uses experimental design to investigate the advertising effects of model¡¦s body size (slim vs. large), model¡¦s race (Asia vs. Western), and product type (utilitarian vs. hedonic). Thus, a 2¡Ñ2¡Ñ2 factorial design is conducted. The ad effects are measured by product evaluation and attitude toward the model to observe the response under eight different and fictitious scenarios. The results indicate that, a model with slim-size is more effective that with large-size. Such influences are stronger when an Asian model is used. Howerever, no matter slim or large the model¡¦s size is, the effect of advertising on utilitarian product and hedonic product are identical when using a Western model. In addition, female participants generally give lower credit on advertising evaluation than male ones, reflecting obviously in their preference of model. According to these findings, this study suggests that marketers should consider not only the product they promote but also the congruency of race between ad model and target consumers, as well as attractive slim-size models, in order to enhance the advertising effects.

Technological developments cause products to include more software which become a part of products and a determiner of product characteristics. Today&amp / #8217 / s way of life surrounded by technological developments caused users to engage in inevitable interaction with products. By means of that interaction, users&amp / #8217 / way of meeting their needs and attitudes towards products shaped in both functional and emotional dimensions. Although users&amp / #8217 / attitudes seem to be governing this process, the nature and the characteristics of the products affected the manner of this interaction. Consequently, the existence of the software as a product characteristic would affect the users&amp / #8217 / attitude towards products. This thesis focuses on the effects of the software existence on users&amp / #8217 / attitudes. The empirical study conducted in the thesis explored the effects of different levels of software existence in products. This empirical study analyzes three product groups and the results of that analysis indicated that the existence of software affects users&amp / #8217 / perceptions about products in a way that it causes the bond between the user and the owned product to get weaker in hedonic aspects.

The invention of Internet affects human life style and also creates many innovations and applications of business models. Social Network Service, SNS, is an innovative application and business model in recently years. It changes the development and communication of current social network and gathers high-traffic viewers to create more business opportunities. However, what¡¦s value attracted users to use SNS. This study focuses the usages of SNS from the users of Taiwan area by empirical research. From the customer point of view, satisfaction and word-of-mouth could be relative to and affected by utilitarian value and hedonic value. Therefore, this study builds an applicable integrated model and uses Structural Equation Modeling, SEM, to analyze and approve the relations of constructs. The following is the conclusions of this study. (1) The theory of this study confirms fit indices in SEM, and cause and effect of each construct is very obvious to support it. (2) Utilitarian value can be measured by factors of sociality, convenience, and information availability; hedonic value can be measured by factors of adventure, escapism, and affiliation. (3) Utilitarian value and hedonic value affect customer satisfaction; customer satisfaction affects word-of-mouth. (4) Utilitarian value and hedonic value positively affect word-of-mouth, but providing a good customer satisfaction can enhance word-of-mouth. (5) Influence of hedonic value is higher than that of utilitarian value relative to customer satisfaction and word-of-mouth. It shows that the users prefer hedonic value in SNS. Therefore, this study can be the reference of business administration and academic research.

With the South African retail industry being a major and attractive industry, marketers and retailers are pressured to obtain and maintain a competitive advantage by developing marketing strategies that appeal to various consumers. Retailers need to focus on satisfying consumers’ needs, as well as offering a full shopping experience. Shopping entails more than the mere selection of products. Consumers’ motivation or driving force behind the act of shopping is embedded in satisfying internal needs. These motivations are grouped into two collections, namely hedonic and utilitarian shopping motivations. Consumers driven by hedonic shopping motivations are interested in the shopping experience, as well as the experiential and emotional aspects thereof. However, consumers driven by utilitarian shopping motivations are goal-oriented and concerned with the task-related value and the functional aspects of shopping. Marketers and retailers may use consumer-shopping motives to divide the market into segments and develop strategies to target specific segments. Published literature on the consumer behaviour of the South African black Generation Y cohort is limited and an absence occurs with reference to the shopping motivations of this cohort. In the South African context, individuals born between 1986 and 2005, labelled Generation Y, account for 38 percent of the total South African population, and the black Generation Y individuals represent 83 percent of the total Generation Y cohort. Individuals within the black Generation Y cohort attaining tertiary qualifications are likely to represent the future ‘Black Diamonds’, enjoying higher earnings and a higher social status, which together is likely to make them opinion leaders amongst their peers. For that reason, the black Generation Y student cohort is an exceptionally attractive market segment, and it is critical for retailers and marketers to understand their shopping behaviour and motivations in order to develop effective marketing strategies. The purpose of this study was to determine South African black Generation Y students’ utilitarian and hedonic shopping motivations. The target population of this study comprised full-time undergraduate black Generation Y students; aged between 18 and 24 years and enrolled at South African registered public higher education institutions (HEIs). The sampling frame comprised the 23 registered South African public HEIs. A non-probability judgement sample method was utilised to select one traditional university and one university of technology in the Gauteng province, from the sampling frame. For this study, a convenience sample of 600 black Generation Y students enrolled at these two South African HEIs during 2013 was drawn. The relevant primary data was obtained by means of a self-administered questionnaire, which was hand delivered to the contacted lecturers at each of these two HEIs. These lecturers distributed the self-administered questionnaire during one lecture period. This questionnaire requested the participants to indicate on a six-point Likert scale the level of their agreement or disagreement on 26 items designed to measure their utilitarian and hedonic shopping motivations, as well as to provide certain demographic data. The findings of this study indicate that within the hedonic subscale, black Generation Y students found value and adventure shopping to be the strongest motivators for shopping. Within the utilitarian subscale, black Generation Y students found achievement to be the strongest motivator for shopping. Previous research found gender to have an influence on the hedonic and utilitarian shopping motivations of consumers. This study confirms previous findings where statistically significant differences were found between the shopping motivations of male and female black Generation Y students. The study found significant differences concerning the first-, second- and third-year black Generation Y students’ hedonic and utilitarian shopping motivations. Insights gained from this study will help both marketers and retailers understand the current black Generation Y consumers’ motivations for shopping with reference to hedonic and utilitarian shopping motivations. / MCom (Marketing Management), North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2014

Submitted by (lucia.rodrigues@ufrpe.br) on 2016-08-18T14:48:21Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Raiana Lira Cabral.pdf: 5762124 bytes, checksum: ae5d7569483058004f7d1bc4e55c48c8 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-18T14:48:21Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Raiana Lira Cabral.pdf: 5762124 bytes, checksum: ae5d7569483058004f7d1bc4e55c48c8 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-02-18 / Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico - CNPq / Ethnopedological studies have focused, mainly, agricultural practices land use. However, peasant and indigenous populations often use soil and land resources for various purposes, including ceramics. This study aimed to describe and analyze the knowledge and use of soils related to the ceramic manufacture, within a group of potter-farmers ("loiceiros") in the municipality of Altinho, State of Pernambuco, Northeast Brazil. The practices and soil knowledge of farmers were described and analyzed by Ethnoscientific’s techniques, giving emphasis to the task of evoking, among potters, the categories of soil (or soil materials) that they recognize, the attributes used to characterize soil materials and the criteria to differentiate and to relate them. According to local knowledge, the material ("clay"), which brings plasticity to the ceramic paste was categorized as "barro vermelho‖ (red clay), "barro preto‖ (black clay) and "barro de pote" (pot clay). The "loiceiros" used to collect "red clay" in three main claypits (―barreiros‖). Soils found near two of these pits were classified as Planossolo Háplico Eutrófico solódico and the other one was classified as Planossolo Nátrico Órtico típico, according to the Brazilian System of Soil Classification. The potters recognized variations in soil properties with depth. In this sense, three types of soil materials emerged in their discourse ("terra", "barro" and "piçarro"), which occurred in overlapping each other in the soil profile, similar to the arrangement of pedogenic horizons. The distinction between the soil materials by the artisans followed mainly morphological and utilitarian criteria. The mineralogical composition of the clay fraction of the soil materials under study included, mainly, 2:1 clay minerals from the group of smectites and micas, as well as kaolinite, feldspar and quartz. The ethnopedological approach carried out within the cultural context of farmers potters allowed to elicit useful information for the advancement of soil science and for a better understanding and appreciation of local knowledge and use of soils. / Os estudos etnopedológicos têm enfocado, majoritariamente, o uso agrícola dos solos. Contudo, as populações camponesas e indígenas costumam utilizar solos para múltiplos fins, inclusive cerâmica. Este trabalho teve o objetivo de descrever e analisar os conhecimentos e usos de solos relacionados à confecção de vasos cerâmicos junto a um grupo de artesãos camponeses (―loiceiros‖), no município de Altinho, Agreste Pernambucano, Nordeste do Brasil. As práticas e conhecimentos pedológicos dos camponeses foram descritos e analisados por meio de técnicas etnocientíficas, dando-se ênfase à tarefa de evocar, entre os informantes, as categorias de solos (ou materiais de solo) que eles fossem capazes de reconhecer, os atributos usados para caracterizá-las e os critérios adotados para diferenciá-las e relacioná-las. De acordo com o conhecimento local, o material (―barro‖) que confere plasticidade à massa cerâmica foi categorizado em ―barro vermelho‖, ―barro preto‖ e ―barro de pote‖ (―massapê‖). Os ―loiceiros‖ costumavam coletar ―barro vermelho‖ em solos de três localidades, dois destes solos foram classificados como Planossolo Háplico Eutrófico solódico e um deles como Planossolo Nátrico Órtico típico de acordo com o Sistema Brasileiro de Classificação de Solos. Os ceramistas estudados reconheceram variações nas propriedades do solo em função da profundidade. Neste sentido, três categorias de materiais de solo emergiram no discurso dos informantes (―terra‖, ―barro‖ e ―piçarro‖), as quais se apresentaram sobrepostas umas às outras no perfil de solo, de modo semelhante ao arranjo dos horizontes pedogenéticos. A distinção entre os materiais de solo pelos artesãos entrevistados seguiu, principalmente, critérios morfológicos e utilitários. A composição mineralógica da fração argila dos materiais de solo estudados incluiu, principalmente, argilominerais do tipo 2:1 do grupo das esmectitas e das micas, além de caulinitas, feldspatos e quartzo. A abordagem etnopedológica utilizada na pesquisa permitiu evocar dentro do contexto cultural dos agricultores ceramistas informações úteis para o avanço da pedologia e para uma melhor compreensão e valorização dos sistemas locais de conhecimento e uso de solos.

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