This thesis is a sociological investigation into Aberdeen’s ‘boy racer’ culture and the reaction it has provoked amongst various outside groups.  Ethnographic research was conducted which included participant observation and semi-structured interviews with members of the subculture.  The attitudes of outside groups were explored though semi-structured interviews with police officers, journalists, residents and politicians; and content analysis of media articles, council reports and statistics.  The first strand of the research involves an exploration of the internal dynamics of the ‘boy racer’ culture.  Here, I explore the rituals engaged in by members of the culture which include car modification, subcultural media and events, their appropriation of public space and the quest for celebrity status.  The thesis also addresses the role of gender within a male-dominated culture.  Conflict within the subculture is also explored using the notion of respectability.  Participants viewed themselves as respectable members of the culture in contrast to the ‘rough racers’.  This respectability related to the pride they took in their cars and driving skills, and their adherence to societal laws and subcultural norms.  In the second strand of the thesis I argue that the reaction to Aberdeen’s ‘boy racer’ culture is evidence of a local moral panic.  The threat posed by the drivers’ presence at Aberdeen’s seafront was exaggerated and distorted by members of the outside groups, including in particular, the local media.  Moreover, the moral panic concerning deviant driving practices by youths was institutionalized through the use of powers under the Antisocial Behaviour etc.(Scotland) Act 2004.  Members of the culture in Aberdeen attempted to distance themselves from the ‘boy racer’ label and instead viewed themselves as car modifiers or enthusiasts.  Ironically, the space used to express their opinions – their own forms of subcultural media, also became the focus of the moral panic.

M.Com. / Please refer to full text to view abstract

D.Com. (Economics) / For years the South African Economy emphasised the importance of the agricultural industry in the country. Only relatively recently it seems to have begun to acknowledge the importance of the industrial and manufacturing sectors. A part of the manufacturing sector is made up of the motor and related industries. It is the aim of this thesis to investigate the importance of this sector by developing regional input-output models for the South African motor vehicle and related industries. "The gap between elegant, but non-operational, theory and inadequately structured empirical research has always been serious in economics. Leontief's conception of input-output analysis proposed to eliminate this gap." It is therefore imperative that input-output analysis will be used. This thesis firstly explores input-output analysis and the theory behind it as developed by Polish economist Wassily Leontief; it then researches the current situation in the South African motor vehicle industry using data depicted in graphs and the elaboration of these graphs. Thirdly a comprehensive study of the South African motor vehicle industry follows exploring both its historical origin and recent developments in the field...

M.Com. (Economics) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

by Pak Chui Mei, Pat. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1997. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 42-44). / ABSTRACT --- p.ii / TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.iii / LIST OF TABLES --- p.vi / ACKNOWLEDGMENTS --- p.vii / Chapter / Chapter I. --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Automobile Industry in China --- p.1 / Passenger Car --- p.2 / Outlook --- p.3 / Research Objectives --- p.4 / Chapter II. --- METHODOLOGY --- p.5 / Chapter III. --- LITERATURE REVIEW --- p.7 / The Current Passenger Car Market Players --- p.7 / The Overall Market/ Industry --- p.13 / Chapter IV. --- HINDERING FACTORS --- p.18 / Demand Not Encouraging --- p.18 / Impact of WTO Membership --- p.18 / Neglected Component Sector --- p.19 / Aftermarket Is In Disorder --- p.19 / Policy Loophole/Conflicts --- p.20 / Local Protectionism --- p.21 / Smuggling --- p.21 / Debt Default Dilemma --- p.22 / Chapter V. --- GLOBALIZATON POTENTIAL AND VALUE --- p.24 / Market --- p.25 / Cost --- p.27 / Competitor --- p.29 / Government --- p.32 / Chapter VI. --- AREAS FOR CONSIDERATION --- p.34 / Facilitating Consolidation --- p.34 / Promoting Long-term Market Hype --- p.35 / Building Faith in the Beijing Government --- p.36 / 50/50 --- p.37 / Chapter VII. --- LIMITATIONS --- p.38 / APPENDIX --- p.40 / BIBLIOGRAPHY --- p.42

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