Impellers are important components in the field of aerospace, energy technology, and precision machine industries. Considering the high accuracy and structural integrity, impellers might be manufactured by cutting. Due to their complex geometries and high degrees of interference in machining, multi-axis machines are requested to produce impellers. The object of this thesis is to improve 5-axis tool paths for surface quality of impellers by smoothing point cutting tool paths in terms of linear segments and B-Splines and by using flank milling technologies with linear segment and B-Splines tool paths. Experimental results show that the surface quality of impeller blades can be improved by point cutting with smoothed tool paths and by flank milling. Moreover, the required milling time can be reduced by 18 percent and 13percent based on smoothed linear tool paths and smoothed B-Splines tool paths, respectively.

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Polarizers are key components of TFT-LCD panels. Because their production demands high technical know-how and the supply of their raw materials was under the control of Japanese companies, these companies used to have few competitors and enjoyed good profits. Recently, however, panels have been mass-produced. Since their investments that often amount to hundreds of billions of NT dollars, panel producers have undertaken vertical integration in order to reduce costs for production. In order also to avoid being limited by the shortage of TAC¡Xan important component of polarizers-- panel producers have been reaching into the polarizer industry one after another. It takes a relatively long time to be able to control the quality of polarizers and to produce a large amount of them. At the present time, the leading companies are Nitto Denko and Suwitomo in Japan, and Optimax in Taiwan. Though the new comers to the polarizer industry so far pose no big threat to these well-established companies, their joining in means a warring age has set in for the polarizer industry. And this study of mine tries to analyze what cutting edge Taiwan¡¦s polarize companies have over their competitors. To understand how cluster influences investments in and development of TFT-LCD industry, I study this industry in Taiwan. I use the Five ¡VForce Model and the Diamond Model proposed by Michael E. Porter to analyze the data. And then I study six polarizer companies in Taiwan, analyzing their developments and the turning points of their strategies. I hope I can make some contributions to the TFT-LCD industry in Taiwan. In my research, I find that this industry has become an oligopoly. The important factors that determine a company¡¦s competitiveness are its R&D abilities, manufacturing technology, and policies in forming strategic alliances. I also find that local Taiwanese companies do not have an advantage over those leading Japanese companies in either their R&D abilities or their access to raw materials. Their hopes of survival lie in the differentiation of their products and in forming good strategic alliances with their clients. The purposes of this thesis are four: (1) analyzing the polarizer industry in Taiwan and their competitiveness, (2) studying the key factors of their success or failure, (3) understanding why their CEOs decide to enter this industry, and (4) getting to know why they decide to leave this industry by being merged. My study has successfully fulfilled these purposes and in it are also several suggestions for the reference of those CEOs who are planning to enter this industry.

In this thesis, two types of geared linkages are studied in detail. One of the mechanisms is the geared five link mechanism for which the input and output shafts are collinear. The other is a two degree-of-freedom nine-link mechanism which is called the &quot / geared adjustable stroke mechanism&quot / . The geared adjustable stroke mechanism uses the geared five link mechanism in its structure. The geared adjustable stroke mechanism has been used in practice, but neither of these mechanisms have been studied in the literature. Analysis procedures are developed and expressions for the transmission angles of the mechanisms are derived. A synthesis procedure is proposed and charts are prepared for the design of such mechanisms.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the relationship between false memory and trait anxiety, depression and personality characteristics with emotionally valenced material (positive, depression related, threat related and neutral). Participants were 131 Middle East Technical University students. Four groups (depressed, anxious, mixed and control) were formed in order to differentiate the effects of trait anxiety and depression. Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Trait Form of State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-I) were administered. In order to measure false memory creation, a variant of Deese-Roediger-McDermott (DRM) paradigm was used. It was hypothesized that the anxious group would produce more false memories for threat related words as compared to other groups. In addition, the depressed group was expected to display higher levels of false memory for depression related words as compared to other groups. One-way MANOVA was used to analyze the data. The results showed that there was a group difference only in terms of threat related words&rsquo / accuracy. Also people were categorized as &ldquo / low&rdquo / and &ldquo / high&rdquo / in the six personality characteristics as measured by Big Five Questionnaire. It was hypothesized that people high in openness to experience would commit less false memories as compared to people low in the trait. This was true for only positive material. Further, other personality characteristics were analyzed in order to discover the relationship between false memory and personality. The results were discussed in terms of relevant literature.

According to China Credit Information Service Ltd.¡¦s classification, Taiwan¡¦s women underwear industry is under the ¡§Apparel¡¨ category. The women underwear industry has developed from 1950¡¦s, and now is in a mature period with high entry barrier. Under the ¡§Oligopoly¡¨ market structure and well-developed domestic distribution system, there are seven leading firms--competing in product¡¦s design, fashion and shop ladies¡¦ service based on good on-job education and training with each other. Foreign rivals¡¦ emulating in the industry also prompted domestic firms developing international competence. Because of mounting up in production cost in Taiwan and low-end products dumping from China and South Asia after signing up for WTO, many firms sought to build ¡§International Division of Labor System¡¨ and engage in overseas production to make cost cut down and improve the industry competitive position effectively. This research adopts the qualitative exploratory study method. The first, author collected an amount of domestic and foreign relative references, including industry yearbooks, books, professional reports, journals, magazines and newspapers as the secondary data. Then, author interviewed three firms and formulated these materials by which author can understand the business operation situation and the industry¡¦s competition model. In order to explore the competitive advantage of Taiwan's women underwear industry, author implemented consumer behavior analysis, analysis of Porter¡¦s ¡§structure of five competitive forces¡¨, ¡§value chain¡¨, and Porter's ¡§concept of crystal model of national competitive advantage¡¨. Finally, we drew up the competitive strategies to the industry and the government for further improvement by SWOT analysis. Those competitive strategies will be include ¡§Production Innovation Strategy¡¨, ¡§Market Development Strategy¡¨, ¡§International Strategy¡¨, ¡§Cost Minimize Strategy¡¨, and ¡§Relative Advantage Strategy¡¨.

Insurance is an essential concept that has long been recognized by human beings. The insurance market in Taiwan has also been developing since the revolution. Even though the economy is under recession at the turn of the twenty-first century, insurance industry in Taiwan keeps growing steadily. It indicates that more and more people are concerned about the insurance issues. Since the insurance industry is in the service sector, it is realized that insurance companies cannot gain lifetime value of customers and operate continuously without taking care of good customer relations. In addition, under the varying information technology environment, customer relationship management (CRM) has to be adjusted accordingly in order to enhance customer relations by faster and more complete services. This research studies how insurance companies should react to the emerging web technology environments by adapting their CRM to e-CRM and M-CRM. It is also desired to analyze the resulting competitive advantages of insurance companies by using five forces model and SWOT analysis. A leading case in the insurance industry is investigated as a preliminary study. The results show that the leading company is able and willing to invest in information technology to support CRM entirely. It, therefore, provides a good chance for this company to keep the edge over others under electronic and mobile environments. The advantages of implementing e-CRM and M-CRM include the enhancement of service quality, facilitation of operation efficiency, and all-inclusive provision of customer services. Although the company still suffers from some weakness and threats, its positive attitude to cope with those challenges keeps the damage minimal. We conclude this study by proposing that for insurance companies, employing appropriate e-CRM and M-CRM can improve competitive advantages and thus gain customer profitability. Keyword: e-Business, M-Business, Customer Relationship Management, Competitive advantages, Five Forces Model, SWOT Analysis

Abstract The Kaohsiung Mass Rapid Transit system (KMRT) in its initial planning had several lines: red, orange, blue, brown, pink, green; creating a web-shaped MRT network, but due to funding constrain, only the Red and Orange lines are currently under construction, 42.7 km, traversing through the greater Kaohsiung area like a long ¡§cross¡¨, unable to meet the need of the entire city for public transportation. It is foreseeable that the Kaohsiung Rapid Transit Corp. (KRTC), which has a 36-year-BOT contract with the City to construct and operate the MRT, will have difficulty achieve its revenue target. The KRTC is under a great deal of pressure finding solutions, like using bus routes to supplement the MRT, to achieve a sustainable operation. The aim of this study concentrates on how to utilize the existing resources within the Kaohsiung Metropolitan area, with an emphasized goal on creating a web-shaped public transportation network, through strategies, organization, and integration. The study examines the financial feasibility for the KRTC to operate a second bus company, the pros and cons of purchasing or renting shuttle buses, and the strategies for operation. First, the study applies Michael Porter¡¦s 5-forces model in examining the current competitive situations of routes within the Municipal Bus Company, by using the competitive theory to discuss the potential activities and goals of a 2nd bus company. Then, with reference to the Harrison¡¦s Decision Making Process as a foundation for the KRTC to run a bus company was discussed. Second, referring to the Metropolitan Area Bus Network theory done by Dr. Jun-Shian Lee, the study examines if the KRTC integrated bus routes with the cross-shaped MRT to form a web-shaped public transportation network, what would be the most cost-effective ways of operation; how large an area of service should the shuttle bus reach; whether bus-purchasing or bus-renting would be more feasible financially; and what strategies, advantages and risks of operating such a shuttle bus company would be. With reference to the analytical theories on Business Competitive Advantages of Dr. Cher Min Fong, the study establishes the competitive edge of a 2nd bus company. The main purpose of this study, with careful comparisons done on bus renting vs. purchasing and investment strategies for operating the 2nd bus company, is based on an underlining wish: trying to bring a possible solution for the successful operation of the KRTC.

ABSTRACT Wei Chuan Wu Japanese Cuisine Restaurant is a newly emerging all-you-can-eat Japanese restaurant, presently there are two branches in Kaohsiung. The domestic food and beverage consumption market has appeared to develop into extremely different ways, to match up to consumers¡¦ need, an all you can eat phenomenon has risen again. The new term of all you can eat restaurant features delicacy of the cuisine, focus on the quality of ingredients, and locations are relocated from lower rental business district to the centre business district, seemingly it will lead up an all you can eat market competition. Consumers¡¦ food taste preference varies over time; the new term of all you can eat restaurant devote effort on using variety of ingredients. Due to the sluggish economic condition, consumers have become more demanding, wanting to enjoy the luxury but unwilling to spend more expense. The food and beverage industry is the first to be affected with the change of the economic condition, facing the pressure of the increasing cost of raw materials, personnel, rent and other costs. Because of the limited salary, consumers have become fussier, set menu will not satisfy the costumers anymore. This is the opportunity for the middle-size all you can eat restaurant to join into the market. An all you can eat restaurant makes 30 percent of profit, but if it is located in a higher rent cost business district, profit might only reach to 20 percent only. The owner needs to win over costumers¡¦ favor to make more profit by its quantity. Despite focusing on the quality of ingredients, the atmosphere is also an important issue; nowadays costumers not only demand for nice meal but also want to enjoy the atmosphere. The dealer of the all you can eat restaurant should not save cost for the decoration and service. The current trend even shows that ¡§location picking¡¨ is an important key to success.The rationale for conducting this research is to discuss about a newly emerging restaurant, how to search for a standard managing system in the competitive food and beverage industry to create outstanding accomplishments. Therefore following this system you can make effective management and create added value for the food and beverage franchise system and also to provide a reference managing method to the dealers afterwards. This research used Five Forces Model, SWOT Analysis, Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), questionnaire and experts interview for the researching method. The participants of this survey were scholars of the food and beverage industry, executive chefs, managers, assistant managers, kitchen cooks and costumers. This survey was conducted by interviewing every participant thoroughly, first by qualitative approach and then through quantitative approach. This study reveals the key factors for the success of Wei Chuan Wu that are mentioned respectively below: the flavor and taste of dishes, service quality, restaurant¡¦s atmosphere, restaurant¡¦s location and brand. The result shows the success factors of Wei Chuan Wu that are: the lower cost of rent and raw material, dishes should have distinguishing features to differentiate, good quality of service from the servers and also to provide a clean, hygienic and comfortable atmosphere to dine. These factors not only can increase the restaurant¡¦s brand but also its core competence and create costumers value. It also eliminates the threats of the sluggish economic condition, competitors¡¦ threat or any other replacing threat to create a new brand image. From the results of this research, in conclusion the key factors for a newly emerging restaurant to success are: the flavor and taste of dishes, good service and eating atmosphere. Restaurant should have its own brand and feature dishes, and provide good quality of service to increase costumers¡¦ value. To offer a clean, hygienic and comfortable eating atmosphere are also costumers¡¦ emphasis standards. This study results can provide future dealers a reference for management. Key words: Five Forces Model, SWOT Analysis, Analytical Hierarchy Process, Success Key Factors, Japanese Cuisine Restaurant

Abstract The peak time for the security investment trust company number is in 2004 and 2005, with a total of about 45 companies at that time. However, the number of companies are decreasing. Presently, only 39 in the security investment trust industry are continuing. Observing the current situation of the security investment trust industry, it could be found that companies with large asset size are permanently staying large. In addition, companies in the behind sector are facing difficulties with management, abatement of cash flow and deterioration of constitution that all cause a vicious cycle. This research is studied by quality methodology, through initial data from in-depth interviews and secondary data of the industry. The analyses of Porter¡¦s Five Forces and external industry environment are used in order to understand the competition of the security investment trust industry and its profitability in a long-term. By in-depth interviews, the analyses of competitor benchmark and core competences are diagnosed so as to find out reasons why these behind sector companies in the past can reach the top 10 in the asset scale now. Eventually, core- competences and direction of constitution for medium size firms can be built via case studies. The result of this study discovers that core competences of a company are formed by its own advantages, and core competences of an enterprise are built via an enterprise¡¦s strategic resources. The leverage and consolidation for resources can help to create sustainably competitive advantages. By attestation and conclusion, these top 10 companies are able to properly implement enterprises¡¦ resources for product innovation, trade record and channels. They all have clear strategic positions and distinctive business models.