In this dissertation, I develop frameworks and models capturing the effects of marketing capital and R and D capital on firm growth and sustained membership in the Fortune 500 cohort. Drawing on the resource-based view (RBV) of the firm and industrial organization theories, in the first essay, I develop hypotheses on the relationships among a firm's marketing capital, R and D capital, key firm-specific and industry-specific factors and survival as a Fortune 500 firm. I test these hypotheses using a proportional hazard model on a uniquely compiled large panel data set of manufacturing Fortune 500 firms over a 25-year period. The results show that while both marketing and R and D capitals have significant and direct positive associations with survival as a Fortune 500 firm, the moderating effects of industry growth on the relationships between marketing capital and survival as a Fortune 500 firm and between R and D capital and survival as a Fortune 500 firm is asymmetric. It is positive for marketing capital but negative for R and D capital. Thus, to retain firms‘ position on the Fortune 500 list, managers may want to consider investing more in marketing (R and D) when industry growth is high (low). In the second essay, I examine the effect of advertising capital and R and D capital, their complementarities, and their interactions with the environmental contingency factors of dynamism, munificence, and complexity on sales growth, profit growth, and market value growth. Using dynamic panel data analysis of 185 firms over an eight year period (2000-2007), I uncover a nuanced understanding of how advertising and R and D capital affect these performance measures. My results show that both R and D capital and advertising capital directly affect sales growth, but neither has a direct impact on profit growth. Furthermore, R and D capital has a direct impact on market value growth. I also find that while the interaction of advertising capital and R and D capital does not directly affect sales growth or market value growth, it has a positive direct impact on profit growth. Finally, I find that environmental contingencies matter. For instance, environmental dynamism negatively (positively) moderates the relationship between R and D (advertising) capital and sales growth.

A Study of factors Influencing Consumers¡¦ Trust in Fortune-Telling Websites Abstract Many people still worry the security problem of shopping on the Internet, although Internet shopping is getting more and more popular. Based on a survey in Asia Pacific region in 2001 by VISA, Taiwanese interviewees have the lowest trust in online shopping. It would seriously impede the development of electronic commerce. However, on the other hand, Fortune-Telling, a very popular activity in Chinese community for thousand of years, has been embedded in almost every hot portal website and become its milk cow. Consumers are willing to not only pay a fee for the service, but also disclose personal information such as birth date, etc. If we can understand more about how consumers¡¦ trust in Fortune Telling website are influenced, it would give some implications for a website to get more trust from its consumers. The purpose of this research is to find factors influencing consumers¡¦ trust in Fortune-Telling websites. This research adopts three major research methods: experiment, interview and grounded theory. Based on literature review and an interview to a professional fortune-teller, a primitive conceptual research framework is developed and an experimental fortune-telling web site is thus established. There are twenty subjects joining the experiment. Most of subjects are interviewed twice, before and after learning the fortune telling results. Then the grounded theory research procedure is applied to the conversations of interviews. Finally, a consumer trust model of the fortune-telling website is established. The model shows that Well-Known, Product, Profession& Integrity, and Content of Website are main factors influencing customers¡¦ trust. Key words: trust, electronic commerce, fortune-telling, grounded theory, trust model

Texte remanié de: Diss.--Geisteswissenschaftliche Fakultät--Graz--Karl-Franzens-Universität, 1999. / Notes bibliogr. Index.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Western Australia, 2007.

Thesis (M.A.)--Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Deerfield, Ill., 1998. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 115-121).

Thesis (M.Sc.) -- Memorial University of Newfoundland, 1984. / Bibliography : leaves 109-111. Also available online.

x, 216 p. A print copy of this thesis is available through the UO Libraries. Search the library catalog for the location and call number. / This dissertation engages three facets of Greek philosophy: (1) the phenomenon of tyche (chance, fortune, happening, or luck) in Aristotle's Physics, Nicomachean Ethics , and Poetics ; (2) how tyche informs Socrates' own philosophical practice in the Platonic dialogues; and (3) how engaging tyche in these Greek texts challenges established interpretations of Greek thought in contemporary scholarship and discussion. I argue that the complex status of tych e in Aristotle's texts, when combined with its appearance in the Platonic dialogues and the framework of Greek myth and poetry ( poiesis ), underscores the seriousness with which the Greeks consider the role of chance in human life. I claim that Aristotle's and Plato's texts offer important counterpoints to subsequent Western philosophers who deny the importance and existence of chance in human affairs and in the universe, dichotomously privileging reason over fortune (Boethius), necessity over chance (Spinoza), certainty over contingency (Descartes), and character over luck (Kant). My investigation of tyche unfolds in relation to a host of important Greek words and ideas that are engaged and transformed in Western philosophical discourse: anank e (necessity), aitia (cause, or explanation), automaton, logos (speech), poietic possibility, and philosophy. First, a close reading of tyche in the Physics shows that its emergence in Book II challenges the "four causes" as they are traditionally understood to be the foundation of the cosmos for Aristotle. Attentiveness to the language of strangeness (that which is atopos ) and wonderment ( t o thauma ) that couches Aristotle's consideration of tyche unveils a dialogical character in Aristotle's text. I also show how tyche hinges together the Physics and the Nicomachean Ethics . Second, I argue that tyche illuminates the possibility of human good through an inquiry into human nature in the Ethics , exploring the tension that tych e is, paradoxically, a necessity as it is grounded in nature and yet relates to human beings in "being good" ( EN 1179a20), ultimately returning to a deeper understanding of the relation between physis and tyche . Third, I argue that the Poetics also sustains an engagement with tyche insofar as poi esis speaks to human possibility, turning to Heidegger and Kristeva to see how this is so. / Adviser: Peter Warnek

Estudo dos temas da fortuna e da superstição no Tratado teológico-político de Espinosa. Na primeira parte, estudo o sentido destes temas no prefácio, texto cuja forma é retórica. Na segunda parte, estudo como os mesmos temas reaparecem em capítulos do Tratado teológico-político, textos que têm forma demonstrativa. / Study of the themes of fortune and superstition on the Spinoza\'s Theological- political treatise. In the first part, I study the meaning of these themes in preface whose form is rethoric. In the second part, i study how the same themes are treated in chapters of the Theological-political treatise, texts whose form is demonstrative.

[EN] ABSTRACT Alternaria brown spot (ABS), caused by the 'tangerine' pathotype of Alternaria alternata, (Fr.) Keissl. is a serious disease in several mandarin cultivars such as 'Fortune', 'Nova' and other hybrids. Although the disease is widespread in the Mediterranean Basin, the epidemiology of the disease in semi-arid conditions is unknown. Epidemiological studies were conducted during two consecutive years in Spain. The presence of inoculum was studies on leaves, twigs and fruit on affected trees, as well as weeds and leaf litter was determined. The dynamics of airborne conidia of Alternaria were studied with a spore trap and by exposing plates of the semi-selective medium ARSA. The effect of environmental factors in the incidence of ABS was studied through exposure of trap plants. Conidia of Alternaria were continuously detected throughout the period of study and pathogenic isolates were obtained in all sampling dates. Affected leaves and shoots were considered the main source of inoculum, with 15-76% of pathogenic isolates. Pathogenic isolates were also found in leaf litter and weeds of the genus Sonchus. The pathogen survived in fallen immature leaves for up to 76 days. In contrast to humid areas, infections occurred mainly in spring and autumn, on weeks with rainfall >2.5 mm and average temperature >12.5°C. The infection efficiency of the pathogen was studied by inoculating plants of 'Fortune' and 'Nova' under different combinations of temperature (8-35°C) and wetness durations (8-48 hours). Disease incidence significantly increased with leaf wetness duration over 16 hours, decreased with temperatures below 12°C or above 27°C. No infections were observed at 35ºC. The incidence did not increase after a dry period of one hour in 'Fortune' and two hours in 'Nova'. Post-infection temperature had a significant effect in the incubation period of the pathogen. The two infection models obtained, the Alter-Rater model and a simple rule system (SRS) based on temperature and rainfall were evaluated using independent infection data obtained from trap plants exposed weekly in three orchards during 2011 to 2013. Model evaluation was performed using ROC curve analysis. None of the models evaluated was appropriate to predict infections in 'Fortune', in the case of 'Nova', the SRS model had a sensitivity of 0.93 and a specificity of 0.84. This model is currently implemented in the online platform 'gipcitricos' for the integrated management of ABS in Spain. Some studies indicate that flood irrigation could increase leaf wetness duration and the subsequent risk of infection, but there are no specific studies in citrus. Values of soil moisture content, leaf wetness duration, relative humidity, temperature and rainfall were recorded in three mandarin plots with flood irrigation and three plots with drip irrigation during 2012 and 2013. The average daily leaf wetness duration was 4-8 hours with a maximum of 20-23 hours. The dynamics of leaf wetness duration was analyzed by time series ARIMA model (1,1,1). The MAE of the models was 3.17 to 3.91 hours. The increase of leaf wetness duration was not associated with flood irrigations neither in graphical analysis of the residuals and tests or interventions. The increase in leaf wetness duration was associated only with some rain events. / [ES] RESUMEN La mancha marrón causada por un patotipo del hongo Alternaria alternata (Fr.) Keissl. es un factor limitante para algunas variedades de mandarina como 'Fortune', 'Nova' y otros híbridos. La información existente sobre la epidemiologia de la enfermedad procede de las regiones húmedas de Florida, y no puede extrapolarse a las zonas semi-áridas. Por ello se inició un estudio para caracterizar la epidemiología de la mancha marrón en las condiciones de España durante dos años consecutivos. Se determinó la presencia de inóculo en las hojas, brotes y frutos de los árboles afectados, en la hojarasca del suelo y las malas hierbas. Para ello se siguió la dinámica de las conidias de Alternaria en el aire con un capturador y se realizaron exposiciones de placas con medio semi-selectivo ARSA. Se estudió también el efecto de diversos factores ambientales en la incidencia de la enfermedad a través de exposición de plantas trampa. Las hojas y brotes afectados constituyeron la principal fuente de inoculo, con 15-76% de aislados patógenos. Se detectaron también aislados patógenos en la hojarasca y en malas hierbas del género Sonchus. El patógeno sobrevivió en hojas inmaduras caídas al suelo hasta los 76 días. Se detectaron conidias de Alternaria en el aíre de forma continua. Se identificaron colonias patógenas en todas las exposiciones de medio semi-selectivo. Las infecciones de las plantas trampa se observaron principalmente en primavera y otoño, en semanas con precipitaciones >2.5 mm y temperatura media >12.5°C. Se estudió la eficiencia infectiva del patógeno mediante la inoculación de plantas de 'Fortune' y 'Nova' bajo diferentes combinaciones de temperatura (8-35°C) y duraciones de humectación foliar (8-48 horas). Se estudió el efecto de los períodos interrumpidos de humectación foliar sobre la infección y también la influencia de la temperatura en la duración del período de incubación. La incidencia de la enfermedad se incrementó con humectaciones foliares superiores a 16 horas, descendió de con temperaturas inferiores a 12ºC y 27ºC, apenas se detectaron infecciones a 35ºC. La incidencia se detuvo con un período seco de una hora en 'Fortune' y dos horas en 'Nova'. La temperatura tuvo un efecto significativo en la duración del periodo de incubación. Se evaluaron los modelos Alter-Rater y un modelo empírico simple (SRS) basado en temperatura y pluviometría con datos obtenidos en exposiciones de plantas trampa durante los años 2011 a 2013. La evaluación de los modelos se realizó mediante análisis de curvas ROC. Ninguno de los modelos evaluados se consideró adecuado para predecir las infecciones en 'Fortune'. En 'Nova', el modelo SRS permitió predecir los periodos semanales de infección con una sensibilidad de 0,93 y una especificidad de 0,84. Este modelo se ha implementado en la web 'gipcitricos' del IVIA para la gestión integrada de la mancha marrón en cítricos. Algunos estudios indican que el riego por inundación podría incrementar la duración de la humectación foliar y el riesgo de infección, pero no existe ninguna referencia específica en cítricos. Se realizó un estudio durante los años 2012 y 2013 en tres parcelas de mandarina con riego por inundación y otras tres con riego localizado. En cada parcela se registraron los valores del contenido de humedad del suelo, duración de humectación foliar, humedad relativa, temperatura y pluviometría. El promedio de la duración de la humectación foliar diaria fue de 4-8 horas y la máxima de 20-23 horas. La dinámica de la duración de la humectación foliar se analizó mediante un modelo de series temporales ARIMA (1,1,1). En los análisis gráficos de los residuos no se detectó ninguna asociación entre los riegos por inundación y la duración de humectación foliar. / [CAT] RESUM La taca marró causada per un patotip del fong Alternaria alternata (Fr.) Keissl. es un factor limitant per a algunes varietats de mandarina com 'Fortune', 'Nova' i altres híbrids. La informació existent sobre l'epidemiologia de la malaltia procedix de les regions humides de Florida, i no pot extrapolar-se a les zones semi-áridas. Per això es va iniciar un estudi per a caracteritzar l'epidemiologia de la taca marró en les condicions d'Espanya durant dos anys consecutius. Es va determinar la presència d'inòcul en les fulles, brots i fruits dels arbres afectats, en la fullaraca del sòl i les males herbes. Es va seguir la dinàmica de les conidies d'Alternaria en l'aire amb un capturador i es van realitzar exposicions de plaques amb medi semi-selectiu ARSA. Es va estudiar també l'efecte de diversos factors ambientals en la incidència de la malaltia mitjançant l'exposició de plantes trampa. Les fulles i brots afectats van constituir la principal font d'inòcul, amb el 15-76% d'aïllats patògens. Es van detectar també aïllats patògens en la fullaraca i en males herbes del gènere Sonchus. El patogen va sobreviure en fulles immadures caigudes a terra fins als 76 dies. Es van detectar conidies d'Alternaria en l'aire de forma contínua. Es van identificar colònies patògenes en totes les exposicions de medi semi-selectiu. Les infeccions de les plantes trampa es van observar principalment a la primavera i tardor, coincidint en setmanes amb precipitacions >2.5 mm i temperatura mitjana >12.5°C. Es va estudiar l'eficiència infectiva del patogen mitjançant la inoculació de plantes de 'Fortune' i 'Nova' amb diferents combinacions de temperatura (8-35°C) i duracions d'humectació foliar (8-48 hores). Es va estudiar l'efecte dels períodes interromputs d'humectació foliar sobre la infecció i també la influència de la temperatura en la duració del període d'incubació. La incidència de la malaltia es va incrementar amb humectacions foliars superiors a 16 hores, va descendir de amb temperatures inferiors a 12ºC y 27ºC, a penes es van detectar infeccions a 35ºC. La incidència es va detindre amb un període sec d'una hora en 'Fortune' i dos hores en 'Nova'. La temperatura va tindre un efecte significatiu en la duració del període d'incubació. Es van avaluar les models Alter-Rater i un model empíric simple (SRS) basat en temperatura i pluviometria amb dades obtinguts en exposicions de plantes trampa realitzades en tres parcel·les durant els anys 2011 al 2013. L'avaluació dels models es va realitzar amb anàlisi de corbes ROC. Cap dels models avaluats es va considerar adequat per a predir les infeccions en 'Fortune', en 'Nova', el model SRS va permetre predir els períodes setmanals d'infecció amb una sensibilitat de 0,93 i una especificitat de 0,84. Este model s'ha implementat en la web 'gipcitricos' de l'IVIA per a la gestió integrada de la taca marró en cítrics. Alguns estudis indiquen que el reg per inundació podria incrementar la duració de la humectació foliar i el risc d'infecció, però no hi ha cap referència específica en cítrics. Es va realitzar un estudi durant els anys 2012 i 2013 en tres parcel.les de mandarina amb reg per inundació i altres tres amb reg localitzat. En cada parcel.la es van registrar els valors del contingut d'humitat del sòl, duració d'humectació foliar, humitat relativa, temperatura i pluviometria. La mitjana de la duració de la humectació foliar diària va ser de 4-8 hores i la màxima de 20-23 hores. La dinàmica de la duració de la humectació foliar es va analitzar per mitjà d'un model de sèries temporals ARIMA (1,1,1). El MAE dels models va ser de 3,17-3,91 hores. En les anàlisis gràfics dels residus no es va detectar cap associació entre els regs per inundació i la duració d'humectació foliar. Els augments en la duració de la humectació foliar es van relacionar únicament amb alguns esdeveniments de pluja. / Bassimba, DDM. (2015). Epidemiología de la mancha marrón de las mandarinas causada por Alternaria alternata. Desarrollo de estrategias de control eficientes [Tesis doctoral no publicada]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/54111 / TESIS

This content analysis examined presence of 47 public relations community support variables on a systematic random sample of 166 Fortune 500 corporate web pages. Three hypotheses and two research questions guided the analysis. Hypotheses predicted (1) the increased implementation of community support gateway links on corporate web sites since 2000, (2) that corporate industry type influences the Web presence of community support, and (3) that corporate rank influences the Web presence of community support. Research questions analyzed one-way and two-way tool presence as well as community support presence at local, national, and global community levels. Results supported corporate rank as an indicator of community support on corporate web pages; however, results did not support corporate industry as an indicator of community support or the increase of community support presence on corporate web sites. Analysis includes discussion regarding reasons for lack of community support and two-way communication tool presence on corporate web sites. The thesis concludes with recommendations for implementation of two-way public relations community support tools in order to facilitate mutual understanding, trust, and dialogue between a corporation and its local, national, and global communities. / Master of Arts