Thesis (M.B.A.)--University of Hong Kong, 1979.

If Supreme Court behavior is structured largely by the policy preferences of the justices, political scientists ought to consider the source of those preferences. Religion is one force that can strongly shape a judge’s worldview and therefore her votes. In this paper, I examine the effect of religion on U.S. Supreme Court votes in 11 issue areas plausibly connected to religious values. Catholic justices vote in ways that more closely adhere to the teachings of the Catholic Church than non-Catholic justices even after controlling for ideology. These results may indicate that Catholic theology is different from Protestant or Jewish theology. It is also possible that on some issues there is not much of a theological difference, but religious values play a more prominent role in public life for Catholic justices. / text

This paper examines consumer preferences regarding men’s underwear and aimed to assist the owner of the Skidmark brand with recommendations how to improve existing product and to extend product portfolio. Primary and secondary data was used in this study to overview the industry and to identify market trends and consumers preferences. Two data collection activities are discussed, ten one-on-one interviews and one focus group which revealed consumer’s reactions and feedback regarding Skidmark exciting and proposed products. Recommendations for production, price and promotion are given; limitations of the study discussed. / text

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The present study examined the expectations and preferences about counseling for 211 undergraduate students representing four racial or ethnic categories as well as socioeconomic and gender categories. Participants were drawn from class sections and from student organizations at Texas A&M University. The study utilized a version of The Expectations About Counseling - Brief Form to assess both expectations and preferences for counseling. Analysis was conducted using ANOVA to examine differences between expectations and preferences for counseling for each of the racial or ethnic groups, as well as for comparisons between gender categories. A Pearson correlation procedure was used to examine differences between each of the five socioeconomic levels represented by the sample. Results indicate that differences exist between expectations and preferences for counseling in specific areas within each of the racial or ethnic groups examined. No differences were discovered between male and female expectations for counseling. Additionally, some differences were noted regarding expectations for counseling and participants' socioeconomic level. Results are interpreted in terms of literature demonstrating the patterns of utilization of mental health services of each of the groups represented in the study.

Sibutramine is a serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) which has been shown to be a safe and effective weight-loss drug. The purpose of this study was to examine whether sibutramine has an effect on macronutrient selection in both female and male rats in addition to total food intake. Wistar rats of both sexes were divided into three groups and each group was offered a different set of three diets, each set included a carbohydrate-rich diet, a protein-rich diet and a fat-rich diet. Sibutramine (10mg/kg) was shown to consistently decrease carbohydrate and fat intake at all data points regardless of gender and diets. The effect of sibutramine on protein intake was diet and gender-specific. All doses of sibutramine decreased total food intake regardless of gender and diet group beginning at 6-h post-administration. In conclusion, sibutramine affected macronutrient selection and emphasis on dietary recommendations should be considered during therapy.

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The term in-house brands refers to products that are sold to retail outlets where the store name appears on the packaging instead of the manufacturer’s name or brand name (Brickman, 1988:24). The introduction, presence and behaviour of such brands, has added a significant dimension to the marketing of food products. In-house food brands have been around in South African supermarkets for almost fifteen years and consumers long regarded such products as “cheap and nasty generic substitutes for the real thing rolled out by retailers during recessions and discarded once the economy picks up again; however, times have changed and so has the quality standards of such products. High quality in-house brands are now found in retail outlets some of them commanding premium prices. Some market observers still attribute the growth and success of in-house food brands to hard economic times whilst others believe that this growth trend is here to stay and will continue to grow because in-house food brands now provide acceptable quality at reasonable prices. Consumers are giving less importance to manufacturer brands and retailers are becoming more proficient at managing their in-house brands. In this study, research was conducted to investigate consumers’ perceptions of in-house food brands in Durban’s major food retailers. To evaluate how consumers perceive the prices, and quality of in-house food brands. To evaluate the influence of in-house brands positioning on consumers’ purchasing decision, to determine market factors which are influencing consumers in respect of in-house brands, to investigate consumers’ loyalty to such products as well as the categories which consumers prefer and finally to investigate if there is any relationship between consumers’ disposable income and their loyalty to consume in-house brands. The literature review assisted in placing this study into context and preparing for the collection of primary data to answer the research questions. Consumers around Durban’s Commerce and Business District participated in this study and responded to a questionnaire that focused on the consumers’ perceptions regarding the areas mentioned above. The findings from the analysis of data show that consumers are drawn to purchase inhouse brands because of the low prices, the quality of in-house food brands has been raised to acceptable levels, in some cases retailers are offering premium quality in-house brands, favourable positioning of in-house brands has an influence on consumers’ decision to purchase in-house brands, consumers no longer see in-house food brands as substitutes because the quality of such products is now very good, and finally, the study found that there is no relationship between consumers’ income levels and their loyalty to in-house food brands. The recommendations that were made to in-house brands retailers were that: in-house brands retailers should invest more in innovation, research and development, they must come up with attractive packages, they should compete with manufacturer brands on both quality and prices and not just on prices alone and they must increase product visibility through creative product positioning. It was also recommended that future studies should be undertaken to study the factors that need to be taken into consideration before in-house food brands are introduced so as to avoid in-house brand failure. / Thesis (M.Com.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2010.

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A food preference questionnaire, utilizing the Food Action Rating Scale (FACT), was developed from entrees used in congregate meal sites throughout the United States and its territories. The list of entrees was reduced to 43 choices. The FACT questionnaire was distributed to all of the participants at the Healthy Lunch Sites served by Area 6 program in East Central Indiana. There were 357 people, age 60 or older, that completed the questionnaire. Their responses were compared by age and gender. Differences in preferences of entrees were noted depending on age and gender. The five most liked entrees of the total group are Country Steak / Brown Gravy, Cubed Steak, Salmon Patties, Chicken and Noodles, and Pork Roast. The five most disliked entrees are Cheese Enchilada / mild or spicy, Turkey Divan, French Dip Sandwich, Boiled Cod, and Bean Burrito / mild or spicy. Their responses were tabulated using factor analysis. A total of eleven clusters of entrees factored together. This provided groups of entrees that received similar scores. For example, some of the groupings were turkey entrees, chopped meat and sauce, barbecued meats, fish entrees. These results can be used by menu planners to assist in writing menus. By locating an entree on one of these tables that is well liked by the group being served, the other foods listed on that particular table can be served alternately during the remainder of the menu cycle to provide a high food acceptance. / Department of Family and Consumer Sciences