published_or_final_version / Comparative Asian Studies / Master / Master of Arts

[Truncated abstract] It has been argued that the demand for a product is largely dependent on price and quality (Dodds, Monroe & Grewal, 1991) and that it is possible to provide a global product with a universal brand, as consumers desire reliable and quality products at low prices (Levitt, 1983). As global companies extend their reach around the world and such “global” products become available world wide, it is important for marketers to understand if other factors play a significant role in consumers’ purchase processes, especially in Asia where cultural and social influences can be very different from Western societies . . . Since numerology is deeply rooted in Chinese culture, the present study was undertaken to examine the impact that two important numbers (4 and 8) had on Chinese consumers’ value perceptions when used in sub-brand extensions. These numbers were chosen as Ang (1997) had noted the numbers represented “death” (4) and “prosperity” (8) in Chinese numerology and, consequently, may have a negative or positive impact on the value Chinese consumers attach to a product. While there are many types of products available to consumers and possible juxtapositions of numbers are almost endless, the present study was restricted to examining the impact that the numbers 4 and 8 had on the value Chinese consumers attached to cars and mobile phones to ensure the study was manageable. The study was undertaken in Singapore, but it was hoped that the results could be translated to other Chinese markets so more cost-effective and efficient approaches could be developed for such markets.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Hong Kong, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 76-83). Also available in print.

Syftet med denna kunskapsöversikt är att undersöka vad Singaporemodellen innebär och vadsom är karakteristiskt för modellen. För att vi skulle kunna göra en kunskapsöversikt valde viatt fördjupa oss i Singapores matematikhistoria och vad som karakteriserar modellen. Eftersomdet i Sverige saknas relevant forskning om Singaporemodellen var det aktuellt för oss att se hurandra länder har gjort och med hjälp av det skapa en bild av vad modellen kan ha för betydelsei den svenska skolan.Vår digitala bakgrundsundersökning i sökmotorerna ERIC via Ebsco och GoogleScholar, resulterade i en variation av vetenskapliga artiklar som vi valde ut för att jämföra ochanalyseras. Resultatet av våra vetenskapliga artiklar gav en förståelse för hur Singaporesutbildningssystem i matematik är uppbyggt och hur man ständigt håller en hög standard på sinutbildning. Forskningsresultaten från andra länders implementering av Singapores matematikhar gett framgångsrika effekter.Påföljden av de vetenskapliga artiklarna har resulterat i att Singaporemodellen och desssärskilda struktur bidrar till ökade kunskaper i matematik för elever och hade varit till fördelför lärare i Sverige att ta efter.

The purpose of this study was to determine consumers' attitudes toward and perceptions of global warming and hybrid cars and examine the car purchasing behavior in Singapore. The benefits of the study will provide marketers with insight of consumers' demand for cars in Singapore. Findings will help automakers develop more effective, consumer-oriented advertising plans for cars in Asia as Singapore consists of diverse Asian ethnic backgrounds- Chinese, Indian, and Malaysain.

[Truncated abstract] Conventional historical research on the tea trade focussed on the trade between the United Kingdom and China up to 1937. Very little has been done on the tea trade between China and other regions such as colonial Singapore. In addition, the focus on the overseas Chinese community in Singapore has concentrated on two opposite ends of the social ladder the rich traders or merchants who came to dominate the political, economic and social life of the community, and the coolies or those in the working class and how the harsh reality of life in colonial Singapore often quashed any dreams they had of a better life. The key focus of this dissertation is a study of the trading links between a group of Chinese traders in Singapore and commodity producers in China. To date, research into Chinese traders in Singapore has focussed on their trade in products from British Malaya such as rubber and tin. This dissertation aims to steer away from this approach, and study the relationship between Fujian tea production and trade and the Chinese tea traders in Singapore . . . This dissertation, therefore, takes a two-pronged approach. First, it examines the conditions in Fujian tea production and trade since they were the key trading concerns of the Chinese tea traders in Singapore. Secondly, the dissertation examines the political beliefs and sense of patriotism among the Chinese tea traders in Singapore and their response to major events in their lives such as the Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945), the Japanese Occupation of Singapore (1942-1945), the Chinese Civil War (1945-1949) and self-government for Singapore from June 1959.

published_or_final_version / Comparative Asian Studies / Master / Master of Arts

published_or_final_version / abstract / Linguistics / Master / Master of Arts

Background: Diabetes mellitus and vascular diseases have a significant impact on the eye. / Aim: To determine the prevalence, risk factors, and racial/ethnic differences of major eye conditions, particularly retinal conditions, associated with diabetes and vascular diseases. / Scope: To date, the majority of studies have examined the association of retinal vascular calibre and diabetes in predominantly white Caucasian populations. Further elucidation of ethnic differences in effects of hyperglycaemia on early microvascular disease is relevant, particularly amongst Asians where diabetes is likely to see the largest increase in prevalence over the next decade. We therefore examined these findings from three Asian population-based studies, the Singapore Malay Eye Study (n=3280), Singapore Prospective Cohort Study and Singapore Cardiovascular Cohort Study 2 (n=3748). / Results: The prevalence of diabetic retinopathy in the Singapore Malay Eye Study was 35%, and associated with longer duration of diabetes, poorer glycemic and blood pressure control. More importantly, 9.0% had vision-threatening retinopathy, and retinopathy was found in 6.0% of people without diabetes. Retinal vascular calibre changes were incriminated in diseases such as diabetes and hypertension, independent of traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Wider venular calibre was independently associated with early age-related macular degeneration. We also found a novel association between peripheral artery disease and glaucoma, stronger in persons with diabetes, independent of vascular risk factors, supporting the vascular theory of glaucoma. / Implications: Subtle changes in retina, including retinal vascular calibre may be early markers of widespread microvascular changes in diabetes, resulting from chronic hyperglycaemia and other pathogenic processes. These results will have broad implications for understanding the impact of both microvascular and macrovascular complications of diabetes in the Asia Pacific region and targeting relevant therapeutic interventions.

published_or_final_version / Housing Management / Master / Master of Housing Management