Abstract: On the basis of questionnaires and interviews of two samples of subjects (French and Anglo-Saxon) for which two food products were presented (one of the subject’s country and one of the foreign country), we have shown how consumers could be sensitive to the label or brand written on the package of the food product. Furthermore, in the light of Intersubjectivity theory, we have shown the necessity for the consumer to find congruence between the direct and meta perspective towards the product for which the producer and especially the marketer is responsible. Taking into account these findings may help to avoid the commercial failure of a brand while exported abroad.
Abstract: The objective of this research is to study the people’s level of participation in activities of the community, their satisfaction towards the community, the attachment they have to the community, factors that influence the attachment, as well as the characteristics of the relationships of military families’ of the Royal Guards community of Dusit District. The method used was non-probability sampling by quota sampling according to people’s age. The determined age group was 18 years or older.
One set of a sample group was done per family. The questionnaires were conducted by 287 people. Snowball sampling was also used by interviewing people of the community, starting from the Royal Guards Community’s leader, then by 20 of the community’s well-respected persons. The data was analyzed by using descriptive statistics, such as arithmetic mean and standard deviation, as well as by inferential statistics, such as Independent - Samples T test (T-test), One-Way ANOVA (F-test), Chi-Square. Descriptive analysis according to the structure of the interview content was also used. The results of the research is that the participation of the population in the Royal Guards Community in various activities is at a medium level, with the average participation level during Mother’s and Father’s Days. The people’s general level of satisfaction towards the premises of the Royal Guards Community is at the highest level.
The people were most satisfied with the transportation within the community and in contacting with people from outside the premises. The access to the community is convenient and there are various entrances. The attachment of the people to the Royal Guards Community in general and by each category is at a high level. The feeling that the community is their home rated the highest average. Factors that influence the attachment of the people of the Royal Guards Community are age, status, profession, income, length of stay in the community, membership of social groups, having neighbors they feel close and familiar with, and as well as the benefits they receive from the community. In addition, it was found that people that participate in activities have a high level of positive relationship towards the attachment of the people to the Royal Guards Community. The satisfaction of the community has a very high level of positive relationship with the attachment of the people to the Royal Guards Community.
The characteristics of the attachment of military families’ is that they live in big houses that everyone has to protect and care for, starting from the leader of the family as well as all members. Therefore, they all love the community they live in. The characteristics that show the participation of activities within the community and the high level of satisfaction towards the premises of the community will enable the people to be more attached to the community. The people feel that everyone is close neighbors within the community, as if they are one big family.
Abstract: The objective of this research is to develop the
performance indicators (PIs) in operational level for the Pre-hospital Emergency Medical Service (EMS) system employing in Thailand. This research started with ascertaining the current pre-hospital care
system. The team analyzed the strategies of Narerthorn, a government unit under the ministry of public health, and the existing PIs of the pre-hospital care. Afterwards, the current National Strategic Plan of EMS development (2008-2012) of the Emergency
Medical Institute of Thailand (EMIT) was considered using strategic
analysis to developed Strategy Map (SM) and identified the Success
Factors (SFs). The analysis results from strategy map and SFs were used to develop the Performance Indicators (PIs). To verify the set of
PIs, the team has interviewed with the relevant practitioners for the possibilities to implement the PIs. To this paper, it was to ascertain
that all the developed PIs support the objectives of the strategic plan. Nevertheless, the results showed that the operational level PIs suited
only with the first dimension of National Strategic Plan
(infrastructure and information technology development). Besides,
the SF was the infrastructure development (to contribute the EMS system to people throughout with standard and efficiency both in normally and disaster conditions). Finally, twenty-nine indicators
were developed from the analysis results of SM and SFs.
Abstract: Prior to 1975, women in Laos suffered from having
reduced levels of power over decision-making in their families and in
their communities. This has had a negative impact on their ability to
develop their own identities. Their roles were identified as being
responsible for household activities and making preparations for their
marriage. Many women lost opportunities to get educated and access
the outdoor work that might have empowered them to improve their
situations. So far, no accurate figures of either emigrants or return
migrants have been compiled but it appears that most of them were
women, and it was women who most and more frequently remitted
money home. However, very few recent studies have addressed the
relationship between remittances and the roles of women in Laos.
This study, therefore, aims at redressing to some extent the
deficiencies in knowledge. Qualitative techniques were used to gather
data, including individual in-depth interviews and direct observation
in combination with the content analysis method. Forty women in
Vientiane Municipality and Savannakhet province were individually
interviewed. It was found that the monetary remittance was typically
used for family security and well-being; on fungible activities; on
economic and business activities; and on community development,
especially concerning hospitality and providing daily household
necessities. Remittances played important roles in improving many
respondents- livelihoods and positively changed their identities in
families and communities. Women became empowered as they were
able to start commercial businesses, rather than taking care of (just)
housework, children and elders. Interviews indicated that 92.5% of
the respondents their quality of lives improved, 90% felt happier in
their families and 82.5% felt conflicts in their families were reduced.
Abstract: While OCD is one of the most commonly occurring
psychiatric conditions experienced by older adults, there is a paucity
of research conducted into the treatment of older adults with OCD.
This case study represents the first published investigation of a
cognitive treatment for geriatric OCD. It describes the successful
treatment of an 86-year old man with a 63-year history of OCD using
Danger Ideation Reduction Therapy (DIRT). The client received 14
individual, 50-minute treatment sessions of DIRT over 13 weeks.
Clinician-based Y-BOCS scores reduced 84% from 25 (severe) at
pre-treatment, to 4 (subclinical) at 6-month post-treatment follow-up
interview, demonstrating the efficacy of DIRT for this client. DIRT
may have particular advantages over ERP and pharmacological
approaches, however further research is required in older adults with
OCD.
Abstract: This study aims at investigating factors in research
and development (R&D) growth and exploring the role of R&D
management in enhancing social innovation and productivity
improvement in Iran-s industrial sector. It basically explores the
common types of R&D activities and the industries which benefited
the most from active R&D units in Iran. The researchers generated
qualitative analyses obtained from primary and secondary data.
The primary data have been retrieved through interviews with five
key players (Managing Director, Internal Manager, General Manager,
Executive Manager, and Project Manager) in the industrial sector.
The secondary data acquired from an investigation on Mazandaran, a
province of northern Iran. The findings highlight Iran-s focuses of R
& D on cost reduction and upgrading productivity. Industries that
have benefited the most from active R&D units are metallic,
machinery and equipment design, and automotive.
We rank order the primary effects of R&D on productivity
improvement as follows, industry improvement, economic growth,
using professional human resources, generating productivity and
creativity culture, creating a competitive and innovative environment,
and increasing people-s knowledge.
Generally, low budget dedication and insufficient supply of highly
skilled scientists and engineers are two important obstacles for R&D
in Iran. Whereas, R&D has resulted in improvement in Iranian
society, transfer of contemporary knowledge into the international
market is still lacking.
Abstract: The purposes of this study were as follows to evaluate
the economic value of Phu Kradueng National Park by the travel cost
method (TCM) and the contingent valuation method (CVM) and to
estimate the demand for traveling and the willingness to pay. The
data for this study were collected by conducting two large scale
surveys on users and non-users. A total of 1,016 users and 1,034
non-users were interviewed. The data were analyzed using multiple
linear regression analysis, logistic regression model and the
consumer surplus (CS) was the integral of demand function for trips.
The survey found, were as follows:
1)Using the travel cost method which provides an estimate of direct
benefits to park users, we found that visitors- total willingness to pay
per visit was 2,284.57 bath, of which 958.29 bath was travel cost,
1,129.82 bath was expenditure for accommodation, food, and
services, and 166.66 bath was consumer surplus or the visitors -net
gain or satisfaction from the visit (the integral of demand function for
trips).
2) Thai visitors to Phu Kradueng National Park were further willing
to pay an average of 646.84 bath per head per year to ensure the
continued existence of Phu Kradueng National Park and to preserve
their option to use it in the future.
3) Thai non-visitors, on the other hand, are willing to pay an average
of 212.61 bath per head per year for the option and existence value
provided by the Park.
4) The total economic value of Phu Kradueng National Park to Thai
visitors and non-visitors taken together stands today at 9,249.55
million bath per year.
5) The users- average willingness to pay for access to Phu Kradueng
National Park rises
from 40 bath to 84.66 bath per head per trip for improved services
such as road improvement, increased cleanliness, and upgraded
information.
This paper was needed to investigate of the potential market
demand for bio prospecting in Phu Kradueng national Park and to
investigate how a larger share of the economic benefits of tourism
could be distributed income to the local residents.
Abstract: Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most prevalent and far common debilitating form of arthritis which can be defined as a degenerative condition affecting synovial joint. Patients suffering from osteoarthritis often complain of dull ache pain on movement.
Physical agents can fight the painful process when correctly indicated and used such as heat or cold therapy Aim. This study was carried out to: Compare the effect of cold, warm and contrast therapy on controlling knee osteoarthritis associated problems. Setting: The study was carried out in orthopedic outpatient clinics of Menoufia University and teaching Hospitals, Egypt. Sample: A convenient sample of 60 adult patients with unilateral knee osteoarthritis. Tools: three tools were utilized to collect the data. Tool I : An interviewing questionnaire. It comprised of three parts covering sociodemographic data, medical data and adverse effects of the treatment protocol. Tool II : Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) It consists of five main parts. Tool II1 : 0-10 Numeric pain rating scale. Results: reveled that the total knee symptoms score was decreased from moderate symptoms pre intervention to mild symptoms after warm and contrast method of therapy, but the contrast therapy had significant effect in reducing the knee symptoms and pain than the other symptoms. Conclusions: all of the three
methods of therapy resulted in improvement in all knee symptoms and pain but the most appropriate protocol of treatment to relive symptoms and pain was contrast therapy.
Abstract: Biological, psychological and social experiences and
perceptions of healthcare services in patients medically diagnosed of
coronary heart disease were investigated using a sample of 10
participants whose responses to the in-depth interview questions
were analyzed based on inter-and-intra-case analyses. The results
obtained revealed that advancing age, single status, divorce and/or
death of spouse and the issue of single parenting negatively impacted
patients- biopsychosocial experiences. The patients- experiences of
physical signs and symptoms, anxiety and depression, past serious
medical conditions, use of self-prescribed medications, family
history of poor mental/medical or physical health, nutritional
problems and insufficient physical activities heightened their risk of
coronary attack. Collectivist culture served as a big source of relieve
to the patients. Patients- temperament, experience of different
chronic life stresses/challenges, mood alteration, regular drinking,
smoking/gambling, and family/social impairments compounded their
health situation. Patients were satisfied with the biomedical services
rendered by the healthcare personnel, whereas their psychological
and social needs were not attended to. Effective procedural treatment
model, a holistic and multidimensional approach to the treatment of
heart disease patients was proposed.
Abstract: One of the main research methods in humanistic studies is the collection and process of data through questionnaires. This paper reports our experiences of localizing and adapting the phpESP package of electronic surveys, which led to a friendly on-line questionnaire environment offered through our department web site. After presenting the characteristics of this environment, we identify the expected benefits and present a questionnaire carried out through both the traditional and electronic way. We present the respondents' feedback and then we report the researchers' opinions.Finally, we propose ideas we intend to implement in order to further assist and enhance the research based on this web accessed,electronic questionnaire environment.
Abstract: Salary risk and demographic risk have been identified
as main risks in analyzing pension expenditure particularly in
Defined Benefit pension plan. Therefore, public pension plan in
Malaysia is studied to analyze pension expenditure due to salary and
demographic risk. Through the literature review and interview session
with several officers in public sector, factors affecting pension
expenditure are determined. Then, the inter-relationships between
these factors are analyzed through causal loop diagram. The System
Dynamics model is later developed using iThink software to show how
demographic and salary changes affect the pension expenditure. Then, by
using actual data, the impact of different policy scenarios on pension
expenditure is analyzed. It is shown that dynamics simulation model of
pension expenditure is useful to evaluate the impact of changes and
policy decisions on risk particularly involving demographic and salary risk.
Abstract: The main purpose of this research was to study how to communicate the identity of the Bangpoo, Samu tPrakan province for ecotourism. The qualitative data was collected through studying related materials, exploring the area, in-depth interviews with three groups of people: three directly responsible officers who were key informants of the district, twenty foreign tourists and five Thai tourist guides. A content analysis was used to analyze the qualitative data. The two main findings of the study were as follows:
The identity of Bangpoo, Samut Prakan province. This establishment was near the Mouth of the Gulf of Thailand for normal people and tourists, consisting of rest accommodations. There are restaurants where food and drinks are served, rich mangrove forests, Banpoo seaside resort and mangrove trees. Bangpoo seaside resort is characterized by muddy beacheswhere the greatest number of seagulls can be seen from March to May each year.
The communication of the identity of Bangpoo, Samut Prakan province which the researcher could find and design to present in English materials can be summed up in 3 items: 1) The history of Bangpoo, Samut Prakan province 2) The Learning center of Ecotourism: Seagulls and Mangrove forest 3) How to keep Banpoo, Samut Prakran province for ecotourism.
Abstract: The dramatic effect of information technology on
society is undeniable. In education, it is evident in the use of terms
like active learning, blended learning, electronic learning and mobile
learning (ubiquitous learning). This study explores the perceptions of
54 learners in a higher education institution regarding the use of
mobile devices in a third year module. Using semi-structured
interviews, it was found that mobile devices had a positive impact on
learner motivation, engagement and enjoyment. It also improved the
consistency of learning material, and the convenience and flexibility
(anywhere, anytime) of learning. User-interfacelimitation, bandwidth
and cognitive overload, however, were of concern. The use of cloud
based resources like Youtube and Google Docs, through mobile
devices, positively influenced learner perceptions, making them
prosumers (both consumers and producers) of education content.
Abstract: Many new experimental films which were free from conventional movie forms have appeared since Nubellbak Movement in the late 1950s. Forty years after the movement started, on March 13th, 1995, on the 100th anniversary of the birth of film, the declaration called Dogme 95, was issued in Copenhagen, Denmark. It aimed to create a new style of avant-garde film, and showed a tendency toward being anti-Hollywood and anti-genre, which were against the highly popular Hollywood trend of movies based on large-scale investment. The main idea of Dogme 95 is the opposition to 'the writer's doctrine' that a film should be the artist's individual work and to 'the overuse of technology' in film. The key figures declared ten principles called 'Vow of Chastity', by which new movie forms were to be produced. Interview (2000), directed by Byunhyuk, was made in 2000, five years after Dogme 95 was declared. This movie was dedicated as the first Asian Dogme. This study will survey the relationship between Korean film and the Vow of Chastity through the Korean films released in theaters from a viewpoint of technology and content. It also will call attention to its effects on and significance to Korean film in modern society.
Abstract: Age and sex are biological terms that are socioculturally
constructed for marriage and marital sexual behavior in
every society. Marriage is a universal norm that makes legitimate
sexual behavior between a man and a woman in marital life cycle to
gain bio-social purposes. Cross-cultural studies reveal that marital
sexual frequency as a part of marital sexual behavior not only varies
within the couple-s life cycle, but also varies between and among
couples in diverse cultures. The purpose of the study was to compare
marital sexual frequency in association with age status and length of
marital relationship between Muslim and Santal couples in rural
Bangladesh. For this we assumed that (1) Santal culture compared to
Muslim culture preferred earlier age at marriage for meeting marital
sexual purposes in rural Bangladesh; (2) Marital duration among the
Muslim couples was higher than that among the Santal couples; (3)
Sexual frequency among the younger couples in both the ethnic
communities was higher than the older couples; (4) Sexual frequency
across the Muslim couples- marital life cycle was higher than that the
Santal couples- marital life cycle. In so doing, 288 active couples
(145 for Muslim and 143 for Santal) selected by cluster random
sampling were interviewed with questionnaire method. The findings
of Independent Samples T Test on age at marriage, current age,
marital duration and sexual frequency independently reveal that there
were significant differences in sexual frequency not only across the
couples- life cycle but also vary between the Muslim and Santal
couples in relation to marital duration. The results of Pearson-s Inter-
Correlation Coefficients reveal that although age at marriage, current
age and marital duration for husband and wife were significantly
positive correlated with each other between the communities, there
were significantly negative correlation between the age at marriage,
current age, marital duration and sexual frequency among the
selected couples between the communities.
Abstract: A number of studies highlighted problems related to
ERP systems, yet, most of these studies focus on the problems during
the project and implementation stages but not during the postimplementation
use process. Problems encountered in the process of
using ERP would hinder the effective exploitation and the extended
and continued use of ERP systems and their value to organisations.
This paper investigates the different types of problems users
(operational, supervisory and managerial) faced in using ERP and
how 'feral system' is used as the coping mechanism. The paper
adopts a qualitative method and uses data collected from two cases
and 26 interviews, to inductively develop a casual network model of
ERP usage problem and its coping mechanism. This model classified
post ERP usage problems as data quality, system quality, interface
and infrastructure. The model is also categorised the different coping
mechanism through use of 'feral system' inclusive of feral
information system, feral data and feral use of technology.
Abstract: This study analyzed environmental health risks and
people-s perceptions of risks related to waste management in poor
settlements of Abidjan, to develop integrated solutions for health and
well-being improvement. The trans-disciplinary approach used relied
on remote sensing, a geographic information system (GIS),
qualitative and quantitative methods such as interviews and a
household survey (n=1800). Mitigating strategies were then
developed using an integrated participatory stakeholder workshop.
Waste management deficiencies resulting in lack of drainage and
uncontrolled solid and liquid waste disposal in the poor settlements
lead to severe environmental health risks. Health problems were
caused by direct handling of waste, as well as through broader
exposure of the population. People in poor settlements had little
awareness of health risks related to waste management in their
community and a general lack of knowledge pertaining to sanitation
systems. This unfortunate combination was the key determinant
affecting the health and vulnerability. For example, an increased
prevalence of malaria (47.1%) and diarrhoea (19.2%) was observed
in the rainy season when compared to the dry season (32.3% and
14.3%). Concerted and adapted solutions that suited all the
stakeholders concerned were developed in a participatory workshop
to allow for improvement of health and well-being.
Abstract: This is a survey research using quantitative and qualitative methodology. There were three objectives: 1) To study participatory level of community in water and waste environment management. 2) To study the affecting factors for community participation in water and waste environment management in Ampawa District, Samut Songkram Province. 3) To search for the participatory patterns in water and waste management. The population sample for the quantitative research was 1,364 people living in Ampawa District. The methodology was simple random sampling. Research instrument was a questionnaire and the qualitative research used purposive sampling in 6 Sub Districts which are Ta Ka, Suanluang, Bangkae, Muangmai, Kwae-om, and Bangnanglee Sub District Administration Organization. Total population is 63. For data analysis, the study used content analysis from quantitative research to synthesize and build question frame from the content for interview and conducting focus group interview. The study found that the community participatory in the issue of level in water and waste management are moderate of planning, operation, and evaluation. The issue of being beneficial is at low level. Therefore, the overall participatory level of community in water and waste environment management is at a medium level. The factors affecting the participatory of community in water and waste management are age, the period dwelling in the community and membership in which the mean difference is statistic significant at 0.05 in area of operation, being beneficial, and evaluation. For patterns of community participation, there is the correlation with water and waste management in 4 concerns which are 1) Participation in planning 2) Participation in operation 3) Participation in being beneficial both directly and indirectly benefited 4) Participation in evaluation and monitoring. The recommendation from this study is the need to create conscious awareness in order to increase participation level of people by organizing activities that promote participation with volunteer spirit. Government should open opportunities for people to participate in sharing ideas and create the culture of living together with equality which would build more concrete participation.
Abstract: The necessity of accurate and timely field data is
shared among organizations engaged in fundamentally different
activities, public services or commercial operations. Basically, there
are three major components in the process of the qualitative research:
data collection, interpretation and organization of data, and analytic
process. Representative technological advancements in terms of
innovation have been made in mobile devices (mobile phone, PDA-s,
tablets, laptops, etc). Resources that can be potentially applied on the
data collection activity for field researches in order to improve this
process.
This paper presents and discuss the main features of a mobile
phone based solution for field data collection, composed of basically
three modules: a survey editor, a server web application and a client
mobile application. The data gathering process begins with the
survey creation module, which enables the production of tailored
questionnaires. The field workforce receives the questionnaire(s) on
their mobile phones to collect the interviews responses and sending
them back to a server for immediate analysis.
Abstract: Supply chain networks are frequently hit by
unplanned events which lead to disruptions and cause operational and
financial consequences. It is neither possible to avoid disruption risk
entirely, nor are network members able to prepare for every possible
disruptive event. Therefore a continuity planning should be set up
which supports effective operational responses in supply chain
networks in times of emergencies. In this research network related
degrees of freedom which determine the options for responsive
actions are derived from interview data. The findings are further
embedded into a common risk management process. The paper
provides support for researchers and practitioners to identify the
network related options for responsive actions and to determine the
need for improving the reaction capabilities.