1,044 research outputs found
Product Relationships, Brand Meanings, and Symbolism For Mainstream Brands: the Case of the Sports Bike Community Product Relationships, Brand Meanings, and Symbolism for Mainstream Brands: the Case of the Sports Bike Community
No full textPrevious research on brand relationships has emphasized intense relationships between consumers and celebrated or even worshipped brands, for example in the form of brand communities or brand-related subcultures of consumption. This research focuses on the relationships consumers build with mainstream brands. Netnography was used to explore product relationships, brand meanings, and symbolism of the sport bike rider subculture. The results suggest high levels of personification and product involvement, but low levels of brand commitment and loyalty. The findings are embedded into a framework for theory building, and implications for marketing practice are discussed. [to cite]: Reto Felix http://www.acrwebsite.org/volumes/14141/la/v2_pdf/LA-02 [copyright notice]: This work is copyrighted by The Association for Consumer Research. For permission to copy or use this work in whole or in part, please contact the Copyright Clearance Center at http://www.copyright.com/. 10 Latin American Advances in Consumer Research Volume 2, © 2008 Product Relationships, Brand Meanings, and Symbolism for Mainstream Brands: the Case of the Sports Bike Community Reto Felix, University of Monterrey, Mexico ABSTRACT Previous research on brand relationships has emphasized intense relationships between consumers and celebrated or even worshipped brands, for example in the form of brand communities or brand-related subcultures of consumption. This research focuses on the relationships consumers build with mainstream brands. Netnography was used to explore product relationships, brand meanings, and symbolism of the sport bike rider subculture. The results suggest high levels of personification and product involvement, but low levels of brand commitment and loyalty. The findings are embedded into a framework for theory building, and implications for marketing practice are discussed
Nuklearaufsicht in der Schweiz - Die Ausgestaltung der Sicherheitsaufsicht über Kernanlagen im Wechselspiel zwischen helvetischem Pragmatismus und internationalen Erfahrungen und Empfehlungen
No full textIn der Schweiz wird die Nuklearaufsicht primär vom ENSI als unabhängiger und rechtlich selbstständiger Anstalt wahrgenommen. Wesentliche Zuständigkeiten sind aber bei den Bewilligungsbehörden (Bundesrat und Departement) verblieben. Der nachfolgende Beitrag zeichnet die rechtliche Entwicklung der Nuklearaufsicht in der Schweiz nach. Besondere Bedeutung wird dabei dem Einfluss internationaler Erfahrungen und Empfehlungen beigemessen. Nach «Fukushima» stellt sich die Frage, ob die Schweiz ein Regulator-Modell prüfen sollte
Anisotropic, effective diffusivity of porous gas diffusion layer materials for PEFC
No full textA comparative, experimental diffusivity study of gas diffusion layer (GDL) materials for polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFC) is presented for the first time. The GDL plays an important role for electrochemical losses due to gas transport limitations at high current densities. Characterization and optimization of these layers is therefore essential to improve power density. A recently developed method which allows for fast diffusimetry is applied and data compared to the literature values. Measurements are made as a function of direction and compression and the effect of different binder structures and hydrophobic treatments on effective diffusivities are discussed. A better understanding of the results is gained by including novel GDL cross-section images and a meaningful unit cell model for the interpretation of the data. The diffusivity data is valuable for GDL manufacturers and future PEFC models. The study reveals that a binder-fiber ratio larger than 50% has a negative impact on the effective diffusion properties. The hydrophobic treatment which is necessary to improve the water management can impede diffusion and thus reduce the power density. Furthermore binder has an isotropic effect while compression pronounces the in-plane orientation of the fibers
Electrochemical diffusimetry of fuel cell gas diffusion layers
No full textThe gas diffusion layers (GDLs) of a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) serve as link between flow field and porous electrode within a polymer electrolyte fuel cell. Beside ensuring sufficient electrical and thermal contact between the whole electrode area and the flow field, these typically 200–400 μm thick porous structures enable the access of educts to the electrode area which would be occluded by the flow field lands if the flow field is directly attached to the electrode. Hence, the characterisation of properties pertaining to mass transport of educts and products through these structures is indispensable whilst examining the contribution of the GDLs to the overall electrochemical characteristics of a MEA. A fast and cost effective method to measure the effective diffusivity of a GDL is presented. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy is applied to measure the effective ionic conductivity of an electrolyte-soaked GDL. Taking advantage of the analogy between Ficks and Ohms law, this provides a measure for the effective diffusivity. The method is described in detail, including experimental as well as theoretical aspects, and selected results, highlighting the anisotropy and dependence on the degree of compression, are shown. Moreover, a two-dimensional model consisting of regularly spaced ellipses is developed to represent the porous structure of the GDL, and by using conformal maps, the agreement between this model and experiment with respect to the sensitivity of the effective diffusivity towards compression is shown
Giedion and America: Repositioning the History of Modern Architecture
No full textSigfried Giedion (1888–1968), one of the main protagonists of the architectural avant-garde in Europe, paradoxically achieved this reputation in America, far from his homeland. Nearly all of Giedion’s books written after his initial stay at Harvard University were published in English long before they became available in his native German. Reto Geiser sheds new light on Giedion’s life and reassesses his work through the lens of cultural transformation and modernization processes. The author questions the unbroken line of developments portrayed in the historiography of modern architecture, and argues that Giedion’s position in between two cultural spheres not only caused ruptures and contradictions in his work but also productively shaped its reception on either side of the Atlantic
Reto y confrontación en el enfoque centrado en la persona
No full textIn this article the role of the challenge in the person centered approach is analized. With this aim the author has planned a small-scale research study using an open questionaire with a sample of 10 therapists and 15 clients. From this study it would appear that challenge, in terms of the opportunities and freedoms offered by the core conditions, is an integral part of the person centered approach.En este artículo la autora reflexiona sobre el papel que juegan el reto y la confrontación en el enfoque centrado en la persona. A este fin se plantea un estudio a pequeña escala a través de un cuestionario suministrado a una muestra reducida de diez terapeutas y quince clientes. Del análisis de sus resultados se deduce que reto y confrontación, en términos de nuevas oportunidades y alternativas son elementos nucleares del enfoque centrado en la persona
EFEITO DA BANDAGEM FUNCIONAL NO MÚSCULO RETO FEMORAL EM INDIVÍDUOS HEMIPARÉTICOS ESPÁSTICOS
No full textA bandagem funcional, é o nome dado a um tipo de banda adesiva desenvolvida no Japão em 1973, por Kenzo Kase. O paciente que tem como sequela à Hemiparesia espástica apresenta seus músculos rígidos e fracos. Objetivos: O objetivo principal do trabalho é observar o efeito da fita de bandagem elástica no músculo reto femoral em pacientes com sequela de Hemiparesia espástica, e aferir seu torque antes e após aplicação com o Dinamômetro isocinético computadorizado Cybex® (Biodex System®). Metodologia: Foi selecionado um grupo de 6 indivíduos com idade entre 40-80 anos, que apresentam sequelas de hemiparesia espástica. Neles foram avaliados a força do músculo reto femoral, em seguida estes indivíduos foram subdivididos em dois grupos. No Grupo 1: Em 3 indivíduos foi aplicada bandagem de forma inibitória no músculo reto femoral; No Grupo 2: Em 3 indivíduos foi aplicada a bandagem para ativação no músculo reto femoral. Resultados: Foi evidenciado estatisticamente um aumento no valor da porcentagem na média da avaliação inicial e a avaliação final de forma inibitória em aproximadamente 1,84% e, de forma ativa em aproximadamente 9,81%
Schutzanspruch der jüdischen Religionsgemeinschaften. Rechtsgutachten zur Rechtslage im Bund sowie in den Kantonen Zürich, Bern und Basel
No full textDie Rechtsfragen nach einer «Privatisierung» von Sicherheit und die dafür zu berücksichtigenden Schranken werden meist allgemein und abstrakt diskutiert. Für die jüdischen Gemeinschaften in Basel, Bern und Zürich stellen sie sich konkret. Insbesondere stellt sich die Frage, ob der Staat verpflichtet ist, für privat erbrachte Sicherheitsdienstleistungen aufzukommen. Die drei unabhängig voneinander verfassten Gutachten kommen unter Einbezug des übergeordneten Rechtsrahmens für alle drei Kantone zu ähnlichen Schlüssen: Gegenüber geschützten Minderheiten können besondere, im internationalen Recht begründete oder auf Grundrechten beruhende staatliche Schutzpflichten bestehen. Infolgedessen kann das Gemeinwesen im Einzelfall zur Übernahme der Kosten für Sicherheitsmassnahmen verpflichtet werden, die durch den Beizug privater Sicherheitsdienstleister entstehen
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