112 research outputs found
The Virtual Online Supermarket: An Open-Source Research Platform for Experimental Consumer Research
No full textIt is controversially discussed if and which interventions policymakers should implement to promote healthier, more sustainable, and more ethical food choices. Often, policy measures suffer from a lack of data. This is especially true for the growing field of online grocery shopping. Yet, it not always feasible to test the impact of each possible policy intervention in the field. Here, computer-simulated shopping experiments offer a complementary approach. Recent evidence suggests that they heighten the realism of consumer experiments and collect valid data at a relatively low cost. In this paper, we introduce an open-source toolset that offers multiple avenues to develop and run experiments in the context of online grocery shopping. Hence, it supports researchers and policy makers in evaluating instore-intervention aiming to support more sustainable food choices
Aspects of the biology of the pink-billed lark (Spizocorys conirostris) in the Limpopo Province, South Africa
No full textThesis (M.Sc. ( Zoology)) --University of Limpopo, 2013The fieldwork for this study was carried out from October 2008 to October 2010, under the supervision of Professor D. Engelbrecht of the Department of Biodiversity at the University of Limpopo. Professor Engelbrecht kindly agreed to provide me with raw breeding data of the same population collected during 2008. This study represents original work by the author and where work of other authors has been used; they are duly acknowledged in the text and listed as references.
Chapter 1 is a general introduction to the family Alaudidae in which their characteristics and taxonomy are discussed. This is followed by a brief overview of the general biology and ecology of larks of the world in general, followed by a more specific emphasis on the genus Spizocorys, and finally the Pink-billed Lark. In this section, gaps in the available knowledge of Pink-billed Larks are highlighted. This chapter culminates in the aim and objectives of this study. In Chapter 2 the various aspects of the breeding biology of the Pink-billed Lark are reported. This includes, amongst others, aspects such as breeding seasonality, clutch sizes, roles of the sexes during the breeding cycle and breeding success. Chapter 3 provides the results of a morphometric study of museum study skins from across the species range. This includes an analysis of sexual size dimorphism and geographical variation of the different subspecies. This chapter also provides a brief description of the timing and pattern of moult and the various vocalizations of the Pink-billed Lark. Chapter 4 concludes the dissertation with a summary of the results of this study and highlights avenues for future research on the species and the family.
The format of Chapters 2 and 3 takes the form of research papers that can be submitted for publication with minimum editing. Chapter 2 has been published in the Journal of African Zoology (see below). Chapter 3 is in preparation for submission to a peer-reviewed journal. As such, there is some repetition in the introductory paragraphs and concluding remarks of chapters 2, 3 and 4. To give this manuscript a degree of uniformity, the literature cited in all chapters has been formatted according to the manuscript requirements of the Journal of African Zoology, and a reference list appears at the end of the dissertation. Tables and figures are arranged at the end of each chapter
Empirical Evidence on the Impact of (Micro-)Environmental Factors on Consumers’ Socially Responsible Behavior
No full textIn recent years, consumers have become more sensitive to the social, economic, and environmental consequences of their market choices. More and more consumers vocally oppose socially irresponsible production patterns and many studies have identified purchasing intentions amongst others for fair, ethical, or "green" goods. However, as market shares for many of these goods remain small, an inconsistency between individuals’ concerns about and attitudes towards ethical or environmental issues and their actual consumption behavior can be observed.
The literature offers manifold explanations for why this so-called attitude-behavior gap exists,
including a broad spectrum of cognitive, social, and environmental influences. Some of these reasons are directly related to (i) some essential properties of market environments in a broad economic sense (e.g., not sufficiently transparent supply chains in the agricultural market) and (ii) micro-environmental factors in physical marketplaces such as supermarkets.
This dissertation contributes to both above-mentioned research strands. A selection of five research papers is presented that examine how different aspects of modern and digital market- and micro-environments affect responsible consumer behavior (RCB).
The first two papers focus on the interplay between RCB and certain key characteristics of markets in general, like uncertainty about external effects of one’s market decisions or pricing strategies. Both studies use abstract experimental set-ups where a subject’s choice has an impact on the distribution of outcomes between himself/herself and other players. At the same time, the processes that lead up to this distribution and other non-monetary factors are also examined. Hence, both studies rather focus rather on the macro and meso perspective of RCB.
In contrast, the remaining papers turn their attention to more subliminal and seemingly irrelevant influencing factors that are to be located at the micro level of consumer behavior, like nudges. Here, we are primarily concerned with pointing out new tools and approaches that can promote research and evaluation of (digital) nudges and similar intervention techniques. These are envisioned to enable an evidence-based discussion and further research on how they can be applied for political incentives or regulations.2022-09-2
A fundamental study of the influence of aluminium on the white rusting of galvanized steel
No full textApplied Science
Towards a multi-faceted framework for planning and evaluating innovation in Engineering Education
No full textFor universities, educational change at institutional level is a slow process [1], [2]. To keep up with societal and technological advancement, education innovation project leaders at universities need practical guidelines and procedures in place that will enable sustainable and scalable innovation that can meet the needs of industry as we transition from Industry 4.0 to Industry 5.0 [3]. To develop such guidelines and procedures, we need to conduct socially responsible, evidence-based educational research [4]. This paper is part of a larger study during which we will conceptualize the planning and evaluation of innovation in engineering education at the Delft University of Technology (TU Delft). From this conceptualization, a framework for planning and evaluation of education innovation will emerge. The data collection process will take place in six phases: (1) Exploration of the problem (2) feasibility studies; (3) conceptualization and development of the framework; (4) piloting of the framework and its associated processes; (5) field study; and lastly, (6) evaluation of the framework. This paper provides an initial overview of the literature, as well as an explanation of the proposed research methodology.Teaching & Learning ServicesSpatial Planning and StrategyWeb Information System
A case study determining the relevance of motor body repairs focusing on niche markets outside the insurance industry, to establish a position of competitive advantage.
No full textThesis (MBA)-University of Natal, Durban, 2002.When one thinks of motor vehicle accident damage repairs, one often thinks of unscrupulous operators and a scurrilous industry. While this is regrettably often the case, there is a counterpoint, being the significant number of motor body repair firms that have invested significant sums in establishing accredited and certified motor body repair outlets, and who offer a premium service. The industry is one that is regulated by the South African Motor Body Repair Association, a body that seeks to dictate a standard of repairs by dictating membership eligibility relative to investment in equipment. Most unfortunately, this stipulation does not adequately take into account the flow of work that there may be from the motor vehicle insurance industry, and many repairers find themselves having to resort to nefarious means to ensure that business comes their way. The author of this report is a co-owner of an advanced major structural motor body repairer. Rather than stooping to unethical practices, the owners have sought to undertake a position appraisal and gap analysis with the intention of uncovering the strategic alternatives available to their firm. The firm has implemented the strategic choices highlighted by this report to good effect and has enjoyed enhanced revenue streams and business competitiveness as a result of undertaking this exercise. This report serves to document the highlights of that process
Dialoguing with suicide: the therapist's personal experience of a client's completed suicide
No full textM.A.In this study the author has conversations with various therapists about their experiences of having a client commit suicide. The focus of this study is therefore on the personal and professional experiences of the therapist. The common themes which emerged from the various narratives were analysed against the backdrop of historical patterns of suicide. The personal experience of the researcher is also included and compared with the narratives of the participants of this research in an attempt at uncovering a shared narrative
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