Your search

Financial Valuation of Starbucks Ltd.

“Hygiene”, a “concept” discussed throughout this thesis, is now regarded as a necessary means to ""protect life"". It is generally believed that hygiene has a certain relationship to infectious diseases, and its definition is based on modern Western “hygiene” theory. In fact, the concept of “hygiene” also existed in ancient China, but the definition of “hygiene” differed from that in the West. In order to better distinguish between the two, the following thesis uses the word “wei sheng” for the traditional Chinese concept of “hygiene”. Its meaning refers to how people prevent diseases in their daily lives, including eating habits, daily life, and so forth, in order to achieve the related ideal of longevity, an interpretation that differs from the current definition of hygiene introduced from the West. This thesis will explain the difference between the two. In addition, this thesis uses Macau as a case study and example. As a place that was once colonized by Western countries, Macau has been particularly directly influenced by these modern ideas. Among them, the Western concept of “hygiene” was spread and implemented with the Portuguese management of Macau, especially in the construction of hospitals and measures taken in response to multiple plagues in the 19th century. How did the Chinese in Macau view these Western concepts? What changes did they prompt in Macau? This thesis will mainly discuss four questions. How did hygiene concepts change in China during the late Qing Dynasty? Taking Macau as an example, how did the Chinese view these changes? Did they prompt any conflicts between cultures? What was the relationship between changes in hygiene concepts and measures implemented to handle plagues and epidemics?

Mangrove resilience to anoxic conditions primarily occurs through adaptations in their root systems. Notably, increased root growth of existing pneumatophores in response to plastic suffocation has been observed in mangroves and can serve as a proxy to assess tree stress. The objective of this study is to determine the impact of varying levels of microplastic pollution on the morphological characteristics of mangrove plants. Fresh Kandelia obovata seedlings were collected from the Cotai Ecological Reserve, cultivated for 27 weeks, and subsequently exposed to polyethylene (PE) particles of 600 μm, 150 μm, and 13 μm in size at concentrations of 5% and 10% (w/w). The wet weight of the plant samples was measured at the beginning and end of the experiment, and morphological characteristics were recorded weekly. Morphological parameters including germination rate, number of leaves, root morphology, and survival rate, as well as environmental conditions (temperature and humidity), were evaluated to determine the influence of microplastic size, concentration, and environmental factors on plant development. Results indicate that smaller microplastics (13 μm) adversely affected the germination rate, leaf production, and survival of K. obovata. Furthermore, a higher concentration (10% w/w) of medium-sized microplastics (150 μm) led to a lower survival rate compared to the lower concentration group. These findings shows the negative impact of microplastic pollution on mangrove species and highlight the importance of addressing plastic contamination for effective mangrove conservation.

The essence of education, which is 'to foster goodness and rectify the lost,' profoundly reveals that it is about promoting students' strengths and compensating for their shortcomings. The core concept of inclusive education follows this vein, emphasizing acceptance and integration to ensure that every student can learn and grow in the same educational environment, and providing the most appropriate teaching based on the characteristics of the students. However, teachers face many challenges in implementing inclusive education, including a lack of professional knowledge, scarce resources, etc. This study conducted in-depth interviews with frontline teachers in Macau, collecting views on inclusive education from teachers who have never received inclusive education training and those who have received different types of training, elucidating the difficulties they encounter in teaching practice, and their views on the existing training system, in order to further improve teacher training in inclusive education. The results show that most teachers have a positive attitude towards inclusive education and agree with its concept and value, but teachers who have never received and those who have received professional inclusive education training still face many difficulties in actual teaching. Therefore, teachers have expressed the need for inclusive education training to better cope with the challenges in inclusive education. Based on the interview results, two specific suggestions were made for the current inclusive education training: one is to increase targeted short-term training courses and establish a feedback mechanism; the other is to enhance the localization of the curriculum to make the training content more in line with Macau's educational environment and actual needs. This study aims to propose specific plans to optimize inclusive education training by analyzing teachers' actual needs and suggestions, in the hope of enhancing teachers' professional competence and further promoting the development and practice of inclusive education. “教也者，長善而救其失者也”，深刻揭示教育的本質，即發揚學生的優點並彌補其不足。融合教育的核心理念與此一脈相承，強調通過接納與共融，確保每位學生都能在同一教育環境中共同學習與成長，並根據其特質提供最適合的教學。然而，教師在實施融合教育的過程中面臨諸多挑戰，包括專業知識不足、資源匱乏等問題。本研究通過對澳門前線教師進行深度訪談，收集未曾接受融合教育培訓和接受不同融合教育培訓的教師對融合教育的看法、闡述其在教學實踐中遇到的困難，以及對現有培訓體系的看法，以期能夠進一步完善融合教育的師資培訓。 研究結果顯示，大部分教師對融合教育持正面態度，認同其理念與價值，但未曾接受和已接受融合教育培訓的教師，在實際教學中仍面臨諸多困難。因此，教師表達對融合教育培訓的需求，以更好地應對融合教育中的挑戰。 基於訪談的結果，對現行的融合教育培訓提出兩方面的具體建議：一是增加具針對性的短期培訓課程，並建立反饋機制；二是加強課程的本土化，使培訓內容更貼合澳門的教育環境與實際需求。 本研究旨在通過分析教師的實際需求與建議，提出優化融合教育培訓的具體方案，以期能夠提升教師的專業素養，並進一步推動融合教育的發展與實踐。

This study examined the microbial contamination characteristics of three different roof materials (green roof, metal roof, and concrete roof) during rainfall events. Through runoff samples collected from multiple rainfall events in the experimental rainwater collection system model, the pollution characteristics of total colony-forming units, Escherichia coli, and total coliforms were analyzed in combination with water quality parameters such as pH, turbidity, chemical oxygen demand (COD), and electrical conductivity. The study using the Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test and found that the microbial contamination load of initial rainwater was significantly higher than that of subsequent runoff. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the differences in microbial contamination caused by different roof materials. The results show that the metal roof performed the best in terms of microbial control, while the green roof had the poorest microbial control efficiency. The Spearman correlation analysis revealed that turbidity and conductivity were significantly positively correlated with microbial contamination, confirming that pollutants and nutrient ions are core factors driving microbial proliferation. Moreover, the metal roof exhibited outstanding disinfection efficacy under direct sunlight (microbial survival rate 0.00003% - 0.0004%), its high reflectivity and thermal conductivity working in synergy with UV radiation to destroy microbial DNA, while under shaded conditions, the sterilization efficiency decreased by approximately 100 times. The study suggests that metal roofs should be prioritized for use in water quality-sensitive scenarios. Green roofs need to be equipped with initial rainwater retention and substrate antibacterial improvement, and concrete roofs can enhance their antibacterial ability through hydrophobic surface treatment. The study provides a scientific basis for improving the design of rainwater collection systems in Macau, enriching the research cases of roof runoff pollution in tropical coastal cities, and is of great significance for improving the urban rainwater management system and protecting water environmental quality. 本研究考察了三种不同屋顶材料（绿色屋顶、金属屋顶和混凝土屋顶）在降雨期间的微生物污染特征。通过在实验雨水收集系统模型中多次降雨事件所采集的径流样本，结合 pH 值、浊度、化学需氧量（COD）和电导率等水质参数，对总菌落形成单位、大肠杆菌和总大肠菌群的污染特征进行了分析。研究采用威尔科克森符号秩检验，发现初期雨水的微生物污染负荷显著高于后续径流。采用曼 - 惠特尼 U 检验比较了不同屋顶材料造成的微生物污染差异。结果表明，金属屋顶在微生物控制方面表现最佳，而绿色屋顶的微生物控制效率最差。斯皮尔曼相关性分析表明，浊度和电导率与微生物污染显著正相关，这证实了污染物和营养离子是驱动微生物增殖的核心因素。此外，金属屋顶在阳光直射下表现出卓越的消毒效果（微生物存活率 0.00003% - 0.0004%），其高反射率和热导率与紫外线辐射协同作用，破坏微生物 DNA，而在遮阴条件下，其杀菌效率降低约 100 倍。该研究建议，在水质敏感的场景中应优先使用金属屋顶。绿色屋顶需要配备初期雨水截留装置和基质抗菌改进措施，而混凝土屋顶可通过疏水表面处理来增强其抗菌能力。该研究为澳门雨水收集系统的设计改进提供了科学依据，丰富了热带沿海城市屋顶径流污染的研究案例，对于完善城市雨水管理系统和保护水环境质量具有重要意义。

With the cross development of neuroscience and artificial intelligence, the bio signal-based environmental adaptive technology has become a research frontier in the field of smart home. In this paper, we propose a smart aromatherapy machine system that can combine brainwave (EEG) monitoring and AI-driven, aiming to achieve dynamic optimisation of the home environment through real-time EEG signal analysis. The study first builds a multimodal data acquisition module to extract the characteristic frequency bands such as α-wave and β-wave to identify the user's relaxation, concentration or fatigue state. Secondly, a lightweight deep learning model is designed to classify EEG signals in real-time and ensure low-latency interaction through edge computing architecture. The system dynamically regulates the aromatherapy machine based on the classification results. Users can self-select a theme in the system according to their preferences or emotions, and then the aromatherapy device releases the corresponding aroma according to the selected theme to help the user fall asleep more easily. During sleep, the system continuously tracks the user's sleep dynamics through an integrated sleep monitoring application, which transmits the data to the device. At the same time, the system collects and analyses detailed data on sleep quality, dream activity and scent adjustment to generate a comprehensive report that is sent to the user's smartphone. This innovative design not only enhances the user experience, but also provides a scientific basis for assessing individual sleep conditions. Current research shows that aromatherapy has a positive effect on improving sleep quality and relieving anxiety symptoms. However, there is still a lack of research on the dynamic adjustment of fragrance based on real-time sleep data. This study aims to fill this gap by developing a system that enables personalised fragrance release based on user preferences and real-time sleep monitoring data, providing users with an unprecedented sleep experience.

Indoor air quality (IAQ) is a critical public health concern given that individuals spend approximately 90% of their time in enclosed environments. Poor IAQ has been linked to respiratory diseases, cardiovascular conditions, and cognitive impairment, while improvements in air quality have demonstrated measurable benefits, including enhanced workplace productivity (2 to 7 times greater efficiency) and reduced prevalence of asthma and allergies. This study investigates IAQ across diverse occupational settings in Macao, employing a combination of environmental sampling and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) exposure model to assess health risks associated with prolonged indoor exposure. Field sampling was conducted in five representative workplaces (restaurants, student dormitories, auto repair shops, offices, and parking security rooms), and particulate matter was collected from air conditioning filters to detect heavy metal content in the samples. Subsequently, we applied the PMF model to analyze the pollution sources and the US EPA exposure model to assess health risks and evaluate the carcinogenic risks in the five representative workplaces. The forward matrix factorization (PMF) model identified six major pollution sources: traffic emissions (23.8%, Zn/Sb), building materials (21.6%, Al/Ti), cooking activities (18.5%, Na/Ca), chemicals (15.2%, Ag/B), electronic devices (12.3%, Tl), and outdoor activities (8.6%, Co/Ni). The health risk assessment using the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) exposure model showed that the overall non-carcinogenic risk (HI = 6.16×10^-6) and carcinogenic risk (6.57×10^-9) were below the safety threshold, indicating that its direct health hazard was minimal. However, nickel and chromium were identified as the main contributors to potential long-term risks.This study is currently only a preliminary exploratory study and provides a basis for subsequent research.These findings underscore the necessity for site-specific IAQ management strategies, such as enhanced mechanical ventilation, air filtration upgrades, and occupancy regulations. The study provides policymakers with evidence-based insights to mitigate health risks in high-exposure environments while establishing a framework for future IAQ monitoring in urban settings.

Against the backdrop of the current rapid social and economic development, the scope and duration of urban women's travel activities have expanded significantly. Consequently, personal safety issues, especially violent incidents encountered during travel, have become increasingly prominent. This study focuses on the field of UI design, specifically the development of applications for women's safety, aiming to address the crucial issue of how to customize applications to meet women's safety needs. Although various safety applications already exist in the market, those specifically designed for women are scarce. To this end, we employed a quantitative research method, conducting an in-depth exploration of urban women aged between 18 and 65 through questionnaires, case analyses, and literature reviews. This research aims to design a mobile application specifically targeting urban women aged 18 to 65, with the goal of enhancing their safety and autonomy during travel. The main objective of the study is to use technological means to assist women's travel safety, while emphasizing that technological solutions should be part of a comprehensive approach that includes legal, educational, and other measures to improve women's sense of security. Through function optimization and intelligent design, a user-friendly and efficient interface will be created, enabling women to take immediate action and obtain necessary help and support when facing potential threats. Future work will focus on function optimization and intelligence enhancement, establishing a user feedback loop, and conducting long-term follow-up research, in order to continuously improve and refine the application and further safeguard women's travel safety.

In this paper, we demonstrate that the effects of Dark-Matter, partially in the way proposed by the Modified Newtonian Dynamics (MOND), emerge naturally from the standard theory of General Relativity (without any modification) under a new proposed vacuum solution. There is a family of metric solutions able to reproduce the galaxy rotation curves and the relevant scales where the Dark-Matter effects are supposed to appear in a galaxy. This family of solutions deviate from the standard spherically symmetric solution. The proposed formulation, being relativistic by nature, opens the scenario where we can test the relativistic effects attributed to Dark-Matter and having relevance in cosmology. Among such effects, we have gravitational lensing, effects on the CMB scenario and effects on the formation of galaxies.

In the hype of multi-/inter-disciplinarity, is the voi-ce or voices of theistic religions and the attendant philosophical moral awareness (etymologically bet-ter rendered as conscientização in Portuguese) still meant to be heard? Can classical tales of saints and sinners remain part of the canon of public literacy? How existential is the threat of “organised religions” or otherwise established ecclesiastical structures posed to society when they are accused of attempting to fight proxy crusades against humanitarian enlightenment under the guise of religious literature? Are tenets pro-pounded by scholars like Gavin D’Costa in Theology and the Public Square (2005) to be politely bracketed when discussing perennial values? Values that respon-sible media strive to propagate, particularly the value of human dignity eulogised by the life exemplars of great figures in times of existential crises of whatever magnitude. With these questions in mind, this article will hearken back to the stories of two “grandees” in the Roman Catholic tradition who left their marks on the pages of the development of modern English and Chinese literacy. Newman’s Apologia pro vita sua(1865) is just but one of the tactical devises for his defense of creedal integrity, while Ma Xiangbo engaged in catholicising the Chinese national ethos through educational literacy for close to half a century. We shall phenomenologically draw inspirations from their parallel vision and experience on what lends power to the medium of words and deeds in shaping informed public conscience in regard to the core values of truth, good, and beauty.

Critical thinking disposition (CTD) is increasingly recognized as an important trait in education, reflecting the inclination and habits necessary for addressing complex challenges in today's world. This study assessed the CTD of students enrolled in a tourism and gaming management programme, focusing on two key dimensions: Analyticity and Open-Mindedness. This study was conducted at a university in Macao and involved 65 participants. The students were presented with an article relevant to their major, written in Traditional Chinese, and were asked to provide their opinions on each statement in the article. A rubric was designed to analyze their responses and assess their Analyticity and Open-Mindedness within the CTD framework. The results demonstrated high reliability (Cronbach's α = 0.91) and revealed an association between Analyticity and Open-Mindedness. Using Python programming, the study analyzed the frequency of parts of speech (POS) in students' responses, introducing a novel approach for evaluating CTD in Traditional Chinese. Regression modeling showed that parallel and adversative conjunctions significantly predicted Analyticity, while the frequency of conjunction use varied across Open-Mindedness classifications. These findings highlighted an innovative and objective method for assessing CTD through text analysis, offering promising applications for educational research in Traditional Chinese-speaking contexts.

Critical thinking disposition (CTD) is increasingly recognized as an important trait in education, reflecting the inclination and habits necessary for addressing complex challenges in today's world. This study assessed the CTD of students enrolled in a tourism and gaming management programme, focusing on two key dimensions: Analyticity and Open-Mindedness. This study was conducted at a university in Macao and involved 65 participants. The students were presented with an article relevant to their major, written in Traditional Chinese, and were asked to provide their opinions on each statement in the article. A rubric was designed to analyze their responses and assess their Analyticity and Open-Mindedness within the CTD framework. The results demonstrated high reliability (Cronbach's α = 0.91) and revealed an association between Analyticity and Open-Mindedness. Using Python programming, the study analyzed the frequency of parts of speech (POS) in students' responses, introducing a novel approach for evaluating CTD in Traditional Chinese. Regression modeling showed that parallel and adversative conjunctions significantly predicted Analyticity, while the frequency of conjunction use varied across Open-Mindedness classifications. These findings highlighted an innovative and objective method for assessing CTD through text analysis, offering promising applications for educational research in Traditional Chinese-speaking contexts.

Background: Maternal infections are linked to neurodevelopmental impairments, highlighting the need to investigate SARS-CoV-2-induced immune activation. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of maternal infection on neurodevelopment and investigate whether cytokine and chemokine profiles predict delays at 24 months. Methods: Conducted in Brazil (January 2021–March 2022), this follow-up study included 18 SARS-CoV-2 positive pregnant women at 35–37 weeks’ gestation, 15 umbilical cord blood samples, and blood samples from 15 children at 6 months and 14 at 24 months. Developmental delay was defined using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition, with scores below 90 in cognitive, communication, or motor domains. Results: At 6 months, 33.3% of infants exhibited cognitive delays, 20% communication delays, and 40% motor delays, increasing to 35.71%, 64.29%, and 57.14% at 24 months, respectively. Elevated interferon-gamma and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in cord blood correlated with cognitive delays, while interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, IL-17, and IL-1β were associated with motor delays. Increased C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 10 and other cytokines were associated with communication delays. Conclusion: Maternal SARS-CoV-2 may impact infant neurodevelopment, as early cytokine elevations correlate with delays, highlighting the importance of early monitoring and interventions to reduce long-term effects. Impact: Prenatal SARS-COV-2 infection in pregnant women is linked to developmental delays in toddlers, with cytokine and chemokine changes associated with neurodevelopmental outcomes at 24 months. This study shows the long-term impact of maternal SARS-COV-2 infection on child development, highlighting inflammatory markers like IFN-γ, TNFα, IL-6, IL-8, IL-17, IL-1β, and CXCL10. Identifying specific cytokines correlating with cognitive, communication, and motor delays suggests potential biomarkers for early intervention. Conducted in Fortaleza, Brazil, the study emphasizes understanding local epidemiological impacts on child development, especially in regions with high infection rates. (Figure presented.)

The ongoing Russia–Ukraine conflict has had significant repercussions for businesses, with many scaling back operations in Russia due to international sanctions. However, some companies continue operating there while making superficial gestures to appear supportive of the oppressed side (a practice known as ‘warwashing’). These actions conflict with profit motives and contribute to consumer skepticism and potential boycotts. This study examines how Portuguese and Danish consumers respond to warwashing, aiming to assess if cultural differences influence reactions. A quantitative survey, including nine questions based on literature and key differences between the two countries, was conducted using a deductive approach. Results were analyzed via JMP statistical software, with paired t-tests applied. Findings reveal a significant difference in reactions between Portuguese and Danish consumers, with Danish consumers showing a heightened response, engaging more frequently in impactful actions. This aligns with Hofstede’s cultural model, which portrays Danes as more open to change and expecting transparency. Boycott theory is also supported, suggesting that Danes are more inclined to boycott products and services, while Portuguese consumers show less faith in the effectiveness of such actions. This cross-country comparison reaffirms Hofstede’s Cultural Value Dimensions, providing insight into real-world cultural differences. Additionally, the study highlights the concept of collective action, where individuals avoid certain products or services as a form of protest, revealing variations in the prevalence of this behaviour across different societies.

The study of Catholic churches in Macau is of significant importance for both architectural heritage conservation and the transmission of cultural values. As religious structures, these churches serve as tangible representations of religious ideology and spiritual essence, thereby embodying the core principles of cultural expression. This paper aims to critically examine the Catholic churches of Macau, exploring their intrinsic values through an architectural research framework that emphasizes three key morphological elements: spatial characteristics, stylistic features, and structural composition. By contextualizing the historical background and architectural attributes, this study sheds light on the multifaceted significance of Catholic church construction in modern Macau, while offering a comprehensive analysis of the intersection, fusion, and coexistence of Eastern and Western cultural influences in this unique locale. Through this investigation, the paper uncovers a range of compelling cultural phenomena, providing insights that may serve as valuable reference points for future practices in architectural heritage conservation in Macau.

"The advent of the metaverse heralds a new era of unparalleled potential within digital ecosystems, significantly transforming industries such as tourism. This study explores the profound changes in tourism marketing induced by the metaverse, particularly through a focused examination of Macau's strategic initiatives. Predicated on the belief that immersive technologies like Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) are driving a marketing paradigm shift, this research clarifies the theoretical foundations and practical impacts of metaverse marketing in enhancing the tourism experience. Employing mixed-methods research combining qualitative and quantitative approaches, the analysis showcases Macau's utilization of metaverse marketing to bolster value creation and competitive positioning in the tourism sector. Findings indicate that metaverse marketing profoundly influences consumer behavior, highlighting nuanced consumer journeys within the virtual tourism market. Macau's case illustrates the success of its meta-universe initiatives and benchmarks them against global practices to extract sustainable competitive advantages and strategic insights. The study aggregates the marketing experiences of metaverse practitioners, revealing transformative effects on stakeholders ranging from revelant industries. It notes that while metaverse marketing provides some convenience for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in tourism, it lacks long-term effectiveness. Commending Macau's innovative approach in the meta-universe, the research outlines directions for future efforts and contributes to the burgeoning literature on metaverse marketing, offering actionable recommendations and underscoring the imperative for ongoing innovation in this dynamic digital realm."

Against the backdrop of a deepening global concept of sustainable development, environmental, social and governance (ESG) elements have gradually risen to become key components of corporate strategic choices. Within the framework of China's ‘dual-carbon’ strategic goal, green investment, as a key path to promote sustainable development, has attracted widespread attention for its intrinsic driving mechanism. This study selects a sample of Chinese A-share listed companies between 2019 and 2023, and systematically analyses the impact of ESG-linked executive compensation on corporate green investment and its mechanism of action. By establishing a multiple regression model and applying the mediation effect and moderating effect analysis method, the following empirical results are obtained: First, ESG-linked executive compensation has a significant positive impact on green investment; Second, Environmental awareness plays a partially mediating role in the relationship between ESG-linked executive compensation and green investment, suggesting that ESG-linked executive compensation not only acts directly on investment decisions, but also indirectly promotes green investment by enhancing corporate environmental awareness; Third, the nature of enterprise ownership and industry characteristics have a significant moderating effect on this effect, compared with private enterprises, ESG-linked executive compensation promotes green investment in state-owned enterprises more obviously; at the same time, the sensitivity of high-pollution industries to ESG-linked executive compensation is higher than that of low-pollution industries, which suggests that ESG-linked executive compensation has a stronger ‘corrective’ effect in industries facing higher environmental risks. To ensure the robustness of the findings, the study was validated by replacing the dependent variable (EPI for environmental investment), replacing the empirical model (Tobit model), and dealing with endogeneity issues (lag analysis and propensity score matching method), all of which yielded results consistent with the underlying research hypotheses.

This study explores the influence of social innovation facilitated through incubation programs on advancing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG 8 Decent Work and SDG 17 Partnerships. Employing a qualitative research approach, the investigation involved analyzing the perspectives of 9 participants from Epark Incubation, representing diverse enterprise. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to examine how social innovation within these incubation initiatives contributes to value co creation and supports the achievement of these SDGs. Out of the initial participants, nine were successfully interviewed, providing rich insights that addressed the core research questions. The qualitative data reveal that the provision of cost-reduction platforms to incubators plays a crucial role in fostering sustainability, which subsequently leads to job creation. This underscores the effectiveness of cost-efficient support mechanisms and providing training through a mentorship in driving decent work and economic growth (SDG 8). Findings also emphasize the importance of digital training, including artificial intelligence (AI) skills, and the enhancement of resource pools to strengthen networks among incubates enterprises. Moreover, the research identifies significant challenges such as funding gaps, cultural frictions, and regulatory barriers. To address these issues, it recommends integrating digital training aligned with current technological trends and navigating policy environments to facilitate easier access to funding for the incubatees. Establishing structured communication frameworks-through workshops, seminars, and benchmarking-can also help mitigate cultural frictions. 3 Looking ahead, the study suggests that future research should focus on diversifying funding sources beyond traditional capital, particularly for technology-driven incubator. Exploring impact investment models, developing crowdfunding platforms tailored for social enterprises, and advocating for government incentives to support social innovation are vital strategies. While the training-to-placement model has demonstrated effectiveness, scaling these programs and adapting them to emerging skill gaps is essential to maintain relevance in a rapidly evolving digital economy.

This research focuses on Nike, Inc., an American multinational corporation and global leader in the design, marketing, and sale of athletic footwear, apparel, and equipment. The study executes a financial valuation of Nike with the objective of estimating its intrinsic value and comparing it with the market value as of May 31st, 2023. The analysis combines a review of the company's overall strategic positioning in the industry and its historical financial performance. The methodology involved the reorganization of financial statements, the calculation of key financial metrics (NOPLAT, FCF, ROIC), the estimation of the cost of capital (WACC) using CAPM, and the application of valuation models based on discounted cash flows (Enterprise DCF, APV, DEP). The results imply that, as of May 31st, 2023, Nike's estimated intrinsic value was between $54.94 and $59.23 per share. Comparing this to the market price of $105.26 on the same date, the analysis concludes that Nike shares were significantly overvalued. The sensitivity analysis highlighted the vulnerability of the valuation to changes in the market risk premium and the perpetual growth rate. It is concluded that, despite Nike's strong market position, effective management of external risks, and maintenance of financial discipline are crucial to its future value.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the way we operate as a society. Generative AI models are especially known for being used to generate synthetic artifacts, such as texts, music, and images. This doctoral thesis explores generative AI's ability to create accurate images from prompt text. Our work aims to prove how generative AI tools are creating images that are remarkably similar in appearance as those created by humans. In addition to the theoretical contributions, this thesis explores broader secondary open questions about generative AI: what implications arise for the perception of what is virtual and non-virtual in our contemporary visual landscape? How does the new nature of interaction with generative AI change human-machine communication? Generative AI tools saw a series of breakthroughs these last years, which led to models that generate texts and images that are increasingly more difficult to distinguish from human- made creative content. As of 2022, Open AI developed and released ChatGPT, a chatbot enabling human users to converse, ask questions, explain concepts, and create new text-based content. However, the capabilities of generative AI went far beyond text generation. For example, gen AI models, Midjourney and DALL-E 3, are specifically designed to create images based on text prompts. These images are artificially created, meaning every screen pixel was produced using AI. Throughout this research, we explore new concepts of creative content generation, perception of virtual and non-virtual, memory, and trustworthiness in our contemporary imagery. Using an interdisciplinary methodological framework, this thesis engages with the creation of synthetic imagery as an opportunity for an infinite source of creativity or a detrimental disruption of contemporary visual culture.