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Nature-based Solutions (NbS) offer a sustainable approach to mitigating climate change and biodiversity loss while delivering socio-economic benefits. This study examines mangroves as a key NbS in Macao, assessing their ecosystem services and economic valuation through a hedonic pricing model. Despite their limited spatial coverage, Macao's mangroves provide critical services, including coastal protection, carbon sequestration, and habitat provision, yet face threats from invasive species and urbanization. The research employs a hedonic pricing model to analyze the relationship between property prices and proximity to mangrove ecosystems in Macao Peninsula, Taipa, and Coloane. Results demonstrate a statistically significant negative correlation, indicating that residential properties closer to mangrove areas command higher prices, reflecting the premium placed on ecological amenities. The model explains 65.0% of price variation, underscoring mangroves' influence on real estate values. This study contributes a novel valuation framework for mangrove ecosystem services in high-density coastal cities, integrating ecological and economic perspectives. The findings support evidence-based policy recommendations for mangrove conservation and sustainable urban development. Future research should expand the model to incorporate additional variables and longitudinal data to enhance predictive accuracy and applicability across diverse coastal regions. Biodiversity assessment and conservation planning in highly urbanized environments. 基于自然的解决方案（NbS）为缓解气候变化和生物多样性丧失提供了一种可持续的方法，同时还能带来社会经济利益。本研究以澳门的红树林为例，探讨其作为关键的基于自然的解决方案的作用，通过享乐定价模型评估其生态系统服务和经济价值。尽管澳门红树林的分布面积有限，但它们提供了重要的服务，包括海岸保护、碳封存和栖息地提供，然而却面临着外来物种入侵和城市化的威胁。 研究采用享乐定价模型，分析澳门半岛、氹仔和路环地区房产价格与红树林生态系统距离之间的关系。结果表明，两者之间存在显著的负相关关系，即靠近红树林区域的住宅价格更高，这反映了人们对生态设施的重视。该模型解释了 65.0%的价格差异，突显了红树林对房地产价值的影响。 本研究为高密度沿海城市的红树林生态系统服务提供了一种新的估值框架，将生态和经济视角相结合。这些发现为红树林保护和可持续城市发展提供了基于证据的政策建议。未来的研究应扩展该模型，纳入更多变量和纵向数据，以提高预测的准确性和在不同沿海地区的适用性。在高度城市化环境中进行生物多样性评估和保护规划。

The shipbuilding industry in Macau, a significant cultural and economic pillar for over 150 years, faces challenges of fading memory and structural decay, particularly at the Lai Chi Vun Shipyards, a site protected under Macau’s Cultural Heritage Protection Law. This study adopts virtual reality (VR) technology to digitally reconstruct the 1990s shipyards, offering users an immersive exploration of historical structures and traditional shipbuilding practices. The VR prototype was evaluated in two distinct settings—outdoors at Song Veng Shipyard and indoors in a study room at the University of Saint Joseph (USJ) in Macau—using a combination of user recruitment, task-based interactions, and data collection through questionnaires, interviews, and observations. Results revealed that users appreciated the cultural significance and visual authenticity of the VR experience but identified limitations such as physical discomfort, text-heavy content, and a lack of interactivity. Outdoor settings generally provided a more positive experience, while indoor conditions exacerbated cybersickness symptoms. Recommendations for future iterations include enhancing interactivity, incorporating multisensory elements, and improving ergonomic design to maximize educational and cultural impact. This study highlights the potential of VR as a tool for preserving and promoting Macau’s maritime heritage while addressing key areas for refinement.

This dissertation examines the implementation of smart policing in Macau, focusing on the adoption and challenges of facial recognition technology within the Macau Urban Electronic Surveillance System. As Macau pursues its smart city ambitions, the integration of advanced technologies into law enforcement has become a central strategy for enhancing public safety and operational efficiency. However, the actual acceptance and use of these technologies by frontline police officers remain underexplored. The study adopts a mixed-methods approach. documentary analysis of government policies and strategic documents provides an overview of Macau’s smart policing initiatives and the legal and infrastructural frameworks supporting them. The core of the research is a quantitative survey of Macau police officers who have direct experience with the facial recognition system. The survey is structured around the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), with additional attention to compatibility and perceived legal knowledge. The results reveal that performance expectancy and perceived legal knowledge are the strongest factors influencing officers’ adoption of facial recognition while effort expectancy, social influence, facilitating conditions and compatibility are less influential. Practical challenges were discovered through the Macau police officers.

This study investigates the relationship between special education professional competence and inclusive education attitudes among general school teachers in Macao, aiming to understand how these factors influence the development of inclusive education in the region. 310 valid questionnaires were collected from local general school teachers through surveys incorporating 14 background variables, analyzed using statistical methods including independent samples t-tests, one-way ANOVA, and ordinal one-way ANOVA. Qualitative interviews further supplemented the findings. The results show: 1. General school teachers in Macao demonstrated a relateively high level of ""overall special education competence"" and its five dimensions: ""general special education knowledge,"" ""curriculum design competence,"" ""instructional design competence,"" ""assessment competence,"" and ""classroom management competence."" 2. Teachers showed positive ""overall inclusive education attitudes"" across three dimensions: ""cognitive,"" ""emotion,"" and ""behavior."" 3. Nine background variables showed significant differences in special education competence: ""age,"" ""teaching experience,"" ""special education experience,"" ""participation in inclusive education courses offered by the Education and Youth Affairs Bureau (EYAB),"" ""participation in EYAB workshops/seminars,"" ""pre-teaching relevant experience,"" ""level of support from special education professionals,"" ""frequency of colleague communication regarding inclusive students,"" and ""number of inclusive students in the class with the highest inclusion rate."" 4. Five variables show significant differences in attitudes toward inclusive education: ""age,"" ""teaching experience,"" ""special education experience,"" ""pre-teaching relevant experience,"" and ""frequency of colleague communication on inclusive student issues."" Part of the qualitative interview results are consistent with the quantitative results. Additionally, Pearson Correlation Analysis was conducted, revealing a positive correlation between special education professional competence and attitudes toward inclusive education. Qualitative findings revealed additional insights: 1. Teachers identified five influencing variable for special education competence: ""gender,"" ""educational background,"" ""professional specialization,"" ""job position,"" and ""teaching stage."" 2. Teachers identified four variables impacted inclusive education attitudes: ""educational background,"" ""professional specialization,"" ""job roles,"" and ""number of inclusive students in the class with highest inclusion rate."" 3. ""Personality traits"" was a critical factor in teachers’ inclusive education attitudes: teachers with more positive, open, and patient dispositions showed stronger inclusive education attitudes. 4. ""Teacher-student relationship"" positively influenced both competence and attitudes, with better relationships correlating with higher proficiency and more favorable attitudes. Qualitative data primarily served to support and enrich the quantitative findings. 本研究以澳門普通學校教師為研究對象，探討教師在融合教育中的特教專業知能及融合教育態度之相關情況，並瞭解特教專業知能及融合教育態度對澳門融合教育發展之影響，從而由受訪者提供可提升相關因素的建議。研究一共收集了310位本澳普通學校教師的資料，14個背景變項，使用獨立樣本t檢定，單因子變異數分析、單因子等級變異數分析進行統計。結果顯示： 1）本澳普通教師在「整體特教專業知能」及其「一般特教知能」、「課程設計知能」、「教學設計知能」、「課程評核知能」及「班級經營知能」五大層面也屬於較好程度。 2）本澳普通教師在「整體融合教育態度」及其「認知」、「情感」及「行為」三大層面也屬於較好程度。 3）「年齡」、「教學年資」、「特教年資」、「修讀教青局所舉辦融合教育課程進修」、「修讀教青局所舉辦有關的講座/工作坊」、「任教前相關經驗」、「特殊教育專業人員的支援程度」、「就融合生問題而與同事溝通時間頻率」及「任教班級中最多融合生的班級之融合生人數」等九個背景變項在特教專業知能中呈顯著差異。 4）「年齡」、「教學年資」、「特教年資」、「任教前相關經驗」及「就融合生問題而與同事溝通時間頻率」等五個背景變項在融合教育態度中呈顯著差異。 而質性訪談有部分結果與量化結果相似，因此質性能解釋量化的情形。此外，亦通過獨立皮爾遜積差相關分析進行統計。結果顯示：特教專業知能與融合教育態度相互呈正相關。 再者，在質性訪談結果中有不同的發現，結果顯示： 1）本澳普通學校教師認為「性別」、「學歷」、「專業背景」、「擔任職務」、「任教階段」等五個背景變項在特教專業知能中有影響。 2）本澳普通學校教師認為「學歷」、「專業背景」、「擔任職務」、「任教班級中最多融合生的班級之融合生人數」等四個背景變項在融合教育態度中有影響。 3） 「人格特質」是影響教師融合教育態度的其中一個決定性因素，越正面積極、開放性態度越高及越有耐性，在融合教育態度上越正面。 4） 「師生關係」可能是影響教師特教專業知能及融合教育態度的其中一個決定性因素，即師生關係越好，特教專業知能及融合教育態度越好。 而質性所得出之結果主要是用來支撐及補充量化研究的結果之發現。

This dissertation investigates the challenges and opportunities for implementing sustainable tourism practices in Macau from the perspective of tourism operators. With Macau's economy heavily reliant on its vibrant tourism industry, particularly the gaming sector, the rapid growth has led to significant environmental and social impacts, raising concerns about long-term sustainability. This study aims to identify the barriers preventing operators from fully embracing sustainability, such as high implementation costs, a perceived lack of robust governmental support, and insufficient knowledge among stakeholders. Concurrently, it explores the potential avenues for sustainable tourism development, including enhanced collaboration, improved financial incentives, and strengthened environmental legislation. Through qualitative interviews, the research provides a comprehensive understanding of the current landscape. The findings reveal that while operators acknowledge the importance of sustainability, practical and policy-related hurdles persist. The study concludes with actionable recommendations for policymakers and tourism operators to foster a more sustainable and resilient tourism sector in Macau, capable of withstanding global shocks and ensuring long-term prosperity without compromising its unique cultural and natural assets. 本論文調查了實施的挑戰和機遇 從旅遊經營者的角度看澳門的可持續旅遊實踐。 隨著 澳門的經濟嚴重依賴其充滿活力的旅遊業，特別是 遊戲行業的快速增長給環境和社會帶來了重大影響， 引起對長期可持續性的擔憂。 這項研究旨在確定障礙 阻止運營商充分接受可持續性，例如高實施率 成本，被認為缺乏強大的政府支援，以及知識不足 在利益相關者中。 同時，它探索了可持續的潛在途徑 旅遊業發展，包括加強合作，改善財政激勵措施， 並加強了環境立法。 透過定性訪談， 研究提供了對當前格局的全面瞭解。 這 調查結果顯示，雖然運營商承認可持續性的重要性， 實際和政策相關的障礙持續存在。 這項研究以可操作的結論 對決策者和旅遊經營者的建議，以促進更可持續的 澳門有彈性的旅遊業，能夠抵禦全球衝擊和 在不損害其獨特的文化和自然的情況下確保長期繁榮資產

The purpose of this thesis is to assess how the use of prefabricated components alters management practices in fit-out projects and to propose effective adjustments based on real-world evidence. Focusing on the renovation of the Venetian Cotai Arena in Macau, conducted between January and October 2024, this study aims to help project managers anticipate and overcome the unique challenges introduced by prefabrication, especially in areas such as supply chain coordination, cost control, quality assurance, workforce management, and communication. Driven by rising labor costs and growing quality demands in Hong Kong, Macau, and Mainland China, prefabricated construction has emerged as a promising yet complex solution for interior fit-out projects. Despite its theoretical advantages—such as time efficiency and standardized quality—this research finds that practical management issues can offset these benefits if not properly addressed. The study adopts a qualitative case study approach, drawing on stakeholder interviews, internal meeting records, and dynamic cost analysis to investigate management failures and derive actionable insights. The findings reveal that delays in prefabricated material production and delivery were the root cause of construction inefficiencies. These delays disrupted work sequencing, led to labor idle time, and triggered costly overtime during final phases. Inadequate supplier capacity and outdated production processes contributed to this problem, while poor quality control caused dimensional mismatches and on-site rework. Cost analysis confirmed that rework expenses reached over MOP 22 million, while material and labor costs also significantly exceeded the original budget. Labor inefficiencies—driven by untrained workers and uncoordinated instructions—added further financial and scheduling pressures. Warehouse mismanagement and unclear material labeling further delayed installation work and increased operational overheads. The study concludes that prefabrication success is contingent not only on technical design but also on the implementation of proactive management strategies, including early supplier engagement, accurate production planning, effective logistics labeling, and structured site-level authority. This thesis contributes practical guidance for future projects by demonstrating how targeted management adjustments—based on real case data—can reduce cost overruns, improve coordination, and increase overall project efficiency when using prefabricated components.

Marriott International, Inc. (Marriott) is a worldwide company that operates, franchises, and licenses a diverse portfolio of hotels, residential properties, timeshares, and other lodging options across various brands, catering to multiple price levels and service standards. Currently, Marriott operates in the U.S. & Canada segment and the international segment, including Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific, the Caribbean, and Latin America. The major business segment is the U.S. & Canada, representing 80% of the consolidated net sales in 2023. To pioneer the development in the industry, Marriott has to expand its international operations to diversify geographic revenue streams and reduce dependence on the U.S. & Canada markets. Maintaining its competitive advantage is a constant challenge due to the intense competition in the global hospitality industry and the sector’s sensitivity to economic, political, and social changes. Understanding how these factors affect both the industry and Marriott is crucial for accurately assessing Marriott’s intrinsic value and its future positioning. Comparing the intrinsic value derived from three valuation models with Marriott’s market share price as of December 31, 2023, will offer valuable insights for investors.

Facial expression recognition is a key topic in computer vision, playing a crucial role in non-verbal communication. With the rapid development of artificial intelligence, significant progress has been made in improving recognition accuracy and generalization abilities. Traditional methods often suffer from low precision and poor generalization, while deep learning models have substantially advanced the field. However, deploying deep and complex models on different platforms remains challenging due to their high computational demands and frameworks. Hence, developing an efficient, real-time, and lightweight facial expression recognition system is critical. This study focuses on creating an efficient, accurate, and lightweight real-time facial expression recognition system with an emphasis on cross-platform deployment. It integrates various deep learning and optimization techniques to demonstrate flexibility across platforms. In this context, this study evaluates the performance of 10 advanced CNN models (VGG16, VGG19, ResNet50, etc.) on the facial expression dataset FER2013. YOLOv8 combined with ResNet50 achieved 70.56% accuracy on FER2013, outperforming YOLOv8 alone by 2.1%. Multi-module fusion models (MobileFaceNet, IR50, HyViT, SE) achieved an accuracy of 92.58% and 74.8% on the RAF-DB and FER2013 datasets, respectively, showing superior performance in ablation experiments. Given the significant impact of data quality on model performance, this study performed data cleaning on the FER2013 dataset, resulting in a 3.25% accuracy improvement for the YOLOv8 + ResNet50 model, which reached 73.81%. The high-resolution RAF-DB dataset, with fewer errors, led to improved performance, achieving 92.56% accuracy with the fusion model. A multi-purpose facial expression recognition system, VISTA, was developed using Python and PyQt5. The system supports multiple data formats and provides real-time emotional feedback, thus enhancing its usability for both research and practical applications. Furthermore, the fusion model was quantized using the OpenVINO toolkit, reducing its parameters by 75% while maintaining an accuracy of 91.17%. Inference speed was improved, and XGrad-CAM was employed to enhance model interpretability, revealing that the YOLOv8 + ResNet50 combination more effectively captured facial features. Finally, the high-performance model was successfully deployed on Intel CPUs, NVIDIA GPUs, and embedded devices Raspberry Pi 4B, demonstrating the portability and flexibility of the VISTA system across various platforms. This research provides promising solutions for applications in human-computer interaction, affective computing, and real-time emotional analysis, with significant advancements made in improving system real-time performance, accuracy, and cross-platform deployment capabilities. It contributes to the development of facial expression recognition technology and lays the foundation for its widespread future applications in fields such as smart healthcare, business analytics, education, and mental health.

This dissertation investigated the impact of nature exposure, namely access to green elements, and time spent outdoors on well-being, specifically experiences of positive and negative affect and flourishing, in Macao. Drawing on existing literature, the study proposes the following hypotheses: H1: Access to green elements has a positive relationship with positive affect. H2: Time spent outdoors moderates the relationship between access to green elements and positive affect, in that more time spent outdoors will strengthen the relationship. H3: Access to green elements has a negative relationship with negative affect. H4: Time spent outdoors moderates the relationship between access to green elements and negative affect, in that more time spent outdoors will weaken the relationship. A quantitative methodology utilising cross-sectional self-response questionnaires was employed for data collection. The measures used were pre-validated and translated into Chinese through a rigorous translation and back translation process. The final sample consisted of 740 participants from different industries in Macao. The results highlight the significance of integrating natural elements in daily life to promote flourishing and positive affect. The implications of these findings, both in theoretical and practical terms, are thoroughly discussed. The findings offer valuable insights for the implementation of the biophilic practices by counsellors, educators, health professionals, urban planners, employers and other decision makers.

This research examines aspects that influence career development for women in the public sector in Macau. The combination of local customs and what remains from Portuguese rule in Macau has led to a special society that influences how gender is dealt with in public institutions. While nations promise gender equality, women do not hold many leadership positions in their government agencies. To conduct this study, qualitative research using semi-structured interviews was performed with 12 female public sector staff, some in leadership positions and some aiming for them. Analysis of interview data shows that cultural norms, organizational structures and new technological trends together block women from advancing at work. It appears that strong cultural habits about gender keep valuing women’s domestic duties over professional goals, supporting the belief that top management should be mostly male. Women in these sectors which are largely male, are doubted about their ability to lead. Organizational barriers, including opaque promotion practices, gender-biased recruitment, lack of mentorship, and limited access to gender-sensitive leadership development programs, further impede women's career advancement. Even though work-life balance policies exist in the handbook, managers often ignore them and consider them a hindrance for women hoping to move ahead.In parallel, the study explores how digital transformation—the so-called "Internet+" era— offers both opportunities and challenges for women in the public sector. Although digital tools improve skills and career paths, poor training often keeps women from gaining from these resources. The impact of digitalization brings out more gender inequality, because women find it harder to access major leadership roles in high-tech sectors. To tackle these different problems, the dissertation recommends strategies such as running gender-focused mentorship programs, making sure work-life balance policies are properly enforced, increasing transparency during promotions and launching digital skill training just for female employees. Equally importantly, it stresses the need for shifts in cultural values together with new policies, encouraging campaigns to raise awareness and welcoming new leadership models opposed to patriarchy. The research, by considering Macau’s special setting, helps advance the debate on gender equity in governance and provides useful tips for supporting inclusive leadership paths in societies with similar characteristics.

The Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games established themselves as a unique worldwide sports event, which took place in 2021 without spectators after a year-long delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The media became the sole information distributor about the Games because there were no live spectators present at the events. Academic research about the Paralympic movement showed substantial growth since the London 2012 as media attention alongside public interest expanded. Research about the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics faces limited availability because of immigration and infection control measures combined with spectator restrictions. There is insufficient research about the social consequences of the Paralympic media coverage especially from the viewpoint of people with disabilities. This study analysed the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics through qualitative methods to understand media communication effects on Tokyo and Aichi Prefecture residents with disabilities. Four main themes emerged through reflexive thematic analysis of semi-structured interview dataset which included: 1) the duality of the media, 2) the suspension between the medical and social models, 3) Japanese culture and the human rights movement, and 4) Paralympian decoded. By comparing with previous research on media perception among Japanese non-disabled people, this study revealed that people with disabilities viewed the Paralympic media coverage with both critical and objective perspectives by acknowledging its benefits and challenges. People with disabilities demonstrated little optimism regarding how the media could improve public disability awareness. The study also revealed that Paralympians carry diverse and widely recognised social meanings within disability communities and that a fundamental mismatch exists between disability goals and mainstream media representations, which tend to simplify disability into one-dimensional categories. This study established a social framework that recognised and respected the diverse differences within the disability population, rather than using reductionist classification systems.

As individuals reach 35, they often find that others no longer view them as young. Various theories of adult development suggest that the shift into middle age officially begins at 40. This stage is seen as a transitional period leading toward middle age, commonly referred to in our context as the ""35-year threshold"" or ""35-year crisis."" Therefore, the transformations and significant decisions faced by those aged 35 to 40 deserve attention to better understand the support necessary for a smooth transition into middle age. Research on those in the 35 to 40 age bracket is limited in many regions. This study seeks to identify the needs of early adults within this age group in our area, utilizing qualitative methods. By conducting in-depth interviews about the life experience of the interviewees and starting up writing the stories with the dimension of phenomenological pedagogy, we aim to capture participants' subjective experiences, shedding light on the psychological aspects of their decision-making during pivotal life events. In total, 20 participants aged 35 to 40 from our region were invited to contribute to this study. After three months of interviews and five months of analysis, the research identified four key factors influencing their decision-making attitudes toward major life events: a primary focus on family considerations, a perceived urgency to enact changes before turning 40, a pursuit of stability, and a desire for self-actualization while letting go of rigid expectations. Additionally, based on participants’ insights regarding support systems for Macau adults in this age group, five recommendations were proposed: enhancing family welfare policies, regular reviews of housing policies, promoting life education and diversified development for youth, addressing workplace stress and fostering continuous professional development, and increasing awareness of mental health. These measures aim to provide better support for individuals navigating life transitions or challenges. In summary, the insights gathered from participants provide important implications for adults, government bodies, and social workers regarding the services needed. This research underscores the essential support services for those aged 35 to 40 and suggests the creation of more customized programs and resources. 當踏入35歲後在別人眼裡已不再年輕，在許多成人發展理論定義上則認為踏入40歲後才算中年階段，35歲後正要開始步向中年的過渡時期，國內更稱為「35歲門檻」及「35歲危機」，所以35至40歲這個年齡階段的生活遇到的轉變和重大事件決策歷程，從而了解那些支援能讓這個年齡階段能順利過渡至中年階段，亦是值得進行探討及研究。 不同地區亦較少對35至40歲這個年齡人士進行研究，本研究為了解本澳35至40歲成年早期人士的需要，研究會採用質性研究，以深度訪談了解受訪者在研究題目當中有關的生活體驗，並以教育現象學作分析，期望從受訪者主觀表述其經驗，以了解35至40歲成年人士對於生活中重大事件的決策深層心理意涵與其真實想法。 本次研究共邀請20位本澳35至40歲之成年人士為對象，經過3個月的訪談及歷時5個月進行探討及總結，研究分析得出這個年齡階段之人士，他們面對重大事件作出決策取態的結果有以下四大重要元素：本澳35至40歲成年早期人士首先以家庭角度出發，其次認為時間不多需要在40歲前作出轉變並且追求穩定的生活，追求自我價值及放下執着。 另外，從受訪者提及如何支援本澳35至40歲之成年人的生活，共歸納出五項建議：完善家庭福利措施、定期檢視房屋政策、青年生命教育及多元發展、在職人士壓力及持續進修發展、促進心理健康的關注，讓他們能更有支援的情況下應對生活的轉變或挑戰。 最後，從各位受訪者的建議中整理及歸納，為成年人、政府相關單位及社會工作者在服務提供相關啟示，更能補充35至40歲這個年齡階段人士的生活所需之服務，以及作出更合意的支援方案與服務資訊作參考。

This study examines consumer perceptions of all-electric vehicles in Macau, focusing on Tesla owners. As the Macau Special Administrative Region (MSAR) pursues its long-term carbon reduction strategy, adopting BEV is a key step towards sustainable urban mobility. However, consumer attitudes and behavioral responses to BEV in Macau's unique high-density urban environment remain underexplored. This study adopts the extended Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT-2) model with the addition of the “technological show-off” (TS) dimension to explore how Tesla owners perceive the challenges and opportunities of adopting BEV. This study used a qualitative methodology to conduct in-depth interviews with ten Tesla owners in Macau through semi-structured interviews and unstructured quantitative assessments. Data were analyzed across multiple UTAUT-2 dimensions, including Performance Expectancy, Effort Expectancy, Social Influence, Facilitating Conditions, Hedonic Motivation, Price Value, Habit, and the added factor of Technology Show-Off. The findings suggest that Tesla owners in Macau value their vehicles' convenience, efficiency, and technological sophistication, with a particular focus on Autopilot, acceleration, and low maintenance costs. However, issues such as limited charging infrastructure, service accessibility, and technology learning curve remain. Social status and identity are influential factors, especially in a compact and socially connected urban environment like Macau. By examining the experiences of EV users, this study fills a gap in the existing literature. It provides practical insights for policymakers and manufacturers aiming to accelerate the diffusion of BEVs. The study concludes that consumer perceptions are critical for practical benefits and emotional fulfillment for the continued growth of the electric vehicle market in Macau and similar regions.

Legalizing gambling has brought numerous advantages to Macau, including employment opportunities, economic growth, improved quality of life, and accelerated urban development. While these macro-level benefits are evident, the industry has also significantly impacted local families and communities. In particular, the initial discovery of a family member's gambling problem inflicts immeasurable harm on the household, and the coping strategies adopted by affected family members critically influence their relationships with the gambler and the overall trajectory of the family unit. This qualitative study, conducted in collaboration between the University of Saint Joseph (USJ) and SKH 24-hour online gambling counseling service (SKH-24H), employed semi-structured interviews to explore the coping strategies of family members of problem gamblers. Nine participants were interviewed, and thematic analysis revealed eight key coping strategies: (1) Bailing out The Problem Gambler, (2) Maintaining Status Quo of the Family, (3) Help Seeking in Macau Community, (4) Coping by Self-Regulation, (5) Coping by Engagement, (6) Coping by Withdrawal, (7) Tolerance and (8) Seeking Psychiatric Consultations. The study aims to enhance the understanding of local gambling counseling professionals regarding the coping strategy employed by Macau families dealing with problem gamblers. By aligning intervention strategies with the lived experiences of these families, the findings can inform more effective, family-focused approaches to service delivery. Furthermore, the research provides insights for government agencies into the real-world challenges faced by families affected by problem gambling, offering evidence-based recommendations for evaluating and revising existing regulations to mitigate the adverse effects of the gambling industry on Macau's households. "

This study provides an empirical assessment of public servants’ integrity in Macao’s public sector, exploring how integrity is perceived, practiced, and promoted amid Macao’s unique administrative and socio-cultural context. Drawing on in-depth, semi-structured interviews with ten public servants from diverse departments and hierarchical levels, the research adopts a qualitative approach guided by the Theory of Public Service Motivation (PSM). The findings reveal that integrity fundamentally prioritizes public interest above personal gain, grounded in honesty, self-discipline, and ethical commitment. While organizational missions and formal codes offer guidance, individual values, professional ethics, and personal motivation are central to upholding integrity. Key enablers include mission-driven values, ethical leadership, supportive organizational culture, non-monetary incentives, and recognition. However, integrity is undermined by inconsistent ethics training, weak supervision, ineffective reporting mechanisms, and cultural factors such as close social networks and fear of retaliation. The effectiveness of mechanisms, such as internal regulations, anti-corruption agencies, and ethics training, varies across departments, often hindered by procedural gaps and societal norms. The study concludes that sustaining integrity in Macao’s public sector requires strengthening ethics education, enhancing leadership and culture, improving internal systems, and addressing systemic and societal risks. Limitations include the small, non-generalizable sample and focus on qualitative insights. Recommendations are targeted at policymakers, the supervisory institution, the Commission Against Corruption (CCAC), and institutional leaders for future reforms.

This dissertation conducts a comparison of French Nouvelle Cuisine and Japanese Kaiseki Cuisine, exploring the similarities and differences of both cuisines and reflecting how cultural values, philosophical aspects, and historical influences have shaped contemporary dining experiences. In the examination of both cuisines, it takes into consideration aspects such as sensory experience, plating, and their underlying philosophical principles to demonstrate the interaction between aesthetics and culture particularly in relation to the culinary arts. French nouvelle cuisine was influenced by the Enlightenment, and this type of Western cuisine highlights a focus on texture and balance in flavor, emphasizing freshness, innovation, and intellectual artistry. Kaiseki cuisine inherited the tradition of the Japanese tea ceremony and is essentially rooted in Zen Buddhism. Some of the core aesthetic concepts in Kaiseki cuisine include seasonality, simplicity, and the aesthetic concept of wabi-sabi, emphasizing how humans should live in harmony with nature. As these two types of cuisines are compared, there will also be a comparison of Immanuel Kant’s aesthetics and how it is related to French nouvelle cuisine, as representative of a Western philosophical view and this will be compared to Japanese aesthetics in general and, in particular, the views on aesthetics of the Japanese philosopher Daisetsu Teitaro Suzuki, as representative of an Eastern philosophical view and its relation to culinary arts.

This research focuses on the design of the in-vehicle interactive interface of L4 autonomous driving vehicles, aiming to explore how to improve the passengers experience by optimizing the interface interaction mode. With the development of autonomous driving technology, the shortcomings of existing interface design in transparent feedback, emotional adaptation and multi-modal interaction support have become the main obstacles affecting user trust and satisfaction. Based on user research and prototype design, the study proposed an interface design scheme that combines transparent feedback with emotional perception, focusing on real-time display of vehicle behaviour logic and dynamic adaptation to passenger emotional state. In user testing, the system showed some improvements in trust enhancement and ease of use, especially in response to complex road conditions and emergencies. Although this research has provided some preliminary results through innovative design, there are still limitations in technical implementation and scope of application. Future research will focus on sample diversification and accuracy improvement of emotional perception technology to further improve the design scheme and expand its application scenarios.

This dissertation investigates the effectiveness and shortcomings of employee incentive mechanisms at GF Advertising Company, with a specific focus on the motivation of staff. Amid rapid changes in the advertising and printing materials industry, employee satisfaction and retention have become increasingly critical. However, the company’s current incentive system—characterized by an overreliance on material rewards and lack of development opportunities—has struggled to meet employees’ evolving needs. To explore this issue, the study adopts a mixed-methods approach, combining a quantitative survey of 115 employees with qualitative interviews of 7 selected staff members. The research draws upon Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory to analyze employee motivation and satisfaction. The findings reveal key challenges in four areas: insufficient economic incentives, weak organizational environment support, underdeveloped career growth mechanisms, and ineffective work-related motivation. Based on the results, the dissertation proposes a multi-layered, localized incentive model that incorporates both intrinsic and extrinsic motivators. Recommendations include optimizing communication platforms, strengthening team culture, refining promotion pathways, and diversifying reward structures to better align with employee expectations. The study concludes that a strategic and human-centered incentive mechanism not only improves employee engagement but also enhances organizational performance. Future research could further expand the sample scope and explore long-term impacts of different incentive models across companies and regions.