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Amazon is a global leader in e-commerce and cloud computing that has continually proven that it can diversify its business model well beyond being just one of the world's largest online retailers. Study its financial results, strategic initiatives by SWOT Analysis, and access its market positioning in industry by using PESTEL Analysis and Porter’s Five Forces Analysis. In order to ascertain the intrinsic value and assess the future prospects of Amazon, the study then utilizes several financial models, Enterprise Discounted Cash Flow (EDCF), Adjusted Present Value (APV) and Discounted Economic Profit (DEP). The study presents Amazon is potentially overvalued (December 31, 2024).

This qualitative study explores parental perspectives and decision-making processes regarding young children's engagement with electronic devices in Macao. Data was collected through semi- structured, in-depth interviews with 15 parents of young children. The researcher analysed the interview contents and synthesized the findings with relevant literature and theoretical support, resulting in the following key insights: 1. Parental attitudes towards children's use of electronic devices were found to be distinctly polarised. Parents with a more open attitude viewed electronic devices as an inevitable part of modern life, suggesting that excessive restrictions might hinder children's development. In contrast, parents with a more conservative perspective emphasised the developmental risks of early exposure. Three primary factors influenced parental attitudes; the parents’ level of professional knowledge in education, their own usage habits, and their sense of parental self-efficacy. Additionally, parental behaviours had a modelling effect on children's usage patterns, directly correlating with the stringency of their management strategies. 2. Regarding child development, parents generally recognised the educational value of electronic devices, particularly the ability of multimedia interactivity to enhance learning engagement and facilitate knowledge acquisition. However, they also expressed concerns about the potential risks in three developmental domains: physiological development (e.g., visual eye strain, sedentary behaviour), psychological development (e.g., addiction, reduced social interaction), and cognitive development (e.g., diminished attention span, fewer opportunities for practical learning). Parents with professional knowledge of child development tended to adopt more comprehensive assessment perspectives and balanced usage strategies. 3. The study identified three primary contexts in which parents provided electronic devices to their children: first, as a response to parenting stress, where parents used devices to gain brief respite or manage household tasks; second, as behavioural management tools, using devices for reward and punishment mechanisms, such as encouraging good behaviour, boosting learning motivation, or soothing children in specific situations (e.g., during illness or mealtime); and third, as influenced by external environmental factors, including caregiving differences (e.g., grandparents, domestic helpers), the technological emphasis in educational settings, and peer influence on children's social interactions. III 4. In terms of management strategies, parents predominantly employed three approaches: restrictive mediation, focusing on controlling screen time and filtering content; technical mediation, involving the use of device security settings and application restrictions; and alternative activity planning, such as encouraging children to engage in constructive play and artistic activities. However, the study revealed that parents less frequently utilised active educational mediation (e.g., discussing content, sharing experiences) and co-viewing strategies (e.g., joint parent-child usage, interactive learning). Based on these findings, the researcher provides recommendations for parents, schools, educators, and government agencies to establish a more comprehensive and supportive framework for young children's use of electronic devices and related services. 本研究採用質性研究方法，探討澳門家長對幼兒使用電子產品的觀點及決策因由，透過半 結構式深度訪談，收集 15 位育有幼兒之家長的經驗與看法。研究者根據訪談內容進行分析 討論，並輔以相關文獻和理論支持，歸納出以下研究結果: (一) 家長對幼兒使用電子產品的態度呈現明顯的兩極分化:持開放態度的家長視其為時代 趨勢，認為過度限制可能阻礙幼兒發展;持保守態度的家長則強調提早接觸電子產品可能帶 來發展風險。研究發現，家長的態度主要受三個因素影響:教育專業知識水平、個人使用習 慣，以及親職效能感。此外，家長的行為會通過示範效應影響幼兒的使用模式，並直接關係 到其管理策略的嚴格程度。 (二) 在幼兒發展方面，家長普遍認同電子產品的教育價值，尤其是其多媒體互動特性能提 升學習投入度及知識獲取。然而，家長同時關注其潛在風險，這些風險主要集中在三個層 面:生理發展(如視力損害、久坐問題)、心理發展(如沉迷、社交互動)、認知發展(如 專注力、實踐機會)。研究發現，具備幼兒發展專業知識的家長更傾向採取全面的評估視角 和均衡的使用策略。 (三) 家長提供電子產品予幼兒的三個主要情境包括:首先是因應育兒壓力，家長表示會透 過電子產品獲得短暫休息及處理家務的時間。其次是行為管理工具，家長運用電子產品進行 獎懲，包括鼓勵良好行為、提升學習動機，以及在特定情境下(如幼兒不適或進食)作為安 撫工具。第三是受外在環境因素的影響，主要來自三方面:替代照顧者(如祖父母、家傭) 的管教差異、教育環境的科技化趨勢，以及同儕使用經驗對幼兒社交需求的影響。 (四) 在管理策略方面，家長主要採取三種調解方式:限制性調解，著重於使用時間管控與 內容篩選;技術性調解，運用設備安全管理功能與應用程式限制;替代活動規劃，包括引導 幼兒參與建構性遊戲與藝術創作等。研究發現，家長較少採用具教育意義的指導性調解(如 內容討論、經驗分享)和社交共賞(如親子共同使用、互動學習)策略。 基於上述研究發現，研究者分別對家長，學校及教師、以及政府部門提出建議，期望建立 更適切且全面的幼兒電子產品使用框架及相關支援服務。

This dissertation focuses on the novel Rouge by the Hong Kong-based writer Lilian Lee, which is a fantasy novel that proclaims feminism by deploying a love tragedy, describing the social context and atmosphere of Hong Kong in the 1930s and 1980s, and the living and afterlife experiences of the courtesan Fleur. Rouge was first published in 1984 and subsequently adapted into a film in 1988, which won several awards at film festivals. The novel Rouge can be regarded as Lilian Lee’s most representative work and a significant cultural symbol of Hong Kong in the 1990s. Love is a universal human experience that has a significant impact on our lives, relationships, and our understanding of ourselves and the world around us. Consequently, philosophers have long sought to gain insight into its nature, origins and role in human existence, which makes the exploration of love a core focus of philosophical inquiry. This research will examine how the novel Rouge explores the interplay between authentic love and ego love, and will also investigate the causes that led to Fleur’s tragedy.

Today, gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls have become one of the sustainable development goals jointly regarded by the international community. As society's understanding of gender gradually becomes more diverse and open, more and more people are beginning to pay attention to men's needs. Although society generally recognizes gender equality and pays attention to the development of women, relatively little attention is paid to the development and needs of men. Men also have needs and expectations, and are influenced by society's traditional expectations in their willingness to participate in associations. This study outlines the phenomenon that men’s participation in community services is generally lower than that of women, and cites data from Hong Kong, Taiwan, Macau and other places to support this view. Although gender equality is a global concern, there are relatively few protection policies and services specifically for men in Macau and surrounding areas. In the context of pursuing gender equality, men's rights and needs should not be ignored. Therefore, this study aims to explore men's motivations for participating in women's group social services. It uses qualitative research and a phenomenological approach to 15 invited respondents. Interview samples were collected through in-depth interviews. Different findings were obtained from the research results through the use of description and inductive analysis through the life stories of the interviewees. The research concluded that service can not only meet their personal needs and experience the achievement of development tasks, but also found the key experience factors, that is, the four major motivations for men to participate in clubs, including personal service spirit, personal life needs, maintenance Social relationships and personal interests and preferences and six elements of continuous participation, including contrast in values, tangible experience, feeling changed, having challenges and growth, improving horizons and knowledge, and feeling a sense of belonging. The study also obtained four suggestions from the interviewees for social services and their expected experiences. This study also inspired social workers to formulate comprehensive and targeted men's policies, not only to respond to the diverse needs of the men's group, but also to It is the key to promoting comprehensive, coordinated and sustainable development of society. 現今性別平等與增強婦女和女童的權能，已成為國際社會共同視為持續發展目標之一。隨著社會對兩性的認知逐漸變得多元及開放，越來越多人士開始關注男士的需要。儘管社會普遍認同性別平等並關注婦女發展情況，但對男士的發展和需求關注相對不足。男士同樣有需求和期望，並且受社會傳統的期望影響參與社團的意願。 本研究概述了社團服務中男性參與度普遍低於女性的現象，並引用了香港、臺灣及澳門等地的數據來支撐這一觀點。儘管性別平等是全球關注的議題，但在澳門及周邊地區，專門針對男性的保護政策和服務相對較少。在追求性別平等的背景下，男士的權益和需求不應被忽視，因此本研究旨在探討男士參與婦女團體社會服務的動機，採用質性研究，以現象學方式，向受邀的 15 位受訪樣本，透過深度訪談蒐集資料。藉著受訪者闡述生活故事，運用描述及歸納分析，從研究結果中得到不同的發現。研究結論得出，服務既滿足到他們的個人需要，以及體 驗到發展任務的達成，另外找到了關鍵體驗的因素，即男士參與社團的四個動機，包括個人服務精神、個人生活需要、維繫社會關係、個人興趣與喜好以及六個持續參與元素，包括 價值觀的反差、切實之體驗、感受到改變、.有挑戰和成長、提升視野知識以及感覺歸屬感。 研究也得到了受訪者對社會服務的四個建議，以及他們期望的體驗，這樣研究同時啟發了社會工作者如何制定全面且有針對性的男士政策，不僅是回應男士群體多元化需求，更是推動社會全面、協調、可持續發展的關鍵所在。

Macao is a small city, and most businesses operating in Macao are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). With personal data protection gaining increasing global attention, what impact does personal data protection law have on the operations of SMEs in Macao? What is the perception of the impact of the Personal Data Protection Law on the operation of Macao's SMEs? This thesis aims to make a corresponding analysis. The article examines Macao's current business environment and enterprise models, integrates data collected from SME surveys, and considers Macao's economic development trajectory before and after its return to China. It analyzes Macao's connections with Portuguese-speaking countries, the European Union, and the cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, which the Chinese government is actively developing. By studying the characteristics of personal data protection legal systems in various countries and regions and their influence on Macao, the paper provides recommendations for enhancing SMEs' awareness of personal data protection and leveraging personal data protection laws to improve business operations in Macao. 澳門是一個細小的城市，在澳門做生意的企業大多是中小企業，個人資料保護在全球日益受到重視，究竟個人資料保護法對澳門中小企營運又帶來甚麼影響 ? 澳門中小企營運過程中，對個人資料保護法影響認知有多少? 本篇論文將會作出相應分析，文章透過分析澳門現時具體營商環境及企業模式，結合透過中小企問卷調查搜集獲得之資料，以及澳門在回歸後，前後經濟發展歷程中與葡語系國家、歐盟、以及與現時中國政府大力發展之大灣區城市之聯系，分析各國家及地區的個人資料保護法律制度之特色以及對澳門之影響，最後就澳門中小企未來就加強中小企個人資料保護意識以及善用個人資料保護法律營商作出建議。

Management of people” and “enhancement of the system” are the focused aspects for improvement of the business operations in this thesis. A case study was carried out in the Facility Management department of a five-star hotel. A list of questionnaire was delivered to about 50% employees of the FM department for the purpose of identifying the awareness of the Organizational Culture. The result indicate that the “Work Process” and “Organization Climate” are the higher score elements than the “Leadership Style” and “Organization Value”. The results tell the management that people are reluctant to change the present work process and the leadership is not effective in the organization. The above issues represent the employees’ behavior and attitude which can affect the employees’ performance as well as the company’s operational efficiency. Suitable management techniques are applied to analyze the employees’ needs and group the people into passive and active attitude, then the appropriate motivation schemes are proposed aiming to improve the overall performance of different groups of employees. The latest technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and 5G mobile communications are proposed for enhancement of the current FM systems aiming for the improvement on fast response, operational cost saving , carbon neutralization and comfort to customers. The proposed system enhancement also considers the minimal investment, so the system enhancement is mainly executed by software upgrade on the core system and replacement of the Smart Sensing devices. The hardware of core equipment can be re-used. AI technology is the future trend of operational improvement, it will be considered as the next step when AI become mature and standardized.

Caterpillar, one of the world's most recognised industrial brands, is a leading global manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, as well as diesel and natural gas engines and industrial gas turbines. Currently, Caterpillar operates in North America, Asia Pacific, EAME region and Latin America, with operations in North America accounting for approximately 47% of the company's net revenue in 2022. Caterpillar has been able to win customers' trust and achieve stable business growth through reliable products, advanced technology, user-friendly services and differentiated service solutions. Post-coronavirus, it can be seen that the industry in which Caterpillar operates is vulnerable to changes in the economic and social environment. In addition, the industry is becoming increasingly competitive, especially with the rise of emerging players, such as construction equipment manufacturers in China, who are entering the markets of developing countries with cost-effective products. In addition to that, such as the traditional machinery manufacturing companies in Europe and Japan, their products are not only highly intelligent, but also motorised equipment technology is quite reliable. It is a tough challenge to maintain a competitive edge. Understanding the impact of these changes on the industry and the company helps in assessing the intrinsic value of Caterpillar and its future positioning. Comparing the intrinsic value derived from the three valuation models to the company's market share price as of 31 December 2022 will provide valuable information to investors.

This thesis explores the nature of holistic consciousness in Hermetic philosophy, drawing on the classical text of The Emerald Tablet and The Corpus Hermeticum attributed to Hermes Trismegistus. Central to this ancient philosophy from Hellenistic Alexandria is the “as above, so below” principle, highlighting the interconnectedness of all things. Hermetic philosophy views harmony as the balance and interconnection of all elements in the universe. Sound, tied to the divine word, is vital for this harmony and understanding of creation and divine wisdom. This thesis focuses on the relationship between human, cosmic, and divine consciousness. Through divinization, humans can align with cosmic consciousness, realizing their divine nature by transcending physical limitations. Furthermore, we will review Hermetic philosophy in light of contemporary challenges, such as materialism which has caused environmental, social and mental health crises. Hermetic philosophy’s holistic approach and emphasis on interconnectedness can counteract social atomization caused by digital technology. Hermetic philosophy having a scientific-rational basis, can be aligned with contemporary ideas like the holographic universe theory. Self-reflection, meditation, nature engagement, and inner dialogue are all proven methods for cultivating holistic consciousness, as advocated in Hermetic philosophy. We can better understand the universe by integrating Hermetic wisdom with science. 這篇論文探討赫爾墨斯哲學中整體意識的性質，參考了赫爾墨斯·特里斯梅吉斯圖斯所屬的古典文本《翡翠石板》和《赫爾墨斯文集》。這一源自希臘化亞歷山大的古老哲學的核心原則是「上如是下」，強調所有事物之間的相互連結。 赫爾墨斯哲學視和諧為宇宙中所有元素的平衡與相互關聯。聲音與神聖之語相連，對於這種和諧及對創造與神聖智慧的理解至關重要。這篇論文專注於人類、宇宙與神聖意識之間的關係。透過神化，人類能夠與宇宙意識對齊，超越身體的限制，實現其神聖本質。 此外，我們將審視赫爾墨斯哲學在當代挑戰下的意義，例如物質主義所導致的環境、社會和心理健康危機。赫爾墨斯哲學的整體方法和對相互連結的強調，可以對抗數位科技所造成的社會原子化現象。 赫爾墨斯哲學具科學理性基礎，能與當代觀念如全息宇宙理論相結合。自我反思、冥想、與自然的互動及內心對話，都是培養整體意識的有效方法，正如赫爾墨斯哲學所提倡的。我們可以通過將赫爾墨斯智慧與科學相結合，更深入地理解宇宙。

This board game is designed around China's major traditional festivals (such as the Spring Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival, etc.) and their customs, with the aim of allowing players to experience and learn about China's rich cultural traditions through gameplay. The goal of the game is to earn points by completing festival tasks, answering questions about customs, and collecting festival items, with the highest scorer ultimately winning. The gameplay design includes elements like festival task cards, customs quizzes, and festival item collection to enhance interactivity and fun. Players will assume different roles in the game, using cards, maps, and festival-themed objects to gain a deeper understanding of the history and customs of each festival. Educational Value: This board game is not only entertaining but also helps players learn about traditional Chinese culture in a relaxed setting, enhancing cultural identity. It is suitable for family gatherings, friends' meetups, and educational settings, particularly for players interested in Chinese culture.

The study aimed to analyze teachers' perceptions of co-teaching within an inclusive educational environment, focusing on the challenges they face, the tools and resources available, and how these factors contribute to promoting inclusion. Conducted with 16 primary and secondary school teachers from an inclusive school in Macau, the research utilized in-depth semi- structured interviews to gather qualitative data on their experiences and perceptions. Overall, the findings highlight co-teaching as a powerful strategy in educational settings, particularly for enhancing students’ learning outcomes. Teachers reported positive views on co-teaching, recognizing its potential to promote collaboration and support diverse learners effectively. Nevertheless, cultural factors significantly influenced teachers’ attitudes toward inclusion. The study revealed that teachers varied cultural and professional backgrounds lead to different perspectives on inclusive practices. This complexity highlights the need for culturally responsive approaches in teacher training and professional development. Despite the positive perceptions of co-teaching, teachers encountered several challenges, namely inconsistent school practices, lack of institutional support from school administration and leadership and inadequate training opportunities. This study suggests that addressing these challenges is crucial for the successful implementation of co-teaching approaches, namely policy adjustments by stakeholders to support co-teaching initiatives, effective allocation of resources for teachers, professional development for school leaders to enhance their ability to foster a collaborative environment, and ongoing training focused on co-teaching methodologies for teachers.

With the rapid development of Internet technology and the acceleration of globalization, cross-border cybercrime has become a global challenge, and its complexity and severity are increasingly prominent. Cyberspace is unbounded, anonymous and real-time, which provides unprecedented convenience for criminals, enabling them to easily cross-national borders and commit a series of criminal acts that seriously endanger national security, social stability and citizens' rights and interests, including online fraud, online gambling, online money laundering and infringement of intellectual property rights. These crimes not only destroy the order of cyberspace, but also pose new challenges to the legal system and jurisdiction of the real world. As two closely linked economies, Macao and China enjoy the convenience brought by the Internet, but they are also deeply troubled by cross-border cybercrimes. Although the two places belong to the same sovereign country, there are significant differences in legal systems, judicial systems and law enforcement practice, which may lead to conflicts and differences in the jurisdiction, investigation, prosecution and trial of cases. These legal conflicts not only affect the fairness of cases, but also hinder the effective cooperation between Macao and China in combating cross-border cybercrimes, posing a serious threat to maintain social stability and protecting citizens' rights and interests in the two places. Therefore, it is not only of great theoretical significance, but also of far-reaching practical significance to study the criminal jurisdiction over cross-border cybercrimes between Macao and China. From a theoretical point of view, the criminal jurisdiction of cross-border cybercrime involves many disciplines such as constitutional law, criminal law, criminal procedure law, and also the application of the Basic Law of Macao, which is a complex research topic. With the continuous innovation of Internet technology, the applicability of the traditional criminal jurisdiction principle in cross-border cybercrimes is seriously challenged. How to re-examine and define the criminal jurisdiction of cross-border cybercrimes in the new era and how to coordinate the jurisdiction conflicts between different jurisdictions have become urgent problems in current legal research. From a practical point of view, cross-border cybercrime has seriously endangered the social stability and economic development of Macao and China. Criminals use the Internet to engage in cross-border gambling, cross-border fraud, spread network viruses and other criminal activities, which not only bring huge economic losses and psychological trauma to the victims, but also seriously undermine the social atmosphere and market order. Therefore, it is of great significance to strengthen the crackdown on cross-border cybercrimes and improve the criminal jurisdiction system of cross-border cybercrimes for maintaining the stability of the society and promoting healthy economic development in both places.

This dissertation investigates the key factors influencing citizens to adopt e-government services in Macao, focusing on the Macao One Account platform. Using the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) framework, the study examines factors such as Performance Expectancy, Effort Expectancy, Social Influence, and Facilitating Conditions, with additional factors including Trust and Perceived Risk. This study is essential to provide a guideline for adopting e-government services effectively, helping policymakers and government entities optimize digital platforms for improved service delivery and user engagement. The research employed a quantitative methodology. The survey data was collected through an online survey in Google Forms distributed to Macao residents who use the Macao One Account platform. The responses of the 126 respondents were analyzed using descriptive statistical methods to identify trends and relationships between the key constructs. The findings reflect that performance expectations, effort expectations, trust, and facilitating conditions are the most influential drivers, with social influence playing a more moderate role. Perceived risk is low, indicating minimal concerns about security or privacy. Usability is an important driver, as most respondents find the platform easy to learn and use. Additionally, the users’ attitudes to the e-government platform could be affected by their trust in the government; reducing risk and increasing confidence can improve the platform's reliability to users. This study shows the need to improve the e-government platform by focusing on users. It includes making it easier to use, building trust with strong data protection, and making it accessible to all citizens. These results give ideas for adopting e-government in Macao and offer simple steps for policymakers to create more inclusive digital services.

This study aims to explore the difficulties and challenges faced by regular primary school teachers in Macao when dealing with inclusive students in the classroom. As the concept of inclusive education deepens, the number of inclusive students in Macao has been increasing, but the growth of schools participating in inclusive education has been slow, posing more challenges for regular primary school teachers. This research adopts a mixed-method approach, combining classroom observations and in-depth interviews to comprehensively understand the issues teachers face. The study conducted structured observations of 15 lessons, covering 5 grade levels and 5 subjects, and carried out in-depth interviews with 7 teachers. The findings reveal: (1) Inclusive students generally experience difficulties in classroom participation, task completion, and independent learning; (2) Teachers generally lack sufficient professional knowledge and skills to effectively address the needs of inclusive students; (3) Schools lack resources and support, including adaptive curriculum arrangements and assessment methods for inclusive students; (4) There are contradictions between current educational policies and practical needs, such as the no-retention policy for grades 1-4, which may lead to missing the best intervention timing for inclusive students. Based on the research results, this paper proposes recommendations including strengthening teacher professional development, optimizing school resource allocation, improving educational policies, reinforcing early identification and intervention mechanisms, and promoting home-school cooperation. These findings and suggestions provide important references for policy-making and practical improvements in inclusive education in Macao. 本研究旨在探討澳門普通小學教師在課堂應對融合學生時所面臨的困難及挑戰。隨著融合教育理念的普及，澳門融合學生數量不斷增加，但參與融合教育的學校數量增長緩慢，使得普通小學教師面臨更多挑戰。本研究採用混合研究方法，結合課堂觀察和深度訪談，以全面了解教師面臨的問題。 研究對15節課進行了結構化觀察，涵蓋5個年級和5個學科，並對7位教師進行了深度訪談。研究發現：（一、）融合學生在課堂參與、任務完成和自主學習等方面普遍存在困難；（二、）教師普遍缺乏足夠的專業知識和技能來有效應對融合學生；（三、）學校資源和支援不足，缺乏針對融合學生的適應性課程安排和評核方式；（四、）現行教育政策與實際需求之間存在矛盾，如一至四年級不留級制度可能導致錯過融合學生最佳干預時機。 基於研究結果，本文提出了加強教師專業發展、優化學校資源配置、完善教育政策、強化早期識別和干預機制，以及促進家校合作等建議。這些發現和建議為澳門融合教育的政策制定和實踐改進提供了重要參考。

Ikea’s entry into the China market and how its become successful in the foreign country

This dissertation investigates the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on teachers' perceptions of digital technology in education, particularly in the context of Macau. As traditional classrooms transitioned to online and blended learning environments in March 2020, the necessity for teachers to adapt and utilize technology became paramount. This study explores how future educators' experiences with e-learning during this crisis have shaped their views on the benefits and challenges of various instructional methods, including online, face-to-face, and blended learning. Utilizing a quantitative research methodology, data were collected from a sample of 30 primary teachers through structured surveys. Findings reveal a significant shift in attitudes towards digital tools, with many educators reporting increased confidence in their digital literacy and recognizing the importance of technology in modern education. The research further elucidates the factors influencing teachers' preparedness for digital instruction and the effectiveness of their internship experiences during the pandemic. The implications of this study underscore the critical role of teacher training programs in enhancing digital literacy and pedagogical skills, ensuring that future educators are well-equipped to navigate the complexities of contemporary educational environments. This dissertation contributes to the growing body of literature on technology integration in education and emphasizes the need for ongoing professional development to support teachers in leveraging digital tools effectively.

This study aims to become a conduit of a missing conversation wherein our front line help-givers can express their experiences. Through a series of semi-structured questions, and theoretical analyses, the themes regarding the Experience and Perception of Helping Relationships in Macau. Findings include difficulties and challenges that the helping profession in Macau encounters in different settings related to role ambiguity and public understanding of the profession. Stigma around a person considered to be a “problem” as well as stigma related to nomenclature of mental illnesses. Factors that enable and facilitate a helping relationship were identified. Trust, sincerity, listening and positive regard were mentioned. Due to Macau’s multi-cultural background, an enabling agent to facilitate a helping relationship was identified – language. As a qualitative enquiry medium for reflection and discovery, this study hopes to bring forward the unique experiences of eleven helping professionals with a spectrum of background to provide richness and newness to the current body of literature.

This study aims to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the dual effects of Macao's economic diversification policy, with the intention of exploring its role in fostering economic sustainability. By thoroughly examining Macao's economy, which has traditionally been heavily reliant on the gaming and tourism industries, the study uncovers the implementation effects of the economic diversification policy, the challenges it encounters, and its potential influence on the economy's future trajectory. The research utilizes a mixed-methodology approach, integrating extensive quantitative data analysis with qualitative interviews to ensure the comprehensiveness and systematic nature of the findings. The study's outcomes underscore the beneficial effects of Macao's economic diversification policy in stimulating the growth of new industries, bolstering economic resilience, and attracting foreign investment. However, the policy also faces challenges such as skill shortages, uneven resource distribution, and the impact on traditional economic pillar industries. The research indicates that despite certain progress, Macao's economic diversification process still needs to overcome various internal and external obstacles. In response to the research findings, this study proposes a series of targeted recommendations, including strengthening the connection between education and industry, optimizing resource allocation strategies, stimulating innovation and entrepreneurship, and promoting the collaborative development of traditional and emerging industries. These suggestions aim to assist the Macao government in effectively addressing current challenges and laying a solid foundation for the long-term development of Macao's economy.

This dissertation studies the regulatory framework of aviation reform in the Macau Special Administrative Region, focus on the balance between protecting local businesses and promoting market liberalization. The study explores how Macau, as a highly autonomous local administrative region in China with a relatively small economy, can effectively reform its aviation industry while safeguarding local interests in the face of open market competition. The importance of this study lies in its analysis of Macau's aviation sector reforms. As Macau seeks to diversify its economy and strengthen its position as a member of the Greater Bay Area initiative, the aviation industry presents both opportunities and challenges. This research contributes to the broader discussion of how small jurisdictions with special political status can participate in regional economic integration while maintaining their distinct advantages and protecting local interests. The research uses Doctrinal Legal Research and Comparative Legal Research methodologies, utilizing documentary analysis and comparative study methods. This research examines the legal framework of the aviation industry in Macau and the challenges it is currently facing. A comprehensive review of international aviation laws, bilateral air service agreements, and domestic regulations provides the foundation for analyze. The study also conducts a comparative analyze with Hong Kong's aviation framework, offering alternative regulatory approaches for a similar Special Administrative Region of China. Several interesting findings emerged from this research. First, the study identified a fundamental tension between Macau's stated open skies policy and its practical implementation, particularly in limitations of its current concession-based system and the underutilization of international traffic rights. Second, the analysis highlights how the current concession-based system has created a monopolistic market structure that hinders competition and innovation, exacerbated by outdated legislation. Third, the comparative analysis with Hong Kong highlights the importance of a clear legal framework and rules in balancing market liberalization with local industry protection, areas where Macau's current regulations show deficiencies. The concluding thought based on these findings is that Macau's aviation industry reform requires a careful approach that gradually introduces competitive elements while maintaining protections for local enterprises. The study suggests that successful reform will depend on establishing a comprehensive legal framework, implementing a flexible multi-tiered licensing system, enhancing regulatory oversight, and developing mechanisms for regional integration. These reforms must be tailored to Macau's unique circumstances, considering its small market size, political status, and strategic position within the Greater Bay Area.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is receiving growing attention as the number of diagnoses continues to rise. However, there is a lack of resources focused on investigating interventions that could improve the quality of life for individuals with ASD. People with ASD often encounter difficulties in social interactions, and their challenges in recognizing emotions further hinder their ability to understand social cues and build relationships. This emotional recognition deficit is thought to be influenced by observed brain abnormalities in the frontal lobe for people with ASD. Given these significant factors, it is crucial to explore potential interventions. The present study utilized Dance Movement Therapy (DMT) as an intervention for individuals with ASD and assessed their emotional recognition abilities, complemented by EEG recordings to explore the efficacy of DMT. A total of 12 one-hour DMT sessions were conducted with the experimental group (n=6), while the control group (n=5) received no intervention. Participants were presented with the Revised Version of the Averaged Karolinska Directed Emotional Faces (AKDEF), which included 36 images (excluding neutral images and full left and right profiles) at four intervals: pre-therapy (T1), after the 4th session (T2), after the 8th session (T3), and post-therapy (T4), while task for control group was present in two-week intervals. EEG band power for alpha and beta frequencies in the frontal lobe was recorded using the EMOTIV EPOC X at the AF4, F4, F3, and AF3 sites. Results indicated that the experimental group demonstrated a significant improvement in accuracy on emotional recognition tasks compared to the control group, although no significant differences were found between trials. In contrast, EEG signal analysis revealed significant differences between trials in both groups. A comparison of the correlation between emotional recognition tasks and EEG band power highlighted intriguing contrasts, suggesting potential insights into the learning effects. The experimental group exhibited peak performance at T2, followed by a decline at T3 and T4; while the control group showed a decrease at T2, an increase at T3, and another decrease at T4. It is proposed that the learning observed in the experimental group at T2, following four sessions of DMT, enhanced their ability to perform the emotional recognition tasks, resulting a subsequent decrease in alpha and beta power at T3 and T4, suggesting that less effort was needed during image perception and. In contrast, the control group struggled to learn, which may indicate that learning was not occurred for the controls. This relationship has not been explicitly explored in current research, and further investigations are recommended. Nonetheless, the findings indicate that DMT is effective to some extent in enhancing emotional recognition skills among individuals with ASD, suggesting its potential utility for social services to consider in their offerings. Future studies would benefit from incorporating a larger sample size or employing clinical EEG recording devices to further refine the results.

As a special administrative region of China, Macau, despite its small size and limited resources, has been actively promoting low-carbon development to address the global climate change challenge. In recent years, Macao has provided important support for achieving the goal of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality by formulating a series of policies, such as energy management, promotion of green buildings and optimization of waste treatment. However, despite the clarity of the policy framework, its actual implementation and effectiveness still need to be systematically reviewed. This study uses a combination of qualitative and quantitative research methods, interviews and questionnaires to gain an in-depth understanding of the social acceptance and public participation of policies, and quantitative data to analyze the implementation effects of policies, with a view to revealing the advantages and disadvantages of low-carbon policies in Macao. The research results will systematically evaluate the effectiveness of low-carbon policies in Macao from multiple levels. On the one hand, quantitative data will provide a clear empirical basis for the progress of low-carbon policies; On the other hand, qualitative research will reveal key social and technological barriers to policy implementation, helping to understand the impact of public attitudes and behaviour on policy effectiveness. These results can not only provide reference for Macao's future low-carbon policy adjustment, but also provide experience for other similar cities to cope with similar challenges in low-carbon development. The importance of this study lies in its dual contribution to academia and practice. At the academic level, this study has enriched the theoretical research on low-carbon city development, especially the special challenges of carbon emission reduction in resource-limited cities. At the practical level, the results of this study can directly provide policy makers with specific suggestions for improving low-carbon policies, such as resource allocation, technology introduction and public awareness. Through these analyses, the study hopes to provide a practical roadmap for Macao to achieve its goal of carbon neutrality, as well as a valuable reference for the low-carbon development of similar cities around the world.