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The present research aimed to assess and compare the perspectives of teachers, parents, and youth regarding the main positive aspects and concerns they have about youth in Macao, namely: (1 and 2) What are the main positive aspects/concerns Macao teachers, parents, and youth focus on? And (2 and 3) How aligned are teachers, parents, and youth in Macao regarding the positive aspects/concerns? We applied a quantitative methodology based on a quantitative content analysis of open-ended questions included in the Macao validation (Simões et al., Unpublished report) of the Achenbach System of Empirically Based Assessment (Achenbach, 1991; “what are your concerns regarding your child/your student/yourself”, and “what are the most positive aspects about your child/your student/yourself”). We found alignment regarding positive aspects, with youth, parents and teachers focusing on personality, abilities, and attitudes, and parents additionally on independence. Regarding concerns, there was less alignment. All mentioned academic performance and interpersonal relationships, but parents and teachers also mentioned health, morality, attitudes, and teachers’ class engagement concerns. Teachers and youths mentioned future planning, while only the youth mentioned school activities and facilities, their abilities and character and class rules and assignments. These categories are aligned with development models, including ecological systems theory (Bronfenbrenner, 1994), social learning theory and social cognitive learning theory (Bandura, 1977, 1986), moral development perspectives (Mead, 1928; Gilligan 1933), self-determination theory (Deci & Ryan, 2000) and positive youth development perspectives (e.g., Lerner, 2005). The main practical implications are that (1) youth should have a greater awareness of their physical and mental health; (2) parents should build up a support system to enhance autonomy (3) schools play a crucial role in promoting students’ health by creating a supportive environment; (4) counsellors should promote re-connection between youth and their parents or teachers; and (5) decision-makers should invest in mental health education awareness to diminish the stigma, de-emphasise education strategies based on standardised testing, and address broader social and economic inequalities to reduce disparities and academic pressure among youths, parents and teachers.

This study examines the collaboration between kindergarten teachers and resource teachers in Macau's inclusive early childhood education settings, focusing on the extent of their collaboration, challenges, satisfaction, support needs, and suggestions for improvement regarding collabroation. The study surveyed 53 kindergarten teachers and 15 resource teachers from inclusive kindergartens in Macau. Key findings are: (1) Over 60% of kindergarten teachers and all resource teachers had collaborative experience, and both parties reported they primarily used the ""one teaching, one assisting"" co-teaching model; (2) Over 70% of kindergarten teachers reported less than 30 minutes of weekly discussion time with resource teachers, while 40% of resource teachers reported about one hour per week for discussion with kindergarten teachers ; (3) Both groups identified communication as the main challenge; (4) Primary collaboration areas included case information exchange and teaching strategy discussions; (5) Overall satisfaction was above average, with highest satisfaction in ""positive attitude"" and lowest in ""support system;"" (6) Teachers expressed high support need for professional training and parent training; and (7) Both groups emphasized the key to improve collaboration relates to enhanced communication and more professional training and development. Based on these findings, recommendations were offered with a focus on establishing comprehensive support networks and communication platforms at policy, school, and teacher levels. 本研究旨在探討澳門幼稚園教師與資源教師在學前融合教育環境中的合作現況，包括合作程度、合作中遇到的狀況、合作滿意度、對合作的支援需求、以及對合作的建議。研究採用問卷調查法，研究對象包括澳門參與融合教育計劃的幼稚園中的53名幼稚園教師和15名資源教師。結果顯示，(1) 6成以上幼稚園教師與資源教師有合作經驗;資源教師全部都有與幼稚園教師合作的經驗，雙方教師都認為開展最多的合作教學類型是「一人教學，一人協助」;（2）雙方合作時間有限，7成以上的幼稚園教師表示每週與資源教師討論時間少於30分鐘，而有4成資源教師表示每週討論時間約1小時;(3)雙方教師表示合作時最大的困難是溝通協調;(4)最主要的合作領域是交流個案的基本情況和討論學生的教學策略;(5)兩組教師對合作的整體滿意度高於中等程度，其中「正面態度」維度滿意度最高，「支援系統」維度滿意度最低;(6)教師對專業培訓和家長培訓的支援需求較高;(7)雙方教師都認為「加強溝通」和「增加教師培訓與專業發展」是改善合作的關鍵。根據這些研究結果，筆者建議從政策、學校及教師三個層面著手，建立完善支援網絡、多元交流平臺，並持續提升教師專業能力。

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.

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.

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 dissertation investigates consumer satisfaction with the Philippine fast food chain Jollibee in the highly competitive and multicultural Macau market. The study adopts a mixed method approach, combining semi-structured interviews with ten consumers (residents and non-local tourists) to analyze the important factors driving satisfaction. The results show that service quality, especially employee efficiency and the organization of events (such as birthday parties), has a significant impact on satisfaction. However, language barriers and cultural differences when ordering food pose challenges to non-local customers. Although Jollibee's core products (especially fried chicken) are appreciated by many respondents for their taste and freshness, the menu lacks diversity. It is not localized enough to meet Macau's unique Chinese-Portuguese fusion dining preferences fully. Price sensitivity is very significant, and Jollibee is often considered by customers to be more expensive than competitors such as McDonald's, which affects their value perception. Therefore, promotional strategies, especially experiential activities, should show effectiveness and cultural resonance. Finally, the study proposed suggestions on improving service quality, menu localization, strategic pricing, and culturally sensitive promotions to improve Jollibee’s positioning in the Macau market and provide a reference for other Western fast food brands to develop in the Macau market.

Inclusiveness has become a critical topic nowadays, serving as a benchmark of a nation and community’s level of civilization. As a core component of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), inclusiveness underscores its global significance in fostering equitable and justice societies. The changing dynamics of Macao households, characterized by both parents working or engaging in shift work, along with an increasingly aging population, have led to a growing reliance on domestic workers. As a result, these domestic workers often develop deep relationships with the children under their care, becoming integral members of the households. According to statistics from the Labour Affairs Bureau in Macao (2024), Filipino non-resident workers comprise the second-largest ethnic group, totaling 30,267 individuals. Of this group, 48% (14,604 individuals) are engaged in domestic work, highlighting their substantial presence in the sector. This study aims to investigate the experiences of the largest migrant working group in the region—female Filipino domestic workers—focusing on their experiences of inclusiveness within both the workplace and the Macao community. Utilizing a quantitative research methodology, the study conducts interviews with 10 female Filipino domestic workers in Macao. These interviews provide valuable insights into their lived experiences, illuminating their perceptions of inclusion within their employed families and society. Additionally, the research examines whether existing laws and regulations facilitate their inclusion in Macao. The results of this study revealed eight key themes and two new models of Perceived Inclusiveness in Domestic Workplace and Community , contributing to a deeper understanding of the inclusiveness experience of Filipino domestic workers in Macao.

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.

Procter & Gamble (P&G) was founded in 1837 and is headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. It is one of the giants of global consumer goods companies. The company has a high reputation in the daily chemical market, with factories and branches in over 80 countries worldwide. Its products from over 300 brands are sold in over 160 countries and regions, including shampoo, hair care, skincare products, cosmetics, baby care products, women's hygiene products, pharmaceuticals, fabrics, home care, personal cleaning products, etc. However, in the context of globalization and the global pandemic, maintaining a competitive advantage in the industry for a long time remains a huge challenge. The article analyzes P&G 's financial data and draws conclusions that will help evaluate its value and future positioning. A comparison between the intrinsic values from three valuation models as of December 31, 2023, will provide valuable information for investors and serve as a reference for the operation and development of other similar companies.

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.

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.

With the steady growth of the global population and the acceleration of the urbanization process, the carbon footprint generated by the food production system and thus by food waste (40 % of food is wasted globally) has a significant impact on the environment and for sustainable development. Dongguan, as a new first-tier city in China, has attracted many internal migrants from China to work and settle down. A large proportion of the city's waste is composed of organic waste, and household food waste is an important part of it. This may be due to the fact that families purchase too much food, set aside excessive amounts, or fail to consume the food before it spoils, resulting in a waste of resources that comes along with significant environmental impacts, especially in the form of greenhouse gas emissions. This research adopted the method of questionnaire survey. The questionnaire aims to gain an in-depth understanding of the food waste perception and situation in Dongguan’s household sector and its families. By covering questions in three aspects: the demographic information of the respondents, their views and perceptions of local food waste, and their behavioral habits, the questionnaire investigates the current situation and local challenges of household food waste in families (such as the situation of leftover dishes, the proportion of food waste in household garbage, etc.), analyzes the causes of waste (factors in links such as purchasing, cooking, and storing), explores the wider public's awareness and attitudes towards food waste (degree of attention, views on reduction measures, environmental awareness, etc.), and clarifies the behavioral habits of dealing with leftover food (handling methods, willingness to purchase discounted food, etc.), and analyzes the relationship between demographic characteristics and food waste, so as to provide a basis for formulating targeted strategies. The survey results show that there exists a significant degree of food waste in Dongguan households. The public's awareness and behavioral habits regarding food waste vary greatly, and there is much room for improvement and enhancement. It is urgent to strengthen publicity and education work, which will help improve the public's understanding of the harm of food waste and enhance their environmental awareness. The research finds that although the Dongguan Municipal Government attaches great importance to the problem of food waste, the current policies mainly focus on the catering industry. In terms of the governance of food waste at the family level, relevant measures still need to be further strengthened. This study analyzes the factors affecting household food waste generation and comprehensively reviews and evaluates relevant policies aimed at mitigating food waste in Dongguan. On this basis, this study provides preliminary suggestions for policymakers and government departments on regional and national level, aiming to point out the direction for future related research and work planning.

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.

This dissertation investigates the implementation of gender mainstreaming in career development in the Macao Public Security Police Force, specifically how the institutional policies and socio-cultural contexts interact within and influence careers in a traditionally structured organization. The study utilizes the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) to explore the impact of Attitude, Subjective Norms and Perceived Behavioral Control in influencing career development outcomes. Adopting a qualitative approach, utilizing policy analysis with in-depth interviews to identify gaps in academic studies and assess the effectiveness. Findings demonstrate that while some progress is observed, highly entrenched biases and traditional views of roles remain present and pose significant challenges. Police officers throughout the organization expressed a desire for reducing structural barriers, and enhancing support for employee work-life balance to benefit all personnel. By analyzing the local conditions in Macao and reflecting on relevant global practices in gender mainstreaming, this study concludes that sustainable equality in the workplace requires a balance of institutional and cultural factors, including organizational policies, workplace norms, gender stereotypes and societal expectations. In essence, the study contributes to the multidimensional discussion on how we can all leverage positive practices and offers valuable advice on improving workplace equality.

Spiritual beliefs enhance work engagement because religious and spiritual perspectives influence how individuals perceive their daily circumstances and organize their activities, impacting their overall happiness and satisfaction with life and reinforcing their meaning in the workplace. This study examines the impact of spirituality on work engagement and wellbeing among religious sisters, focusing on their unique workplace dynamics and coping strategies. Recognizing that work serves not only as a means of survival but also as a source of social, organizational, and spiritual experiences that create meaning, happiness, and a sense of purpose. Moreover, research indicates that spirituality plays a significant role in enhancing well-being, leading to higher levels of work engagement, life satisfaction, and flourishing. This research aims to fill a gap in existing literature about the well-being of religious workers and offer insights that benefit both individuals and organizations. Understanding how spirituality, work engagement, and well-being interact can help organizations and contribute to personal overall well-being. This study has adopted qualitative research as the research as methodology. Semi-structured interviews allow for an in-depth exploration of personal experiences and perceptions, providing flexibility for participants to elaborate on their thoughts. Thematic analysis was then applied to each interview to identify and interpret key themes emerging from the data, facilitating a comprehensive analysis of the participants’ insights (Braun & Clarke, 2006). Thematic analysis revealed several key findings: spirituality serves as a source of resilience, provides a sense of purpose, and fosters strong community ties, all of V which significantly enhance subjective well-being. The findings highlight that high levels of subjective well-being are linked to active engagement in spiritual practices and supportive community relationships. The findings suggest that religious organizations should create tailored support programs that address the specific needs of individual religious sisters, including mental health resources, opportunities for spiritual growth, peer support groups, and regular retreats. This research contributes to the understanding of the unique challenges faced by religious sisters and underscores the importance of integrating spirituality into workplace practices, offering valuable insights for religious communities and policymakers.

Foul language is a common phenomenon in our daily lives. In the modern time, it is no longer a novelty in using foul language. However, the subjective impression of foul language as uncultured or rude is no longer rare. With the popularity of people speaking foul language in their daily life, especially we are witnessing more and more young people in Macau using foul language to communicate in different context. This study aims to explore the experiences of Macau youth in using foul language. This study adopts semi-structured interviews with study participants, and analyze what they understand and perceive as foul language in different certain situations in the context of Macau. Findings of this study indicate that foul language plays a role in emotional expression and relationship building, which are essential element of counselling service. Even with this factor, participants still felt that the use of foul language was more effective only when the client used than in other situations.

"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."

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.

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.