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This thesis explores the impact of the exploration of methadone treatment programs in heroin-dependent the perspective from use and the quality of life. The primary objective of this research is to investigate how different types of participants that methadone will affect their quality of life. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining quantitative surveys with qualitative interviews to gather comprehensive data from a sample of 59 participants, 8 female, and 51 male, for the questionnaire to know about their quality of life and well-being. A structured questionnaire was used to quantitatively assess participants' quality of life, well-being, and satisfaction with methadone treatment. The survey included standardized scales measuring various dimensions of quality of life, such as physical health, mental health, social functioning, and overall life satisfaction. A mixed-methods approach was adopted, combining quantitative and qualitative research methods to provide a comprehensive understanding of treatment efficacy and genetic influences. In the course of this research on the impact of methadone treatment programs on the quality of life for heroin-dependent individuals, several key findings emerged from both the quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews. To overall improvement in quality of life the participants reported significant improvements in various dimensions of quality of life after starting methadone treatment. On average, scores for emotional well-being, social functioning, and physical health showed marked increases over the treatment period

This dissertation examines the relationship between internal corporate communication (ICC)strategies and occupational safety and health (OSH) Management practices in Macau's hospitality industry. The primary objective is to investigate how communication approaches can enhance workplace safety protocols and improve OSH outcomes for corporations in the leisure and entertainment sectors. The study aligns with Macau's several policies and economic development on promoting health and safety. It highlights the critical role of OSH Management in the post-COVID-19 business environment, influencing consumer choices and industry practices. The mixed-methods research identified critical success factors, including aligning OSH goals with corporate objectives, utilizing diverse communication platforms, and establishing a safety culture. Areas for improvement were also uncovered. The findings provide valuable insights for hospitality organizations, emphasizing the critical role of internal communication in driving effective OSH Management. By integrating communication strategies with OSH initiatives, organizations can cultivate a robust safety culture, ensure regulatory compliance, and enhance employee well-being and customer satisfaction - key factors for long-term business success

With the increasing number of tourists coming to Macau after the three years of lockdown period, more quality services are expected. However, organisations are now facing a big challenge in maintaining sufficient employee, managing their employees’ performance and productivity. Employee engagement plays an important role because it will not only affect individual performance but also the performance of an organisation. This is the first study to provide evidence of the engagement level of general employees working in Macau, and of its relationships with job autonomy, organisational justice and organisational culture. The study results revealed that the levels of vigour, dedication and absorption of employees working full time in Macau were slightly above the mid-point value 3 of the scale, with about 30% of employees were found less engaged or disengaged. Criteria autonomy, method autonomy, schedule autonomy, organisational justice and collectivism culture were positively and significantly correlated with all three dimensions of employee engagement (i.e. vigour, dedication and absorption). There is no significant negative relationship between power distance culture and employee engagement. Method autonomy was the strongest positive predictor of all three dimensions of employee engagement, followed by organisational justice, while collectivism culture was a positive predictor for vigour and absorption. The implications for management will be discussed in terms of organisational support and communication

The purpose of this study was to explore the correlation between empathy, love maintenance behaviors, relationship satisfaction in a convenience sample of young adult lovers in Macau. Participants were N = 183 (84 males, 99 females) recruited from the social media platform (e.g. Instagram, WeChat, Facebook). Firstly, young adult lovers who tended to have high relationship satisfaction and empathy are tended to use positive love maintenance behaviors but less likely to use negative love maintenance behaviors. Besides, there were differences found by gender in empathy (affective empathy & total empathy), some dimensions of positive love maintenance behaviors (openness & advice), and negative love maintenance behaviors (causing jealousy, destructive conflict & negative love maintenance behaviors in general). Lastly, the findings in this study supported the hypotheses that love maintenance behaviors mediated the relationship between relationship satisfaction and empathy among young adult lovers in Macau. It was revealed that there was higher satisfaction in younger adult lovers in younger group (18-24 years) compared to older groups (32-40 years). For empathy, it correlated positively with relationship satisfaction and most positive love maintenance behaviors, but also with certain negative love maintenance behaviors. Positive love maintenance behaviors mediate the relationship between relationship satisfaction and empathy, highlighting their critical role in maintaining healthy relationships

Since early times, the effects of a booming sector in other sectors of a small economy have been of interest to scholars. There is a general perception that the booming Gaming sector has contributed to the overall growth in Macau through the trickle-down effect, passing on the benefits of growth to other sectors. After the liberalization of the gaming industry in 2002, this booming sector experienced several years of exponential growth, becoming the driving industry for Macao’s economy. Several scholars and researchers have dedicated their studies to the effects of the casino gaming industry as a booming sector in such a small economy. However, there is a gap in what concerns measuring the influence of the Gaming sector as a driving industry for several other sectors or following industries of Macau’s economy. The purpose of this research study is to investigate in what measure the Gaming sector in Macao leveraged the other economic sectors and how related or correlated are the different industries of Macao’s Economy. A protocol-driven understanding of the state of the art on the interrelations between economic sectors and different techniques used to study those inter-relations was conducted through a systematic literature review. Given the limited available data on the Gross Value Added (GVA), or Gross Domestic Product (GDP) on the supply side, as a central measure of economic activity in the different sectors, several possible interpolation models using auxiliary high-frequency data (indicators) were compared, to achieve the optimal model for interpolation of each variable. Several forecasts for the future performance of Macau's four major economic sectors were presented based on different regression techniques. Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) models were developed to assess the dependence of the future performance of a sector’s GVA on its past performance. Optimal Vector Autoregressive (VAR) models were created to identify the explanatory power of some sectors of Macau’s economy in others. Based on available auxiliary data in high-frequency (quarterly) it was possible to interpolate the quarterly GVA per economic sector, available only in low-frequency (annually), for the major sectors of Macao’s economy. Some sectors have a considerable explanatory power on the performance of other sectors, however, the proposed regression models did not identify a clear relation between the performance of the Gaming sector and the performance of other major sectors from Macao’s economy

Given the rapid growth of China's economy and its maturing financial market, state-owned banks have played a crucial role in driving national economic growth and ensuring financial stability. However, this progress has been accompanied by a pressing challenge - the accumulation of non-performing assets (NPAs), which pose significant obstacles to both the banking industry and China's economic development. Therefore, it is imperative to comprehensively analyze strategies aimed at mitigating NPAs in state-owned commercial banks, with an emphasis on seeking more effective resolution mechanisms. This study delves into the institutional environment surrounding NPAs in state-owned banks, including improvements in laws and regulations as well as advancements in financial market structures and legal frameworks. The initial step involves analyzing the current status and manifestations of NPAs within state-owned banks to clarify their ambiguously defined areas. Furthermore, considering China's unique policy context and socio-economic landscape, this study conducts an analysis and comparison of diverse strategies for addressing NPAs from the perspectives of asset quality management, risk-profit equilibrium, and legal regulatory support system. Ultimately, several suggestions are proposed regarding the trajectory of NPA resolution

As the world becomes more globalized, it is now more important than ever for brands and advertisers to find effective ways to engage with consumers of different cultural backgrounds. Developing marketing that targets people of different cultural backgrounds, or multicultural marketing, carries specific nuances and complexities that may make traditional methods fall short. With this being said, there is still a lack of studies that explore the correlation between consumer's cultural background and their overall brand perception. Neuromarketing has proven to be an effective tool to understanding consumer behavior, by utilizing neuroscience tools. To employ a more sophisticated and in-depth understanding of consumer perception, the current research study makes use of neuroscience tools and aims to study the influence of cultural background in brand perception, while in a controlled environment. Using physiological neuroscience tools, namely, facial expression analysis (FEA), electrodermal activity (EDA), and eye-tracking (ET), a total of thirty-eight individuals, with ages between 19 and 50 years old, from 12 different countries and regions, participated in this research study. Findings suggest that participants of different cultural backgrounds perceive multicultural commercials as more favorable than monocultural commercials. However, future research should be done with a larger sample size, as well as include a wider variety of commercials. Research would also benefit from adopting a statistical analysis to help determine the significance of the results obtained

This dissertation identifies factors driving consumer shopping behavior within the realm of live-streaming commerce, an area fast emerging in the e-commerce domain. Live-streaming shopping or commerce involves real-time interaction and entertainment with traditional online shopping, forming a unique endogenous environment where consumers can contact sellers or influencers directly. The study employed quantitative surveys that identified some of the main determining factors of consumer behavior within this context. The findings show that the significant factors in determining consumer behavior are trust and engagement, which are strongly influenced by the credibility and authenticity of the live streamer. Another significant finding is the role of social interaction and community building in providing consumers with a sense of belonging and validation, enhancing their confidence and purchase intention. Moreover, it highlights how marketing strategies of flash sales, limited-time offers, and partnerships with influencers make their way into the system to help invoke engagement and impulsive buying behavior among consumers. The implications of these findings extend to e-commerce platforms and marketers. Any improvements in features leading to trust, engagement, and interactivity within the community would drive higher customer satisfaction and sales. According to researchers, working partnerships with believable influencers and more extensive integrations of real-time marketing might further activate live-streaming commerce. This study thus fills a gap in the existing body of literature by detailing the drivers of consumer behavior toward live-stream commerce. It also identifies areas of future research on the current studies, including developing technologies and the cultural variances in the impact of live-stream commerce, including ethical considerations. These results are principle for guiding work on potential live-stream commerce in the digital age for anybody from workers to academicians

The adverse impact of sleep problems on children and adolescents’ health and development raises concern in the community. Although some studies have examined the association of sleep problems with behavioural problems and academic performance, few have been done in Macau, especially for the children population and regarding academic performance. Hence, the primary purpose of the present study was to identify sleep problems of children and adolescents in Macau and explore its relationship with behavioural problems and academic performance. 948 participants (466 children and 482 adolescents) from Macau were included in the study. Data was collected using the Achenbach System of Empirically Based Assessment (ASEBA) forms: CBCL, TRF and YSR. Children sleep problems were assessed by the reports of mother and father, in addition self-report was also included to measure adolescents sleep problems. Behavioural problems were reported by mother, father and teacher for children, as well as self-report for adolescents. Academic performance was the average of teacher’s rating of all academic subjects. The prevalence of sleep problems was 10.1% in children and 17.4% in adolescents. The results showed significant difference between children’s sleep problems and their mother and father-reported total behavioural problems, but not with teacher-reported total behavioural problems. However, whereas the t-test found that adolescent’s sleep problems significantly predicted all informants reported total behavioural problems, the chi-square test found no significant relationship between the two factors in teacher’s ratings, suggesting that while adolescents who had more sleep problems did show a higher frequency of total behavioural problems in the teacher’s perspective, but they may not be severe enough to be considered clinical. In addition, significant association between academic performance and sleep problems were only observed in children but not in adolescents; and no significant relationship was found between sleep problems and grade retention. Findings provided further support for some associations of sleep problems with behavioural problems and academic performance. In general, the findings of Macau were similar to those in other countries. Given that chronic sleep problems create multiple negative consequences to students’ lives, practical implications are provided to help lower it through the collaboration between parties, education about sleep hygiene and the development of healthy sleeping habits. Keywords: sleep problems; behavioural problems; academic performance; children; adolescents

This research is to assess the current status quo, strengths, and weaknesses of financial consumer protection mechanisms in Macao. According to the World Bank, financial consumer protection can bring positive impact on the development of financial sector, broadening financial inclusion and fostering economic growth. In 2022, under the backdrop of COVID-19 and downturn in economy, Macao Government announced its ambition to recover and diversify the economy of Macao by leveraging “1+4” Diversified Development Strategy, in which developing modern finance is one of the main priorities. The new Financial System Act took into effect on 1st November 2023 and this Act will enable non-financial institutions to apply for temporary licenses on fin-tech innovations within a controllable risk area. In the local context, does Macao have a strong financial consumer protection mechanism in place to goal for developing modern finance and face challenges brought by fin-tech? In this research, a mixed method consisting of doctrinal legal research method and comparative legal research method is adopted. 10 jurisdictions (Ireland, Singapore, Australia, United Kingdom, Malaysia, Hong Kong, China, European Union, Canada, and United States) were selected in comparison of rights for financial consumer protection based on the G20/OECD High-Level Principles on Financial Consumer Protection and the results of which were then compared to the rights for financial consumer protection in Macao. The findings of this study show that the main strength of financial consumer protection mechanisms in Macao lies on the supervision of the Monetary Authority of Macao (AMCM) on the banking sector and insurance sector, other financial institutions according to international principles; however, the in-depthness of work done by Macao in financial consumer protection is not as much as those done by other jurisdictions: in Macao, there is no policyholder protection scheme in the event of failure of insurance companies; no mystery shopping and consumer survey done by oversight bodies; narrow range of definition of vulnerable consumers; no financial literacy survey; no in-depth competition law; no in-depth guidelines to monitor advertising materials for financial products; no database for consumers to search for unregulated firms and scammers; no in-depth financial educational materials about the rights of financial consumers. It is recommended that Macao Government can learn from United Kingdom, Canada and European Union to adopt behavioural insights in developing financial consumer protection policy to protect financial consumers from being exploited by the financial service providers based on the consumers’ behavioural biases. Some literature suggested that consumers are vulnerable in digital landscape. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that Macao Government shall take proactive actions to strengthen the current financial consumer protection mechanism by adhering to the G20/OECD High-Level Principles on Financial Consumer Protection, in order to develop modern finance and protect consumers from the risks posed by fin-tech

This dissertation is research regarding the achievements and challenges in artificial intelligence (A) regulation at a domestic level and international level. This study is important because there are more legal issues regarding the application of AI, and AI has grown to be part of the public’s daily lives. A mixed method has been adopted in this research: doctrinal legal research and a comparative legal research method. AI was invented in the 1950s and in the 2000s, has been more accessible to the public. The first AI regulation, the EU AI ACT, has recently been enforced, an AI regulation that has been around for nearly seven decades after its invention. It is high time that regulators in different states invest more effort in AI regulations

This dissertation investigates the relationship between nature exposure in the workplace, job satisfaction, and creativity among full-time employees in Macao. The study aims to examine the impact of exposure to greenery and sunlight on job creativity and job satisfaction, as well as the mediating role of job satisfaction in the relationship between workplace nature exposure and creativity. Drawing on existing literature, the study proposes the following hypotheses: (H1) Workplace nature exposure, including greenery and sunlight, positively influences job creativity. (H2) Workplace nature exposure, including greenery and sunlight, positively affects job satisfaction. (H3) Job satisfaction mediates the positive relationship between workplace nature exposure (specifically, greenery and sunlight) and job creativity. A quantitative methodology utilizing cross-sectional self-response questionnaires was employed for data collection. The measures used were pre-validated and translated into Chinese through a rigorous process of translation and back-translation. The final sample consisted of 450 full-time workers in Macao. The results highlight the significance of integrating natural elements, such as greenery and sunlight, into the work environment to promote a more favourable setting for innovation and the overall well-being of employees. The implications of these findings, both in theoretical and practical terms, are thoroughly discussed. By examining the relationships, this study contributes to the understanding of how the physical environment influences employee well-being and performance. The findings offer valuable insights for organisations and policymakers in designing workspaces that foster creativity and job satisfaction among employees

This study explores the attitudes of students at Macau Baptist College toward social media usage and its influence on their relationships and academic performance. The research utilized mixed methods to incorporate focus group discussions, in-depth interviews with eight students, eleven teachers, and seven parents, and an online questionnaire administered to 341 students across all college levels. Findings reveal that WeChat is the primary communication tool among college members, significantly facilitating relationships within the school community. Students reported spending extensive time online, especially during holidays, which raises concerns about its impact on academic performance and mental well-being. While many students acknowledge the potential benefits of social media for learning, they also express skepticism regarding the reliability of online information and experience challenges in seeking help due to fears of judgment. The study highlights students' mixed attitudes toward social media, emphasizing the need for digital literacy and guidance to navigate online interactions safely. Ultimately, this research underscores the importance of fostering a supportive environment for students, enabling them to balance their digital engagements with academic responsibilities. Recommendations for parents, educators, and policymakers include: - Promoting responsible social media use. - Enhancing media literacy education. - Facilitating open communication to address online challenges. By addressing these aspects, stakeholders can optimize the positive effects of social media while mitigating its potential drawbacks on students' well-being and academic success

In the current context of intensified economic globalization, Chinese state-owned enterprises (SOEs) have actively responded to the "Belt and Road" initiative by expanding their overseas operations, seeking new growth points through competition and cooperation in the global market. However, along with opportunities come the necessity for risk management in the overseas operations of SOEs. Based on theories of systematic and non-systematic risks, this thesis employs methods such as case study analysis and multiple linear regression to thoroughly examine key risk types in SOEs’ overseas operations, including political risks and exchange rate risks. Using quantitative models like the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and neural network early-warning models, the thesis empirically tests the effectiveness of mechanisms for risk identification, assessment, and control. Data sources include national statistics and corporate annual reports, and techniques such as Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis are applied to reveal statistical characteristics of risk factors and the internal and external linkage mechanisms of risk events. The thesis points out that the management of risks in overseas operations of SOEs not only relies on scientific assessment and precise early warning but also requires the establishment of a risk management framework and governance system that aligns with international rules. Through in-depth analysis of the overseas operations of enterprises like PetroChina and Huawei, the thesis distills strategies for risk prevention and control, such as diversified investment strategies and the construction of compliance risk control systems, and conducts a comprehensive evaluation of the current risk management system, proposing pathways for sustainable development. The outcomes of the research aim to help SOEs enhance their level of risk management, ensure national economic security, and also provide theoretical guidance and practical reference for the implementation of international strategies by SOEs

This dissertation explores Macao residents' experiences and perspectives regarding Macao's public policies and infrastructure for electric vehicles. It delves into residents' viewpoints on the effectiveness of electric vehicle policy implementation, the layout and convenience of public facilities such as charging stations and designated parking spaces for electric vehicles, and their actual experiences and feedback while using electric cars. This study is significant because it provides valuable insights into Macao residents' fundamental attitudes and needs toward electric vehicle policies and public facilities. By understanding these perspectives, policymakers can make more informed decisions to optimize electric vehicle policies and improve public facilities, ultimately promoting the healthy development of the electric vehicle market in Macao and facilitating the construction of a green transportation system. In terms of research methods, this study primarily employed questionnaires to collect data from road users in Macao. The questionnaires were designed to gather comprehensive information on their experiences and feedback related to electric vehicle policies, infrastructure, and usage. The findings of this study are intriguing. Firstly, it was discovered that Macao residents have a relatively low awareness of electric vehicle policies, but generally, they believe these policies contribute to environmental protection. Secondly, regarding public facilities, some residents reported issues such as uneven distribution and insufficient number of charging stations, as well as inadequacies in using and managing designated parking spaces for electric vehicles. Additionally, residents provided specific opinions and suggestions regarding the purchase costs of electric vehicles and government subsidy policies. Based on these findings, my conclusion is that there is an urgent need to optimize and improve Macao's electric vehicle policies and public facilities. Policymakers should increase publicity efforts to raise residents' awareness of electric vehicle policies and reasonably plan the layout of charging stations and designated parking spaces for electric vehicles to enhance their convenience and availability. Furthermore, the government could consider providing more subsidies and preferential policies for purchasing electric vehicles to reduce the financial burden on residents. These measures will help promote the further development of the electric vehicle market in Macao and facilitate the construction of a green transportation system

In early 2020, the COVID-19 virus spread rapidly around the world within months. After countries around the world announced the outbreak of COVID-19, many industries suffered a severe recession, but a few industries were able to buck the trend and maintain good performance. The outbreak has driven strong demand for medical products and pharmaceuticals. As the epidemic continues to spread, people are in urgent need of drugs and vaccines to treat COVID-19, which directly promotes the development of the pharmaceutical industry (Alam et al., 2021). This study aims to explore the impact of announcements from the World Health Organization (WHO) or similar official agencies on the development of the epidemic during the COVID-19 epidemic on the stock prices of specific pharmaceutical companies. The study uses event study methodology to analyze the impact of events in the COVID-19 pandemic on these companies. Through an event study on 7 major events during the COVID-19 pandemic, this study found that the stock price changes of different pharmaceutical companies are not uniform. The WHO announcement of a global pandemic and the emergency authorization announcement of drugs have had different significant impacts on different types of pharmaceutical companies. This study provides new information for understanding the stock return change of specific pharmaceutical companies during the COVID-19 epidemic

The development of green financial products like green bonds and industry financing has gained momentum, showing positive impacts on sustainable economic development, renewable energy investment, and greenhouse gas emission reduction. As the research problem is inadequately explored, this dissertation aims to fill the research gap to evaluate the impacts of green finance on economic development. Furthermore, this study assesses the differences between Asian and non-Asian economies in the impacts of green finance on economic development. Two empirical measures are analyzed in this study.Green finance is measured with the Global Green Finance Index (GGFI), a composite index that captures over 100 instrumental variables, covering the business environment, human capital, infrastructure, and sustainability aspects of a financial center. Growth rate of gross domestic product (GDP) per capita reflects economic development. The dataset encompasses 83 international financial centers from 2018 to 2022. The regression model finds a significant negative relationship between growth rates of GGFI and GDP per capita in the full sample, the Asian subgroup, and the non-Asian subgroup. GGFI growth is confirmed to have Granger caused GDP per capita growth, but GDP per capita growth did not Granger cause GGFI growth. Combined with the insights of the previous studies, this study justifies the findings as a short-term negative impact of green finance on economic growth. However, the Asian region, with many emerging economies, could transition faster, so the regression derives a less negative coefficients for Asian financial centers. The policy implication 5 is that continued government support to improve the effectiveness of green finance is necessary for the long-term benefit of green finance to be fully realized