2011 MU theses - Access restricted to MU
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The items in this collection are theses that are available only to members of the University of Missouri-Columbia campus. Click on one of the browse buttons above for a complete listing of the works.
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Item Multimedia effect and its impact on consumer responses toward online promotion : an empirical study of medical tourism promotion(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2011) Sun, Yue; Sun, Yue[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT REQUEST OF AUTHOR.] This study explores the multimedia effect, as well as seeks to detect its impact on consumers' responses. This thesis particularly investigates the online advertising in the medical tourism industry in order to understand multimedia elements of "medical tourism" web-based promotional messages influences. Using the Reactance Theory, Limited Capacity Model of Motivated Mediated Message Processing and past multimedia effect researches, this study examined the multimedia effect in the following four aspects: consumers' attention, recognition, perceived veridicality and purchase intentions. This study employed a between-subjects experimental design to test the effects of three different levels of modality conditions of online promotional messages: 1) motion media (high modality condition), 2) copy plus photos (moderate modality condition), and 3) copy-only (low modality condition). The results suggested that the motion media has a powerful persuasive effect on consumers' perceived veridicality and purchase intentions. Additionally, perceived veridicality and purchase intentions were found positively correlated, even though the attention, recognition were not influenced by multimedia elements in a significant way.Item Determinants of child malnutrtrition in the Democratic Republic of the Congo(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2011) Pfingu, Clement B.; Pfingu, Clement B.[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT REQUEST OF AUTHOR.] This thesis is an empirical study which aims to find the socio-economic factors that impact on nutritional status of Congolese children under five and propose suitable policies. The econometric model used is based on the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) conceptual framework of immediate, underlying and basic determinants; and the data are from the 2007 DRC Demographic and Health Survey (DHS). Using Ordinary Least Square method we find that poverty is a major cause of child malnutrition. Household wealth and mother related variable like education, occupation and marital status are very important explaining child malnutrition in the DRC. We also find that location variables are very significant. Children in rural areas are more likely to be malnourished than those in urban areas because of inadequate health environment. We then propose that policy should include reforms in women empowerment and a particular attention to rural areas.--From public.pdfItem Church and state : a content analysis of religion in the news during the 2008 presidential election(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2011) Willis, James Matthew; Willis, James Matthew[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT REQUEST OF AUTHOR.] The presentation of groups, group leaders, and individuals by the news media has a significant effect on public opinion. However, few studies have examined the presentation of religious groups in the news. The 2008 presidential election represented an excellent opportunity to investigate how the media portrays religion in politics. Relying on a random sample of articles from six newspapers from November 2007 through November 2008, this thesis will examine news coverage and bias of religious groups, individuals and sources. This thesis found mixed results related to bias and coverage. The media does tend to examine certain groups (such as the Christian Right), candidates (Mike Huckabee), religious leaders (Jeremiah Wright), and local sources disproportionately. Episodic frames of religiously oriented political news were the norm, but thematic frames occurred more frequently than in other policy-oriented news. Also, there was little differentiation between regional newspapers. Nevertheless, this thesis finds that news coverage of religion and electoral politics is a fruitful area of research.Item Explorative analysis of two collegiate basketball players and a narrative analysis of post-game comments(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2011) Bartlett, William S.; Vaught, David R.[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT REQUEST OF AUTHOR.] Although there are specific studies referencing team processes, motivations, and orientations within athletics, little research has analyzed the orientations and motivations of collegiate basketball players using qualitative and phenomenological methods. The purpose of this study was to examine the measures of orientations and motivations of two collegiate basketball players, who were also teammates. Specifically, the study aimed to analyze their individual and team orientations. Six semi-structured interviews with the participants revealed five emergent themes, including individual orientations, team orientations, coach theme, role theme, and the notion of "buying in" to team norms. Interviews were transcribed into text and emergent themes were identified by the researcher. The five emergent themes were then analyzed and further dissected. Findings revealed that Player 2, who participated often in games, demonstrated a greater reliance on individual orientations than Player 1. Furthermore, Player 1 demonstrated a strong reliance on team orientations. In addition, the players both shared with the interviewer that there was a great deal of role ambiguity, unrest with the head coach, and a problem of players not "buying in" to team norms. The results reflect the findings of previous research conducted on team processes, motivations, orientations, and team roles. The results from this study might provide information to coaches who wish to further understand the workings of a team and how to deal with athletes or wish to use this method for management decisions.Item The power of online product reviews : how platform and product involvement effect the credibility of eproduct reviews(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2011) Smith, Alexandra; Rodgers, Shelly (Shelly Lannette), 1965-[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT REQUEST OF AUTHOR.] Product reviews are an integral component to a business, be it small or large, reputation. The increasing rise of the Internet has only recently increased the power of the everyday consumer exponentially. Consumers are no longer at the mercy of advertisers and can now actively participate in and foster an open dialog about their personal experiences with a particular brand or product. Furthermore, the Internet has decreased geographical boundaries by increasing the reach of consumers' opinions beyond the traditional word-of-mouth reach of friends and neighbors. This study examines how the website in which the review is posted affects how the review is perceived by the reader. Specifically, this study examines if purchase intent or perceived credibility of a review is changed based on the online platform it is posted to. Using experimental design, this study analyzed reader perceptions of reviews placed on a social media website, a third-party marketplace website or a brand's e-commerce website. The study also analyzed the effect of product involvement on perceived credibility as well as intent to purchase the reviewed product. The results of the experiment found that platform type influences both purchase intention and reported credibility. The study also found that there is a significant interaction between platform type, product type and involvement on purchase intention, yet not on credibility. Although more research is needed, this study gives insights on how online reviews influence potential consumers.--From public.pdf