The aim of this study was to understand the motives for using the Internet, and its associations with users' attitudes, social values, and relational involvement. Also, this study attempted to crossculturally compare the difference in the pattern of motives and the associations among three countries ' the US, the Netherlands, and S. Korea. The design of methods was based on examination and revision of uses and gratification approach toward Internet users. Findings from factor analysis revealed that information seeking and Self-Improvement were the dominant and common reasons for using the Internet across three countries. The differences in the composition of motives in each country were also reported. Strong correlations across countries were found between all the motives and satisfaction of the Internet. Expectation and positive evaluation of the Internet were also important attitudes associated with Internet use motives. Postmaterialist value showed strong association with motives of information seeking and Self-Improvement. Community involvement was significantly associated with Internet use motives in Korean users.
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Currently, there is no common understanding of categorizing, conceptualizing, and measuring consumption motives in the performing arts. Study one presents the results of forty-seven semi-structured, in-depth interviews and deepens the understanding of consumption motives. A new framework consisting of cultural and social motives is introduced. This framework is tested in the second study. Here, a quantitative instrument is developed. The results of the principal components analysis refine the framework and demonstrate the following consumption motives: cultural aesthetics (with two dimensions: artistic value and enjoyment of beauty), cultural relaxation, cultural stimulation, social bonding, social attraction, social distinction, and social duty.
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Chapter 8 in Comsumption Culture in Europe. This chapter presents an analysis of what consumer in Europe drink and why they drink what they drink. The concept of drinking motives is developed and defined, and analysis of data on drinking motives shows that these can be grouped into two major classes: self-expressive and functional. This distinction is universal and hence applies across Europe. However, the importance of self-expressive as compared to functional motives, as well as the way in which these relate to different beverages, does differ across Europe. Both dimensions are relevant for the motives for drinking non-alcoholic drinks, whereas the self-expression dimension dominates reasons for drinking alcoholic drinks. The Eastern European countries have generally higher scores on the self-expression dimension, indicating that such motives play a bigger role there compared to the other regions. No clear geographical pattern emerged with regard to the functional dimension. Beer and spirits are the alcoholic drinks and tea, water, and juice the non-alcoholic drinks that are related to high scores on the self-expression dimension. Water and juice are the drinks scoring highest on functionality, being mainly related to health, availability, and quenching one’s thirst. The non-alcoholic products scoring low on functionality are coffee, tea, soft drinks, and energy drinks. Analysis of socio-demographic differences resulted in only a few effects. Men, lower education groups, and lower income groups are more likely to drink alcohol for reasons other than self-expression motives (such as to quench one’s thirst). Also, the health motive plays a larger role for older people, and the self-expressive and social motives play a larger role for younger people. The chapter closes with recommendations for the marketing of drink products in Europe.
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The traffic safety of cyclists is under pressure. The number of fatalities and injuries is increasing, and the number of single-bicycle accidents is on the rise. However, from a traffic safety perspective, the most concerning trend is the growing number of incidents between motorized vehicles and cyclists. In addition to infrastructural solutions, such as more segregated and wider bike lanes, both industry and government are exploring technological developments to better safeguard cyclist safety. One of the technological solutions being considered is the use of C-V2X communication. C-V2X, Cellular Vehicle-to-X, is a technology that enables short-range signal exchanges between road users, informing them of each other's presence. C-V2X can be used, for example, to alert drivers via dedicated in-car information systems about the presence of cyclists on the road (e.g. at crossings). Although the technology and chipsets have been developed, the application of C-V2X to improve cyclist safety has not yet been thoroughly investigated. Therefore, HAN, Gazelle, and ARK Infomotives are researching the impact of C-V2X (on cyclist safety). Using advanced simulations with a digital twin in an urban environment and rural environment, the study will analyze how drivers respond to cyclist presence signals and determine the maximum penetration rate of ‘connected’ cyclists. Based on this, a pilot study will be conducted in a controlled environment on HAN terrain to validate the direction of the simulation results. The project aligns with the Missiegedreven Innovatiebeleid and the KIA Sleuteltechnologieën, specifically within application of digital and information technologies. This proposal aligns with the innovation domain of Semiconductor Technologies by applying advanced sensor and digital connectivity solutions to enhance cyclist safety. The project fits within the theme of Sleuteltechnologieën en Duurzame Materialen of the strategic research agenda of the VH by utilizing digital connectivity, sensor fusion, and data-driven decision-making for safer mobility solutions.
Crowdfunding campaigns have empowered countless innovative projects and made funding accessible to a large pool of makers and citizens. Recently, traditional funding bodies such as foundations, provinces and municipalities have acknowledged the potential of crowdfunding to approximate institutional decision-making to citizens, by engaging with the “crowd’s” preferences and further stimulating public and private funding through matchfunding. Matchfunding – the financial contribution of traditional funding bodies to crowdfunding campaigns – is an emerging form of co-funding that has the potential to foster a more inclusive and democratic society. Yet, given its novelty, little is known about how matchfunding works, and how it can be transformed into an efficacious tool that supports project creators and policymakers to develop impactful projects. Looking at the creative industries, one of the most prolific fields in crowdfunding, this project aims to provide this knowledge by: (1) gaining insight into the democratizing potential and best-practices of matchfunding in the creative industries by comparing analysing the extensive databases of crowdfunding and matchfunding pioneer voordekunst and matchfunding partners Kunstloc Brabant and Gemeente Rotterdam, and by conducting interviews with matchfunding parners to gain insight into their challenges and experiences; (2) deepening and sharing findings in Impact-Driven Workshops, which serve to exchange knowledge with and between matchfunding partners, and gain further insights into their motives and best practices. Based on the outcomes of (1) and (2), we develop (3) an online Matchfunding Toolkit, geared towards matchfunding partners, as well as to creators, freelancers and SMEs (potentially) using matchfunding for their projects. Finally, (4) we will disseminate this knowledge to other funding bodies and organisations within and outside of the creative industries by connecting partners and stakeholders in a Dissemination Event. This results in a lasting knowledge hub and network geared to supporting creators, SMEs and freelancers in search of funding.
3D-printen op basis van polymeren kent de laatste jaren een exponentiële groei voor verschillende toepassingen. Ongeveer de helft van de polymere materialen die gebruikt worden zijn vernettende fotopolymeren (thermoharders) die gemaakt zijn uit fossiele grondstoffen en per definitie niet recycleerbaar, repareerbaar of herverwerkbaar zijn. Gezien de groei van de 3D-printmarkt in combinatie met maatschappelijke zorgen rondom kunststofafval is er vanuit het werkveld een toenemende vraag naar duurzame, circulaire 3D-printmaterialen.In dit project, dat voortborduurt op KIEM GoChem “GOCH.KIEM.KGC02.022” zal gewerkt worden aan de verduurzaming van thermohardende polymeren voor 3D-printen. Verschillende aspecten van duurzaamheid komen aan bod over de gehele waardeketen:- Biomassa als grondstof: b.v. lignine of vetzuur-gebaseerde grondstoffen (Croda). - Duurzame, veilige en opschaalbare flowchemie processen voor de synthese van de biogebaseerde bouwstenen (ZUYD, CHILL, Chemtrix).- Ontwerp van thermohardende fotopolymeren met dynamische bindingen (vitrimeren), b.v. polymethacrylaten met imine bindingen (UM, RUG). Dynamische bindingen in vitrimeren kunnen onder invloed van een stimulus zoals temperatuur, licht of pH aanleiding geven tot een materiaal dat verwerkbaar is zoals een thermoplast, wat de weg opent naar recyclage, reparatie of herverwerking van thermoharders. - Circulariteit van de materialen in 3D-printprocessen: initieel zullen de ontwikkelde bouwstenen gebruikt worden voor het 3D-printen van prototypes, gekenmerkt door een korte levensduur, via stereolithografie (NHL Stenden, Liqcreate, Binder3D). Deze protototypes zullen daarna gerecycleerd worden tot monofilamenten voor extrusie-gebaseerd 3D-printen (FDM), hetgeen mogelijk is dankzij de ingebouwde dynamische bindingen in de thermoharders (NHL Stenden, Ultimaker, Binder3D). Vervolgens zullen m.b.v. FDM diverse demonstrators worden geprint: b.v. medische protheses en controlemallen voor automotives.De gefabriceerde demonstrators zullen aantonen dat met één-en-hetzelfde materiaal verschillende 3D-printprocessen succesvol kunnen worden doorlopen. De in dit project ontwikkelde materialen bieden daarmee voor het werkveld een praktische oplossing voor de duurzaamheidsuitdagingen die gepaard gaan met de snelle marktgroei van 3D-geprinte materialen.
