Digital Commons Network^™

The Key Factors Of Thai Traditional Cultural Festivals That Attract International Tourists : The Case Of Songkran Festival, Jieyi Chen

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

AbstractThis study focuses on traditional cultural festivals in Thailand, particularly Songkran, to examine the key factors that attract international tourists and analyze the uniqueness and appeal of Thai culture. Findings indicate that authenticity, participatory experiences, festive atmosphere, and symbolic rituals are essential elements that attract tourists. However, challenges such as the risk of over-commercialization, uneven international promotion, and issues of cultural preservation remain. By adopting literature analysis and case study methods, this research investigates these key factors and the potential for future development, including the international influence of Thai traditional festivals and their contributions to local tourism development and the …

Perceptions And Localization Of The Chinese New Year : A Case Study Of Celebrations In Bangkok, Liqian Peng

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

This study investigates how Chinese residents in Bangkok perceive the preservation and localization of Chinese New Year (CNY) celebrations, focusing on how traditional heritage and adaptive practices coexist in a multicultural environment. A total of 226 valid questionnaires were analyzed from participants who celebrated the 2025 CNY in Bangkok. Results across five perception dimensions—traditional practice, cultural pride, community status, localization acceptance, and cultural identity—show that respondents generally hold moderately positive attitudes toward both traditional and localized elements of the festival. Participants express strong attachment to rituals such as family reunions, ancestral offerings, and lion or dragon dances, underscoring the continued …

How To Transform The Concertgoers To The City Explorers:The Case Study Of Jincheng Rock Music Festival, Ruiling Liu

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Music festivals are recognized as key drivers of local tourism and cultural engagement. They offer immersive cultural experiences and stimulate local economies, but attendees often focus mainly on the event itself. This study examines how to convert festival audiences into “city explorers” at the Jincheng Rock Music Festival, addressing attendee perceptions and post-event tourism. We collected public comments from Douyin and Xiaohongshu (leading Chinese social media platforms) and applied text-mining techniques (sentiment analysis and topic modeling) to analyze thousands of comments. After cleaning the data, we extracted key topics (transportation, lodging, local attractions) and quantified sentiment polarity to identify audience …

Unlocking Hanoi's Lgbtiq+ Tourism Potential : A Supply-Side And Stakeholder Analysis, Thu Ha Phan

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

The niche LGBTIQ tourism is a high-spending segment in the global tourism market, opening new opportunities for welcoming destinations that possess existing LGBTIQ-related resources, such as Hanoi. However, LGBTIQ tourism in Hanoi is still underrecognized, understudied, and seriously lacks a tool for potential assessment. This research aims to assess Hanoi’s potential for LGBTIQ tourism development, utilizing three main pillars: Resource Availability, Demand Alignment, and Stakeholder Potential. The objective is to gain a comprehensive understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of this tourism landscape and provide recommendations for systematic development. Through interviewing seven key supply-side stakeholders in the field, this research …

From Going Viral To Creating Sustainable Value : Short Videos And Place-Making In Food Tourism, Tiantian Ni

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

This study investigates the mechanisms underlying the rapid rise and sustained cultural influence of the “Zibo barbecue” phenomenon, which became a nationwide tourism sensation in China during the spring of 2023. Drawing on 100 highly engaged Douyin short videos and 421 user comments collected through keyword-based sampling, the research combines high-frequency word analysis, sentiment analysis, and semantic network analysis using ROST CM6 to identify visitor motivations and narrative structures. The findings show that tourists were initially attracted by sensory satisfaction, affordability, and the lively street-based dining atmosphere. Semantic network results reveal a two-layer city image system: an experiential-food layer centered …

Emotional Translation Mechanisms Of Cultural Brands In The Digital Era : The Ft Rose Case Study, Xia Gao

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

This study explores the emotional disconnect between cultural heritage brands and Gen Z users in the digital environment, seeking to create online emotional connection without compromising the abundant cultural legacy. Focusing on the FT Rose brand, firmly established in Qiang culture and unique rose advantages, it utilizes digital ethnography, interviews, and grounded theory. The Emotional-Digital Misalignment (EDM) model pinpoints four primary disconnects: aesthetic, emotional tone, narrative, and platform grammar. The study hereby recommends the E-STP model for Gen Z users’ emotional segmentation with a package of strategies, the ESR model for emotional social responsibility, and the ESM model for emotional …

The Management Of Cultural Brand : A Case Study Of The "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition For College Students In Thailand, Xiaoxuan Ding

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

This study explores the awareness of the “Chinese Bridge” Chinese Proficiency Competition for College Students in Thailand among Thai college students studying Chinese and examines the motivational and influential factors that affect their willingness to participate. A mixed research method was used. Primary data was collected using a structured questionnaire, interviews and onsite observations, supplemented by secondary data from research papers and online sources. In total, 170 valid questionnaires and 10 interviews were analyzed. The 7W communication theory and the Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM) served as the theoretical framework, while SPSS was employed for quantitative data analysis. The findings reveal …

A Comparative Study On The Development Of "Meditation Tourism"; Putuo Mountain In Zhejiang, China & Suthep In Chiang Mai, Thailand, Xingyu Liu

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

AbstractThis study uses Mount Putuo in Zhejiang, China, and Mount Doi Suthep in Chiang Mai, Thailand, as case studies to compare and analyze the development models, cultural connotations, and tourist experiences of "meditation tourism" in the two countries. The research aims to explore the resource composition, development path, and the tension between commercialization and sacredness faced by meditation tourism within the context of Buddhist culture.The study finds significant differences between meditation tourism in China and Thailand: Mount Putuo adopts a "government-led, standardized management" model, while Mount Doi Suthep follows a "community self-governance, natural development" path. Regarding commercialization, tourist acceptance does …

The Role Of English Proficiency In Pragmatic Transfer : A Comparative Study Of Compliment Response Strategies In Chinese Efl Learners’ L1 And L2, Xinyi Zhang

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

This study investigates the correlation between English proficiency and pragmatic transfer in the compliment responses (CRs) of Chinese EFL learners. It aims to (1) compare the CR strategies used in L1 (Chinese) and L2 (English) across different English proficiency levels, and (2) examine how proficiency influences the degree of pragmatic transfer in L2. A sequential mixed-methods design was employed. Thirty Chinese English learners were divided into three IELTS-based proficiency groups (Advanced, Upper-Intermediate, and Intermediate). They completed a written Discourse Completion Task (DCT) with eight scenarios varying in topics and interlocutors’ social status in both languages. Responses were coded using Holmes’ …

Managing Independence : Diy Practices, Authenticity, And Cultural Sustainability In Bangkok’S Indie Music Scene, Xinyi Wang

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Based on the changing context of “DIY”, the study further explores the perspectives of independent artists and independent labels in Bangkok, with the aim of mapping the current value chain and business model of Bangkok’s indie music scene. The study is qualitative research. Semi-structured interviews are selected as the primary data collection method, and the secondary data collection is retrieved from academic journals and on-site observations. The key informants are 3 musicians from indie music scene of Bangkok, and 2 managerial staff from indie music organizations of Bangkok. Findings show that DIY is now treated more as one of the …

Cultural Brand Identity And Tourism Attractiveness : The Case Of The Bai People's "Rao-San-Ling" Festival In Dali, Xiyao Liu

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

This study uses the Rao-san-ling Festival of the Bai people in Dali as a case to examine how festival tourism contributes to the transmission of Bai intangible cultural heritage (ICH) and the creation of sustainable economic value. A qualitative research approach is employed, drawing on literature review, archival materials, and semi-structured interviews with 11 inheritors, organizers, community members, and tourists in the festival area for data collection and coding analysis. The findings reveal that the Rao-san-ling Festival features a complete ritual structure and prominent cultural elements—such as Dabenqu and the Bawangbian dance—which form significant cultural symbols of the event. Active …

Immersive Theatre And Cultural-Tourism Integration In China : A Case Study Of “Only Henan”, Yao Li

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

This paper examines the developmental context, stage characteristics, and shortcomings of “Only Henan: The Dramatic Fantasy City”, immersive theater in China through literature review, case analysis, and online text analysis. Research findings indicate that Only Henan achieves strong audience immersion and cultural dissemination through its narrative construction, spatial design, and operational model. However, it still faces issues such as insufficient textual depth, spatial homogenization, and a lack of industry standards. The study concludes that the sustainable development of China's immersive theater requires striking a balance between cultural expression, audience interaction, and industrial standardization to achieve dual enhancement of artistic and …

Museums In The Digital Age : Social Media At The Bangkok National Museum, Yueling Lan

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

This study examines the social media communication strategies of the Bangkok National Museum (BNM) and evaluates their effectiveness in engaging Chinese audiences within a “producer–consumer” framework. Employing a mixed-methods design, the research integrates a questionnaire survey of 200 Chinese respondents with a semi-structured interview with the Museum Director. Quantitative results show that audiences hold highly positive cognitive and emotional evaluations of BNM’s Facebook and Instagram content, particularly its educational and cultural value; however, behavioral intentions, including interaction, recommendation, and cultural product purchase, remain comparatively low. Regression analysis further indicates that emotional resonance and brand perception, rather than knowledge acquisition alone, …

The Integration Of Intangible Cultural Heritage And Cultural Tourism : A Case Study Of Traditional Thai Massage, Yuhan He

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

This study examines how intangible cultural heritage (ICH) integrates into cultural tourism through the case of traditional Thai massage. Employing qualitative methods in using interviews and field observations, it delves into Chinese tourists' motivations, perceptions, and authenticity evaluations. Findings reveal tourists are driven by multiple factors—psychological escape, physical recovery, health consciousness—while strongly attracted by UNESCO heritage status and ritualized spaces. Results indicate tourists often transition from seeking relaxation to experiencing cultural immersion and embodied learning, highlighting Thai massage's dual function as both a health practice and cultural expression. Despite prioritizing authenticity, participants accept moderate modern adaptations. Concerns over commercialization and …

Storytelling In Traditional Ips And Consumer Engagement : A Case Study Of Blackmyth:Wukong, Yuqing Liu

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

This study investigates how storytelling elements within a traditional cultural intellectual property (IP) drive consumer engagement in the global context. Using Black Myth: Wukong—a modern adaptation of Journey to the West—as the central case, the research examines how plot, character, and verisimilitude influence the cognitive, emotional, and behavioral dimensions of player engagement.A hybrid thematic analysis of 431 comments from Bilibili and YouTube reveals that narrative components activate engagement through distinct mechanisms: plot induces a cognitive–affective–behavioral loop, characters trigger emotional–behavioral transformation, and verisimilitude creates a cognition–behavior bridge. Crucially, cultural background moderates these processes. Chinese players engage through cultural proximity, collective memory, …

Healing Communities With Police Divestment: Seeking Abolition Through Transformative Reform And Community-Government Collaboration, Jessica E. Gillson

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Concerns about the efficacy and sustainability of the U.S. carceral system have persisted throughout the country’s history, recently fueling renewed activism and bipartisan calls for reform. However, proposed solutions remain divisive. This thesis first defines the current status of our prison systems, then explores collaborative alternatives to incarceration and policing that support communities and break cycles of incarceration.

Focusing on partnerships among local governments, community organizations, justice-involved individuals, and law enforcement, this study examines holistic approaches to crime prevention, reentry, and reintegration. Using an interdisciplinary framework incorporating restorative justice, community resilience, and systems theory, it investigates how community-based strategies can …

Rejected From Pastoral Leadership: A Phenomenological Study Of The Voice And Lived Experiences Of African American Pentecostal Women In Clergy, Cynthia Ann Hurns

Dissertations

The study explored the lived experiences of 10 African American Holiness-Pentecostal clergywomen who faced rejection in a predominantly male-led church system. These women shared detailed stories of their experiences in leadership as pastors, apostles, and co-pastors. A qualitative phenomenological methodology was employed, using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) because it allows for in-depth exploration of how people make sense of their experiences, aligning with the study’s focus on leadership journeys. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed through descriptive and iterative coding. Codes were grouped into broader categories, resulting in five emerging themes: voiceless calling, bound to tradition, call from …

Cultural Factors In Alcohol And Other Drug Use Among Immigrant Youth In Western Australia: A Qualitative Investigation, Justin Dandy, Caroline Ng Tseung-Wong, Amanda M. George, Byron L. Zamboanga, Vilma Palacios

Psychological Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

Objectives: Our aim was to identify the influence of heritage cultural factors and mainstream Australian cultural norms on young culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) immigrants’ alcohol and other drug (AOD) use attitudes, motives for use, and behaviors. Method: We conducted nine focus groups with 55 youth (aged 16–30; 22 female, 33 male). Participants were from diverse cultural backgrounds including India, Sri Lanka, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Sudan, Hazara-Afghanistan, Burma (Chin and Karen), Malaysia, Singapore, and China. They were first- (80%) and second-generation immigrants to Australia. Results: We constructed three overarching themes: bicultural conflict, freedom versus constraints, and the intersection of gender …

Exploring The Effect Of Item Parceling Strategies And Number Of Items Per Parcel On Measurement Invariance Testing In Confirmatory Factor Analysis, Chunhua Cao, Xinya Liang

Psychological Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

Item parceling is common in structural equation modeling used in psychology, especially when the research interest is in the structural relationship between latent factors, but research on its performance in measurement invariance testing is scarce. This study examined the sensitivity of fit measures (LRT, RMSEA, CFI, AIC, BIC, and SaBIC) to measurement noninvariance with different numbers of items per parcel and parceling strategies using a simulation study. The design factors included the location of measurement noninvariance, the magnitude of measurement noninvariance, the proportion of items with measurement noninvariance, sample size, number of items per parcel, and parceling strategies. Results suggested …

Diversity Makes Me Uncomfortable: Effects Of Diversity Language On University Student Belonging, Ziena Baker

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Diversity statements and experiences form the first impressions students have of their prospective universities and employers, setting the stage for perceived feelings of belonging, otherness, and comfort within new environments (Baleria, 2021; O’Keeffe, 2013; Starck et al., 2021). Diversity statements can signal feelings of comfort and belonging or feelings of stress depending on the way in which diversity is framed (Chaney, 2022; Trawalter et al., 2016). This is especially true for students, who are more often affected mentally and physically by changes in university diversity perspectives (Sladek et al., 2021) The current study thus uses a novel blood pressure measure …

Faculty Involvement In Decision-Making Within Florida's State University System: Understanding Perception, Role, And Participation In Shared Governance, Elaine R. Mitchum

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Shared governance is the collaborative responsibility of faculty, administrators, and governing boards to guide institutional decision-making in colleges and universities. Faculty participation is essential in high-stakes decisions, as their disciplinary expertise and practical experience help ensure that policies align with academic values and long-term institutional goals. This qualitative case study examines faculty perceptions, roles, and participation in shared governance across the twelve institutions within the State University System (SUS) of Florida. Guided by four research questions, the study explored: (1) how faculty describe shared governance; (2) how perceptions of their role vary; (3) how recent events within the Florida SUS …

Admitting Science: Problems With Current Admissibility Standards, William O'Donohue, Sneha Gupta

Lewis & Clark Law Review

Attorneys use expert testimony to advance legal positions in courtrooms. Because expert testimony can have tremendous influence over judges and juries, it is admitted only if it meets specific admissibility standards, i.e., Frye and Daubert. These standards provide different admissibility criteria, have been adopted by distinct sets of jurisdictions, and, we argue, are of questionable validity. These standards are attempts to ensure that only knowledge is admissible and are, then, essentially an epistemic matter. Science serves as a proxy for knowledge because science is the epistemic process that has been successful at generating knowledge. However, both epistemology and the philosophy …

Statement From The Indiana Academy Of The Social Sciences And Board Of Directors

Midwest Social Sciences Journal

No abstract provided.

In Memoriam: Bruce Bigelow, 1943 - 2025, Kenneth Colburn

Midwest Social Sciences Journal

No abstract provided.

Mind The Gap: Public Opinion And The Gender Pay Gap In The American States, Ashley C.F. Hutson, Joel Jennings, Gregory Shufeldt

Midwest Social Sciences Journal

Although women earn less than men in all fifty states, some are skeptical of the gender pay gap. In this era of heightened polarization, voters increasingly disagree on established facts and the scientific consensus, such as climate change and the efficacy of vaccines. Utilizing an original survey of 1,075 respondents conducted during the summer of 2022, our findings showed four groups of respondents to be more likely to disagree with the statement that women earn less than men in their state: men, Republicans, conservatives, and those with more negative views toward women. Our findings suggest that worldview, shaped by partisanship, …

Lgbtqia+ Hate Crimes And State Non-Discrimination Policies: An Analysis, Jillian Jones

Midwest Social Sciences Journal

While LGBTQIA+ rights have been increasing in the United States for decades, many states do not have non-discrimination policies that protect individuals based on their gender identity and sexual orientation. This lack in protection leaves many LGBTQIA+ individuals vulnerable to experiencing discrimination and harassment, which could lead to hate crimes, cultivating an environment of passive tolerance rather than active resistance. Active resistance can be achieved through the passage of non-discrimination policies, as well as addressing minority stress that LGBTQIA+ individuals can be susceptible to when they are actively experiencing or anticipating discrimination and harassment. This research paper addresses whether the …

Supporting Social Justice In Physical Education Teacher Education Programs: A Qualitative Analysis Of Adapted Pe Teachers' Perspectives, Ann-Catherine Sullivan, Christianna Blanchard-Alworth, Cynthia K. Piletic, Linda Hilgenbrinck

Educational Leadership & Workforce Development Faculty Publications

Despite attention to sociocultural issues in Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE), the role of Adapted Physical Education (APE) teachers as social justice advocates remains underexplored. A primary responsibility of APE teachers is to provide specially designed instruction to students with disabilities (SWD), so they have access to the general physical education curriculum to make progress toward grade-level standards. This study presents a qualitative analysis of the perspectives of National Adapted Physical Education Teachers of the Year (APE TOYs) on advocating for social justice within PETE programs. A phenomenological approach with mixed-methods design was used. Findings emphasise the importance of fairness, …

[Review Of The Book Expanding Approaches To Thematic Analysis: Creative Engagements With Qualitative Data By J. R. Wolgemuth, K. W. Guyotte, & S. A. Shelton (Eds.)], Nazmun Nahar Chaitee

Educational Leadership & Workforce Development Faculty Publications

In Expanding Approaches to Thematic Analysis, editors Jennifer R. Wolgemuth, Kelly W. Guyotte, and Stephanie Anne Shelton introduce an expansive, paradigm-shifting book that reimagines thematic analysis beyond conventional coding methods. This edited volume begins with two presumptions: (1) there are multiple methods of theming data, and (2) qualitative researchers are not necessarily required to code to achieve themes. Through the convergence of various qualitative researchers and early-career scholars, this edited collection pushes thematic analysis into new epistemological territories. The 18 chapters of the book reveal new techniques, such as meditative theming, poetic analysis, and making art, underpinned by theoretical …

Racial Disparities In Crime-Based Removal Proceedings, Emily Ryo, Ian Peacock, Weston Ley, Christopher Levesque

Faculty Scholarship

Whether and to what extent racial minorities experience harsher treatment or face worse outcomes in court are questions of fundamental importance for any justice system. Questions of racial inequality are especially salient in the context of removal proceedings that are triggered by immigrants’ criminal history. Many individuals in crime-based removal proceedings are immigrants of color who face a host of legal disadvantages that are tantamount to double penalties for the same crime for which they have already been punished through the criminal justice system. This Article offers, for the first time, systematic empirical analyses of crime-based removal proceedings decided between …

Interlocking Directorates In The United States, Yaron Nili

Faculty Scholarship

In corporate America, directors wield increasing influence across multiple companies, often within the same industry (“horizontal directors”), which creates tension between antitrust laws and corporate governance. Horizontal directors are well-positioned to bring industry expertise and potentially increase higher profits, benefiting shareholders but also possibly enabling potential collusion. This chapter provides an overview of the prevalence of horizontal directors, the regulatory grey space in which they exist and the connection to some recently debated issues, including that of common ownership by institutional investors. To inform this debate, this chapter provides a thorough overview of horizontal directors from corporate and antitrust perspectives …