title: Perceptions of hard sell and soft sell vocal styles across countries: Lessons from France and New Zealand

authors: Desmarais, Fabrice

abstract: This study explores soft sell and hard sell vocal appeals across two different countries, France and New Zealand. We use quantitative and qualitative methods to analyze consumers’ familiarity with, and attitudes towards, hard sell (fast, loud, high to mid pitch, upbeat voice conveying energy and enthusiasm) and soft sell (slow, soft, low to mid pitch voice conveying warmth and allure) vocal advertising messages. Our results indicate that consumers’ vocal preference depend on their previous experiences and culture, thus global marketers should take into consideration cultural idiosyncrasies when designing advertising vocal strategies.

text: Perceptions of hard sell and soft sell vocal styles across countries: Lessons from France and New Zealand This study explores soft sell and hard sell vocal appeals across two different countries, France and New Zealand. We use quantitative and qualitative methods to analyze consumers’ familiarity with, and attitudes towards, hard sell (fast, loud, high to mid pitch, upbeat voice conveying energy and enthusiasm) and soft sell (slow, soft, low to mid pitch voice conveying warmth and allure) vocal advertising messages. Our results indicate that consumers’ vocal preference depend on their previous experiences and culture, thus global marketers should take into consideration cultural idiosyncrasies when designing advertising vocal strategies.

year: 2024

title: Using Activity Theory to understand contradictions in an online university course facilitated by Moodle

authors: Gedera, Dilani S.P.

subjects: Moodle

abstract: Activity Theory can offer insights into learning processes that are facilitated by Learning Management Systems. Contradictions, as a basic principle of Activity Theory, assist in identifying the tensions and conflicts that emerge in systems of online learning environments. Using Activity Theory as its research framework, this study focuses on the contradictions that emerged in the form of tensions, frustrations, misunderstandings and miscommunication in a fully online university course in New Zealand. The data collection methods of this case study included individual interviews, online activity observation and documents analysis. Outlining some of the findings of the study, this paper will discuss how students’ participation in learning activities facilitated by Moodle was affected by these contradictions.

text: Using Activity Theory to understand contradictions in an online university course facilitated by Moodle Activity Theory can offer insights into learning processes that are facilitated by Learning Management Systems. Contradictions, as a basic principle of Activity Theory, assist in identifying the tensions and conflicts that emerge in systems of online learning environments. Using Activity Theory as its research framework, this study focuses on the contradictions that emerged in the form of tensions, frustrations, misunderstandings and miscommunication in a fully online university course in New Zealand. The data collection methods of this case study included individual interviews, online activity observation and documents analysis. Outlining some of the findings of the study, this paper will discuss how students’ participation in learning activities facilitated by Moodle was affected by these contradictions.

year: 2013

title: Potential science tools to support mahinga kai decision-making in freshwater management

authors: Collier, Kevin J.

subjects: mahinga kai

abstract: Mahinga kai is a key value for freshwater management that needs to be articulated in objective setting for environmental limits in the National Objectives Framework (NOF). Mahinga kai generally refers to indigenous freshwater species that have traditionally been used for food, tools or other resources. Many mahinga kai sites, both current and historical, are in lowland settings where freshwater environments are often in a degraded state and values are correspondingly compromised. With limited availability of sites in good condition within rohe to help define desired states for mahinga kai, alternative approaches are needed to establish condition bands for management. In particular, tools that assist with envisaging desired states and predicting environmental changes required to sustain those states will help communities and tangata whenua set management objectives. To achieve this effectively an approach is required that utilises Mātauranga Māori and science tools

text: Potential science tools to support mahinga kai decision-making in freshwater management Mahinga kai is a key value for freshwater management that needs to be articulated in objective setting for environmental limits in the National Objectives Framework (NOF). Mahinga kai generally refers to indigenous freshwater species that have traditionally been used for food, tools or other resources. Many mahinga kai sites, both current and historical, are in lowland settings where freshwater environments are often in a degraded state and values are correspondingly compromised. With limited availability of sites in good condition within rohe to help define desired states for mahinga kai, alternative approaches are needed to establish condition bands for management. In particular, tools that assist with envisaging desired states and predicting environmental changes required to sustain those states will help communities and tangata whenua set management objectives. To achieve this effectively an approach is required that utilises Mātauranga Māori and science tools

year: 2014