Gatekeepers' Perceptions of Thai Geographical Indication Products in Europe

This study is aimed at exploring perceptions of European gatekeepers toward renowned Thai fruit and coffee products protected by geographical indication (GI) and factors influencing purchasing decision of gatekeepers toward imported food products. Sixteen qualitative interviews with distribution channel gatekeepers were administered in Austria, Italy, and Switzerland in 2010. Content analysis and concept mapping were used to analyze data. Results show that Thai GI products might be interesting for European gatekeepers, but the GI attribute alone might not be sufficient to ensure that the product is successful. Support of consistent information and promotion campaigns and fulfillment of other gatekeepers' requirements of both products and suppliers are necessary.     

Development of leading indicators of process safety

The goal of this project, sponsored by the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission, is to identify “leading” indicators of nuclear power plant safety. Such indicators would allow early recognition, and perhaps avoidance, of impending safety problems before the problems themselves became evident. Because data are limited in the nuclear industry, CTA's approach to this objective is to look beyond the nuclear power industry, to other industries with safety concerns analogous to those of the nuclear power community, for sources of such indicator data.     

Khaosan Road: an evolving backpacker tourist enclave being partially reclaimed by the locals

Backpacker tourist enclaves dot the globe but have been little studied. The present study examined the structure and functioning of Khaosan Road; Bangkok's large archetypal backpacker bubble. It gauged basic dimensions such as tourist area spread, guesthouse and business numbers, and tourist economic and social impact. It surveyed tourist demographics, travel motives, behaviour, and reactions to and uses of the area, and characteristics and reactions of Thai visitors and street vendors. The area is a complex, evolving system with mixed ownership and functions. It is expanding, going up‐market and becoming a key nightlife area for young Thais. Overdevelopment may alter its appeal to backpackers. The data give a detailed picture of one backpacker enclave, which may partly generalise to others. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.