Negotiating the meaning of brands

How does a brand become meaningful, and how does certain lifestyle values become integrated into a brand so that the brand appears like a trustworthy statement? The paper investigates the ongoing negotiation processes between brand maker and brand users as a key to understand how brands become meaningful. The result of the negotiation processes is the creation of a common consent of meaning, which the brand rests upon. This implies that a brand can only be meaningful if the brand maker and brand users can create this brand habit.     

Theories of State Formation and Civilisation in Johann P. Arnason and Shmuel Eisenstadt's Comparative Sociologies of Japan

Abstract

Johann Arnason and Shmuel Eisenstadt's social theories have remarkably different origins. Yet each has moved onto common ground with the other over a period of time. They meet in historical sociology in dialogue over theories of state formation and images of civilisation. Each is engaged in a project of revising civilisations sociology that reaches an apex with the comparative study of Japan. Their groundbreaking contributions can be read critically against a wider background of debates about postcolonialism, the reputation of the notion of civilisation and the state of area studies in the humanities and social sciences.     

Sustainable Design and Social Entrepreneurship A Common Path Toward Social Innovation？

The purpose of this article is to introduce the connection of social entrepreneurship （SE） and sustainable design （SD） as a successful strategy for social innovation. Design is increasingly recognized by different stakeholders as an important contribution to social innovation. However, research linking SD and SE as a tool to sustain these social ventures is limited. This article takes an international approach to viewing SE. It presents concepts and main characteristics of both SE and SD, and discusses its similarities and differences of these concepts, based on a literature review and the analysis of two case studies addressing SE. The case studies presented in Norway and the United States are evaluated based on the role that SD strategies played in their establishment and implementation phase. Finally, this article seeks to contribute to the discussion of SE challenges and benefits, in addition to furthering research on the connection of SE and SD. Analyzing this connection means exploring uncharted paths toward sustainability and socially responsible growth.     

中国特色社会主义道路的探索和开创

道路问题是关系中国革命和建设事业兴衰成败的头等重大问题。毛泽东探索中国社会主义建设道路既取得成绩又发生重大失误,但他从物质基础、理论准备、宝贵经验等方面为后人积累了重要条件和资源;邓小平坚持正确,纠正错误,实现党的工作中心的历史转变,实行改革开放的战略决策,坚持四项基本原则,开创了中国特色社会主义新道路;江泽民、胡锦涛继续坚持中国特色社会主义道路,为这一道路作出新贡献和增添新内容。党的十八大对中国特色社会主义道路的科学内涵作出了新表述,可概括为党的领导、核心内容、发展内涵和目标指引四个层面。我们党正沿着中国特色社会主义这一中国发展进步唯一正确的道路继续阔步前进。     

对县级政府管理机制创新的思考

政府管理机制创新是我国建立廉洁、高效、规范的行政管理体系以及加快社会主义市场经济建设的必然要求。县级政府管理机制创新是其中的基础和关键环节。西方国家上世纪70年代以来掀起了一场公共行政改革运动,其中新公共政策管理、新公共行政管理和新公共管理的许多好的做法和经验,值得我们在进行政府管理改革和创新过程中加以学习和借鉴。     

电脑美术课程"情境"教学创设

根据电脑美术课程教学特点,结合在教学过程中的实际,围绕课程的教学过程,创设了现代教学手段下的课堂教学情境、工作室制下的课堂实践情境和“无墙教室”制下的实战情境。贯彻情境创设的“四原则”、“五要素”,注重以学生为中心和培养学生个性发展的现代教育思想的应用。     

陕甘边革命根据地创建和发展的历史经验及意义

陕甘边革命根据地是中国共产党在西北地区创建最早的根据地，其创建和发展不仅开创了西北革命斗争的新局面，而且为西北革命根据地的创建和发展奠定了基础，在西北革命史以及中国革命史上都具有重要的地位，积累了宝贵的历史经验，具有深远的历史意义。     

品牌理念助飞服装设计创作与教学

目前服装产业已进入品牌化发展时期，服装设计的创作与教学层面的提升离不开品牌理念的积极引导。服装品牌企业尤其是传统的服装设计教学中由于欠缺品牌意识的理解和运用，影响服装设计的创作品位与教学水平的提高。因此，从品牌的影响力、品牌理念和设计理念的指引作用等方面探讨如何将服装品牌设计理念融合于服装设计与教学之中，有利于促进设计创作，进而提升教学水准。     

形式本体论:新时期文艺的价值取向

形式本体论是新时期中国文艺从实践到理论都曾积极追求过的价值取向之一.这一文艺思潮首先表现在作家的创作实践层面,然后是文学批评家们的形式批评,最后上升为文艺理论家们的文艺形式本体理论的建构,这一思潮自有其产生的合理原因,也有其不足.     

和谐社会视野下思想政治教育创新初探

构建社会主义和谐社会重大战略任务的提出，为新时期思想政治教育创新提供了全新的视角。适应构建社会主义和谐社会的要求，思想政治教育必须树立“以人为本”的新理念，充实构建和谐社会的新的教育内容，充分运用有利于和谐社会构建的新方法和新载体。