The thesis studies Taiwan’s shifting role in international footwear sourcing networks over the last three decades. It draws on multiple sources of data, including in-depth interview, field observation, and published data, to construct phases and faces of the socially embedded market. The research points to the anomalies in the comparative advantage theory, evaluates the weakness of the state-ce...

Background Footwear with a curved sole profile shifts the point of contact between the shoe and floor anteriorly compared to a flat shoe. There have been various reports of changes in ground reaction forces, external joint moments, and (rather inconclusively) muscle activity and energy consumption during walking in this “rollover” footwear [1-6]. The aim of this study was to investigate the eff...

The use of 3D imaging techniques has been early adopted in the footwear industry. In particular, 3D imaging could be used to aid commerce and improve the quality and sales of shoes. Footwear customization is an added value aimed not only to improve product quality, but also consumer comfort. Moreover, customisation implies a new business model that avoids the competition of mass production comi...

BACKGROUND Ill-fitting shoes have been implicated as a risk factor for falls but research to date has focused on people with arthritis, diabetes and the general older population; little is known about people with neurological conditions. This survey for people with stroke and Parkinson's explored people's choice of indoor and outdoor footwear, foot problems and fall history. METHODS Following...

Solid particles on the floor, both dry and wet, are common but their effects on the friction on the floor were seldom discussed in the literature. In this study, friction measurements were conducted to test the effects of particle size of solid contaminants on the friction coefficient on the floor under footwear, floor, and surface conditions. The results supported the hypothesis that particle ...

Moisture inside the footwear can considerably affect the thermal insulation. In this study with a thermal foot model there was simulated three sweat rates (3, 5 and 10 g/h). Five types of footwear with various insulation levels (dry insulation from 0.19 to 0.50 m2. K/W) were tested. The footwear insulation reduction was calculated for 1.5 hour period. The reduction in insulation was related to ...

BACKGROUND Foot pain is highly prevalent in older people, and in many cases is associated with wearing inadequate footwear. In Australia, the Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) covers the costs of medical grade footwear for veterans who have severe foot deformity. However, there is a high demand for footwear by veterans with foot pain who do not meet this eligibility criterion. Therefore, th...