This research investigated the decision process surrounding the self-regulated learning of new uses of existing technology. With firms investing up to 50% of their capital budgets on information technology (in excess of 1 trillion dollars in aggregate), understanding what factors motivate or inhibit more encompassing use of technology is of practical concern (Bowen 1986; Nambisan et al. 1999; Mahmood et a. 2001). I introduced a dynamic element to the technology adoption/acceptance literature by using a framework based upon deferral option theory. This framework allows for the decision to learn a new use of technology to occur over time. I found that potential users chose to defer learning new uses of technology even when usefulness was evident and ease of learning was not prohibitive. Further, an additional benefit to using the deferral option framework was its inclusion of both rewards and penalties; I found that not only do potential users consider what can be gained by learning, but also what can be lost by trying to learn and failing. In addition to using a framework premised on deferral option theory, I investigated the properties of time pressure and subjective norms on the decision to learn new uses of technology. As time pressure offered a possible alternate explanation for why potential users defer learning, I controlled for it experimentally and determined that time pressure did affect deferral choice. Further, as subjective norms have had limited success as a predictor of intent to use technology in prior literature, I investigated the separate pieces of the theoretical construct, referent group perceptions and the motivation to comply with those perceptions. By manipulating environment between work and play settings, different motivational sources were enacted by the potential users. Specifically, I found that when potential users were externally motivated subjective norms did influence deferral, and when internally motivated, subjective norms did not influence a potential user??s decision to defer learning a new use of technology.

In this day and age, information technology to daily life is now universal. The Internet is a global system that provides innovative services. This study focused on treating the feelings and intentions of new users that has not been used at the hedonic website. As well as expectations and intentions during and after a month of usage. Through this study, the self-developed innovative website has created called iMemory. During the first survey, the subjects were on display for users. After measuring the hearts of users show the expected feelings and intentions.A month later, the same measure by measuring the extent of use, the use of feelings and intentions. In this study, based on technology acceptance model, by adding perceived enjoyment that the period of one month longitudinal study. To compare the differences between two results. The results showed that the second measurement of the use of feelings and intentions are will be the first to use measurements of the feelings and intentions significant impact on the use of the past month and the remarkable degree of influence. The second measure of perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness of intent with the impact is not significant, but perceived enjoyment of intent are still significantly affected. Finally, this study based on data analysis for discussion.

The rapid development of information technology has created significant impact in most organizations. Several theories have been proposed to interpret the intention to accept technology by individuals. The two most popular ones are Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), and Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). The purpose of this thesis is to investigate how well these two theories can analyze the intention of technology acceptance based on existing published primary studies. Thirty-seven studies that used TAM and twenty-three studies that used TPB were analyzed. Four variables associated with the user (student vs. non-student and oriental vs. western) and the technology applications (emotion vs. rational and individual vs. organizational applications) were used to differentiate the explanatory power of these models in different situations. The results show that these models have very different interpretation powers in different situations. For the relationship between attitude and intention in these two models, we found that TAM is more powerful than TPB only for individual. In all remaining situations, TAM can better explain the variance of intention. The findings are useful for researchers in selecting proper models for research and for practitioners to explore ways to increase the likelihood of technology being accepted by the user.

Thesis (M.S. in Operations Research)--Naval Postgraduate School, September 1990. / Thesis Advisor(s): Lindsay, Glenn F. Second Reader: Bailey, Michael P. "September 1990." Description based on title screen as viewed on December 21, 2009. DTIC Identifier(s): Quality control, sampling, acceptance tests, production control, theses, mathematical models, vendors. Author(s) subject terms: Markov chain, P-chart, fraction nonconforming vs AQL. Includes bibliographical references (p. 50). Also available in print.

Thesis (M.A.)--Bowling Green State University, 2009. / Document formatted into pages; contains v, 90 p. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Rutgers University, 2009. / "Graduate Program in Global Affairs." Includes bibliographical references (p.192-194).

In the Swedish Fast-moving consumer goods industry (FMCG), most suppliers sell their products through retailers. For a successful product-launch, retailer acceptance is essential. Up to ninety percent of all product-launches fail, thus retailers must choose wisely which products to accept. Failing product-launches cost large sums of money for both retailers and suppliers. A number of factors have been shown by previous research to affect the success of a productlaunch and retailer acceptance, but there are factors that have been previously ignored, such as inter-organizational relationships. The authors of this study have chosen to conduct a study regarding how retailer acceptance and relational factors affect the success of a product launch in the Swedish FMCG-industry. The focus of this study has been on the relationships of Swedish retailer ICA AB and three of its suppliers. ICA AB was chosen because it is the largest retailer on the Swedish market. This study shows that retailer acceptance is positively affected by mutual trust, commitment and the relationship itself between the supplier and the retailer. However, the importance of these factors varies depending on the size of supplier and type of product.

Acceptance of information technology (IT) has remained a topic of interest for a last few decades. Several theories, specifically over the conceptualisation of the technology acceptance model (TAM) have emerged and they have been applied in different contexts to investigate new insights into the acceptance behaviour at individual and organisational levels. However, despite TAM’s maturity and validity in different contexts, very little published literature strives to extend its capability to predict individuals’ acceptance behaviour about an online banking information system (OBIS). A possible rational for this gap may be conceptualisation of the TAM under which individuals’ acceptance behaviour can only be predicted with two beliefs: perceived ease of use (PEOU) and perceived usefulness (PU). The evidence in literature shows that PU and PEOU beliefs are not sufficient; hence, they may not explain individuals’ acceptance behaviour in emerging contexts, such as online banking information systems, especially in developing economies such as Pakistan. There is therefore a need for inclusion of any additional factor that can enhance prediction of acceptance of online banking information system by potential users. Extending research on the TAM, this study developed and tested a model of OBIS acceptance. The proposed model integrated key constructs from the information systems acceptance research stream into the theoretical frame of the TAM and other theories from social psychology, such as the theory of reasoned action (TRA), theory of planned behaviour (TPB) and the TAM2. According to the proposed conceptual model, OBIS acceptance was determined by eight main factors, which included perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, trust, technological self-efficacy, response time, output quality, accessibility, and terminology clarity. In this model, PU was hypothesised to be affected by PEOU, trust, technological self-efficacy (TSE), output quality (OQ) and response time (RT). In addition, PEOU was hypothesised to be determined by three external factors: TSE, accessibility and terminology clarity (TC). The model was tested on a sample of 353 Internet banking users in Pakistan. Using structural equation modelling with Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS) software, data analysis showed considerable support for the extended hypothesised model. The result indicated that, in order of importance, PU, PEOU and trust explained 45.7 % of the variance in the acceptance behaviour. The trust and the TSE predicted 28.1 % of the variance in the PU. However, the hypothesised relationships between the PU and the PEOU, OQ and RT were found to be not significant. While in the PEOU, 21.8 % of the variance was predicted by the TSE, accessibility and TC. TSE was found to be a more influential determinant of the PEOU than the PU. The consideration of factors that have a significant influence on the acceptance of OBIS, as identified in this research, is important for the managers in the banking sector, especially in developing countries, in order to increase wider acceptance and use of these systems, which provide benefits to both the customers and the service providers.

Despite science education reform efforts stressing the importance of understanding evolution, many students receive little to no exposure to the most important unifying concept in biology. Since evolution is basic to the study of biology, its study should begin with the introduction of the life sciences to students in elementary school. However, many teachers lack sufficient evolutionary content knowledge, have limited acceptance of evolution, and have little confidence to effectively teach it. Better teacher preparation is needed to meet the challenges of ensuring students develop conceptual understanding of evolution. While research shows the general public typically accepts microevolution while rejecting macroevolution, few studies have focused on peoples’ understanding of macroevolution. Additionally, little research exists examining the effects of an intervention on elementary and middle school teachers’ acceptance, understanding, and teaching of macroevolution. Using a conceptual framework based on the Cognitive Reconstruction of Knowledge Model, this study reports the effects of a sustained professional development program on 4th through 8th grade teachers’ acceptance of evolution; understanding of macroevolution; and approach to teaching evolution in schools, awareness of challenges to teaching evolution, and pedagogical content knowledge about teaching macroevolution. This study also explores the relationship between teachers’ understanding of macroevolution and acceptance of evolution. Various data sources, including the Measurement of the Understanding of Macroevolution (Nadelson & Southerland, 2010), the Measure of the Acceptance of the Theory of Evolution (Rutledge & Warden, 1999), teacher interviews, and teacher workshop reflections, were used to answer the research questions. Results from the study revealed that after attending the professional development series, teachers’ understanding of macroevolution and acceptance of evolution significantly increased. Acceptance of evolution was positively correlated to understanding of macroevolution. Teachers’ prior understanding of macroevolution was a significant positive predictor of their subsequent acceptance of evolution. Teachers’ prior acceptance of evolution was a significant predictor of their understanding of macroevolution, but only after teachers participated in at least half of the sustained professional development. Finally, teachers demonstrated having increased macroevolutionary pedagogical content knowledge. This effect was strong in those teachers who were initially low acceptors of evolution. The significance of these findings is discussed. / text

The cognitive model of obsessions (Rachman, 1997, 1998) proposes the escalation from normal intrusive thought into clinical obsession begins with the appraisal of thoughts as being significant or dangerous. The cognitive theory of obsessions also posits through targeting and dismantling maladaptive thought related beliefs and thought control strategies, one can reduce the frequency of and discomfort associated with obsessive thoughts. The current study first set out to obtain additional empirical support for the proposed relationship between maladaptive thought related beliefs, thought management strategies, and obsessive thinking. Next, this study explored the potential impact of targeting and altering maladaptive thought related beliefs and thought management strategies, through mindfulness-based training (thought acceptance), in comparison to relaxation-based training (thought control). Finally, this study assessed which, if any, participant characteristics were associated with positively responding to mindfulness training. Results highlighted the strong relationship between maladaptive thought related beliefs, thought management strategies and obsessive thinking, with mindfulness mediating the relationship between maladaptive thought related beliefs and obsessive thinking. Research results also lend support for the potential efficacy of both mindfulness as well as relaxation based training, for the treatment of obsessive thinking. Participants assigned to both conditions exhibited decreased obsessive thinking as well increased positive mood state and decreased maladaptive thought related beliefs. Process related analysis uncovered a significant relationship between decreased maladaptive thought related beliefs and decreased obsessive thinking for the mindfulness condition, providing initial evidence for changes in meta-cognitive beliefs as an active ingredient in mindfulness training. In contrast, a significant relationship between decreased maladaptive thought related beliefs and decreased obsessive thinking was not found for the relaxation condition. Finally, when assessing participant characteristics associated with positively responding to mindfulness training, level of obsessive thinking predicted self reporting to have obtained a significant benefit from engaging in mindfulness training, with study participants experiencing higher levels of obsessive thinking interpreting the mindfulness intervention as more beneficial than study participants who experienced lower levels of obsessive thinking. These findings offer initial evidence that mindfulness training may be a useful treatment approach, in targeting and altering maladaptive thought related beliefs, for the treatment of obsessive thinking. / text