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Thesis (M.Com. (Information Systems))--University of the Witwatersrand, Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, School of Economic and Business Sciences, 2015. / This research study investigated the key factors that contribute to both current usage and future usage intention of online banking by South African users. The research was focused on online banking from all banks and regions in South Africa, hence making the results generalisable to the South African context. The variables (Performance Expectancy, Effort Expectancy, Facilitating Conditions and Social Influence) were derived from UTAUT model. Trust, Switching Costs and Availability of Alternatives were also added. The conceptual model was moderated by age, gender and experience. The variables used within the study were derived from literature review based on previous studies. From a survey of 300 online banking consumers, results were drawn from 105 responses. In South Africa, Trust, Effort expectancy and facilitating conditions, presented significant and positive impact on future usage intention of using online banking. Age and Experience were also significant to Future Usage intentions. However Social Influence, Switching Costs and Availability of Alternatives do not play a considerable role in influencing the user’s future usage in South Africa. While current usage did not directly impact future usage intentions of using online banking, the findings on frequency of usage and functionality (applications) added value to understanding the concept of current usage. The model had an R2 = 0.25 which suggests that within the South African context, there are more factors to be considered for academia and practitioners to understand online banking behaviour amongst consumers. We cannot completely apply theories and models from other countries to the South African context. There is a need to look at factors unique to South Africa, including how customers interpret questionnaires. The research also contributes to the current body of work and interest by banks in South Africa to move from “bricks to clicks”, (moving customers from the branches onto electronic platforms) that are more accessible from any location, and require less staff to operate. To do that, practitioners need add “trust” factors to online banking as well as increase frequency of users logging on to transact. It is vital for banks to also focus on functionality that is simple, reliable and dependable, as well as adds value to customers to ensure their frequent and continued usage thereof.

Date: 2021-06-02 Level: Bachelor Thesis in Business Administration, 15 hp Institution: School of Business, Society and Engineering, Mälardalen University Authors: Alkhayyat Abdulmoaz (97/01/01), Stita Ayham (93/06/18) Title: Consumer Behavior towards green cosmetic products Tutor: Michela Cozza Keywords: Green products, purchase intention, eco-awareness, green cosmetic products, consumer behavior Research question: What are the factors influencing consumer purchasing choices when choosing green cosmetic products over synthetic cosmetic products? Purpose: To study the consumer behavior towards green products by analyzing the attitudes of customers choosing to purchase organic cosmetics and to further investigate the factors that affect their purchasing behavior. Method: This research followed a quantitative approach with a deductive reasoning, done by conducting a survey to collect primary data and interpret the results in order to reach a reasonable conclusion. Conclusion: It was found that green cosmetic products are important in reaching the various needs of customers as consent remaining environmentally friendly and sustainable is concerned. There are possible factors that impact consumer behavior, such as the social influences and eco-awareness, causing a change in buying behavior and attitudes.

The drastic growth of the influencer market has spiked an interest in defining the significance of influencer credibility (IC). This thesis primarily aims to identify which drivers of IC are important to Swedishconsumers and how these can impact purchase intention (PI). The data was collected through a questionnaire shared on social media resulting in a sample size of 201 (N=201). After analyzing the data in SPSS through a nonparametric one sample and independent sample Chi-square test the following characteristics were found as impacting IC and PI. Expertise, trustworthiness, Image quality, entertainment value, and product and endorser fit influence IC and subsequently PI. The personal connection was also found to influence PI and when comparing different influencer sizes a smaller influencer generated substantial IC through a personal connection compared to larger.

AN ABSTRACT OF THE DISSERTATION OF AKILAH MORRIS SMITH, for the Doctor of Philosophy degree in Public Health, presented on April 11th 2018, at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. TITLE: KNOWLEDGE, INTENTIONS, AND BELIEFS ABOUT FERTILITY AND ASSISTED REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGY AMONG ILLINOIS COLLEGE STUDENTS MAJOR PROFESSOR: Roberta Ogletree H.S.D and Juliane P. Wallace PhD The purpose of this quantitative cross sectional study was to examine knowledge, beliefs, and intentions about fertility and assisted reproductive technology among college students. This study differs from previous studies in that it examines knowledge, beliefs, and intentions about fertility and assisted reproductive technology among Illinois college students. Five hundred thirty six undergraduate students from six Illinois universities taking foundational health courses participated in this convenience sample study. Participants included three hundred and five females, 225 males, and five transgender students. The age ranges from 18-60. Five hundred and twenty students were childless. Three hundred and eleven students were single, 195 were in a committed relationship, and 16 were married. An Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) detected the differences among college students’ knowledge, beliefs, and intentions, based on race, sexual orientation, age, parental status, relationship status, and gender. Additionally Multiple Linear Regression analysis determined variations among race, sexual orientation, age, parental status, relationship status, and gender based on intentions, beliefs, and knowledge of fertility and ART treatment options. The first findings indicate that age, race and relationship status variables strongly impacted fertility intentions. The second findings reveal that gender and race impact beliefs influencing fertility and ART treatment options. None of the six variables significantly affected knowledge, which does not correlate with the literature. The students replied that they were not informed about women’s fertility as well as ART treatment options. Caucasians and older students’ intended on delaying parenthood supports the current literatures. According to Martinez, Daniels, and Chandra (2012), Caucasians are more likely to delay parenthood, which this research study supports. Secondly, Caucasians and males students had beliefs that supported the delaying of parenthood. Amongst the six groups, none of the groups affected knowledge. Daniluk and Koert (2012) show that while college student’s lack knowledge researchers are not sure what strongly predict their fertility and ART knowledge treatments.

Background: Every time sustainability has a more important role in the fashion industry and more consumers have higher environmental consciousness and look out for sustainable products in that area and companies that are genuinely sustainable. But the main problem is that lots of companies claim to be sustainable, but they are not and use the tactic of greenwashing, to attract consumers and trick them to purchase their products. Therefore, consumer education and awareness became essential to be able to avoid these misleading tactics implemented by the fast fashion firms.    Purpose: This study goal was to investigate the influence of customer knowledge of greenwashing on their purchase decisions and behaviour when it comes to environmentally friendly items, with a particular focus on the fast fashion sector.  This research endeavour aims to provide valuable insights into the challenges associated with promoting sustainable consumption and to propose strategies for increasing consumer engagement with genuinely environmentally friendly products through a comprehensive review of literature and empirical research.   Method: The investigation follows a deductive approach, and it uses both qualitative and quantitative methods to gather the information to resolve the research question. It uses focus groups as the main source of insights that are complemented by a survey.   Conclusion: Increasing the awareness of the consumer was enough to increase their purchase intention but not enough to convince them to make the change. The overall results add information on the findings of the literature review, but it would be interesting to add more information on our results, meaning that future research is needed to get more in-depth with these findings. In other words, have a more specific idea about consumer awareness on greenwashing and purchase intentions to sustainable products.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / The Saudi Arabian government launched Vision 2030 in 2016 that will have repercussions for all aspects of society. The Saudi nonprofit sector has undergone massive and unprecedented reform ever since. Professionalism is a major tool for this reform, prompting an increasing need for research on the topic of organizational professionalism. This dissertation examines how to define and measure organizational professionalism and its implications in the Saudi nonprofit sector. After introducing key concepts and historical context in Chapter 1, I include three articles that address these themes. Using grounded theory methodology, in Chapter 2, I focus on how nonprofit workers in Saudi Arabia define professionalism. In Chapter 3, I develop, test, and validate a professionalism scale from Saudi nonprofit workers’ perspective. In Chapter 4, I examine implications of professionalism on Saudi nonprofit employees’ work-related wellbeing: job satisfaction, turnover intention, and job burnout. In the Conclusion (Chapter 5), I discuss results along with potential implications for policies and practice, recommendations, limitations, and directions for future research.

In an increasingly environmentally conscious world, the creation of sustainable communication and marketing becomes crucial. Generally, young consumers are environmentally conscious and seek sustainable products while remaining wary of greenwashing and deceptive claims. However, they are likely to be heavily influenced by social media and peers, which makes them a receptive target for advertisers’ deceptive strategies. To achieve success, advertisements must be trustworthy and appeal to the target audience either emotionally or rationally. Sustainability labels like the EU Eco-label fosters consumer trust. Hence, our research will focus on the impact of sustainability message appeals on deceptiveness in laundry detergents and the influence of certifications in product advertising on customer deceptiveness.The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of sustainability messages on perceived deceptiveness of laundry detergents. Moreover, it explores the relationship between emotional and rational appeals and consumer behaviour, with a focus on trust, deceptiveness and purchasing intentions. Accordingly, the study was conducted on consumers to see how theyperceive emotional and rational advertisement. The findings will guide managers and entrepreneurs to effectively market cleaning products for enhanced sustainability perception and transparency. The study has employed a deductive approach, utilising a quantitative research design. Data was collected through a survey from 299 participants, aged 18-30, representing diverse European backgrounds. The collected data was analysed by using a moderated mediation approach, allowing for a comprehensive examination of the relationships between sustainability message appeals, deceptiveness, and the influence of certifications in product advertising. The research showed that consumers may be misled by emotional sustainability appeals in laundry detergent advertising, hence the intention to purchase decreases. Nevertheless, it was revealed that rational appeals and third-party certifications such as EU Ecolabel positively influenced perceived sustainability and purchase intention. The study also found that gender had no significant moderating impact, while sustainability awareness moderated the relationship between deception and purchase intention in emotional appeals.

The largest generation on earth, Generation Z, holds substantial market power. They were born onto a planet that is overheating, in a society characterized by high growth and technological advancements at an accelerated speed, and are inheriting substantial sustainability, socio-economic, and climate change challenges. Given this, they are aware of the importance of incorporating sustainability into their purchasing decisions. Since the contemporary topic of sustainable decision-making of Gen Z is still in its nascent stage, this research further investigates the process an individual goes through when deciding what aspects guide them in decisions as well as what could possibly hinder Gen Z to turn sustainable purchasing intentions into behavior. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews with individuals of Europe’s Gen Z cohort and subsequently processed using thematic analysis. Based on the EBM customer decision model, the information integration theory, and the green intention-behavior gap model, three categories focusing on rational, value-based, and intentional themes were derived. Results show that Gen Z goes through a complex decision process which is based on their strongly held values. Their intention to act sustainably is prevalent throughout the process, where they often combat internalized consumerism, search for authentic and honest information, rely on family, friends, their sustainability education and knowledge, their favorite brands, and are skeptical about claims made by companies. Even if individuals desire to purchase sustainably all the time, price, availability and accessibility, missing aesthetics as well as skepticism and the lack of transparency and regulations in terms of sustainability terminology hinders them to turn intentions into actions.