The introduction of FMD into the US would have serious economic and societal effects on the livelihoods and sustainability of affected livestock producers. Livestock producers serve as an important line of defense in both detecting an introduction of FMD as well, helping to prevent disease spread. However, due to the complexity of moral, social, and economic issues surrounding the control of highly contagious diseases, producer cooperation during an outbreak may not be assured. This study was conducted using a mixed-methods approach, including qualitative analysis of interviews and quantitative analysis of a postal survey, in order to explore the factors likely to influence producer cooperation in FMD detection and control in Texas. Reporting of cattle with clinical signs of FMD in the absence of an outbreak was related to producers´ beliefs about the consequences of reporting, beliefs about what other producers would do, trust in agricultural agencies, and their perception of the risk posed by FMD. During a hypothetical outbreak, intentions to report were determined by beliefs about the consequences of reporting, and perception of the risk posed by FMD. Intentions to gather and hold cattle when requested during an outbreak were determined by beliefs about the consequences of gathering and holding, beliefs about barriers to gathering and holding, trust in other producers, and perception of the risk posed by FMD. Compliance with animal movement restrictions was determined by experiential attitudes, beliefs about the availability of feed, space, and disinfection procedures, beliefs about what other producers would do, and perception of the risk posed by FMD. Recommendations for improving producer cooperation include targeting specific beliefs in both planning and communication, increasing transparency in the post-reporting process, planning for and communicating plans for maintaining business continuity in order to better inform risk perception, and partnering with organizations to ensure sustained and meaningful communication that supports trust between producers within the affected agricultural community.

Syftet med studien var att ta reda på studenters intention att stanna i Luleå efter avslutade studier vid Luleå tekniska universitet. För att ta reda på detta användes Theory of planned behavior (TPB). Deltagarna var 407 studenter från olika program vid LTU. En elektronisk enkät mailades ut till studenterna. Data analyserades med multipla linjära regressionsanalyser. Frågornas reliabilitet kontrollerades med Cronbachs alfa. Generellt var Intention att stanna i Luleå låg. Attityd hade störst effekt på Intention, där att kunna forma sin framtid som man vill var den starkaste bakomliggande faktorn till Attityd. Subjektiv norm påverkade även Intentionen och där var familjens vilja den starkaste bakomliggande faktorn. Upplevd beteendekontroll påverkade ej Intentionen. Kvinnor hade högre intention att stanna än män och utsocknes hade lägre intention än Luleåbor att stanna i Luleå efter studierna. Det visade sig även att möjligheterna till arbete inte påverkar studenters intention att stanna. Korrelationer visade att härkomst har medelstarka till starka samband med intention, där ju längre från Luleå man kom desto lägre var intentionen att stanna. / The purpose of this study was to gain knowledge of students’ intentions to stay in Luleå after finishing their studies at Luleå university of technology. Theory of planned behavior (TPB) was used to gain this knowledge. The sample consisted of 407 students from different programs at LTU. An electronic survey was sent by e-mail to the students. Data was analyzed with multiple linear regression analyses. The reliability of the questions was controlled with Cronbach’s alpha. Generally, the Intention to stay was low. Attitude had the greatest effect on Intention, where being able to form ones’ future as one wants it was the strongest underlying factor to Attitude. Subjective norm also affected Intention and the family’s will was the strongest underlying factor. Perceived behavioral control had no effect on Intention. Women’s intention to stay was higher than men’s and nonresidential students had lower intention to stay in Luleå after finishing their studies than students originally from Luleå had. The result also showed that job opportunities had no effect on students’ intention to stay. Correlations showed that origin had a semi-strong to strong connection with Intention, where the farther away from Luleå one origin, the lower was the intention to stay.

Background: The problem of increasing amounts of food packaging waste especially in Germany leads to the challenge of how to minor waste by using no packaging in order to listen to environmental-conscious generation y consumers. This is why retailers need to understand the factors impacting the purchase intention and thus, need to act in higher extend in terms of a preventive sustainable approach. Purpose: The purpose of this thesis is to examine the purchase intention of German generation y consumers towards packaging-free products. An extended Theory of Planned Behavior forms the theoretical foundation to investigate which factors are influencing the purchase intention the most. In addition to the original TPB factors attitude, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control, the research model was extended by two new factors, namely environmental concern and barriers. Method: Through an explanatory research method, the data was collected in a quantitative online survey based on a sample of 422 respondents. In order to investigate the relationships among the factors and to further support or reject the study’s hypothesis, the data was analyzedby using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation and simple and multiple regression. Finally, to determine differences among groups additional tests have been conducted. Conclusion: The findings of this study revealed new insights about predictors of the purchaseintention: German consumers’ intention is mainly impacted by their attitude, followed by thefactor barriers, and perceived behavioral control, whereas subjective norms do not. Further, the other newly added factor environmental concern indirectly impacts the purchase intention through attitude. Moreover, the importance of including new added factors to the original TPB model is shown as the extended TPB model has improved its power in explaining German generation y’s purchase intention towards packaging free. By that, the respondents of this studyare highly environmental concerned and overall intent to purchase packaging-free products in mainstream grocery stores, oats and milk respectively. This study’s results provide valuable insights for marketers of German mainstream grocery stores who are interested in selectively integrating packaging-free shopping to their stores.

Master of Science / Hospitality Management and Dietetics / Kevin R. Roberts / Many pathogenic microorganisms are spread by contaminated hands and may lead to foodborne illness. The use of hand sanitizers can significantly reduce bacterial contamination and is an efficient and inexpensive method to prevent infections and sickness. Previous researchers have found that the routine use of hand sanitizers allowed the U.S. Army to significantly reduce illness. However, few studies have been conducted within a U.S. Army dining facility, which is considered to be one of the primary sources of foodborne illness within the U.S. Army. Therefore, using the Theory of Planned Behavior, the purpose of this study was to identify the behavioral intention, attitudes, subjective norms, and perceptions of control of using hand sanitizer among military personnel. The study targeted soldiers using a written survey during their lunch hour on the U.S. Army base at Fort Riley, KS. A total of 201 surveys were collected. All data were screened and entered into IBM SPSS for analysis. Results indicated that attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control explained 64% of the variance in behavioral intention. Attitude and subjective norms were found to be significant predictors of behavioral intention, with attitude being the strongest predictor. In general, behavioral beliefs were positive among soldiers. Related to normative beliefs, soldiers did perceive negative social pressure from other soldiers not to use hand sanitizers. Analysis of control beliefs found soldiers perceived hand sanitizers were readily available, but disliked their smell and feel after application. Food production managers and Army commanders can use these results to implement hand sanitation behavioral interventions within military dining environments. Practical implications will likely translate to reduced healthcare costs, decreased absenteeism rates, and improved mission readiness. Some of the limitations include commonly perceived social psychology bias. Further, clustered samples were collected within one military installation in a relatively short amount of time.

abstract: Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College at Arizona State University recently adopted a "technology infusion" approach to prepare teacher candidates (TC) to integrate technology into their instruction and meet the International Society for Technology in Education Standards for Teachers (ISTE Standards*T) by infusing technology integration approaches into methods courses. At the onset of the technology infusion approach, one important ISTE Standard-T was neglected in the curriculum--that is, digital citizenship (DC), i.e., the responsible, legal, and ethical use of technology. To address this problem of practice, a suite of teaching materials and support services was created, the Technology Infusion Support System (TISS), to help instructors effectively teach DC. The suite consisted of four online modules on essential DC topics including copyright/fair use, digital footprint/social media, acceptable use policies, and responsible student behavior. The support component consisted of ongoing just-in-time support from a technology integration specialist, an instructor's guide, and a resource folder. This mixed methods action research study was conducted to examine: DC instruction by those who used the TISS and the influence of DC instruction on TC's intention to promote and model DC in their future classrooms. With respect to the second objective, the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) guided study efforts. Participants included teacher education faculty members who taught DC in technology-infused methods courses, their students, and the technology infusion specialists who provided ongoing support to instructors throughout the duration of the study. Data gathered included survey data, observations, focus group interviews, instructor interviews, and researcher journal entries. Results suggested the TISS was a useful intervention in a college using a technology infusion approach. Course instructors provided consistent instruction on a topic outside of their area of expertise. Further, there was a significant increase in the students' intention to promote and model DC in their future classrooms. The discussion focuses on explaining: the effectiveness of DC instruction; how instruction in DC changes students' intentions to promote and model DC; and the usefulness of the TPB model in understanding how attitudes toward DC, and perceived behavioral control, i.e., efficacy, influence intention to promote and model DC. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Leadership and Innovation 2015

abstract: Los Angeles, California and Phoenix, Arizona are two naturally water-scarce regions that rely on imported water to meet their local water needs. Both areas have been experiencing an ongoing drought that has negatively affected their local water supply. Populations in both cities continue to grow, increasing overall demand for water as the supply decreases. Water conservation is important for the sustainability of each town. However, the methods utilized to conserve residential water in the two areas differ drastically; Los Angeles has implemented involuntary water rationing and Phoenix has not. The widespread effectiveness of involuntary restrictions makes them a popular management scheme. Despite their immediate effectiveness, little is known about how involuntary restrictions affect attitudinal precursors towards the behavior in question and thus, whether or not the restrictions are potentially helpful or harmful to lasting behavior change. This study adapted the Theory of Planned Behavior to survey 361 homeowners in Los Angeles and Phoenix to examine how involuntary water restrictions shape attitudinal precursors to outdoor water conservation. This study found that when involuntary water restrictions are present, residents feel less in control of their outdoor water use. However, in the presence of involuntary water restrictions, stronger social norms and stronger support for policy prescriptions over outdoor water use were found. The favorable societal support towards water conservation, conceptualized as social norms and policy attitudes, in the presence of involuntary water restrictions is potentially promising for lasting behavior change. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Sustainability 2016

abstract: Increasingly, wildfires are threatening communities, forcing evacuations, damaging property, and causing loss of life. This is in part due to a century of wildfire policy and an influx of people moving to the wildland urban interface (WUI). National programs have identified and promoted effective wildfire mitigation actions to reduce wildfire risk; yet, many homeowners do not perform these actions. Based on previous literature and using the theory of planned behavior (TPB), this study proposes an integrated wildfire mitigation behavioral model to assess and identify the factors that influence homeowners’ wildfire mitigation behaviors. Specifically, the study tests the validity of the theory of planned behavior as a foundational model in exploring wildfire mitigation behaviors, develops and empirically tests a wildfire mitigation behavioral model, and explores the role of homeowner associations (HOA) on wildfire mitigation behaviors. Structural equation modeling was used on data collected from homeowners with property in the WUI in Prescott, Arizona. Results suggest TPB provides an acceptable model in describing homeowner wildfire mitigation behavior. For HOA residents, attitudes toward wildfire mitigation behaviors play an important role in predicting intentions to perform these behaviors. Additionally, perceived constraints directly influenced actual mitigation actions. For non-HOA residents, subjective norms influenced intentions to mitigate. Implications for research and local wildfire mitigation programs and policy are discussed. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Community Resources and Development 2016

Eating disorders can lead to a negative impact on students' academic growth, nutrition and can cause death (Claude-Pierre, 1997; Manley, Rickson, & Standeven, 2000; Romeo, 1996). Early intervention by referring students to professional counseling might help counter these negative consequences. The teacher is in the position to assist students by providing health information, identifying those with problems, and intervening for a variety of dysfunctions that may include the eating disorders called anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa (Myers-Clark & Christopher, 2000). However teachers are in a difficult position to know when to address student concerns and judge what action to take (Ransley,1999). Teachers' engagement seems crucial (Smolak, Harris, Levine, & Shisslak, 2001) since eating disorders are being identified in younger children.The purpose of this study was to examine (a) the relationships of the theoretical constructs, attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control of the theory of planned behavior as predictors of behavioral intention (Ajzen & Fishbein, 1980) of middle school teachers to identify and refer suspected anorexia nervosa (AN) and/or bulimia nervosa (BN) students for professional help; and (b) the actual behavior of middle school teachers who reported having ever referred a student suspected of having AN and BN and those teachers who reported not having made such a referral. One hundred fourteen middle school teachers in Broward County, Florida volunteered to participate in the ex post facto research. Data were collected from a questionnaire. Multiple regression analysis revealed that the constructs of subjective norm (perception of what others think about one's performance of behavior combined with motivation to comply) and perceived behavioral control (perception regarding the extent of the difficulty of performing the behavior) were predictive of teachers' intent (likelihood of engaging in a behavior) to refer. However, the analysis revealed that attitude (overall positive or negative feeling with respect to performing the behavior) was not predictive of teachers' intent. Discriminant function analysis revealed that both intent and perceived behavioral control were predictive of group membership, either having referred a student suspected of having an eating disorder for counseling or not having made such a referral. Attitude and subjective norm were not predictive of group membership.

This study assessed the relationship of variables from the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) with intentions to use condoms at next sex and action planning for condom use for main partners and for casual partners among an online of men who have sex with men (MSM) in a Midwestern state. The purpose of this study was to investigate variables of TPB among an online sample of HIV negative, Midwestern MSM and assess significant predictors of intentions separately by casual partners and main partners. Next, action planning was assessed as a potential variable to address the intention-behavior gap. The sample was recruited through an online social networking site, a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) - themed statewide newspaper and website. Participants completed an online survey that took 15-20 minutes to complete. Items assessed variables related to the TPB as well as action planning, stages of change, alternative strategies to reduce risk of HIV, and demographic variables including age, urban or rural residence, and HIV status. The results revealed that all TPB variables were strongly, significantly related for both casual and for main partners. The final regression models to predict intentions to use condoms at next sex accounted for 62% of the variance for main partners and 68% for casual partners. The regression models to predict action planning differed by partner type. For main partners, perceived behavioral control and intentions were significant predictors and explained 40% of the variance in action planning. For casual partners, self-efficacy was the significant predictor in the final model and explained 72% of the variance. Potential reasons for the differences in models by partner type for action planning are offered. Action planning is suggested as a potential mediating variable between intention and behavior that requires further research. Implications for HIV prevention interventions with MSM are discussed in light of reduced funding for low incidence states.

Textilindustrin är den mest förorenande industrin efter oljeindustrin och ett mål är därför att arbeta med mer återvunna fibrer. Dock väljs ofta dessa alternativ bort av konsumenter även fast en viss efterfrågan har identifierats. Trots en ökad efterfrågan kopplat till hållbara val så besitter inte konsumenter kunskap kring miljöfrågor kopplade till de hållbara alternativen. Avsaknad av kunskap kan alltså vara en orsak till varför deras åsikter inte återspeglas i konsumtionsvalet, därmed uppstår frågan om det finns ett samband mellan kunskap och köpintentioner, eller vilka variabler som påverkar köpintentioner. Polyester är ett material som är mycket påfrestande för miljön och fortsätter vara populärt att använda. Detta har lett till föroreningar, ett avsevärt ökat utsläpp samt stora mängder PET-avfall till miljön. Produktionen av återvunnen polyester, rPET, är mer miljövänlig än produktion av nyproducerad polyester. Exempelvis, för varje kilo mekanisk återvunnen polyester minskar utsläpp av växthusgaser med 70% jämfört med växthusgasutsläpp orsakade av nyproducerad polyester. Då tidigare studier som använt sig av en omarbetad version av teorin Theory of Planned Behavior har visat att attityder, subjektiva normer, upplevd beteendekontroll samt kunskap påverkar intentioner testar denna studie om så även är fallet när de kommer till köpintentioner till rPET. Genom en kvantitativ enkätundersökning och med hjälp av en omarbetad version av teorin Theory of Planned Behavior undersöks om det finns ett samband mellan modellens variabler och köpintentioner till rPET. Resultatet visar att attityder och upplevd beteendekontroll har ett starkt samband med köpintentioner till rPET samt att det finns ett samband, dock negativt och svagare, mellan objektiv kunskap och köpintentioner till rPET. De andra variablerna, subjektiva normer och subjektiv kunskap, besitter inte ett signifikant samband med köpintentioner till rPET. Fortsättningsvis skiljde sig sambanden för variablerna mellan män och kvinnor. / The textile industry is the most polluting industry after the oil industry. Therefore, a goal is to work with more recycled fibers within the textile industry. However, these alternatives are often opted out by consumers despite the fact that a demand has been identified on the market. Previous studies have shown that even though the increased demand is associated with sustainable choices, consumers do not possess knowledge about the environmental issues related to sustainable alternatives. Lack of knowledge can be a reason for why consumers' opinions do not reflect on their consumption choices, hence the question arises whether there is a connection between knowledge and purchase intentions, or which variables do affect the purchase intention. Polyester has a negative impact on the environment but remains popular to use. This has led to pollution, significant increase of emissions, and large amounts of PET waste. The production of recycled polyester, rPET, is however more environmentally friendly than the one of newly produced polyester. For instance, for every kilogram of mechanically recycled polyester, the greenhouse gas emissions are reduced by 70% compared to the greenhouse gas emissions caused by newly produced polyester. By using the revised model Theory of Planned Behavior, previous studies have shown that attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control and knowledge affects intentions. Thus, this study aims to test whether this is the case or not when it comes to purchasing intention for rPET. By using a quantitative survey and a revised version of the model Theory of Planned Behavior, the revised model explores whether there is a relation between these variables and purchasing intentions towards rPET. The results show that attitudes and perceived behavioral control have a strong relation with purchasing intentions to rPET. Moreover, there is a relation, although negative and weaker, between objective knowledge and purchasing intentions to rPET. However the other variables, subjective norms and subjective knowledge, do not have a significant relation with purchasing intentions to rPET. Furthermore, the relation between the variables differ between the genders.