This research was conducted to provide insights into the factors that influence consumer’s decision when choosing a channel to remit. The study looked at the following theories in determining the important factors that influence consumer intention or behavior, Theory of Reason Action, Theory of Planned Action, Remittance, Innovation Diffusion and Technology Acceptance Models. Hence, service providers should be aware of these factors so they can develop strategies and services to attract consumers to use their channels. The aim of the study was to determine which factors influence consumer’s decision in choosing a bank and non-bank channel to remit. The investigation of the key factors that influence the decision or intention, it was found that a single factor influenced the decision to remit in a bank and non-bank channel. It was also found in the study that consumers prefer physical channel of both bank and non-bank to remit. The finding has serious implications for service providers, in that consumer behavior show attachment to traditional distribution channels. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2011. / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / unrestricted

After looking in the vault copies, the Digitization Centre has determined that page vi is a missing page and may be a printing error. -Digitization Centre / This study aimed to improve understanding of walking exercise among individuals with intermittent claudication. Using a prospective design, Ajzen's (1985, 1991) theory of planned behaviour was applied to examine psychosocial determinants of walking exercise. In addition, measures of barrier self-efficacy were explored as determinants of behaviour and perceived pain intensity was examined as a moderator of the intention-behaviour relationship. Ninety-four participants (n = 33 female) completed baseline measures of attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control, and intentions to engage in walking exercise. Additional measures of pain-related barrier self-efficacy and barrier self-efficacy regarding walking exercise were obtained and the Borg CR1 0 Pain Scale (Borg, 1998) was used to assess perceived pain intensity during walking. Participants were contacted weekly by telephone over four consecutive weeks and asked to recall their walking exercise and associated perceived pain intensity for the preceding seven-day period. Attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioural control contributed significantly to a multiple regression model predicting 67% of the variance in walking intentions. Intentions and perceived behavioural control explained 34% of the variance in walking exercise; however, pain-related barrier self-efficacy and barrier self-efficacy did not explain additional variance in behaviour and perceived pain intensity failed to moderate the intention-behaviour relationship. Findings support the theory of planned behaviour for predicting walking intentions and exercise among individuals with intermittent claudication, and suggest that pain cognitions as measured in this study do not play a role in determining walking. / Thesis / Master of Science (MS)

Yes / Being obese or gaining excessive weight during pregnancy can increase health risks for mother and baby. Adopting a healthy diet and increasing physical activity reduces these risks and has long-term health benefits for women. Despite this, women do not always maintain a healthy lifestyle during pregnancy. Aim To explore the factors that encouraged and prevented a diverse group of women to maintain a healthy lifestyle during pregnancy. Methods A total of 12 women participated in semi-structured qualitative interviews, underpinned by the theory of planned behaviour. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim then subject to deductive thematic analysis. Findings Four themes emerged: women's knowledge of a healthy lifestyle, sociocultural influences, physical health and health professional support. These influenced women's intentions and actual behaviours during pregnancy. Conclusions Enhanced health professional advice may motivate women to adopt a healthy lifestyle during pregnancy. This could be through new means such as health technology.

Yes / Based on an empirical investigation in the context of Romania, this paper identifies a moderating role of neutralization techniques within ethically questionable consumer behavior. The quantitative study is based upon a synthesized model of Theory of Planned Behavior incorporating the factor of perceived unfairness and neutralization techniques. Significantly, neutralization techniques are shown to have a negative, but definite impact on the action to behave unethically. This leads to their consideration as a process of thinking, rather than as static judgement. As such, neutralization techniques are conceptually distinctive to the other factors. The paper analyses the results specific to the Romanian context, but noting implications for an understanding of the morality of markets with similar historical, political and economic conditions. Overall, the findings offer a more nuanced reading of consumer behavior. The paper places moral flexibility in terms of a specific cultural context, but also reveals how neutralization techniques can moderate ethically questionable behaviors beyond matters of self-interest, which in turn has implications for how companies can consider their responsibilities in relation to their customers.

Victims of domestic violence (DV) are growing, still the number of cases reported isn't. In Rättvik only half the amount of cases are reported compared to two years ago. Rättvik is working to reduce DV by starting the project "Våga Hjälpa!". The purpose of this study was to use a quantitative approach to examine if the project is known in Rättvik. The study's based on a survey with a 27% response rate. The analysis was made by SPSS and interpreted on the basis of conformity, the bystander effect and the Theory of Planned Behaviour. Results show that the majority haven't been in contact with DV and that the knowledge of how to act is evenly spread. The study concludes with an objective evalution of "Våga Hjälpa!" where our study results are related to the project objectives. The evaluation partly shows a fullfilled result but also some improvement opportunities. / Allt fler blir offer för våld i nära relationer, trots detta ökar inte anmälda relationsvåldsbrott. I Rättviks kommun ser man idag en halvering av anmälda våldsbrott i jämförelse med två år tillbaka. Kommunen arbetar aktivt för att minska relationsvåldsbrott och har startat projektet "Våga hjälpa!". Syftet med denna studie var att med en kvantitativ ansats undersöka i vilken utsträckning projektet "Våga Hjälpa!" är känt bland Rättviks invånare. Studien bygger på en enkätundersökning med en svarsfrekvens på 27%. Analysen av materialet har gjorts genom SPSS för att sedan tolkas utifrån konformitet, åskådareffekten samt Theory of Planned Behaviour. Resultatet av studien visar att majoriteten av respondenterna inte kommit i kontakt med relationsvåld samt en jämn spridning avseende kunskap om hur man ska agera. Studien avslutas med en målutvärdering av "Våga Hjälpa!" där resultatet av vår studie relateras till projektets mål. Denna utvärdering påvisar delvis ett uppfyllt resultat men även vissa förbättringsmöjligheter.

Abstract Purpose - The purpose of this master thesis is to research the Generation Y’s online purchase intention for fashion items while creating and using a customised avatar. Overall, the objective is to create a better understanding of this technology’s potential, formulate managerial implications for fashion businesses and strengthen business viability. Design/Methodology/Approach - The research approach of this study is deductive, whereby hypotheses derive from the Decomposed Theory of Planned Behaviour. After secondary data is reviewed, a single quantitative data collection is applied, thus following a mono-method. This primary data is gathered virtually through a self-administered online questionnaire. A total number of 205 qualified responses from the Generation Y are statistically analysed using a structural equation modelling. This descriptive research design is chosen to conduct the relationships between the latent variables and the behavioural intention. Findings - The empirical findings reveal, that the attitude, subjective norm and perceived behavioural control significantly and positively influence the Generation Y’s online purchase intention to create and use a customised avatar. While the attitude, with the behavioural belief of perceived usefulness specifically, shows the strongest influence on the behavioural intention, the research sample also sees a fit to all technology facilitating conditions, affecting the perceived behavioural control. In comparison to this, the subjective norm influences the behavioural intention in a weaker manner, whereby the research sample is influenced more by external than interpersonal factors. Implications - To enlarge the Generation Y’s online fashion purchase intention while creating and using a customised avatar, fashion marketers are advised to highlight and improve the usefulness of the technology. Fashion businesses are recommended to implement interactive digital platforms, by employing influencer marketing, in order to endorse and promote the brand awareness in regard to the technology. Originality/Value - This master thesis addresses the online purchase intention for fashion items while creating and using a customised avatar from a commercial perspective. Where prior literature findings lack the link to managerial implications, this study examines the Generation Y’s behavioural intention towards this technology. The Generation Y has an immense and increasing purchasing power, which is accompanied with technical skills, thus making them crucial for the market success of online fashion businesses. Therefore, the authors examine the technology's commercial potential and encompass the whole fashion industry.

Generic medicines are very important in driving down the health care cost. In a country like South Africa, where more than 80% of the population depend on the state health care, it is important to find ways to reduce cost. The main aim of the study was to evaluate the attitude towards generic medicines by pharmacists in Gauteng province of South Africa. Gauteng as the economic hub of the country, with the highest population and the highest number of pharmacies and pharmacists, obtaining a picture around the attitude towards generic medicines would help the all the stakeholders in the health care sector to identify areas of concern and address them to drive a positive attitude. In order to evaluate the attitude, Fishbein models, which noted the intention to perform the behaviour in question as the immediate antecedent of any behaviour, were used. The models identified two conceptually independent determinants of intention, which are attitude towards the behaviour (personal) and subjective norm (social). Depending of which model one is using, one more determinant of the intention “perceived behavioural control” can be added on the theory of reasoned action to form model of planned behaviour. By evaluating the attitude one can therefore determine the level of intention to perform the behaviour of interest which is generic substitution in this study. An empirical study was conducted among 116 pharmacists and assistants in Gauteng province. The methodology included research design, instrument development, sampling methods, data collection, capturing and statistical analysis. The results were analysed using Cronbach Alpha coefficients to measure reliability of the research instrument, t-test and ANOVA to test the hypothesis and the variance between groups; the effect sizes and Spearman's rho to determine the correlation and relationship between two variables of interest. The results of the study showed that, 94% of the respondents believe that generics are viable alternatives to innovator medicines. On the question of pharmacists’ attitude towards generic medicines results showed that there was no significant difference in almost all the demographic characteristics gender, age, qualifications, employment level, years of experience and type of pharmacy one practices. The only significant driver of the difference in attitude is the location of the pharmacy where pharmacists practicing in the townships and the city centre were found to be more receptive to generics than those in the suburbs. Due to reliability failure on the control belief construct, the theory of planned behaviour was downgraded to theory of reasoned action, to exclude the control belief construct for further statistical analysis. Correlation between the two attitudes constructs, behavioural belief and evaluation of behavioural outcome was one of the highest, where behavioural belief was identified as the direct measure of attitude and also the main driver. The study concluded that attitude is one of the most important personal factors influencing both the organisation and individual consumer buying behaviour. Evaluating individuals’ attitude to the behaviour (use of a product or service) would help marketers to communicate the right message to the right customers. / MBA, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Generic medicines are very important in driving down the health care cost. In a country like South Africa, where more than 80% of the population depend on the state health care, it is important to find ways to reduce cost. The main aim of the study was to evaluate the attitude towards generic medicines by pharmacists in Gauteng province of South Africa. Gauteng as the economic hub of the country, with the highest population and the highest number of pharmacies and pharmacists, obtaining a picture around the attitude towards generic medicines would help the all the stakeholders in the health care sector to identify areas of concern and address them to drive a positive attitude. In order to evaluate the attitude, Fishbein models, which noted the intention to perform the behaviour in question as the immediate antecedent of any behaviour, were used. The models identified two conceptually independent determinants of intention, which are attitude towards the behaviour (personal) and subjective norm (social). Depending of which model one is using, one more determinant of the intention “perceived behavioural control” can be added on the theory of reasoned action to form model of planned behaviour. By evaluating the attitude one can therefore determine the level of intention to perform the behaviour of interest which is generic substitution in this study. An empirical study was conducted among 116 pharmacists and assistants in Gauteng province. The methodology included research design, instrument development, sampling methods, data collection, capturing and statistical analysis. The results were analysed using Cronbach Alpha coefficients to measure reliability of the research instrument, t-test and ANOVA to test the hypothesis and the variance between groups; the effect sizes and Spearman's rho to determine the correlation and relationship between two variables of interest. The results of the study showed that, 94% of the respondents believe that generics are viable alternatives to innovator medicines. On the question of pharmacists’ attitude towards generic medicines results showed that there was no significant difference in almost all the demographic characteristics gender, age, qualifications, employment level, years of experience and type of pharmacy one practices. The only significant driver of the difference in attitude is the location of the pharmacy where pharmacists practicing in the townships and the city centre were found to be more receptive to generics than those in the suburbs. Due to reliability failure on the control belief construct, the theory of planned behaviour was downgraded to theory of reasoned action, to exclude the control belief construct for further statistical analysis. Correlation between the two attitudes constructs, behavioural belief and evaluation of behavioural outcome was one of the highest, where behavioural belief was identified as the direct measure of attitude and also the main driver. The study concluded that attitude is one of the most important personal factors influencing both the organisation and individual consumer buying behaviour. Evaluating individuals’ attitude to the behaviour (use of a product or service) would help marketers to communicate the right message to the right customers. / MBA, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

This thesis attempts to bridge the gap between Social Psychology and Sociolinguistics by exploring the relationship between language attitudes and language use. Using a sample of 71 university students in Spain, it investigates how learners deal with phonological variation in the English language, what language attitudes are held towards American and British models of English speech and which social and psychological factors are linked with learners' language attitudes and language use. A social-psychological model was adopted and adapted, allowing learners' use of intervocalic /t/ to be successfully predicted from measures of attitude, subjective norm and perceived behavioural control. Direct measures of learners' preferred accent and pronunciation class were also highly predictive of learners' language use. Several trends were found in the attitudinal data. Firstly, British English speech was rated more favourably overall, though American English speech was often viewed as more socially attractive. Secondly, the evaluative dimensions of competence and social attractiveness were salient amongst learners in the Spanish context. Each of these findings endorses those of previous language attitude studies conducted elsewhere. Thirdly, female speakers were consistently rated more favourably than male speakers; thus, highlighting the need for further investigation into the variable of speaker sex. Familiarity with the speech varieties under investigation – most often gained through education, media exposure, time spent abroad and/or contact with native speakers – seemed to result in learners challenging rigid stereotypes and expressing more individualised attitudes. Overall, British speech emerged as formal and functional, while American speech was thought to fulfil more informal and interpersonal functions. This thesis provides compelling evidence of attitude-behaviour relations, adds to the growing volume of language attitude research being conducted across the globe, and establishes – for the first time – which social and psychological variables are relevant and salient within English-language learning contexts in Spain.

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