The influence of online customer reviews (OCRs) on consumer behaviour has recently gained considerable attention, from both academic and business communities. Technology allows customers to freely and easily post their comments and opinions online about any product or service. These types of customer reviews can have a significant effect on customers’ purchase decisions and have become an essential part of the experience when shopping online. However, knowledge of the role of the perceived derived attributes of OCRs on consumer behaviour remains vague. Previous studies have mainly focused on the influence of the virtual attributes of OCRs, such as volume and valence, on consumers’ intentions, while limited attention has been paid to understanding the effects of the derived attributes. This study, thus, aims to understand the effects of the social and functional perceived derived attributes of OCRs on customer trust and intention to shop online. Hence, we develop a research model - Perceived Derived Attributes (PDA) -, based on the integration of social support with functional support derived from OCRs. The PDA model provides an in-depth understanding of the role of the social support of OCRs by applying and utilising theories of social support, social presence and a sense of belonging. The PDA model also investigates the influence of the functional support arising from OCRs through the inclusion of perceived control, from the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) with the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). The PDA model characterises perceived social support through informational and emotional supports, social presence, and a sense of belonging; whereas, functional supports are characterised by perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, perceived enjoyment, and perceived control. A total of 489 responses to a survey were collected from users of amazon.com. The results from this study suggest that customer trust in an e-vendor and their intention to shop online are significantly affected by social and functional supports derived from OCRs. In particular, informational support, social presence and a sense of belonging, derived from OCRs were found to positively and significantly affect both customer trust in the online vendor and consumer behavioural intention. However, emotional support was only found to affect customers’ intentions and not their trust in the e-vendor. Additionally, customer trust in an e-vendor and their intention to shop online are significantly affected by perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use and perceived enjoyment of OCRs. Furthermore, the sense of control derived from OCRs significantly affects customer intention and significantly affects customer trust in e-vendors but only for customers who frequently check OCRs before making a purchase. This study is the first to introduce and empirically test the effects of perceived derived attributes of OCRs on customer trust and behavioural intention. Understanding the effects of such influencing factors is of utmost importance for both theoretical development and business practices. Clearly, these attributes of OCRs are linked to the development of the shopping environment, representing a promising marketing tool that positively affects customers’ behaviour.

Master of Public Health - MPH / Background: Obesity in South Africa is a critical public health issue. Previously considered a problem of the affluent, obesity is now reported among all populations in South Africa regardless of age, race, gender or geographical location. Although a body of literature suggests that sociocultural, environmental and behavioural factors are likely to explain the increasing levels of obesity in South Africa, few studies have examined the relationship between socioeconomic status and obesity. As such, there is dearth of evidence showing how socioeconomic status influences obesity in the country. Given the multiplicity of challenges associated with controlling obesity, understanding the link between socioeconomic status and obesity is critical for informing and developing effective prevention programmes. This study therefore examines the nexus between socioeconomic status and obesity by using Khayelitsha as a case study area. Goal and objectives: Guided by the conceptual framework of the Theory of Planned Behaviour, the overall goal of this study is to determine how education status and income level influence dietary and weight control behaviours in relation to obesity. The objectives are to 1) examine the role of social factors on food consumption behaviour; 2) investigate the influence of income levels on food consumption; 3) explore the relationship between education levels and food choices and 4) provide recommendations for policy review. Methods: This research is embedded within a larger study conducted by researchers from the Institute for Social Development on factors that influence food choices and eating habits of residents in Khayelitsha and Mitchells Plain. The epistemological position forming the basis of this research was guided by the concepts of positivist and interpretivist paradigms, as both perspectives were deemed relevant for achieving the study objectives. Moreover, the study combined both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies to analyze the gathered data. Results: The study identified cereals, bread, pasta, milk products, processed meat, fried chicken, fish and oil fat, soft drinks, fruit and vegetables as the main kinds of food consumed by residents in Khayelitsha. However, among these food groups, fruit and vegetables consumption was found to be low. In general, cost was identified as the main barrier for the frequent consumption of fruit and vegetables. The study also discovered a positive relationship between education and eating habits, with most educated individuals’ demonstrating high intentions to consume healthy foods compared to people with lower education. However, in contrast to the hypothesis of this study, the impact of education on dietary behaviour was found to be insignificant. Similarly, the impact of education on weight control behaviour was found to be insignificant although the relationship between these two variables was equally found to be positive. With regards to the association between income and food choices the study discovered an overall positive relationship between the two variables. However, the general effect of income on food choice was not statistically significant. Cost of food and low family income were found to be key barriers to the purchase and consumption of healthy foods. Conclusion and recommendations: This study has demonstrated that education and income status correlate positively with dietary lifestyle as well as weight management practices. However, contrary to the hypotheses outlined in this study, neither education nor income status was found to significantly impact on dietary and weight control behaviours. In general, other factors such as culture, price of foods, television advertisement and perception of weight status were found to also contribute to respondent’s dietary lifestyle and weight management practices. Given these findings, a multidisciplinary approach involving the promotion of proper dietary patterns as well as physical activity are recommended. Specifically, the strategies should focus on 1) the development of policy measures that regulate the high cost of healthy foods, 2) the roll-out of food voucher interventions that promote frequent consumption of fruit and vegetables and 3) the promotion of physical exercises in religious and health centers.

Research into energy demand in office buildings has tended to focus on building fabric or systems, or the organisation as a whole, rather than the actions or motivations of individual building occupants. This study applies an attitude-behaviour approach used more frequently with household or travel behaviours to energy demand behaviours by individual occupants in office settings. The approach is extended to include contextual factors such as behavioural control, organisational expectations and social influences. Comparisons are drawn between the office and home settings. The study took place in the offices of two local authorities, Nottingham City Council and Nottinghamshire County Council, and included a questionnaire survey (n=819), semi-structured interviews (n=9), and building surveys (n=5). Behaviours examined included switching off lights, computers and computer monitors. Lighting behaviours were reported to be carried out more frequently than computer monitor behaviours in both the office and household settings. Analysis of behaviours identified that they needed to be considered at a specific level, according to the equipment (lighting, computer monitors), setting (office, home), and triggers (finishing a task, leaving a room). The physical context of the behaviour was particularly important. Different levels of individual control over energy affected the performance of behaviours. No evidence was found to support the notion of spillover that enacting one energy demand behaviour might lead to the enactment of further energy demand behaviours, including for similar behaviours performed in different settings (e.g. the office and the home). Organisational, social and psychological/attitudinal influences on individual behaviour were also examined. Structural Equation Modelling examined influences proposed by the Theory of Planned Behaviour and Values-Beliefs-Norms Theory. Neither theory provided a strong explanation of the collected data. However, support was found for the Perceived Behavioural Control construct, while moral and value-led constructs had a small influence on behaviour. This thesis provides recommendations for practitioners and policy makers seeking to reduce individual-level energy demand in office settings, and for future research into energy use in organisational settings. Recommendations include promoting energy saving as an aspect of professionalism, characterising energy demand behaviours specifically by setting and equipment, and recognising the importance of the social aspects of shared office environments.

The overall aim of the thesis is to explore the determinants of General Practitioner (GP) referrals to specialist mental health services, in particular psychological therapy. Paper 1 is intended to contribute to this literature by providing a systematic review of GP and organisational factors identified as impacting on referral in previous research. According to this literature, referral to a mental health specialist was more likely if the GP does not feel that they have the 'capacity to help' and perceives 'time constraints' on how long they can spend with the patient. Referral also appeared more likely if the GP felt they had acceptable 'access to services' and if they had a close 'consultation/liaison' relationship with specialists. The theoretical and clinical implications of these findings are discussed, and gaps in the current literature identified for further research. Paper 2 describes an empirical study aimed at exploring the determinants of GP referral for psychological interventions within Primary Care Mental Health Services (PCMHS). 132 GPs completed questionnaires, including demographic information, attitudes towards mental health and its treatment and responses to short fictional case vignettes indicating their likelihood of referral to the PCMHS. Qualitative results suggested that GPs consider a range of factors in their referral decisions, including patient preference, severity of the problem, access to services and the effectiveness of the service. Alternative options considered included signposting to other services, reviewing, medication and providing advice and support. Quantitative results suggested that younger GPs reported a higher likelihood of referral, and were more likely to refer in line with guidelines. Psychological factors were not associated with referral likelihood or referral in agreement with guidelines. In line with previous research on clinician behaviour, findings of papers 1 and 2 are considered primarily in the context of the Theory of Planned Behaviour, and the utility of this model in predicting referral behaviour is evaluated throughout. A greater understanding of predictors of referral is thought to be valuable in designing clinician and service level interventions to improve the proportion of those in need who are able to access psychological therapy. Paper 3 provides a critical evaluation of the research process as a whole, including the processes involved in the literature review and empirical study. The strengths and weaknesses of both of these elements are discussed, along with an evaluation of the overall approach taken throughout the thesis. The findings of both studies are integrated and discussed in the context of current policy and proposed changes to healthcare provision. Implications for theory, clinical practice and further research are discussed.

The time from onset of a cardiac arrest to defibrillation is crucial hence access to and use of a defibrillator by all nurses essential. The purpose of this study was to use an established theoretical framework to examine and describe the defibrillation practices and beliefs of rural registered nurses in the Australian state of Queensland. The Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) and Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) guided the research processes for this two phase study. In the first phase, focus group (n = 13) discussions identified the salient beliefs of the population. By eliciting nurses' beliefs, the subsequent quantitative study (n = 434) was conducted to determine the influences of these beliefs on nurses' use or non-use of defibrillators. The results showed that: (1) less than half of the cohort of participants were permitted to defibrillate; (2) the defibrillation beliefs of those nurses permitted to defibrillate were significantly more positive than those not permitted to do so; (3) the direct measures of TPB and selected variables external to the model predicted a significant portion of the variance in the measure of nurse-initiated defibrillation intention; and, (4) subjective norm emerged as the strongest predictor of intention. In conclusion, Queensland rural hospital nurses and employers still have some distance to travel down the path of nurse-initiated defibrillation. The TPB is a viable framework on which to base interventions designed to promote defibrillation by rural nurses. Understanding the role of social norms is of central importance to ensure all nurses can initiate the chain of survival expeditiously whenever the need arises.

This study investigates the factors that influence appropriate use of audit support systems. Appropriate use is use of an audit support system in a manner consistent with how the audit firm expects the system to be used. Investigating appropriate use of audit support systems is important because the extent to which these systems can assist auditors achieve efficient and high quality audits depends on how auditors use them. Adaptive Structuration Theory (AST) (DeSanctis and Poole, 1994) and the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) (Ajzen, 1991) are combined to model the relationship between constructs hypothesised to increase the probability that audit support systems are used appropriately. The theoretical model decomposes two TPB antecedents, perceived normative pressure (or subjective norms) and perceived behavioural control, into the exogenous constructs hypothesised to influence whether audit support systems are used appropriately. Perceived normative pressure is decomposed into two socio-ideological control mechanisms, team and firm consensus on appropriation. Perceived behavioural control is decomposed into self-efficacy and two technocratic control mechanisms, perceived system restrictiveness and perceived audit review effectiveness. (For complete abstract open document)

<p>Every year many people all over the world are killed and severely injured in road traffic accidents. Even though driving too fast is a behaviour well known to contribute to both the number and the outcome of these accidents, drivers are still speeding. The general aim of this thesis, and its five empirical studies, is therefore to further the knowledge about drivers speeding behaviour by using the theory of planned behaviour and the model underpinning the driver behaviour questionnaire as frames of reference. The behavioural data used is obtained from field trials with intelligent speed adaptation and the speed reducing potential of this system is also examined. The results show that attitude towards exceeding the speed limits, subjective norm, perceived behavioural control and moral norm from the theory of planned behaviour, but also violations and inattention errors from the model underpinning the driver behaviour questionnaire, can be used to predict drivers’ everyday speeding behaviour. These two models can also be combined in order to gain further knowledge about the causes of speeding. Identification of drivers’ beliefs about exceeding the speed limits gives further insight into the underlying cognitive foundation of their attitude, subjective norm and perceived behavioural control. This provides valuable information for future design of speed reducing measures. Regarding intelligent speed adaptation, the results show that the ISA speed-warning device greatly reduces the amount of time drivers spend above the speed limits, and to some extent also reduces their mean speeds, but that this effect decreases with time. Although the drivers are not totally satisfied with the experience of the ISA speed-warning device, they like the idea and can see its usefulness. As the device tested is a first generation ISA speed-warning device, further research has the potential to greatly improve the system.</p>

Every year many people all over the world are killed and severely injured in road traffic accidents. Even though driving too fast is a behaviour well known to contribute to both the number and the outcome of these accidents, drivers are still speeding. The general aim of this thesis, and its five empirical studies, is therefore to further the knowledge about drivers speeding behaviour by using the theory of planned behaviour and the model underpinning the driver behaviour questionnaire as frames of reference. The behavioural data used is obtained from field trials with intelligent speed adaptation and the speed reducing potential of this system is also examined. The results show that attitude towards exceeding the speed limits, subjective norm, perceived behavioural control and moral norm from the theory of planned behaviour, but also violations and inattention errors from the model underpinning the driver behaviour questionnaire, can be used to predict drivers’ everyday speeding behaviour. These two models can also be combined in order to gain further knowledge about the causes of speeding. Identification of drivers’ beliefs about exceeding the speed limits gives further insight into the underlying cognitive foundation of their attitude, subjective norm and perceived behavioural control. This provides valuable information for future design of speed reducing measures. Regarding intelligent speed adaptation, the results show that the ISA speed-warning device greatly reduces the amount of time drivers spend above the speed limits, and to some extent also reduces their mean speeds, but that this effect decreases with time. Although the drivers are not totally satisfied with the experience of the ISA speed-warning device, they like the idea and can see its usefulness. As the device tested is a first generation ISA speed-warning device, further research has the potential to greatly improve the system.

Several aspects contribute to road crashes and one important part is the ‘human factor’. This information is interesting but insufficient unless we also try to understand what is meant by the term. Three different features have been defined: errors, lapses and violations and the latter, which is a deliberate act, has been found to be the main contributor to road crashes. The crucial issue is therefore to understand what motivates drivers to commit an act, which puts both themselves and others at risk. The aim of this thesis is to explore the motives behind this behaviour through the use of an extended version of the theory of planned behaviour (TPB). Four different studies were carried out: The first study is qualitative, investigating the intention to violate. The second one assesses speeding in an urban area and dangerous overtaking. In addition to variables within the model, descriptive norms and past behaviour are included. The third study explores what particular beliefs are responsible for the behaviour. The fourth study uses the TPB to predict intention to speed on a rural road and assesses some underlying factors, such as ambivalence and gender. The results of the thesis show that the theory explains 33 to 53% of the variance in intention to violate and that descriptive norm and past behaviour significantly increase the explained variance. Descriptive norm is also related to risk and past behaviour is not only related to intention but also to the variables within the model. The results show that drivers’ beliefs can distinguish between intenders and non-intenders. With regard to attitudes the general conclusion is that the main difference lay in the effect of positive outcomes. Although in a more ‘risky’ situation the behaviour is more controlled by a denial of negative consequences. Finally, the results indicates that in the context of driving violations an expressed low level of control over the behaviour could be interpreted as a form of denial of responsibility rather than an inability to control their own actions. Implications of the current findings for the development of intervention programmes are discussed.

Using focus group methodology, this research identifies the behavioural, normative and control beliefs associated with consuming a local diet. Using these findings as a platform, a questionnaire was developed to quantify attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control, the theoretical constructs of the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB). In addition, moral obligations were measured for the first time in relation to local food consumption in an extended TPB model. The sample consisted of 114 individuals consuming various levels of local food in the Austin, TX area. Results indicate that perceived behavioural control and moral obligations had both a direct effect on intention to consume local food, as well as an indirect effect on intention, which is mediated via current behaviour. Dietary analysis was conducted using an online dietary assessment tool, the National Cancer Institute's Automated Self-Administered 24-hr recall. Between one and four recalls were collected from participants and a mean Healthy Eating Index (HEI) score was applied. Findings suggest that while controlling for age, sex, income and education, as the amount of local food in the diet increases, the total HEI score and the Dark Green and Orange Vegetables and Legumes (DOLs) component score also increases. In addition, the Saturated Fat component score increases, indicating lower intakes of saturated fat are associated with higher local food intake. This suggests that saturated fat in the diet is being displaced by local vegetable intake, particularly DOLs.