Lead users are proposed as a valuable resource for marketers in terms of the (1) development, (2) adoption, and (3) diffusion of new products. We present the first consumer study to provide evidence that the latter two suggestions are justified. First, we find that lead users demonstrate stronger domain-specific innovativeness than more "ordinary" users. Second, lead users perceive new technologies as less "complex" and might therefore be better prepared to adopt them. Third, we find that lead users demonstrate stronger opinion leadership and weaker opinion seeking tendencies. Finally, we discuss the implications of our findings for the marketing of new products. (authors' abstract)

It is widely acknowledged that electronic commerce presents a significant opportunity for Small- Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) to compete alongside larger enterprises. For SMEs in the developing world in particular, the opportunities afforded by electronic commerce for competing in a global marketplace, are also attractive. However, it has also been observed that electronic commerce poses a considerable challenge for SMEs, particularly with regard to the decisions that must be made about which of the available electronic commerce applications to adopt and to integrate into existing business operations. A number of studies have been conducted to investigate the adoption of electronic commerce by SMEs. These studies have tended to view electronic commerce adoption in terms of a dichotomous outcome: either e-commerce is adopted, or it is not. Such studies give little indication of the diffusion, or extent of usage, of individual e-commerce applications. The aim of this study was to address this gap in existing research by investigating both the level of adoption and extent of usage of e-commerce applications. In so doing, the study draws on research in the area of innovation diffusion theory. The focus of the study is on manufacturing SMES in Malaysia, and considers their use of B2B (Business-to-Business) e-commerce. The specific objectives of the study were to measure and characterise B2B e-commerce adoption and extent of usage among manufacturing SMEs in Malaysia; to identify factors associated with the adoption of B2B e-commerce in Malaysian SMEs; and to determine the impacts of that adoption. (Continues...)

Since households and businesses alike obtained the high-speed Internet service of broadband, the Internet has become integral to daily life in the 21st century. Advancements in information and Internet technology has led to the conception of novel internet- enabled applications such as, Online Social Networks (OSNs). Since the turn of the twenty first century fast-developing OSNs such as, Twitter and Facebook have become essential communication channels that people are using to develop their online personal and professional networks online. A recent phenomenon that is worrying countries around the globe is an ageing population. Due to recent improvements in the quality of life and advances in medicine, individuals are achieving longer life spans. Given the fact that older adults are also experiencing loneliness and depression, a recent solution to reduce this problem is the use of OSNs. Using these reasons as motivation, the aim of this research is to identify and understand the factors driving or inhibiting the adoption, use and diffusion of OSNs within the older population (50+) in UK households. In order to achieve this aim the Model of Online Social Networking (MOSN) was conceptually developed. Drawing upon the attitudinal, normative and control constructs from the leading Information Systems (IS) theories of the Diffusion of Innovations theory (DOI), Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), Model of Adoption of Technology in Households (MATH) and the E-Services Adoption Model selected constructs were identified and formed. To achieve the aim, the conceptual framework (MOSN – Model of Online Social Networking) was initially empirically validated using primary data. A quantitative approach involving a small-scale online pilot survey (n-252) and a wide-scale online survey (n-1080) were used for this purpose. Findings revealed that that older individuals will adopt Internet technologies if technology-facilitating conditions such as ‘anytime access’ to Internet capable devices and a fast reliable Internet connection had significant positive effects on OSN intention. In terms of influences of peers, it was revealed that older individuals do consider and act upon the views of members in one’s social circle. Most significantly, the consequences of older adults efforts to preserve their own privacy enforces a vast majority of non-adopters from not taking part in the OSN uptake. In terms of diffusion it was found that messages about OSNs conveyed through media channels: TV, newspapers and magazines are having a negative impact on older adults intention to adopt OSNs. As little is known of the underlying factors effecting older individuals adoption or non-adoption and diffusion of OSNs this research contributes to an emerging body of knowledge through the identification of empirically supported factors found to be significantly influencing UK older adults decision making regarding OSN technology adoption. For those participants currently using OSNs an in-depth understanding of usage behavior is presented. Importantly this research addresses a gap in research relating to the household adoption of OSNs in older adults in the UK. Due to the limitations of time, finance and manpower research findings could not be nationally representative of the UK are only representative of a single group of society residing in an affluent area of the UK.

Multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) represents one of the core research streams in the field of operations research (OR). Altough numerous sound MCDM methods for various kind of applications exist, the application of such methods in the practical field is found rarely. The reason for this gap between scientific development and practical acceptance can be found in two distinct points: On the one hand, MCDM methods naturally tend to build on rather complex mathematical foundations. Decision makers (DMs) in practice are mostly experts in their area of expertise but do not necessarily have solid education or experience with high-level mathematical methods. Thus, in order to not alienate DMs in practice, academic research has to translate mathematically challenging models into easy-to-use, self-explaining tools that can effectively support real-life decision scenarios. On the other hand, academic research in MCDM often ends in the proposal of a theoretical model, that may be sound and promising, but never leaves the field of academics due to its theoretical nature. Therefore, the underlying dissertation investigates on the usage of MCDM methods for integration in a decision support system (DSS), implemented as a sofware that is easy to distribute and applicable to decision problems in practice. This study tries to mitigate the lack of MCDM acceptance by analysing MCDM methods according to their applicability, pointing out possible improvements and validating proposed advancements. (author's abstract)

Natural resource conservation is important for human well-being, especially in fragile environments of developing countries. This study occurred in 2006 among 6,500 smallhold farmers residing along a 25-km segment of a heavily utilized river. Research objectives were to determine use and adoption constraints for 14 soil and water conservation practices (SWCPs). Farms were reportedly contributing to a decline in river water quality via soil erosion. Recent occupation of the upper watershed by immigrants magnified concerns that resource degradation could escalate. A multi-method approach incorporating quantitative surveys, qualitative interviews, and participant observation was used to interpret constraining factors within the biophysical and historical context of the watershed. Adoption rates for SWCPs were expected to be low (less than 20 percent). Increased formal education, income, access to information, and security of land tenure and soil characteristics, were expected to positively influence adoption. Data analysis included descriptive statistics and use of classification and regression trees. Results indicated that all sampled farms had adopted at least two SWCPs, with an average of six per farm. Favored practices were those that were easier to implement and more effective for resource protection and food production. Years in residence (tenure security) and income emerged as primary explanatory variables for adoption of SWCPs, while soil quality and formal education were secondary. Only 27 percent of surveyed farmers held title deeds, but the others perceived that land occupation conferred "ownership" and hence implemented SWCPs. A follow-up visit in 2009, after the region had endured a year of highly publicized ethnic conflict, immigration and farm expansion continued with SWCPs being adopted. Njoro communities mostly remained intact and appeared resilient. While small farms likely contribute to watershed-scale problems and declines in quality and quantity of water in the River Njoro, farmers have made remarkable strides--largely on their own--to conserve natural resources. Future research should examine how a general lack of infrastructure off-farm and study-site context contributes to reduced watershed-resource quality. Further protection of soil and water is best served by a more aggressive policy and extension education framework that links food security, household well-being, and natural resource management.

In einem mehrstufigen Forschungsansatz analysiert diese forstpolitikwissenschaftliche Arbeit die individuellen, betrieblichen und gesellschaftlich-politischen Bewertungs-, Abwägungs- und Entscheidungsprozesse im Verlauf der Verbreitung bleifreier Munition speziell in öffentlichen Forstbetrieben und im Jagdwesen in Deutschland. Die diskursanalytische Betrachtung von drei Kolloquien des Bundesinsitituts für Risikobewertung (BfR) in Berlin in den Jahren 2011, 2013 und 2014 beschreibt die Entwicklung des kontroversen öffentlichen Diskurses in Deutschland. Eine inhaltsanalytische Betrachtung der parlamentarischen Befassung mit der Thematik in Deutschland zeigt, dass es im Verlauf von 10 Jahren – trotz Streitigkeiten um die Gesetzgebungskompetenz zwischen Bund und Ländern – ab 2013 zu ersten politischen Entscheidungen auf Landesebene auch zur Nutzung bleifreier Büchsenmunition kam. Im empirischen Teil der Arbeit wird im Untersuchungsfeld “Mitarbeiter/innen öffentlicher Forstbetriebe in Deutschland“ ergründet, ob die Verwendung bleifreier Munition den Mustern der Diffusions- und Adoptionstheorie nach ROGERS folgt. Im Ergebnis aus 1.279 beantworteten Online-Fragebogen zeigt sich eine Nutzungsquote bleifreier Munition durch die befragten Forstangehörigen von 58%. Ein Anteil von 20% hat bleifreie Munition ausprobiert, wobei 22% noch gar keine eigenen Erfahrungen gemacht haben. Bereits fast 2/3 der Befragten unterliegen inzwischen einer Pflicht zur Nutzung bleifreier Munition. Obwohl die Thematik im Bewusstsein der Befragten eine Rolle spielt, wird bleifreie Munition von ihnen nicht als bedeutende Umweltinnovation wahrgenommen oder entspricht nicht den für sie geltenden Kriterien. Durch eine Varianzanalyse können zuvor charakterisierte „Adopter-Typen“ voneinander unterschieden werden. Im Gegensatz zum Modell nach ROGERS zeigen sich in der beobachteten Verteilung eine größere Gruppe der Innovatoren (15,9%) und eine kleine Gruppe der frühen Adoptoren (5,3%). Das Mittelfeld ist geringer besetzt und bildet mit früher und später Mehrheit nur einen Anteil von 46,2%, gegenüber einem Anteil von mehr als 2/3 im Modell. Der Anteil der Nachzügler ist fast doppelt so groß wie in der Verteilung nach ROGERS, was eine Beharrlichkeit gegenüber Veränderungen in der Forstbranche und im Jagdwesen im laufenden Adoptions- bzw. Diffusions-Zeitraum von bisher 15 Jahren bestätigt. Acht leitfadengestützten Experten-Interviews mit Leitern von Landesforstbetrieben bzw. Anstalten öffentlichen Rechts sowie den Bundesvorsitzenden eines forstlichen und eines jadlichen Verbandes ergänzen die quantitative Online-Befragung. Die Bewertung bleifreier Munition als Umweltinnovation und deren Bedeutung für die Jagd im Forstbetrieb unterscheidet sich im Wesentlichen durch den eingeschätzten Nutzen bzw. die Wirkung für den Forstbetrieb und die Wahrnehmung einer aktiven oder passiven Vorreiterrolle auch hinsichtlich der Nutzung (bzw. deren Anordnung) bleifreier Munition. Wesentlicher Treiber für eine Handlung ist die individuelle bzw. institutionelle Betroffenheit.:I Abkürzungsverzeichnis i II Abbildungsverzeichnis iii III Tabellenverzeichnis v 1 Einleitung 1 1.1 Problemstellung 1 1.2 Zielsetzung und Motivation 5 1.3 Theoretischer Rahmen 7 1.4 Vorgehensweise und Aufbau der Arbeit 9 2 Stand des Wissens 11 2.1 Blei als Gefahr- und Schadstoff in der Umwelt 11 2.1.1 Bleibelastung in Wildfleisch 14 2.1.2 Verbraucherschutz 16 2.1.3 Bleivergiftungen bei Seeadlern 19 2.1 Blei als Bestandteil von Jagdmunition 21 2.2 Bleifreie Jagdmunition 22 2.2.1 Bleifreie Schrotkugeln 22 2.2.2 Bleifreie Büchsengeschosse 23 2.3 Tötungswirkung von Geschossen 25 2.4 Kritik und Widerstände gegen bleifreie Munition 29 2.5 Ausgewählte Forschungsprojekte 37 2.5.1 Verbundprojekt Bleifrei-Monitoring 38 2.5.2 Praxis-Versuche und weitere Untersuchungen 42 2.6 Innovationen in Forstwirtschaft und Jagd 45 2.6.1 Innovationsbereitschaft und -fähigkeit öffentlicher Forstverwaltungen 47 2.6.2 Innovationen in der Forstwirtschaft zum Schutz der Umwelt 49 2.6.3 Beispiele für Innovationen im Jagdbereich 51 3 Theoretischer Hintergrund und Fragestellung 55 3.1 Angewandte Theorien 55 3.1.1 Innovationstheorie 55 3.1.2 Theorie der Umweltinnovationen 63 3.1.3 Diffusions- und Adoptionstheorie 67 3.1.4 Handlungstheorie 73 3.2 Wissenschaftliche Fragestellung und Hypothesen 75 4 Untersuchungsgegenstand und Methoden 77 4.1 Untersuchungseinheit 77 4.2 Erhebungseinheiten 80 4.3 Methoden 88 5 Konzeption und Durchführung der Untersuchung 95 5.1 Diskursanalytische Betrachtung 95 5.2 Online-Befragung 97 5.2.1 Befragungskonzept und Aufbau der Befragung 97 5.2.2 Stichprobenauswahl und Feldzugang 100 5.2.3 Technische Umsetzung, Pretest und Durchführung der Befragung 102 5.3 Leitfadengestützte qualitative Experten-Interviews 107 5.3.1 Konzeption des Interview-Leitfadens 108 5.3.2 Auswahl der Interview-Partner 110 5.3.3 Durchführung der Interviews 113 6 Ergebnisse 115 6.1 Die Verwendung bleifreier Munition 115 6.1.1 Gesetzliche und betriebliche Regelungen in Deutschland 116 6.1.2 Naturschutzorientierte Forstbetriebe 122 6.1.3 Zertifizierte Forstbetriebe 124 6.1.4 Privater Jagdbetrieb 127 6.1.5 Internationale Regelungen für den Jagd- und Forstbetrieb 130 6.2 Positionen, Widerstände und Initiativen 136 6.2.1 Die Fachforen des Bundesinstituts für Risikobewertung (BfR) als ausgewählte öffentliche Diskussionen – Eine diskursanalytische Betrachtung 136 6.2.2 Das Thema Bleifreie Munition in deutschen Parlamenten – eine inhaltsanalytische Übersicht 148 6.3 Zur Diffusion und Adoption bleifreier Munition 159 6.3.1 Ergebnisse der schriftlichen Befragung 159 6.3.2 Ergebnisse der Experten-Interviews 195 7 Diskussion 211 7.1 Überprüfung der Hypothesen 211 7.2 Verbindung der Ergebnisse mit dem theoretischen Rahmen 213 7.3 Grenzen der Untersuchung und Methodenkritik 231 7.4 Empfehlungen für Wissenschaft und Praxis 234 8 Zusammenfassung 247 9 Summary 255 10 Literaturverzeichnis 259 11 Anhang 279 11.1 Anschreiben per Post und per E-Mail 279 11.2 Online-Fragebogen 280 12 Erklärung 287 / This scientific forestry policy document analyses, in a multilevel approach, the individual, business and social-political evaluation, consideration and decision processes in the development of the distribution of lead-free ammunition, in particular in public forestry organisations and in the hunting sector in Germany. The discourse-analytical contemplation resulting from three seminars of the Bundesinsititut für Risikobewertung (BfR - The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment) in Berlin in 2011, 2013 and 2014 describes the development of the controversial discussion in Germany. A content-analytical contemplation of parliamentary involvement with this theme in Germany shows that in the course of 10 years - in spite of conflicts about legislative powers between federal and provincial (Länder) governments - the first political decisions on provincial level regarding use of lead-free rifle ammunition were taken from 2013 onwards. Spring 2016, over 15 years after the broad debate started, the national government submitted a first draft law to the preliminary parliamentary voting process. In the empirical part of the work, in the research field “Employees of public forestry organisations in Germany“ it is ascertained whether the use of lead-free ammunition follows the patterns of Rogers’ diffusion and adoption theory. The outcome of 1,279 completed online questionnaires shows that 58% of the people involved in forestry used lead-free ammunition. A proportion of 20% had tried lead-free ammunition, whereby 22% did not have any experience with it at all. Almost 2/3 of the people questioned are meanwhile obliged to use lead-free ammunition. Although the issue does play a role in the awareness of the people questioned, they do not see lead-free ammunitions as an important innovation for the environment, or it does not correspond to the criteria they apply. Previously specified “Adopter types“ can be distinguished from another by analysis of variance. Contrary to Rogers’ model, the breakdown observed shows a larger group of innovators (15.9%) and a small group of early adopters (5.3%). The midfield is less populated and - together with early and late majorities - only counts for 46.2% as opposed to over 2/3 in the model. The proportion of laggards is almost twice as high as in Rogers’ breakdown, which confirms a resistance against change in the forest enterprises and the hunting sector in the current adoption or diffusion time frame of 15 years so far. Eight guideline-based expert interviews with leading figures from provincial forestry companies or public institutions as well as the federal chairmen of a forest and a hunting organisation complete the quantitative online survey. The assessment of lead-free ammunition as innovation for the environment and what it would mean for the hunt in the forest enteprises essentially differs for the use (or obligation to use) lead-free ammunition, due to the estimated use or the way it works for the forestry sector and the perception of an active or passive pioneering role. Being personally or institutionally concerned is the major driving force for action.:I Abkürzungsverzeichnis i II Abbildungsverzeichnis iii III Tabellenverzeichnis v 1 Einleitung 1 1.1 Problemstellung 1 1.2 Zielsetzung und Motivation 5 1.3 Theoretischer Rahmen 7 1.4 Vorgehensweise und Aufbau der Arbeit 9 2 Stand des Wissens 11 2.1 Blei als Gefahr- und Schadstoff in der Umwelt 11 2.1.1 Bleibelastung in Wildfleisch 14 2.1.2 Verbraucherschutz 16 2.1.3 Bleivergiftungen bei Seeadlern 19 2.1 Blei als Bestandteil von Jagdmunition 21 2.2 Bleifreie Jagdmunition 22 2.2.1 Bleifreie Schrotkugeln 22 2.2.2 Bleifreie Büchsengeschosse 23 2.3 Tötungswirkung von Geschossen 25 2.4 Kritik und Widerstände gegen bleifreie Munition 29 2.5 Ausgewählte Forschungsprojekte 37 2.5.1 Verbundprojekt Bleifrei-Monitoring 38 2.5.2 Praxis-Versuche und weitere Untersuchungen 42 2.6 Innovationen in Forstwirtschaft und Jagd 45 2.6.1 Innovationsbereitschaft und -fähigkeit öffentlicher Forstverwaltungen 47 2.6.2 Innovationen in der Forstwirtschaft zum Schutz der Umwelt 49 2.6.3 Beispiele für Innovationen im Jagdbereich 51 3 Theoretischer Hintergrund und Fragestellung 55 3.1 Angewandte Theorien 55 3.1.1 Innovationstheorie 55 3.1.2 Theorie der Umweltinnovationen 63 3.1.3 Diffusions- und Adoptionstheorie 67 3.1.4 Handlungstheorie 73 3.2 Wissenschaftliche Fragestellung und Hypothesen 75 4 Untersuchungsgegenstand und Methoden 77 4.1 Untersuchungseinheit 77 4.2 Erhebungseinheiten 80 4.3 Methoden 88 5 Konzeption und Durchführung der Untersuchung 95 5.1 Diskursanalytische Betrachtung 95 5.2 Online-Befragung 97 5.2.1 Befragungskonzept und Aufbau der Befragung 97 5.2.2 Stichprobenauswahl und Feldzugang 100 5.2.3 Technische Umsetzung, Pretest und Durchführung der Befragung 102 5.3 Leitfadengestützte qualitative Experten-Interviews 107 5.3.1 Konzeption des Interview-Leitfadens 108 5.3.2 Auswahl der Interview-Partner 110 5.3.3 Durchführung der Interviews 113 6 Ergebnisse 115 6.1 Die Verwendung bleifreier Munition 115 6.1.1 Gesetzliche und betriebliche Regelungen in Deutschland 116 6.1.2 Naturschutzorientierte Forstbetriebe 122 6.1.3 Zertifizierte Forstbetriebe 124 6.1.4 Privater Jagdbetrieb 127 6.1.5 Internationale Regelungen für den Jagd- und Forstbetrieb 130 6.2 Positionen, Widerstände und Initiativen 136 6.2.1 Die Fachforen des Bundesinstituts für Risikobewertung (BfR) als ausgewählte öffentliche Diskussionen – Eine diskursanalytische Betrachtung 136 6.2.2 Das Thema Bleifreie Munition in deutschen Parlamenten – eine inhaltsanalytische Übersicht 148 6.3 Zur Diffusion und Adoption bleifreier Munition 159 6.3.1 Ergebnisse der schriftlichen Befragung 159 6.3.2 Ergebnisse der Experten-Interviews 195 7 Diskussion 211 7.1 Überprüfung der Hypothesen 211 7.2 Verbindung der Ergebnisse mit dem theoretischen Rahmen 213 7.3 Grenzen der Untersuchung und Methodenkritik 231 7.4 Empfehlungen für Wissenschaft und Praxis 234 8 Zusammenfassung 247 9 Summary 255 10 Literaturverzeichnis 259 11 Anhang 279 11.1 Anschreiben per Post und per E-Mail 279 11.2 Online-Fragebogen 280 12 Erklärung 287

On the frontier of biodiversity-rich tropical forests, how land is used has an important role in buffering the primary ecosystem. Unsustainable small-scale cattle farming endangers soil quality and degrades the landscape. Silvopasture is a type of agroforestry that provides both ecological and livelihood benefits. A number of projects have been implemented across the tropics to encourage silvopasture adoption, with varying success. This dissertation questions the reasons for variable outcomes among participants within these projects: what motivates smallholders to adopt innovative land-use practices, and what form of incentives may help to overcome obstacles and catalyse adoption. This dissertation contributes to the ongoing debate on payments for ecosystem services, specifically about their suitability and effectiveness. To understand what influences decisions to adopt sustainable land-use practices, I review systematically and quantitatively the literature on adoption predictors, and I empirically analyse participation and short-term adoption in a pilot project for planting fodder trees in the border of a protected forest in Chiapas, Mexico, using primary and secondary data. I focus on subjective perspectives and livelihood strategies of actual and potential participants as explanatory variables, which have received unduly scarce attention in past studies. This lack of attention is partially caused by the difficulties of operationalising internal variables. I address this challenge by developing an analytical approach that increases the precision of the resulting perspectives in Q methodology. I cluster livelihood strategies and model adoption. This in-depth case-study suggests the type of incentives that are adequate to encourage adoption of sustainable land-use practices. Results indicate that payments may not be the best incentive for pioneer adopters, and that the adoption process is composed of separate individual steps, which are influenced distinctly by identifiable predictors, such as livelihood diversity. Uncovering this heterogeneity of motivations towards adoption provides useful knowledge for designing more effective external policy interventions.