Consumers today are becoming more aware of how their behavior and use of resources affect the environment. It is becoming increasingly important for companies to understand consumer’s attitudes in order to predict their behavior. Extensive research has been conducted on the attitude-behavioral relationship in various fields of study. However, no research has been made on the attitude towards environmentally friendly automobiles and how it affects purchase intentions. Our research has been made in collaboration with Volvo Car Corporation, which in 2010 was acquired by Geely Automobile. The acquisition meant that an opportunity presented itself on the Chinese market, which today is the largest automobile market in the world. The thesis will focus on young Chinese consumer’s attitude toward the environment and how this may affect their purchase intentions towards environmentally friendly automobiles. The basis for our reasoning is that the factors environmental values, environmental knowledge and responsibility feelings make up an individual’s environmental attitude. The purpose of this thesis is to investigate how environmental values, environmental knowledge and responsibility feelings affect purchase intentions towards environmentally friendly automobiles among young Chinese consumers. We have used a quantitative approach in our collection of empirical data. With the help of a web-based self-completions survey we managed to send out the questionnaire to all Chinese students studying at Jönköping University and received a high response rate of 65%. We based the design of the survey on a model from Kaiser, Ranney, Hartig and Bowler (1999). The major findings from our research conclude that the used model does not substantially explain purchase intentions of environmentally friendly automobiles. Our research suggests that the factors environmental knowledge and responsibility feelings are not significant when predicting intentions to purchase environmentally friendly automobiles. However, the factor environmental values proved to be strongly correlated when predicting intentions to purchase environmentally friendly automobiles.

Since European settlement, the woodlands and associated habitats, especially in the temperate zones of Australia, have been extensively cleared and converted to arable land and pastures. Much of the remaining vegetation in the agricultural zone occurs as small isolated patches prone to disturbance and degradation. Apart from habitat loss and fragmentation, altered fire regimes, periods of intense drought, and the introduction of exotic plants and animals, have contributed to the deterioration of most of the natural habitats across Australia, with a negative impact on the native wildlife, including birds. Many woodland bird species have undergone widespread declines, culminating in some local or even regional extinctions. In the mallee woodlands of south-east Australia two closely related species of whistlers (fam. Pachycephalidae) — Red-lored Whistler Pachycephala rufogularis and Gilbert’s Whistler P. inornata — have overlapping ranges, and in some areas they co-exist. These two species are morphologically and ecologically similar. However, despite the similarities, P. rufogularis has undergone greater declines in distribution and abundance than P. inornata. The ecology of these two species is poorly known, which renders adequate management impracticable. The major objectives of this thesis were to determine the key habitat requirements for the two species, to determine their habitat use, and to document the ecology and behaviour of the two species, particularly their foraging, and intra- and interspecific interactions. A sound knowledge of the ecology of the two species is needed to underpin appropriate actions for their management and conservation. Morphological features were measured from skins of P. rufogularis and P. inornata in the South Australian Museum collection, and from captured live birds, to detect if any aspect of the morphology could indicate possible niche partitioning between the two species. Also, the use of biometry as a tool for separating the sexes for P. rufogularis, for determining the species of the uncoloured immature birds and for sexing immatures, was evaluated. No morphological feature suggested niche partitioning. The biometry did not prove a very reliable tool for distinguishing sexes in adult P. rufogularis, but reliably identified the species of the uncoloured immatures. Sexing immatures based on biometrical data alone was not possible. Research was conducted in two main South Australian parks: Gluepot Reserve and Ngarkat Conservation Park. Ecological and behavioural data for P. rufogularis and P. inornata were collected by observing marked (colour-banded and radio-tagged) and unmarked individual birds of both species and sexes, over a two-year period from June 2004 to May 2006. The home ranges of P. rufogularis and P. inornata were determined by tracking the movements of birds in the landscape. Pachycephala rufogularis had much larger home ranges than P. inornata, especially when breeding. The striking differences in home range size between the two ecologically similar species might be related to differences in site fidelity. Pachycephala rufogularis at Gluepot was sedentary, being detected in the same locations throughout the year, and over several years. On the contrary, P. inornata generally showed poor site fidelity, being more mobile, and shifting home ranges between and within seasons. In the field the two species were segregated by habitat. Pachycephala rufogularis and P. inornata showed different habitat preferences, even in areas where they did not co-occur. Pachycephala rufogularis favoured low mallee with Triodia on sand dunes, while P. inornata favoured tall mallee with sparse shrub understorey in interdunes, but also other habitats, such as prickly Acacia thickets and Casuarina woodlands. However, both species used the mallee- Triodia with Callitris vegetation type. The key to coexistence in this habitat was a behavioural one, P. inornata acting as a subordinate species. Pachycephala rufogularis had strict habitat requirements, with the presence of Triodia being critical for the presence of the species. In contrast, P. inornata was more flexible in its habitat requirements, and used a broader range of vegetation types, being more of a habitat generalist. The investigation of habitat use from both a spatial and temporal perspective confirmed that both species actively selected habitat, and that the habitats they selected differed. The core areas of home ranges predominantly contained the preferred habitat for both species. In both species, core areas of home ranges of breeding individuals (where generally the nests were placed) contained preferred habitat in higher proportion than core areas of non-breeding birds. This suggests that during breeding, both species are more restricted to, and/or use more intensely the preferred habitat than when not breeding. The foraging behaviour did not differ consistently between the two species, both capturing insects mostly by snatching in canopy foliage, and also by gleaning on the vegetation, at different heights. However, the two species were already segregated by habitat. Thus the resource partitioning occurred spatially, at the macrohabitat level. In the instances when individuals of both species foraged in the same area and used the same resources, resource partitioning occurred at a temporal scale. Both species were generalists in foraging; therefore, a presumed foraging specialisation as a possible factor related to the decline of P. rufogularis was ruled out. Pachycephala rufogularis and P. inornata are unlikely to be competitors. Support for this argument came from the situation at Ngarkat, where P. inornata was absent. Despite this, P. rufogularis did not use a broader range of vegetation types in Ngarkat, as would be expected under ‘competitive release’. Instead the species maintained strict habitat requirements, specializing virtually on a single vegetation type. The rigid habitat requirements of P. rufogularis, together with its sedentary nature, render this species vulnerable to disturbances, such as wildfires. On the other hand, the apparent flexibility in habitat requirements and greater mobility may explain why P. inornata has been more successful than its sibling species. The information on habitat requirements, preference and use, and also on home ranges of P. rufogularis and P. inornata provided in this study should be included in future habitat suitability models and predictive models for these species, which will assist in their management. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1374821 / Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, 2009

Since European settlement, the woodlands and associated habitats, especially in the temperate zones of Australia, have been extensively cleared and converted to arable land and pastures. Much of the remaining vegetation in the agricultural zone occurs as small isolated patches prone to disturbance and degradation. Apart from habitat loss and fragmentation, altered fire regimes, periods of intense drought, and the introduction of exotic plants and animals, have contributed to the deterioration of most of the natural habitats across Australia, with a negative impact on the native wildlife, including birds. Many woodland bird species have undergone widespread declines, culminating in some local or even regional extinctions. In the mallee woodlands of south-east Australia two closely related species of whistlers (fam. Pachycephalidae) — Red-lored Whistler Pachycephala rufogularis and Gilbert’s Whistler P. inornata — have overlapping ranges, and in some areas they co-exist. These two species are morphologically and ecologically similar. However, despite the similarities, P. rufogularis has undergone greater declines in distribution and abundance than P. inornata. The ecology of these two species is poorly known, which renders adequate management impracticable. The major objectives of this thesis were to determine the key habitat requirements for the two species, to determine their habitat use, and to document the ecology and behaviour of the two species, particularly their foraging, and intra- and interspecific interactions. A sound knowledge of the ecology of the two species is needed to underpin appropriate actions for their management and conservation. Morphological features were measured from skins of P. rufogularis and P. inornata in the South Australian Museum collection, and from captured live birds, to detect if any aspect of the morphology could indicate possible niche partitioning between the two species. Also, the use of biometry as a tool for separating the sexes for P. rufogularis, for determining the species of the uncoloured immature birds and for sexing immatures, was evaluated. No morphological feature suggested niche partitioning. The biometry did not prove a very reliable tool for distinguishing sexes in adult P. rufogularis, but reliably identified the species of the uncoloured immatures. Sexing immatures based on biometrical data alone was not possible. Research was conducted in two main South Australian parks: Gluepot Reserve and Ngarkat Conservation Park. Ecological and behavioural data for P. rufogularis and P. inornata were collected by observing marked (colour-banded and radio-tagged) and unmarked individual birds of both species and sexes, over a two-year period from June 2004 to May 2006. The home ranges of P. rufogularis and P. inornata were determined by tracking the movements of birds in the landscape. Pachycephala rufogularis had much larger home ranges than P. inornata, especially when breeding. The striking differences in home range size between the two ecologically similar species might be related to differences in site fidelity. Pachycephala rufogularis at Gluepot was sedentary, being detected in the same locations throughout the year, and over several years. On the contrary, P. inornata generally showed poor site fidelity, being more mobile, and shifting home ranges between and within seasons. In the field the two species were segregated by habitat. Pachycephala rufogularis and P. inornata showed different habitat preferences, even in areas where they did not co-occur. Pachycephala rufogularis favoured low mallee with Triodia on sand dunes, while P. inornata favoured tall mallee with sparse shrub understorey in interdunes, but also other habitats, such as prickly Acacia thickets and Casuarina woodlands. However, both species used the mallee- Triodia with Callitris vegetation type. The key to coexistence in this habitat was a behavioural one, P. inornata acting as a subordinate species. Pachycephala rufogularis had strict habitat requirements, with the presence of Triodia being critical for the presence of the species. In contrast, P. inornata was more flexible in its habitat requirements, and used a broader range of vegetation types, being more of a habitat generalist. The investigation of habitat use from both a spatial and temporal perspective confirmed that both species actively selected habitat, and that the habitats they selected differed. The core areas of home ranges predominantly contained the preferred habitat for both species. In both species, core areas of home ranges of breeding individuals (where generally the nests were placed) contained preferred habitat in higher proportion than core areas of non-breeding birds. This suggests that during breeding, both species are more restricted to, and/or use more intensely the preferred habitat than when not breeding. The foraging behaviour did not differ consistently between the two species, both capturing insects mostly by snatching in canopy foliage, and also by gleaning on the vegetation, at different heights. However, the two species were already segregated by habitat. Thus the resource partitioning occurred spatially, at the macrohabitat level. In the instances when individuals of both species foraged in the same area and used the same resources, resource partitioning occurred at a temporal scale. Both species were generalists in foraging; therefore, a presumed foraging specialisation as a possible factor related to the decline of P. rufogularis was ruled out. Pachycephala rufogularis and P. inornata are unlikely to be competitors. Support for this argument came from the situation at Ngarkat, where P. inornata was absent. Despite this, P. rufogularis did not use a broader range of vegetation types in Ngarkat, as would be expected under ‘competitive release’. Instead the species maintained strict habitat requirements, specializing virtually on a single vegetation type. The rigid habitat requirements of P. rufogularis, together with its sedentary nature, render this species vulnerable to disturbances, such as wildfires. On the other hand, the apparent flexibility in habitat requirements and greater mobility may explain why P. inornata has been more successful than its sibling species. The information on habitat requirements, preference and use, and also on home ranges of P. rufogularis and P. inornata provided in this study should be included in future habitat suitability models and predictive models for these species, which will assist in their management. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1374821 / Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, 2009

<p>Environmental consciousness among the Swedish population has considerably increased over the last decade. However, to be concerned with environmental questions does not automatically lead to greater ecological awareness and behaviour in everyday life. It is, according to previous research findings, important to consider aspects of socialisation and the structural aspect of social life in order to understand the different individual expressions of ecological behaviour. De-emphasised importance of individual social backgrounds regarding an individual’s choices towards a more environmentally friendly lifestyle is therefore, according to several previous research findings, surprising. However, considering the major increased environmental consciousness among the Swedish population that has been shown, the objective of my master thesis was to analyse whether environment has become an area that engages all kinds of individuals, despite social backgrounds. Within the study, the two social factors that have been considered in most depth were generation and occupation. In order to get a deeper understanding of how people in Sweden view the individual responsibilities within the work towards a healthier environment, a literature study as well as an interview study was conducted. In the interview study, which was performed in Umeå, Sweden, interviews with scientists and day nurses born in the fifties and seventies were made. When considering the possible influences that generation and choice of occupation have on the individual’s choices towards a more environmentally friendly lifestyle, the result of my interview study did not indicate a direct relation between generation and occupation in one instance and rate of ecological behaviour in another. Instead individual differences among the scientists and day nurses from both considered generations were visible.</p> / <p>Miljömedvetenheten hos den svenska befolkningen har vuxit betydligt under det senaste årtiondet. Men att vara miljömedveten leder inte automatiskt till ett ekologiskt beteende i individers vardag. Enligt tidigare forskning är det viktigt att undersöka strukturella aspekter av socialisering, samt aspekter av det sociala livet för att närmare förstå olika individuella uttryck av ekologiskt beteende. Att den individuella sociala bakgrunden har mindre betydelse för en individs val av en mer miljövänlig livsstil ter sig därför överraskande enligt ett flertal tidigare forskningsresultat. Men, med tanke på den allt mer växande miljömedvetenheten hos den svenska befolkningen var syftet med min examensuppsats att undersöka om miljö har blivit ett område som engagerar alla individer bortsett från sociala bakgrunder. De två sociala faktorerna som undersöktes mer ingående i studien var generationstillhörighet och yrke. För att få en närmare förståelse av hur människor i Sverige ser på individens ansvar inom miljöarbetet utfördes en intervjustudie samt en litteraturstudie. I intervjustudien som utfördes i Umeå, Sverige, intervjuades forskare och förskollärare som var födda på femtiotalet och sjuttiotalet. Min intervjustudie visade inte en direkt relation mellan generationstillhörighet och yrke å ena sidan och grad av ekologiskt beteende å andra sidan. Istället, var individuella skillnader hos forskarna och förskollärarna födda på femtiotalet och sjuttiotalet synliga.</p>

Environmental consciousness among the Swedish population has considerably increased over the last decade. However, to be concerned with environmental questions does not automatically lead to greater ecological awareness and behaviour in everyday life. It is, according to previous research findings, important to consider aspects of socialisation and the structural aspect of social life in order to understand the different individual expressions of ecological behaviour. De-emphasised importance of individual social backgrounds regarding an individual’s choices towards a more environmentally friendly lifestyle is therefore, according to several previous research findings, surprising. However, considering the major increased environmental consciousness among the Swedish population that has been shown, the objective of my master thesis was to analyse whether environment has become an area that engages all kinds of individuals, despite social backgrounds. Within the study, the two social factors that have been considered in most depth were generation and occupation. In order to get a deeper understanding of how people in Sweden view the individual responsibilities within the work towards a healthier environment, a literature study as well as an interview study was conducted. In the interview study, which was performed in Umeå, Sweden, interviews with scientists and day nurses born in the fifties and seventies were made. When considering the possible influences that generation and choice of occupation have on the individual’s choices towards a more environmentally friendly lifestyle, the result of my interview study did not indicate a direct relation between generation and occupation in one instance and rate of ecological behaviour in another. Instead individual differences among the scientists and day nurses from both considered generations were visible. / Miljömedvetenheten hos den svenska befolkningen har vuxit betydligt under det senaste årtiondet. Men att vara miljömedveten leder inte automatiskt till ett ekologiskt beteende i individers vardag. Enligt tidigare forskning är det viktigt att undersöka strukturella aspekter av socialisering, samt aspekter av det sociala livet för att närmare förstå olika individuella uttryck av ekologiskt beteende. Att den individuella sociala bakgrunden har mindre betydelse för en individs val av en mer miljövänlig livsstil ter sig därför överraskande enligt ett flertal tidigare forskningsresultat. Men, med tanke på den allt mer växande miljömedvetenheten hos den svenska befolkningen var syftet med min examensuppsats att undersöka om miljö har blivit ett område som engagerar alla individer bortsett från sociala bakgrunder. De två sociala faktorerna som undersöktes mer ingående i studien var generationstillhörighet och yrke. För att få en närmare förståelse av hur människor i Sverige ser på individens ansvar inom miljöarbetet utfördes en intervjustudie samt en litteraturstudie. I intervjustudien som utfördes i Umeå, Sverige, intervjuades forskare och förskollärare som var födda på femtiotalet och sjuttiotalet. Min intervjustudie visade inte en direkt relation mellan generationstillhörighet och yrke å ena sidan och grad av ekologiskt beteende å andra sidan. Istället, var individuella skillnader hos forskarna och förskollärarna födda på femtiotalet och sjuttiotalet synliga.