Technology acceptance research is a constantly developing field. The disciplines that contributed to its development are either beliefs focused or system focused. The unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) combined both. The current research model proposes an extension to the UTAUT that accounts for online usage behaviour. The proposed research model is tested in two countries (UK and Jordan) to investigate the viability of the unified model of technology acceptance in different boundaries as a model of individuals’ discretionary usage of Internet banking. The study also questions the roles of other determinants and moderators in this context. Results found support for the effect of the proposed extension, website quality perceptions, on usage behaviour in both countries’ models; the total effect of this extension exhibited website quality perceptions the most influential determinant of usage behaviour in both models and performance expectancy construct was second in effect. Social influence had no impact on the usage behaviour in both models, which is consistent with previous research that advocates a declining role of social influence under discretionary usage and increased experience conditions. Furthermore, the moderating role of performance expectancy previously established in TAM’s research was supported in the UTAUT model in both countries’ models. Moreover, both models reported a non-moderating effect of gender, which, is also in line with recent research findings that suggest declining gender differences under voluntary usage conditions and advanced experience. Education and income were moderators only for the UK model. Although the research findings demonstrated that both countries’ models were “configurally” similar with respect to model specifications, the models’ explanatory power for usage behaviour was dissimilar: the UK’s model explanatory power exceeded that of Jordan’s model presenting an opportunity for future research. The current research contributes to knowledge in the field of technology acceptance research. It demonstrated that website quality perceptions, as a multidimensional concept, play an important role in the online usage context. It also demonstrated that the unified model of technology acceptance established in the western culture can be transferred to a non-western culture although with varying degrees of explanation power.

Syftet är att undersöka sånglärares uppfattningar om och kommunikation av betygskriterier i sång på gymnasieskolans estetiska program. I bakgrundskapitlet presenteras litteratur och forskning kring begrepp som är centrala för studien. Det har ännu inte publicerats någon forskning om de betygskriterier som i föreliggande studie utgörs av de subjektiva skrivningarna ”personligt uttryck” och ”tillfredsställande musikaliskt resultat”. I arbetet har kvalitativa intervjuer använts som forskningsmetod. Intervjuer gjordes med tre sånglärare som har betygsatt elever enligt de betygskriterier som står i fokus för denna studie. Resultatet pekar på att personligt uttryck kan vara individens personliga uttryck, det uttryck vi har genom att bara vara människa, men i en förhöjd form. Det kan också handla om interpretation. Vidare visar resultatet på att musikaliskt tillfredsställande resultat nås genom grundläggande gehör och formkänsla. Sånglärarna förmedlar betygskriterierna och de kvalitetskrav som följer framförallt genom betygssamtal med eleven. Alla sånglärare betonar även  elevens självständighet och egen drivkraft som förtsättningar för att nå högsta betyg. I diskussionskapitlet jämförs studiens resultat med de teorier och den tidigare forskning som presenterats i bakgrundskapitlet. Avslutningsvis förs diskussioner kring arbetets betydelse och fortsatt forskning inom området. / The purpose is to investigate vocal teachers’ perceptions and communication of the assessment criteria in singing at aesthetic programs in high school. The background chapter presents concepts that are central to the study. It has not yet been published any research on the rating criteria which in the present study consists of the subjective wordings "self-expression" and "musically satisfying results". Qualitative interviews are used as a research method. Interviews were conducted with three singing teachers who rated students according to the rating criteria which are the focus of this study. The results indicate that self-expression may be the individual's personal expression, the expression we have just by being human, but in an enhanced form. It may also involve interpretation. Furthermore, the result shows that musically satisfying results is reached by basic hearing and sense of form. The singing teachers convey rating criteria and the quality mostly by grading conversation with the student. All singing teacher also emphasizes the student's autonomy and its own momentum continuations to achieve the highest rating. The discussion section compares the results of the study of the theories and previous research presented in the background section. Finally, discussions are underway about the importance of the study and continued research in the area

This preliminary study investigated the factors which influence consumer choice of beef. A questionnaire and sensory evaluation considered the level of importance which consumers attached to the sensory (intrinsic attributes) properties of beef as compared to extrinsic factors. It was found that consumers use sensory properties to predict the freshness and overall eating quality, but they can also misinterpret the quality cues. Consumers made it clear that the freshness and the place of purchase played a prominent role in their decision to purchase red meat because they perceive the retailer to be an integral part of the overall quality assessment with regard to the purchase process of mutton and beef. The Total Food Quality Model is used as the frame of reference for analysing the way in which consumers perceive meat quality. The way in which consumers form expectations about the quality at the point of purcha7se, based on their own experience and information cues available in the shopping environment, is described as well as the way in which quality is experienced in the home during and after meal preparation. The relationship between quality expectations and quality experience and its implications for consumer satisfaction and repeat purchase intent is addressed. The study collected data by means of a questionnaire to evaluate the quality perceptions of beef. Cronbach alpha as reliability coefficient recorded high levels of reliability and the factor analysis revealed that only one factor, namely that of quality considerations is present in the analysis. Furthermore, the building on the insights obtained on subjective quality perception, possibilities for consumer–oriented product development in the meat sector are addressed. Issues dealt with here are branding, differentiation by taste, healthiness and convenience. / Thesis (M.Sc. (Computer Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

This preliminary study investigated the factors which influence consumer choice of beef. A questionnaire and sensory evaluation considered the level of importance which consumers attached to the sensory (intrinsic attributes) properties of beef as compared to extrinsic factors. It was found that consumers use sensory properties to predict the freshness and overall eating quality, but they can also misinterpret the quality cues. Consumers made it clear that the freshness and the place of purchase played a prominent role in their decision to purchase red meat because they perceive the retailer to be an integral part of the overall quality assessment with regard to the purchase process of mutton and beef. The Total Food Quality Model is used as the frame of reference for analysing the way in which consumers perceive meat quality. The way in which consumers form expectations about the quality at the point of purcha7se, based on their own experience and information cues available in the shopping environment, is described as well as the way in which quality is experienced in the home during and after meal preparation. The relationship between quality expectations and quality experience and its implications for consumer satisfaction and repeat purchase intent is addressed. The study collected data by means of a questionnaire to evaluate the quality perceptions of beef. Cronbach alpha as reliability coefficient recorded high levels of reliability and the factor analysis revealed that only one factor, namely that of quality considerations is present in the analysis. Furthermore, the building on the insights obtained on subjective quality perception, possibilities for consumer–oriented product development in the meat sector are addressed. Issues dealt with here are branding, differentiation by taste, healthiness and convenience. / Thesis (M.Sc. (Computer Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.