The objective of this research is to ground the reputation construct in theory and to explore the formation of reputation through beliefs about the university and attitude toward the university. Additionally, it will allow for analysis of the consequences of reputation, specifically behavioral intentions, which has received limited attention in the extant literature. This study seeks a better understanding of the construct of reputation. Much of the existing literature on reputation has focused on measuring reputation. Earlier work identified reputation from a strategic perspective and more recently, studies have identified the importance of also understanding reputation from the stakeholder perspective. However, very few of either types of research have identified the theoretical foundation for the formation of reputation (Caruana, Cohen, & Krentler, 2006). There is also a paucity of research that examines the consequences or outcomes of reputation. This study will specifically examine the impact of university reputation on the behavioral consequences of prospective students. This study utilizes the theory of planned behavior (Fishbein & Ajzen, 1975) to identify how reputation is formed through beliefs about and attitude toward the organization that results in behavioral intentions. The proposed model for this study is an adaptation of the Fishbein and Ajzen (1975) model and the model presented by Money and Hillenbrand (2006). Respondents to the survey were prospective students at two universities in the southeastern United States. Results support the hypothesis that beliefs about the organization and attitude toward the organization are related. Multiple regression identified that emotional appeal, social and environmental responsibility and financial performance of the university were significant predictors for a student‟s likelihood of enrolling in the university.

The primary objective of this study was to examine the association between the theory of planned behavior (TBP) and adherence to a multidisciplinary pain center (MPC) treatment program for chronic pain. While the results of several studies have provided support for the efficacy of MPC treatment in chronic pain, the problems of adherence and attrition are important. TPB is a cognitive/social model of behavior that has been used to predict a variety of behaviors, although it has never been used to predict adherence to a multidisciplinary chronic pain treatment program. It was predicted that Adherence would be predicted by Intentions and that Intentions would be predicted by 1) Perceived Social Norms, 2) Perceived Behavioral Control, 3) Attitudes Toward New Behavior (completing the treatment program), and 4) Attitude Toward Current Behavior (maintaining current treatment and coping strategies). It was found that the total Intentions scores did not predict the total Adherence scores. However, Intentions was predicted by 1) Perceived Behavioral Control, 2) Attitudes Toward New Behavior (completing the treatment program), and 3) Attitude Toward Current Behavior (maintaining current treatment and coping strategies). The finding that Perceived Social Norms did not predict Intentions was consistent with results of previous studies with the TBP. The secondary objective was to examine the extent to which MPC treatment affects patients' attitudes towards behaviors that are associated with successful pain management. The majority of the patients (82%) developed a more favorable attitude toward the program and their average report of the importance of the program was 6.78 on a 10-point scale. The majority of patients (74%) reported experiencing a greater decrease in pain than expected, and the average amount of pain decrease was 5.39 on a 10-point scale.

The transition to college is marked by poorer eating behaviors. The Theory of planned behavior (TPB) represents a promising tool for predicting eating behaviors through the examination of attitudes (ATT), subjective norms (SN), perceived behavioral control (PBC), and intention (INT). Despite prior application of the TPB, there exist several key methodological issues in the literature addressing eating behaviors. The present study utilized an enhanced dietary assessment methodology, the ASA24 dietary recall, and a short-term prospective design to assess the healthy eating behaviors of emerging adults in college. Dietary recalls of 68 participants (average age = 20.76 years; 70.6% female; 70.6% non-Hispanic, 48.5% White, 22.10% Black/African American, 13.20% Asian) were analyzed using the Healthy Eating Index (HEI)-2010 scoring system. Results revealed that very few college students are meeting recommended dietary guidelines. Linear regression indicated that the indirect TPB variables (ATT, SN, and PBC) were related to INT (F[3,64] = 19.67, p < .001), although SN did not account for unique variance. Further, the direct TPB variables (INT and PBC) were related to HEI-2010 scores (F[2,65] = 4.00, p = .023); however, only PBC accounted for significant variance. Overall, findings suggest that more favorable attitudes relate to intention, but only perceived behavioral control consistently relates to actual healthy eating behavior.

Objective. To examine the extent to which theory of planned behavior (TPB) constructs and demographic characteristics explain pharmacy students’ dispensing intentions in ethically or legally gray areas involving potential substance misuse or abuse. Methods. Two cohorts of third-year Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) students (n5159) were provided with five written cases describing common “gray area” dispensing scenarios in community practice involving medications and devices with potential for misuse or abuse (eg, long-term buprenorphine maintenance prescription without evidence of tapering, early refill of a narcotic for an out-of-town patient, non-prescription sale of pseudoephedrine). Students completed a 12-item survey instrument for each case. Items assessed whether the student would dispense the medication or device in the given scenario, how many times in 10 similar scenarios the student would dispense the medication or device, attitudes regarding dispensing, and subjective norm and perceived behavioral control beliefs. Results. Wide variation in the percentages of students who would dispense the medications or devices was noted across the five scenarios (14% in the buprenorphine scenario to 61% in the pseudoephedrine scenario). Attitude scores significantly predicted dispensing decisions in all scenarios (p,.001), whereas subjective norm and perceived behavioral control beliefs were significant predictors of dispensing only in select case scenarios. Gender and community pharmacy work experience did not consistently predict dispensing intentions. Conclusion. Student attitudes consistently predicted intent to dispense across five gray practice scenarios. These findings can be used to inform development of educational interventions that influence students’ attitudes and self-awareness in community practice decision-making scenarios involving potential substance misuse or abuse.

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Chemical and biological agents can cause serious adverse occupational health effects, and can adversely impact environmental health. Adverse incidents occur in laboratories using chemical, biological and radiologic agents, and laboratories pose a number of dangers to workers. Adverse incidents occur more frequently in teaching and research institutions when compared to industrial laboratories. Good laboratory safety practices, including the use of personal protective equipment, can reduce the number and severity of laboratory accidents, thus reducing the risk of chemical, biological and radiologic exposure for workers and for the public. Improving laboratory safety training should also result in fewer lab accidents. This study was conducted at a mid-sized Midwestern research university. The study population consisted of people who had attended a laboratory safety training session in 2010, 2011 or 2012. Following administration of a pilot survey and development of additional items, a sample (N=451) of the total population (N=936) received a survey inquiring about the use of personal protective equipment, and about laboratory safety training. 143 completed surveys were returned. The survey was based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (Ajzen, 1991). Theoretical constructs investigated included personal protective equipment attitude, subjective norm, behavioral control, behavioral intention, past self-reported behavior, and safety training attitude. Multiple regression showed that the overall model accounted for 56% of the variability in the study population. Subjective norm was the theoretical construct most strongly predictive of behavioral intention (B=.653, p=.001). Attitude was next most strongly predictive of intention (B=.343, p=.001). Behavioral control was not significantly correlated with behavioral intention. There was a positive significant correlation between training attitude and behavioral intention (Pearson's r = 0.233, p=.006, 2-tailed). There was also a positive significant correlation between attitude toward personal protective equipment, and attitude toward training (Pearson's correlation coefficient was 0.332, p=.001, 2-tailed). Self-reported behavior was regressed on the three theoretical constructs. Subjective norm was most significantly predictive of self-reported behavior (B = .523, p= .001), followed by attitude (B = .281, p= .034). Behavioral control was not significantly predictive of self-reported behavior. The study determined that about 80% of respondents felt that their lab was usually or always a safe place to work, although 40% reported having been injured in a lab. Training can be improved by emphasizing the importance of subjective norm, by clarifying the responsibilities of lab supervisors, and by providing additional information regarding how to obtain, use, and care for personal protective equipment. Use of personal protective equipment may be increased by emphasizing the importance of subjective norm during training.

Smoking, physical activity, and insufficient fruit and vegetable consumption have been linked to increased instances of coronary heart disease, stroke, peripheral vascular disease, chronic obstructive lung disease, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, depression, hypertension, numerous cancers, and complications surrounding blood pressure and blood cholesterol. In the United States approximately 22% of college students have smoked at least one cigarette in the past 30 days; 70-85% are not meeting recommended levels of physical activity; and 75% are not consuming recommended levels of fruits and vegetables. The purpose of this study was to investigate differences in physical activity and fruit and vegetable consumption behaviors of self reported smokers and nonsmokers, and to determine the predictors of healthy behaviors at a mid-sized university in the southern region of the United States using the Theory of Planned Behavior and the Health Belief Model. Students in this study (N = 461) completed a written questionnaire during March-May 2012. Results indicated that 20% of the population smoked at least one cigarette in the past 30 days, with men being more likely to smoke than women. Physical activity was found to be significant to smoking status; however, fruit and vegetable consumption was not significant. Multiple regression determined the following constructs significantly predicted smoking status: attitudes and intentions from the Theory of Planned Behavior and perceived severity, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, and cues to action from the Health Belief Model. The results of this study may be utilized to address differences in college student engagement in adverse health behaviors, and in the enhancement of future smoking interventions on college campuses.

Insufficient sleep duration is associated with poor physical and mental health outcomes, and many Americans report that they are not meeting sleep duration recommendations. Many individuals choose to restrict their own sleep, yet little is known about the source of this sleep deficit. Recent research efforts have used the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) to predict sleep health behavior. However, this research is limited in that it fails to measure volitional sleep behavior and focuses exclusively on between-person differences. This study addressed these limitations by using an intensive longitudinal design to test how constructs of the TPB relate to nightly sleep opportunity. Healthy college students (N=79) completed a week long study in which they completed 4 ecological momentary assessment signals per day that measured their attitudes, perceived norms, perceived behavioral control (PBC), and intentions relating to their nocturnal sleep opportunity. Participants wore an actiwatch each night of the study to measure their sleep opportunity. Analyses revealed between- and within-day variability of attitudes, perceived norms, PBC, and intentions. Further, there were significant between- and within-day trajectories of these constructs. Mixed linear models demonstrated that both intentions and PBC were significant predictors of subsequent sleep opportunity, and that PBC was the strongest predictor of future intentions. The between-and within-day patterns of these constructs highlight important considerations for their measurement, and provide insight into the potential refinement of sleep promotion efforts. Results also demonstrate that within-person changes in PBC and intentions predict subsequent sleep opportunity, demonstrating the need for a daily framework when using the TPB to predict sleep health behavior.

The purpose of this thesis was to explore stakeholder response to the increase in corporate involvement in college sports. As tough economic times have been steadily realized into a recession, the rise in educational costs and in amount of money required to run athletic programs have placed a tremendous need on athletic departments for money. As a result, a popular trend of outsourcing or selling, marketing rights to third party entities has been a quick way to raise needed revenues. In the selling of these marketing rights, athletic departments have essentially opened the door to allow for an increase in corporation involvement at these athletic events. This paper utilizes Fishbein and Ajzen's Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) to discover how the increase in marketing efforts are impacting their stakeholders, or rather season ticket holders. The universities used in this study have within the last three years recently sold their marketing rights and belong to the same network company, ISP Sports. These universities are: Brigham Young University (BYU), Texas Christian University (TCU), and the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV). The first factor studied showed stakeholders of these universities hold negative beliefs about the impact the marketing efforts are having on their purchasing habits. The second factor studied demonstrated a slight negative normative belief towards a social perception of the willingness to support sponsors who support their university. The third factor studied demonstrated a somewhat positive belief towards perceived control over the marketing efforts. As a result, this case study shows a composite negative behavioral intention trend.

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