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1
Tse, Alex Sing-Lam. "Dynamic economic decision problems under behavioural preferences and market imperfections." Thesis, University of Warwick, 2016. http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/89266/.
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This thesis is a collection of three individual works on dynamic economic decision problems which go beyond expected utility maximisation in complete markets. The first chapter introduces an asset liquidation model under prospect theory preferences. We demonstrate that the probability weighting component of the model can predict liquidation strategies which better fit the empirical patterns of investors’ stock trading behaviours, when compared to models which do not incorporate probability weighting. The second chapter explores the role of randomised strategies in an exit-timing problem faced by a prospect theory agent. Several new insights are offered: in a discrete model, access to randomisation can strictly improve the economic value to the agent; in a continuous time counterpart, allowing randomisation will significantly alter the prediction of an agent’s behaviours and more realistic exit-strategies would be observed in contrast to the results from the existing literature. The final chapter studies an extension to the Merton’s optimal investment and consumption problem under transaction costs, where the agent can also dynamically invest in a liquid hedging asset without a trading fee. We provide a complete solution. Important properties of the problem such as well-posedness conditions and comparative static results are derived.
2
Skelton, Ross Alexander. "The impact of home loan key facts sheets on borrowers' comparisons of loan costs." Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 2015. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/91053/4/Ross_Skelton_Thesis.pdf.
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This thesis evaluates the effectiveness of the prescribed design and distribution requirements of the Australian Government's home loan key facts sheets (KFS) aimed at helping borrowers compare loan costs. The findings show that despite effectively improving borrower decision-making, few borrowers were aware of their existence and function. It was also demonstrated that KFS have had limited market impact over the four year window since introduction, likely due to the requirement that KFS provision is not required unless formally requested by a borrower. Recommendations include transferring the burden of disclosure to lenders in the first instance to address this information gap.
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Humphrey, Steven James. "The economics and psychology of decision making under risk and uncertainty : an experimental investigation and integrating behavioural framework." Thesis, University of East Anglia, 1996. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.338218.
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Muller, Stacey Leigh. "The impact of internal behavioural decision-making biases on South African collective investment scheme performance." Thesis, Rhodes University, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020308.
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Market efficiency, based on people acting rationally, has been the dominating finance theory for most of the 20th and 21st Century’s. This classical finance theory is based on assumptions that people are rational, they absorb all available information and maximise utility. This view is outdated; it has been shown that people are in fact irrational and that this could be the cause of anomalies in the market. Behavioural finance takes into account people, and their natural biases. Behavioural finance has integrated classical financial theories and psychological theories to illustrate the way in which irrational people can impact market efficiency. This research looks at the way collective investment scheme manager decision-making can impact market efficiency. Specifically the behavioural biases: overconfidence, over optimism, loss aversion and frame dependence and whether or not collective investment scheme performance is affected by these. This research was carried out using a questionnaire distributed directly to CIS managers and risk-adjusted returns were used in order to allow for comparative results. The results from the questionnaire show evidence that actively managing South African CIS managers do indeed suffer from overconfidence and loss aversion and they do not appear to suffer from frame dependence or over optimism in this research context. There was also evidence showing that managers who suffer from these biases also demonstrated lower investment returns. “The investor’s chief problem, and even his worst enemy, is likely to be himself.” - Benjamin Graham
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Bluhme, Hugo, and Jenny Lidman. "Please Mind The Gap : A study of the relation between green marketing outreach and consumer decision-making." Thesis, Uppsala universitet, Företagsekonomiska institutionen, 2021. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-447501.
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Sustainability, and especially sustainable consumption, has become more important throughout the years in line with the challenges of climate change. A large majority of Swedish consumers have a positive attitude towards sustainable consumption. However, their actions do not speak louder than words. Many have the intention of buying sustainable products, but fewer actually buy sustainable products causing an attitude behaviour gap. This study aims to investigate the relation between green marketing and consumer decision making. Diving deeper into the grocery sector as well as the clothing sector the study examines the differences regarding the matter of green marketing and consumer decision-making. With a theoretical starting point in the Theory of Planned Behaviour as well as green marketing, this quantitative study shows that green marketing has an effect on a consumer’s perceived behavioural control which in turn has an effect on the intention. However, the study also states that there is a gap between the intention of buying sustainable products, influenced by attitude, subjective norm and perceived behavioural control, and the actual behaviour to buy sustainably. The study finds a moderately strong correlation between perceived behavioural control and green marketing. Further on, the study also notices a difference between the two sectors, where consumers are reached as well as affected by green marketing to a higher extent within the grocery sector than in the clothing sector.
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Wang, Jiachao. "Bayesian analysis for quantification of individual rat and human behavioural patterns during attentional set-shifting tasks." Thesis, University of St Andrews, 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/10023/14843.
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Attentional set-shifting tasks, consisting of multiple stages of discrimination learning, have been widely used in animals and humans to investigate behavioural flexibility. However, there are several learning criteria (e.g., 6-correct-choice-in-a-row, or 10-out- of-12-correct) by which a subject might be judged to have learned a discrimination. Furthermore, the currently frequentist approach does not provide a detailed analysis of individual performance. In this PhD study, a large set of archival data of rats performing a 7-stage intra-dimensional/extra-dimensional (ID/ED) attentional set- shifting task was analysed, using a novel Bayesian analytical approach, to estimate each rat's learning processes over its trials within the task. The analysis showed that the Bayesian learning criterion may be an appropriate alternative to the frequentist n- correct-in-a-row criterion for studying performance. The individual analysis of rats' behaviour using the Bayesian model also suggested that the rats responded according to a number of irrelevant spatial and perceptual information sources before the correct stimulus-reward association was established. The efficacy of the Bayesian analysis of individual subjects' behaviour and the appropriateness of the Bayesian learning criterion were also supported by the analysis of simulated data in which the behavioural choices in the task were generated by known rules. Additionally, the efficacy was also supported by analysis of human behaviour during an analogous human 7-stage attentional set-shifting task, where participants' detailed learning processes were collected based on their trial-by-trial oral report. Further, an extended Bayesian approach, which considers the effects of feedback (correct vs incorrect) after each response in the task, can even help infer whether individual human participants have formed an attentional set, which is crucial when applying the set-shifting task to an evaluation of cognitive flexibility. Overall, this study demonstrates that the Bayesian approach can yield additional information not available to the conventional frequentist approach. Future work could include refining the rat Bayesian model and the development of an adaptive trial design.
7
Moroney, Robyn Ann Accounting Australian School of Business UNSW. "An investigation and comparison of the decision-making process used by industry specialist and other auditors." Awarded by:University of New South Wales. Accounting, 2003. http://handle.unsw.edu.au/1959.4/19242.
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Large accounting firms have been structuring their audit divisions along industry lines for some years. Industry specialisation is seen as a means of differentiation between otherwise similar accounting firms. At the individual level industry specialists are identified as being so designated within their firm. They spend a substantial amount of their time auditing clients in that industry. The purpose of this study is to determine what industry specialist auditors do that is different and similar when working on industry-based tasks, one of which they specialise in. Behavioural decision theory is used to investigate the differences and similarities in the decision-making processes of industry specialist and other auditors. It is known that industry specialists perform better on tasks set in their industry. The purpose of this study is to learn why. To that end, the pre-information search, information search and decision processing phases of the decision-making process are examined. It is expected that industry specialists are more efficient and effective at each stage of the decision-making process when completing a case set in the industry they specialise in. Two controlled experiments were conducted in the offices of each of the Big 4 international accounting firms. Participants included manufacturing and superannuation industry specialists from each firm. Each participant was invited to take part in both experiments, which were conducted consecutively via the internet. The first experiment comprised two cases, one set in each industry setting (manufacturing and superannuation). Participants completed both cases. The purpose of the first experiment was to conduct a within-subject examination unveiling similarities and differences between industry specialists and other auditors during the pre-information search, information search and decision processing phases of the decision-making process. Their performance on each case was also monitored and measured. Significant results were found for information search and performance. Moderate results were found for one proxy each of the pre-information search and the decision processing phases. The relationship between efficiency at each stage of the decision-making process and performance was also measured. A significant relationship was found for the pre-information search and decision processing phases. The second experiment comprised two strategic business risk tasks set in each industry setting (manufacturing and superannuation). Participants completed both sets of tasks. The purpose of the second experiment was to examine effectiveness during the pre-information search (listing key strategic business risks), information search (listing key inputs) and decision processing (listing key processes) phases of the decision-making process and their ability to identify and list key outputs (accounts and assertions) for an identified risk (technological change for the manufacturing industry task and solvency due to insufficient funding for the superannuation industry task) within each industry setting. The results were very significant overall. Industry specialist auditors were able list more key strategic business risks, inputs, processes and outputs when the task was set in the industry in which they specialise. The relationship between effectiveness at each stage of the decision-making process and performance was also measured. A significant relationship was found between effectiveness in listing key inputs and effectiveness in listing key outputs (accounts).
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Chesterley, Nicholas. "Optimal policy and inconsistent preferences : behavioural policymaking and self-control." Thesis, University of Oxford, 2015. http://ora.ox.ac.uk/objects/uuid:ad398459-5b9c-4177-b36d-5a66517e2e2f.
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This thesis takes three different perspectives, using theoretical and experimental techniques, on time-inconsistent preferences and how the existence of multiple selves can affect both consumer behaviour and policy design. Across domains such as retirement saving, health, and educational achievement, intertemporal choice presents a challenge for both individuals and policymakers. The first paper, 'Choosing When to Nudge: Designing Behavioural Policy around Decision-Making Costs,' considers how behavioural policy, which has proven increasingly popular with policymakers, affects welfare. I find that for present-biased consumers, behavioural policies help some consumers but can inefficiently discourage others from optimizing. Such policies therefore have an ambiguous effect on welfare, and similar to traditional policies, can impose equity-efficiency tradeoffs. Monopolies may increase welfare given their incentive to simplify consumer decisions instead of exploit switching costs. The second paper, 'Virtue and Vice with Endogenous Preferences,' considers behaviour when preferences are affected by consumer decisions. I introduce agents whose temptation to consume in the present is affected by how much they choose to save for the future. I find that differences between agents can trap them in divergent paths of self-improvement -- saving more, they value the future more, making saving optimal -- or binging -- consuming more makes them indifferent to future costs, making consumption optimal. At the extreme, it is frequently an optimum for a consumer to consume their entire wealth. The final paper, 'Bet You Can't Eat Just One: Consumption Complementarity and 'Self'-Control' considers an intrapersonal game between a moderate cold self and a hot self that wants to indulge. In equilibrium, sophisticated selves best respond to each other's behaviour: the cold self over-abstains and the hot self over-indulges to avoid inducing the other state. I test these ideas in the lab, and find that subjects on a diet who were induced to consume a piece of chocolate before the experiment indulge more in chocolate during the experiment, even when the initial indulgence was imposed by the experimenter. Eating a piece of chocolate, this suggests, can induce a period during which chocolate is more appealing.
9
Kalani, Gautam Nandu. "Coping with risk in poor rural economies." Thesis, University of Oxford, 2013. http://ora.ox.ac.uk/objects/uuid:464f00db-df0d-4dff-8155-a250bd2d7c1c.
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Rural inhabitants of developing countries face extraordinarily risky environments, and decision-making under risk has crucial implications for the welfare of the rural poor. Therefore, obtaining a better understanding of the behaviour under risk of low-income populations is a vital step in the comprehension of human behaviour, and is important for effective policy design and evaluation, as well as for shedding light on production, investment and technology adoption decisions. In Chapter One, I analyze data collected from a laboratory experiment involving poor subjects in rural Ethiopia, in order to determine which decision models (and corresponding risk preferences) best describe the decision-making under risk of inhabitants. I find that expected utility theory (EUT) does not provide a good overall description of the decisions made by participants in the experiment; instead, there is evidence of probability weighting and loss aversion, implying that rank-dependent and reference-dependent choice models are more likely to represent the true latent decision-making process of subjects. In Chapter Two, I analyze combined experimental and survey data from rural Ethiopia in order to evaluate the determinants of risk preferences as well as assess the degree of asset integration in experimental decisions. Analyzing both EUT and non-EUT decision models and using an instrumental variable strategy, I find that household wealth negatively affects both risk aversion and loss aversion, but independent background risk has no effect on risk preferences. Further, I find evidence of narrow framing, as opposed to asset integration, suggesting that participants make decisions in the experiment in isolation from outside wealth. In Chapter Three, I analyze experimental data from Brazil to evaluate whether subjects understand decision problems that use the complex Multiple Price List (MPL) elicitation procedure, and to determine which decision models best describe observed choices. I find that the MPL decision problems of the experiment enable a finer characterization of risk preferences as compared to Ordered Lottery Selection problems (used in the Ethiopian experiment). However, I find that a significant fraction of choice patterns in the MPL problems are intransitive, and the evidence indicates that subjects did not properly understand the decision problems and thus observed choices do not reveal true risk preferences. Therefore, the relatively complex MPL procedure may not be suitable for experiments conducted with poorly-educated subjects in developing country settings. Chapter Four presents a theory outlining the relationship between rational demand for index insurance – for which the net transfer between insurer and policyholders depends only on a publicly verifiable index – and wealth. Further, the validity of this theory is tested using the experimental data from Ethiopia. In line with the theoretical model presented, due to basis risk and actuarially unfair premiums, demand for index insurance is hump-shaped – first increasing then decreasing – in wealth. The results indicate that the low take-up of this product observed among the poorest (and most risk averse) individuals in recent field studies may result from rational choice rather than credit constraints or poor decision-making.
10
Bimpli, Iva. "Investigating Ethical Decision Making in Marketing Research: An Exploratory Study Towards the Interaction of Different Moral Agents in Marketing Research." Thesis, University of Bradford, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/10454/14401.
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Dalton, Patricio Santiago. "Behavioural decisions : theory, implications and applications." Thesis, University of Warwick, 2009. http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/2224/.
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Standard Economics assumes that decision makers carefully reflect and meditate on each alternative. Grounded on evidence from Psychology this thesis relaxes this assumption and develops a theoretical framework with imperfect reflection. We analyse the implications for both Positive and Normative Economics, and for Public Policy and introduce novel applications. We begin in Chapter 1 with a review of the main arguments and results. Chapter 2 develops a decision-making framework with imperfect reflection and studies the implications for Positive Economics. Our approach relies on two key premises: (a) preferences parameters are endogenously determined by choices and (b) the decision maker, due to imperfect reflection, may not fully internalize that effect. A decision problem is labelled 'Standard' (SDP) when the decision maker internalizes the effect and 'Behavioural' (BDP) when she does not. A number of general results are obtained. First, under incomplete and acyclic preferences there exists a solution to both SDP and BDP. Second, BDPs have testable restrictions and they are di¤erent from those of SDPs. Third, for almost all classes of preferences, SDP and BDP are distinguishable from each other. Chapter 3 focuses on the normative implications of our framework in relation to the existing normative approaches to Behavioural Economics. We show that, with imperfect reflection, revealed preferences cannot in general underpin individual welfare, though we offer conditions to recover such a link. The degree of 'autonomy' emerges as a natural normative criterion and offers theoretical grounds for public policy interventions that aim to empower individuals. Chapter 4 extends our framework to an N-person strategic setting. We label 'psycho-social' games to normal-form games in which players, due to imperfect reflection, do not internalize the e¤ect of their actions on their preferences parameters. We prove existence under weak assumptions, link our framework to the existent literature on social preferences and provide new examples. We associate psycho-social games to standard normal-form games and show that, typically, the set of Nash equilibria and the set of psycho-social equilibria of an associated psycho-social game are distinct from each other. Finally, we show that (strict) Nash equilibria in pure strategies are robust to any degree of imperfect reflection. Chapter 5 applies our framework to analyse poverty and polarization persistence as a result of an aspirations failure. Reflection involves imagination which is, in turn, needed to form aspirations: i.e. we can only aspire to what we can imagine. Initial circumstances such us poverty and polarization restrict the scope of people's imagination and consequently of their aspirations. We develop a model consistent with this argument and study the importance of role models to break aspirations failures. Chapter 6 combines experimental data with a survey and shows evidence that the more frustrated people are income-wise, the lower is their propensity to cooperate to provide global (e.g. environment) and national public goods. Finally, chapter 7 concludes and highlights avenues for future research.
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Stirling, Jacqueline. "Investigating patients' decision making about elective orthognathic surgery." Thesis, University of Leeds, 2003. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.275776.
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Lambert, Aude. "La diversité des structures de rationalité en microéconomie." Thesis, Aix-Marseille, 2016. http://www.theses.fr/2016AIXM3047.
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La microéconomie conventionnelle présente le concept de rationalité de manière univoque et étroite comme maximisation de l'utilité espérée. On sait les critiques qui ont été adressées à ce concept tant du point de vue de l'économie comportementale que de celui de la sociologie. Notre objectif est de proposer une lecture de certaines de ces critiques afin de montrer que, pour l'essentiel, elles mettent en évidence la diversité des modes de rationalité. Le problème est, dès lors, de savoir si le constat de cette diversité conduit nécessairement à la récusation du modèle standard. Cette thèse s'inscrit dans la double perspective de la théorie du choix rationnel et de la théorie des jeux. À partir des critiques de l'économie comportementale, nous soutenons que le principe de maximisation constitue un mode de raisonnement local et évaluable au regard du contexte d'action. Mais une telle régionalisation implique une profonde révision de la théorie des jeux standard. La récusation de l'équilibre général, fondé sur le présupposé de la maximisation de l'utilité espérée, comme modèle univoque appelle un nouveau type de formalisation. En ce sens, nous montrons que la modélisation multi-agents permet de penser, de manière contrefactuelle, des interactions entre agents économiques rationnels et situés. Cette méthode nous autorise ainsi à élaborer des scénarios rationalisants qui dessinent des mondes possibles sans trancher entre ces mondes<br>Standard microeconomics displays the concept of rationality as the maximisation of expected utility i.e. in a narrow and unequivocal sense. The criticisms against this concept made by behavioural economics or sociology are well known. I aim at providing an analysis of some of them in order to emphasise the fact that they mainly highlight the diversity of reasoning modes. But the issue is to know whether the diversity of reasoning modes necessarily leads to reject the standard model. My intention falls into two fields : the theory of Rational Choice and the Game Theory. From the point of view of behavioural economics, I assume that the maximisation is nothing more than a local reasoning mode that can be assessed in relation to the context of action. But this assumption implies correcting the standard Game Theory as well. The fact that the general equilibrium, based on the maximisation of expected utility, cannot be used anymore as an unique model calls a new kind of formalisation. So, I point out that agent-based modelling allows us to conceive, in a counterfactual way, interactions between rational economic agents in their context. Therefore, in this respect, rational patterns of actions and interactions design possible worlds without having to choose between them
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Rice, M. T. "Escalation of commitment behaviour : a critical, prescriptive historiography." Thesis, Coventry University, 2010. http://curve.coventry.ac.uk/open/items/4a1d1bfe-f361-4f8f-3fdd-132444afcaf8/1.
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Escalation of Commitment (EoC) behaviour occurs when a Decision Making Unit (DMU), such as an individual or group, continues with a course of action despite receiving negative feedback about it. Much research exists, within multiple disciplines, which attempts to explain why DMUs continue with failing courses of action. To date however, there has been very little critical inquiry of such research. Using a historical research approach, this thesis reviews and critically assesses all existing EoC behaviour research and concludes that a number of serious issues exist. These include the use of multiple labels by authors to describe the phenomenon; the considerable uncertainty that exists regarding which DMUs are subject to EoC behaviour; the existence of multiple, concurrent definitions for each ‘theory label’ and important EoC behaviour concepts, such as escalation, DMU, resource, success, failure and commitment, not being adequately defined. It is contended that these and other issues exist primarily because of the scope of the phenomenon and the resultant high quantity and complexity of research; all of which impair research technique. However, independent, pre-existing research technique issues are also proposed as reasons. Ultimately, it is argued that the state of EoC behaviour research is poor. It is considered that the mere recognition of the issues raised in this thesis will assist in the improvement of the research. Yet this aspect in isolation is deemed inadequate. In response, a prescriptive technique is developed which is bifurcated between resolutely defining the important concepts related to EoC behaviour research and creating an ‘integrated framework’ which includes all existing EoC behaviour determinants from all research disciplines. The proposed framework also identifies a number of new potential determinants of EoC behaviour, including the Autoepistemic Sunk Cost Effect (ASCE), the age of the DMU and anthropomorphic revenge motives. It is suggested that these two prescriptive responses will also promote focussed future EoC behaviour research, designated in the thesis as research direction. This thesis contributes to existing knowledge by not only recognising research issues that have not previously been acknowledged but also by prescribing for these issues through a complete concept exploration, coupled with a complete collective framework.
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CORTES, FLAVIA MONTARROYOS. "FINANCIAL BEHAVIOURS: AN APPLICATION OF THE PROSPECT THEORY IN DECISION-MAKING BY INVESTORS IN BRAZIL." PONTIFÍCIA UNIVERSIDADE CATÓLICA DO RIO DE JANEIRO, 2008. http://www.maxwell.vrac.puc-rio.br/Busca_etds.php?strSecao=resultado&nrSeq=13116@1.
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Este trabalho tem o objetivo de aplicar os conceitos das
Finanças Comportamentais (FC) através da Teoria do
Prospecto na tomada de decisões de investidores no Brasil.
Os primeiros estudos publicados sobre o tema são datados de
1979, feitos por Daniel Kahneman e Amos Tversky. As
Finanças comportamentais surgem para contestar a Hipótese
dos Mercados Eficientes (HME), na qual os investidores são
completamente racionais e que, no processo de tomada de
decisão, são capazes de analisar a totalidade dos dados
disponíveis e que todos os agentes do mercado possuem o
mesmo número de informações. Este novo modelo incorpora
aspectos da psicologia e da sociologia na busca de uma
maior compreensão do processo decisório no mercado
financeiro. O presente estudo replicou o questionário
do artigo seminal de Kahneman e Tversky (1979) em 40
pessoas que trabalham ou já trabalharam no mercado
financeiro. Para análise destes dados foram realizadas
comparações com os resultados encontrados por Kahneman e
Tversky (1979), Cruz, Kimura e Krauter (2003) e Rogers,
Securato, Ribeiro e Araújo (2007). A amostra
estudada indica que os decisores tendem a serem avessos ao
risco no campo dos ganhos e propensos aos riscos no campo
das perdas.<br>The present study aims to apply the concepts of Behavioral
Finance (BF) using the Prospect Theory in decision-making
by investors in Brazil. The first published studies on the
topic are from 1979, by Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky.
The Behavioral Finance emerged to contest the Efficient
Capital Market (EFM) Theory, where investors are thought to
act rationally in the process of decision-making, taking
into account all available data, and financial agents share
the same information. This new model intertwines
psychological and sociological aspects seeking a greater
understanding in financial decision-making. The present
study applied the same questionnaire used by Kahneman &
Tversky (1979) in their seminal paper to 40
subjects, working on or retired from the financial market.
In the data analysis, results were compared to those of
Kahneman & Tversky (1979); Cruz, Kimura & Krauter
(2003); and Rogers, Securato, Ribeiro & Araújo (2007). From
our analysis we find that investors run from taking risks
while generating gains and are prone to assume
those risks while losing capital.
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White, Claire May. "Risk eDecisions : online behaviour and decision making from the iGeneration to the 'silver surfer'." Thesis, University of Plymouth, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/10026.1/10376.
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Since the inception of the Internet there has been immense growth in the number of internet users worldwide, and the integration of social media in our daily lives has become commonplace for many. Yet, alongside the many benefits of this global connectivity come numerous risks. Research shows that individuals of all ages are exposed to, and engage in, risky activities online, despite numerous campaigns to highlight the perils of risky online behaviour. Although the rates of victimisation increase year-on-year, surprisingly little is known about the psychological mechanisms underlying online risk-taking. The work in this thesis aimed to address this gap in the psychological literature by conducting empirical research focussing on online risky behaviour and decision making across the lifespan. Four studies, conducted with individuals ranging in age from 13- to 79-years-old, investigated two online risk-taking behaviours, personal information disclosure and friending strangers, within the framework of Fuzzy Trace Theory. A further study investigated the posting of risky and inappropriate content online in British and Italian students, examining the role of self-monitoring and impulsivity. The work in this thesis reveals that Fuzzy Trace Theory is able to predict risk-taking and risk-averse behavioural intentions, and that the retrieval of gist-based, intuitive beliefs and values about online risk reduces risk-taking behaviour and intentions, whereas representing risk in a quantitative-based, verbatim manner leads to increased risk-taking intentions. The ability to reason using gist representations increases with age. Additionally, high self-monitoring was found to predict risky posting behaviour across different cultures. These findings offer a novel and important contribution to our theoretical and practical knowledge about risky online behaviour, and have the potential to inform the development of more effective online safety intervention programmes.
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Phakane, Irvin Monesi. "Factors influencing consumer decision-making in choosing a channel to remit in South Africa." Diss., University of Pretoria, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/2263/27015.
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This research was conducted to provide insights into the factors that influence consumer’s decision when choosing a channel to remit. The study looked at the following theories in determining the important factors that influence consumer intention or behavior, Theory of Reason Action, Theory of Planned Action, Remittance, Innovation Diffusion and Technology Acceptance Models. Hence, service providers should be aware of these factors so they can develop strategies and services to attract consumers to use their channels. The aim of the study was to determine which factors influence consumer’s decision in choosing a bank and non-bank channel to remit. The investigation of the key factors that influence the decision or intention, it was found that a single factor influenced the decision to remit in a bank and non-bank channel. It was also found in the study that consumers prefer physical channel of both bank and non-bank to remit. The finding has serious implications for service providers, in that consumer behavior show attachment to traditional distribution channels.<br>Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2011.<br>Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS)<br>unrestricted
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Marks, Gillian. "The employment decisions of first-time mothers : an application of the Theory of Planned Behaviour." Thesis, University of Kent, 1999. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.310206.
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Yates, Peter Michael. "'Better Together' : a grounded theory study of social worker decision making in cases involving sexual behaviour between siblings." Thesis, University of Edinburgh, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/1842/16446.
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Between 1/5 and 1/3 of all cases of sexual abuse in the UK involve children or young people as perpetrators (Hackett, 2004). Siblings may account for somewhere between 1/3 and 1/2 of the victims of these children (Hackett et al., 1998; Shaw et al., 2000; Beckett, 2006; Allardyce and Yates, 2009; Ryan, 2010a). There is increasing evidence that sibling sexual abuse may have very damaging consequences for victims, at least as damaging as sexual abuse by a parent (Rudd and Herzberger, 1999; Cyr et al., 2002), yet there is ongoing debate over how to differentiate harmless sex play from harmful sibling sexual abuse (Caffaro, 2014). How social workers make sense of sibling sexual behaviour is of interest in light of their role in making decisions regarding the intervention of the State in private and family life. However, research on how social workers make decisions has so far been limited to situations concerning abuse by a parent, with almost no attention having been paid to situations where a child in the family is the source of risk. This grounded theory study analyses the retrospective accounts of decisions made with respect to separation, contact, and reunification by 21 social workers in Scotland regarding 21 families in which sibling sexual behaviour has taken place. The study finds that social workers make these decisions intuitively and in relationship with children and families, influenced by a cognitive orientation, a practice mindset: ‘siblings as better together’. This mindset comprises three underlying perspectives: children as vulnerable and intending no sexual harm to others; sibling relationships as non-abusive and of intrinsic value; and parents as well-intentioned protective. These perspectives encourage a focus on immediate safety rather than emotional harm, and could be said to extend Dingwall et al.’s (1983) ‘rule of optimism’ in these cases where a child is the source of abuse within the family. In keeping with the findings of serious case reviews concerning abuse by a parent (e.g. Sinclair and Bullock, 2002; Brandon et al., 2012), there is a danger of the victim child becoming lost.
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Perez, Richard. "The Canadian C-Spine Rule and CT-Head Rule Implementation Studies: A Psychological Process Evaluation." Thesis, Université d'Ottawa / University of Ottawa, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/10393/19814.
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The Canadian C-Spine (CS) and CT-Head (CT) Rules are tools aimed at improving the accuracy and efficiency of radiography use in emergency departments. This study evaluated whether the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) could explain the inconsistent results from implementation studies of these two rules at 12 Canadian hospitals, where the same intervention resulted in a significant reduction in CS radiography but not CT radiography. It was demonstrated that the TPB model’s proposed relationships between constructs and behaviour could explain the ordering of CS but not CT radiography. However, after examining longitudinal changes of the TPB constructs, it was clear that these changes could not explain the changes in CS radiography ordering. Overall, TPB is unlikely to suggest important ways by which to improve radiography use, for CT because its constructs are not related to radiography ordering, and for CS because of high baseline levels of intention to clinically clear.
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Yu, Shen. "A Bayesian machine learning system for recognizing group behaviour." Thesis, McGill University, 2009. http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:8881/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=32565.
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Harris, Patricia A. "Promoting research utilisation and evidence-based decision making amongst healthcare managers : utilising nonrecursive structural equation modelling to develop the theory of planned behaviour." Thesis, Open University, 2006. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.424678.
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Harris, Patricia Amanda. "Promoting research utilisation and evidence-based decision making amongst healthcare managers : utilising nonrecursive structural equation modelling to develop the theory of planned behaviour." n.p, 2005. http://ethos.bl.uk/.
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Gibbons, Zoë. "Applying the theory of planned behaviour to investigate staff decisions to undertake 'focused work' with child relatives of adults with multiple sclerosis." Thesis, University of Oxford, 2006. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.437399.
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Macleod, Diana C. "Investigating issues influencing the decision to discuss the content and meaning of voices with people who hear voices : applying the theory of planned behaviour." Thesis, University of Sheffield, 2011. http://etheses.whiterose.ac.uk/1724/.
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Russell, Scott. "How individual conceptions of task role influence referee decision-making priorities: Football arbitration as an ‘ecologically grounded’ process in a complex system." Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 2021. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/227143/1/Scott_Russell_Thesis.pdf.
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Traditional scientific methods that preference objectivity, generality, and prediction, have diminished the culturally complex function of the referee. Using an ecological grounded theory approach, I outline how officiating is primarily a human relationship task, where varied decision-making choices to similar incidents are often desirable to regulate key performance priorities, such as minimising their visible influence on the game’s outcome. Research implications draw attention to limitations of foul-play video assessment, suggesting that training orientated toward complete uniform agreement on game incidents may be counterproductive. I propose that refereeing can be conceived as an ‘ecologically grounded’ process in a complex system.
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Tolar, Martin. "Satisficing versus optimising behaviour in the non-durable consumption expenditure decision making process : an empirical examination of Australian data for the period 1976(1) - 1994(2) /." [Campbelltown, N.S.W. : The Author], 1995. http://library.uws.edu.au/adt-NUWS/public/adt-NUWS20030703.130007/index.html.
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Chaudhry, Moniba. "Decision makin in the Security Council, States conduct and its consequences : A theory developing study aimed to explain the behaviour of the states in the UN Security Council." Thesis, Södertörns högskola, Institutionen för samhällsvetenskaper, 2011. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:sh:diva-13477.
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The chief purpose of this study is to develop a theoretical framework which can contribute to a broader theoretical understanding of the actions of the U.N. Security Council and its members. The framework rests upon a rationalistic foundation and it is set up with two different models of explanation; a first with focus on power and security and the second which is an institutional explanation. The framework is then applied on a case study in which the behavior of theUnited Statesand theUnited Kingdomin the Security Council are explained. The outcome of the paper is worth mentioning that the member nations have find the Security Council to be an important institution and that there is an apprehension of the precedential power of the institution. The study also points out that a permanent member is more likely to use its veto when there are strong national reasons of so doing. In general the developed theoretical framework seems to be well appropriate to explain states behavior in the Security Council and may provide a foundation for further theoretical studies on the subject.
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Webster, Guinevere. "Family focused rehabilitation : applying the theory of planned behaviour to investigating staff's decisions to involve the children and families of adults with acquired brain injury in the rehabilitation process." Thesis, Open University, 2002. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.269851.
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Silva, Valdinei Freire da. "Extração de preferências por meio de avaliações de comportamentos observados." Universidade de São Paulo, 2009. http://www.teses.usp.br/teses/disponiveis/3/3141/tde-01072009-131819/.
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Recentemente, várias tarefas tem sido delegadas a sistemas computacionais, principalmente quando sistemas computacionais são mais confiáveis ou quando as tarefas não são adequadas para seres humanos. O uso de extração de preferências ajuda a realizar a delegação, permitindo que mesmo pessoas leigas possam programar facilmente um sistema computacional com suas preferências. As preferências de uma pessoa são obtidas por meio de respostas para questões específicas, que são formuladas pelo próprio sistema computacional. A pessoa age como um usuário do sistema computacional, enquanto este é visto como um agente que age no lugar da pessoa. A estrutura e contexto das questões são apontadas como fonte de variações das respostas do usuário, e tais variações podem impossibilitar a factibilidade da extração de preferências. Uma forma de evitar tais variações é questionar um usuário sobre a sua preferência entre dois comportamentos observados por ele. A questão de avaliar relativamente comportamentos observados é mais simples e transparente ao usuário, diminuindo as possíveis variações, mas pode não ser fácil para o agente interpretar tais avaliações. Se existem divergências entre as percepções do agente e do usuário, o agente pode ficar impossibilitado de aprender as preferências do usuário. As avaliações são geradas com base nas percepções do usuário, mas tudo que um agente pode fazer é relacionar tais avaliações às suas próprias percepções. Um outro problema é que questões, que são expostas ao usuário por meio de comportamentos demonstrados, são agora restritas pela dinâmica do ambiente e um comportamento não pode ser escolhido arbitrariamente. O comportamento deve ser factível e uma política de ação deve ser executada no ambiente para que um comportamento seja demonstrado. Enquanto o primeiro problema influencia a inferência de como o usuário avalia comportamentos, o segundo problema influencia quão rápido e acurado o processo de aprendizado pode ser feito. Esta tese propõe o problema de Extração de Preferências com base em Comportamentos Observados utilizando o arcabouço de Processos Markovianos de Decisão, desenvolvendo propriedades teóricas em tal arcabouço que viabilizam computacionalmente tal problema. O problema de diferentes percepções é analisado e soluções restritas são desenvolvidas. O problema de demonstração de comportamentos é analisado utilizando formulação de questões com base em políticas estacionárias e replanejamento de políticas, sendo implementados algoritmos com ambas soluções para resolver a extração de preferências em um cenário sob condições restritas.<br>Recently, computer systems have been delegated to accomplish a variety of tasks, when the computer system can be more reliable or when the task is not suitable or not recommended for a human being. The use of preference elicitation in computational systems helps to improve such delegation, enabling lay people to program easily a computer system with their own preference. The preference of a person is elicited through his answers to specific questions, that the computer system formulates by itself. The person acts as an user of the computer system, whereas the computer system can be seen as an agent that acts in place of the person. The structure and context of the questions have been pointed as sources of variance regarding the users answers, and such variance can jeopardize the feasibility of preference elicitation. An attempt to avoid such variance is asking an user to choose between two behaviours that were observed by himself. Evaluating relatively observed behaviours turn questions more transparent and simpler for the user, decreasing the variance effect, but it might not be easier interpreting such evaluations. If divergences between agents and users perceptions occur, the agent may not be able to learn the users preference. Evaluations are generated regarding users perception, but all an agent can do is to relate such evaluation to his own perception. Another issue is that questions, which are exposed to the user through behaviours, are now constrained by the environment dynamics and a behaviour cannot be chosen arbitrarily, but the behaviour must be feasible and a policy must be executed in order to achieve a behaviour. Whereas the first issue influences the inference regarding users evaluation, the second problem influences how fast and accurate the learning process can be made. This thesis proposes the problem of Preference Elicitation under Evaluations over Observed Behaviours using the Markov Decision Process framework and theoretic properties in such framework are developed in order to turn such problem computationally feasible. The problem o different perceptions is analysed and constraint solutions are developed. The problem of demonstrating a behaviour is considered under the formulation of question based on stationary policies and non-stationary policies. Both type of questions was implemented and tested to solve the preference elicitation in a scenario with constraint conditions.
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Potter, Candice. "Challenging the focus of journey management: Exploring the influences of miners' driving decisions at the end of shifts." Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 2017. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/115068/1/115068_8485356_candice_potter_thesis.pdf.
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It is common for mine workers in Australia to drive an average of 250 kilometres immediately after finishing consecutive rostered days on site. Despite these distances, there is evidence to suggest that these workers are not taking a break prior to driving home, creating a high risk driving scenario. Little is known about the factors that influence these workers to drive home immediately following their shift. This thesis reports the results of four studies which together contribute to an understanding of key influences affecting the immediacy of workers' commuting decisions. In the final study, the key influences identified are examined using the theory of planned behaviour to identify the most salient relationships which affect workers' decision-making in respect of driving, and the opportunities for company interventions to complement fatigue management policies and education.
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Connelly, David. "General medical staff attitudes towards decision making in client care and their own involvement in organisational planning : development of an instrument based on the theory of planned behaviour and a comparison of different professional groups." Thesis, University of Surrey, 2000. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.325818.
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Ernst, Wolfgang F. "The economic rationale for stochastic urban transport models and travel behaviour : a mathematical programming approach to quantitative analysis with Perth data." UWA Business School, 2003. http://theses.library.uwa.edu.au/adt-WU2005.0004.
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[Formulae and special characters can only be approximated here. Please see the pdf version of the abstract for an accurate reproduction.] This thesis reviews, extends and applies to urban traffic analysis the entropy concept of Shannon and Luce's mathematical psychology in a fairly complex and mathematically demanding model of human decision making, if it is solved as a deeply nested structure of logit calculus. Recognising consumers' different preferences and the universal propensity to seek the best choice when going to some desired goal (k), a transparent mathematical program (MP) is developed: the equivalent of a nested multinomial logit model without its inherent computational difficulty. The MP model makes a statistical assessment of individual decisions based on a randomised (measurable) utility within a given choice structure: some path through a diagram (Rk, Dk), designed a priori, of a finite number of sequential choices. The Equivalence Theorem (ET) formalises the process and states a non-linear MP with linear constraints that maximises collective satisfaction: utility plus weighted entropy, where the weight (1/θn) is a behavioural parameter to be calibrated in each case, eg for the Perth CBD. An optimisation subject to feasible routes through the (Rk, Dk) network thus captures the rational behaviour of consumers on their individually different best-choice decision paths towards their respective goals (k). This theory has been applied to urban traffic assignment before: a Stochastic User Equi-librium (SUE). What sets this thesis apart is its focus on MP models that can be solved with standard Operations Research software (eg MINOS), models for which the ET is a conditio sine qua non. A brief list of SUE examples in the literature includes Fisk's logit SUE model in (impractically many) route flows. Dial's STOCH algorithm obviates path enumeration, yet is a logit multi-path assignment procedure, not an MP model; it is nei-ther destination oriented nor an optimisation towards a SUE. A revision of Dial's method is provided, named STOCH[k], that computes primal variables (node and link flows) and Lagrangian duals (the satisfaction difference n→k). Sheffi & Powell presented an unconstrained optimisation problem, but favoured a probit SUE, defying closed formulae and standard OR software. Their model corresponds to the (constrained) dual model here, yet the specifics of our primary MP model and its dual are possible only if one restricts himself to logit SUE models, including the ET, which is logit-specific. A real world application needs decomposition, and the Perth CBD example is iteratively solved by Partial Linearisation, switching from (measured) disutility minimisation to Sheffi & Powell's Method of Successive Averages near the optimum. The methodology is demonstrated on the Perth Central Business District (CBD). To that end, parameter Θ is calibrated on Main Roads' traffic count data over the years 1997/98 and 1998/99. The method is a revision of Liu & Fricker's simultaneous estimation of not only Θ but an appropriate trip matrix also. Our method handles the more difficult variable costs (congestion), incomplete data (missing observations) and observation errors (wrong data). Finally, again based on Main Roads' data (a sub-area trip matrix), a Perth CBD traffic assignment is computed, (a) as a logit SUE and - for comparison - (b) as a DUE (using the PARTAN method of Florian, Guélat and Spiess). The results are only superficially similar. In conclusion, the methodology has the potential to replace current DUE models and to deepen transport policy analysis, taking into account individual behaviour and a money-metric utility that quantifies 'social benefits', for instance in a cost-benefit-analysis.
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Gello, Gabriella, and Alex Uckardes. "Covid-19-pandemins påverkan på människors beteende vid inköp av livsmedel : En kvalitativ studie om covid-19-pandemins påverkan, som en situationell faktor, på inköp av livsmedel via e-handeln istället för fysiska butiker." Thesis, Södertörns högskola, Företagsekonomi, 2021. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:sh:diva-46082.
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The Covid-19 pandemic, as a health and economic crisis, has significantly affected consumers, businesses and industries in all parts of the world. In this study, the aim was to investigate how situational factors, the covid-19 pandemic, affected consumer behavior regarding food purchases via e-commerce instead of physical stores. This has been done through a qualitative method in the form of 15 semi-structured interviews that have taken place via the Zoom program. The study sample consisted of a combination of both a goal-directed and convenience sample, where the authors chose the interviewees based on their circle of acquaintances and based on three different criterias, (1) the interviewees live in either the Salem or Södertälje municipality, (2) the interviewees need to be at least 18 years old to participate in the study and (3) the interviewees must have purchased food via e-commerce after the emergence of the covid-19 pandemic. The study's question is: How has the covid-19 pandemic affected consumers over the age of 18 in Södertälje and Salem municipalities when buying food, from shopping in physical stores to shopping via e-commerce? The authors analyzed the empirical data with regard to the study's theoretical frame of reference. The results of the study showed that the situational factor, the covid-19 pandemic, has been a contributing force in a change in consumer behavior when purchasing food starting from physical stores to e-commerce. This has been demonstrated by the fact that the interviewees' subjective norm, attitude and evaluation of alternatives have been influenced by the situational factor. Some trends have also been found in the empirical study, where one of the trends concerns the perceived behavioral control, which has been shown to have the opposite effect. Post-purchase evaluation in The Consumer Purchase Decision-Making Process has been shown to be for the most part positive in the interviewees answers and finally, WOM-communication has had an impact on consumer behavior inconnection with the impact of the covid-19 pandemic.<br>Covid-19-pandemin, som både en hälso- och ekonomisk kris, har väsentligt påverkat konsumenter, företag och industrier i alla delar av världen. I denna studie var syftet att undersöka hur situationella faktorer, covid-19-pandemin, påverkat konsumentbeteendet gällande inköp av livsmedel via e-handeln istället för fysiska butiker. Detta har genomförts via en kvalitativ metod i form av 15 semistrukturerade intervjuer som skett via Zoom-programmet. Studiens urval bestod av en kombination av ett målstyrt och bekvämlighetsurval, där författarna valde intervjupersonerna utifrån deras bekantskapskrets och utifrån tre olika kriterier, att (1) intervjupersonerna bor i antingen Salem eller Södertälje kommun, (2) intervjupersonerna behöver vara minst 18 år gamla för att delta i studien och (3) intervjupersonerna måste ha handlat livsmedel via e-handeln efter covid-19-pandemins uppkomst. Studiens frågeställning lyder: Hur har covid-19-pandemin påverkat konsumenterna över 18 år i Södertälje och Salem kommun vid inköp av livsmedel, från att handla i fysiska butiker till att handla via e-handel? Författarna analyserade empirin med hänsyn till studiens teoretiska referensram. Studiens resultat visade att den situationella faktorn, covid-19-pandemin har varit en medverkande kraft i ett ändrat konsumentbeteende vid inköp av livsmedel från fysiska butiker till e-handeln. Detta har påvisats genom att intervjupersonernas subjektiva norm, attityd och utvärdering av alternativ har påverkats av den situationella faktorn. Även en del trender har upptäckts i empirin, där en av trenderna berör den upplevda beteendekontrollen, vilket har visats ha en omvänd effekt. Utvärdering efter köpet i The Consumer Purchase Decision-Making Process har visats vara för den övervägande delen positiv och slutligen har WOM-kommunikationen haft en påverkan på konsumentbeteendet i samband med covid-19-pandemins inverkan.
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Bersier, Florian. "Design of online reputation systems : an economic perspective." Thesis, University of Oxford, 2014. http://ora.ox.ac.uk/objects/uuid:deb557af-e848-481c-947e-94e0a4014994.
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Online reputation systems are certainly the most overlooked 'heroes' of today's social Web. While these mechanisms are a vital element of every online transaction, they have received less consideration than some of their more well-known cousins, such as recommender systems or social networks, whose success would often not have been possible and tenable without their discrete but active backing. It then follows that despite their value and importance, the implementation of current reputation mechanisms has mostly been the result of trial-and-error. Resting on an economic perspective, this thesis regroups three chapters whose frameworks and findings aim at helping mechanism designers and researchers understand key mechanisms at play and develop more efficient online reputation systems. The first chapter examines the optimal number of ratings a reputation mechanism must make publicly available within an online marketplace in order to minimize cheating and maximize Pareto efficiency. I develop a moral hazard stage game featuring fictitious players which has the compelling property to prevent reputation effects from disappearing in the long run. I show that the number of ratings displayed by a reputation system is a fundamental predictor of market efficiency, and that the latter number should be kept minimal in order to maximize social welfare in the market – especially for economies proposing interactions with a high profit margin. The second chapter studies how different classes of reporting behaviours commonly found online affect the reliability of a reputation mechanism. I develop an iterative stochastic approximation model which I use to construct a behavioural measure of efficiency, so-called 'reporting bias'. I demonstrate that reporting bias tends towards its maximum when raters comply with the reports left by their predecessors. Following this result, I recommend to keep the rating interface separated from the rest of the reputation system. I also find that fake ratings are particularly harmful when one type of behaviour is present in the economy and suggest to counterbalance sybil attacks by displaying pairs of contrasted ratings. Finally, I defend the use of the arithmetic mean against the median as a way to compute reputation scores. The third chapter analyses how 5-star rating scales can lead to the formation of bimodal distributions of ratings within online marketplaces. Using a 2-time period model featuring altruistic raters, I identify the existence of a 'blind spot' of unrated transactions whose magnitude increases in the cost of rating and decreases in the number of buyers inhabiting the economy. Developing an additional model featuring Bayesian agents suffering from confirmatory bias, I show that non-binary rating scales can leave space to ambiguity and possibly wrong posteriors, even in the long run. Overall, results of the chapter hint that fine-grained rating scales best suit signalling reputation systems while coarse-grained scales should be preferred for sanctioning mechanisms.
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Martin, Julie. "An investigation into how girls identified as having Social, Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties and staff of one specialist education provision feel pupil participation in decision making and planning regarding their needs can best be facilitated." Thesis, University of Manchester, 2015. https://www.research.manchester.ac.uk/portal/en/theses/an-investigation-into-how-girls-identified-as-having-social-emotional-and-behavioural-difficulties-and-staff-of-one-specialist-education-provision-feel-pupil-participation-in-decision-making-and-planning-regarding-their-needs-can-best-be-facilitated(9a1605e3-9e8b-44c6-bcbe-4d35c828ed48).html.
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The Children and Families Act 2014 (DfE, 2014) makes clear that local authorities (LAs) and schools must have regard to: the views, wishes and feelings of the child or young person (CYP) with special educational needs (SEN); and highlights the importance of CYP participating as fully as possible in decisions, and of being provided with the information and support necessary to enable participation in those decisions. CYP with SEN in the form of social, emotional and behavioural difficulties (SEBDs) continue to be an under researched and underrepresented voice. The views of girls with SEBDs are particularly diminished as, in addition to the barriers faced by CYP with SEBDs, they face further obstacles relating to gender and how this influences perceptions of SEBDs. This thesis aimed to engage with a Pupil Referral Unit (PRU) in action research to facilitate development into a special provision for girls with SEDBs by exploring the views of pupils, specifically girls, and staff working with them regarding how pupil participation in decision making and planning regarding their needs can best be facilitated. A single embedded case study design was used within an appreciative inquiry (AI) framework to explore the participation of girls with SEBDs in a PRU in decision making regarding their needs. Participants included five staff members from the PRU and four girls identified as having SEBDs. Data was collected through semi structured interviews, photographs and documentation and analysed using thematic and content analysis. The key themes identified were: Successful Participation Practices; The influence of gender; Pupil Voice; The influence of CYP's views; Understanding of the needs of CYP with SEBD; Relationships; Ethos of the setting and Moving participation forward. Furthermore, it was found that the needs of girls with SEBDs were perceived to be different within their gender group as well as between girls and boys with SEBDs. Findings were explored and future actions agreed and reviewed in workshops with key stakeholders and the researcher. The findings contribute to the knowledge base regarding how participation is conceptualised by girls with SEBDs and staff supporting them in one specialist provision. The knowledge contributed evidences that there is a role for Educational Psychologists (EPs) in the facilitation of pupil voice in order to identify how pupil participation in decision making and planning regarding their needs can be best accelerated in order to support their engagement. Additionally, AI appears to have been an effective method for this participatory research. Implications for EP practice and areas for future research are also considered.
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Kalfas, Alice, and Marlene Svensson. "Dermarome is launching a B2B website : A qualitative study which considers investment theories, and how a B2B website can influence the customer purchasing behaviour." Thesis, Umeå universitet, Företagsekonomi, 2021. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-184157.
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Digitalization is an important aspect for future growth of all organizations, and especially in times like the past year where most of the world has been faced with covid-restrictions and lockdown. Dermarome is a leading skincare and beauty distributor and are currently in the process of launching a new B2B website and web-shop. The aim of this research is to provide an answer to the following interrelated research questions: 1. How do the management of Dermarome decide on their investments in the business- to- business IT infrastructure? 2. How will the launch of the business- to- business website affect the purchasing behaviour of the business- to- business customers? To answer these research questions a qualitative study has been made and the top management at Dermarome has been interviewed for this purpose. 5 interviewees were selected based on their knowledge and experience. All interviews that participated in this research were anonymous. The result of this thesis is divided up into two parts, firstly, it describes how Dermarome has used the Payback rule and SWOT in order to make a decision regarding the investment in the B2B website. Secondly, it describes how Dermarome believes the saloon and spa customers purchasing behaviour will change due to this website, as it will lead to an increase in Dermarome’s sales.
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Petersson, Frida. "Sustainable investments : Transparency regulation as a tool to influence investors to choose sustainable investment funds." Thesis, Linköpings universitet, Filosofiska fakulteten, 2019. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-156659.
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In March 2018 the European Commission published the Action Plan on Financing Sustainable Growth. One of the main objectives with the actions presented in the action plan is to reorient capital flows towards sustainable investments, i.e. to influence more investors to invest sustainably. The action plan was followed by three proposals for transparency regulation regarding an EU taxonomy on sustainability, sustainability benchmarks and sustainability disclosures. Furthermore, the action plan included actions regarding two other transparency measures – sustainability labels and sustainability ratings. The first purpose of the thesis is to investigate if transparency regulation in the EU can be used as a tool to influence investors to choose sustainable investment funds. One of the main aims of the actions presented in the Action Plan on Financing Sustainable Growth, as well as the accompanying regulation proposals, is to reorient capital flows towards sustainable investments, i.e. to influence more investors to invest sustainably. In light of this, the Commission’s three proposed transparency regulations, as well as the concept of sustainability labels and ratings, are used as a basis for the investigation. The second purpose of the thesis is therefore to critically review the three regulation proposals and the concept of sustainability labels and ratings in order to gain an understanding of how different transparency measures can influence investors to choose sustainable investment funds. The transparency regulations and measures are analysed and critically reviewed in light of their objective to influence more investors to invest sustainably. A behavioural economics perspective, as well as consumer behaviour theories and decision-making models, are applied in order to analyse the transparency regulations and measures from an external perspective. Based on the analysis there are many indicators that transparency regulation can be used as a tool to influence investors to choose sustainable investment funds. However, to what extent transparency regulation can influence investor behaviour varies depending on which transparency measures are used and how they are designed. Sustainability benchmarks seem to have the least potential to influence investor behaviour, while the EU taxonomy on sustainability and sustainability labels seem to have the best potential to influence investor behaviour.
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Ferreira, Vera Rita de Mello. "Psicologia econômica: origens, modelos, propostas." Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo, 2007. https://tede2.pucsp.br/handle/handle/17173.
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Previous issue date: 2007-02-15<br>Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior<br>The main goal of this thesis is to offer data useful for the constitution and consolidation
of Economic Psychology in Brazil. The underlying hypothesis is that information about
this area may stimulate interest in it and create favourable conditions to build a network
of researchers, based on interdisciplinary cooperation. A historical perspective has been
adopted, employing the analytical-descriptive method. Introduc tion to this area, that
belongs to the interface Psychology-Economics, comprehends an overview of its
situation in countries where it has already been established, historical roots and origins,
and the main models formulated by relevant contemporary authors within it. Historical
perspectives, definitions of the discipline and three essential concepts rationality,
economic behaviour and decision- making are discussed throughout this research. The last
two chapters offer two models: the first one aims to contribute to the issue of decisionmaking
and is based on psychoanalytical theories and observations, focusing the polarity
illusion vs. thinking, supported by the conception of emotions prevailing over reason; the
second one discusses potential insertions for Economic Psychology in Brazil,
emphasizing the importance of informing the population on their economic behaviour
and how decisions are made, which would include both knowledge about Economics and
its mechanisms, and psychological operations as well, in order to help people to take over
their own decision- making processes in the economic realm. It is suggested that data
gathered in this research may expand the premises over which economic policies are
routinely elaborated so as to bring them closer to a more realistic level, both externally
and psychologically<br>Esta tese tem como objetivo fornecer subsídios para a construção e instalação da
Psicologia Econômica no Brasil, partindo-se da hipótese de que o conhecimento deste
campo possa despertar o in teresse por ele e facilitar a constituição de uma rede de
pesquisadores com colaboração interdisciplinar. Desenvolvida a partir de uma
perspectiva histórica, adota o método analítico-descritivo. A apresentação da área, situada
na interface Psicologia-Economia, tem início com uma visão panorâmica da situação
atual nos países em que se encontra constituída. A seguir, percorre-se suas origens e
principais modelos, elaborados por autores contemporâneos, a partir de obras que se
destacam dentro dela. A perspectiva histórica, definições da disciplina e três conceitos
básicos racionalidade, comportamento econômico e tomada de decisões estão
presentes em todo o trabalho. Os dois últimos capítulos oferecem propostas: a primeira é
um modelo que se pretende que contribua para a investigação das decisões econômicas,
fundamentado em teorias e observações psicanalíticas, com foco sobre a polaridade
ilusão e pensar, que repousa na concepção do mundo emocional que sobrepõe-se à razão;
a segunda proposta discute possíveis modos de inserção da Psicologia Econômica no
Brasil, com ênfase sobre a importância de proporcionar-se condições para informar a
população acerca de seu comportamento econômico e maneiras como decisões são
tomadas neste âmbito, que contemplaria tanto dados sobre a Economia, como
conhecimentos sobre nosso funcionamento psíquico, com o objetivo de favorecer a
apropriação, por parte de todos os segmentos, das escolhas que fazem. Ainda dentro esta
perspectiva, sugere-se que a reunião destes dados possa expandir as premissas que
sustentam inúmeras políticas econômicas, de modo a torná-las mais condizentes com
nossa realidade externa e psíquica
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McLucas, Alan Charles Civil Engineering Australian Defence Force Academy UNSW. "An investigation into the integration of qualitative and quantitative techniques for addressing systemic complexity in the context of organisational strategic decision-making." Awarded by:University of New South Wales - Australian Defence Force Academy. School of Civil Engineering, 2001. http://handle.unsw.edu.au/1959.4/38744.
Full textAbstract:
System dynamics modelling has been used for around 40 years to address complex, systemic, dynamic problems, those often described as wicked. But, system dynamics modelling is not an exact science and arguments about the most suitable techniques to use in which circumstances, continues. The nature of these wicked problems is investigated through a series of case studies where poor situational awareness among stakeholders was identified. This was found to be an underlying cause for management failure, suggesting need for better ways of recognising and managing wicked problem situations. Human cognition is considered both as a limitation and enabler to decision-making in wicked problem environments. Naturalistic and deliberate decision-making are reviewed. The thesis identifies the need for integration of qualitative and quantitative techniques. Case study results and a review of the literature led to identification of a set of principles of method to be applied in an integrated framework, the aim being to develop an improved way of addressing wicked problems. These principles were applied to a series of cases in an action research setting. However, organisational and political barriers were encountered. This limited the exploitation and investigation of cases to varying degrees. In response to a need identified in the literature review and the case studies, a tool is designed to facilitate analysis of multi-factorial, non-linear causality. This unique tool and its use to assist in problem conceptualisation, and as an aid to testing alternate strategies, are demonstrated. Further investigation is needed in relation to the veracity of combining causal influences using this tool and system dynamics, broadly. System dynamics modelling was found to have utility needed to support analysis of wicked problems. However, failure in a particular modelling project occurred when it was found necessary to rely on human judgement in estimating values to be input into the models. This was found to be problematic and unacceptably risky for sponsors of the modelling effort. Finally, this work has also identified that further study is required into: the use of human judgement in decision-making and the validity of system dynamics models that rely on the quantification of human judgement.
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El, hajjari Borg Mounia, and Elin Sundberg. "Licence to Talk : Sustainability Managers and their Managerial Realities within the Corporate Sustainability Paradox." Thesis, Uppsala universitet, Företagsekonomiska institutionen, 2021. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-448552.
Full textAbstract:
While sustainability-dedicated managers and related titles represent a profession that has hardly existed for more than a decade, it is not surprising that the field of research concentrating on these professionals is in itself relatively new. With an increasing demand for corporations to take their social and environmental responsibility, and a corporate sustainability characterized by tension and paradox, we found it of importance to explore the role and entanglements of these professionals. By analysing 17 in-depth interviews with sustainability-dedicated professionals from the private sector in Sweden, our interpretation is that sustainability managers hold the function of selling sustainability, with talk as their main weapon. Expressly, in the intersection between business-case logics and sustainability logics, sustainability managers have to, above all, make a convincing case for sustainability, inwards and outwards. Therefore, they draw dynamically on different narratives which we conceptualise in three roles: the chameleon, the pragmatic, and the nagging manager. Through these roles, we intend to capture the fluidity with which the managers relate and engage with sustainability, and hence we do not mean to ossify a role’s dynamics within a single, static or stereotypical category. We discuss these findings and concepts to the background of previous studies and existing literature.
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Rodenburg, Kathleen. "Choice Under Uncertainty: Violations of Optimality in Decision Making." Thesis, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/10214/7245.
Full textAbstract:
This thesis is an investigation of how subjects behave in an individual binary choice decision task with the option to purchase or observe for free additional information before reaching a decision. In part 1 of this thesis, an investigative study is conducted with the intent to sharpen the view to literature concerning corresponding psychology and economics experiments designed to test decision tasks that involve purchasing and observing information from an imperfect message prior to taking a terminal action choice. This investigative study identifies areas of research that warrant further investigation as well as provides enhancements for execution in the subsequent experiment conducted in Part 2 & 3 of this thesis. In Part 2 & 3, I conduct an experiment to test how subjects behave in an individual binary choice decision task with the option to purchase or observe for free additional information before reaching a final decision. I find that subjects’ behaviour over time converges toward optimal decisions prior to observing an imperfect information signal. However, when subjects observe an imperfect information signal prior to their terminal choice there is greater deviation from optimal behaviour. I find in addition to behaviour that is reflective of a risk-neutral BEU maximizer, status quo bias, over-weighing the informational value of the message received and past statistically independent outcomes influencing future choices. The subjects’ willingness to pay (WTP) to use the additional information gathered from an imperfect message service when making a final decision was on average less than the risk neutral BEU willingness to pay benchmark. Moreover, as the informative value of the message increased, causing the BEU valuation to increase, subjects under-estimated the value of the message signal to a greater degree. Although risk attitudes may have influenced the subjects’ WTP decisions, it does not account for the increased conservative WTP behaviour when information became more valuable. Additionally, the findings from this study suggest that individuals adopt different decision rules depending on both personal attributes (i.e. skillset, gender, experience) and on the context and environment in which the decision task is conducted.<br>SSHRC grant: Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council via Dr. Bram Cadsby Professor Department of Economics, University of Guelph
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Towers, Andrew James. "Consolidating mistakes of the heart and mind : toward a dual process theory of regret : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand." 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/10179/1226.
Full textAbstract:
There are many idiosyncrasies in the emotion of regret that we do not fully comprehend and our traditional reliance on economic theories of human decision-making, which view regret as stemming from illogical and explicit decision-making processes, may be the cause. This thesis explores the development and testing of the Dual Process Theory of Regret (DPTR) which claims that individuals use both implicit ‘orientation’ and explicit ‘justification’ systems of thought to guide their daily decision-making and the differential use of these systems should be reflected in the intensity of regret felt for a poor outcome. To assess its utility in predicting variation in regret intensity the DPTR was tested in conjunction with two popular theories of regret; one focussing on the distinction between actions and inaction, and the other focussing on decision justification. Three thousand adults were randomly selected from the New Zealand electoral roll and invited to participate in a postal survey of short and long-term life regrets. Of this initial sample 653 participants returned questionnaires with usable data, a response rate of approximately 23% which, while a relatively low response rate, was expected given the sensitive topic and provided more than enough respondents for the present analysis. Results showed that the DPTR had greater utility in predicting trends in short and long-term regret intensity than either of the current regret theories. Results also illustrated that changes in justification strength had little effect on regret intensity and that explicit justifications only influenced regret in the long-term. In contrast results supported the conceptualisation of the implicit orientation and showed that it was a key source of influence on regret intensity in both the short and long-term. This research concludes that the DPTR’s focus on both implicit and explicit cognitive systems provides greater insight into the nature of regret than the reliance on explicit cognitive analysis alone. Implicit feelings of right and wrong are a better indicator of eventual regret than our ability to justify our decision. These results help resolve past anomalies in regret research, clarify conflicting trends in regret highlighted in the current media, and have application for understanding criminal recidivism.
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Ahmad, Termida Nursitihazlin. "Understanding Individuals' Learning and Decision Processes in a Changing Environment by Using Panel Data." Doctoral thesis, 2017. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-203985.
Full textAbstract:
When a new transport service is introduced, people have to learn and familiarize themselves with the new service before they decide to adopt it. These processes are developed over time, thus produce dynamics in individuals’ behavioural responses towards the service. This affects the demand of the new service, thus affect revenues. Available studies have examined the factors influencing these responses from microeconomic perspectives. The influence of the theory-based subjective factors has not been examined empirically. Understanding these would assist transport and urban planners to design a better marketing strategy to increase the market share of the new service. A change in seasons affect individuals’ activity-travel decisions, thus produce dynamics in activitytravel patterns in different seasons. Individuals’ constraints, in a form of mandatory activities (working/studying), are influencing individuals’ decisions to participate in day-to-day nonmandatory activities (leisure and routine activities). The interdependency between travel demand, time allocation and mode choice that considers interactions between mandatory and non-mandatory activities, in different seasons is less explored. Understanding these would assist transport planners and operators to manage travel demand strategies across different seasons of the year and provide better transportation systems for all individuals. This thesis includes five papers. Paper I explores individuals’ characteristics of the quick-response and the adopters of the new public transport (PT) service and examines the temporal effects. Paper II investigates the subjective factors influencing a quick-response to the new PT service by proposing a modified attitude-behaviour framework. Paper III and IV analyse the effects of seasonal variations and individuals’ constraints on their day-to-day activity-travel decisions and patterns. Paper V analyses the attrition and fatigue in the two-week travel diary panel survey instrument.<br><p>QC 20170323</p>
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Mendes, Diogo Correia. "Leigos e especialistas : um estudo experimental sobre diferenças comportamentais." Master's thesis, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/10400.14/23655.
Full textAbstract:
A motivação principal para a realização desta tese deveu-se em primeiro lugar à
curiosidade em perceber o que é a Economia Comportamental, por que motivo existe e
que desafios procura solucionar; em segundo lugar, a possibilidade de lidar na minha área
profissional com investidores com experiência nos Mercados Financeiros que podem
revelar, mesmo no próprio dia, comportamentos muito diferenciados.
Fruto do contexto socio-económico de crise que ainda persiste em Portugal, o
desafio a que me propus não só passou por perceber se os investidores são mais
ponderados, mas também se decidem melhor que os Leigos nos mercados financeiros,
especialmente quando estão na iminência de enfrentar desvios comportamentais.
O estudo traduziu-se em 3 experiências distintas, através de um questionário
realizado a indivíduos com experiência nos mercados financeiros, envolvendo 3 desvios
comportamentais. As descobertas responderam alguma forma às questões que haviam
sido levantadas e mostram que a experiência não torna as pessoas mais desumanas ou,
desprovidas de emoções (sobretudo quando está dinheiro envolvido).
A descoberta mais relevante deste estudo foi ter percebido que quando se descreve
um problema de um modo mais intenso ou com maior impacto emocional, as pessoas
ficam mais sensíveis a resolvê-lo. Isto poderá ser uma vertente a explorar por parte das
Organizações sem Fins Lucrativos, na tentativa de angariar mais fundos.
As ilações a retirar desta investigação vão desde o facto de os participantes terem
sido influenciados apenas pelo sentido dos valores de referência, envidarem mais esforços
para se proteger de perdas do que arriscar ganhos maiores, e doarem mais dinheiro a um
grupo de crianças do que a uma única criança. As limitações desta investigação
prenderam-se sobretudo com a dificuldade em encontrar mais indivíduos que
preenchessem o requisito de ter experiência nos mercados financeiros, e a falta de
estrutura para formular questões que envolvessem dinheiro real.<br>The primary motivation for the completion of this thesis is firstly due by the
curiousity to figure out what in fact Behavioral Economics are, the reason for their
existence and what challenges do they try to tackle; secondly, the chance to dealin my
professional area with Experienced Investors in financial markets that reveal, even on the
same day, very different behaviors.
As a result of the socio-economic context of the crisis that still persists in Portugal,
the challenge that I set out to was not only to observe whether investors are more rational,
but also if they decide better than Lay people in financial markets, especially when on the
verge of facing behavioural biases.
The method used for solving this challenge was achieved via a questionnaire made
to investors that have their own portfolios of securities or individuals with experience in
financial markets. The findings, in some way, have answered to the questions that had
been raised and show that experience does not turn people more inhuman or, devoid of
emotions (especially when money is involved). The most significant discovery of this
research was that when a problem is described in a more violent and aggressive way,
people become more sensitive to solve it. This could be a chance to explore by nonprofitable
organisations, in order to raise more funds.
The conclusions from this research go from the fact that the participants were not
affected by random anchors, made more efforts to protect themselves from losses than
risking to obtain larger gains, and donate more money to a group of children than to a
properly iddentified child.
The limitations of this research had to do mainly with difficulties in finding more
people that would fulfill the necessary requirements of financial expertise and the lack of
structure to formulate questions involving real money.
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Hanekom, Janette. "A conceptual integrated theoretical model for online consumer behaviour." Thesis, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/10500/11984.
Full textAbstract:
The study addresses the limited and fragmented approaches of consumer behaviour studies in the existing literature and a lack of comprehensive integrated theoretical models of online consumer behaviour. The aim of the study is to propose a conceptual integrated theoretical model for online consumer behaviour which suggests a deviation from the existing purchasing approaches to consumer behaviour - hence a move towards an understanding of consumer behaviour in terms of two new approaches, namely the web-based communication exposure and internal psychological behavioural processes approaches, is proposed.
The study addresses two main research problems, namely that inadequate knowledge and information exist on online consumers’ behavioural processes, especially their internal psychological behavioural processes during their exposure to web-based communication messages and their progression through the complete web-based communication experience; and that there is no conceptual integrated theoretical model for online consumer behaviour in the literature.
This study, firstly, allows for systematic theoretical exploration, description, interpretation and integration of existing literature and theory on offline and online consumer behaviour including the following: theoretical perspectives and approaches; determinants; decision making; consumer information processing and response; and theoretical foundations. This systematic theoretical exploration and description of consumer behaviour literature and theory commences with the contextualisation and proposal of a new definition, perspective and theoretical approaches to online consumer behaviour; the discussion and analysis of the theory of the determinants of consumer behaviour; the discussion and analysis of decision-making theory; the proposition of a new online information decision-making perspective and model; the discussion and analysis of consumer information-processing and response theory and models; the discussion and analysis of the theoretical foundations of consumer behaviour; and the identification of theoretical criteria for online consumer behaviour.
Declaration – acknowledgements - abstract
Secondly, the study develops a conceptual integrated theoretical model for online consumer behaviour, thereby theoretically grounding online consumer behavioural processes in the context of internal psychological behavioural processes and exposure to web-based communication messages. It is hence posited that the study provides a more precise understanding of online consumers’ complicated internal cognitive and psychological behavioural processes in their interactive search for and experience of online web-based communication and information, which can be seen as a major contribution to the field of study.<br>Communication Science<br>D. Litt. et Phil. (Communication)
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Agarwal, Nipun. "Selfishness, altruism and utility in everyday two-person random interactions: effects of strong reciprocity, the common good and the costs of competition." Thesis, 2011. https://vuir.vu.edu.au/19418/.
Full textAbstract:
Why should we model two-person random interactions in everyday human activity? If
we had to how would we model such interactions? This thesis tries to understand how
individuals will behave in 2-person everyday interactions as such interactions comprise
a substantial part of our everyday lives. It starts to answers these questions by reviewing
Adam Smith’s concepts of selfishness (self-interest) and altruism (benevolence) in his
books, An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations (1776) and The
Theory of Moral Sentiments (1790) to put this research into context. This literature
review is extended to strong reciprocity that develops on the ideas of selfishness and
altruism and explains how punishment can impact such behaviour. Game theory and
complex system are used to develop the 2-person random interaction model (2PRIM) in
order to explain the evolutionary dynamics of selfishness, altruism and strong
reciprocity within such interactions. Previous two-person models have not simulated
random interactions with strong reciprocity. Results show that selfishness increases
rapidly in such interactions and punishment has little or no impact in such situations.
However, an increase in the return on selfishness, common or public good or cost of
competition in 2PRIM can have a similar impact as strong reciprocity in such two-person
random interactions.
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Fukukawa, Kyoko. "Developing a framework for ethically questionable behaviour in consumption." 2002. http://hdl.handle.net/10454/3630.
Full textAbstract:
No<br>In light of the growing interest in "ethically questionable" consumer behavior, this study explores possible explanations of the occurrence of such behaviour, and subsequently develops a theoretical framework. The study is based upon data collected from 72 U.K. consumers, acquired from a projective approach with scenarios. Taking the theory of planned behavior (TPB) as an initial analytical framework, attitude, social influence, opportunity (as perceived behavioral control in TPB) and perceived unfairness are identified as the antecedents of ethically questionable behavior (EQB). Social influence is extended to include a broader range of external influences from subjective norm in TPB. Opportunity is considered to represent an aspect of perceived behavioral control as available resource to engage in EQB. Perceived unfairness is presented as an additional component and refers to the extent to which an actor is motivated to redress an imbalance that is perceived as unfair. Binary logistic models suggest that attitude and social influence consistently impact on EQB, as TPB would predict. Analysis of variance suggests that perceived unfairness and opportunity, though context specific, also show signs of significant influence on the acceptance and practice of this behavior. Additional to the construct of TPB, this study develops the dimension of perceived unfairness in the context of EQB decision-making. In the context of TPB, it provides further insight into our understanding of EQB, helping to provide a theoretical framework.
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De, Freitas Duane. "Exploring and predicting South African consumer's intended behaviour towards selecting green hotels : extending the Theory of Planned Behaviour." Diss., 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/10500/25304.
Full textAbstract:
Although South African consumers are reflecting increased green purchasing intentions, the factors that will lead to their intended behaviour to select green hotels have yet to be researched. Accordingly, the research proposes to explore the predictive ability of the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) and then further modify and develop extended model structures surrounding the TPB, to identify and confirm an independent theoretical model that will effectively and comprehensively be able to predict South African consumers’ intended behaviour towards selecting green hotels. To answer the aim and objectives set, the research positioned itself within a non-experimental quantitative paradigm. An online questionnaire was distributed to South African consumers that stayed at a hotel at least once within a 12-month period. A total of 402 completed and error-free responses were used for statistical analysis.
Descriptive statistical analysis was used to assess, derive and understand the demographic profile of the respondents and determine the respondent’s characteristics as South Africans who intend to stay at or visit hotels. Structural equation modelling (SEM) revealed that Azjen (1991)’s original TPB is a strong predictor of behavioural intention, indicating its applicability to the domain of South African consumers’ behavioural intention towards selecting green hotels. In addition, it was found that South African consumers’ intended behaviour towards selecting green hotels can statistically be best explained by expanding on the original TPB model to include emotive and non-cognitive predictor variables, namely anticipated regret (AR) and perceived moral obligation (PMO), as direct constructs to behavioural intention as well as by including environmental knowledge (EK) as a direct predictor variable to attitude (ATT). Furthermore, it found that the relationship between behavioural intention and perceived behavioural control (PBC) was the strongest and most significant, followed by subjective norm (SN), ATT, PMO and AR. Lastly, the findings revealed that PBC, ATT, SN, PMO and AR can all act as positive and highly significant intermediaries between EK and behavioural intention.
The study contributed towards theory by identifying and assessing the psychographic factors that will best explain the consumer decision-making processes leading to behavioural intention in context to green hotel selection. The study further extends its contribution by adding value to environmental sustainable literature in context to an emerging economy, namely South Africa. Although South African consumers are reflecting increased green purchasing intentions, the psychological factors that will lead to the intended behaviour towards selecting green hotels have not received much attention in research. It was, therefore, important and theoretically valuable to not only investigate the predictive ability of the original TPB, but to also modify, develop and extend model variations surrounding the TPB to thoroughly explore the predictive ability for South African consumers’ intention to select green hotels.<br>Life and Consumer Sciences<br>M. Sc.
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Mgabisa, Aphelele Ronnie. "Analysis of geographical and temporal patterns of malaria transmission in Limpopo Province, South Africa using Bayesian geo-statistical modelling." Thesis, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/10413/11316.
Full textAbstract:
South Africa is at the southern fringe of sub-Saharan African countries which persist in
experiencing malaria transmission. The purpose of the study is to analyse the geographical
and temporal patterns of malaria transmission from 2000 to 2011 using Bayesian geostatistical
modelling in Limpopo Province, South Africa. Hereafter, develop malaria case
data-driven spatio-temporal models to assess malaria transmission in Limpopo Province.
Malaria case data was acquired from the South African Medical Research Council (MRC).
Population data was acquired from AfriPopo; and Normalised Difference Vegetation Index
(NDVI), Land Surface Temperature (LST) and Land Cover data were acquired from
MODerate-resolution Imaging Spectro-radiometer (MODIS). Rainfall, Altitude and distance
to water bodies’ data were acquired from African Data Dissemination Service (ADDS),
United States Geological Survey (USGS) and Environmental Systems Research Institute
(ESRI), respectively. Bayesian spatio-temporal incidence models were formulated for Gibbs
variable selection and models were fitted using the best set of environmental factors. Modelbased
predictions were obtained over a regular grid of 1 x 1km. spatial resolution covering
the entire province and expressed as rates of per 1 000 inhabitants for the year 2010. To
assess the performance of the predicted malaria incidence risk maps, the predictions and field
observations were compared.
The best set of environmental factors selected by variable selection was Altitude and the night
temperature of two months before the case was reported. The environmental factors were then
used for model fitting and all of the covariates were important on malaria risk. Predictions
were done using all the environmental factors. The predictions showed that Vhembe and
Mopani district municipalities have high malaria transmission as compared to other district
municipalities in Limpopo Province. Assessment of predictive performance showed scatter
plots with the coefficient of determination ( R² ). The values representing the statistical
correlation represented by the coefficient of determination ( R² ) were 0.9798 (January),
0.8736 (February), 0.8152 (March), 0.8861 (April), 0.9949 (May), 0.3838 (June), 0.7794
(July), 0.9235 (September), 0.8966 (October), 0.9834 (November) and 0.8958 (December).
August had two values reported and predicted which resulted in R² of 1. The numbers of the
The produced malaria incidence maps can possibly be considered as one of the baselines for future malaria control programmes. The results highlighted the risk factors of malaria in Limpopo Province which are the most important characteristics of malaria transmission.<br>M.Sc. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2013.