Perception Of Social Pressure Research Articles

The effect of academic librarians’ trust and relationships on their knowledge-sharing practice using the theory of planned behaviour

This study investigates how trust and relationships influence knowledge-sharing practices among academic librarians in Malaysia. Drawing on the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB), the research examines how trust affects librarians’ attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control, ultimately shaping their intentions and knowledge-sharing behaviours. Using a quantitative approach, data were collected from librarians in selected public and private university libraries in the Klang Valley region of Malaysia. The findings reveal a significant positive impact of trust and relationships on librarians’ willingness to share knowledge. The study also highlights that trust and positive relationships can indirectly influence knowledge-sharing practices by first shaping librarians’ attitudes, perceptions of social pressure, and confidence in their ability to share knowledge effectively. These results emphasize the importance of fostering a supportive library culture to promote knowledge sharing. Practical steps for libraries to cultivate such an environment are discussed, including (e.g. team-building activities and training programmes). Finally, the implications of these findings are explored, offering valuable insights for future research and library management practices.

Factors Influencing the Adoption of Electric Jeepneys: A Philippine Perspective

The implementation of e-jeepneys stands as a change process that will eventually transition to the modernization of the public transport system in the Philippines. To address concerns about jeepneys’ effects on the environment, energy use, society, the economy, and policies, their acceptability in the Philippines must be considered. This research study aims to identify the sources of influence on Filipinos’ adoption of e-jeepney utilization as a mode of transportation using the extended Pro-Environmental Planned Behavior (PEBP) model. A total of 502 commuters voluntarily answered the survey questionnaire. Based on the findings, perceived environmental concern (PEC) is the most significant determinant influencing attitude (AT) and, thus, affecting the Filipinos’ behavioral intention (BI) towards the adoption of e-jeepneys. Conversely, AT was the primary determinant of BI, which strongly supported the notion of AT as a strong driving force shaping behavioral decisions. Moreover, perceived authority support (PAS) emerged as a strong predictor of subjective norms (SNs), demonstrating the influence of institutional support on societal perceptions. As a result, more environmentally conscious people are more likely to view e-jeepneys positively and intend to use them as a mode of transportation. The endorsement or support from authoritative figures or institutions notably influences subjective norms, which are individuals’ perceptions of social pressures regarding the use of e-jeepneys.

“Why should I?”

This study aimed to discover what specific beliefs of students at a South African universityshould be addressed when trying to persuade them to go for HIV counselling and testing (HCT).The participants were 113 students from a previously disadvantaged university. The studentscompleted a questionnaire that included questions about participants’ HCT intentions and aboutpossible predictors of such intentions. Students’ HCT intention proved to be positively related totheir perception of having control over their HCT behaviour (self-efficacy), and to their perceptionof social pressure towards going for HCT (perceived norm). The students’ belief that they wouldnot be either too afraid or too stressed to go for HCT contributed positively to their self-efficacy,as did the belief that they would be able to deal with the possibly disadvantageous outcome of theHIV test. The students’ belief that their parents would approve of their going for HCT proved to bea strong and positive predictor of their perceived norm. Furthermore, perceived susceptibility toHIV/AIDS was positively related to HCT intention, and stigmatising attitude towards people livingwith HIV/AIDS (PLWHAs) was negatively related to HCT intention. These outcomes suggestthat in trying to convince black students in South Africa to go for HCT, developers of promotionmessages should focus on students’ susceptibility to HIV, on how to deal with the possibilitythat their parents might not approve of their going for HCT, and on how to cope with a possiblydisadvantageous test outcome.

Farmers intention to adopt sustainable agriculture hinges on climate awareness: The case of Vietnamese coffee

Adoption of sustainable agricultural practices (SAP) is essential for economic, social and environmental adaptation to climate change. For cash crops like Vietnamese coffee, this is even more relevant, since the country experiences climate change impacts, with direct implications for the well-being of smallholder farmers. Understanding the factors that influence farmers’ decision to adopt SAP can unravel useful recommendations for decision-makers. In this paper we explore the factors that influence farmers’ intention to adopt SAP for coffee farming using data from 93 interviews in Ban Me Thuot, Vietnam. The decomposed Theory of Planned Behavior was the theoretical framing of our work, with the extension that included climate change perception and farmers’ past behavior. We employed the grounded theory approach for data collection and structuring to reveal variables pertaining to sustainable agriculture adoption. We used Structural equation modeling to test the relations among behavioral determinants (attitude, social norms, perceived behavioral control, and past behavior) that lead to intention to adopt sustainable agriculture. The results showed that farmers’ intention to adopt sustainable agricultural practices is influenced by their perception of social pressure and their abilities to perform sustainable agriculture. Farmers’ climate change perception also significantly influenced their behavioral determinants. A significant finding was that social trust covaries with financial control. We highlight the need for raising climate perception and awareness to promote the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices while building trust in both the scientific information received by local farmers but also their social circle.

Managers’ intention to participate in logistics outsourcing project groups: the influence of personal characteristics

ABSTRACT Logistics outsourcing requires cross-functional project groups made up of motivated and committed managers. Consequently, the intention to participate in such groups is of central importance. This article examines whether a manager’s intention to participate in logistics outsourcing is determined by elementary personal characteristics such as work experience, gender, function, position and familiarity with outsourcing or whether more complex models are required. For this purpose, the Reasoned Action Approach (RAA) is used as a behavioural framework. A survey of 201 managers in Germany was conducted in an attempt to verify the research question. Data analysis is based on dummy regression. The results confirm managers’ attitudes, the perception of social pressure and the perception of behavioural control as the three drivers of the intention to participate, whereas elementary personal characteristics exert no direct influence on the strength and the direction of managers’ intentions.

Intentions to use maternity waiting homes and associated factors in Northwest Ethiopia

BackgroundMaternity Waiting Homes (MWHs) are residential facilities located within hospitals or health centers to accommodate women in their final weeks of pregnancy to bridge the geographical gap in obstetric care. Little is known, however, about women’s intentions to use MWHs. Thus, this study aimed to assess pregnant women’s intentions to use MWHs and associated factors in East Bellesa district, northwest Ethiopia.MethodsA community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 525 pregnant women in East Bellesa district from March to May 2018. Study participants were selected using systematic random sampling. Binary logistic regression was used for analysis. Adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR) with 95% Confidence Interval (CI), and p-value < 0.05 were used to identify factors associated with intentions to use MWHs.ResultsIn the study area, 326/499 (65.3%) pregnant women had the intention to use MWHs. Pregnant women who had good knowledge about maternal healthcare and obstetric complications (aOR 6.40; 95% CI 3.6–11.5), positive subjective norms related to women’s perceptions of social pressure (aOR 5.14; 95% CI 2.9–9.2), positive perceived behavioral control of women on the extent to which women feel confident (aOR 4.74; 95% CI 2.7–8.4), rich wealth status (aOR 4.21; 95% CI 2.1–8.4), women who decided by themselves to use maternal services (aOR 2.74; 95% CI 1.2–6.2), attended antenatal care (aOR 2.24; 95% CI 1.2–4.1) and favorable attitudes towards women’s overall evaluation of MWHs (aOR 1.86; 95% CI 1.0–3.4) had higher odds of intentions to use MWHs.ConclusionTwo thirds (65.3%) of pregnant women had intentions to use MWHs. Factors such as women’s knowledge, subjective norms related to women’s perceptions of social pressure, perceived behavioral control of women on the extent to which women feel confident to utilize, and wealth status, decision-making power, attending antenatal care and attitude towards women’s overall evaluation of MWHs were significantly associated with the intention to use MWHs. Therefore, improving women’s awareness by providing continuous health education during antenatal care visits, devising strategies to improve women’s wealth status, and strengthening decision-making power may enhance their intention to use MWHs.

Intentions of Canadian health professionals towards recommending exercise for people living with ALS

BackgroundTo provide a nationwide overview of the attitudes, social pressure, perceived ability and intentions of health professionals toward exercise prescription for people living with ALS (pALS).MethodsAn online survey of physician and non-physician health professionals (HPs) working in academic ALS clinics across Canada.ResultsThe response rate was 48% (84/176) with 30% of respondents identifying as physicians, 63% as other HPs and the remainder as administrative or research personnel. Respondents were sharply divided in their intentions to provide exercise counsel: 24% unlikely and 45% likely. Respondents with low intentions were HPs that considered this activity outside their scope of practice. Measures of intention and attitude were more positive for flexibility compared to strength and aerobic exercise. Perceptions of social pressure and ability to provide exercise counsel were significantly correlated with intention across the three exercise modes in all respondents. Qualitative themes identified as barriers to exercise prescription were lack of confidence or competence (31% physicians, 32% HP), patient tolerance (30% HP), lack of evidence (22% physicians) and lack of infrastructure (22% physicians).ConclusionsWhile “lack of evidence” for the benefit of exercise was a deterrent for physicians, the larger issue for all respondents was building competence and confidence in exercise prescription for pALS.

Internal and External Influential Factors on Waste Disposal Behavior in Public Open Spaces in Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Over the last decade, municipal solid waste generation in Phnom Penh has increased noticeably; however, the waste management system is far from satisfactory. Considerable amount of waste is left uncollected, as well as intentionally disposed of in public open spaces. External and internal factors can trigger these problems. Possible external factors are low collection frequency, low cleaning services, and insufficient facilities such as small dumpsters. Possible internal factors, which also play an important role in this issue, include low awareness, insufficient knowledge, and low responsibility for personal waste. To examine the influences of these internal and external factors on people’s waste disposal behaviors, we selected and conducted a questionnaire survey at four sites in Phnom Penh that differ in waste collection frequency and population density. A total of 413 valid responses were obtained. We developed a structural equation model to explain people’s intentions not to dispose of waste in public open spaces. The results showed that personal and social norms, such as perception of social pressure from friends and family and from the government, had significant influences on intention, whereas the influence of external factors was much smaller.

확장된 기술수용모델을 적용한 중국 베이비붐 세대의 모바일 인스턴트 메신저 사용의도에 관한 연구 : 웨이신(WeChat)을 중심으로

WeChat is used actively by Chinese baby boomers without exception. Chinese baby boomers, who were born between 1962 and 1975, have reached 20% of China’s total population.BR The technology acceptance model (TAM) is a very effective information system theory that suggests when users are presented with new technology, perceived usefulness & perceived ease-of-use and other factors influence their decision about how and when they will use it.BR This study aims to investigate the factors of Chinese baby boomers consumers’ intention to use MIM and the cause-and-effect relationship among those factors, which is based on the extended TAM and focused on WeChat. The results of this study are summarized as follows.BR First, the subjective norm has a statistically significant positive effect on perceived usefulness & perceived ease-of-use. Second, the system quality has a statistically significant positive effect on perceived usefulness & perceived ease-of-use. Third, the perceived usefulness & perceived ease-of-use have a statistically significant positive effect on intention to use MIM. However, the personal innovation does not have a statistically significant positive effect on perceived usefulness and perceived easiness.BR The results showed that when compared to other groups, Chinese baby boomer consumers had a higher degree on perception of social pressure. And it also suggested that technical superiority of WeChat played an important role in Chinese baby boomer consumers’ intention to use WeChat. However, according to the results that showed the personal innovation of Chinese baby boomer consumers does not have a statistically significant effect on perceived usefulness & perceived ease-of-use, Chinese baby boomer consumers are likely to have a psychological burden on changes of information technology because they behave more practically and conservatively in consumption. Therefore, more consumer information and education programs should be provided for baby boomer consumers.

Compete or rest? Willingness to compete hurt among adolescent elite athletes

ObjectiveTraining and competing despite underlying health problems is a common social practice in sport. Adolescent elite athletes are particularly vulnerable to possible health consequences of this risky behavior due to their very sensitive developmental stage. Conceptualizing this phenomenon of playing hurt as sickness presenteeism, and taking the concept of absence/presence legitimacy into account, this paper analyzes the propensity of adolescent elite athletes to compete in the face of health problems. The central aim is to empirically identify characteristics of elite sport subcultures which affect athletes’ willingness to compete hurt (WCH). Materials & methodsBased on a comprehensive sample of 1138 German elite adolescent athletes from all Olympic sports (14–18 years), the paper applies classification tree analysis to analyze the social and individual determinants of the WCH. ResultsDeterminants on three hierarchical levels were identified, including type of sport, perceptions of social pressure, coach's leadership style and athletes' age. The group with the highest WCH were athletes from technical sports who have a coach with an autocratic leadership style. Second was athletes from ball games, and those in aesthetic and weight-dependent sports, aged between 17 and 18 years old. The lowest mean WCH-score, by some distance, occurred amongst the group of endurance and power sports athletes who experienced no direct social pressure to play hurt. ConclusionsThe findings enhance our understanding of absence/presence legitimacy in highly competitive social contexts and contribute to the development of more effective target-group-specific health prevention programs for young athletes.

Examination of psychosocial predictors of Chinese hospital pharmacists' intention to provide clinical pharmacy services using the theory of planned behaviour: a cross-sectional questionnaire study.

ObjectivesMain study aim was as follows: (1) to explore the usefulness of the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) model in predicting Chinese hospital pharmacists' intention to provide clinical pharmacy services (CPSs), including auxiliary CPSs and core CPSs; (2) to identify the main factors affecting the Chinese hospital pharmacists' intention to provide core CPSs based on TPB quantitatively.DesignCross-sectional questionnaire study.SettingThe study was conducted in 22 general hospitals in seven cities located in the eastern and western part of China.Participants416 hospital pharmacists (292 (70.2%) female) entered and completed the study.Primary and secondary outcome measuresQuantitative responses with hospital pharmacists' intention, attitude, subjective norms (SNs) and perceived behavioural control (PBC) over provision of CPSs and their past behaviour (PB)-related CPSs.ResultsThe structural equation model analysis found that attitude (p=0.0079, β=0.12), SN (p=0.038, β=0.10) and the pharmacists' intention to provide auxiliary CPSs (p=0.0001, β=0.63) significantly predicted of their intention to provide core CPSs, accounting for 54.0% of its variance. Attitude (p=0.0001, β=0.35), PBC (p=0.0182, β=0.12) and PB (p=0.0009, β=0.15) are significant predictors of pharmacists' intention, accounting for 21% of the variance in pharmacists' intention to provide auxiliary CPSs.ConclusionsThe TPB with the addition of PB is a useful framework for predicting pharmacists' intention to provide CPSs in Chinese hospital care context. Strategies to improve hospital pharmacists' intention to provide CPSs should focus on helping the individuals related medical care see the value of CPSs, altering their perception of social pressure towards core CPSs and the removal of obstacles that impede the translation of intentions into behaviour.

Integrating functional, social, and psychological determinants to explain online social networking usage

People involved in business are increasingly aware of the online social phenomenon and its potential as a marketing tool. Building upon the marketing, social psychology, and information system literature, this study empirically examines a set of functional determinants derived from the technology acceptance model and socio-psychological determinants drawn from the theory of reasoned action and social cognitive theory that may be responsible for the motivations of participants in online social networks. We propose a model by integrating functional, social, and psychological factors in predicting attitude and online social network usage. The survey outcomes from a cross-sectional study among 387 Facebook users in Malaysia support the hypothesised model. This study contributes by extending the cognitive learning theories in predicting online social networking usage. Particularly, this research presents a different perspective on online social networking by exploring the mediating effect of attitude and the moderating role of individual characteristics. This study demonstrates that desirable changes in the perception of functional benefits, self-efficacy, and need for cognition as well as perceptions of social pressure from significant others might lead to corresponding changes in attitude towards online social networking. Results of the study support the model efficacy and predictive ability of the proposed integrative model which may serve as a theoretical foundation for future researchers interested in examining other virtual community engagements such as blogging, online advertising, and online public relations activities.

Inclusive education: teachers' intentions and behaviour analysed from the viewpoint of the theory of planned behaviour

The theory of planned behaviour (TPB) claims that behaviour can be predicted by behavioural intention and perceived behavioural control, while behavioural intention is a function of attitude towards the behaviour, subjective norm, and perceived behavioural control. This study aims at providing explanation and prediction of teachers' inclusive education intentions and behaviour under TPB. The main components of TPB were implemented in a survey of 841 teachers from Hong Kong schools in the context of inclusive education. The structural equation modelling results show that TPB fitted the data well (χ2/df = 2.84; RMSEA = 0.054; GFI = 0.92; CFI = 0.92; and TLI = 0.91). Identified attributes, including teachers' attitude towards inclusive education, feeling social pressure from important others to carry out inclusive education, and confidence on professional training for involved staff, were found to exert significant predictive power on teachers' intention to implement inclusive education. This intention, together with the confidence on professional training for involved staff, predicts their actual inclusive practice. Teachers' perception of social pressure and adequacy of professional training greatly contribute to predict their intention and behaviour towards inclusive education, respectively. TPB appears to be a sound theoretical framework for understanding teachers' inclusive practice. The results have strong implications for teacher empowerment and professional training in inclusive education.

Stress Diffusion through Complex Networks

Research has proven that stress reduces quality of life and causes many diseases. It is not clear how stress spreads among the population and how its diffusion in a society can be estimated. From a complex system perspective, this paper defines the rules of stress transmission, including input and output factors. Stress transmission flow is defined to describe an entropy-derived measure of stress between two interconnected individuals, and the analysis is extended to networked individuals to analyze stress diffusion in a theoretical setting that includes the modeling of complex networks and the use of agent-based models in a simulated framework. These approaches endow artificial, interacting agents with behavioral rules, allowing the authors to determine the important components that must be considered as the nature of the equilibrium that exists between two distinctly different classifications of individuals. The first classification is “isolated individuals” who experience self-induced stress. The second classification consists of “too connected individuals” who have a high perception of social pressure, have a higher probability of being stressed, and who are surrounded by a higher number of stressed people.

Examination of pharmacists’ intention to report serious adverse drug events (ADEs) to the FDA using the theory of planned behavior

Background Adverse drug event (ADE) reporting by pharmacists is an indispensable part of the drug safety system. U.S. pharmacists may submit reports of serious ADEs that they encounter to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) through MedWatch. However, underreporting of serious ADEs is a common problem. Little is known about pharmacists’ decision making with respect to ADE reporting. Objectives This study explored the utility of the theory of planned behavior (TPB) model in predicting Texas pharmacists’ intention to report serious ADEs to the FDA. Methods Data were collected from practicing Texas pharmacists using a mail questionnaire. A total of 1500 surveys were mailed, and 377 usable responses were obtained for a response rate of 26.4%. Results A majority (70.2%) of the 377 respondents were white/Caucasian, and 52.9% were male. Overall, pharmacists intended to report serious ADEs (mean = 15.87 ± 4.22; possible range: 3-21), had a positive attitude toward reporting (mean = 4.62 ± 4.92; possible range: −15 to +15), perceived that important others wanted them to report (subjective norm [SN] score = 5.65 ± 2.99; possible range: −9 to +9), and believed that they had control over their reporting behavior (perceived behavioral control [PBC] score = 3.54 ± 2.69; possible/actual range: −6 to +6). Attitude ( β = 0.221, P < .001) and SN ( β = 0.438, P < .001) significantly predicted intent; however, PBC ( β = 0.028, P > .05) did not. Attitude, SN, and PBC together accounted for 34.0% of the variance in intention to report serious ADEs ( P < .001). The addition of past reporting behavior ( P = .021) and perceived moral obligation ( P < .001) significantly increased the variance in intention explained by the TPB model. Conclusions Pharmacists showed a strong positive intent to report serious ADEs to the FDA. Strategies to increase pharmacists’ intentions to report serious ADEs should focus on helping them see the value of reporting and altering their perception of social pressure toward reporting. The TPB may have utility in predicting ADE-reporting behavior.

Empirical basis for adopting a theory-driven approach to preventing alcohol and other drug impairment (AOD) in the workplace

BackgroundA State-based industry in Australia is in the process of developing a programme to prevent alcohol and other drug (AOD) impairment in the workplace. The objective of this study was...

Public pressure against sweat shops as perceived by top‐management of apparel and footwear companies

PurposePublic pressure has been recognized as one of the most forceful factors underlying change in sweat shop conditions in the industry. The purpose of this study is to investigate the level of public pressure perceived by top managers of US clothing and footwear firms and to examine effects of individual and organizational factors that may differentiate the level of perception.Design/methodology/approachData were obtained through a mail survey, with a total of 96 cases included in the analyses.FindingsResults of a series of t‐tests revealed statistically significant influence of firm size, tenure, and firm ownership type on perceived public pressure for fair labor practices, while gender, age, education, business type, and percentage of foreign‐sourced merchandise were not found to be statistically significantly related to perceptions of public pressure.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings warn that the current public pressure is toward certain types of firms and their managements. Small and private firms that form the majority of the clothing and footwear sector need to be exposed to the pressure. Data consisted of a portion from a larger scale survey and may not represent a random sample. Further investigations could identify top‐management's strategic actions and social performance of the firm as a response to such pressure.Originality/valueManagerial perception of social pressure is likely to initiate social actions undertaken by the firms. The findings of the study produced valuable further discussions on the current states and directions of managerial reactions to the sweat shop issues.

Corporate Responsiveness to Social Pressure: An Interaction-Based Model

The study introduces an interaction-based model that illustrates the iterative process of corporate responsiveness to social pressure. The model is then applied to a recent case of international relevance. The study implies that corporate management can apply three types of management approaches when managing relations with society, depending on their perception of social pressure: tactic, strategic or no action. This is then reflected in their practice of public relations (PR). Ethical leadership is considered to be manifested by the proactive practice of PR, which aims at mutual understanding between the organisation and the stakeholders. The firm’s interaction with the stakeholders does not guarantee that social pressure would actually be relieved. Rather, PR fails in its task of establishing and maintaining favourable relationships if it does not meet stakeholders’ expectations. Identifying emerging issues, relevant publics and preferable communication methods within a given context is the precondition for strategic, proactive management of stakeholder relations. This is especially relevant in the international business environment where the firm is challenged with increased institutional distance and pressure.

Predicting job seeking for temporary employment using the theory of planned behaviour: The moderating role of individualism and collectivism

Using the theory of planned behaviour (TPB), the role of behavioural, normative, and control beliefs and individualism/collectivism was examined in the context of job seeking for temporary employment. Data were collected in a two‐wave longitudinal design, using a culturally diverse sample of 138 temporary workers in The Netherlands. Results supported the TPB‐relationships, with the exception of the role of perceived behavioural control (PBC). Of the behavioural beliefs, sense of security, work–life balance, and status were most strongly related to intentions to seek temporary employment. Further, hypothesized moderating effects of collectivism were confirmed such that people low on collectivism were more strongly motivated by their personal attitudes about job seeking and less by perceptions of social pressure than people high on collectivism. Thus, the TPB was demonstrated to work somewhat differently depending on people's cultural value orientations.

Social pressure, coercion, and client engagement at treatment entry: A self-determination theory perspective

Research on coercion in addiction treatment typically investigates objective sources of social pressure among legally mandated clients. Little research has examined the impact of clients' perceptions of social pressures in generalist addiction services. Clients seeking substance abuse treatment ( N = 300; 221 males and 79 females; M age = 36.6 years) rated the extent to which treatment was being sought because of coercive social pressures ( external motivation; α = .89), guilt about continued substance abuse ( introjected motivation; α = .84), or a personal choice and commitment to the goals of the program ( identified motivation; α = .85). External treatment motivation was positively correlated with legal referral, social network pressures to enter treatment, and was inversely related to problem severity. In contrast, identified treatment motivation was positively correlated with self-referral and problem severity, and was inversely related to perceived coercion ( ps < .05). Hierarchical multiple regression analyses showed that referral source (i.e., mandated treatment status), legal history, and social network pressures did not predict any of 6 measures of client engagement at the time treatment was sought. However, treatment motivation variables accounted for unique variance in these outcomes when added to each model (Δ R 2s = .06–.23, ps < .05). Specifically, identified treatment motivation predicted perceived benefits of reducing substance use, attempts to reduce drinking and drug use, as well as self (and therapist) ratings of interest in the upcoming treatment episode ( βs = .18–.31, ps < .05). Results suggest that the presence of legal referral and/or social network pressures to quit, cut down, and/or enter treatment does not affect client engagement at treatment entry.