Specific Personal Characteristics Research Articles

Examining the willingness of Americans to alter behaviour to mitigate climate change

Despite the increasing interest in climate change policy in the US, little systematic research has been conducted on the willingness of individuals to change their behaviour to mitigate the problem. Understanding behavioural change is critical if federal and local governments intend to implement programmes requiring actions to mitigate and adapt to climate change. This understudied aspect of climate change policy is addressed by quantitatively examining the degree to which residents living in the US are willing to alter their behaviour to mitigate climate change impacts, and by identifying the major factors contributing to this willingness. Based on a national survey, the reported willingness of individuals to alter behaviours is explained, using the components of risk, individual stress, capacity and ecological values. The findings indicate that specific personal traits and contextual characteristics trigger a significantly greater willingness to change longstanding behavioural patterns. These insights into the factors motivating behavioural change can provide guidance to decision makers at both federal and local levels on how best to implement climate change policies.

Exploring the information seeking behavior of Greek graduate students: A case study set in the University of Macedonia

This paper describes a survey designed to determine the information seeking behavior of graduate students at the University of Macedonia (UoM). The survey is a continuation of a previous one undertaken in the Faculties of Philosophy and Engineering at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTh). This paper primarily presents results from the UoM survey, but also makes comparisons with the findings from the earlier survey at AUTh. The 254 UoM students responding tend to use the simplest information search techniques with no critical variations between different disciplines. Their information seeking behavior seems to be influenced by their search experience, computer and web experience, perceived ability and frequency of use of e-sources, and not by specific personal characteristics or attendance at library instruction programs. Graduate students of both universities similar information seeking preferences, with the UoM students using more sophisticated techniques, such as Boolean search and truncation, more often than the AUTh students.

Exploring the information seeking behavior of Greek graduate students: A case study set in the University of Macedonia

This paper describes a survey designed to determine the information seeking behavior of graduate students at the University of Macedonia (UoM). The survey is a continuation of a previous one undertaken in the Faculties of Philosophy and Engineering at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTh). This paper primarily presents results from the UoM survey, but also makes comparisons with the findings from the earlier survey at AUTh. The 254 UoM students responding tend to use the simplest information search techniques with no critical variations between different disciplines. Their information seeking behavior seems to be influenced by their search experience, computer and web experience, perceived ability and frequency of use of e-sources, and not by specific personal characteristics or attendance at library instruction programs. Graduate students of both universities similar information seeking preferences, with the UoM students using more sophisticated techniques, such as Boolean search and truncation, more often than the AUTh students.

Leadership Issues and Challenges in the Tourism Industry: A Hong Kong Perspective

This study examines current leadership issues and challenges in the tourism industry with a particular focus on Hong Kong, a trend-setting locality for the industry. Employing qualitative research, in-depth interviews were conducted with 10 highly respected industry leaders, all having long-established careers involving extensive local and global experience. These leaders represent a wide variety of sectors of the tourism industry. Study findings highlighted specific skills (business knowledge, communication, self-reflection), personal characteristics (determination, open-mindedness) and excellent relations with other parties (team support, respect) as key attribute requirements of industry leaders. The industry's universal “people orientation” emerged as the dominant issue that requires particular leadership skills with regard to interpersonal relations and communications. The emergence of new technologies and changes among employees were identified as the two key industry trends that require changing leadership skills. The implications of these findings are discussed and areas for future research highlighted.

Older adults: Are they ready to adopt health-related ICT?

BackgroundThe proportion of older adults in the population is steadily increasing, causing healthcare costs to rise dramatically. This situation calls for the implementation of health-related information and communication technologies (ICT) to assist in providing more cost-effective healthcare to the elderly. In order for such a measure to succeed, older adults must be prepared to adopt these technologies. Prior research shows, however, that this population lags behind in ICT adoption, although some believe that this is a temporary phenomenon that will soon change. ObjectivesTo assess use by older adults of technology in general and ICT in particular, in order to evaluate their readiness to adopt health-related ICT. MethodWe employed the questionnaire used by Selwyn et al. in 2000 in the UK, as well as a survey instrument used by Morris and Venkatesh, to examine the validity of the theory of planned behavior (TPB) in the context of computer use by older employees. 123 respondents answered the questions via face-to-face interviews, 63 from the US and 60 from Israel. SPSS 17.0 was used for the data analysis. ResultsThe results show that although there has been some increase in adoption of modern technologies, including ICT, most of the barriers found by Selwyn et al. are still valid. ICT use was determined by accessibility of computers and support and by age, marital status, education, and health. Health, however, was found to moderate the effect of age, healthier older people being far more likely to use computers than their unhealthy coevals. The TPB was only partially supported, since only perceived behavioral control (PBC) emerged as significantly affecting intention to use a computer, while age, contrary to the findings of Morris and Venkatesh, interacted differently for Americans and Israelis. The main reason for non-use was ‘no interest’ or ‘no need’, similar to findings from data collected in 2000. ConclusionsAdoption of technology by older adults is still limited, though it has increased as compared with results of the previous study. Modern technologies have been adopted (albeit selectively) by older users, who were presumably strongly motivated by perceived usefulness. Particularly worrying are the effects of health, PBC, and the fact that many older adults do not share the perception that ICT can significantly improve their quality of life. We therefore maintain that older adults are not yet ready to adopt health-related ICT. Health-related ICT for the elderly should be kept simple and demonstrate substantial benefits, and special attention should be paid to training and support and to specific personal and cultural characteristics. These are mandatory conditions for adoption by potential unhealthy and older consumers.

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS OF INNOVATORS — AN EMPIRICAL STUDY OF ROLES IN INNOVATION MANAGEMENT

First and foremost, innovation is driven by people. These people have specific personal characteristics and fulfil designated roles in innovation management. We have conducted an empirical study among 190 employees in R&D departments of mature international firms from four different countries (Germany, U.S.A., Great Britain and Switzerland) currently working on innovation projects. Using multivariate analyses, we could identify personal characteristics associated with different roles people can take over the course of an innovation project. These roles are called expert, power, process or relationship promotor as well as champion. The identified personal characteristics exhibit a distinctive pattern in their combined occurrence for each role. Our results show a detailed picture of specific personal characteristics of individuals, so called innovators, necessary for successful innovation. Based on these findings, we derive recommendations for a targeted human resource acquisition and a better selection of employees for successful innovation teams.

Minority Faculty Membersʼ Resilience and Academic Productivity: Are They Related?

To explore whether there is a relationship between resilience and academic productivity of minority faculty members in U.S. academic health centers. For the purposes of the study, the authors defined academic productivity as peer-reviewed and non-peer-reviewed publications, grants, and academic promotion. In 2007, the authors simultaneously collected quantitative and qualitative data by using a triangulation (mixed-method) design. Past participants in the Association of American Medical Colleges' Minority Faculty Career Development Seminar completed the Web-based 70-item Personal Resilience Questionnaire (PRQ). In addition, two focus groups were conducted with past seminar participants. Seventy-four minority faculty members completed the PRQ, and 15 participated in the two focus groups. The quantitative data showed a positive correlation between demographic, educational, and academic productivity variables and certain resilience subscale scores. Common themes that emerged from the qualitative data were categorized under four major domains: existing barriers to academic advancement, internal protective factors or cultural buffers, external institutional or environmental facilitators, and necessary attributes for ensuring academic productivity and advancement. Certain resilience subscales showed correlation with academic productivity of minority faculty members, and specific personal and/or cultural characteristics were identified as enablers. Minority faculty members may benefit from skill development and coaching that extends beyond the traditional scope of faculty development programs and that specifically targets modifiable resilience characteristics. Additional research is needed, but such nontraditional, resilience-centered intervention strategies may positively affect the advancement of minority faculty in academic medicine.

Development and Preliminary Validation of a New Measure to Assess Shame: The Shame Inventory

Research on the emotion of shame has increased significantly in recent years. However, there remains a need for more psychometrically sound measures of shame, including measures of shame in response to specific, idiographic experiences. The Shame Inventory was developed in order to assess both global feelings of shame as well as shame in response to specific life events or personal characteristics. Two studies were conducted to determine the preliminary psychometric properties of the Shame Inventory. Across both studies, results indicate that the inventory has high internal consistency, test-retest reliability, construct validity, and predictive validity. The Shame Inventory holds promise as a new measure designed to assess both global feelings of shame as well as specific shame-eliciting cues.

Professional development of school leaders in Cyprus: is it working?

School heads and assistant headteachers in Cyprus attend in‐service training programmes as part of their professional development, after they are promoted to their new leadership post. A review of the literature highlights the significance of a needs analysis when designing and/or reforming in‐service training programmes. Nevertheless, there seems to be a lack of studies focusing on the leaders’ views regarding their own professional development and needs. The present study investigates school leaders’ views regarding the in‐service training programmes they formally attend in Cyprus (both with regards to content as well as organizational aspects of the courses), and whether specific personal characteristics of school leaders are associated with their views. The research was based on both interviews with school leaders (assistant heads and school heads) and also a semi‐structured questionnaire. Content and statistical analysis of the participants’ views revealed that they prefer specific training, especially designed for their needs and according to their specific leadership post. The study contributes to the fields of educational leadership and professional development, since it provides insights into the perceptions of school leaders about the continuing professional development they receive and offers useful information for the organization of professional development programmes for school leaders. Finally, some specific suggestions for improvement in the field of training for school leaders are provided.

Personal and Environmental Characteristics Predicting Burnout Among Certified Athletic Trainers at National Collegiate Athletic Association Institutions

Recent research in the health care professions has shown that specific personal and environmental characteristics can predict burnout, which is a negative coping strategy related to stressful situations. Burnout has been shown to result in physiologic (eg, headaches, difficulty sleeping, poor appetite), psychological (eg, increased negative self-talk, depression, difficulty in interpersonal relationships), and behavioral (eg, diminished care, increased absenteeism, attrition) symptoms. To examine the relationship between selected personal and environmental characteristics and burnout among certified athletic trainers (ATs). Cross-sectional survey. A demographic survey that was designed for this study and the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey. A total of 206 ATs employed at National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) institutions as clinical ATs volunteered. We assessed personal and environmental characteristics of ATs with the demographic survey and measured burnout using the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey. Multiple regression analyses were performed to examine relationships between specific personal and environmental characteristics and each of the 3 subscales of burnout (emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, personal accomplishment). Most ATs we surveyed experienced low to average levels of burnout. Personal characteristics predicted 45.5% of the variance in emotional exhaustion (P < .001), 21.5% of the variance in depersonalization (P < .001), and 24.8% of the variance in personal accomplishment (P < .001). Environmental characteristics predicted 16.7% of the variance in emotional exhaustion (P = .005), 14.4% of the variance in depersonalization (P = .024), and 10.4% of the variance in personal accomplishment (P = .209). Stress level and coaches' pressure to medically clear athletes predicted ratings on all 3 subscales of burnout. Our findings were similar to those of other studies of burnout among NCAA Division I ATs, coaches, and coach-teachers. The results also support the Cognitive-Affective Model of Athletic Burnout proposed by Smith. Finally, these results indicate new areas of concentration for burnout research and professional practice.

Personal and Practice Predictors Associated With the Income of Ontario Chiropractors

Objective Practice-based information may allow policy makers and associations the opportunity to interpret utilization rates and anticipate the impact of future growth of professions. The objective of this study was to assess the association between income and specific personal, practice, and treatment characteristics in a sample of Ontario chiropractors. Methods Descriptive and regression analyses were used to assess end-of-year practice summary data obtained from a professional billing software program voluntarily submitted by 731 individual chiropractors. Results The model explained 65% of the variance in income. Significant explanatory factors regarding income were those related to treatment characteristics, with the largest contribution made by the total number of new patients seen in the year, which uniquely contributed 17% of the total variance. Personal and practice-related characteristics made significant but relatively small contributions; however, the location of the practice and years since graduation appear to impact income, especially in the formative years of practice development. Conclusion The variance in annual practitioner income was predicted by a combination of personal, practice, and treatment characteristics but not surprisingly primarily by the total number of new patients seen in the year. A negative association between average treatment costs and number of patients seen suggests cost sensitivity. The results provide important benchmarks that can be used to guide expectations of new graduates and to assess future trends. Further work is needed to determine if the findings can be generalized.

Usefulness of introductory higher education orientation units in the context of increasing student diversity

PurposeThe purpose of this research is to examine the influences of certain factors that helped determine students' assessments of the usefulness of a higher education orientation unit (HEOU) in a large post‐1992 university.Design/methodology/approachAll students in a university business studies department who had completed or were near to completing a compulsory one‐semester HEOU were asked to fill in a questionnaire that explored specific personal characteristics that a review of prior academic literature had identified as potentially relevant to the explanation of how well or badly students respond to a HEOU. The outcomes were then related to the participants' views on the overall value of the unit and whether their attendance had led to improved academic performance.FindingsStudents who claimed that they had obtained the greatest advantages from the HEOU tended to be “academic” individuals who were highly committed to being a student, intrinsically motivated to study, high in academic self‐concept, academically able, and prior to their entry to the institution had been well‐prepared for university life. This was not necessarily the profile of the students that the unit had been designed to assist.Research limitations/implicationsData on key variables was (necessarily) self‐reported. The investigation took place in a single institution and in a particular subject area. Also the students who filled in the questionnaire were, ipso facto, “survivors” and as such may not have been typical of students who had dropped out.Practical implicationsThe outcomes to the study imply that “one size fits all” approaches to the design of study skills units might not be appropriate. Rather, specially constructed units may be needed to cater for the academically ill‐prepared.Originality/valueAt the time the research was conducted this was the first major empirical study to have related students' perceptions of the usefulness of an HEOU to their backgrounds, traits, and other personal characteristics.

Psychological adjustment and marital satisfaction following head injury. Which critical personal characteristics should both partners develop?

Primary objective and research design: Using a correlational design, this study verifies the relationships between personal characteristics of individuals with TBI and their spouses and their level of psychological and marital adjustment.Methods and procedure: Seventy individuals with TBI and their spouses in the post-acute rehabilitation phase completed self-report questionnaires assessing the predictive variables (coping and social problem-solving strategies; perceived communication skills) and the criteria variables of psychological and marital adjustment.Main outcomes and results: In the target group, the characteristics most strongly related to adjustment variables were an effective attitude towards problems, infrequent use of avoidance coping strategies, and a positive perception of one's spouse's communication skills. Individuals with TBI and their spouses report significantly lower scores on some of these personal characteristics, compared to those of a matched control group of 70 couples from the general population.Conclusions: Specific personal characteristics are critical for psychological and marital adjustment following TBI. This knowledge may be of relevance for detecting couples at risk for developing difficulties in the post-acute rehabilitation phase. Rehabilitation interventions targeting the personal characteristics identified as critical for the adjustment process could help to prevent these difficulties.

The Effects of Fatal Vision Goggles on Drinking and Driving Intentions in College Students

The present study was designed to examine the effectiveness of Fatal Vision Goggles in reducing intentions to drink and drive. Participants performed a field sobriety task and drove in a traffic simulator while wearing the goggles. A regression analysis was performed in order to predict changes in intentions to drink and drive, using typical drinking patterns, perceived likelihood of getting into a collision when drinking and driving, self efficacy, and driving independence as predictor variables. Results showed that drinking and driving intentions were reduced following the use of Fatal Vision Goggles among those that typically drink more during outings, among those that believe the likelihood of collisions when drinking and driving are greater, and among those less likely to drive to achieve independence and autonomy. These results indicate that Fatal Vision Goggles can be an effective tool in altering drinking and driving attitudes among drivers with specific attitudinal and personal characteristics.

Advanced practice nurse entrepreneurs in a multidisciplinary surgical-assisting partnership

CHANGES IN THE HEALTH CARE environment and reimbursement practices are creating opportunities for nurse entrepreneurs to be partners with other professional nurses and physicians. Advanced practice nurses (APNs) who want to step into an entrepreneurial role must have strong clinical expertise, specific personal characteristics, interpersonal skills, and business acumen. ESTABLISHING A MULTIDISCIPLINARY partnership for providing surgical assisting services has many benefits and presents many challenges.

Predicting teacher absenteeism by personal background factors

PurposeTo examine the effects of specific personal and job characteristics on year‐to‐year (2000‐2001) changes in teachers' frequency of absences.Design/methodology/approachWith few exceptions, the population of elementary‐ and middle‐school teachers in the Israeli public education system (N=51,916) was studied. Hierarchical regression analysis was used.FindingsPrior absenteeism, age, education, and supervisory position were found to be significant predictors of absenteeism frequency, accounting for about 50 percent of the variance in absence frequency.Originality/valueThis study focuses on relatively stable individual‐difference predictors, including sociodemographic variables and work‐related characteristics, which have been downplayed in the literature. These predictors can be measured more reliably and validly, compared to complex psychological constructs, and are relatively easy to interpret and implement by decision makers.

Leadership that matters: the critical factors for making a difference in people's lives and organizations' success

Leadership That Matters examines transformational leadership-leadership that not only improves productivity and performance but also makes a positive difference in the lives of organization members. Traditional leaders achieve superior results because of their ability to transform people from dutiful followers into self-directed leaders who go beyond simply doing what is expected of them. Drawing on research that investigates leadership, culture, and performance in dozens of organizations, the Sashkins describe the specific behaviors and personal characteristics of transformational leaders. They show how you can construct an empowering organizational culture that nurtures self-reliance and long-term thinking. They offer practical advice on how you can become a transformational leader—and make leadership matter.

Personal Characteristics of Female vs Male Business Expatriates

Although there has been a rapidly increasing literature on women in international assignments, very little is known about their specific personal characteristics. To rectify this shortcoming, a large-scale mail survey to female and male business expatriates in Hong Kong made a direct comparison of their personal characteristics. Results showed that the women were younger than the men. Controlling for inter-group age differences, despite the fact that there were no gender differences in corporate tenure and expatriate experiences, the female expatriates were found to occupy lower hierarchical positions than their male counterparts. Women on foreign assignment were also less frequently married than their male colleagues. Implications for assigning organizations and future research are discussed.

The Glass Ceiling: Reality or Myth?

This article focuses on the reality of the ‘glass ceiling’ metaphor, the invisible barrier that women experience in their upward career mobility which prevents them from reaching the top of an organization. The first part describes the origins and development of the concept. Next, the debate concerning the existence of a specific male or female leadership style has been broadened to an analysis of the context of leadership. As part of that, the phenomenon of ‘tokenism’ is analyzed. The few women that succeeded in breaking through the glass ceiling often arrive in a token position. Persons in leadership positions who belong to a minority group, are looked at as representing the whole of (stereotypes ascribed to) the minority group. Specific personal competencies, characteristics and activities are relegated to the background. The presupposed male/female stereotypes dominate the relationships. How can effective leadership be realized if someone functions as a token? Not only women, but also people belonging to ethnic minorities can be confronted with token positions. Diverse factors of influence such as the choices made by women themselves and the organizational structures and cultures are described. An organizational culture is difficult to describe, and so is the impact on the career growth possibilities and upward mobility of women. Some strategies for change are presented. In order to make these strategies operational, a clear distinction between three dimensions has to be made: an analysis of the numerical proportion of male to female employees, an analysis of the organizational culture, and a gender analysis in terms of content (e.g. gender in topics of research, educational programmes, etc.). Different policy instruments can be used: legislation, equal opportunity and positive action programmes, and mainstreaming programmes. The whole debate about gender and leadership is a debate about value options and value preferences.

An Initial Assessment of Exotic-Animal Pet Owners in Utah: A Survey With Special Emphasis on Personal Characteristics and Expenditure Tendencies

Exotic-animal pet owners are a growing demographic group among individuals seeking veterinary care, yet very little information is known about their specific demographics, personal characteristics, and expenditure tendencies. A voluntary, in-clinic survey was performed to gather preliminary data in these areas on owners at an exclusively exotic-animal hospital in Utah. Of the 115 owners completing the survey, 39.8% brought in psittacine birds, 22.1% ferrets, and 38.1% other exotics. The demographic profile for the survey population was 33.6 years old, predominately female, well educated, and financially middle class. Most exotic pets were brought to veterinary hospitals because of a perceived illness by the owner. Most owners were interested in receiving future services, with bird owners most interested in diagnostic tests; small-mammal owners in receiving physical examinations, dental procedures, and vaccinations; and reptile owners in having pets sexed and receiving husbandry/diet information. In general, the owners were low self-monitors, indicating greater likelihood of attitude-behavior consistency. Although interpersonal orientation values were more variable, the higher the interpersonal orientation score, the closer the owner felt to the pet, especially among small-mammal owners. Owners with a greater perceived bond with their pet were interested in receiving a greater number of services in the future than those not as close. Owner perception of what they would spend and what they did spend were very similar, about $81 US per visit.