Staying grounded? Applying the theory of planned behaviour to explore motivations to reduce air travel

Air travel has been highlighted as a key environmental behaviour contributing to climate change. Given this, there is a surprising lack of theory-based research aimed at identifying factors that underpin motivation to reduce the number of flights taken. This study explored whether an extended theory of planned behaviour (TPB) model could be usefully applied to identify significant predictors of intentions to reduce the number of flights taken for leisure, holidays or to visit family or friends. Results supported the predictive utility of the TPB; the extended model was able to account for 52% of the variance in intentions over and above past behaviour and socio-demographic variables. Attitudes, subjective norms and behaviour-specific self-identity emerged as significant linear predictors. Findings support the utility of applying the TPB to air travel and suggest key variables which could be targeted in interventions to promote motivation to reduce the number of flights taken

Free trade area United States of America/European Union impacts on Brazil.

The paper studies the impacts of the elimination of tariffs between the United States and the European Union in the context of negotiations of a free trade agreement. The principal theme of the paper is the impact on Brazil, particularly with respect to agricultural based products. The results show that the effects are small if Brazil does not participate. Nevertheless, if the country fully engages in the negotiations significant efficiency gains will take place with the expansion of important sectors, such as sugar and meats. The results points out to the fact that the negotiations are not likely to be easy since production and exports of sensitive products will be reduced in the three economies

Do changes in the work environment predict changes in privacy appraisal and associated outcomes? : a longitudinal study

Introduction: Privacy fit is a frequently reported issue in open office environments, yet its context predictors and its consequences remain understudied. Theory: To investigate these points, this study builds on Altman’s (1975) privacy regulation model and the cognitive appraisal theory (Folkman & Lazarus, 1985) as a transactional model of stress. It focuses on the fit between workers’ desired and achieved levels of privacy and on the appraisal of privacy fit and its stressful nature. Methods: This research was designed to examine context predictors of change in privacy fit and coping appraisal, as well as changes in the consequences of privacy fit during an office move. Data was collected over two points of measurement from 61 office workers who moved from a standard open-plan office to an office that is activity-based. The first questionnaire was distributed six weeks prior to the office move and the follow-up questionnaire approximately eight months after. With its longitudinal design, this study extends past research by demonstrating the changing nature of privacy fit and revealing predictors of change in privacy fit and coping appraisal. Results: Cross-lagged autoregression analysis of change confirmed suggested predictors such as increase in variety of settings and in adherence of others to protocols that positively influenced post-move privacy fit. Further, change in coping appraisal post-move was predicted by an increase in perceived environmental and behavioural flexibility. Changes in privacy fit and appraisal were associated with increases in job and workplace satisfaction and decreases in emotional and mental work fatigue post-move. Originality/Value: Results could inform physical workplace design as well as cultural interventions in organisations. To our knowledge, this is the first study investigating the psychological process of privacy experience by using a transactional model of stress

Organizational Change Management for Sustainability in Higher Education Institutions: A Systematic Quantitative Literature Review

Higher education institutions (HEIs) have been urged to integrate sustainability across all their structural and organizational dimensions. A promising area of research and practice that can help to deliver this is organizational change management for sustainability. While this field has received increasing attention over the past decade, a comprehensive assessment is still lacking. Therefore, a systematic quantitative review was carried out to summarize and synthesize the academic literature on organizational change management approaches that aim to holistically embed sustainability in HEIs. Furthermore, this review aims to illustrate what change factors have been observed and how they have been analyzed, and from this highlight implications for practice and pathways for future research. The literature reviewed puts strong emphasis on change processes and human factors, as well as elements of the institutional framework, such as vision and strategy. The findings highlight the value of strategic and reflective actions, the importance of understanding and actively shaping change processes, and that change towards sustainability requires broad stakeholder input and commitment. This review serves as an important reference point for future research and practice

Office relocation : changes in privacy fit, satisfaction, and fatigue

Introduction Privacy fit is a frequently reported issue in open office environments, yet its context, predictors and consequences remain understudied. Theory This study builds on Altman’s (1975) privacy regulation model and the cognitive appraisal theory as a transactional model of stress to examine the effect of an office move (and associated changes in settings, protocols and autonomy) on changes in privacy fit, privacy-related coping appraisal, as well as changes in satisfaction and fatigue. Methods Data was collected over two points of measurement from 61 office workers who moved from a standard open-plan office to an office that is activity based. The first questionnaire was distributed six weeks prior to the office move and the follow-up questionnaire approximately eight months after. With its longitudinal design, this study extends past research by demonstrating the changing nature of privacy fit and revealing predictors of change in privacy fit and coping appraisal. Results Cross-lagged autoregression analysis of change confirmed suggested predictors such as increase in variety of settings and in adherence of others to protocols that positively influenced post-move privacy fit. Further, change in coping appraisal post move was predicted by an increase in perceived environmental and behavioural flexibility. Changes in privacy fit and appraisal were associated with increases in job and workplace satisfaction and decreases in emotional and mental work fatigue post move. Originality/Value Results could inform physical workplace design as well as cultural interventions in organisations. To our knowledge, this is the first study investigating the psychological process of privacy experience by using a transactional model of stress

Understanding the perceived benefits of nature for creativity

Experience of nature is widely linked to well-being, including psychological restoration. Benefits to creativity have been explored in a limited number of studies which refer to theories of restorative environments as frameworks, but it is unclear which aspects of the environment and person–nature transactions are implicated in these processes. In this study, N = 20 members of the British public were interviewed regarding the relevance of natural environments for their personal and professional creative activities. Thematic analysis of interview transcripts revealed that cognitive, affective, and aesthetic appraisals were reported as directly relevant to creativity in nature, while environmental properties, sensory experiences, and the self were reported as informing these appraisals. Similarities to theories of restorative environments were observed in terms of the relevance of affect, cognition, and aesthetics. However, divergences also occurred, especially with regard to perceptions of arousal as beneficial for creativity, the importance of change in the environment, and the relevance of the self. Studies and theoretical modeling of relationships between nature and creativity should include these concepts, as well as those from theories of restorative environments.publishedVersionPeer reviewe

Above and beyond? How businesses can drive sustainable development by promoting lasting pro-environmental behaviour change: an examination of the IKEA Live Lagom project

Current global changes require new business approaches driving sustainable development on all fronts. To date, most business approaches have focused on sustainable marketing and corporate social responsibility initiatives. In this field study, we examine IKEA’s Live Lagom project, a three year behaviour change initiative that aimed to explore how to go above and beyond conventional approaches demonstrating how businesses could support sustainable development by supporting their customers’ attempts to live more sustainable lifestyles. We examined the effectiveness of the project involving multi-faceted behaviour change interventions, testing for behavioural changes both during and after the project period. In addition, we explored changes in participants’ attitudes towards the company. Findings show that the extensive set of interventions led to changes in pro-environmental behaviours across all three participant groups with potentially positive impacts on the customer-company relationship. The article thus provides a call for further businesses to engage in similar behaviour change projects that would allow citizens to engage in more sustainable lifestyles and behaviours across contexts