James Michael Curtis

Identifying beliefs underlying visitor behaviour: A comparative elicitation study based on the theory of planned behaviour

Abstract Applying Ajzens (1991) theory of planned behaviour to inform a persuasive communication intervention involves a number of phases of field research. While the initial belief elicitation phase is theoretically necessary to inform all subsequent phases, it is often undervalued due to its formative nature. To assess the importance of the elicitation phase, research was undertaken at two national parks to identify the beliefs underlying visitor use of alternative transportations systems (ATS) that have been introduced to reduce the pressures created by growing vehicle numbers. Results indicate that although visitors at the two parks share some beliefs, others are site‐specific. Persuasive communication aimed at encouraging visitor use of ATS at the two parks would therefore need to potentially target different beliefs. The research demonstrates that the elicitation phase was a critical first step in the context of this study, as beliefs cannot be intuited or assumed to be transferable among different populations and behavioural domains. The paper adds to a growing body of literature informing the use of theory‐driven approaches to influence the leisure behaviour of national park visitors.

What's the problem? river management, education, and public beliefs

This paper invokes the theory of planned behavior (TPB) as a diagnostic tool to explain an existing public education program’s limited success at improving river water quality in the City of Perth, Western Australia. A reflective, client-driven research approach was used. A facilitated expert workshop defined an environmental problem (excess nutrients leaving gardens and entering waterways) and a desired behavior (residents purchasing environmentally sensitive fertilizer) to address the problem. A TPB-based belief elicitation survey captured respondents’ beliefs regarding the desired behavior. The findings suggest respondents were aware of the links between purchasing environmentally sensitive fertilizer and river water quality. However, this behavior is compromised by the challenges in identifying appropriate products, product quality concerns, and cost. Viewing the content of a public education program through the lens of the TPB reveals insights into how and why the program fell short in achieving one of its key behavioral change goals.

Facilitating adaptive management in a government program: A household energy efficiency case study

Interim evaluations of government programs can sometimes reveal lower than expected outcomes, leading to the question of how adjustments can be made while the program is still underway. Although adaptive management frameworks can provide a practical roadmap to address this question, a lack of successful learnings and poor implementation have hampered the progress and wider application of adaptive management. Using a case study involving an energy efficiency government program targeting low-income households, this article provides supporting evidence on how adaptive management can be facilitated and applied. Factors such as proactive and responsive leadership, establishing a research-practice interface, and recognizing the skills, expertise, and contributions of multiple stakeholders guided adjustments to the program, and later paved the way for longer-term organizational learning that impacted how other programs are delivered. Implications for knowledge and practice, and a discussion of the challenges faced in the program, advance current thinking in adaptive management.

Beyond business as usual: how (and why) the habit discontinuity hypothesis can inform SME engagement in environmental sustainability practices

ABSTRACT A lack of small and medium enterprise (SME) engagement in environmental practices has caused stakeholders to advocate several different approaches to encourage organisational change. While program investment and research has been dedicated to developing and implementing external drivers, at least two internal factors have not been given sufficient research attention when it comes to the uptake of environmental initiatives among SMEs. These are: the strength of embedded habits and routines, and whether or not a business is indeed ready to embrace change. We take these factors into account and show how a habit discontinuity approach with an emphasis on timing may foster greater engagement and uptake of environmental initiatives among SMEs. Alternatives and limitations are considered and a conceptual framework is introduced to guide research and future interventions.

Examining future park recreation activities and barriers relative to societal trends

ABSTRACT This study empirically examines how future park recreation is related to enduring societal trends. An online panel of 927 participants was surveyed regarding anticipated park recreation participation in ten years’ time in terms of intended park activities and expected barriers, adapted from the Theory of Planned Behaviour, the Recreation Experience Preference scales and Leisure Constraints theory. Anticipated changes were then linked by participants to the particular societal trends impacting them. The results suggest increased activities are expected from the ‘health awareness’ and ‘independence and convenience’ societal trends, while increased barriers are expected from ‘climate change’, ‘perceived safety’ and ‘population and urban growth’. Overall, the percentage of participants reporting future increased activities at parks is equal to those reporting future barriers; which suggests potentially that there will be no net participation change over time. The management implications, limitations and potential future research agenda stemming from the study are discussed.