Sage Journals: Discover world-class research

Abstract

The construction industry has been slow to adopt new technologies; therefore, this pilot study found it beneficial to evaluate the relationship between Locus of Control (LOC), ethnicity, and technology and training adoption decisions. The following research questions were proposed: 1) To what extent do Hispanic and non-Hispanic workers differ in LOC? 2) In adoption decisions? 3) How confidently can LOC be used to predict adoption decisions? 4) How confidently can adoption decisions be used to predict LOC? The study utilized secondary data collection. The quantitative data (103 participants; 79 non-Hispanic and 24 Hispanic) was analyzed with JMP 8. Results showed a significant difference between the two groups in both LOC and adoptions decisions. The qualitative data (29 participants; 13 non-Hispanic and 16 Hispanic) underwent content analysis using Atlas.ti. This study serves as a starting point for other research interested in developing technology adoption programs for this and possibly other populations.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Canales

Arbelaez

Vasquez

Aveiga

Strong

Walters

(2009). Exploring training needs and development of construction language courses for American supervisors and Hispanic craft workers. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 135 (5), 387–396.

Cervone

Nizar

Wood

Goal setting and the differential influence of self-regulatory processes on complex decision-making performance. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 61(2), 257–266.

Dong

Fujimoto

Ringen Men (2009). Fatal falls among Hispanic construction workers. Accident Analysis and Prevention, 41, 1040–1052.

Goodrum

P. M.

Dai

(2005). Differences in occupational injuries, illnesses, and fatalities among Hispanic and non-Hispanic construction workers. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 131 (9), 1021–1028.

Green

M. S.

(2000). Compliance with influenza vaccination and the health belief model. The Israel Medical Association Journal, 2 (12), 912–913.

Hayden

J. A.

(Ed.). (2009). Introduction to health behavior theory. Wayne, NJ: Jones and Bartlett Publishers.

Hung

Yu-Hsiu

(2009). Data from Researcher-Worker Interviews and Technology Adoption Questionnaire.

Kim

Garrison

(2009). Investigating mobile wireless technology adoption: An extension of the technology acceptance model. Journal of Information Systems Frontiers, 11 (3), 323–333.

Lajunen

Rasanen

(2004). Can social psychological models be used to promote bicycle helmet use among teenagers? A comparison of the Health Belief Model, Theory of Planned Behavior and the Locus of Control. Journal of Safety Research, 35 (1), 115–123.

10.

Loosemore

Lam

A.S.Y.

(2004). The locus of control: A determinant of opportunistic behavior in construction health and safety. Journal of Construction Management and Economics, 22, 385–394.

11.

Mitropoulos

Tatum

C. B.

(1999). Technology adoption decisions in construction organization. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 125 (5), 330–338.

12.

Mitropoulus

Tatum

C. B.

(2000). Forces driving adoption of new information technology. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 126 (5), 340–348.

13.

Newton

N.A.

Khanna

Thompson

Workplace failure: Mastering the last taboo. Consulting Psychology Journal: Practice and Research, 60(3), 227–225.

14.

Personick

(1990). Profiles in safety and health: Roofing and sheet metal work. Monthly Labor Review Online, 113(9), Retrieved from http://www.bls.gov/opub/mir/1990/09/art4exc.htm.

15.

Richardson

(2005). Fatal work injuries among foreign-born Hispanic workers. Monthly Labor Review Online, 63(10), Retrieved from http://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/2005/10/ressum.pfd.

16.

United States Department of Labor. 2007 Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries [Data file]. Retrieved from http://www.bls.gov/iif/oshwc/cfoi/cftb0223.pdf.

17.

United States Department of Labor. BLS Reports on Employer-Provided Formal Training [Data file]. Retrieved from http://www.bls.gov/news.release/sept.t01.htm.

18.

Wiegmann

S.M.

Berven

N.L.

Health locus-of-control beliefs and improvement in physical functioning in a work hardening, return-to-work program. Rehabilitation Psychology, 43(2), 83–100.

19.

Williams

Bernold

(2007). Adoption patterns of advanced information technologies in the construction industries of the United States and Korea. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 133 (10), 780–790.

Influence of LOC and Ethnicity on Adoption Decisions in the Use of Safety Technologies and Training in the Roofing Industry

Abstract

Get full access to this article

References