16 pages., Via online journal., This study explores potential factors that lead to environmental opinion leadership behaviors such as informing the public about environmental issues and encouraging preventative behaviors among various social groups. Building on the theoretical framework of the diffusion of innovations model, these analyses explore the effects that mass media may have on perceptions of self-efficacy among opinion leaders and how self-efficacy may, in turn, encourage leaders to communicate about aquatic invasive species (AIS) to others in their social networks. Results indicate that mass media and governmental media can have both a positive and negative influence on levels of self-efficacy, and that opinion leaders with higher levels of self-efficacy are more likely to participate in behaviors that could potentially influence their social network(s). These findings not only highlight factors that influence opinion leadership regarding advocacy of environmental behaviors, but also offer insights as to how future campaigns can work with these groups to promote prevention strategies.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Document Number: C12696
Notes:
Pages 293-307 in Bruce R. Crouch and Shankariah Chamala (eds.), Extension education and rural development. Volume 1 - International experience in communication and innovation. John Wiley & Sons, Chichester. 371 p.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 108 Document Number: C10187
Notes:
Book available at University of Chicago Library. S494.5C6G640, in D.K. Gogoi, Agricultural communication networks: a village level analysis of Punjab, Radiant Publishers, India.
