Matching Items (3)
Description
This mixed-method study of a community association discusses the potential for a comeback in associationalism. This comeback is posited to first occur within associations before it can occur across associations. This study discusses research on associations and critiques its failure to not go far enough to understand how to spur this comeback. In particular, this study suggests that future research needs to focus more on the psychological components of social capital and pay more attention to the more informal forms of association behavior.
The findings of this community case study provide a preliminary model of psychological social capital development and transference. The findings suggest that Herzberg's (1959) factors, attitudes, and effects complex still holds merit after considering psychological social capital effects, specifically cognitions and behaviors. Evidence from looking at associational and community involvement is presented that suggests that psychological social capital can be transferred between associations and their respective communities. A framework for intentionally stimulating psychological social capital transference is presented based on an association's leadership program. Thus, psychological social capital transference as a theory is presented for consideration in future research and application.
The findings of this community case study provide a preliminary model of psychological social capital development and transference. The findings suggest that Herzberg's (1959) factors, attitudes, and effects complex still holds merit after considering psychological social capital effects, specifically cognitions and behaviors. Evidence from looking at associational and community involvement is presented that suggests that psychological social capital can be transferred between associations and their respective communities. A framework for intentionally stimulating psychological social capital transference is presented based on an association's leadership program. Thus, psychological social capital transference as a theory is presented for consideration in future research and application.
ContributorsTalmage, Craig Allen (Author) / Knopf, Richard C. (Thesis advisor) / Hager, Mark A. (Committee member) / Pijawka, David (Committee member) / Phillips, Rhonda G (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2014
Description
Increasingly, wildfires are threatening communities, forcing evacuations, damaging property, and causing loss of life. This is in part due to a century of wildfire policy and an influx of people moving to the wildland urban interface (WUI). National programs have identified and promoted effective wildfire mitigation actions to reduce wildfire risk; yet, many homeowners do not perform these actions. Based on previous literature and using the theory of planned behavior (TPB), this study proposes an integrated wildfire mitigation behavioral model to assess and identify the factors that influence homeowners’ wildfire mitigation behaviors. Specifically, the study tests the validity of the theory of planned behavior as a foundational model in exploring wildfire mitigation behaviors, develops and empirically tests a wildfire mitigation behavioral model, and explores the role of homeowner associations (HOA) on wildfire mitigation behaviors. Structural equation modeling was used on data collected from homeowners with property in the WUI in Prescott, Arizona. Results suggest TPB provides an acceptable model in describing homeowner wildfire mitigation behavior. For HOA residents, attitudes toward wildfire mitigation behaviors play an important role in predicting intentions to perform these behaviors. Additionally, perceived constraints directly influenced actual mitigation actions. For non-HOA residents, subjective norms influenced intentions to mitigate. Implications for research and local wildfire mitigation programs and policy are discussed.
ContributorsSteffey, Eric Clifford (Author) / Budruk, Megha (Thesis advisor) / Vogt, Christine (Committee member) / Virden, Randy (Committee member) / Larson, Kelli (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2016
Description
Community associations have become more prevalent in recent years. In 1964, there were fewer than 500 such associations across the United States (At-a- Glance Look at Homeowners Associations and Conflicts). As of 2003, that number had skyrocketed to about 249,000 associations (At-a-Glance Look at Homeowners Associations and Conflicts). That number further increased to about 300,000 associations by 2010 (Ross). The majority of these entities are located in Arizona, California, Florida, Texas, Nevada, and Hawaii (At-a-Glance Look at Homeowners Associations and Conflicts). Community association members are required to pay assessments. One half of these monthly assessments were between $100 and $200 in 2003 (At-a-Glance Look at Homeowners Associations and Conflicts). In 2003, the total annual revenue of United States associations was between $30 and $35 billion dollars (At-a-Glance Look at Homeowners Associations and Conflicts). Due to the large revenue inflows, lack of controls, and an atmosphere of trust, these organizations are susceptible to fraud. Lapses in control relate to issues of a lack of segregation of duties, check writing policies, detective controls such as budgets, and other related controls. Limited fraud controls are sometimes a byproduct of the atmosphere of trust. This atmosphere of trust is probably in part a result of the association's communal orientation as association members can assume that their neighbors have the community's best interest in mind. But this is not necessarily the case. Fraud is an activity which, in 2006, cost United States businesses approximately $652 billion dollars (DiNapoli 2). On average, the cost to protect organizations from fraud and abuse is estimated at between five and seven percent of their annual revenue (DiNapoli 2) (Ratley 8). This thesis explores best practices that small and large community associations can employ to deter such fraud. First, this thesis provides background information regarding community associations, including their structure and surrounding laws which are pertinent to understanding their relationship with fraud prevention. Next, fraud basics are discussed to address the motivation, organizational attributes, and personal characteristics common to this act. Then, examples of community association fraud are discussed to underscore the importance of establishing anti-fraud controls. Finally, best practices are discussed to help community association members and directors enact policies to curb this costly act.
ContributorsLaybourne, Steven (Author) / Goldman, Donald (Thesis director) / Pany, Kurt (Committee member) / Epps, Joe (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / W. P. Carey School of Business (Contributor)
Created2012-12