Predicting Intentions to Engage in a Suite of Yard Fertilizer Behaviors: Integrated Insights from the Diffusion of Innovations, Theory of Planned Behavior, and Contextual Factors

Abstract

Research has inadequately examined factors that support residential yard care practices that influence water quality to date. This study evaluated factors that predict yard fertilizer best practices in the state of Florida, USA by pairing the Theory of Planned Behavior and Diffusion of Innovations along with contextual factors including age, population density, and living in a homeowners’ association. Data were collected from 1,197 Florida residents using an electronic researcher-developed survey instrument. Alone, all TPB variables (attitude, perceived behavioral control, subjective norms) predicted behavioral intent. When Diffusion of Innovation characteristics were added, compatibility predicted intent along with the TPB variables. When contextual variables were added to the final model, the same variables remained significant and age (younger), living in an HOA, and not living in a metro with less than 250,000 people predicted behavioral intent. Findings offer new insights into residential yard fertilizer behaviors informed by integrating the two theories.

Keywords:

• Behavioral intention
• contextual factors
• diffusion of innovations
• fertilizer use
• theory of planned behavior

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Center for Landscape Conservation and Ecology.