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Item A study of the influence of e-mail attitude and self-efficacy on the well-being of university staff : a thesis in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology at Massey University(Massey University, 2000) Selak, Evana MThe present study attempts to explore a cross section of university staff members' attitude towards the use of electronic mail (e-mail), their levels of self-efficacy (general, computer, and e-mail), and their sense of well-being; along with any possible relationships that may exist between these key constructs and various demographics. The factor structure of the e-mail attitude scale was also examined to see if it reflected tricomponent attitude theory. These areas have not been previously explored within New Zealand, and international research pertaining to these constructs is both fragmented and limited. A questionnaire was distributed to 2253 full-time Massey University staff members at the Albany and Palmerston North campuses according to the Human Resource Sections employment database as at the 1st March 2000. There were 569 respondents, yielding a response rate of 25.3% which was marginally below the desired 30%. The results indicated that this sample of Massey University staff members have a moderately positive attitude towards e-mail that reflects tricomponent attitudinal weightings, that staff engage in moderate levels of e-mail usage and that the most common purpose of e-mail use within the university was for administrative purposes. Overall the university staff demonstrated high levels of well-being and general self-efficacy, but only moderate levels of computer and e-mail based efficacy. The results of this study support Sherer, Maddux, Merchandante, Prentice-Dunn, Jacobs, and Rogers (1982) conceptualisation of general efficacy and provides some evidence of concurrent validity for the well-being scales. Further to this, differences between other types of efficacy and well-being scores generated from previous research emerged as did demographic differences. Hierarchical regression analysis based on the work of Baron and Kenny (1986) revealed that general efficacy was the only measure of efficacy to mediate the relationship between facets of e-mail attitude and well-being. General efficacy partially mediated the relationship between the affective e-mail attitude component and positive affect, and the behavioural e-mail attitude component and negative affect, as well as completely mediating the relationship between the behavioural e-mail attitude component and general life satisfaction. In concluding the limitations and recommendations for future research are also discussed.Item Electronic mail, an exploration of the level of use and knowledge of the email facility by Business Studies academic staff at Massey University : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Business Studies in Human Resource Management at Massey University(Massey University, 1995) Stirton, Nicole LynnDespite the widespread adoption and use of electronic mail in academia we still do not have a clear understanding of how well it is used or how knowledgeable users are of the email systems they use. In the present study, academic staff members in Business Studies at Massey University completed a questionnaire detailing their use of email in terms of frequency and ability to use sophisticated functions. The effects email has on communication behaviours, including effects on communication participants, content, and process was also investigated as well as the knowledge users had of the Massey University email system in particular, and the general process of communicating electronically. The sample included 72 respondents (a 47.5% response rate); of which 60% were male, 39% female, and one respondent failed to supply demographic information. The ages of respondents varied, with 29% in the 26-35 category, 38% in the 36-45 category, 32% in the 46-55 category, and 1 respondent was under 26 years old. The findings show that while the Massey University email facility is used relatively frequently, the level of sophistication in usage was quite low. Several interesting effects on communication were discovered; typically email provided a potential to communicate with a wider pool of people, although such potential is undermined by colleagues not having the facility, not using the facility if they do have it, and the difficulty in accessing email addresses. Respondents also recognised the need to alter the process of their communication when choosing to use the electronic medium as opposed to more traditional media. Generally, respondents had a sound knowledge of the email systems and packages that they used, although they were less able to identify all the facilities they had access to. Respondents had received different forms of written information and/or training on how to use email, and the helpfulness of such support was given mixed ratings. The present study is one of the few that looks at variation in behaviours and attitudes related to email from academic respondents that range in levels of use, including non-users and those demonstrating excessive levels of use. It shows distinct differences in the efficacy of the medium in academia as opposed to the business environment, and suggests that writers need to stipulate more clearly which setting they are referring to. The findings of the present study point to a need for more effective user support systems to encourage maximum use of the resource, the introduction of an international email directory, more widespread use of the facility, and the development of standardised norms or etiquette of use. The present study provided important basic information about the use and understanding of email among academics. It also lays the foundation for a longitudinal study of influences on changes in use and understanding following the implementation of the new email system and support network at Massey University.