Date Approved

2022

Degree Type

Open Access Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department or School

Technology Studies

Committee Member

Giri Jogaratnam, PhD

Committee Member

Alphonso Bellamy, PhD

Committee Member

Dorothy K. McAllen, PhD

Committee Member

Ronald Williamson, EdD

Abstract

This study involved exploration of the acceptance of proposed commercial wind farm construction in rural township areas in the Thumb area of Michigan. The primary objective of the study was to conduct an exploratory analysis to gain an understanding of how residents perceive proposed wind farms in their own communities. This involved examining the influence of perceived usefulness and intent to use on individuals’ acceptance of wind farms in their communities. It also involved exploration of the extent to which personality factors, technophobia, and age moderate these relationships. The study had a cross-sectional research design and relied on a survey to collect data from a convenience sample of 163 individuals. The survey was exposed to people 4,522 times across all methods of promotion. Sampling targeted those who owned or rented property in Tuscola, Huron, and Sanilac Counties, which formed the focus of the study. Pearson’s correlation analysis revealed that independent variables corresponding to perceived usefulness, technophobia, environmental factors, and education were significantly correlated with the dependent variable corresponding to acceptance of wind farms. Independent variables corresponding to property ownership, gender, and age and the Big Five factors of Openness and Conscientiousness were not significantly correlated with the dependent variable. None of Openness, Conscientiousness, technophobia, or age moderated any of the correlations. These results may help guide leaders of municipalities and organizations proposing wind farms to improve communication of wind farm proposals to community members

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