Spring hunting referendum : an application of Ajzen’s theory of planned behaviour

Abstract

Purpose – This study aims to assess whether the voting intentions by the University of Malta students can be predicted through the analysis of the three different independent variables attitude towards the behaviour, the subjective norms and the perceived behavioural control, as expressed in the TPB. Design – An online questionnaire was distributed to University of Malta students in order to obtain the voting intentions in relation to the spring hunting referendum. Findings – The study established that most University of Malta students were certain about their voting position in the spring hunting referendum. Therefore, the TPB could be confirmed to its maximum. Conclusion – The study concludes that the majority of the participants will be voting in favour of the spring hunting and that the TPB proved that it could be used to predict the intention of the participants based on the Attitudes, Subjective Norms and Perceived Behavioural Control. Value – It is envisaged that this study will highlight whether there is any type of correspondence between the attitudes towards a behaviour, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control and intention.