Developing a theoretical framework for the study

This study requires the development of a Theoretical Framework (also referred to as a conceptual framework). The purpose of developing a Theoretical Framework is to present the factors influencing OSH on Irish farms according to the literature reviewed (Chapters 1-4) and the relationships that exist between them. After development of the Theoretical Framework a Study Model is derived from it where the hypotheses for testing and associated dependent and independent variables are identified.

5.2.1. Defining a Theoretical Framework

According to Sekaran (1992), once the literature has been surveyed and the problem defined, it is then necessary to develop a theoretical framework. Sekaran (1992) defined a theoretical framework as a conceptual model, of how one theorises the relationships among the various factors that have been identified as important to the research problem. Thus the theoretical framework is central to examining the problem under investigation. The theoretical framework also allows one to move from individual sources of information and make sense of information as a whole, including similarities and differences (Rudestam and Newton, 2001).

Kolb et al., (1979) considered the development of theory, and stated that it is based on the same principles of how individuals learn from particular experiences. They consider that learning could start from a particular experience, which the individual attempts to make sense-of. This leads to the generation of an explanation of how or why something has happened, which in turn forms an abstract rule or guiding principle, which can then be applied to new events or experiences. Gill and Johnson (1997) and Sarantakos (1997) considered that theories are derived from what we have perceived to have happened previously and thus they influence our future actions. Rudestam and Newton (2001) stated that placing research within a theoretical context is essential to ensure that it

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develops the existing body of knowledge in that field, rather than just conducting a study on a particular problem.

Both Gill and Johnson (1997) and Sarantakos (1997) however highlighted the importance of testing theories in real-life situations, and amending them if necessary, to reflect the actual situation. Accordingly, in Chapter 6, a review is undertaken of theory related to the conduct of research in social science disciplines, particularly related to occupational safety and health of relevance to this study. The theoretical framework therefore examines the inter-relationships among the variables that are considered to be components of the situation being investigated. Thus devising a theoretical framework assists the researcher to propose and devise a framework for testing various relationships to improve our understanding of the issue being studied (Sekaran, 1992).

5.2.2. Development of the Preliminary Theoretical Framework

In order to develop the preliminary theoretical framework, it is firstly necessary to draw together the conclusions from the literature review (Chapters 1-4) and link these together into a preliminary theoretical framework.

The conclusions from chapter one, which was introductory, focused on the following key themes:

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Persons working in Irish Agriculture and internationally have a poor safety and health record. In Ireland, improving this record represents a major priority to State and farmer organisations who wish to devise effective strategies to achieve this aim.

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Newly adopted OSH legislation enacted in 2005, permits farmers to complete a Risk Assessment Document (RAD) under the terms of a statutory Code of Practice. This provides a new means to assist with OSH farm management. The pilot RAD design was based on self-assessment documents which Irish and International studies indicated were positively used by farmers related to OSH adoption.

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An International study indicated that farmer short training course attendance in OSH and a follow-up advisory audit positively influenced OSH adoption. Accordingly it

was decided to provide these elements in the pilot and subsequent National Initiative to assist farmers with RAD completion and implementation.

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As the review in Chapter 1 indicated that the agricultural sector in Ireland is diverse in term of the deployment of the factors of production, land, labour, capital and enterprise on individual farms, the possibility for variation in adoption of the OSH Initiative could arise.

5.2.3. Injury and Ill Health Prevention in Agriculture

As prevention of injury due to accidents and ill health among farmers is the focus of this study, theory related to their causation and prevention was examined both for Ireland and internationally (Chapter 2). This was undertaken both to provide information to assist with preparation of the pilot RAD and devise the study Theoretical Framework and the following points emerged from the review:

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An accident leading to injury is defined as the culmination of one or a number of unplanned events in a ‘time’ relevant sequence which results in the impartment of energy to cause injury or biological impact to cause ill health.

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Numerous accident risk factors occur for agricultural work including personal factors such as gender, age, health and farm factors such as farm enterprises, infrastructure and machinery, cropping or livestock used collectively referred to as farm technology in this study, and the physical nature of the farm including scale, labour deployed (full or part-time) and economic resources available referred to in this study as the farm environment.

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Accident prevention models at farm level require the implementation of a wide range of technical and organisational measures.

The literature reviewed suggested that knowledge gain on its own is unlikely to be sufficient to bring about behavioural change related to OSH among farmers which suggests that further interventions involving human behaviour change are required.

119 5.2.4. Human Behaviour Change

Behaviour Change Theory was reviewed in Chapter 3 to provide knowledge to support strategies to gain OSH adoption using the RAD and the following points emerged:

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Regulatory Theory indicated that regulation provides a strong societal mandate to develop OSH programmes to assist farmers and to provide regulatory tools to implement them. The review indicated that ‘enforced self- regulation’ backed up by ‘command regulation’, which applies to the Prevention Initiative being assessed in this Study, provides a workable option for such sectors as agriculture where regulatees are predominantly self-employed. However, the literature indicated that behaviour change can be promoted either internally or externally to a person. Internal approaches include influencing cognitive processes such as attitude and associated behaviour leading to intention to act. External approaches use an outside stimulus, such as legislative compulsion. Internal approaches when successful lead to sustained long-term change while external ones give immediate results but must be reinforced on an on-going basis to maintain change.

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Culture Theory suggested that OSH culture needs to blend with the overall culture within a population in which change is sought. Strong cultural themes to emerge related to OSH indicated that risk-taking thresholds vary within a population but are higher among populations or persons with ‘male’ traits and self-employed persons. Persons also find ‘tangible’ risk easier to conceptualize than ‘probabilistic’ risk.

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The Stages-of-Change Theory indicated that persons go through a process of change before sustained adoption is achieved. This commences with ‘pre- contemplation’ and ends with ‘adoption/ maintenance’. The theory indicated that considerable variation occurs among members of a population as regards adoption stage at a particular point in time. This Theory suggests that the correct stimulus needs to be applied at the correct stage to bring about change. Communications approaches are required at the early stages (pre-contemplation/ contemplation stages) to raise the profile of the issues. Subsequently at the contemplation/preparation/action stages, Behaviour Change approaches based on Theory are used to gain intention to act. Behaviour change is strongly associated with attitude, social norm, and perceived behavioural control in

gaining action. Social Cognitive Theory over-laps and follows-on from Behaviour Change Theory. These involve interaction among persons in social settings (e.g. among people, groups, training etc) which gives persons the opportunity to conceptualise the requirements and gain self-efficacy to provide a path-way to sustained behaviour change. Overall this literature review indicates the range of behaviour change approaches which are available and which can be used in the Prevention Initiative being studied as gaining ‘intention’ and then ‘action’ based on the RAD is at the centre of the approach being studied. However, the literature indicates that success rates for voluntary actions can be low (30-40%). However this may be enhanced by learning in social settings, which is now reviewed.

5.2.5. Change through Learning

Literature reviewed in Chapter 4 indicated that learning to achieve OSH change is likely to be strongly supported by social involvement which includes adult education and/or extension activities. In such environments, cognitive development or development in mental thought related to OSH change can take place. Also, the characteristics of how farmer’s learn and manage change needs to be considered to facilitate OSH adoption. These issues have been considered in the literature review undertaken and are set out in the following:

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Learning style studies among farmers indicated that they learn most from gaining and reflecting on ideas and also by considering and solving problems. So learning approaches need to predominantly reflect these styles. Learning retention studies indicated that immediate use of the learnt material is the most effective learning approach. However, learning should be viewed as an on-going approach rather than once-off.

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Recent studies indicated that farmers’ managerial capacity is strongly linked to implementation of accident prevention measures. The literature also indicated that learning and management style development requires on-going reinforcement including contact with intermediaries, such as extension. A review of managerial style, including that of farmers, indicates that an individual’s style is strongly reflected in the operation

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of a business. However, the review indicated that managerial style can be changed gradually due to social contact, such as with extension. The key starting points identified in the literature for managerial change include ‘problem recognition’ and ‘gaining the motivation’ for the issue(s) requiring adoption. Also, the literature indicated that the change required needs to be compatible with both farmer management style and be straightforward for implementation to be successful.

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A review of the extension scientific literature indicated that demand for OSH services in Ireland and internationally is low and accordingly strong extension leadership is required in this area to gain farmer participation to promote both learning and change. The review of learning indicated that it is strongly influenced by trusted training sources and that in Ireland, the public extension service provided by Teagasc has the capacity to impart OSH learning to farmers. This is a positive resource for the Prevention Initiative being undertaken on which this Study is based.

Overall the literature on behaviour change indicated that adopting a legal Code of Practice approach in association with using a RAD to assist farmers to manage farm OSH supported by short-training/extension has potential to assist with positive change. However, the literature indicated that a limited number of studies have been carried-out in improving farm OSH through farmer learning/ extension and limited success has been reported from the studies undertaken, with the notable exception of the Danish (West Jutland) study (Rasmussen et al.,2000). Thus, assessment was needed to gain knowledge on the efficacy of the approach being piloted in Ireland using a COP Risk Assessment document and associated short-training and extension, which is the subject matter of this Study.

In document A Study of the Effectiveness of Risk Assessment and Extension Supports for Irish Farmers to Improve Farm Safety and Health Management (Page 140-145)