SP Workshop Surveys

Two surveys were conducted, one before and another after the SP workshop. Both surveys serve as:

ˆ validation of the selection of the five areas of interest identified from the interviews

ˆ validation of the suggested workshop theme “sustainability of the auto re- cycling business and industry”.

ˆ data collection medium about the participants and their background. The pre-workshop survey also serves as a precursor for participants on the topics that will be discussed during the workshop. The post-workshop survey allows the participant to provide further notes as well as a feedback channel on the workshop.

Each survey is described below, along with the data collection and analysis processes.

3.3.5.1 Pre Workshop Survey

The one-page survey (Appendix E) designed for a time-poor potential respondent, has three questions:

The first question asks that the driving theme and each area of interest to be ranked using a five-point Likert scale. The respondent is given the option to comment on each area and to add additional areas if needed. The second question asks whether the respondent has participated in a scenario planning- type workshop. The third and final question asks about the capacity of the respondent (auto recycler, industry association official, or other). In the case of

the auto recycler, the respondent is asked to specify the state(s) their business operated in, how many years they have been in business, the number of employees, total premises area size, annual turnover, and the number of ELVs bought. In the case of the industry association official, the respondent was asked to specify the states.

The survey was emailed as a Word document to the organising committee a week ahead of the scheduled workshop date. The committee forwarded then forwarded the form to the potential participants. They were asked to read over the information sheet and complete the survey electronically. The survey was to be emailed back directly to the researcher. Out of the sixteen potential parti- cipants, only four returned their survey representing a 25% response rate. The information provided in these responses could be seen as promising because three of the respondents had not participated in the previous interviews, and hence their views serve as validation of the identified areas of interest. It must be noted that given the qualitative nature of the inquiry, these responses may be valued despite the low return number which from a statistical standpoint may be viewed as insufficient.

3.3.5.2 Post Workshop Survey

The two-page survey (Appendix F) covers six questions: The first question asks the participant to rank the driving theme and each area of interest to be ranked using a five-level Likert importance scale. The participant is given the option to comment on each area and to add additional areas if needed. In question 2, the re- spondent is asked to highlight the most significant area(s) that were inadequately addressed during the discussions of the workshop. The third question asks about the background of the participant (auto recycler, industry association official, or other). Question 4 uses a Likert scale in helping to identify the agreeableness of the participant on how well the main issues affecting the business/industry were addressed, and whether their understanding of the main issues affecting the industry changed. Question 5 again uses a Likert scale in seeking feedback on the workshop process, including time allocated to activities, time allocated to discus- sions, breadth of topics covered, depth of topics covered, clarity of the process, and the overall experience. The sixth question seeks input from the participant on workshop aspects they would like to see different if they were to participate again in a workshop of this type.

after the final discussion of the workshop. The completed forms were then col- lected.

Data Analysis:

Question 1: Responses for each area are then counted according to a converted Likert scale (4 for very important, 3 for important, 2 for fairly important, 1 for somewhat important, and 0 for not at all important). The values are aggregated. The aggregate scores are then translated back to importance levels. Comments are transcribed.

Question 2: Answers are transcribed.

Question 3: Responses for each group are counted.

Question 4: Responses for each area are then counted according to a converted Likert scale (2 for very satisfied, 1 for satisfied, 0 for neither, -1 for dissatisfied, and -2 for very dissatisfied). The values are aggregated. The aggregate scores are then translated back to importance levels. Comments are transcribed.

Question 5: Responses for each area are then counted according to a converted Likert scale (2 for Very satisfied, 1 for satisfied, 0 for neither, -1 for dissatisfied, and -2 for very dissatisfied). The values are aggregated. The aggregate scores are then translated back to importance levels. Comments are transcribed.

Question 6: Comments are transcribed.

For questions 1, 4 and 5 the aggregate scores are calculated as follows: Aggregate Score= P(_ni×_αi)

N where

n is the total number of responses for level (i)

αis the conversion coefficient for that level, and

N is the total number of responses across all levels.