Theses and Dissertations

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Open Access
Graduate education, research, and the interior design profession
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 1998) Lawlor, Patti J., author; Birdsong, Craig, advisor; Sheafor, Bradford W., committee member; Makela, Carole J., committee member
Irrespective of the field, all professions are made up of different components that set a standard for the discipline. These components include, but are not limited to, accreditation, examination, licensing, and research. The foundation of these components lies in the standardized esoteric body of knowledge the profession holds. The knowledge base of a profession is created, maintained, and expanded through scholarly research. When individuals have received proper training, the creation and documentation of new information can be conducted in all areas of a profession: education, business, and industry. Training to be a conductor of research is typically acquired through graduate education. The objective of this study was to ascertain perceptions of interior design practitioners concerning the components of a profession as previously listed, their importance to the interior design practitioner and advantage to the profession as a whole. In addition, graduate education and research were the focus to gauge the commitment of interior design to the components of the profession. Questionnaires were mailed to companies meeting study criteria from the "100 Giants 1996'' as listed in Interior Design magazine. A 54 percent return rate was acquired. The data were analyzed using frequencies, percentages, means, standard deviations, Spearman Rho correlations, and chi-squares. Analysis of the data revealed practitioners perceived an importance and advantage for each of the components of a profession, with the exception of graduate education. Practitioners had stronger perceptions of the importance and advantage of research to the profession and practitioner than they did of the importance and advantage of graduate education. Based on the findings and the review of literature, recommendations such as design firms should encourage and support the components of the profession were made. Additionally, recommendations were made for practitioners, academic programs and educators, graduate students in interior design, and professional organizations.
Open Access
Behaviorally annotated plans: beyond the presentation technique
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 1998) Smaglik, Julie Ann, author; Birdsong, Craig W., advisor; Tremblay, Kenneth R., Jr., committee member; Loomis, Ross J., committee member
This research study investigated the use of behaviorally annotated plans as a technique for communicating research findings, enhancing design solutions, and increasing the awareness of designers toward the behavioral implications of their design solutions. This technique incorporates interior floor plans (or other design drawings) with written text (annotations) referring to human behavior in the environment. It is well suited as an aid in communication for designers who tend to be highly visual and their clients who tend to be more familiar with text than with design drawings as it brings together both visual and verbal methods of communication. Traditionally, behaviorally annotated plans are primarily reserved for the final communication of research findings in the presentation stage of the design process. This thesis proposes uses for behaviorally annotated plans beyond presentation. The four objectives of this study were to (1) determine the state of the use of behaviorally annotated plans within interior design, (2) determine the elements utilized within behaviorally annotated plans, (3) devise a method for incorporation of behaviorally annotated plan into various stages of the design process, and (4) describe the benefits of this incorporation. Content analysis was utilized to review publications relating to interior design and environmental design research retrieved by a keyword search. These publications, as well as three major journals, two professional organizations' conference proceedings, and five introductory interior design textbooks were examined for definitions, procedures, and uses of behavioral plan annotation. Findings were integrated with a five stage design process (programming, schematic design, design development/presentation, implementation, and evaluation) for incorporating behaviorally annotated plans at various stages of design. During the programming stage, inclusion of behavioral information enhances the program by supplementing the physical requirements with behavioral requirements. Together, these requirements provide direction for developing alternative solutions in the schematic design phase. In the schematic design stage, the inclusion of behaviorally annotated plans aids discovery and decision-making by bringing attention to what is known and unknown regarding expected behaviors for the space. It also acts as a tool for exchanging information among design team members. In the design development/presentation stage, inclusion of behavioral annotations enhances the presentation by clearly communicating environmental design research and involves the client in feedback and decision-making processes. Inclusion of a behaviorally annotated plan in the implementation phase provides communication of the behavioral intent of the space to parties not previously included and serves as an orientation tool for personnel when provided in training materials. Results of post-occupancy evaluation benefit both the client and the designer. The client is able to make improvements to the space based upon the results of the study, and the designer can build on this knowledge in designing similar interior environments. Recommendations were presented for the use of behaviorally annotated plans in interior design education and practice, and in further research.
Open Access
Beautiful connections: Maridadi Fabrics, Jack Lenor Larsen, and the East African Kanga
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2003) Logan, Trisha Green, author; Sanders, Eulanda A., advisor; Carlson, Linda, advisor; Coronel, Patricia, committee member
This research examined the Maridadi textile collection housed in the Historic Costume and Textiles Collection in the Department of Design and Merchandising at Colorado State University (CSU). The researcher hoped to develop a new understanding of Maridadi textile designs utilizing Stuart Smith's "Material History Methodology" (1985), Ann Marie Fiore and Patricia Anne Kimle's Understanding Aesthetics for the Design and Merchandising Professional (1997), and Marilyn Revell Delong's The Way We Look (1987). The textile designs were placed within the context of both design cultures from which they stem, those of Kenya and the U.S. Specific design elements such as the binary themes (DeLong, 1998) of figure-ground integrated/figure-ground separated, and determinate/ indeterminate were analyzed. Design elements also considered include mono-chromatic and chromatic colors as well as organic and geometric shapes (Fiore and Kimle, 1997). The designs were also examined by looking closely at their Material, Construction, Provenance, Function, and Value (Smith, 1985). By comparing the textile designs of the Larsen Design Studio and the kanga designs of Kenya in the late 1960s the research addressed the issue of the social time in which the Maridadi textiles were produced. A random sample of thirty-four Maridadi textiles, eleven kanga, and seventeen images of the Larsen Design Studio textiles was used in the research. The content analysis method was used in the examination of the Maridadi textiles. Three trained coders (researcher, one professor, and a graduate student) identified where on a continuum a textile artifact lands between the binary themes from DeLong (1998) and Fiore and Kimle (1997). The Smith (1985) model for studying material culture was also be used to analyze the Maridadi textiles. The traditional Kenyan textile, the kanga, and the textile designs of the Larsen Design Studio were used as comparative data. The researcher identified where each of the thirty-four textile samples landed on the continuum between the binary themes. The number of times that each continuum between the themes was landed on was calculated. After all thirty-four textile samples were analyzed by all three coders using the Smith (1985) model and compared with the textiles of the Larsen Design Studio, and the traditional textile, the kanga, by the researcher only, the information was carefully scrutinized. Themes such as specific materials, color palettes, and construction methods, were extracted from the information and grouped and restructured.
Open Access
An exploratory investigation of the decision processes and psychographic characteristics of fast versus slow fashion consumers
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2010) Zarley, Maegan, author; Yan, Ruoh-Nan, advisor; Tremblay, Kenneth R., committee member; Gilliland, David, committee member
The purpose of the present study was to explore the differences between fast fashion and slow fashion consumers in regards to their consumer decision process stages (i.e., purchase/consumption, post-consumption evaluation, and divestment). More specifically, the objectives of this study are threefold. First, this study attempts to characterize fast (vs. slow) fashion consumers by potentially defining them based on their decision-making characteristics and perceptions of fast (vs. slow) fashion. Second, this study investigates whether fast fashion and slow fashion consumers differentiate on the consumer decision process stages and several psychographic dimensions (i.e., fashion orientation, conspicuous consumption, and self construal). Finally, this study proposes two scales to quantitatively measure fast fashion and slow fashion consumers, which will allow for these consumers to be characterized based on their decision-making. The consumer decision process (CDP) model is used as the theoretical foundation for the study. The key areas under evaluation in this study are purchase/consumption, post-consumption evaluation, and divestment. A mixed method research design was utilized for this study. The researcher distributed surveys and proctored focus groups to profile fast fashion consumers and created a quantitative means to measure consumers' tendency to consume fast (vs. slow) fashion. An exploratory mixed method design with a concurrent nested strategy was implemented. Thirty-eight female participants with a mean age of 21.2 were recruited. Three groups of themes emerged based on the purchase and post-purchase stages of the CDP model. Results show that participants were different based on those themes, but not different on the psychographic variables explored. The results of this research procured definitions for both slow fashion and fast fashion consumers. Future research can continue to explore fast (vs. slow) fashion consumers during all seven stages of the consumer decision process model. Theoretical and managerial implications and limitations of the study are discussed.
Open Access
How apparel companies communicate corporate social responsibility on their websites: a longitudinal study
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2010) Gaskill-Fox, Jamie N., author; Hyllegard, Karen, advisor; Ogle, Jennifer Paff, advisor; Rouner, Donna, committee member
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) has become an essential part of Western business practices in the last two decades, and companies are increasingly communicating about their CSR efforts on their websites. Researchers have examined website communications about the CSR practices of businesses from multiple industries, but few researchers have focused on a single industry and none to date have focused on the apparel industry exclusively. In addition, an opportunity exists for researchers to focus on the changes in communications about CSR over time. The present longitudinal study fills gaps in the existing research by examining how three apparel companies (Gap, Inc., Levi Strauss & Co., and Nike) communicated about CSR on their websites and how those communications changed from 2001 to 2009. Stakeholder theory guided the development of this study and was used as a conceptual framework for the analysis. The qualitative research method Qualitative Document Analysis (QDA) was used to examine the 2001 and 2009 websites of the selected apparel companies, and constant comparison was used as a coding strategy. The results of the analysis indicated that although the apparel companies emphasized some areas of CSR more than others on their websites, seven themes related Corporate social responsibility (CSR) has become an essential part of Western business practices in the last two decades, and companies are increasingly communicating about their CSR efforts on their websites. Researchers have examined website communications about the CSR practices of businesses from multiple industries, but few researchers have focused on a single industry and none to date have focused on the apparel industry exclusively. In addition, an opportunity exists for researchers to focus on the changes in communications about CSR over time. The present longitudinal study fills gaps in the existing research by examining how three apparel companies (Gap, Inc., Levi Strauss & Co., and Nike) communicated about CSR on their websites and how those communications changed from 2001 to 2009. Stakeholder theory guided the development of this study and was used as a conceptual framework for the analysis. The qualitative research method Qualitative Document Analysis (QDA) was used to examine the 2001 and 2009 websites of the selected apparel companies, and constant comparison was used as a coding strategy. The results of the analysis indicated that although the apparel companies emphasized some areas of CSR more than others on their websites, seven themes related to CSR were identified as common to all three companies: motivations for CSR, philanthropy, labor practices, minimizing environmental impacts, accountability, and recognitions for CSR efforts. In addition, the companies put the most emphasis on addressing the following stakeholder groups within their website communications about CSR: employees, charitable organizations and communities, the natural environment, consumers, suppliers and factory workers, activists, and youth and students. In terms of changes between 2001 and 2009, the companies generally provided greater detail and communicated more about their CSR practices in 2009 than 2001. Nike was the exception to the increase in communications about CSR in that it reduced the amount of communications relative to several of the themes from 2001 to 2009. Nike did not, however, appear to be less committed to ethical practices in 2009, rather the company appeared to change the way in which it presented communications about CSR on its website. A summary figure was developed to compare how each company's website communications about CSR represented the seven identified themes in 2001 and 2009. New insights about website communications regarding CSR in the apparel industry are presented, and implications, limitations, and suggestions for future work are discussed.
Open Access
Erté-style wearable art eveningwear created for a specified target market
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2010) Loving, Katrina, author; Littrell, Mary Ann, advisor; Sparks, Diane, advisor; Mitchell, Carol, committee member
Wearable art is a wondrous form of self-expression for both the creator and the wearer, but it also offers the viewer a remarkable experience. The "wearable" aspect of wearable art makes it uniquely relatable to a viewer. Most people engage in the act of wearing clothing every day. Therefore, a piece of art that is also wearable allows the viewer or viewers the opportunity to relate to an art object as a somewhat familiar part of every day life, while also responding to the, perhaps less familiar, yet extraordinary aspects of the object that make it "art". This study explores the process of creating wearable art from beginning to end. In addition, the researcher proposed and then modified a new model for creating and viewing wearable art, based upon models proposed in previous studies. Wearable art was created, based on the work of famous fashion designer and illustrator Erté, as well as the wants and needs of a specified target market. First, a content analysis of the work of Erté revealed important elements of the inspiration source. The researcher then gathered target market information by conducting interviews with a sample of five women between the ages of 40 and 70. The information revealed by the content analysis, along with the target market information informed the design of three wearable art garments which were then viewed and assessed by the original target market participants. The participants gave the garments consistently high scores in response to almost every question included in the post-assessment survey, suggesting a high level of satisfaction.
Open Access
Imparting protective properties to lyocell fabric via single and multi-functional finishing treatments
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2010) Vora, Gunjan, author; Sarkar, Ajoy, advisor; Tremblay, Kenneth, committee member; Mallette, Dawn, committee member
Lyocell is a fiber made from wood pulp cellulose. Like other cellulosic fibers, it is breathable, absorbent, very comfortable to wear, and biodegradable. Lyocell fiber is also eco-friendly and sustainable since the solvent used to manufacture the fiber is environmentally not hazardous and the manufacturing of lyocell is a closed-loop process. Lyocell has been treated a myriad of ways to enhance its value-added potential. However, no studies were found to have been done to impart protective properties such as resistance to UV-radiation and resistance to microbes. In this study, untreated lyocell fabric was analyzed for its protective properties against UV radiation and disease causing microbes. Lyocell was found to afford no protection against UV radiation and also possessed no anti-microbial activity against the three microbes investigated in this study. To improve its protective properties, lyocell was finished with UV-absorbers. To enhance its antimicrobial property, lyocell was treated with an antimicrobial agent. It was experimentally determined that a UV-absorber concentration of 2% on weight of fabric was sufficient to improve the UV properties of lyocell fabric to an excellent degree. The antimicrobial concentration for excellent antimicrobial activity was found to be 0.5% on weight of fabric. Combining several processing steps to reduce time and cost is preferred in the textile industry so the synergistic effect of UV absorber treatment and antimicrobial treatment from a multi- functional treatment bath was explored in the next phase of the study. Lyocell fabrics were treated with the optimum amount of UV-absorber and antimicrobial agent. The data showed the UV-protection of lyocell fabric was not imparted negatively when a multi-functional bath was employed. Similarly, the antimicrobial efficiency was not reduced on multi-functional finishing treatment. Further, the finishing treatments, both single and multi-functional were durable to laundering and to light exposure.
Open Access
Designing women's snowboarding clothing: application and expansion of the FEA consumer needs model
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2011) Emerich, Paige, author; Sanders, Eulanda, advisor; Yan, Ruoh-Nan, committee member; Campbell, Sue Ellen, committee member
This mixed-methods research study examined women's snowboarding clothing preferences in relation to Lamb and Kallal's (1992) FEA Consumer Needs Model. A fourth element, environmental, was proposed as an addition to the model but its inclusion was not supported. The model was used to guide the study and garment design. Fifteen women snowboarders participated in an interview and survey about their snowboarding clothing desires and preferences. The data from the initial interview and survey was used to create two prototype snowboarding jackets and two prototype snowboarding pants. Photos and fabric swatches of the garments were analyzed by the original participants to complete the prototype evaluation survey feedback. Fourteen participants participated in the prototype evaluation survey. Results showed the participants rated functional garment elements as the most important consideration followed by the aesthetic elements, expressive elements, and finally environmental elements. Although color was an extremely important garment element, prototype evaluations showed the participants preferred the monotone black, feminine fitted jacket and the gray pinstripe, sleek fitting pant. Participants were not willing to spend more than 50 dollars more than their original budget nor would they give up any functional features because of the garment's environmental properties.
Open Access
Designing to promote physical health for the obese in commercial interiors
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2011) Wade, Andrea Roye, author; Clemons, Stephanie, advisor; Banning, James, committee member; Gibbs, Chad, committee member
The purpose of this phenomenological study was to assess 1) interior designers' perceptions concerning the design of commercial workplace interiors that encourage and support physical activity, and 2) design strategies used to encourage employee physical activity within the workplace. This study was developed in part to determine perceived responsibility of the interior design profession toward the national obesity epidemic (i.e. HSW). This phenomenological study was conducted with practicing, commercial interior designers employed by large firms. Questions pertained to how participants perceive their role in 1) creating environments that impact obesity, and 2) developing design solutions to enhance physical activity in commercial interiors. The constant comparative method (CCM) was used for qualitative data analysis in the grounded theory approach. Designers have been educated to develop efficient circulation patterns and adjacencies to enhance productivity; however, one consequence is a sedentary workplace that discourages physical activity. While momentum is gathering to encourage physical activity in community/urban planning, more needs to be done to encourage the same in interior spaces; particularly in workplaces that offer a setting for reaching large numbers of employees from varying socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds.
Open Access
Comparative evaluation of antimicrobial properties and durability to laundering of selected antimicrobial agents on a hospital textile
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2011) Sargur Ranganath, Anupama, author; Sarkar, Ajoy K., advisor; Park, Juyeon, committee member; Mallette, Dawn M., committee member
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, USA estimates that approximately 1.7 million Healthcare Associated Infections (HAIs) and 99,000 associated deaths occur each year on account of infection-causing bacteria. Hence, the control of infections has been identified as the most important target by the United States Department of Health and Human Services. HAIs can be minimized by inhibiting the various routes of transmission of bacteria. Textile substrates have been implicated as one of the vectors of transmission of disease. The spread of infection causing bacteria via textile materials is inhibited by the use of antimicrobial treated textiles. Based on an exhaustive literature review on antimicrobial textiles, it was found that a majority of the research conducted to-date has focused on synthesizing and evaluating uniquely distinct antimicrobial agents on different textile substrates with the main aim of proving their effectiveness against microbes. Very few studies have concentrated on comparing the durability to laundering and antimicrobial efficacy of different agents on a specific substrate against target challenge microorganisms. The present research compared the efficacy and durability to laundering of five antimicrobial agents of distinctive antimicrobial chemistries and modes of action on a polyester-cotton substrate. The antimicrobial agents were based on silver, triclosan, QAC, PHMB and chitosan. The challenge microorganisms were Staphylococcus aureus, a gram positive bacterium and Escherichia coli, a gram negative bacterium. Specimen samples of the polyester-cotton substrate treated with the antimicrobial agents were subjected to a maximum of fifty wash cycles and subsequently evaluated using standard qualitative and quantitative test methods. Scanning Electron Microscopy analysis of the treated and laundered substrates was done to study the difference in topography of the substrates. Statistical analysis for comparing the antimicrobial properties and durability to laundering of the antimicrobial treated fabrics was done using Statistical Analysis System. Qualitative results showed that the triclosan-based antimicrobial agent had superior durability to laundering than the other controlled release antimicrobial agents in this study. SEM analysis of the treated and laundered substrates at ten and fifty wash cycles revealed no visible differences in the topography of the specimen samples. In agreement with qualitative data, quantitative results indicated that triclosan was most effective against both E.coli and S. aureus after fifty wash cycles. Silver, QAC, PHMB and chitosan had higher efficacy against S. aureus than against E.coli. The antimicrobial action of silver, QAC, PHMB and chitosan decreased with increase in number of laundry cycles and the decrease was more pronounced against E.coli.
Open Access
Mind and method: an examination of cognitive activities in the design process
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2011) Mattingly, Amy M., author; Leigh, Katharine, advisor; Tremblay, Kenneth, committee member; Banning, James, committee member; Work, Rob, committee member
The creative process is a multifaceted and dynamic path of thinking required to execute a project in design-based disciplines (e.g., interior design, architecture). Social scientists have studied stages of the creative process; however, little comparative work has been conducted on the stages of the production process and increased creative design outcomes. This research seeks to understand phases of the creative design process by investigating design student experiences through a project assignment. This study used an exploratory design to collect qualitative data from demographic information, journal responses, and creative product results from college students enrolled in a design studio. The study conceptualized a creative process model based upon comparison and analysis of ten seminal and contemporary creative process models. Models were characterized by number of stages and grouped according to the transitional nexus between analysis and synthesis forming a common baseline. Four distinct categories were revealed based on the number and complexity of stages as: simple, balanced, complex analysis, and complex synthesis. Amabile's (1996) Components of Creativity model encompassing constructs of domain experience, motivation, and creativity-relevant skills was referenced in examining student processes which were then compared to the proposed model. Thirty-six senior level interior design students in a Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA) program participated in the assignment. Of these, 34 consented to participate; the final number of participants responding to journal prompts in the time frame requested further reduced the number of participants, resulting in N = 20. Students were asked to design a lounge chair during a two week period and to journal in response to pre-determined question prompts regarding their activities. Using template analysis, codes were derived for task activities. A scaled furniture model and accompanying design process board was reviewed by external evaluators to identify level of creative output. Two distinct groups demonstrated high and low creativity. Tasks, demographic data, and level of creativity were then compared by this criteria and the proposed model reexamined. Demographic data and journal responses illustrated differences between the high and low creativity group. GPAs, transfer credits, and total credit hours were higher for the high creativity group in addition to evidence of higher levels of abstract thought and greater divergent thinking. Students in the high creativity group also demonstrated increased depth in thought and higher motivation throughout their creative process.
Open Access
Perceptions of practicing interior designers: motivations that encourage their sustainable design practices
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2011) Templeton, Alisa, author; Clemons, Stephanie, advisor; Tremblay, Ken, committee member; Banning, James, committee member
This exploratory research developed an understanding of the various perceptions practicing interior designers have of sustainability and sustainable interior design strategies. Various motivations interior designers have for the pursuit of sustainable interior design strategies were also uncovered. Following a phenomenological method, individual interviews were conducted with eleven interior designers living and practicing in the Denver, Colorado region. Purposeful sampling techniques were utilized in order to obtain participants with experience in the phenomenon in question, sustainable interior design strategies. Participants completed short demographic surveys and answered open-ended questions regarding their experiences with sustainability and sustainable interior design strategies. During these interviews, participants' perceptions of and motivations for sustainable interior design were uncovered. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed. Motivational data were coded using Means End Chain Theory and perceptional data were coded separately. The findings create an understanding of interior designers' perceptions and motivations as well as their future intentions toward sustainable interior design strategies. The manner in which this research complements the existing literature is also discussed, as are several related areas for future study.
Open Access
Sustainable change: knowledge absorption as a factor of absorptive capacity theory among green industry consultants
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2011) Badding, Sarah, author; Sarkar, Ajoy K., advisor; Leigh, Katharine E., advisor; Venneberg, Donald L., committee member
Researchers and practitioners have been interested in organizational learning as a means to improve performance (Gilley, Dean, & Bierema, 2001; Senge, 1990). The diversity of individuals comprising the context of an organization requires response to change to continue competitive organizational development. When influences and triggers pressure an organization to change, a niche is created for the external consultant. Consultants assist organizations to become more conscious of their own capabilities to successfully address, acknowledge, and use knowledge from internal and external environments. The purpose of this study is to assess the use of knowledge types identified within ACAP theory by consultants guiding clients on a path toward sustainable change. This study enhances existing research regarding absorptive capacity by looking for evidence of new knowledge through the lens of sustainable change. The research goal is to ascertain the active use of key factors of knowledge absorption by green consultants. Findings of this study support a relationship among the consultant's role and the client's capabilities. Utilizing sustainable change strategies and the consultant's complex set of skills the consultant works with a client exhibiting existing strategies supportive of sustainable change. Determining the types of knowledge already present within the organization, green consultant's focus on a customized approach offered through tactics for sustainable change to achieve organizational objectives creating lasting and sustainable change.
Open Access
Collaborative product development: examining the development of a nursing sports bra
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2011) Morris, Kristen D., author; Sarkar, Ajoy, advisor; Park, Juyeon, committee member; Sparks, Diane, committee member; Banning, James, committee member
To view the abstract, please see the full text of the document.
Open Access
Green schools that teach: identifying attributes of whole-school sustainability
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2011) Barr, Stephanie Kay, author; Leigh, Katharine E., advisor; Dunbar, Brian H., committee member; Tremblay, Kenneth R., committee member
The combination of green school design, green organizational behavior, and aligned educational goals sets the stage for the attributes of green schools to become teaching tools. School facilities, whether functioning well or not, serve as powerful pedagogical 'instruments'. If the power of these attributes as "three-dimensional textbooks" was harnessed the impact on learning for the next generation of students would be limitless. This research study focused on five LEED certified green schools promoting sustainability through building design, operations, and curriculum. Participating schools were LEED certified and offered a formal environmental education program. The purpose of the study was to explore the combination of attributes leading to success in developing a methodology for best practices resulting in a model for whole-school sustainability. This model can be used as a tool for those seeking to establish whole school sustainability informing the development of 'green schools that teach' at local, national, and international levels. Participants (N = 77) included school principals and administrators, parents, community members, teachers, and support staff with building professionals responded to an e-survey relevant to sustainability integration: design process approach, organizational behavior, guiding educational philosophies, and the role of the building and grounds in curriculum. Responses provided an illustration of whole school sustainability in action. Shared sustainable values among stakeholders formed a supportive culture informing decisions about facility design and curriculum and guided the whole-school sustainability process. The physical context of participating schools reinforced successful whole-school sustainability through hands-on learning opportunities for students and physical representation of the entity's values. Finally, the alignment of sustainability values within culture, curriculum, and facility operations was found to be critical to the success of whole-school sustainability.
Open Access
Motivations for participation in knitting among young women
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2011) Stannard, Casey Rhea, author; Sanders, Eulanda, advisor; Sarkar, Ajoy, committee member; Faris, Suzanne, committee member
The purpose of this research was to understand the complex motivations of young women who choose to participate in knitting. The number of young women who knit has increased dramatically in the past ten years. However, there has been little research focused on understanding the culture of these young, female knitters and no research has concentrated its attention on the material culture of these women and the artifacts they produce. Fifteen young, female knitters (ages 18-30) who resided in Northern Colorado were identified to participate in the study. Data were collected from in-depth interviews, a material culture analysis of artifact(s) made by the participants, and a demographic data survey. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and artifacts made by the participants were photographed for later analysis. Validity was established through the use of multiple information sources and a secondary coder. Data gathered from the interviews were analyzed using constant comparative method. The knitted artifacts were analyzed using material culture and content analysis methods. Finally, the survey data were examined using frequencies and descriptive statistics. Thirteen subthemes emerged during the coding process of the interview data: creativity, multi-tasking, financial, alterations, information sources, social aspects, negative reactions, mistakes, expense, positive reactions, products, confidence, and relaxation. These themes were grouped into three main categories: incentives, barriers, and positive outcomes. The Taxonomy of Participation in Knitting was developed to graphically arrange the themes and subthemes. The data were then compared to an existing theory, Uses and Gratifications (UG), to determine if the categories of motivations described by Katz et al. (1974) were appropriate to describe the incentives for young women to participate in knitting. The categories of UG were very suitable and a second model, The Model of Motivations for Knitting among Young Women, was created to showcase the motivations that participants had for engaging in knitting.
Open Access
An evaluation of hemp fiber for furnishing applications
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2011) De Miranda, DeeDee, author; Sarkar, Ajoy, advisor; Sparks, Diane, committee member; Most, David, committee member
By all accounts, petroleum resources currently used as raw material for manufacturing synthetic fibers are rapidly depleting. It is urgent that professionals in the textile industry begin to consider alternative resources for raw material used for fiber. While contemplating replacement resources it is important that sustainable, renewable and less polluting natural fibers be considered for uses hitherto dominated by synthetic fibers. Among natural fibers, the bast fiber hemp is a potential substitute due to its excellent fiber properties. In addition to its desirable textile characteristics, hemp is often praised as an excellent rotational crop requiring little use of pesticides. Historically, hemp has been used for industrial purposes including ropes, nets, paper, cloth, sails, and oil. According to recent published reports, use of hemp fiber in the furnishings market is on the rise. However, no published research has evaluated the suitability of hemp for furnishing products. Therefore, the goal of this investigation was to shed light on the viability of hemp fiber for furnishing applications via studies designed to evaluate the performance of hemp fiber towards meeting ASTM specifications for woven upholstery fabrics. The primary objective of the study was to compare and contrast the performance characteristics of 100% woven cotton and 100% woven hemp fabrics of three different weave structures with regard to colorfastness to crocking, colorfastness to light, soil release, colorfastness to water, flammability, abrasion resistance, tearing strength, breaking strength and elongation. It was found that there was no difference between cotton and hemp fabrics in terms of colorfastness to crocking; oily stain release; flammability; tearing strength; breaking strength and elongation. For colorfastness to light, the hemp fabrics in this study exhibited noticeable color change. It is suggested that an ultraviolet absorber treatment may provide enhanced resistance to color change caused by exposure to light. With regard to colorfastness to water, hemp fabrics performed satisfactorily indicating that steam cleaning of hemp furnishing fabrics in this study is not a concern. For abrasion resistance, the performance of hemp fabrics was slightly less than the cotton fabrics in the study. In conclusion, based on test results and benchmark comparisons, this study indicates that hemp is a viable fiber for use in furnishing applications. However, due to the small sample size of the study, the results cannot be extrapolated to the population of all commercially available hemp and cotton fabrics.
Open Access
Effectively offending to sell: consumer response to shocking visual merchandising presentations
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2011) Ortega-S, Anali Alfonsina, author; Hyllegard, Karen, advisor; Yan, Ruoh-Nan, committee member; Banning, James H., committee member
In recent years, the use of shocking message appeals has become increasingly commonplace in the fashion industry, particularly in the context of print advertising. Sex and violence are two of the specific types of message appeals that are often employed in the creation of shocking advertising or promotions. Despite the increased use of this type of message appeal across all forms of promotion, research into the efficacy of this message appeal has focused primarily on print advertising. Limited research exists on the subject of visual merchandising, in general, and even less exists on store window presentations, in particular, despite the importance of this form of promotion for retailers. For these reasons this study focused on consumers' reactions to the use of shocking message appeals in visual merchandising presentations, specifically store window displays. The purpose of this study was to examine consumers' responses to the use of shocking message appeals in visual merchandising, specifically store window presentations, to promote the sale of apparel. An integrated theoretical framework that draws from the information processing model (McGuire, 1978), the elaboration likelihood model (Petty and Cacioppo, 1983), and the theory of reasoned action (Ajzen and Fishbein, 1980; Fishbein and Ajzen, 1975) informed the development of this study. Together, these models provided a basis for the study of how consumers process information obtained from viewing store window displays, as well as how attitudes toward a retailer may be influenced by window displays and how those attitudes may, in turn, influence consumers' patronage intentions toward a retailer. An intercept survey was employed to collect data for this study. The sample consisted of 246 students from Colorado State University; 111 male participants, and 135 female participants. T-tests, one-way analysis of variance, multivariate analysis of variance, and regressions were conducted to analyze the data. Results indicated that gender, clothing involvement, and perception of shock impacted consumers' responses to the use of shocking message appeals in store window presentations, including consumers' elaborative (information) processing and attitudes. Findings revealed that upon viewing the window presentation, women engaged in more information processing than did men, and that men perceived the window presentations to be less shocking than did women. Findings also revealed that participants' perceptions of the level of shock present in the window displays as well as their level of clothing involvement impacted their elaborative processing. Perceptions of the level of shock present in the window displays also impacted attitudes toward the window display and toward the retail store. Further, attitude toward window presentation, attitude toward retail store, and elaborative processing predicted store patronage intentions. The findings from this study provide multiple implications related to the use of shocking message appeals in store window displays for apparel retailers that target young adults. These findings suggest retailers need to be cautious when employing shocking message appeals in their store window display so as to avoid negative repercussions. However, these findings also suggest a slight level of shock can have a positive impact on store patronage intentions, and in turn, for the retailer.
Open Access
Understanding ethical consumers: assessing the moderating effects of price sensitivity, materialism, impulse buying tendency, and clothing involvement
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2012) Bae, Su Yun, author; Yan, Ruoh-Nan (Terry), advisor; Eckman, Molly, committee member; Gloeckner, Gene, committee member
The purpose of the study was to explore the antecedents of ethical consumer behavioral intention. The first objective was to investigate the relationship between ethical traits and attitudes toward social responsibility in the apparel and textiles industry. The second objective was to determine whether the attitudes predict socially responsible apparel purchasing intention and ethical post-purchase returning intention. The third objective was to examine the roles of individual characteristics as moderators between the relationships of attitudes and behavioral intentions. Social desirability bias was also measured in order to control for potential effects it might have on the relationships examined in the study. Data were collected from 302 consumers through store intercept and online survey approaches. The results of the study revealed that ethical traits predicted socially responsible attitudes. The socially responsible attitudes also predicted the behavioral intentions to purchase socially responsible apparel and to return products ethically. Among the variables of individual characteristics, only price sensitivity moderated the relationship between attitudes and behavioral intentions. Social desirability bias was not detected; the only exception was the relationship between ethical concerns and socially responsible attitudes. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Open Access
Challenges and solutions of sustainable apparel product development: a case study of Eileen Fisher
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2012) Curwen, Lisa G., author; Sarkar, Ajoy, advisor; Park, Juyeon, committee member; Golicic, Susan, committee member
This paper reports on a case study of the product development experience of an apparel firm's sustainable sweater program. The three-fold purpose of this study is to document current challenges the firm experienced, discover product development strategies that were implemented in fulfilling its sustainable business goals, and determine the principles guiding the design team and its interaction within the upstream supply chain. The case company is Eileen Fisher, a brand name international women's fashion apparel firm which is committed to social and environmental initiatives. Data were collected from thirteen in-depth interviews conducted with members of the case company and its vendors. Secondary data analysis from the case company's website and archival records provided supplementary information. The qualitative data were analyzed with the use of NVivo9 software. The study identified five challenges encountered by the Eileen Fisher design team in developing its organic and fair trade cotton sweater program which include concerns with perceived value, process timing, quality standards, supplier capacity, and price. Corresponding solutions that were put into place include heightening creativity and innovation, optimizing timing and resources, interfacing hands-on "upstream", managing relationships responsibly and for the long term, and making trade-offs based on cost and values. Furthermore, the study identified five principles which guided the design team and its interaction within the upstream supply chain for sustainable design practices; they are the prerequisite of a company mandate, match of core values, gathering and diffusion of information, cross-functional organization to support sustainability initiatives, and the significance of the supply chain arrangement. This study hopes to provide guidance for apparel manufacturers and suppliers for surmounting the challenges facing product development of sustainable apparel products.