The structure underlying extension agents' educational program decisions

The study examined the decision-making process used by Pennsylvania Extension agents to implement educational programs. The study used Ajzen's Theory of Planned Behavior (1985, 1987) to confirm the presence of a multidimensional influence. Five external variables on program influences were also evaluated. Regression analysis revealed the importance attached to the four influence components to be a function of an agents' gender, administrative role, years of experience and/or region of employment. Concerning these four variables, females were more likely than males to be influenced by the behavioral outcomes associated with implementing an educational program. Females also placed more importance on the availability of organization resources than did males. Agents in an administrative role were less likely to be influenced in their decisions by the social normative expectations of significant others. They placed more importance on the availability of organizational resources than nonadministrators. Extension agents from counties further in distance from the university also tended to place more importance on the availability of organization resources. Agents with more longevity in the Extension organization placed less importance on the availability of organizational resources when deciding to implement educational programs.