Date of Conferral

2020

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Management

Advisor

Nikunja Swain

Abstract

Water conservation management and water use behaviors of U.S. citizens are critical to secure water for future generations. An American citizen consumes approximately 88 gallons of water per day. On a local scale, a Florida citizen uses 134 gallons per day and wastes 71% of the total municipal drinking water provision in landscape activities. The problem addressed in this study was that administrators working on water conservation programs undergo difficulty fostering stakeholder engagement to advocate a water use behavioral change. The purpose of this qualitative exploratory multiple case study was to understand how citizen water use behaviors influence stakeholder water conservation engagement in Florida municipalities. The conceptual framework consisted of Freeman’s stakeholder theory. A series of semistructured questionnaires with 15 water managers in 5 companies in the water industry was conducted to generate thematic results. The data analysis involved NVivo coding analysis for thematic exploration using recurring codes to a pattern or node. The findings emerged into 6 themes: the need for water use behavior change among stakeholders, using water technology to diminish the health risks for COVID-19, the need for trust and cooperation in the public system, water infrastructure to reduce water consumption, engagement in water savings programs, and water use behavior change linked to smart water facilities. The study results can contribute to social change by providing new insights for leaders, managers, and policymakers to define policies and strategies to increase stakeholder engagement in water savings programs that focus on sustainable citizen water use behaviors and citizen well-being.

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