XI TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT ............................................................................................................... II APPROVAL PAGE ................................................................................................. IV FOREWORD ............................................................................................................. V CHAPTER 1 ............................................................................................................... 1 1.1. Research Background ............................................................................................ 1 1.2. Problem Statement ................................................................................................ 3 1.3. Research Questions ............................................................................................... 6 1.4. Research Objectives .............................................................................................. 6 1.5. Scope and Limitations ........................................................................................... 7 2. CHAPTER 2 ........................................................................................................... 9 2.1. Literature Review .................................................................................................. 9 2.2. Previous Studies .................................................................................................. 18 2.3. Hypothesis Development .................................................................................... 20 2.4. Conceptual Framework ....................................................................................... 27 3. CHAPTER 3 ......................................................................................................... 29 3.1. Research Design .................................................................................................. 29 3.2. Research Approach ..............................................................................................