Cause related marketing: can the arts afford not to participate?

Cause related marketing is a new way for for-profit organizations to increase their sales while appearing to enhance their focus on social responsibility. The key for private-sector organizations is to build partnerships with a worthy, notable cause and for them to promote that cause in a carefully structured commercial venture designed to enhance both organizations' financial viability. Over the last 2 decades the focus has shifted from the worthy cause of the arts, to issues of health and social need. The answer proposed in this paper is to broaden the definition of worthy cause to include needy non-profit arts and thus, return cause related marketing to its roots. This paper identifies the direction of rapid change in attitudes to arts marketing in just over 2 decades and indicates the possibilities of participating in cause related marketing activities as a result of this change.

Consumers' readiness to eat a plant-based diet

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine consumers' readiness to change to a plant-based diet. Design: Mail survey that included questions on readiness to change, eating habits and perceived benefits and barriers to the consumption of a plant-based diet. Setting: Victoria, Australia. Subjects: A total of 415 randomly selected adults. Results: In terms of their readiness to eat a plant-based diet, the majority (58%) of participants were in the precontemplation stage of change, while 14% were in contemplation/preparation, and 28% in action/maintenance. Those in the action/maintenance stage ate more fruit, vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole-meal bread, and cooked cereals than those in earlier stages. There were statistically significant differences in age and vegetarian status between the stages of change, but not for other demographic variables. There were strong differences across the stages of change with regard to perceived benefits and barriers to plant-based diets. For example, those in action/maintenance scored highest for benefit factors associated with well-being, weight, health, convenience and finances, whereas those in the precontemplation stage did not recognise such benefits. Conclusions: These findings can be utilised to help provide appropriate nutrition education and advertising, targeted at specific stages of change. For example, education about how it is possible to obtain iron and protein from a plant-based diet and on the benefits of change, in addition to tips on how to make a gradual, easy transition to a plant-based diet, could help progress precontemplators to later stages.

Assessing offender readiness to change problems with anger

It is widely acknowledged that offender rehabilitation outcomes can be improved by attending to responsivity issues, including the readiness and motivation of offenders to undertake and engage in treatment. The measurement of responsivity, readiness and motivation in offenders, however, has received relatively little research attention. In this paper we focus on anger management programmes and evaluate the utility and psychometric properties of a measure of stages of change in relation to changing anger - the Anger Readiness to Change Questionnaire (ARCQ). Using data from a large sample of offenders undergoing anger management interventions, we investigated the construct validity, convergent validity and predictive validity of the ARCQ. We conclude the ARCQ may have utility as a measure for selecting offenders who are suitable for anger management interventions.

Encouraging SMEs to participate in the management of common pool resources

In this paper we contribute to an understanding of how small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) can be encouraged to participate in the management of environmental common pool resources. We do this by applying ideas from general theories about collective actions and, using evidence from interviews of people with experience dealing with SMEs, show how the ideas are relevant to SMEs. In line with previous research, we present evidence that communication is also necessary to help ensure SME participation. We conclude noting some evidence that suggests that local networks may contribute to successful management of global common pool resources.

The determinants and motives for young people to participate in surfing

This study examined factors associated with young peoples involvment with surfing. Drawing on Self-Determination Theory, the individual determinant, motivation, was examined to determine if specific motives are associated with young peoples decision to participate in surfing and if these motives vary according to age and gender.The findings suggest that the determinants and motives for young people to participate in surfing are similar for males and females.

Readiness to change a problem behaviour : a conceptual framework

The thesis study aims to develop a model of readiness to enter treatment to change problem behaviour by addressing the limitations of previous models. The research shows that a model consisting of personal and social factors, mediated by problem recognition and desire for help accurately assesses readiness to enter treatment. The portfolio examines the broad framework of the Multifactor Offender Readiness Model (MORM) which assesses an offender's readiness to engage in treatment. Four case studies are presented.

From recruitment to consent : what makes doctors want to participate in the review of lifescripts

Aims & rationale/Objectives : The Australian Government wants the Lifescripts resources to be utilised by general practices. Therefore a national review has been commissioned.The aim of this presentation is to identify characteristics, barriers and enablers associated with consenting and non-consenting general practices within two Victorian general practice networks.
Methods : Recruitment of general practice staff consisted of three phases: promotion, communication and practice visits. Recruitment occurred from Sept to November 2007. Data was collected via face to face interviews.
Principal findings : Prior to the consenting phase 17 practices expressed interest in participation. At the consent phase, 10 general practices (7% response), 17 GPs (3% response), and three practice nurses (2.5% response) agreed to participate.Consenting practices had more: principal GPs involved in the recruitment process; greater intention to implement Lifescripts around MBS numbers; more experience with change management strategies, consulting health professionals, and defined their practice population(s) as middle aged and older.Non-consenting practices identified the following barriers: lack of support from principal general practitioners or owners; lack of capacity to incorporate Lifescripts into existing computer software; lack of financial incentive; heavy work loads and poor patient response to 45 health check.est
Implications : Inform general practices of a resource to assist them to detect and prevent chronic disease, and enable early intervention strategies. The benefit of this presentation is that it identifies the importance of determining barriers and enabling factors when implementing a lifestyle based service program at general practice level.
Presentation type : Poster

Motivation, readiness to change, and weight loss following adjustable gastric band surgery

High levels of readiness to change (RTC) are considered critical to the long-term success of weight management programs including bariatric surgery. However, there are no data to support this assertion. We hypothesize that RTC level will not influence weight outcomes following surgery. In 227 consecutive patients undergoing adjustable gastric banding surgery, we recorded reasons for seeking surgery, and RTC measured with the University of Rhode Island Change Assessment. Scores were blinded until study completion. The primary outcome measure was percentage of excess BMI loss at 2 years (%EBMIL-2); others included compliance and surgical complications. Of 227 subjects, 204 (90%) had weight measurement at 2 years. There was no significant correlation between RTC score and %EBMIL-2 (r = 0.047, P = 0.5). Using the median split for RTC score the lowest 102 subjects mean %EBMIL-2 was 52.9 ± 26.9% and the highest 52.2 ± 28.3%, P = 0.869. There was no weight loss difference between highest and lowest quartiles, or a nonlinear relationship between weight loss and RTC score. There was no significant relationship between RCT score and compliance, or likelihood of complications. Those motivated by appearance were more likely to be younger women who lost more weight at 2 years. Poor attendance at follow-up visits was associated with less weight loss, especially in men. Measures of RTC did not predict weight loss, compliance, or surgical complications. Caution is advised when using assessments of RTC to predict outcomes of bariatric surgery.