The social marketing theory-based (SMT) approach for designing interventions

- Purpose Despite the importance of theory as a driving framework, many social marketers either fail to explicitly use theory as the basis of designing social marketing interventions or default to familiar theories which may not accurately reflect the nature of the behavioural issue. The purpose of this paper is therefore to propose and demonstrate the social marketing theory (SMT)-based approach for designing social marketing interventions, campaigns or tools. - Design/methodology/approach This conceptual paper proposes a four-step process and illustrates this process by applying the SMT-based approach to the digital component of a social marketing intervention for preventing domestic violence. - Findings For effective social marketing interventions, the underpinning theory must reflect consumer insights and key behavioural drivers and be used explicitly in the design process. - Practical implications Social marketing practitioners do not always understand how to use theory in the design of interventions, campaigns or tools, and scholars do not always understand how to translate theories into practice. This paper outlines a process and illustrates how theory can be selected and applied. - Originality/value This paper proposes a process for theory selection and use in a social marketing context.

Reducing luminance contrast on the window wall and users’ interventions in an office room

High luminance contrast between windows and surrounding surfaces could cause discomfort glare, which could reduce office workers’ productivity. It might also increase energy usage of buildings due to occupants’ interventions in lighting conditions to improve indoor visual quality. It is presumed that increasing the luminance of the areas surrounding the windows using a supplementary system, such Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs), could reduce discomfort glare. This paper reports on the results of a pilot study in a conventional office in Brisbane, Australia. The outcomes of this study indicated that a supplementary LED system could reduce the luminance contrast on the window wall from values in the order of 24:1 to 12:1. The results suggest that this reduction could significantly reduce discomfort glare from windows, as well as diminishing the likelihood of users’ intention to turn on the ceiling lights and/ or to move the blind down.

Posters versus lurkers. Improving participation in enterprise social networks through management interventions

This thesis investigated the phenomenon of underutilised Enterprise social networks (ESNs). Guided by established theories, we identified key reasons that drive ESN members to either post (i.e., create content) or lurk (i.e., read others' content) and examined the influence of three management interventions - aim to boost participation - on lurkers' and posters' beliefs and participation. We test our model with data collected from 366 members in Google⁺ communities in a large Australian retail organization. We find that posters and lurkers are motivated and hindered by different factors. Moreover, management interventions do not – always – yield the hoped-for results among lurkers.

Systematic review of interventions to improve the provision of information for adults with primary brain tumours and their caregivers

Background: Adults with primary brain tumors and their caregivers have significant information needs. This review assessed the effect of interventions to improve information provision for adult primary brain tumor patients and/or their caregivers. Methods: We included randomized or nonrandomized trials testing educational interventions that had outcomes of information provision, knowledge, understanding, recall, or satisfaction with the intervention, for adults diagnosed with primary brain tumors and/or their family or caregivers. PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Reviews databases were searched for studies published between 1980 and June 2014. Results: Two randomized controlled, one non-randomized controlled, and 10 single group pre-post trials enrolled more than 411 participants. Five group, four practice/process change and four individual interventions assessed satisfaction (12 studies), knowledge (four studies) or information provision (2 studies). Nine studies reported high rates of satisfaction. Three studies showed statistically significant improvements over time in knowledge and two showed greater information was provided to intervention than control group participants, although statistical testing was not performed. Discussion: The trials assessed intermediate outcomes such as satisfaction, and only 4/13 reported on knowledge improvements. Few trials had a randomized controlled design and risk of bias was either evident or could not be assessed in most domains.

Decreasing luminance contrast on window walls as well as users’ interventions: Using LED lighting system

Mr Mehdi Amirkhani presented his research and case studies on improved lighting design in commercial spaces through daylight control and innovative lighting placement. This technical meeting was organised by IESANZ Queensland Chapter on April 7, 2016.

La calidad de vida y salud desde una antropología cristiana

Resumen: Este trabajo examina con atento discernimiento los términos “calidad de vida” y “promoción de la salud” que identifican uno de los principales objetivos de las sociedades contemporáneas. En el mismo se cita la encíclica Evangelium vitae que dice “La llamada ‘calidad de vida’ se interpreta principal o exclusivamente como eficiencia económica, consumismo desordenado, belleza y goce de la vida física, olvidando las dimensiones más profundas -relacionales, espirituales y religiosas- de la existencia” (n. 23). Todas las dimensiones de la persona -la corpórea, la psicológica, la espiritual y la moral- han de promoverse en armonía. Esto supone la presencia de condiciones sociales y ambientales aptas para favorecer ese desarrollo armonioso. En la actualidad la expresión “calidad de vida” no está fundada en una antropología filosófica y teológica, favoreciendo una noción restrictiva y selectiva. En referencia al concepto de salud también ha sufrido una desviación análoga. Se debe proteger y cuidar la salud como equilibrio físico, psíquico y espiritual del ser humano. Se analiza, asimismo, el concepto de “bien común” en relación a la sociedad, la democracia y el trabajo de la política en la construcción del mismo. En el texto se discute sobre la priorización de intervenciones de salud y se presentan posibles respuestas. Se muestran criterios de decisión al momento de distribuir recursos entre las distintas necesidades de salud, buscando definir principios éticos relevantes para una priorización de intervenciones.

Compensating restrictive fisheries management measures: distribution of improved cocks to Kainji Lake communities 1997-2001

The Nigeria-German Kainji Lake Fisheries Promotion Project (KLFPP) promoted the distribution of genetically improved cocks to the Kainji Lake (Nigeria) fishing communities aiming to compensate for possible short-term income losses due to the implementation of fisheries management measures restricting the use of the Lake's resources and to provide alternative sources for income generation, especially for the women. Out of 5,075 cocks produced, 4,171 cocks were distributed at subsidized prices mainly to women in 116 fishing villages of Kainji Lake. During an impact survey carried out in 12 villages, 6-24 months after distribution, only 25% of the cocks distributed were seen. However, potential income for each beneficiary from the hybrid offspring was estimated at minimum 1,000 Naira per year

Nôtre lagune en peril: l 'écosystème lagunaire Ebrié bouleversé par les interventions humaines

On their way to a better economical situation, developing countries are now starting taking advantage of the technologies, which made developed countries successful. In doing so, they are starting being confronted to the same ecological problems. Such is the case in Côte d'Ivoire of the Ebrié lagoon in the Abidjan region, the delicate ecosystem of which is now in danger.

A review of the effectiveness and meaningfulness of education interventions to enable children, young people and their families to self-care for their gastrostomy tubes in the community.

A systematic review of qualitative and quantitative evidence of the effectiveness and meaningfulness of education interventions to enable children, young people and their families to self-care for their gastrostomy tubes in the community

Workplace sedentary health risks and exercise interventions

Sedentary lifestyle and physical inactivity are causes of major health risks including cardiovascular disease (CVD), diabetes and cancer. Workplace is an ideal setting to understand both the prevalence of these risks and for devising and implementing effective intervention strategies. It is now possible to perform direct workplace assessments to identify the sedentary prevalence and assess the sedentary related health risks, which can include assessing the risks of atherosclerosis, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, hyperglyaemia and reduced cardiorespiratory capacity. Based on evaluating the workplace health risks, it is possible to identify individuals who may be at higher CVD risk so they can be targeted with a risk-reduction intervention that can also be tailored towards improving healthy behaviours, especially towards physical activity activity and exercise. This chapter explains workplace sedentary risks, and provides examples of CVD risk prevalence, particularly within the university campus workplace, and presents examples of an exercise based targeted interventions aimed at reducing CVD risks amongst high risk sedentary employees.