Effectiveness of Web 2.0 intervention to increase physical activity in real-world settings: randomized ecological trial.

Background: The translation of Web-based physical activity intervention research into the real world is lacking and becoming increasingly important. Objective: To compare usage and effectiveness, in real-world settings, of a traditional Web 1.0 Web-based physical activity intervention, providing limited interactivity, to a Web 2.0 Web-based physical activity intervention that includes interactive features, such as social networking (ie, status updates, online “friends,” and personalized profile pages), blogs, and Google Maps mash-ups. Methods: Adults spontaneously signing up for the freely available 10,000 Steps website were randomized to the 10,000 Steps website (Web 1.0) or the newly developed WALK 2.0 website (Web 2.0). Physical activity (Active Australia Survey), quality of life (RAND 36), and body mass index (BMI) were assessed at baseline, 3 months, and 12 months. Website usage was measured continuously. Analyses of covariance were used to assess change over time in continuous outcome measures. Multiple imputation was used to deal with missing data. Results: A total of 1328 participants completed baseline assessments. Only 3-month outcomes (224 completers) were analyzed due to high attrition at 12 months (77 completers). Web 2.0 group participants increased physical activity by 92.8 minutes per week more than those in the Web 1.0 group (95% CI 28.8-156.8; P=.005); their BMI values also decreased more (–1.03 kg/m2, 95% CI –1.65 to -0.41; P=.001). For quality of life, only the physical functioning domain score significantly improved more in the Web 2.0 group (3.6, 95% CI 1.7-5.5; P<.001). The time between the first and last visit to the website (3.57 vs 2.22 weeks; P<.001) and the mean number of days the website was visited (9.02 vs 5.71 days; P=.002) were significantly greater in the Web 2.0 group compared to the Web 1.0 group. The difference in time-to-nonusage attrition was not statistically significant between groups (Hazard Ratio=0.97, 95% CI 0.86-1.09; P=.59). Only 21.99% (292/1328) of participants (n=292 summed for both groups) were still using either website after 2 weeks and 6.55% (87/1328) were using either website after 10 weeks. Conclusions: The website that provided more interactive and social features was more effective in improving physical activity in real-world conditions. While the Web 2.0 website was visited significantly more, both groups nevertheless displayed high nonusage attrition and low intervention engagement. More research is needed to examine the external validity and generalizability of Web-based physical activity interventions

Gender differences in coaches\u27 perceptions towards hazing in intercollegiate athletics.

Research is growing with respect to hazing practices within the sport environment. Much of the research is based upon the athlete experience. It suggests that athletes continue to believe that hazing plays an important role in team membership. In contrast, university policies reflect a growing intolerance for hazing practices. Yet, the research has not yet extensively examined the perceptions held by coaches concerning the role of hazing. The main purpose of this study was to examine the attitudes of coaches towards hazing in interuniversity athletics. More specifically, this study investigated possible gender differences between coaches\u27 perceptions towards hazing in Ontario University Athletics. A survey, modified from Nixon\u27s (1994) survey on risk, pain and injury in sport, was used to determine whether or not female and male coaches differ in their beliefs about the role of hazing within their programs. Participants included head coaches of particular team sports from Ontario Universities (N = 109, 85 male coaches & 24 female coaches). The survey instrument was administered via an electronic mail web-link. (Abstract shortened by UMI.) Paper copy at Leddy Library: Theses & Major Papers - Basement, West Bldg. / Call Number: Thesis2001 .C37. Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 40-03, page: 0553. Adviser: Margery Holman. Thesis (M.H.K.)--University of Windsor (Canada), 2001

The inter-related roles of the regional and local government in developing local partnerships in Italy

Building partnerships is becoming an important issue at the local level of government in many countries. Different experiences can be traced throughout Europe, as well as in other OECD countries. This is because partnerships, especially when the size of the single local government is small, can help to manage services in a more efficient and effective way.Nevertheless, building a relation is difficult, nor is it always successful, as many scholars emphasise. For a number of reasons, higher levels of government may then play a significant role in supporting partnerships between different stakeholders.Given the shortage of empirical studies on this subject, this chapter combines conceptual and empirical analysis, and is based upon:- the direct observation of a number of partnerships in Italy, with particular reference to those Regions in which the birth and the development of partnerships has been positively influenced by the regional level of government;- surveys of other partnerships which have been formalised in Italy;- literature review and analysis of official documents.The issues analysed most carefully in the chapter are the critical aspects of partnership building, and the role played by higher levels of government in activating or facilitating partnerships. It is in fact clear that higher levels of government may gain considerable benefit from the development of partnerships at the local level.Finally, the chapter deals with comparative aspects, and investigates the existence of common patterns and trends in the different regional experiences examined

Public Sector Accounting, IPSAS and performance management - Introduction

The current international accounting harmonization movement has extended to the public sector where more and more countries have already been or are going to be involved in the reform of their accounting system, based on the adoption of accrual accounting. This reform trend participates in a more global public sector reform, marked by the introduction of new public management.Parallel to this movement, based on the idea that high quality standards are necessary to enhance consistent financial reporting, the IPSAS Board, the international standard-setter of public accounting, engages in the development of international public sector accounting standards (IPSAS). This development constitutes a further step in the direction of the international convergence of financial reporting systems. This situation raises important questions, both for academics and practitioners. The articles included in this special issue on IPSAS present some of these questions

Use and non-use of accounting information: The case of controversial projects in public and non-profit settings

This paper investigates whether and how accounting information is used in debates and decision-making processes about controversial projects in public sector and non-profit settings in the Netherlands and Italy. The research is based on two case studies and relies on multiple methods of qualitative data collection, including documents, interviews with key actors and media reports. The research finds a more limited extent of accounting information use than expected given the controversiality of the projects. It raises various types of explanations for this limited accounting information use, especially that ruling groups of actors supporting the project do not give room to the opposing minority for putting forward their concerns and preferences. The power position of the ruling majority thus matters in mitigating opportunities for a dialogic use of accounting information leading to the decision-making about the projects. So, controversiality is a determining factor, but insufficient as an explanation for the extent to which accounting information is used. In addition, the type of accounting information use is depending on the actors’ appreciation of the project. Advocates and opponents concerning both projects were in general inclined to an ammunition type of accounting information use, whereas actors holding a neutral position used available accounting information in a more rational way.This paper investigates whether and how accounting information is used in debates and decision-making processes about controversial projects in public sector and non-profit settings in the Netherlands and Italy. The research is based on two case studies and relies on multiple methods of qualitative data collection, including documents, interviews with key actors and media reports. The research finds a more limited extent of accounting information use than expected given the controversiality of the projects. It raises various types of explanations for this limited accounting information use, especially that ruling groups of actors supporting the project do not give room to the opposing minority for putting forward their concerns and preferences. The power position of the ruling majority thus matters in mitigating opportunities for a dialogic use of accounting information leading to the decision-making about the projects. So, controversiality is a determining factor, but insufficient as an explanation for the extent to which accounting information is used. In addition, the type of accounting information use is depending on the actors’ appreciation of the project. Advocates and opponents concerning both projects were in general inclined to an ammunition type of accounting information use, whereas actors holding a neutral position used available accounting information in a more rational way

Report on the International Public Management Network Research Conference in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The IPMN 2004 biennial research conference was held on November 17-19 in Rio de Janeiro hosted by the prestigious Brazilian School of Business and Getulio Vargas Foundation (FGV/EBAPE), Brazil’s leading school of public and business administration. Members of IPMN are grateful for the wonderful reception and management of the conference by the staff and faculty of EBAPE. The conference was attended by approximately fifty academics from all over the world including the U.S., Europe, Russia, and Latin America, with a strong contingent of practitioners from Brazilian local governments

A qualitative exploration of perspectives of physical activity and sedentary behaviour among Indian migrants in Melbourne, Australia: how are they defined and what can we learn?

BackgroundAlthough perceptions of what constitutes physical activity (PA) may vary between culturally diverse populations, very little research has explored the perceptions of PA among Indian migrants. This study aimed to identify how PA and sedentary behaviour (SB) are defined and describe how these definitions are shaped by cultural background and migration among a sample of Indian migrants living in Australia.MethodsUsing an exploratory qualitative approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted with twenty-one Indian migrants living in Melbourne (10 men and 11 women; age range: 18 to 65 years). Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were coded and analysed inductively using thematic analyses.ResultsData revealed two emerging themes: 1) Holistic perspectives related to PA, where although the majority of participants described PA as "any sort of movement", or "physical exercise", several of these descriptions had interwoven ideas related to the mind (mind-body connect), social, cultural, and to the outdoor environment; 2) Broader perspectives for SB, where descriptions of SB as "not having movement", "doing nothing" or "being lazy", were shaped with ideas of purpose and duration. Women spoke about how their perspectives of PA and SB may be shaped by native Indian experiences, particularly the gender roles, social caste, and regional subcultural norms which they perceived were important to consider among women who migrate to western settings.ConclusionsCultural background is important in shaping the perspectives of PA and SB among Indian migrants in Australia. Practitioners and researchers should consider the varying perspectives of PA to communicate and promote PA among migrant populations more effectively

The quest for users\u2019 needs in public sector budgeting and reporting

Politicians as the representatives of citizens play a major role in the user groups of public sector accounting information. This role is also considered in this special issue with four empirical analyses of politicians as users in the focus. Thereby, three articles address the central government level and one the local government level. Hence, this special issue is also a response to a call of van Helden (2016) to study if and how politicians use accounting information and which strategies or support they seek in doing so

Use and non-use of accounting information:the case of controversial projects in public and non-profit settings

This paper investigates whether and how accounting information is used in debates and decision-making processes about controversial projects in public sector and non-profit settings in the Netherlands and Italy. The research is based on two case studies and relies on multiple methods of qualitative data collection, including documents, interviews with key actors and media reports. The research finds a more limited extent of accounting information use than expected given the controversiality of the projects. It raises various types of explanations for this limited accounting information use, especially that ruling groups of actors supporting the project do not give room to the opposing minority for putting forward their concerns and preferences. The power position of the ruling majority thus matters in mitigating opportunities for a dialogic use of accounting information leading to the decision-making about the projects. So, controversiality is a determining factor, but insufficient as an explanation for the extent to which accounting information is used. In addition, the type of accounting information use is depending on the actors\u2019 appreciation of the project. Advocates and opponents concerning both projects were in general inclined to an ammunition type of accounting information use, whereas actors holding a neutral position used available accounting information in a more rational way