Evaluating the impact of marketing interventions on sugar-free and sugar-sweetened soft drink sales and sugar purchases in a fast-food restaurant setting

Background Beverages high in added sugar, such as sugar-sweetened soft drinks, continue to be associated with various health issues. This study examines the effects of a manufacturer-initiated multicomponent intervention on the sales of sugar-free (SFD) and sugar-sweetened (SSD) soft drinks and the amount of sugar people purchase from soft drinks in a fast-food restaurant setting. Methods A database of monthly sales data of soft drinks from January 2016 to December 2018 was obtained from three treatment and three control fast-food restaurants. A multicomponent intervention consisting of free coupons, point-of-purchase displays, a menu board, and two sugar-free replacements for sugar-sweetened soft drinks was introduced in August 2018 for five months in Western Sydney, Australia. A retrospective interrupted time series analysis was used to model the data and examine the effects of the interventions on SFD and SSD sales and their consequential impact on sugar purchases from soft drinks. The analyses were carried out for volume sales in litres and sugar in grams per millilitre of soft drinks sales. A comparison of these measures within the treatment site (pre-and post-intervention) and between sites (treatment and control) was conducted. Results The interventions had a statistically significant impact on SFDs but not SSDs. On average, SFD sales in the treatment site were 56.75% higher than in the control site. Although SSD sales were lower in the treatment site, the difference with the control site was not statistically significant. The net reduction of 6.34% in the amount of sugar purchased from soft drinks between sites during the experimental period was attributed to the interventions. Conclusions The interventions significantly increased SFD sales and reduced sugar purchases in the short run. Aside from free coupons, the findings support the recommendation for fast food restaurants to nudge customers towards choosing SFDs through point-of-purchase displays and the replacement of popular SSDs with their SFD counterparts

Understanding sustainability reporting in non-governmental organisations : a systematic review of reporting practices, drivers, barriers and paths for future research

NGOs are expected by their social mission not only to assess but to report on sustainability issues in response to the growing public awareness of the sustainability agendas. Since NGOs are globally renowned as watchdogs for advancing socio-economic development and sustainable societies, research on their efforts in this regard will help develop recommendations on how they can be better positioned as the watchdog. The purpose of this article is to review and assess the understanding of sustainability (reporting) in NGO literature as well as the barriers and drivers. The study investigates various practices of sustainability and identifies the drivers and barriers in sustainability reporting (SR). The authors reviewed 61 articles published between 2010 and 2020 on sustainability and assessed the strengths and weaknesses in the understanding of sustainability in literature as well as the reporting phenomenon in NGOs. The misconceptions in the definition of SR tend to weaken its relevance and applicability, and the reporting process is often focused on demonstrating the legitimacy of NGOs rather than improving their performance. As such, it provides more evidence in support of the need for a more holistic and all-inclusive definition that will aid regulation and enforcement. We also found that, although it is often assumed all NGOs share similar objectives, it is not always the case as there are as diverse objectives as there are numbers of NGOs and their reporting pattern varies in accordance with this diversity. The review makes a case for a more comprehensive definition of SR suitable for NGOs using four elements as well as providing suggestions for where research in this area might focus to enhance the overall body of knowledge. The study contributes to theory and practice by introducing new elements guiding the definition of SR in NGOs which supports accountability and proper functioning of a circular economy and promotes sustainable development

MyVoice Pulse Survey of WSU Staff: Working Through the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic profoundly affected both staff and students in higher education institutions globally, with teaching and learning moving online, and research being suspended or adapted via videotelephony. Western Sydney University (WSU) surveyed its staff to develop a comprehensive understanding of the reported impacts of COVID-19 on both their work and life, and the strengths and challenges of utilising videotelephony for teaching and research. All WSU staff were surveyed via the MyVoice Pulse survey, with data collected by The Voice Project. A total of 2335 staff completed the survey, with a response rate of 86%. Permission was secured from 1695 (62.4%) staff for their responses to be included in this research. Out of these respondents, 59.6% identified as female, and 33.1% identified themselves as academic staff. Diversity related questions had Cronbach’s alpha of 0.63. All other questions when tested returned a Cronbach’s alpha of greater than 0.75 implying those questions were consistent. The current study provides valuable insight into the reported impacts of COVID-19 on the work and life of staff at WSU, as well as staff perspectives on some of the innovative practices that were adopted in response. The timeliness and the potential impact for informing University policy and practice are among the strengths of the study. The crosssectional nature of the data means that clear temporal associations between demographic factors and outcomes cannot be established. Additionally, it is important to note that results may be impacted by the uneven sample size in some groups. As COVID-19 transformed the work of the University and its staff dramatically, it appears that staff beliefs about the impacts of these changes varies substantially. If innovative practices such as remote teaching and HDR supervision, and videotelephony for research continue it will be important to conduct further research to identify exemplary practice given the current divide in staff opinion. Similarly, findings may serve as a catalyst for policies and practices that seek to address some of the inequities highlighted in staff voices

The Unconventional Strength Towards STEM Cohort

Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) play a critically important role in Australia’s ability to innovate, expand and remain a competitive force globally. Indeed, ensuring that the workforce has the relevant skills in sufficient quantities through a reliable educational pipeline is quite challenging and requires an understanding of how these skills are and will be used within the Australian economy. Moreover, successfully delivering these skills for a knowledge economy will depend not only on producing the correct number of graduates but also on the education system supplying graduates from under-utilised groups (i.e. women & indigenous people) and diverse backgrounds. Currently, millions of children and young people are not developing the required skills to participate effectively in STEM environments. Young indigenous and female groups, in particular, are deprived of the opportunities to build their skills, including STEM literacy that is valued towards career progression in traditionally male-dominated fields (i.e. engineering and construction). As this white paper outlines, the challenges are drawn from recent literature, and a comprehensive review of existing initiatives is presented based on the observations of key partners, including Western Sydney University, the Australian government, research sector, industry, policymakers and communities. However, to build the STEM capacity of graduates with the right knowledge, competencies and qualities, two-way collaboration between the communities, educational institutions (from an early age), Australian workplaces and the government is essential, as no single sector can entirely solve the current STEM skills shortage. Western Sydney University is well-positioned within the high-density indigenous areas to respond to these issues, particularly by monitoring, engaging and promoting all graduates with STEM qualifications to meet the demand from the economy. In fact, by supporting equity and diversity throughout the STEM cohorts, educational institutions not only drive innovation but also establish a thriving STEM-skilled workforce that is fit for the future

Engaging students in learning : an application with financial modelling

Without denying the significance of traditional lectures and tutorials in postgraduate education, an increasing number of academics are recognising the value of practical sessions, applied research projects, small-group learning and WebCt. Like many Australian universities, UWS actively recruit overseas fee paying students. Although all students admitted will have passed written English language tests, a large proportion will have very limited English conversational skills. For these students a mass lecture is almost useless and a crowded tutorial will be an agonizing and embarrassing experience, particularly where they are forced to answer questions or make a presentation. By recognising that each person processes information differently, by reducing student’s anxiety towards the unit and by making teaching accessible to students of multiple learning styles, the lecturer can give all students a better chance of successfully completing the unit. This paper looks at the links between the multiple learning activities adapted in Financial Modelling to the students’ academic performance and their attitude towards the unit

Corporate social responsibility and financial performance : an Australian example

The increasing attention on corporate social responsibility (CSR) is based on the belief that it can influence a firms' performance. An understanding of the effect that corporate social performance has on corporate financial performance is valuable for policy makers. This knowledge aids in answering the question as to whether managers systematically miss profit opportunities if they decide not to give emphasis to corporate social performance. Also, it assists in understanding the relative emphasis that should be placed on an adoption of information based instruments that improve the flow of information such as voluntary green measures. Furthermore, through a focus on CSR activities companies can develop good relationships with stakeholders and indirectly create value for shareholders. It is widely accepted that firms with an attitude geared toward disclosure of socially responsibility related activities appear to be able to develop and maintain a better relationship with stakeholders in general. The primary aim of this paper is to determine the relationship between corporate social performance and corporate financial performance of selected Australian companies using the Corporate Responsibility Index developed by the St. James Ethics Centre and the Australian SAM Sustainability Index

(Un)sustainable consumption in Australian households : an exploratory study on energy and water use

Each year to average Australian household contributes around thirteen tonnes of greenhouse gas to the atmosphere enough to fill more than 700 balloons a day. Each household also draws an average of 73,000 buckets of water a year, enough for around twelve baths a day. Australian households are looking for ways to stop wasting resources, save money on household bills, make their homes more comfortable, and help protect their environment. Unsustainable consumption has been identifies as one of the main causes of global environmental deterioration. Particular attention is paid to the role of household consumers and the consequences of their choices. A number of studies show that different socio-economic groups within a nation have diverse consumption profiles leading to different environmental impacts. Thus, policies or programs aimed at regulating unsustainable consumption or promoting sustainability at the household level should be based on a good understanding of the relationship between consumption and the characteristics of household. There have been many studies attempting to explain the factors that lead to unsustainable consumption (Stern 1997; Norton et al. 1998; Michaelis 2000). Building on these previous studies, this paper aims to determine the demographic factors that affect household water and energy consumption in New South Wales, Australia. Demographic information will enable utility companies to boost their revenue by tailoring services and products to specific groups of people. Likewise, policy makers can use the same information to curb wasteful consumption

Multiple methods : how to help students succeed in econometrics

Helping students succeed in a quantitative analysis courses is often difficult especially when students have little or no prior mathematical training. This paper looks at the links between the multiple learning activities adapted in Economic Modelling (EM) at the University of Western Sydney to the students' academic performance and their attitude towards the unit. Without denying the significance of traditional lectures and tutorials in undergraduate education, the Economic Modelling (EM) team implemented four learning activities to engaged students in leaning: practical sessions, access to vUWS, informal small-group learning and applied research project. EM students responded positively, reporting significantly less anxiety and greater self-efficacy regarding econometrics topics at the end of the semester compared to the beginning

Using workshop based tutorials in developing postgraduate overseas students' thinking skills in financial econometrics

Critical thinking is an important issue in higher education and the development of critical thinking skills is one of the primary aims of a postgraduate degree. The effectiveness of traditional teaching methods to encourage critical thinking has been questioned as lecturers searched for ways of presenting materials and engaging students. In recent times, workshop- based/cooperative tutorials have become more popular in promoting deeper learning. This paper attempts to present the framework used in teaching postgraduate overseas students “critical thinking skills” in financial econometrics. The lessons and findings of the study are not new and appear in various forms in other literature in education and in Economics. However, the use of workshop- based tutorials/cooperative tutorials in teaching these skills has been underestimated in the literature

Consumers and rural tourism in developing economies

The chapter begins with a review of the advancement in theoretical ideas and models of consumer behaviour and its application to a service such as tourism. The chapter then specifically examines rural tourism in the context of developing economies followed by a discussion of related rural products. Explicit examples focus primarily on developing nations located in the Asia Pacific region. These nations, among others, are dependents on tourism as a strategic sector in the development of their rural economies as well as for growth in gross domestic product (GDP). The overall aim of this chapter is then addressed to enable the learner to profile consumers of rural tourism and related products in developing economies. Factors discussed, that may affect the consumer’s choice of rural tourism in developing economies, include the impact of social class