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1 – 10 of 22
Article
Publication date: 12 February 2018

Sharyn McDonald, Frank Gertsen, Claus A. Foss Rosenstand and Christian Tollestrup

While creativity and innovation are found within many disciplines, the opportunity to develop a tangible skill set and share ideas with contemporaries can be limited within the…

Abstract

Purpose

While creativity and innovation are found within many disciplines, the opportunity to develop a tangible skill set and share ideas with contemporaries can be limited within the siloed structure of many tertiary institutions. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate a model that addresses the pedagogical challenge of interdisciplinary learning.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper adopts a case-based approach. The case subject is Aalborg University that founded an intensive entrepreneurial education workshop that incorporates a problem-based learning (PBL) approach. This paper evaluates the program design, development, and replication plus compares the motives and subsequent experiences between workshop participants in Denmark and Australia.

Findings

The findings of this case study validate the centrality of entrepreneurship education as a discipline which has the capacity to unite staff and students approaching problems from various fields. The workshop design was adapted to the changing needs and expectations of staff and students and was successfully replicated overseas.

Originality/value

Denmark established an innovative, intensive workshop which seized the opportunity to deliver an engaging program that unlocks untapped creative potential among students from diverse cultures and multiple disciplines. Overall, this research contributes toward the body of knowledge examining student engagement and the delivery of PBL activities within an interdisciplinary learning environment.

Details

Higher Education, Skills and Work-Based Learning, vol. 8 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2042-3896

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 21 September 2021

Richie Barker and Sharyn McDonald

The purpose of this paper is to identify the position of creativity within Australian public relations courses and explore how academics embed what is often identified by industry…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the position of creativity within Australian public relations courses and explore how academics embed what is often identified by industry as a core skill for future and current practitioners.

Design/methodology/approach

The study consists of semi-structured interviews with 15 public relations academics to examine their views on the value and delivery of creativity in the public relations curriculum.

Findings

The findings of this exploratory study indicate creativity is addressed implicitly by educators who rely on personal and internalised knowledge rather than the application of a specific theory or body of knowledge pertaining to creativity. In addition, it identifies a series of challenges educators face including students' lack of confidence when required to be creative and a lack of clarity on how to successfully evaluate creativity in assessment tasks.

Originality/value

Creativity has been identified as a vital future workplace skill and highlighted as an important capability in global best practice frameworks for public relations professionals. However, the successes and barriers experienced by educators who are responsible for building and evaluating students’ creative abilities have yet to be specifically explored. In response, this study considers educators' perceptions of their practice with regard to this prominent professional attribute and applies this knowledge to argue for theory-led pedagogies, particularly the use of models that emphasise the social nature of creativity, to demystify creativity and enhance students' work readiness as future practitioners.

Details

Journal of Communication Management, vol. 26 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1363-254X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 27 May 2014

Sharyn McDonald

The purpose of this paper is to examine the formation of a cross-sector partnership in which a collaborative response addressed the issue of affordable housing and homelessness in…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the formation of a cross-sector partnership in which a collaborative response addressed the issue of affordable housing and homelessness in Melbourne, Australia. Factors leading to the formation and evolution of the relationship reveal how social partnerships in the housing/construction industry can be formulated.

Design/methodology/approach

Semi-structured interviews were held with representatives of the three sectors involved in an innovative social housing model, the Elizabeth Street Common Ground project. Supported with background documentation, interviews were coded and the results contrasted against theories pertaining to cross-sector collaboration.

Findings

Several factors contributed to the formation of this partnership, most notably the strong social imperative found within the organisational ethos of the participating organisations. The opportunity to replicate a well-trialled and successful model coincided with the desire among all partners to be part of the solution.

Originality/value

The results provide an insight into the ingredients pivotal to the formation of a successful multi-sector partnership. It highlights the value in sharing the best practice and the importance of networks when tackling major global problems such as affordable housing and homelessness.

Details

International Journal of Housing Markets and Analysis, vol. 7 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1753-8270

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 27 May 2014

Sharyn McDonald

This paper aims to identify models of best practice and examines the manner in which such social partnerships attract new partners and scale-up their solutions. Social…

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Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to identify models of best practice and examines the manner in which such social partnerships attract new partners and scale-up their solutions. Social responsibility initiatives that incorporate multiple sectors have the capacity to challenge unsustainable practice and pave the way for model solutions towards the societal problems we face globally.

Design/methodology/approach

Comparisons of three Australian case studies were analysed. These cases were purposefully selected as they all represented relationships that demonstrated social partnerships characteristics, and they had all attracted acclaim by their peers. They differed in terms of their societal problems and relationship duration. Semi-structured interviews were held with managers and employees from each social partnership, where they discussed all aspects of the partnership lifecycle from pre-collaborative conditions through to outcomes. In total, 50 semi-structured interviews were held with members of the private, nonprofit and public sectors.

Findings

Social partnerships pool skills, knowledge and finance across sectors, concentrating on specific societal issues of mutual concern. Resultant successful initiatives act as catalysts in soliciting further support. Three primary pathways exist for successful social partnerships that wish to evolve: expansion, replication and refinement. Focused attention and resources, through the formation of social responsibility clusters, can lead to sustainable solutions.

Practical implications

There are many organisations wishing to move on from philanthropic exchange towards more meaningful integrated relationships. This paper highlights the value of both within sector and cross-sector collaboration to achieve organisational outcomes. It provides some insight into the entry points for both nonprofit organisations as well as small- to medium-sized private sector organisations that would otherwise consider social investment in large-scale societal problems beyond their reach.

Originality/value

Social partnerships within the Australian context are under-represented; this paper addresses this by examining three best practice exemplars. The rationale for incorporating new partners and sharing success is discussed and supported by a model of social responsibility cluster formation.

Details

Social Responsibility Journal, vol. 10 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1747-1117

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 February 2016

Michael Jay Polonsky, Stacy Landreth Grau and Sharyn McDonald

Acknowledgement of the social impact created by organisations has become an increasingly frequent discussion among practitioners. The importance of such value creation cannot be…

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Abstract

Purpose

Acknowledgement of the social impact created by organisations has become an increasingly frequent discussion among practitioners. The importance of such value creation cannot be understated, yet in an increasingly competitive funding environment, the need to articulate “true” value is paramount. The purpose of this paper is to examine how Australian and US managers of non-profit organisations (NPOs) and foundations view the measurement of the social impact of NPOs.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper includes 19 in-depth interviews of non-profit professionals in the USA and Australia. Respondents included non-profit managers, foundation managers and consultants in both countries.

Findings

The in-depth interviews found that in both countries respondents generally agreed that objective measures of impact are desirable, but recognised the difficulties in developing objective assessment frameworks enabling comparisons across the non-profit sector. These difficulties, as well as the implications for developing assessments of social value for NPOs, are discussed. This paper demonstrates that there is an opportunity to reposition reporting expectations. The NPO sector can pool together and build on each other’s strengths and market their outcomes as a collective entity. A sector-wide approach provides potential for much needed within-sector mentoring and will showcase the rich and varied outcomes generated by NPOs.

Originality/value

This research compares viewpoints in two Western countries, thus offering at least an exploratory examination of social impact assessment from an international perspective. Additionally, this research shows commonalities in terms of what is valued and what is most difficult for non-profits when determining social impact.

Details

Marketing Intelligence & Planning, vol. 34 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-4503

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 11 April 2008

Lynette M. McDonald and Sharyn Rundle‐Thiele

The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and customer outcomes.

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and customer outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper reviews the literature on CSR effects and satisfaction, noting gaps in the literature.

Findings

A series of propositions is put forward to guide future research endeavours.

Research limitations/implications

By understanding the likely impact on customer satisfaction of CSR initiatives vis‐à‐vis customer‐centric initiatives, the academic research community can assist managers to understand how to best allocate company resources in situations of low customer satisfaction. Such endeavours are managerially relevant and topical. Researchers seeking to test the propositions put forward in this paper would be able to gain links with, and possibly attract funding from, banks to conduct their research. Such endeavours may assist researchers to redefine the stakeholder view by placing customers at the centre of a network of stakeholders.

Practical implications

An understanding of how to best allocate company resources to increase the proportion of satisfied customers will allow bank marketers to reduce customer churn and hence increase market share and profits.

Originality/value

Researchers have not previously conducted a comparative analysis of the effects of different CSR initiatives on customer satisfaction, nor considered whether more customer‐centric initiatives are likely to be more effective in increasing the proportion of satisfied customers.

Details

International Journal of Bank Marketing, vol. 26 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0265-2323

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 11 April 2016

Lisa Schuster, Krzysztof Kubacki and Sharyn Rundle-Thiele

This paper aims to investigate whether application of a community-based social marketing (CBSM) principle, namely, increasing the visibility of a target behaviour in the…

2156

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate whether application of a community-based social marketing (CBSM) principle, namely, increasing the visibility of a target behaviour in the community, can change social norms surrounding the behaviour.

Design/methodology/approach

A repeated measures quasi-experimental design was used to evaluate the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation’s Walk to School 2013 programme. The target population for the survey were caregivers of primary school children aged between 5-12 years old. The final sample size across the three online surveys administered was 102 respondents.

Findings

The results suggest that the programme increased caregivers’ perceptions that children in their community walked to and from school and that walking to and from school is socially acceptable.

Originality/value

The study contributes to addressing the recent call for research examining the relationship between CBSM principles and programme outcomes. Further, the results provide insight for enhancing the social norms approach, which has traditionally relied on changing social norms exclusively through media campaigns.

Details

Journal of Social Marketing, vol. 6 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2042-6763

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 5 October 2022

Charles Jebarajakirthy, Manish Das, Sharyn Rundle-Thiele and Hormoz Ahmadi

Unhealthy (vice) on-the-go (OTG) dietary practices result in potentially serious health consequences. However, research on encouraging healthy eating intentions for OTG…

Abstract

Purpose

Unhealthy (vice) on-the-go (OTG) dietary practices result in potentially serious health consequences. However, research on encouraging healthy eating intentions for OTG consumption is scarce. This study aims to fill this gap by investigating the role of message framing and source expertise in encouraging the healthy eating intention for OTG consumption.

Design/methodology/approach

Two scenario-based experiments were conducted. Study 1 collected data from 136 Australian OTG consumers to examine the effectiveness of message framing (gain vs loss) in encouraging healthy OTG consumption. Study 2 collected data from 178 Australian OTG consumers to examine the interaction effects of message framing and source credibility on encouraging healthy OTG consumption.

Findings

Gain-framed messages were more effective than loss-framed messages in encouraging healthy eating for OTG consumption. This difference would be significant only if the gain-framed messages were from a high expert source rather than from a low expert source.

Research limitations/implications

The study is a cross-sectional survey of Australian OTG consumers. Replicating this study in other countries may generalise the study’s findings.

Practical implications

Practically, this study provides insights to marketers and other relevant stakeholders to design effective advertising messages to encourage healthy eating for OTG consumption.

Originality/value

This is the pioneering study investigating the impact of message framing and source credibility in encouraging healthy eating for OTG consumption.

Details

Journal of Consumer Marketing, vol. 40 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0736-3761

Keywords

Content available
Article
Publication date: 28 June 2021

Sharyn Rundle-Thiele, Timo Dietrich and Denni Arli

371

Abstract

Details

International Journal of Bank Marketing, vol. 39 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0265-2323

Article
Publication date: 2 October 2017

Bo Pang, Sharyn Robyn Rundle-Thiele and Krzysztof Kubacki

Evidence indicates that active school travel (AST) including walking can effectively lower levels of obesity among school-age children. Yet Queensland has been identified as one…

Abstract

Purpose

Evidence indicates that active school travel (AST) including walking can effectively lower levels of obesity among school-age children. Yet Queensland has been identified as one of the most inactive states in Australia where only 5 per cent of Years 1 and 5 children engaged in AST on a daily basis. The purpose of this paper is to explain walking to school behaviour among Queensland children by investigating the explanatory potential of the ecological and cognitive active commuting (ECAC) model.

Design/methodology/approach

An online survey of 537 carers in Queensland, Australia was conducted to collect data about demographics and the variables in the ECAC model. Structural equation modelling was used to analyse the ECAC model and the pathways between variables.

Findings

The results indicate that the ECAC model explained 53.4 per cent of the variance in walking to school. Social norms are the dominating factor in the model. Distance to school affects how the ECAC model works by moderating the associations among walking to school behaviours, perceived risks, and social norms.

Practical implications

Changing carers’ social norms and lowering the perceived risks they associate with walking to school should increase the incidence of walking to school in Queensland.

Originality/value

Although the ECAC model was proposed as a comprehensive framework to explain walking to school behaviour, to date, it has not been tested empirically. Informed by a modified ECAC framework this study aims to empirically explore the factors that may be preventing or facilitating Queensland children from walking to school.

Details

Health Education, vol. 117 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0965-4283

Keywords

1 – 10 of 22