No abstract

For centuries, packaging communicates and is capable of attracting consumer's attention. In the B2C market it usually communicates images influencing consumer perception, appeal to the consumer's emotions, and generate desire for some specific product. Therefore, packaging could be considered as promotional tool, especially within the retail industry environment. However, to understand how packaging communicates and influences consumers it is necessary to emphasize the way how consumers perceive packaging in general. The "communicational" dimensions of packaging are factors that could affect consumers and influence their purchasing behaviour. While some of the communicational dimensions of packaging (e.g. design, size, colour, and carried information) attracted modest attention among academic researchers, there is a relative lack of studies dealing with the packaging material. It is the purpose of this paper to provide a limited insight/overview to generic consumer's perception of packaging material by combining the findings from the current seminal research studies and primary research used in this paper. Focus groups findings indicate that consumers are merely aware of different packaging material and their characteristics. Consumers are expressing needs for safe packaging, yet the importance of convenience seems to be the most important and they are prepared for some trade-offs in order to maintain usage convenience. It is indicative that preferences of particular packaging material over another are moderated by certain factors (e.g. age, place of consumption, occasion, and product category). Due to sample and research methodology limitations the findings are limited regarding their generic value. However, the indications given can be considered as valuable guidelines necessary for further research in the field.

Farm safety efforts in Australia require reinvigoration and funding to focus on evidence-based controls supported by enforcement to attain maximum impact.

This study aimed to determine the proportion of Australian farming enterprises with systems and processes that meet current regulatory and industry standards for health and safety. Data from 683 farming enterprises were drawn from a nationally stratified random sample representing seven commodity sectors: beef cattle, cotton, dairy, horticulture, grain growing, sheep, and sugar cane. Results indicated low levels of implementation for farm health and safety plans as well as induction for new workers and contractors. Improvements to control major safety hazards are required for farm machinery and implements, farm vehicles, reducing exposure of children to hazards, and the use of helmets when riding quad bikes, motorbikes, and horses. There were considerable variations between commodity sectors. There remains significant scope to enhance the safety of farmers in Australia.

Previous research carried out in the USA6 and Australia demonstrated that high school careers advisers needed to target high school students earlier in their studies before senior subjects were decided and that about a quarter of careers advisers indicated poor knowledge about health careers.10 WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS: Provision of practical support to high school careers advisers, such as distributing a mentorship directory and up-to-date health career kits as well as facilitating networking with health professionals constitute effective means to promote health careers to high school students.