title: Positioning Functional Foods for Sports Performance - A Case Study: A food producer's communication with external stakeholder groups

authors: Johnson, Vanessa

subjects: Functional Foods

abstract: Increased consumer and professional interest in healthy foods and beverages, coupled with recent advances in food science technology, have seen food-producing organisations create and market food products claiming to offer physiological benefits beyond their basic nutritional value. These functional foods have sparked considerable public debate despite growing in popularity and availability. To date, empirical research on functional foods has focused mostly on consumer and medical professional perspectives. However, this case study focuses on the perspective of the food-producing organisation. In this case study I examine how one food-producing organisation tries to balance the tensions it faces in developing and producing functional foods. My interest is in how organisational assumptions affect research and development decisions, and subsequent communication with external stakeholders. The functional foods are beverages which can aid sports performance. The external stakeholders are to primarily be sportspeople (meaning highly competitive sportspeople and elite athletes), but I also include other relevant external stakeholder groups such as coaches, and health professionals. The data collection comprises semi-structured one-on-one interviews with organisational members involved in research and development, nutrition claims, marketing, and branding; together, with a review of secondary organisational information taken from websites and advertisements. The interpretive thematic analysis shows that this food-producing organisation made specific organisational assumptions about health, functional foods, sportspeople, and other consumer groups. The findings demonstrate that the organisation juggles multiple identities at a product, brand and organisational level in order to connect with the broadest range of stakeholders possible. This creates tensions concerning where the focus for product development, branding, and other communication should reside, which have financial and legislative consequences; in turn potentially affecting organisational reputation. One implication of this research is that in trying to connect with too broad a range of stakeholders the organisation may start losing the brand credibility it has thus far built up with specific consumer groups, such as sportspeople, and compromise the respect of professional interest groups and expert stakeholders.

text: Positioning Functional Foods for Sports Performance - A Case Study: A food producer's communication with external stakeholder groups Increased consumer and professional interest in healthy foods and beverages, coupled with recent advances in food science technology, have seen food-producing organisations create and market food products claiming to offer physiological benefits beyond their basic nutritional value. These functional foods have sparked considerable public debate despite growing in popularity and availability. To date, empirical research on functional foods has focused mostly on consumer and medical professional perspectives. However, this case study focuses on the perspective of the food-producing organisation. In this case study I examine how one food-producing organisation tries to balance the tensions it faces in developing and producing functional foods. My interest is in how organisational assumptions affect research and development decisions, and subsequent communication with external stakeholders. The functional foods are beverages which can aid sports performance. The external stakeholders are to primarily be sportspeople (meaning highly competitive sportspeople and elite athletes), but I also include other relevant external stakeholder groups such as coaches, and health professionals. The data collection comprises semi-structured one-on-one interviews with organisational members involved in research and development, nutrition claims, marketing, and branding; together, with a review of secondary organisational information taken from websites and advertisements. The interpretive thematic analysis shows that this food-producing organisation made specific organisational assumptions about health, functional foods, sportspeople, and other consumer groups. The findings demonstrate that the organisation juggles multiple identities at a product, brand and organisational level in order to connect with the broadest range of stakeholders possible. This creates tensions concerning where the focus for product development, branding, and other communication should reside, which have financial and legislative consequences; in turn potentially affecting organisational reputation. One implication of this research is that in trying to connect with too broad a range of stakeholders the organisation may start losing the brand credibility it has thus far built up with specific consumer groups, such as sportspeople, and compromise the respect of professional interest groups and expert stakeholders.

year: 2011

title: H₂¹⁸O labelled vapour reveals evidence of radial Péclet effects in some leaves, but not all

authors: White, Melissa

subjects: Péclet

abstract: Previous studies demonstrated the importance of pathways of water movement, hydraulic conductance, and leaf hydraulic design on leaf water isotopic enrichment. The current study addresses the relevance of Péclet effects to leaf water isotopic enrichment by assessing spatial variation and comparing bulk leaf water enrichment to Craig-Gordon modelled values. Vapour isotope labelling was also utilised in an experimental first to quantify the carry-forward of mesophyll water isotope compositions to more distal parts of corn (Zea mays), oat (Avena sativa), sunflower (Helianthus annuus) and foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) leaves through coupled leaf gas exchange and isoflux measurements. In this study, we found that the Péclet effect was relevant to patterns of leaf water isotopic enrichment for three out of four species tested. The change in H₂¹⁸O for both monocots highlighted a vascular Péclet effect, while the change in foxglove showed a mesophyll Péclet effect, both of which were found to be relevant for the isotopic enrichment of transpired vapour and leaf water. In contrast, sunflower did not present any evidence of either a vascular or a mesophyll Péclet effect, suggesting a difference in leaf hydraulic design. These findings help us to understand how differences in leaf hydraulic design and anatomy influence the development of gradients in leaf water isotopes. This improved understanding will assist in the most appropriate choice of theoretical models to accurately predict leaf water isotope composition for applications as varied as predicting past climates from tree ring isotopes or selecting water-use efficient genotypes in crop plants.

text: H₂¹⁸O labelled vapour reveals evidence of radial Péclet effects in some leaves, but not all Previous studies demonstrated the importance of pathways of water movement, hydraulic conductance, and leaf hydraulic design on leaf water isotopic enrichment. The current study addresses the relevance of Péclet effects to leaf water isotopic enrichment by assessing spatial variation and comparing bulk leaf water enrichment to Craig-Gordon modelled values. Vapour isotope labelling was also utilised in an experimental first to quantify the carry-forward of mesophyll water isotope compositions to more distal parts of corn (Zea mays), oat (Avena sativa), sunflower (Helianthus annuus) and foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) leaves through coupled leaf gas exchange and isoflux measurements. In this study, we found that the Péclet effect was relevant to patterns of leaf water isotopic enrichment for three out of four species tested. The change in H₂¹⁸O for both monocots highlighted a vascular Péclet effect, while the change in foxglove showed a mesophyll Péclet effect, both of which were found to be relevant for the isotopic enrichment of transpired vapour and leaf water. In contrast, sunflower did not present any evidence of either a vascular or a mesophyll Péclet effect, suggesting a difference in leaf hydraulic design. These findings help us to understand how differences in leaf hydraulic design and anatomy influence the development of gradients in leaf water isotopes. This improved understanding will assist in the most appropriate choice of theoretical models to accurately predict leaf water isotope composition for applications as varied as predicting past climates from tree ring isotopes or selecting water-use efficient genotypes in crop plants.

year: 2022

title: Ngā Hua a Tāne Rore: The Benefits of Kapa Haka.

authors: Pihama, Leonie

abstract: This report presentsthe findings of scoping research that is focused on developing a research agenda that will enable a greater understanding of the value and contribution of kapa haka to Aotearoa New Zealand society, and which explores the multiple ways in which we may view the value and contribution of kapa haka within cultural, social and economic contexts.
• There was a unanimous and resounding view that kapa haka does indeed make a valuable contribution to Aotearoa New Zealand society, but that its value is not fully understood or acknowledged within Aotearoa New Zealand.
• The most important components of kapa haka are its intrinsic link to culture and Māori identity, and the essential element of whanaungatanga, the importance of people and connectedness.
• Kapa haka has a dynamic role as a vehicle for the revitalisation and retention of te reo, tikanga, ritual processes and histories.
• It is perceived as a gateway into the culture for Māori who are disengaged from their marae/hapū/iwi, as well as as a safe, inclusive activity through which all New Zealanders can engage with Māori culture.
• Kapa haka is seen as a medium for fostering a richer, more cohesive and inclusive society in Aotearoa New Zealand. As such, it makes a major contribution to building and strengthening New Zealand’s nationhood.
• Kapa haka makes a significant contribution to New Zealand’s national identity and how we are represented and viewed internationally. It provides an effective platform for creating meaningful connections with other nations and peoples.
• Māori culture/kapa haka is increasingly utilised to add value to many forums, both formal and informal, within the public and government sectors. This was seen by some to reflect a more embracing attitude toward Māori cultural protocols as a normal part of New Zealand’s social fabric.
• Kapa haka is not, however, being given the status or respect it deserves as a cultural icon. Because its significance is not well understood by non-Māori, particularly at the level of government, it is often treated in a tokenistic way.
• A major component of kapa haka is its power to effect wellbeing, and to positively transform the lives of individuals and communities. A strength of the movement towards increased health and fitness within kapa haka is that it is achieved collectively.
• An important social benefit of kapa haka is that it provides a positive, disciplined, strength-based environment for rangatahi.
• Kapa haka is having a powerful, transformative impact on social outcomes through the BMPA (Māori performing arts degree), which enables people involved in kapa haka who would otherwise never have considered tertiary education as an option, to embark on that journey and exceed their
own expectations.
• An overall feeling of optimism about the future of kapa haka was tempered by the conviction that there was much more potential to be explored within the realm of kapa haka, particularly in terms of its social benefits.
• The myriad benefits of kapa haka within school environments, including improved learning outcomes, were clearly attested to. However, some barriers to realising those improved outcomes were also identified.
• Some participants were very sure ofthe economic value of kapa haka to Aotearoa. Whilemost of them were less able to articulate specific economic outcomes, they nonetheless had a definite sense of the link between the cultural, social and economic, and that that was ofsignificant value.
• The immense value of ‘culture-to-culture’ relationships was identified, with Maōri culture, including kapa haka, playing a significant role in laying the foundations for lasting trade relationships with other nations, and other cultures.
• Two significant and largely unacknowledged areas of economic contribution were identified: the ‘silent’ economy generated by kapa haka activities; and the extensive ‘productivity’ activity around voluntary workers involved in kapa haka.
• There was an overall view that the economic potential of kapa haka is underestimated and needs to be explored more fully, including the potential for engagement with New Zealand’s private sector.
• A recurrent theme that emerged around the value of kapa haka was to do with how we should go about measuring the value of culture, knowledge and art, and how ‘value’ itselfshould be defined and measured.
• Economic challenges were identified, especially in terms of financial hardship for those involved in kapa haka at the competitive level. It was also noted, however, that kapa haka communities are naturally adept and endlessly resourceful at generating funds.
• The issue of sustainability was raised by some participants who were concerned that kapa haka should be supported at every level into the future, and not just at the high-end competitive level.
• Of fundamental importance was that the growth and development of kapa haka should take place within the context of the acceptance and embracing of Māori culture as an integral component of New Zealand identity and nationhood.

text: Ngā Hua a Tāne Rore: The Benefits of Kapa Haka. This report presentsthe findings of scoping research that is focused on developing a research agenda that will enable a greater understanding of the value and contribution of kapa haka to Aotearoa New Zealand society, and which explores the multiple ways in which we may view the value and contribution of kapa haka within cultural, social and economic contexts.
• There was a unanimous and resounding view that kapa haka does indeed make a valuable contribution to Aotearoa New Zealand society, but that its value is not fully understood or acknowledged within Aotearoa New Zealand.
• The most important components of kapa haka are its intrinsic link to culture and Māori identity, and the essential element of whanaungatanga, the importance of people and connectedness.
• Kapa haka has a dynamic role as a vehicle for the revitalisation and retention of te reo, tikanga, ritual processes and histories.
• It is perceived as a gateway into the culture for Māori who are disengaged from their marae/hapū/iwi, as well as as a safe, inclusive activity through which all New Zealanders can engage with Māori culture.
• Kapa haka is seen as a medium for fostering a richer, more cohesive and inclusive society in Aotearoa New Zealand. As such, it makes a major contribution to building and strengthening New Zealand’s nationhood.
• Kapa haka makes a significant contribution to New Zealand’s national identity and how we are represented and viewed internationally. It provides an effective platform for creating meaningful connections with other nations and peoples.
• Māori culture/kapa haka is increasingly utilised to add value to many forums, both formal and informal, within the public and government sectors. This was seen by some to reflect a more embracing attitude toward Māori cultural protocols as a normal part of New Zealand’s social fabric.
• Kapa haka is not, however, being given the status or respect it deserves as a cultural icon. Because its significance is not well understood by non-Māori, particularly at the level of government, it is often treated in a tokenistic way.
• A major component of kapa haka is its power to effect wellbeing, and to positively transform the lives of individuals and communities. A strength of the movement towards increased health and fitness within kapa haka is that it is achieved collectively.
• An important social benefit of kapa haka is that it provides a positive, disciplined, strength-based environment for rangatahi.
• Kapa haka is having a powerful, transformative impact on social outcomes through the BMPA (Māori performing arts degree), which enables people involved in kapa haka who would otherwise never have considered tertiary education as an option, to embark on that journey and exceed their
own expectations.
• An overall feeling of optimism about the future of kapa haka was tempered by the conviction that there was much more potential to be explored within the realm of kapa haka, particularly in terms of its social benefits.
• The myriad benefits of kapa haka within school environments, including improved learning outcomes, were clearly attested to. However, some barriers to realising those improved outcomes were also identified.
• Some participants were very sure ofthe economic value of kapa haka to Aotearoa. Whilemost of them were less able to articulate specific economic outcomes, they nonetheless had a definite sense of the link between the cultural, social and economic, and that that was ofsignificant value.
• The immense value of ‘culture-to-culture’ relationships was identified, with Maōri culture, including kapa haka, playing a significant role in laying the foundations for lasting trade relationships with other nations, and other cultures.
• Two significant and largely unacknowledged areas of economic contribution were identified: the ‘silent’ economy generated by kapa haka activities; and the extensive ‘productivity’ activity around voluntary workers involved in kapa haka.
• There was an overall view that the economic potential of kapa haka is underestimated and needs to be explored more fully, including the potential for engagement with New Zealand’s private sector.
• A recurrent theme that emerged around the value of kapa haka was to do with how we should go about measuring the value of culture, knowledge and art, and how ‘value’ itselfshould be defined and measured.
• Economic challenges were identified, especially in terms of financial hardship for those involved in kapa haka at the competitive level. It was also noted, however, that kapa haka communities are naturally adept and endlessly resourceful at generating funds.
• The issue of sustainability was raised by some participants who were concerned that kapa haka should be supported at every level into the future, and not just at the high-end competitive level.
• Of fundamental importance was that the growth and development of kapa haka should take place within the context of the acceptance and embracing of Māori culture as an integral component of New Zealand identity and nationhood.

year: 2014