Basis Of Compliance Research Articles

TRUST IN PUBLIC AUTHORITIES AS AN ETHICAL ISSUE

This paper is an attempt to consider trust in terms of contemporary communicative ethics and its socio-philosophical context. Trust in state power is analyzed according to the theoretical principles of communicative philosophy (J. Habermas and K.-O. Apel). It is suggested that trust in state power is a prerequisite for a harmonious development of society. Trust is seen as a determinant contributing to the formation and disclosure of meaningful components of the dialogue between government and civil society institutions, which takes place on the basis of compliance with social norms such as responsibility, justice, tolerance, mutual understanding, equality and respect. It is argued that trust in the government is the most important factor in socio-political relations, the role of which has become increasingly important in recent years. As globalization develops, trust in power becomes more in demand, as its interests effectively co-ordinate the interests of world policy actors. Trust not only reduces transaction costs and strengthens international cooperation, but also builds new quality of relationships.

Increasing the agricultural enterprises competitiveness on the basis of compliance with consumer demand, branding and forecasting

The subject of research is theoretical, methodical and practical aspects of increasing the agricultural enterprises competitiveness with the use of marketing tools and forecasting the agricultural market dynamics. The purpose of this study is to substantiate the directions of increasing the agricultural enterprises competitiveness on the basis of compliance with the demand and consumers wishes; formation of the positive image of products producers; active creative advertisement and goods branding; safety and quality of products; forecasting the agricultural markets dynamics. Method or methodology for conducting research. Both general scientific and special methods of scientific cognition have become the methodological basis of the article. In the process of writing the article the following methods were used: dialectical, economic comparisons and generalizations, grouping, graphical, system and structural analysis and synthesis. Results of work. The article investigates thoroughly the main direction of competitive advantages formation for agrarian enterprises - ensuring their reputation and establishing the close and sustainable relations with consumers. It is about products branding, advertising, image of commodity producers, as well as monitoring of competitiveness and agrarian markets dynamics. The field of application of results. The results and conclusions can be used for training specialists in economics, management and marketing in institutions of higher education; in managing the agricultural enterprises; in rural communities. Conclusions according to the article. As a result of assessing the products competitiveness the decisions on ways of its increase can be made: changing the composition, structure of resources used (raw materials, semi-finished products); changing the order of products creation; changing the quality control system for production, storage, packaging, transportation; changing the prices for products, services and logistics; changing the order of products sales on the market; changing the structure and amount of investments in the development, production and marketing of products. The strategy of improving the quality of products is an essential part of the strategy of agri-food sector enterprises. The objects of forecasting are the quality indicators for goods, which are inferior to those of competitors.

Implementation of a multidisciplinary perioperative protocol in major emergency abdominal surgery.

Enhanced recovery after surgery programs is widely implemented in elective settings, however, until recently, rarely in emergency surgery. The purpose of this study was to present detailed contents and data on implementation of an emergency abdominal perioperative protocol on the basis of compliance. A multidisciplinary perioperative bundle for major emergency abdominal surgery was developed and implemented in March 2017 covering surgical, emergency, anesthesiological, radiological, physiotherapy, and nutritional support. The bundle consisted of preoperative-, intraoperative-, and postoperative initiatives. Fifteen core protocol items were identified for audit and compliance rates for each protocol item and overall compliance rates were evaluated and quarterly stratified throughout the first year of implementation. A total of 227 consecutive patients underwent major emergency abdominal surgery from March 2017 throughout February 2018. The specific protocol items showed high individual compliance rates throughout all quarters of the first year. Time to suspicion of diagnosis at the emergency department, rate of perioperative thoracic epidural, and postoperative referral to physiotherapy showed the lowest compliance rates. The overall compliance rate of all 15 protocol items was 83% (min-max 71.4-100%). We found it possible to implement a comprehensive detailed perioperative protocol in emergency abdominal surgery across multiple specialties with an overall good compliance of protocol items.

The Balanced Obligation and the Basis for Compliance in International Law: Reflections on the Question of International Obligation

In this essay, we use the implementation of multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) in developing countries (specifically, the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity in Ghana) to illustrate why and how States can implement international agreements and for that matter comply with international law without necessarily compromising on equally implementing effective policies to meet their domestic responsibility, particularly when such MEAs may be deemed by some as instruments that curtail the enjoyment of benefits from a State’s natural resources and endowments.
 
 The essay examines the nexus between compliance with international law (international obligation) and meeting domestic responsibility (particularly when the international treaty or agreement to be complied with seems to have some negative implications for the domestic population or State policy). Do States always have an incentive to comply with and execute their international obligations? Should the need for or argument against an international agreement or treaty necessarily lead to its abandonment by States? Can States effectively balance the execution of international obligation with meeting domestic responsibility? Should the effective implementation of a State’s international obligation be regarded as a zero sum for the State’s domestic responsibility? What should be the basis for compliance in international law? These are some of the few questions that this essay seeks to address.

PSYCHOLOGICAL APPROACH TO TEAM BUILDING: FEATURES AND PROBLEMS

Modern realities are such, that the selection of employees can not be carried out only on the basis of compliance of their professional competence to the needs of the employer, because the workflow implies close interaction with other employees. The features of team formation in terms of psychological approach, team building goals and tools to improve the efficiency of the team in accordance with the psychological approach have been investigated in the article. Difficulties in the use of psychological approach have been revealed. The variants of solutions, that contribute to the maintenance and development of a favorable psycho-emotional climate in the team have been offered.

FEATURES AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC COMPONENTS OF THE CONCEPTS “INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY” AND “RIGHT OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY”

The article is devoted to the content of the concepts "intellectual property" and "right of intellectual property", as well as to the possibility to use them as equivalent concepts. The author considers the features of a broad understanding of the intellectual property concept, in which it is revealed as a complex set of social relations arising at all levels of public life. According to this approach intellectual relations are only one type of the varieties of intellectual property relations, the totality of which only occasionally acts as the subject of legal regulation. Taking into account the above facts, the difference between the meaning of the concepts "intellectual property" (in the sense of this concept as a social relation) and "intellectual property right" is reflected in the content of the structural elements of the relations that denote these concepts: 1) Subjects of intellectual property rights are determined on the basis of compliance with certain legal requirements regarding legal personality, as well as the acquisition of subjective legal rights and obligations, which are provided to them by legal norms (by using their legal personality); the subjects of intellectual property become participants of social relations of different levels, including those, which are outside the legal regulation. Such interactions may be related to realization of creative abilities of a person, mental activity, etc.; 2) In the centre of understanding of the concept "object of intellectual property rights" is the content of intellectual property rights as a totality of personal non-property and property rights. The defining aspect of legal protection is the right to the created object of intellectual property rights. At the same time the object of intellectual property is a value in socio-philosophical sense that satisfies the social, economic, cultural, mental and other needs and interests of people. In this sense, an object by its nature is a blessing for a person; 3) Social connections between the subjects of intellectual relations are revealed through corresponding rights and obligations of the participants of these relations; in the relations of intellectual property social relations manifest themselves as interaction between people in different spheres of social life, based on the corresponding social statuses and roles, in which individuals carry out creative activity, realize their mental and cultural needs, etc. Understanding the concept "intellectual property" as identical with the concept “intellectual property right” is based on a normative approach. This approach shows that the concepts of “intellectual property” and “intellectual property right” have the same sense in the legislation and can denote both objects of intellectual property right and rights to such objects.

Towards an automated method to assess data portals in the deep web

The rising number of data portals has been increasing demand for new techniques to assess data openness in an automated manner. Some methods have emerged that presuppose well-organized data catalogs, the availability of API interfaces and natively exposed metadata. However, many data portals, particularly those of local governments, appear to be misimplemented and developed with the classic website model in mind, which provides access to data only through user interaction with web forms. Data in such portals resides in the hidden part of the web, as it is dynamically produced only in response to direct requests. This paper proposes an automated method for assessing government-related data in the deep web on the basis of compliance with open data principles and requirements. To validate our method, we apply it in an experiment using the government websites of the 27 Brazilian capitals. The method is fully carried out for 22 of the capitals' websites, resulting in the analysis of 5.6 million government web pages. The results indicate that the keyword search approach utilized in the method, along with the checking of web pages for multifield web forms, is effective for identifying deep web data sources, as 1.5% of web pages with potential government data that are analyzed are found to contain data stored in the deep web. This work contributes to the development of a novel method that allows for the continuous checking and identification of government data from surface web data portals. In addition, this method can be scaled and repeated to assure the widest possible content coverage.

ПРОБЛЕМНІ ПИТАННЯ КВАЛІФІКАЦІЇ ПРАВОВІДНОСИН НЕДОБРОСОВІСНОЇ КОНКУРЕНЦІЇ У СФЕРІ ПУБЛІЧНИХ ЗАКУПІВЕЛЬ

Overcoming a large number of conspiracies in the field of public procurement and ensuring compliance with the principles of fair competition in the implementation of procurement is one of the tasks of the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine, as the public procurement appeal body. With the adoption of the Law of Ukraine "On public procurement" in 2016, an electronic form of bidding was introduced, but unfortunately this did not contribute to the reduction of speculations and offenses in the field of public procurement. Public procurement of goods, works and services is a legal tool that gives the state the right to choose on the basis of compliance with the competitive conditions of business entities that will carry out the state order on the most favorable market conditions. This can be carried out only on the basis of an impartial bidding process for conducting a procurement and selecting a winner based on honest competitive methods. The final result of public procurement is the effective designation of a supplier who fully meets the qualification criteria of the competition and has established the lowest price for its products, works or services. In modern economic conditions, public procurement is an important mechanism for the implementation of state economic policy. With Ukraine’s accession to the WTO, compliance with the provisions of the Public Procurement Agreement is imperative. After the introduction of the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the EU in 2016, the norms of national legislation on public procurement should be harmonized with the corresponding EU legislation on public procurement. Attention should be paid to the improvement of the public procurement appeal mechanism. The process of bringing to justice violators in the field of public procurement needs to be clarified and settled at the legislative level. REFERENCES Olefir A. Uhoda pro derzhavni zakupivli SOT: pravovi naslidky dlia Ukrainy. Pidpryiemnytstvo, hospodarstvo i pravo. 2017. No. 3. P. 79-84 [in Ukrainian]. Dovbenko A.M. Administratyvno-pravovi zasady rozghliadu Antymonopollnym komitetom skarh pro porushennia zakonodavsva u sferi publichnykh zakupivel: dys. … kand. yuryd. nauk: 12.00.07. Kyiv, 2017. 256 p. [in Ukrainian]. Melnykov O.S. Osoblyvosti publichnykh zakupivel yak obiekta derzhavnoho rehuliuvannia ekonomiky. Derzhavne rehuliuvannia protsesiv ekonomichnoho i sotsialnoho rozvytku. 2016. No. 1 (52). P. 1-7 [in Ukrainian]. Tkachenko N.B., Umantsiv Yu.M. Makroekonomichni aspekty derzhavnykh zakupivel. Finansy Ukrainy. 2009. No. 8. P. 82-88 [in Ukrainian]. Ovramets Yu.M. Poniattia ta sutnist «publichnykh zakupivel» v administratyvnomu pravi Ukrainy. Visnyk Vyshchoho administratyvnoho sudu Ukrainy. 2017. No. 1/2. P. 41-49 [in Ukrainian]. Guidelines on method of setting fines imposed pursuant to Article 23 (2) (a) of Regulation No. 1/2003. (text with EEA relevans), June 2006. URL: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:52006XC0901(01)&from=EN Directive 2014/24/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council "On public procurement and repealing Directive 2004/18/EC" of 26 February 2014. URL: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=uriserv%3AOJ.L_ .2014.094.01.0065.01.ENG

Formation of Resource Potential of Agrarian Enterprises on the Principles of Ecological and Economic Security

In this article the authors have substantiated the formation of the resource potential of agrarian enterprises on the basis of compliance with the requirements of ecological and economic security. The authors define the concept of "resource potential of an agrarian enterprise" and considered the constituent structure of resource potential. The definition of "ecological and economic security of activity of agrarian enterprises" was given. It is determined that the establishment of ecological and economic security in the activities of agrarian enterprises will promote the production of organic products, will create conditions for increasing the competitiveness of enterprises. The study of the connection and interaction of elements of the resource potential of agrarian enterprises with the constituent elements of ecological and economic security was carried out. As a result of the study, the scheme of formation of resource potential of agrarian enterprises based on the requirements of ecological and economic security was proposed and grounded. The main problems, which hinder the formation of ecologically safe economic development of agrarian enterprises, and, accordingly, have a negative influence on the formation of their resource potential. The methodological basis of the study was the dialectic method of cognition and the systematic approach to the study of the problem of the formation of resource potential. In carrying out the research were applied general scientific methods: abstract-logical, monographic, generalization.

The statistical analysis and formation of system of indicators of environmental impacts caused by the activity of agricultural enterprises

Contemporary problems of statistical analysis of agricultural activities of enterprises in the context of their environmental consequences have been researched. The role of statistical analysis in ecological and economic development of Ukraine is defined; it involves forming a system of indicators of environmental impacts caused by the activities of agricultural enterprises. The use of statistical approach to evaluation of ecological processes operating in agricultural production, enables to understand the mechanisms of action of these processes, and to identify the factors that affect their functioning, to identify key areas for their ecological development. For the analysis and evaluation of environmental activities of agricultural enterprises the system of indicators is proposed, on the basis of compliance with international standards that identify the reserves in the activities of agricultural enterprises and reflect the peculiarities of natural and climatic conditions of activity of agricultural enterprises. The ways of improvement of methodological approaches to the statistical assessment of environmental impacts are offered; they are based on a conceptual framework involving four assessment phases as a tool for improving statistical estimates of effects.

Требования к безопасности труда на асфальтобетонных заводах при погрузочно-разгрузочных работах

We consider the complex of measures to ensure the required level of safety at asphalt plants. The required level of safety when performing loading and unloading operations at the plant proposed to be achieved on the basis of compliance with all safety requirements.

Building a Data Store with the Dynamic Structure

This article presents the analysis of approaches to data warehouse construction based on relational and NoSQL solutions and lists the limitations of the relational approach to data mining. The contradiction between data presentation in the real subject domain and the model of data presentation in the relational and NoSQL approaches is revealed. The revealed contradiction is related to the temporality of the values of individual data attributes, the variability of the composition of these attributes, and structure of connections between them. A new logical model of the data warehouse with dynamic structure is proposed. The model is based on the concept of the object as a container for properties storage. Each property of the object includes the property name and two property values without reference and with reference, that are relevant at a given time. The reference property value points to an object whose name is interpreted as the value of the property at a given time. A formal description of the model with allocation of the necessary functionality to manipulate objects and their properties (selectors, predicates, constructors) is given and the necessary control structures are introduced. Substantiation of the proposed model, called an OP-model is given on the basis of compliance with the logical ER data model. It is proved that any ER data model can be implemented in the OP-model. At the same time, the advantages of the OP-model are indicated, they are associated with the possibility of changing connections between entities due to changes in the reference value at a particular time. The potential for scalability of data warehouse due to the unique identification of each object is noted.

Path to Global Accounting Convergence

Increasing globalization of economical enterprises activities, as well as internationalization of financial markets has increased the need to harmonize accounting standards. It is not appropriate for these markets to have diversity of standards, according to which financial statements on accounting basis are prepared and introduced, for the diversity makes it difficult for financial analysis and as a consequence, it causes difficulty in assessing performances and financial positions of different enterprises, whom titles are shown in a given market. For investors, capital shareholders, lenders, suppliers and also employees and the general public, this diversity is considered as an obstacle for decision-making, especially for those related to the delivery of economical sources in different enterprises. Concerning the above, EU issued Directives IV, related to annual accounts, where there are included accounting balance, statement and profit, as well as notes on charge accounts. These documents are part of the whole and they must be designed clearly and in accordance with the recommendations of Directives IV, in order to provide a full and accurate view of activities, obligations, capitals and profiting or losses of companies in the period they part of. While, under the perspective of Directives VII, thememeber states of EU make any enterprise, under their jurisdiction, stand before obligations, in order to prepare consolidated accounts and a solid report of direction, where each case the accounts of mother or daughter companies shall be consolidated near mother companies, besides the location of daughter companies. On the other hand, lacking planned information according to same standards, the market cannot function effectively and reliably. Thus, this is a basic argument for the need and benefits of different enterprises, whatever their place of origin is, they shall supply intruders in the capital markets with reports or financial statements prepared and introduced according to the same accounting standards. If there is more pressure on investors and lenders have a better protection when they are given financial information prepared according to high quality standards and which normally ensure transparence and reliability, then it is known why main international bodies, since a long time, they have urged all countries to implement the new standards of accounting, on basis of compliance with international ones. DOI: 10.5901/ajis.2015.v4n3p53

CONSIDERATION ON THE POSSIBILITY OF SAMARA'S ROAD NETWORK DEVELOPMENT AT THE STAGE OF MASTER PLAN DESIGNING

The article views transport availability degradation in Samara. Options for additional throughput capability of transport hubs are presented. Design limitations of road junctions in different levels in urban areas are considered. The possibility of realization of master plan of highwayroad network development in Samara on one line example is analyzed. Comprehensive analysis of mutual combination of horizontal and vertical alignment of adjacent traffic intersections in the particular conditions of their placement on the basis of compliance with regulatory requirements is made. The main problems of realization of master plan of highwayroad network development are formulated. Proposals for the creation of a new mechanism for master plan development, proposals for the specification of plan of continuous motion lines creation are given taking into account real economic conditions.

Improvement method for calculation gate circuit insulation monitoring 3B with measuring relay consisting of two coils

Efficiency of electrical breaker is identified with the level reached in their risk of electric shock, and this level is determined by the following parameters. The first - a line of protective characteristics circuit breakers electrical safety requirements, the second - the ability to retain this correspondence for all occurring negative impacts of factors of production, and the third - the ability to provide a functional interaction, members of the circuit breakers leakage relay and power switching device network. The second and third parameters are determined on the basis of compliance with the requirements of the circuit breakers imposed operating conditions of mining production. The paper presents an improved method of calculating the gate control circuit with two-winding insulation 3B measuring relays. In the research proposed a new method of calculation and the optimization of circuit parameters the automatic control of isolation ACI-380 in order to increase its sensitivity from 0.33 to 0.63 mA/com in the same functional characteristics.The results of the research will enhance the reliability of the relay leakage, thereby improving the protection of persons against electric shock in LV networks with isolated neutral and will reduce the likelihood of ignition of fire-damp and coal dust leakage current.

A Critical Evaluation of Survey Results of Vitamin A and Fe Levels in the Mandatory Fortified Food Vehicles and Some Selected Processed Foods in Nigeria

ABSTRACT A nationwide survey was conducted to ascertain the levels of Vitamin A and Fe in wheat and maize flours, sugar and vegetable oils and some flour-based processed foods to assess compliance to the Nigerian Industrial Standard. Samples were collected from factories and markets in all the 36 states of the six geopolitical zones of the country; comprising 94 (vegetable oil), 42 (sugar), 95 (flour) and 62 (processed foods) and subjected to vitamin A and iron analyses using HPLC and AAS respectively. Using a 50% acceptable range of the specified minimum standards as basis for compliance, the results showed that only 14.9 – 20.2 % of the samples of vegetable oils analyzed fell within acceptable level (10,000-20,000 IU/kg) but there was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in the results obtained for the six zones. For sugar, only 11.9 – 16.7 % of the samples collected complied with the acceptable range of the standards (12,500 – 25,000 IU/kg) but this varied significantly (p > 0.05) with the zones. The levels of compliance for vitamin A and Fe in flours were found to be 12.2 – 33.3 % and 1.0 – 21.0 % respectively at the acceptable range of 15,000 – 30,000 IU/kg and 34.6 – 46.8 mg/kg, respectively. In all cases, the compliance levels at the 50% range were only marginally higher than at the 30% WHO acceptable range. For the levels of these micronutrients in the processed foods, the values obtained ranged between 5,139 – 7,687 IU/kg for vitamin A and 11.9 – 16.7 mg/kg for Fe. These results call for a critical and holistic review of the fortification strategy in Nigeria.

Corrupção nas organizações privadas: análise da percepção moral segundo gênero, idade e grau de instrução

Corruption in organizations is a well-studied systemic phenomenon that may be approached in different ways. One of these is through the perspective adopted in compliance literature, understood as a reflection about the causes and the mitigation of corruption, as well the tools to promote an ethical environment. The basis of compliance is the moral perception of the person when exposed to ethical dilemmas. The purpose of this work is determine the relative relevance of education, age, and gender in the moral perception of businesses. Our statistical analysis is based on secondary data provided by ICTS Global, an international company specializing in the reduction of risks involving human life, business goals, assets, information, and reputation. We carried out an exploratory statistical analysis on data concerning variable indicators of the index of analyses of adherence to enterprise ethics (AAEE) from ICTS Global. Our research was based on a non-probabilistic by convenience sample composed of interviews carried out between 2004 and 2008 with employees and candidates from 74 Brazilian private enterprises. The final number of people interviewed totaled 7,574. The results indicate that the education variable exerts more influence on the moral perception indicators: the lower the level of education, the lower the perception of wrongdoing. On the other hand, more detailed analyses of the indicators of moral perception show interesting differences related to the profile of the professionals as well as the variables analyzed (gender, age, and education).

THE LIFE SCIENCES REVOLUTION AND THE BWC

Reviews of science and technology are essential to maintain the strength of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC). The article provides an overview of recent trends in the life sciences and concludes that the emerging post-proliferation context requires a departure from traditional models of biological weapons nonproliferation based on top-down government controls. The evolving circumstances beg instead for a governance system that brings together all stakeholders—science, industry, government, and the public—and broadens as well as deepens the basis for compliance with the safe and responsible conduct and utilization of life sciences research. The article proposes a governance approach to be adopted by the Seventh BWC Review Conference that includes strong stakeholder involvement and a regular and holistic mechanism for science and technology reviews in the future.

Costs and health effects of screening and delivery of hearing aids in Tamil Nadu, India: an observational study

BackgroundThe burden of disease of hearing disorders among adults is high, but a significant part goes undetected. Screening programs in combination with the delivery of hearing aids can alleviate this situation, but the economic attractiveness of such programs is unknown. This study aims to evaluate the population-level costs, effects and cost-effectiveness of alternative delivering hearing aids models in Tamil Nadu, IndiaMethodsIn an observational study design, we estimated total costs and effects of two active screening programs in the community in combination with the provision of hearing aids at secondary care level, and the costs and effects of the provision of hearing aids at tertiary care level. Screening and hearing aid delivery costs were estimated on the basis of program records and an empirical assessment of health personnel time input. Household costs for seeking and undergoing hearing health care were collected with a questionnaire (see Additional file 2). Health effects were estimated on the basis of compliance with the hearing aid, and associated changes in disability, and were expressed in disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) averted.ResultsActive screening and provision of hearing aids at the secondary care level costs around Rs.7,000 (US$152) per patient, whereas provision of hearing aids at the tertiary care level costs Rs 5,693 (US$122) per patient. The cost per DALY averted was around RS 42,200 (US$900) at secondary care level and Rs 33,900 (US$720) at tertiary care level. The majority of people did consult other providers before being screened in the community. Costs of food and transport ranged between Rs. 2 (US$0,04) and Rs. 39 (US$0,83).ConclusionActive screening and provision of hearing aids at the secondary care level is slightly more costly than passive screening and fitting of hearing aids at the tertiary care level, but seems also able to reach a higher coverage of hearing aids services. Although crude estimates indicate that both passive and active screening programs can be cautiously considered as cost-effective according to international thresholds, important questions remain regarding the implementation of the latter.

A multilevel study of area socio-economic status and food purchasing behaviour

The present study examined the association between area socio-economic status (SES) and food purchasing behaviour. Data were collected by mail survey (64.2 % response rate). Area SES was indicated by the proportion of households in each area earning less than $AUS 400 per week, and individual-level socio-economic position was measured using education, occupation and household income. Food purchasing was measured on the basis of compliance with dietary guideline recommendations (for grocery foods) and variety of fruit and vegetable purchase. Multilevel regression analysis examined the association between area SES and food purchase after adjustment for individual-level demographic (age, sex, household composition) and socio-economic factors. Melbourne city, Australia, 2003. Residents of 2564 households located in fifty small areas. Residents of low-SES areas were significantly less likely than their counterparts in advantaged areas to purchase grocery foods that were high in fibre and low in fat, salt and sugar; and they purchased a smaller variety of fruits. There was no evidence of an association between area SES and vegetable variety. In Melbourne, area SES was associated with some food purchasing behaviours independent of individual-level factors, suggesting that areas in this city may be differentiated on the basis of food availability, accessibility and affordability, making the purchase of some types of foods more difficult in disadvantaged areas.