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Ferreira CM, Vieites Y, Goldszmidt R, Barros LSG, Andrade EB. Short- and long-term effects of incentives on prosocial behavior: The case of ride vouchers to a blood collection agency. Soc Sci Med 2024; 352:117019. [PMID: 38810507 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2024.117019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
This study addresses the challenge of low blood donation rates in developing countries by examining the effectiveness of a barrier-removal incentive-a one-day transportation voucher-to promote blood donation. Utilizing a longitudinal dataset of 23,750 donors from a Brazilian blood collection agency (BCA) collected between March 2018 and May 2020, we examine the short and long-term effects of this campaign on donation rates. Our results show that the incentive had a large positive influence on both donation attempts and successful donations on the day of the campaign. However, the short-term success of the intervention had an unintended consequence: the significant increase in prospective donors' waiting time at the BCA during the intervention day, which may help explain the negative impact on return rates in the 24-month follow-up. Despite these opposing outcomes, the net effect of the one-day blood donation incentive was still positive, offering valuable insights for BCAs aiming to enhance donor recruitment and retention strategies and emphasizing the need to balance immediate benefits with potential long-term impacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudio M Ferreira
- FGV EBAPE Brazilian School of Public and Business Administration, Fundação Getulio Vargas, Rua Jornalista Orlando Dantas, 30, Botafogo, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 22231-010, Brazil.
| | - Yan Vieites
- FGV EBAPE Brazilian School of Public and Business Administration, Fundação Getulio Vargas, Rua Jornalista Orlando Dantas, 30, Botafogo, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 22231-010, Brazil.
| | - Rafael Goldszmidt
- FGV EBAPE Brazilian School of Public and Business Administration, Fundação Getulio Vargas, Rua Jornalista Orlando Dantas, 30, Botafogo, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 22231-010, Brazil.
| | - Lucia S G Barros
- FGV EAESP Business Administration School of São Paulo, Fundação Getulio Vargas, Av. 9 de julho, 2029, Bela Vista, São Paulo, SP, 01313-902, Brazil.
| | - Eduardo B Andrade
- FGV EBAPE Brazilian School of Public and Business Administration, Fundação Getulio Vargas, Rua Jornalista Orlando Dantas, 30, Botafogo, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 22231-010, Brazil; Imperial College Business School, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, Exhibition Rd, London, SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom.
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Koch E, Leiße A, Veseli B, Jensen J, Spekman M, Merz EM, Shehu E, Thibert JB, Beurel-Trehan A, Leblond M, Oesterer M, Kluge P, Forioso D, Clement M. Incentives for plasma donation. Vox Sang 2024. [PMID: 38714322 DOI: 10.1111/vox.13644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/09/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES This work provides an overview of the incentives used for plasma donation in Europe and beyond. The overview can provide new ideas to blood establishments. MATERIALS AND METHODS We conducted a systematic online search of incentives used and asked national experts to validate the data across all European Union countries as well as other European and non-European countries. We categorized the data into level of incentive (using the Nuffield Council on Bioethics' rungs [2011]) and country. RESULTS We analysed more than 490 organizations across 26 countries. Our findings reveal different incentives used in these countries. Snacks and pre-donation health checks are commonly provided. In addition, loyalty programmes, small gifts, vouchers, lotteries, travel compensations and time off from work extend the strategic incentive portfolio. Only seven countries offer financial compensation ranging from the equivalent of 10-35€ for European countries. In countries with a decentralized model, where more than one organization collects plasma, we observe that more diversified incentive strategies are generally used, including monetary and non-monetary incentives. In countries with a centralized model, where only one organization is allowed to collect plasma, financial compensation is usually not offered. Centralized plasma collection without financial compensation relies on a wider range of non-monetary incentives than with financial compensation. CONCLUSION The country group analysis offers valuable insights into the relationship between incentive strategies and the prevailing centralized versus decentralized plasma collection model. This overview provides a broader understanding of incentives used by blood establishments and offers avenues for future practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Koch
- Research Group on Health Marketing, Institute for Marketing, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Antonia Leiße
- Research Group on Health Marketing, Institute for Marketing, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Besarta Veseli
- Research Group on Health Marketing, Institute for Marketing, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Johannes Jensen
- Research Group on Health Marketing, Institute for Marketing, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Marloes Spekman
- Department of Donor Medicine Research, Research Group on Donor Studies, Sanquin Research, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Eva-Maria Merz
- Department of Donor Medicine Research, Research Group on Donor Studies, Sanquin Research, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Faculty of Social Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Edlira Shehu
- University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Jean-Baptiste Thibert
- Etablissement Français du Sang, Rennes, France
- Institute of Law and Political Science, University of Rennes, Rennes, France
| | - Antoine Beurel-Trehan
- Etablissement Français du Sang, Rennes, France
- Laboratory of Psychology: Cognition, Behavior, Communication, University of Rennes 2, Rennes, France
| | | | - Martin Oesterer
- DRK-Blood Service Baden-Wuerttemberg-Hessen, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Philipp Kluge
- DRK-Blood Service Baden-Wuerttemberg-Hessen, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Donata Forioso
- Centro Nazionale Sangue, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Michel Clement
- Research Group on Health Marketing, Institute for Marketing, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
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Graf C, Oteng-Attakora K, Ferguson E, Vassallo R, Merz EM. Blood Donor Incentives across 63 Countries: The BEST Collaborative Study. Transfus Med Rev 2024; 38:150809. [PMID: 38228070 DOI: 10.1016/j.tmrv.2023.150809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
Incentives for blood donors are a much-debated strategy intended to ensure a sufficient supply of blood. Yet, there is a fundamental lack of knowledge about which incentives are offered by different blood collectors. We provide a comprehensive description of incentive policies for whole blood donors across 63 countries and 50 states of the United States. We collected data on incentive policies by conducting 2 surveys among representatives of blood collection establishments. Additionally, we integrated incentive data from an existing study and the World Health Organization (WHO). Lastly, we performed a web content analysis of blood collector websites and news releases to extend incentive data for the United States as well as underrepresented regions. We present descriptive analyses illustrating the type and value of incentives and their geographical distribution around the globe. Approximately half of the countries in our sample employ financial incentives, which include cash and tax benefits, but also less conventional incentives, such as healthcare supplements and raffles. Time off work is also commonly offered to blood donors and varies across blood collection establishments in duration and whether it is granted to all donors or only to those whose employer allows it. There is a geographical clustering of incentives, such that neighboring countries are more likely to employ similar incentives. This study provides insights into the strategies used for incentivizing blood donation and highlights the global diversity of incentive policies for whole blood donors. In stark contrast to WHO guidelines, half of the countries surveyed employ some kind of high-value incentive for blood donors. More realistic guidelines that are adapted to the local cultural and institutional context may be needed to maintain an adequate blood supply.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Graf
- Department of Sociology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Donor Medicine Research, Sanquin Research, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | | | - Eamonn Ferguson
- School of Psychology, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK; National Institute for Health and Care Research Blood and Transplant Research Unit in Donor Health and Behaviour, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Eva-Maria Merz
- Department of Sociology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Donor Medicine Research, Sanquin Research, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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Merz EM. The availability of plasma donors and plasma: A sociologist's perspective. Vox Sang 2024; 119:131-133. [PMID: 38226559 DOI: 10.1111/vox.13588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Eva-Maria Merz
- Department of Donor Medicine Research, Sanquin Research, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Center for Philanthropic Studies, Department of Sociology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Chell K, Masser B, Davison TE, Ferguson E. A typology of strategies that recognize, reward, and incentivize blood donation. Transfusion 2022; 62:2077-2085. [PMID: 35924917 DOI: 10.1111/trf.17053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Blood collection agencies (BCAs) worldwide are continuously looking to improve recognition, reward, and incentive (RRI) policies to optimize the recruitment and retention of blood donors. However, given the inconsistent categorization and variety of strategies available, there is a need for a theoretically informed and empirically supported framework to guide RRI research and policy development. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS Survey data from 1028 voluntary nonremunerated whole blood and plasma donors in Australia was used to validate a theorized RRI typology based on distinctions between the level of congruency with the act of donating blood (congruent vs. incongruent), visibility of acknowledgment (public vs. private), benefits provided (self vs. other), and likely reinforcement schedule (fixed vs. variable). RESULTS A six-factor solution met all statistical criteria and was most consistent with a priori theoretical underpinnings. The factors were labeled (i) deal promotion, (ii) loyalty program, (iii) BCA token, (iv) health check, (v) charity donation, and (vi) travel compensation. DISCUSSION This typology provides researchers with a standardized theoretical and conceptual framework to organize and synthesize findings from the existing literature and help BCAs develop RRI policies that are likely to be successful. We present a future research agenda across and within the RRI strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen Chell
- Research and Development, Australian Red Cross Lifeblood, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Barbara Masser
- Research and Development, Australian Red Cross Lifeblood, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Tanya E Davison
- Monash Art, Design and Architecture, Monash University, Caulfield East, Victoria, Australia.,Research discovery, Silver Chain, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Eamonn Ferguson
- School of Psychology, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.,National Institute for Health and Care Research Blood and Transplant Research Unit in Donor Health and Behaviour, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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Lozano M, Dunbar NM, Devine DV. 50 years of Vox Sanguinis International Forums. Vox Sang 2020; 115:483-484. [DOI: 10.1111/vox.12985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Miquel Lozano
- University Clinic Hospital University of Barcelona Barcelona Spain
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