bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neural network methodology for heat transfer enhancement data
Authors: Ayhan‐Sarac Betül , Karlık Bekir , Bali Tülin , Ayhan Teoman
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study experimentally enhancement of heat transfer in a tube with axial swirling‐flow promoters. The geometric features of flow geometry to improve heat transfer can be selected in order to yield the maximum opposite reduction in heat exchange flow irreversibility by using exergy‐destruction method. The paper seeks to illustrate the use of neural network approach to analyze heat transfer enhancement data for further study in the scope of the experimental program.

Design/methodology/approach

For this purpose, 402 experimental measurements are collected. About 225 of those are used as training data for neural networks, the rest is used for testing. Then, these testing results of artificial neural network (ANN) and experimental data are compared. A formula for presenting exergy loses in a tubular heat exchanger is derived first and then the thermodynamic optimum instead of economic optimum is found by minimizing the exergy losses in the system.

Findings

Results from all configurations studied show that the heat transfer rate of the heated increases when the swirling‐flow promoter is inserted. From the heat transfer improvement number defined, it is observed that about 100 percent increase in heat transfer rate and five times increase in the pressure drop can be achieved under the condition of constant flow for the single promoter which has three blades, its blade angle is 30° and its location is in the middle of the tube length.

Research limitations/implications

The back‐propagation (BP) algorithm was selected as the neural network algorithm, which uses the generalized delta learning rule. The training time of BP algorithm is considerably long. However, the testing of our neural network is real‐time.

Practical implications

The experimental setup is established to collect the experimental data. It consists of an entrance region, test region (heat exchanger and steam generator), and, flow measurement and control. Also, a software program of neural networks trained BP is written by using Pascal high‐level languages.

Originality/value

An alternative and new approach is proposed in the paper to find optimum flow geometry for a pipe flow with an axial swirling‐flow promoter inserts. It is too difficult to predict the response of a complex physical system that cannot be easily modeled mathematically. The result thus obtained compare well with experimental results, but the computational effort of the ANN and time required in the analysis is much faster as compared. These results show that the ANN can be used efficiently for prediction.
Application of an ADI scheme for steady and periodic solutions in a lid‐driven cavity problem
Authors: Das Manab Kumar , Rajesh Kanna P.
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to study the steady and periodic solution of a lid‐driven cavity flow problem with the gradual increase of Reynolds number (Re) up to 10,000.

Design/methodology/approach

The problem is solved by unsteady stream function‐vorticity formulation using the clustered grids. The alternating direction implicit (ADI) method and the central difference scheme have been used for discretization of the governing equations. Total vorticity error and the total kinetic energy have been considered for ensuring the state of flow condition. The midplane velocity distribution and the top wall vortex distribution are compared with the results of other authors and found to show good agreement.

Findings

Kinetic energy variation with time is studied for large time computation. Below 7,500, it becomes constant signifying the flow to be in steady‐state. At Re=10,000, the fluid flow has an oscillating nature. The dimensionless period of oscillation is found to be 1.63. It is demonstrated that the present computation is able to capture the periodic solution after the bifurcation very accurately.

Originality/value

The findings will be useful in conducting a steady and periodic solution of variety of fluid flows or thermally‐driven fluid flows.
Ethnic minority migrant women entrepreneurs and the imperial imprimatur
Authors: Pio Edwina
Published: October 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the work experiences of ethnic minority migrant Indian women and their reasons for entering entrepreneurship in post‐colonial New Zealand.

Design/methodology/approach

Over a period of five years, in‐depth semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 45 Indian women migrant entrepreneurs in New Zealand. A total of approximately 50 hours of interviews with 200 hours of transcription and member checks contributed to the understanding of these women. The interpretations were enhanced by congruence of ethnicity and gender of the researcher‐author.

Findings

The qualitative interviews surfaced issues of being non‐white, exclusionary employment practices and negotiating post‐colonial New Zealand in order to follow the migrant dream despite the prevalence of softwares of colonialism in the mindset of the host country.

Research limitations/implications

The study was conducted in one country (New Zealand) on one ethnicity (Indian); hence, there needs to be caution in generalizing the findings for other ethnic minority women and in other post‐colonial countries.

Practical implications

The research focuses on the experiences of educated ethnic minority women who are often marginalized based on their visible diversity discriminators, despite efforts by the New Zealand Government to create an equitable non‐racialized society.

Originality/value

The paper is a powerful reminder of the need to understand the layered reality of ethnic minority women and to reduce the gap between policy and action.
Influence of culture, family and individual differences on choice of gender‐dominated occupations among female students in tertiary institutions
Authors: Salami Samuel O.
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of family, individual difference and cultural factors on the choice of gender‐dominated occupations among female students in some tertiary institutions.

Design/methodology/approach

A field‐based survey approach was adopted to collect quantitative data through the means of questionnaires from 340 female students randomly selected from tertiary institutions in Southwest Nigeria.

Findings

Hierarchical multiple‐regression statistical analysis employed revealed that family, individual differences and cultural factors were good predictors (collectively and independently) of choice of gender‐dominated occupations of female students.

Research limitations/implications

These findings were limited to nursing and engineering professions as well as variables investigated. Thus, future researchers should make efforts to extend the study's scope to other professions that could be categorized as gender‐dominated occupations.

Originality/value

The findings provide evidence on the factors influencing the choice of gender‐dominated occupations among female students. Hence, attention should be paid to the predicting variables investigated in that they provided significant basis for this study. These predicting variables could assist the female students in making realistic and purposeful career choices, so that they could overcome the barriers of occupational stereotyping in Nigerian society. This would enable the women to contribute their quota to their families and society in general.
Employee engagement – its real essence
Authors: Smythe John
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explain how opening up decision making to those who can add value helps to transform organizational performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Reveals how this was achieved at a top‐four UK bank. Draws on some of the ideas presented in the author's latest book, The CEO: Chief Engagement Officer.

Findings

Emphasizes the difference between flawed internal‐marketing programs, born at the tail‐end of the command‐and‐control era, which simply viewed employees as internal customers who were marketed at as any other “stakeholder group” when plans were afoot to refresh a company's strategy, and modern employee engagement, which involves taking the risk to reach down and engage the people it affects and the people who must deliver the end result.

Practical implications

Presents a toolbox of practical processes that help leaders to take the risk of sharing power, to engage the creativity of their people.

Originality/value

Advances the view that, by empowering leaders and employees to become partners in pushing an organization forward, good engagement planning is the “missing 50 percent” of strategy formulation.
Debunking the benchmarking myth
Authors: Lusty David
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to highlight the pitfalls of failing to compare like with like when undertaking employee‐satisfaction surveys.

Design/methodology/approach

Reveals how answers can be affected by people's expectations, slight changes in the wording of a survey, the order in which questions are asked, or the scoring system used.

Findings

Demonstrates why like‐for‐like comparisons with other employers' surveys are almost impossible and puts forward the view that the information that is most valuable in informing management decision‐making comes from the internal comparisons a survey should permit.

Practical implications

Puts forward ways in which to make an employee‐satisfaction survey into a valuable source of management information.

Originality/value

Advances the view that an employee‐satisfaction survey that produces data which are nice to know, but do not lead to action, has not earned its keep.
Interview with John Fleming and James Asplund
Authors: Brown Rachel
Published: October 2007

Purpose

This paper provides an interview with John Fleming and James Asplund.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper provides an interview with John Fleming and James Asplund.

Findings

There has never been a better – or more important – time for HR professionals to play a strategic role in defining and managing the brand in service economy companies. If your company's employees are truly the “face” of the brand in the marketplace, then they represent a potent weapon in your company's marketing arsenal.

Originality/value

The paper provides an insightful interview with John Fleming and James Asplund.
Ensuring sweetness and light over the festive season
Authors: Pitt Mike
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The paper aims to examine the allocation of holidays.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper discusses the allocation of holidays.

Findings

Of course, employers should always be fair and reasonable and take employees' personal circumstances into account when allocating leave. But this should be done on a case‐by‐case basis, and not as part of a blanket policy that favors one group of workers over another.

Originality/value

The paper provides useful advice on the allocation of holidays.
Identity parade: building web portals about people
Authors: Burrows Toby
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to look at the current state of initiatives to develop “people‐centred” portals by repurposing name authority data from union catalogues and similar sources.

Design/methodology/approach

A range of current projects and services are reviewed and evaluated to identify common features and trends.

Findings

Several recent efforts in this area are of considerable interest and promise, but there are elements of this kind of service that will need further development and experimentation.

Originality/value

This is one of the first attempts to give an overview of this type of initiative and to suggest some directions for the future.
Bibliographic challenges in historical context: looking back to 1982
Authors: Medeiros Norm
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to reflect on the state of bibliographic access.

Design/methodology/approach

The article contrasts today's bibliographic challenges with those of 25 years ago.

Findings

The article suggests many of the inadequacies that existed in the past will persist into the future.

Originality/value

The article provides a means of viewing today's bibliographic environment in historical context.
From digital library to institutional repository: a brief look at one library's path
Authors: Buehler Marianne A. , Trauernicht Marcia S.
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to give an overview of the initial transformation of one academic library's digital media library into the institutional repository (IR) of its entire academic organization.

Design/methodology/approach

Provides a description of an academic digital library's evolution into an institutional repository, accompanied by both practical and philosophical analyses.

Findings

Materials supporting an academic institution's scholarship (from colleges and from supporting organizations on campus) can play an important part in the success of an institutional repository. Standards for metadata content, data structures and hierarchies of collections must be followed consistently, and adequate storage for digital media within an institutional repository is necessary to have in advance of anticipated demand for the smooth operation of the IR and continued access to materials. Gray areas between the role of an institutional repository and the role of that organization's archives need to be addressed in the future.

Practical implications

Academic libraries can be highly successful in producing an institute repository by developing relationships with various organizations on campus in addition to the academic programs. Maintaining standards throughout the IR is crucial to future growth in an organized and consistent manner. Philosophical considerations of the role of the IR should be addressed in the beginning stages of the development of the IR for eliminating confusion and duplication of its contents with other campus organizations.

Originality/value

This paper describes the development of a digital library, created and maintained by an academic library, and its gradual change into a de facto institutional repository. Other libraries in the planning stages or initial steps of creating a campus‐wide digital library or an institutional repository can benefit from the description of possible successes and problems that they could encounter during implementation.
New possibilities for metadata creation in an institutional repository context
Authors: Burk Alan , Al‐Digeil Muhammad , Forest Dominic , Whitney Jennifer
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop automated methods for creating metadata for documents in an institutional repository.

Design/methodology/approach

Two methods are examined for automatically building metadata in an institutional repository context. Text mining techniques are employed to discover relationships among documents with similar content, from which are inferred possible values for missing or incomplete metadata elements. Machine learning techniques are used to identify and extract specific metadata element values from document content.

Findings

Text mining techniques can be used to cluster documents with similar content. This allows values for metadata elements, like keyword, to be projected from documents with established metadata to related documents. Machine learning techniques are found to be reasonably accurate for extracting from documents values for metadata elements, such as, title, author, and abstract. Results show sufficient promise to support the next phase of the project: the development of assistive tools for use by metadata specialists to create or edit document metadata.

Originality/value

This paper focuses on the use of automated metadata extraction techniques to assist metadata creation, lessening the time and effort required to add documents to institutional repositories.
Network transparency in a mountain rescue domain
Authors: McCarthy B. , Edwards C. , Dunmore M.
Published: October 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to discuss network transparency in a mountain rescue domain and aims to introduce the relatively new research concept of MANEMO (MANET + NEMO) and the mountain rescue IP network model developed at Lancaster University.

Design/methodology/approach

An analysis of IP mobility techniques that have been designed for use in the Internet today is provided as background, as well as an overview of the whole MANEMO domain. Highlights the importance of the MANEMO concept by working with real scenarios and developing practical implementations (as opposed to simulation).

Findings

During the research it was found that combining the localised multi‐hop behaviour of MANET techniques and the global reachability of NEMO can be a mutually beneficial process. The benefits afforded by using MANET techniques can bring advantages to NEMO scenarios and vice‐versa. Identifying this fact has given rise to the development of two distinct MANEMO scenarios, MANET‐Centric and NEMO‐Centric MANEMO. Finally, the Unified MANEMO Architecture (UMA) implementation, which attempts to support both of these scenarios in an efficient and feasible manner.

Research limitations/implications

Regarding UMA, research continues into addressing the security implications of this approach and the benefits that multi‐homing can provide.

Originality/value

The paper illustrates how MANEMO can conceivably provide powerful solutions to many important scenarios.
Deploying authorisation mechanisms for federated services in eduroam (DAMe)
Authors: Cánovas Óscar , Gómez‐Skarmeta Antonio F. , López Gabriel , Sánchez Manuel
Published: October 2007

Purpose

This paper seeks to present an overview and some preliminary results of the DAMe project. The main goal of this project was to define a unified authentication and authorisation system for federated services hosted in the eduroam network.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents the main initiatives and technologies related to the DAMe project and some first designs that show how the main goals are already being achieved.

Findings

At present, there are several activities of DAMe in progress, such as the design and implementation of a multiplatform PEAP supplicant, the middleware for managing the SSO tokens and the design of new common services for eduGAIN.

Originality/value

This paper is based on results from the DAMe project and the knowledge of the authors and will be of interest to those in the same field.
Is global IPv6 deployment on track?
Authors: Domingues Mónica , Friaças Carlos , Veiga Pedro
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The main aim of this paper is to focus on a big step for IPv6: deployment. At the same time, it aims to issue a warning about something that should be in a more evolved stage.

Design/methodology/approach

A multiple‐angle analysis about IPv6 deployment was used: breaking some myths, looking at deployment data and trying to relate to IPv4's deployment.

Findings

The paper finds that IPv6 deployment is not yet on track. Comparison between IPv6 and IPv4 network performance is negative.

Research limitations/implications

Numbers and policy analysis described in this paper will naturally evolve and thus will need to be revisited in future work. This theme will be progressively more important as IPv4 address space becomes exhausted.

Practical implications

More IPv6 deployment is needed, in order to ensure Internet's continued growth. In order to become a viable solution for the global Internet, IPv6 deployment must be seen as a priority for network administrators today.

Originality/value

This paper's content may alert some players to the needed effort associated with the Internet's evolution. Other audiences will benefit from the data and details discussed, in order to gain confidence about deploying IPv6.
Between underlay and overlay
Authors: Wählisch Matthias , Schmidt Thomas C.
Published: October 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to discuss problems, requirements and current trends for deploying group communication in real‐world scenarios from an integrated perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

The Hybrid Shared Tree is introduced – a new architecture and routing approach to combine network – and subnetwork‐layer multicast services in end‐system domains with transparent, structured overlays on the inter‐domain level.

Findings

The paper finds that The Hybrid Shared Tree solution is highly scalable and robust and offers provider‐oriented features to stimulate deployment.

Originality/value

A straightforward perspective is indicated in the paper for a mobility‐agnostic routing layer for future use.
Articulated private networks in UCLP
Authors: Grasa Eduard , Figuerola Sergi , López Albert , Junyent Gabriel , Savoie Michel , St Arnaud Bill , Lemay Mathieu
Published: October 2007

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the advantages of using the UCLP software for network operators, advanced and regular end users in the research networking community. Design/methodology/approach – This paper provides an example of the deployment of UCLP in the GÉANT2/National Research and Education Networks (NRENs) scenario, and compares how network operators, advanced users and regular end users would do their work, with and without UCLP. Findings – The paper provides high‐level technical information about UCLP as well as depicting the drivers for its use in the European research networking community. Research limitations/implications – This paper does not explain the details of the deployment of the software in the GÉANT2/National Research and Education Networks (NRENs) scenario, it just explains the benefits that the deployment of the software would provide. If the deployment was to be done today, some improvements to UCLP should be done, as well as support for more equipment vendors should be added. Practical implications – UCLP could provide more flexibility to the e‐science community if it was deployed over the European research networking infrastructure, because it would isolate network users from each other while providing them an unprecedented degree of control over the network. Originality/value – Nowadays, several control/management solutions for networks exist, but none that is capable of partitioning a physical network into slices and handoff its management to the users, like UCLP does. This is the first UCLP paper that studies a hypothetical deployment of UCLP in the European research networking scenario, and evaluates the drivers and implications of such a deployment.
Sharing audiovisual content using a P2P environment based in JXTA
Authors: Martín Rosa Ma , Casanovas Josep , Crespo José Francisco , Giralt Joan
Published: October 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to present the outcome of the i2CAT Foundations' research and innovation projects that use JXTA P2P technology to share audiovisual content.

Design/methodology/approach

The project consisted of designing and developing a distributed application named eRuc that allows management and sharing of audiovisual content.

Findings

The paper finds that JXTA is suitable to develop P2P applications that share audiovisual files or that interact with different kind of devices. JXTA services and protocols provide an easy integration with other P2P services and a gain of independence from the topology of the physical network (NAT, firewalls, etc.).

Research limitations/implications

High‐quality streaming requires specifically designed P2P architectures. Further testing needs to be performed to evaluate whether the use of JXTA, together with proven, efficient P2P streaming architectures, affect the efficiency of the P2P streaming system.

Practical/implications

P2P technologies have proven to be very efficient for some kind of applications. However, there are no standard frameworks for interoperability and application development may become difficult. JXTA P2P technologies facilitate application development and integration. The authors have used JXTA in different scenarios related with audiovisual content sharing and have proven its suitability. The current work is focused in P2P streaming. Previous literature suggests that there are some proven architectures for P2P life streaming. Using JXTA together with them may prove if JTXA is suitable for applications that require high bandwidth and minimum delay.

Originality/value

The paper provides information of value to information management and technology professionals.
Business model innovation: it's not just about technology anymore
Authors: Chesbrough Henry
Published: October 2007

Purpose

To innovate the company business model, executives must first understand what it is, and then examine what paths exist for them to improve on it. This article aims to examine this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

The article provides a practical definition of business models and offers a Business Model Framework (BMF) that illuminates the opportunities for business model innovation.

Findings

The article finds that BMF sequences possible business models from very basic (and not very valuable) models to far more advanced (and very valuable) models. Using the BMF, companies can assess where their current business model stands in relation to its potential and then define appropriate next steps for the further advancement of it.

Practical implications

An organization must give a senior manager the resources and authority to define and launch business‐model experiments.

Originality/value

The article provides a cogent model for assessing the potential for new business model innovation, a framework for carrying it out and a management plan for decision making.
Changing your company's approach to innovation
Authors: Loewe Pierre , Chen George
Published: October 2007

Purpose

This article aims to offer executives specific guidance on how to tailor a successful innovation strategy to their individual company situation.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on Strategos' experience assisting clients in many industries to develop a core competence at innovation, the firm offers three practical guidelines.

Findings

The article finds that Strategos recommends: start with fresh perspectives; leave behind the old innovation paradigm by challenging three outdated assumptions that constrain innovation efforts; use “innovation architecture” to design your innovation program; map out what you need to do on the three critical dimensions of innovation – the “what”, the “who” and the “how.”; avoid seven pitfalls that can thwart the initiative; and learn from the experience of innovation pioneers as you implement your innovation program.

Research limitations/implications

The article offers numerous case examples and step‐by‐step guidance.

Practical implications

The article identifies seven pitfalls and explains how to avoid them. These are: overly relying on customers to find solutions; generating ideas without new insights; assuming that innovation is about making a few “big bets”; failing to give innovators time, training and tools; confusing “involving many people” with “making it a free for all”; letting a systematic innovation process become bureaucratic; and failing to insist on sufficient involvement from the executive group.

Originality/value

Maps out what companies need to do on the three critical dimensions of innovation – the “what”, the “who” and the “how.”
Three ways to successfully innovate your business model
Authors: Giesen Edward , Berman Saul J. , Bell Ragna , Blitz Amy
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to find out what exactly the term business model innovation encompasses and what type yields the best results.

Design/methodology/approach

IBM Consulting researchers first identified the main types of business model innovation, which can be used alone or in combination. They then compared these three types of business model innovation across 35 best practice cases.

Findings

The study found that all new business models can be classified into three types: innovations in industry models; in revenue models and in enterprise models. A key finding was that each type of business model innovation, with the right strategy and strong execution can generate success.

Practical implications

Researchers found that while network plays are being used by diverse companies in different industries and regions and of varying age, size and other characteristics, this tactic has been a particularly useful strategy for older companies.

Originality/value

The study found that best business model innovation strategies provide a strong fit between the competitive landscape for a particular industry and the organization's strengths, shortcomings and characteristics such as age and size.
Berkshire Hathaway and GEICO: an M&A case study
Authors: Calandro Joseph , Dasari Ranganna , Lane Scott
Published: October 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to illustrates the use of the modern Graham and Dodd valuation methodology as a corporate M&A tool by way of case study.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents a case study of the 1995 Berkshire Hathaway acquisition of GEICO and draws on previously published Graham and Dodd methodological materials as well as GEICO's publicly available financial information. The valuation presented in the case is the sole work of the authors.

Findings

The paper finds that, while Graham and Dodd‐based valuation is a popular investment methodology it has thus far received scant attention as a corporate M&A tool. The results of the GEICO case suggest that Graham and Dodd valuation could be applied successfully to corporate M&A.

Research limitations/implications

The paper explains modern Graham and Dodd valuation in the context of Berkshire Hathaway's 1995 GEICO acquisition. It demonstrates how that acquisition contained a reasonable margin‐of safety, or price discount to estimated intrinsic value, even though it was taken private at a 25.6 percent premium over the $55.75/share market price at the time. The case demonstrates the practical utility of Graham and Dodd‐based valuation in corporate M&A, and provides recommendations for its use in that context.

Originality/value

While Graham and Dodd valuation has been well covered from an investment perspective this is the first work, as far as the authors are aware, that seeks to apply it to corporate M&A.
How knowledge companies succeed
Authors: Ward Martin
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to review issues and concepts related to the use of knowledge in business for the purpose of generating profit, and show their application in relation to the author's own company, Ricardo. As far as possible, both the conditions common to other knowledge companies, and those unique to Ricardo, are identified, with a view to furthering the management of knowledge by others.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper approaches the topic of knowledge management from a case‐study angle, with a view to identifying the knowledge inputs into the company's work, its processing of those inputs, and the generation of outputs in the form of profitable knowledge products and services.

Findings

The paper finds that knowledge is presented as a differentiated concept with various levels and functions. Following a description of how the various types of knowledge are used by the author's company, some of the lessons to be learned are listed.

Practical implications

The paper offers, both explicitly and by implication, some useful guidelines for KM practitioners.

Originality/value

The paper reveals how far theoretical concepts, such as tacit and explicit knowledge, knowledge bases and knowledge or learning communities, are reflected in the real world situation of Ricardo.
Do we know what really drives KM performance?
Authors: Yu Sung‐Ho , Kim Young‐Gul , Kim Min‐Yong
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the several key drivers for developing organizational KM capability and examining their relationships with KM performance. It shows that despite the active interest in managing organizational knowledge as a strategic resource, most organizations do not yet understand the challenges involved in implementing KM initiatives.

Design/methodology/approach

In the paper data was collected from a questionnaire survey of 66 Korean firms. The structural equation modeling technique called Partial Least Squares method was chosen for analyzing the research model.

Findings

The paper found that KM drivers such as learning orientation, KM system quality, reward, and KM team activity were significantly related to the organizational KM performance – knowledge quality and user knowledge satisfaction. The paper also found that a KM team activity and a reward system have significant effects upon other KM drivers. In addition, the KM stage of an organization was found to have a significant and positive effect on KM team activity.

Research limitations/implications

The paper shows that the sample consists of organizations from only one country, which reduces the generalizability of the results obtained. The paper also shows that the KM stage of the respondent organizations is skewed toward the low stage, which also reduces the representativeness of our sample.

Practical implications

The results of this paper are helpful for researchers to examine and identify the characteristics of KM that may enhance certain outcomes of KM. The paper also shows that a KM team can obtain some direction toward understanding and evaluating KM performance.

Originality/value

This paper identifies the key management drivers to improve KM performance.
Estimated numbers of new TB cases in Patan, a city in Nepal
Authors: Martin Allaby , Preston Christine , Byanjankar Laxmi , Bam Dirga S. , Bahadur Pande Shanta , Chandra Baral Sushil , Newell James N.
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to show that, despite comprehensive coverage of services for TB provided by a public‐private partnership for TB control in Patan, a city in Nepal, case finding is low, compared with the target based on an Annual Risk of Tuberculosis Infection (ARTI) of 4 per cent. Doubts have been raised as to the appropriateness of the target. The objective of the study was to estimate the number of new TB cases occurring in Patan, to assess whether the target was appropriate.

Design/methodology/approach

In the paper doorstep interviews were conducted with all households in the study area, followed by in‐depth interviews of households with possible or probable TB cases. The survey findings were validated against the patient registers of the five DOTS centres in Patan.

Findings

The paper finds that, among the study population of 36,918, the household survey identified 17 smear‐positive TB cases (none privately‐treated) and 24 smear‐negative/extra‐pulmonary cases (including four privately‐treated cases). Validation against the DOTS patient registers indicated that the survey was 54 per cent complete. After adjusting for incompleteness, the number of smear‐positive cases in the study area was estimated as 31, equivalent to an incidence of 85 smear positives per 100,000 population and an ARTI of 1.7 per cent.

Originality/value

The paper shows that using the ARTI may lead to misleadingly high targets for urban TB control. Unrealistically high targets may cause TB workers to become demoralised, and useful strategies to be abandoned. Therefore, further work is needed to identify better ways of setting targets.
Current trends in library and information studies curricula around the world
Authors: Bronstein Jenny
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to identify current trends in library and information science (LIS) education related to the user‐centred approach adopted by libraries and information professionals in response to the advent of the internet.

Design/methodology/approach

Course descriptions of 30 LIS departments around the world were analyzed based on Wilson's map of information science that proposes five basic foundations fields: information content, information systems, people, organizations, and policy. The analysis focused on the user‐centred people field and on the interactions between this field and the other four fields proposed by the model. Course descriptions found in the departments' web sites were analyzed using the content analysis method and eight categories were revealed in the analysis that represent the different interactions between the fields.

Findings

Findings show that LIS departments have been successful in infusing the traditional information‐related curricula with a user‐centred approach but they have yet to develop areas of study that strengthen the students' social skills.

Research limitations/implications

The data collection method limited the scope of the study. By restricting the data collection to course descriptions as advertised in the departments' web sites the study could only analyze the departments' intent and not their actual work in the field.

Originality/value

The study recommends the implementation of courses dealing with social or personal skills.
Knowledge in dialogue: empowerment and learning in public libraries
Authors: Elbeshausen Hans
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The demand for learning is constantly increasing in transcultural knowledge societies. This paper aims to consider the impact of learning concepts, as developed by Danish libraries, and the way they relate to mutual recognition and social inclusion of ethnic minority groups.

Design/methodology/approach

Conducting research on open social spaces as libraries and learning labs in libraries implies a multiple research design along with a differentiated analytical framework.

Findings

Libraries in multicultural districts will be able to contribute to the fulfilment of integration purposes more effectively if they cease to be bound to the concept of information. In transformative and cross‐cultural learning contexts, the concept of knowledge should be employed.

Practical implications

Studying activities in libraries still need to be delimited from learning in schools. Enhancing multicultural learning with focus on learning styles, which permits a mutual reflection of significant symbol systems, will be desirable.

Originality/value

The paper shows, in the context of this study, knowledge emerged from the interaction of social and cultural capital.
A model design proposal of a supportive web site for women experiencing IPV
Authors: Bouhnik Dan
Published: October 2007

Purpose

This paper attempts to recognize the informational needs of women who suffer from intimate partner violence (IPV). It then presents a model of a web site that may answer to these needs.

Design/methodology/approach

First, the paper defines the phases women suffering from IPV go through. This is done by surveying the literature that describes the stages these women experience. In order to clarify the proposed model, the paper then describe our own set of phases based on the above literature. Once the phases mentioned above are understood, the needs of these women become evident, thus allowing us to define and specify them. The model of the web site is then described and the paper shows how it relates to the various aforementioned needs.

Findings

The web site would offer a variety of information, such as: names of organizations that offer support, chats, and forums that provide emotional support and advice from women who experienced abuse in the past as well as from professionals.

Research limitations/implications

Security issues of this model need to be researched before applying it to use, as they are beyond the scope of this paper. Such issues should include techniques for erasing the user's traces and for keeping out “unwelcome visitors.”

Originality/value

This model, if applied, may greatly aid women suffering from IPV, as it would provide them with the emotional support and technical information they need in order to make important decisions regarding their situation. Information, if utilized, may give these women the ability to control their fate and actively improve their quality of life.
Information professionals serving disadvantaged communities
Authors: Menou Michel J. , Mchombu Kingo
Published: October 2007

Purpose

This paper sets out to offer a holistic perception of the information ecology in which disadvantaged communities of the so‐called third world operate with a view to contribute to overcoming its limitations in a more effective way.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors briefly review the major social, economic and cultural characteristics of disadvantaged communities that balance the common place trust in the power of modern information products and infrastructures. Based upon a number of field studies the notion of information needs is reconsidered and combined with concerns for information literacy, social autonomy and the role of indigenous knowledge. The authors then present a number of examples of innovative approaches to the delivery of information services that may support the role of information centers and libraries as change catalyst from within the communities rather than mere providers of ready made information.

Findings

To this end, information professionals have to be educated in order to become change agents and consider this role as essential for their practice to be rewarding for themselves and more importantly for the people they serve. There are numerous examples of information services and information professionals who make a difference in the life of their communities against the most severe circumstances. This however requires a radical shift in their value system and operation.

Originality/value

The authors hope that the paper will encourage information professionals and in first place those who educate them to give social responsibility toward disadvantaged communities the same emphasis and priority as alignment with the latest technological artifact or excellence in observance of standards.
The health information specialist
Authors: Shalom Nira
Published: October 2007

Purpose

This paper discusses the need for health information specialists who can promote patient empowerment by tailoring the information patients receive as they cope with illness. The objectives of this study are to distinguish the various stages of coping with illness, examine the informational needs of patients during these stages, explore how web information contributes to patient empowerment, and describe the potential role of the health information specialist.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to meet the study's objectives, a qualitative research method was used in which 110 in‐depth interviews were conducted with patients who told their story of coping throughout the course of illness. By distinguishing and understanding the different stages of coping with illness, we came to distinguish the distinct informational needs during the coping process, and understand how web information contributes to patient empowerment.

Findings

The process of coping with illness has four stages. In each stage, the patient's informational needs differ, as does his ability to absorb and process information. Health systems do not provide information to match the coping stage of the patient. Patients turn to professional (hospitals, universities) and unprofessional (forums, blogs) internet sites in their search for medical knowledge. The current study, integrated with other studies that show patients' difficulties using the internet, emphasizes the importance of the information specialist in the patient empowerment process.

Originality/value

The study will aid policy makers in the process of empowering patients by demonstrating patients' dynamic informational needs when coping with illness. This study proposes a role for the information specialists that will enable them to expand into the health domain. This role is the health information specialist, a professional who will, among other things, learn how health systems work, identify types of web information sources, assess medical site quality, recognize patients' coping stages, and adapt information to individual characteristics.
How shall we write and read in twenty‐first century academy?
Authors: Farber Miriam
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The paper's aim is to point out trends in scholarly communication – both some of the main advantages and the yet unsolved problems that technology – swift communication lines, digitalization and the web – brought into one of the most important activities of academic life: the reading – writing – publishing cycle.

Design/methodology/approach

The different stages, which eventually give birth to a scientific paper, are described here as thinking – (experimenting) – reading – writing – publishing, and analyzed from handwritten to print to digital texts, with an emphasis on the revolutionary changes that scholarly publishing is experiencing.

Findings

Thanks to computerization, hypertext and the web, academic life enjoys swift and effortless communication, ease of writing, rapid publishing, almost unlimited access, but there are several uncalled for developments as well.

Originality/value

The new technologies lack a convenient way of writing‐while‐reading, enhance plagiarism, eliminate traditional archiving methods without offering a satisfactory new substitute (presently) and give rise to a call for a revised way of citation, together with new ways of archiving and storing.
Information science – facing social and ethical challenges
Authors: Prebor Gila
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The current study aims to review the emerging trends as revealed in masters' theses and doctoral dissertations written over the past five years (2002‐2006) in information science departments worldwide, and to examine how social and ethical issues are reflected in these research projects.

Design/methodology/approach

The ProQuest digital dissertations database was used to identify the studies, and studies conducted in the Department of Information Science at Bar‐Ilan University in Israel during the same years were also added to the sample. To locate these projects studies, all studies that received the subject classification of “library science” “information science” or both during those years in the ProQuest digital dissertations system were retrieved yet only studies conducted in departments of information science were included in the sample. The dissertations and theses retrieved were divided into nine categories.

Findings

A clear trend can be identified in masters' theses and doctoral dissertations research conducted over the past five years in departments of information science worldwide. The social aspects of information are moving into the spotlight. It appears that the user and his/her ability to sift through the vast sea of information will be the primary research focus in the twenty‐first century.

Originality/value

The paper presents the current trends in research in the field of information science. The findings will be relevant for researchers and curriculum planners in information science.