bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A systems‐based dynamic knowledge transfer capacity model
Authors: Parent Robert , Roy Mario , St‐Jacques Denis
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is twofold: to understand how recent developments in systems thinking and social construction can influence understanding of knowledge transfer (KT); and to propose a new systems‐based knowledge transfer model.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is a review of the literature on knowledge transfer, systems thinking and social construction leads to the proposal of a new KT paradigm.

Findings

The Dynamic Knowledge Transfer Capacity model (DKTC) found in this paper identifies the components required for social systems to generate, disseminate and use new knowledge to meet their needs. The model includes pre‐existing conditions, (need and prior knowledge) and four categories of capacities (generative, disseminative, absorptive and adaptive/responsive) that social systems must possess for KT to take place.

Research limitations/implications

The paper shows that the DKTC model is particularly well suited to analyzing complex systems with multiple stakeholders as opposed to small‐scale knowledge transfer systems. Empirical analysis in complex systems environments will help verify, enrich and generalize the model.

Practical implications

The paper sees that in an increasingly knowledge‐based economy, the ability to base decisions on the latest knowledge is vital for the success of organizations. The capacity for effective and sustained exchange between a system's stakeholders (researchers, government, practitioners, etc.); exchanges characterized by significant interactions reflected within the DKTC model, results in the appropriate use of the most recent discoveries in the decision making process.

Originality/value

The paper proposes a new knowledge transfer paradigm that views knowledge as a systemic, socially constructed, context‐specific representation of reality. The proposed knowledge transfer model is in sharp contrast to past attempts, focusing attention on the capacities that must be present in organizations and social systems as a precondition for knowledge transfer to occur.
Knowledge management capability: defining knowledge assets
Authors: Freeze Ronald D. , Kulkarni Uday
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to show that separate sources of knowledge are identified, described and clearly defined as organizational intangible knowledge assets. These knowledge assets are referred to as knowledge capabilities (KCs). knowledge management (KM) is utilized to leverage these assets with a view to systematic improvement in the process of achieving increased firm performance.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper knowledge capabilities are described in terms of their knowledge life cycle, tacit/implicit/explicit nature of knowledge, technology and organizational processes that encompass a firm's human capital identified as knowledge workers.

Findings

The paper finds that five knowledge capability are presented and described as expertise, lessons learned, policies and procedures, data and knowledge documents.

Research limitations/implications

The paper shows that knowledge assets can be measured and improved in order to investigate causal relationships with identified measures of performance.

Practical implications

The paper shows that by explicitly describing these knowledge assets, the KM activities within organizations can more effectively leverage knowledge and improve performance.

Originality/value

The paper sees that by drawing from both resource based and organizational learning literature, a knowledge management framework is presented to describe distinctly separate sources of knowledge within organizations. These knowledge sources are constructed as knowledge capabilities that can allow the assessment of organizational knowledge assets.
Social networks and knowledge sharing in organizations: a case study
Authors: Naif Marouf Laila
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine the association between the strength of different types of ties with the sharing of different kinds of knowledge.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper the association of ties with the sharing of different types of knowledge was measured by a specifically created and developed web survey that was made available to 22 units in the subject organization. Multiple Regression Quadratic Assignment Procedure (MRQAP) was used to examine the resulting data in order to address the following questions: first, is there a significant association between strength of business ties and the sharing of public knowledge? Second, is there a significant association between strength of social ties and the sharing of private knowledge?

Findings

Findings in this paper show that the strength of business relationships rather than the strength of social relationships contributed most significantly to the sharing of public and private knowledge in this organization. Specifically, the frequency of business interactions predicted the sharing of public non‐codified knowledge, while the closeness of business relationships predicted the sharing of private non‐codified knowledge and the sharing of public codified knowledge. Unexpectedly, neither business nor social ties predicted the sharing of private codified knowledge.

Research limitations/implications

The paper shows that one organization belonging to a certain type of business was studied, and these results might be more relevant in the setting of similar business organizations that have similarities in their contexts and profiles with this organization.

Practical implications

The results in this paper may assist organizations in rethinking the ways of approaching certain types of knowledge sharing in their strategic and infrastructural decisions and their application. Organizations might invest in promoting inter‐unit exchanges and in creating meaningful social nets for more innovative products and better performance.

Originality/value

This paper makes a distinct contribution to the available body of research on how social networks in organizations operate in sharing knowledge. The paper provides answers to a number of research questions that have not been addressed thus far in the literature; this study also provides fresh insights into the investigation of patterns of association and prediction.
Dynamic knowledge nets – the 3C model: exploratory findings and conceptualisation of entrepreneurial knowledge constellations
Authors: Swart J. , Henneberg S.C.
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is twofold: first, it develops a knowledge‐based view of the development of networks in new venture settings and second, it provides a dynamic view of knowledge networks. That is, it aims to pay attention to the development and destruction of networks.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper follows a grounded theory approach to develop the model of dynamic knowledge networks. The interviewees came from the following backgrounds: university researchers engaged in entrepreneurial ventures; entrepreneurs that run spin‐off companies; entrepreneurs in a university incubator or science park; incubator managers; university innovation managers; and innovation fund administrators.

Findings

The paper finds that the 3C model which is developed from qualitative findings has three core dimensions: knowledge exchange, knowledge structure and network dynamics that stretch across three key new venture phases: conceptualization, commercialization and cultivation. The paper also finds that entrepreneurs build networks because of their particular knowledge needs, once fulfilled these networks are destroyed and new networks are established. The 3C model therefore provides a dynamic perspective on knowledge networks.

Research limitations/implications

The paper shows that a grounded theory approach is limited by it generalisability. The paper has developed a detailed view of knowledge networks in a particular context. Therefore, future research could usefully apply this model to other settings. It would also be useful to conduct further exploratory research into the interimistic nature of knowledge networks.

Practical implications

The paper points to the importance of cross‐boundary knowledge exchange. It needs to look beyond the boundary of a particular unit, such as a firm, to develop the understanding of the dynamics of knowledge management. Second, the context of the knowledge network becomes important managerially. The network has a purpose. It is knowledge‐need driven and this purpose changes remarkably over time. Finally, the creative destruction of knowledge networks needs to be anticipated and managed.

Originality/value

The paper provides a knowledge‐based perspective on entrepreneurial networks. The 3C‐model, which is grounded in reliable data includes several stakeholders in an entrepreneurial network which is in itself valuable and original.
Exploring cultural impacts on knowledge sharing behavior in project teams – results from a simulation study
Authors: Sackmann Sonja A. , Friesl Martin
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess the cultural influences on knowledge sharing behavior in project teams.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper a simulation setting is used to assess the cultural influences on knowledge sharing. All intercultural simulations were part of an educational program, in intercultural management (MBA level) and of executive development programs respectively.

Findings

The findings in the paper show that different cultural backgrounds of team members due to different ethnicities, gender, national culture or functions create a context of cultural complexity, which might affect knowledge sharing in a negative way. The results of the simulations show that the different identities of team members have an important influence as they might trigger sentiments of negative stereotyping. The findings also reveal that knowledge sharing is only likely to occur if new project members are welcomed emotionally as valuable contributors to a common task.

Research limitations/implications

Given the exploratory nature of this paper, it suggests using the results as a starting ground for future empirical research. The propositions that were developed on the basis of the research may be tested in subsequent studies applying a different research methodology.

Practical implications

Based on the paper's findings, recommendations for project management in situations of cultural complexity are developed.

Originality/value

The paper extends existing knowledge on cultural influences in knowledge sharing especially in the context of project teams.
Against history: the role of history in current Dutch society
Authors: van der Duin Patrick
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to illustrate how Dutch society is dealing with its history and why the past is a bad guide to the future.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is a desk research based on newspaper articles and other literature.

Findings

The paper finds that Dutch society is strongly influenced by its history but past solutions for current societal problems that are based on historical analogies are wrong and even dangerous.

Research limitations/implications

This paper is focused only on Dutch society. It would be interesting to see whether the Dutch situation is also applicable to other Western European countries.

Practical implications

To make the Dutch society more future‐oriented there are four recommendations: make “the future” a subject in schools; extend the Dutch government mandates to eight years; force managers and politicians to measure their investments, plans and ideas against future developments; and the foundation of a future museum and a canon for the future.

Originality/value

Most futures researchers do not oppose history as a guide to the future because they often (wrongly) see the past as a source of information and knowledge that can serve the future.
Challenges in transdisciplinary technology foresight: cognition and robotics
Authors: Rasmussen Birgitte , Dannemand Andersen Per , Skårup Kristensen Allan
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report on experiences and reflect on challenges in transdisciplinary technology foresight as exemplified by cognition and robotics research.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was conducted as a broad transdisciplinary process involving users and producers of robot technology solutions as well as scientists and other experts in cognition and robotics. Transdisciplinarity is understood as the transcendence of disciplinary modes together with the involvement and participation of non‐scientists in problem formulation and knowledge provision. The study focuses on the possibilities for innovation at the crossroads where robotics and cognition meet.

Findings

The paper reflects on the following methodological issues: medium‐ and long‐term research and innovation possibilities and barriers in a transdisciplinary context; the classification and framing of transdisciplinary fields; the facilitation of technology foresight processes; and the trustworthiness of the foresight process and its recommendations.

Practical implications

The results have been disseminated among relevant advisory and grant‐awarding bodies within research and innovation, relevant knowledge institutions and universities, and companies on both the development and user sides of the technologies.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to European experiences on national‐level foresight exercises. The conceptual findings of the case study are of value to science and innovation policy makers, foresight practitioners and scholars within the field.
Theory and practice in the field of foresight
Authors: Hideg Éva
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The paper aims to explore the gap between theory and practice in foresight and to give some suggestions on how to reduce it.

Design/methodology/approach

Analysis of practical foresight activities and suggestions are based on a literature review, the author's own research and practice in the field of foresight and futures studies, and her participation in the work of a European project (COST A22).

Findings

Two different types of practical foresight activities have developed. One of them, the practice of foresight of critical futures studies (FCFS) is an application of a theory of futures studies. The other, termed here as praxis foresight (PF), has no theoretical basis and responds directly to practical needs. At present a gap can be perceived between theory and practice. PF distinguishes itself from the practice and theory of FCFS and narrows the construction space of futures. Neither FCFS nor PF deals with content issues of the outer world. Reducing the gap depends on renewal of joint discourses and research about experience of different practical foresight activities and manageability of complex dynamics in foresight. Production and feedback of self‐reflective and reflective foresight knowledge could improve theory and practice.

Originality/value

Contemporary practical foresight activities are analysed and suggestions to reduce the gap are developed in the context of the linkage between theory and practice. This paper is thought provoking for futurists, foresight managers and university researchers.
Nuclear power for clean, safe and secure energy independence
Authors: Baker Schaffer Marvin
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review technologies for nuclear power and to assess their suitability in pursuit of clean, safe and secure energy independence.

Design/methodology/approach

Technologies and potentials associated with the industry standard, light water reactors (LWR), as well as fast breeder reactors and TRISO‐fueled reactors, are reviewed. The key features and issues include: waste disposal and toxicity, heat pollution, vulnerability to terrorist attack, proliferation of weapon materials, global fuel depletion, safety, and cost.

Findings

The paper finds that, on balance, TRISO‐fueled reactors with helium as coolant offer solutions to the issues causing public nuclear concerns, and since they have significant cost benefits they should be the design of choice for new installations.

Originality/value

Nuclear power can make a contribution to rising energy demands but raise many concerns. This paper considers the principal types of nuclear reactors and analyzes them for their potential to address those important public concerns.
Future war and superweapons, the perceptive fantasies of Albert Robida
Authors: Richardson Jacques
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to compare the projections of future war by a talented illustrator with the true materialization of conflicts.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper traces Albert Robida's sequential narrative, using a selection of imaginative pictures to demonstrate the artist's range of anticipation.

Findings

The paper finds that the illustrator's visualization proved to be uncanny in its accuracy of projection.

Originality/value

Robida managed to be not only well ahead of his time; the accuracy of his foresight was largely exact from the point of view of feasible technology.
Progress towards health reform in Tajikistan
Authors: Mirzoev Tolib N. , Green Andrew T. , Newell James N.
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an up‐to‐date overview of Tajikistan's health system, focusing on the main factors affecting health systems development. The wider contextual environment is to be explored, focusing on political, social and economic issues. Different elements of the health system including health policy, governance, service delivery, human resources and health financing are reviewed in the light of their development over the past decade.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper shows that the Republic of Tajikistan is in transition. Formerly one of the most neglected republics within the USSR, the country became independent in 1990 and faced the civil conflict shortly thereafter. In the last few years there have been major public sector reforms with health reforms formally launched in the late 1990s. Little information about current Tajikistan is widely available.

Findings

The paper finds that the progress of health reforms in Tajikistan has been relatively slow compared with neighbouring Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. This is largely due to the effects of civil war in the mid‐1990s and significant out‐migration of qualified experts, but it can also be attributed to an inability of central government to adequately adapt to the requirements of transition.

Originality/value

The paper shows that many problems are still to be overcome by the health system, ranging from operational issues related to service delivery to strategic issues such as formulating an explicit privatisation policy, reducing fragmentation of, and aligning, external aid. However, some recent developments, such as adoption of a country health reform conception, a health financing strategy, and willingness of central government to improve coordination, suggest that improvements are possible.
In‐country capacity development of a training institute: an Iranian experience
Authors: Omar Mayeh , Tarin Ehsanullah , Ashjaei Kazem , Mirzoev Tolib , Riaz Sheikh Mubashar
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review the Government initiative for developing the in‐country capacity of the National Public Health Management Centre (NPMC) in Tabriz. The UNDP definition of capacity has been used as a framework for assessment with the primary focus of the current assessment being on the training component.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper shows that Iran, which is a lower‐middle income country, has a network of training institutions for both pre‐service and continuing education of its human resources in health. This collaborative initiative between NPMC, Nuffield Centre for International Health and Development (NCIHD) and World Health Organization (WHO), attempted to create conditions for designing, organising and conducting a training programme in health planning and management for mid‐level health managers in Iran.

Findings

The paper finds that the experience of capacity development through training, described here, is in contrast with usual practice, where candidates are sent abroad for training. Overall, the process for developing in‐country capacity of a local institute by a foreign institute was well thought out. However, there are some lessons to be learned from the process.

Originality/value

The paper shows that capacity has been built in NPMC for organising in‐country short course on health planning and management for health sector reform. The paper concludes by arguing that, in order to sustain these training programmes over a long period of time, in addition to including training in its mandate, NPMC should: consider networking with allied institutions in the country and beyond for sharing knowledge; and make twinning arrangements with a foreign institute for continuously upgrading the knowledge and skills of its trainers.
Health system decentralisation in Nepal: identifying the issues
Authors: Collins Charles , Omar Mayeh , Adhikari Damodar , Dhakal Ramji , Emmel Nick , Raj Dhakal Megha , Chand Padam , Thapa Druba , Singh Arjun B.
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe and discuss policy analysis in Nepal and review the wide range of choices feasible in decentralisation decision making.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper an iterative qualitative method was developed and used in the research, which consisted of focus group interviews, key informant interviews, document analysis, including descriptive statistics, and analysis of the policy context. Participants in the research reflected the urban/rural mix of districts and the geography of Nepal. Analysis combined transcribed interviews with findings from document searches and analysis of the policy context. Coding was pre‐determined during the training workshop and further codes were generated during and after the fieldwork.

Findings

The paper finds that Nepal is in the process of decentralising public services from the central level to the local level, particularly to local bodies: District Development Committees (DDCs), Village Development Committees (VDCs) and Municipalities. Key contextual factors referred to are the overall structure of decentralisation, the social context of poverty and the political instability leading to a fluid political situation characterised by political tension, armed conflict, controversies and agreements while carrying out the research. The key issues identified and discussed in the paper are the policy process leading to decentralisation, the organisational structure and tension in the proposed system, the systems of resource generation, allocation, planning and management and lastly the forms of accountability, participation, public‐private relations and collaborative strategies.

Originality/value

The paper discusses the challenges faced in conducting such a policy analysis, the broad ranging and unremitting nature of the decentralisation process, and the contextual setting of the process of change.
The contribution of volunteers to a successful community‐orientated tuberculosis treatment centre in an urban setting in Nepal
Authors: Thomas Cassie , Newell James N. , Baral Sushil C. , Byanjankar Laxmi
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to show that community involvement is a successful way of overcoming certain barriers to the successful management of the current tuberculosis epidemic, namely delayed presentation and non‐completion of treatment. Volunteers are an important resource for engaging with the community. This research, conducted in an urban TB treatment centre in Nepal, seeks to investigate the motivations of TB volunteers, and how these motivations can be increased to involve volunteers, and the community, in fulfilling their maximum potential in delivering successful TB treatment programmes.

Design/methodology/approach

Semi‐structured interviews were carried out with 26 TB volunteers, followed by volunteer discussion groups. Topics covered included: detailed accounts of the volunteers' many and varied roles; motivations – how they initially became involved and why they continue to be involved; incentives for volunteering; problems they have encountered; family and friends' attitudes to their volunteering; and the future of TB volunteering.

Findings

The findings show that the TB volunteers are involved in many important roles. Volunteers initially became involved, having been asked or informed about the programme by area committee members, staff or friends. Most were also involved in other voluntary work.

Originality/value

This paper gives recommendations for volunteer programmes in developing countries including: sustained communication and contact between volunteers and the organisation; volunteer programmes based in a centre with an established community focus; flexibility of time commitment; regular recruitment drives for volunteers from different generations and status levels; and the use of training as a possible incentive for volunteering.
International health in medical education: students' experiences and views
Authors: Broome Jenna L. , Gordon Joanna K. , Victory Ffion L. , Clarke Louise A. , Goldstein Daniel A. , Emmel Nick D.
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the experiences and views of the first group of medical students to complete the intercalated International Health BSc in Leeds.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper draws on experiences of international health and draws parallels with those of other international health students. The paper also discusses how studying international health may benefit future doctors and considers how medical education can take a more international approach.

Findings

The paper finds that international health education can help future doctors acquire knowledge and skills in refugees' health, patients' cultural differences, the multifactoral influences on health, policymaking, the interests of various stakeholders, problem‐solving skills and evidence‐based medicine.

Practical implications

The paper shows that international health teaching is both relevant and valuable in medical education. The medical profession should give more recognition to its worth.

Originality/value

This is the first paper to reflect on medical students' experiences of studying for an intercalated BSc at Leeds. It makes some important points about international health education for doctors and medical students world‐wide.
Perceptions of the health effects of stoves in Mongolia
Authors: Gordon Joanna K. , Emmel Nick D. , Manaseki Semira , Chambers Jacky
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the views of stove users in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia on how stoves affect their health.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper focus groups were conducted with improved stove users; traditional stove users; and a mix of traditional and improved stove users. Individual interviews were also held with various types of stove users. A translator moderated all discussions with a questioning route. All discussions were fully transcribed and translated. The transcripts were analysed by identifying common themes in responses to form an emerging theory.

Findings

The findings in the paper are that all stove users recognised respiratory symptoms caused by stove smoke and other health effects such as warmth, dirt and workload, which they perceived to be important. Stove users had a lack of knowledge about the diseases caused by the smoke. Public health was a key driver for the improved stove project, yet has been neglected in improved stove marketing.

Research limitations/implications

The study used in this paper was limited by the language barrier. Some of the meanings of participants' responses may have been lost in translation.

Practical implications

This paper has highlighted the importance of the health effects of stove smoke to stove users. Uptake of the improved stoves has been low. Public health should be included in marketing strategies for improved stoves to increase their uptake.

Originality/value

The paper shows that acute respiratory infections are a major cause of mortality world‐wide. Indoor air pollution from burning biomass fuels in household stoves causes a significant proportion of respiratory infections. No qualitative research has been published exploring stove users' views on the health effects of stoves. This paper provides an insight into stove users' perceptions for those interested in people‐centred approaches to tackling international health issues.
The contribution of “information science” to the social and ethical challenges of the information age
Authors: Baruchson‐Arbib Shifra
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce readers to the social and ethnical dimensions of information science.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper provides a literature survey on the concept of information science and its history. It describes the different developments involved in the development of information science as a research field. It present various definitions and domains of the field that represent different stages of information science evolution.

Findings

This paper presents an updated image of information science as a research field that takes into consideration a user centered approach and social and ethical issues that are involved in the information processes.

Originality/value

The paper describes the contribution of information science to social and ethical aspects of the information age such as: individual empowerment, education toward information awareness, information needs, the problem of decision making, manipulation of search result on the web and the role of the information professionals in diminishing digital divide.
Manipulating search engine algorithms: the case of Google
Authors: Bar‐Ilan Judit
Published: October 2007

Purpose

To investigate how search engine users manipulate the rankings of search results. Search engines employ different ranking methods in order to display the “best” results first. One of the ranking methods is PageRank, where the number of links pointing to the page influences its rank. The “anchor text,” the clickable text of the hypertext link is another “ingredient” in the ranking method. There are a number of cases where the public challenged the Google's ranking, by creating a so‐called “Google bomb” – creating links to pages they wanted to be highly ranked for given query. Google is chosen as the search engine, because it is currently by far the most popular search engine.

Design/methodology/approach

PageRank, one of the major parameters of Google's ranking algorithm is described, and the author explains how this algorithm is exploited by communities of users to promote a certain web page for a specific query. This process is called “Google bombing.” Recent reaction of Google to this phenomenon is also described.

Findings

Specific examples of “accomplished Google bombs” show that the public is able to manipulate search results.

Originality/value

Google, instead of being an unobtrusive information retrieval tool has become highly influential in the web scenery. Some users pay for search engine optimization, while others utilize the power of the crowd to influence Google's rankings. This paper supports the claims of Introna and Nissenbaum regarding the power of search engines.
Information needs of North American immigrants to Israel
Authors: Shoham Snunith , Kaufman Strauss Sarah
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The main goals of this study are identifying the information needs of new North American immigrants to Israel and to ascertain which channels of information are used by the immigrants before and after immigration to try to satisfy their information needs.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative research approach was used for this study. Qualitative interviews were implemented as the primary strategy for data with the application of the grounded theory method for analysis.

Findings

General information needs categories included: housing, schooling, health, banking and finances, drivers licenses, government‐related issues, legal issues and practical information. Personal information needs related to problems of “split” or prior immigration, changing over professional licenses, starting a business, children with special needs, and alternative medicine. Many of these needs were satisfied either prior to immigration or during the absorption process while others were left open leaving the immigrants with gaps in their knowledge, feelings of uncertainty and, at times, anxiety. During the preparations for immigration the greatest source of information came from the internet. After immigration, during the absorption process, word‐of‐mouth and personal contacts (social networks) were the main sources for the immigrants to satisfy their information needs.

Research limitations/implications

Additional research regarding immigration and immigrants from all different backgrounds is needed. Such research will help us learn more about other specific group's information needs and information seeking behavior.

Practical implications

By learning and studying the information needs of immigrant's governments and immigration organizations can have a better understanding of how to assist immigrants have a successful integration into their new society.

Originality/value

Prospective immigrants, governments and immigration organizations can gain a deeper understanding of immigrant information needs and the channels used to satisfy those needs.
The Future Center as an empowering ecology
Authors: Dvir Ron , Lettice Fiona , Webb Carol , Schwartzberg Yael
Published: October 2007

Purpose

To present a generic empowerment ecology framework to guide the operation of Future Centers and to empower Future Center visitors to respond to the challenges facing them and develop and implement innovative solutions.

Design/methodology/approach

An in‐depth case study was conducted in Be'er Sheva PISGA Future Center in the educational sector in Israel. Visits to a further 20 Future Centers around the world and a literature review helped to generalize the key findings and develop and validate the framework further.

Findings

Although empowerment is not always explicitly discussed in Future Centers, it is an important underlying philosophy. The framework developed in this research helps to ensure empowerment issues are systematically addressed and contains four perspectives: operating principles; resources; supporters and processes. These combine to form the empowerment ecology.

Research limitations/implications

The empowerment ecology framework has been developed from observation predominantly in one Future Center. It should now be more fully tested and validated in other Future Centers.

Practical implications

This paper provides a framework to help Future Center practitioners and other future oriented working environments stakeholders to explicitly address empowerment issues.

Originality/value

This paper provides a detailed description of the operation of a regionally focused Future Center in the educational sector. The paper presents a novel empowerment ecology framework for use in facilitated user‐centered collaborative working environments, such as Future Centers.
Fictional reality or real fiction: how can one decide?
Authors: Jucquois‐Delpierre Monique
Published: October 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to examine information and communication science, knowledge and power in relation to a TV “docu‐fiction”. In particular, it will look at the decision‐making processes of individuals and groups.

Design/methodology/approach

Core information behaviour such as selection and evaluation are examined.

Findings

Some concepts from the fields of information or communication studies are critically examined, e.g. “gatekeeper” or “classification” and re‐analysed in a TV and multi‐channel broadcasting environment.

Practical implications

Positive conclusions show the possible impact of expanding information culture, competence and selection skills, whereby attention is paid to the ethical consequences of information mise en scène.

Originality/value

The obvious, popular and close example of the RTBF “docu‐fiction” can be a model to re‐think and reflect many information programmes and narratives.
Paradoxical effects of the Internet from a consumer perspective
Authors: Penz Elfriede
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the Internet's paradoxical nature from the perspective of consumers.

Design/methodology/approach

First, it is discussed that negotiations between companies and consumers about their respective shares of power lead to different models of consumer power. Second, the paradoxical effects of technology on social relations and an individual's sense of identity and responsibility are discussed. These changes have altered not only consumer behaviour but also the relationship between producers and customers, in the sense that power shifts to consumers. The case of the international music industry is used as an example. This case embodies many of the studied aspects of the paradox concept and proves useful in the development of implications for companies and their strategies.

Findings

The paper finds that while negotiations between companies and consumers about their share of power lead to different models of consumer power, the effects of technology on social relations and individuals' sense of identity and responsibility lead to changes in consumption behaviour.

Practical implications

The paper identifies how business practices have changed in response to the changes in intellectual property matters and the power constellations between companies and consumers. The theoretical models presented in this paper represent different positions that companies and consumers can take and are helpful in explaining the current power struggles, such as file sharing activities, which on a more individual level also correspond to paradoxical effects of the Internet (social relations, deindividuation effects).

Originality/value

This paper takes a fresh look at the Internet's paradoxical nature from a consumer point of view. It is argued that some of the Internet's paradoxical effects stem from socio‐political and socio‐cultural changes, for example, a power shift from companies to consumers, and normative and anti‐normative behaviours.
The economic paradox of the “freebies” phenomena
Authors: Rudzki Romuald E.J. , Li Shaomei
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The paper aims to report the findings of a research study into the “freebies” phenomena – the provision of free goods and services by companies. Such activities are seemingly an economic paradox because they should not occur in a profit‐based organization – either privately owned or publicly owned where there is a fiduciary duty to maximise the return for the shareholders.

Design/methodology/approach

Examples of freebies are given and used to construct a typology together with the underlying motivation or rationales for the provision of the freebies, as well as a determination of who pays for the freebies.

Findings

A major step forward in understanding the concept of “freebies” is achieved with the construction of the BIGI Model which identifies the four main reasons for freebies provision being Brand building (including new product launch), income generation, government legislation and information gathering.

Practical implications

This paper provides substantial insight into how “freebies” can be effectively utilized as a direct marketing tool and, alternatively, common errors to avoid when employing the use of “freebies”.

Originality/value

While the use of free samples of products has been widely employed by firms over a number of years, there has been no real systematic evaluation of the process in terms of its efficiency as a direct marketing tool.
Tools vs toys: does your technology work for you or play with you?
Authors: Keillor Bruce D.
Published: October 2007

Purpose

One of the most important decisions any firm can make is the adopting of new technology. This paper aims to propose ten guidelines for “best practices” in adopting new technology.

Design/methodology/approach

Using first‐hand business experience, the author presents and discusses common mistakes to avoid when considering the purchase of both new hardware and software technology.

Findings

Many firms mistake “new” for “better” and overlook the impact, explicit and implicit, technology changes can have on their organizations, partners, suppliers, customers, and employees.

Practical implications

The paper gives a foundational guideline for firms seeking to purchase new technology that will make them both more effective and efficient.

Originality/value

In the context of direct marketing, few experts have directly addressed the issues of effectively adopting new technology rather than effectively implementing the technology post‐purchase.
Managerial performance of Palestinian local authorities
Authors: Rashid Sabri Nidal , Yaser Jaber Rania
Published: October 2007

Purpose

This study aims to analyze major concerns facing the Palestinian local governments in order to increase efficiency, effectiveness, and transparency in managing local governments.

Design/methodology/approach

A special questionnaire was developed to collect the perception of the municipalities' officials; thus qualitative data analysis has been done to analyze the answers.

Findings

The study found that the efficiency of local government is still limited in the Palestinian municipalities, including the absence of an internal auditor, the absence of written job descriptions for municipality functions, the weakness participation of the public. The study pointed out that the major‐managerial problems are similar to other experiences of emerging countries such as the undefined local‐central relation, the low participation and involvement of citizens in municipalities' activities and plans, and the lack of existing transparency aspects.

Practical implications

There is a need for open public‐official sessions of municipal councils and the need for periodical meetings for senior officials with the Mayer of the municipality; in addition, there is a need to conduct annual periodical evaluation for measuring the performance of municipal employees.

Originality/value

This paper presented the features of the local‐government performance in Palestine in order to enhance the management efficiency of local governments and enhance the contribution of the related groups of communities.
Establishing a framework for eGovernment research: project VIEGO
Authors: Elliman Tony , Irani Zahir , Jackson Paul
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present an exploratory research project to determine the needs for future eGovernment research. The project aimed particularly at getting relevant stakeholder views as a contrast to the received academic wisdom or political rhetoric.

Design/methodology/approach

The Virtual Institute for Electronic Government Research used a series of five consultation workshops spread around the UK, to acquire data which were subsequently analysed using a grounded theory approach.

Findings

The paper finds that full achievements of eGovernment have yet to been determined. Stakeholders are not eager to develop more novel IT but among their primary concerns are the need to understand how to manage constant change, the need for flexibility and the need to coordinate and integrate policy and practice.

Research limitations/implications

There are still many unanswered questions and the future research agenda will require a multi‐disciplinary approach involving a combination of social, technological and organisational issues.

Practical implications

Lack of an agreed concept of social value and poor co‐ordination is holding back progress.

Originality/value

This paper outlines the need for such fieldwork and discusses the methodology adopted to elicit the stakeholders' views without influencing the debate. It also presents schemas showing the interaction of research issues around the main findings.
Is electricity deregulation beneficial to Israel?
Authors: Tishler Asher , Woo Chi‐Keung
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The objective of the paper is to analyse the economic justification of introducing deregulation to Israel's regulated electricity market and infer whether such a policy change makes sense for the country.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper employs an analytical model of electricity market equilibrium under regulation and deregulation. It considers two technologies – coal‐fired generators and combined cycle gas turbines, and two time‐of‐day prices – peak and off‐peak. It analyzes pricing, revenues, profits and consumer surplus both for the regulated industry and the deregulated industry where firms compete, during the peak and off‐peak periods, according to the Cournot conjecture. The model is then applied to the Israeli case.

Findings

The analysis shows that a workably competitive electricity market with financially viable firms does not improve net benefits to Israeli society. A deregulated market is likely to yield smaller net benefits than a regulated market, and certainly a smaller consumer surplus. This happens since efficiency improvements in generation costs under deregulation will not be sufficient to compensate for the reduction in consumer surplus due to higher electricity prices under deregulation.

Research limitations/implications

The simplifications used in the analytical model for ease of analysis and presentation could have influenced some results.

Practical implications

The findings of the paper would have significant relevance for electricity sector deregulation in Israel and other regions that currently have a regulated electricity sector (e.g. Hong Kong, Africa, and many parts of North America).

Originality/value

The value of the paper lies in its ability to demonstrate the inherent weaknesses of the deregulation policy through an analytical model.
Sensitivity analyses in multi‐attribute decision support for off‐site nuclear emergency and recovery management
Authors: Bertsch Valentin , Treitz Martin , Geldermann Jutta , Rentz Otto
Published: October 2007

Purpose

Emergency situations may differ in many ways but they share some common characteristics, such as the sudden onset and the need to transparently evaluate various usually conflicting objectives. In nuclear power generation, however, emergency situations constitute a special challenge. The focus of this paper is to highlight the role of multi‐criteria decision analysis (MCDA) in nuclear emergency and recovery management on the basis of a hypothetical case study.

Design/methodology/approach

Multi‐attribute value theory as one field of research within MCDA is introduced. Special emphasis is placed on the modelling of the decision makers' preferences which is a crucial part in any multi‐criteria analysis. A central aim is to facilitate the preference elicitation in group decision processes.

Findings

The management of emergency situations in nuclear power generation necessitates the consideration of technical, economic, environmental, socio‐psychological and political aspects. Furthermore, various stakeholder and expert groups with diverse background knowledge and different views, responsibilities and interests are involved in such a decision‐making process. MCDA can help to take into account various incommensurable aspects and the subjective preferences of the decision makers and thus contribute to transparency and traceability of decision‐making processes. Since the preference parameters are inherently afflicted with uncertainties, thorough sensitivity analyses are important to visualise the impact of the uncertainties in an understandable way.

Originality/value

A new approach to sensitivity analysis is proposed, allowing one to comprehensibly visualise and communicate the impact of the uncertainties associated with the subjective preference parameters on the results of the decision analysis.