bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Method for Investigating the Intersection of Item Response Functions in Mokken's Nonparametric IRT Model
Authors: Sijtsma Klaas , Meijer Rob R.
Published: March 2007

For a set of k items having nonintersecting item response functions (IRFS), the H coefficient (Loevinger, 1948; Mokken, 1971) applied to a transposed persons by items binary matrix HT has a non-negative value. Based on this result, a method is proposed for using HT to investigate whether a set of IRFS intersect. Results from a monte carlo study support the proposed use of HT. These results support the use of HT as an exten sion to Mokken's nonparametric item response theory approach.
Inferential Conditions in the Statistical Detection of Measurement Bias
Authors: Millsap Roger E. , Meredith William
Published: March 2007

Measurement bias in an observed variable Y as a measure of an unobserved variable W exists when the relationship of Y to W varies among popula tions of interest. Bias is often studied by examin ing population differences in the relationship of Y to a second observed measure Z that serves as a substitute for W. Whether the results of such studies have implications for measurement bias is addressed by first defining two forms of invariance— one corresponding to the relationship of Y to the unmeasured W, and one corresponding to the rela tionship of Y to the observed Z. General theoreti cal conditions are provided that justify the inference of one form of invariance from the other. The implications of these conditions for bias detection in two broad areas of application are discussed: differential item functioning and predictive bias in employment and educational settings. It is con cluded that the conditions for inference are restric tive, and that bias investigations that rely strictly on observed measures are not, in general, diag nostic of measurement bias or the lack of bias. Some alternative approaches to bias detection are discussed. Index terms: differential item function ing, invariance, item bias, item response theory, measurement bias, predictive bias.
Distinguishing Among Paranletric item Response Models for Polychotomous Ordered Data
Authors: Maydeu-Olivares Albert , Drasgow Fritz , Mead Alan D.
Published: March 2007

Several item response models have been proposed for fitting Likert-type data. Thissen & Steinberg (1986) classified most of these models into difference models and divide-by-total models. Although they have differ ent mathematical forms, divide-by-total and difference models with the same number of parameters seem to provide very similar fit to the data. The ideal observer method was used to compare two models with the same number of parameters—Samejima's (1969) graded re sponse model (a difference model) and Thissen & Steinberg's (1986) extension of Masters' (1982) partial credit model (a divide-by-total model)—to investigate whether difference models or divide-by-total models should be preferred for fitting Likert-type data. The models were found to be very similar under the condi tions investigated, which included scale lengths from 5 to 25 items (five-option items were used) and calibra tion samples of 250 to 3,000. The results suggest that both models fit approximately equally well in most practical applications. Index terms: graded response model, IRT, Likert scales, partial credit model, poly chotomous models, psychometrics.
Creating a Test Information Profile for a Two-Dimensional Latent Space
Authors: Ackerman Terry A.
Published: March 2007

In some cognitive testing situations it is believed, despite reporting only a single score, that the test items differentiate levels of multiple traits. In such situa tions, the reported score may represent quite disparate composites of these multiple traits. Thus, when attempting to interpret a single score from a set of multidimensional items, several concerns naturally arise. First, it is important to know what composite of traits is being measured at all levels of the reported score scale. Second, it is also necessary to discern that all examinees, no matter where they lie in the latent trait space, are being measured on the same composite of traits. Thus, the role of multidimensionality in the interpretation or meaning given to various score levels must be examined. This paper presents a method for computing multidimensional information and provides examples of how different aspects of test information can be displayed graphically to form a profile of a test in a two-dimensional latent space. Index terms: information, item response theory, multidimensional item response theory, test information.
Effect of Time on Information Utilization
Authors: LARSEN JUDITH K.
Published: March 2007

Information is one of the factors contributing to decision making, along with political, socioeconomic, organizational, and temporal factors. Given the multiple variables and the interaction among them, there is no one outcome that exclusively qualifies as “use” and no one time that defines when the information must be “used.” There is little doubt that different outcomes are apparent at different points. The present research studied information utilization in 39 local mental health agencies over an eight-month period. Patterns of information use and nonuse over time were investigated. Results indicate that many organizations still were in the process of making information use decisions eight months following presentation of the information. Furthermore, high rates of information use were likely to be associated with information that was relatively easy to implement. By contrast, reports of low information use generally involved information of greater scope and ideas that were more difficult to implement.
The Impact of Science on Precollege Education
Authors: RUTHERFORD F. JAMES
Published: March 2007

Education is one of the most important domains of the knowledge system. Science impacts the domain of education by affecting the content of educational programs and the processes by which the educational enterprise is conducted. Specific indicators of the impact of science on precollege education, when grouped in these two categories, suggest that schools have not been greatly affected by the findings of the social, behavioral, educational, and organizational sciences. Education does not display the high level of science intensity characteristic of some domains of the knowledge system (e.g., parts of industry), notwithstanding deliberate efforts by government agencies (e.g., the National Institute of Education and the National Science Foundation) to create new mediating structures expressly designed to link science to the content and conduct of education.
The provision of information in the company
Authors: Liddell Helen
Published: March 2007

This paper proposes the potential importance of the dis closure of company information in the development of effec tive labour relations, and considers the progress of disclosure in the light of recent employment legislation in the United Kingdom.
Brief communication
Authors: Neelameghan A.
Published: March 2007

The class discussion on the structuring of subject heading strings reported here illustrates inter alia an approach to give students of information science a perception of the inter disciplinary character of information science and of the possibilities of contributions to its study by persons with different subject background.
3. The British Library Lending Division
Authors: Line Maurice B.
Published: March 2007

The British Library Lending Division, formed in 1973 from the former NCL and NLLST, is planned on the principle that the great majority of interlibrary loan requests should be met from a central lending collection. Demand has risen at a very fast rate, and the Lending Division handles 3 million requests a year - three-quarters of all British interlending demand. Acquisition aims to be comprehensive, above a certain level, for serials, English-language monographs, report literature, conference proceedings, translations into English, music scores and British and international official publications. The collection is supported by ‘back-up’ libraries to which requests may be passed and by union catalogues giving locations of libraries that may be approached direct. 83% of valid requests are met from stock, as many as possible by photocopies, and a further 7% from other UK sources. Requests from abroad (currently over half a million a year) have grown very rapidly. Systems and procedures are designed for simple, fast and economical operation. Among other activities, the Lending Division serves as a repository for material withdrawn from other libraries and as an exchange centre, and arranges for translations to be made.
4. Information Service, MIND (National Association for Mental Health)
Authors: Drake Robert F.
Published: March 2007

MIND (National Association for Mental Health), formed in 1946 from the former National Council for Mental Hygiene and other bodies in the U.K., has developed an information service designed to provide data on all aspects of mental health to patients and their relatives, and to profes sional workers and the public. Databanks are maintained at MIND's headquarters in London and in each of the regional offices in Cardiff, Sheffield, Leeds, Preston and Gateshead.

The regulation of the databanks is governed by a common thesaurus of subject headings, enabling rapid and accurate exchange of information throughout the organisation. An advice service is available to users, especially regarding legal and welfare rights and benefits; referral to other voluntary agencies; and profiles of statutory mental health services throughout the U.K. In addition, the service offers back-up to MIND's 160 local groups which provide practical projects involving patients and ex-psychiatric patients.

An increasing number of organisations in the voluntary sector, charities and other agencies, are recognising the importance of information resources in the conduct of their work. The information services of the mental health organisa tion MIND are long established and perhaps amongst the most advanced in the voluntary sphere. This article offers a profile of MIND's information services, and provides at the same time an example of the approach taken by many such groups to satisfy their requirements.
MASQUERADE: Searching the full text of abstracts using automatic indexing
Authors: Brzozowski J.P.
Published: March 2007

An interactive, in-house document storage and retrieval system named MASQUERADE is described. It employs automatic indexing techniques with word stemming. Both Boolean and natural language queries are implemented. An IDF (Inverse Document Frequency) term weighting scheme is used to rank output. Relevance feedback is accomplished with the use of a document chosen by the user as the basis for a search. Optional display formats are available. The system is user friendly both from the input and output sides. Documents are stored using an inverted file scheme employing a quadratic hash algorithm. MASQUERADE is currently being used to support several data bases.
New technology and exchange formats
Authors: Hopkinson A.
Published: March 2007

The last 15 years have seen a tremendous growth in the exchange of bibliographic records between organizations which has been assisted by advances in information technology. The library community has developed UNIMARC and the abstracting and indexing community are using the UNISIST Reference Manual to facilitate the transfer of bibliographic data between databases. Unesco is establishing a Common Communication Format in an attempt to bridge the gap between the library and A & I communities. However, different practices in record creation between organizations providing records mean that records from different sources cannot always be merged com fortably into one database even if they have been converted into the same exchange format.

One way of achieving the necessary compatibility between records from different sources is by editing the records as they are received. This can be time-consuming and can make the use of records from outside sources uneconomic. New technology, in the form of intelligent terminals, can make this more of a practical proposition. Records can be obtained on-line from external databases and can then be changed either by the intervention of the operator or by programs in the terminal which can make changes to the data or tags of particular fields before adding the records to the file. Very little research has been done on the economics of using intelligent terminals to edit records but this kind of operation is likely to increase in the future as more bibliographic systems using intelligent termi nals are developed.
The valuing of management information. Part II: Using the cost of not having information
Authors: Carter M.P.
Published: March 2007

This article is the second in a series of four articles con cerned with the valuing of management information. The first three articles examine the major approaches to valuation, the final one summarizes and links together these methods into a practical approach to the valuing of management information.

This article examines an approach to the valuing of mana gement information, by examining the consequences of not collecting or producing the information, turning this into a cost and then equating it to the value of the information to the organisation. This approach is tested in the article against several examples of management information.
Synopsis publishing for improving the accessibility of 'grey' scholarly information
Authors: van der Heij Dirk G.
Published: March 2007

In the 1970s, synopsis publishing was one of the topics raised in discussions on the future of primary communication. Tradi tional publishing practices were widely felt to be inefficient for users and producers alike. Since economic constraints were the main incentive for most synopsis publishing experiments, inter est in this idea faded away when journal publishers no longer felt that their journals' future was jeopardized, though author resistance was the main cause of the early discontinuation of many of these experiments. In this paper a plea is made for the virtues of synopsis publishing, not only as an economic necess ity but also for fundamental reasons, for the possibility it gives to separate physically the access, dissemination and archival functions of primary journals.

Several attempts have been, and are being, made to improve the accessibility and availability of 'grey' scholarly literature, a large proportion of the world's scientific literature. Thus paper discusses some of these attempts and suggests that the dissemi nation function could be improved by bridging the gap between the bibliographic information in databases and the full docu ments in depositories.

Most experiments in synopsis publishing so far have been based on full papers used as back-up for the synopses; the full papers were either published in mini- or microform, or made available on request. Grey literature as back-up to synopses has hardly been discussed in the literature, and the only standard on synopsis publishing issued so far treats this possibility only in an aside. This paper discusses the applicability of the synop sis publishing principle to grey reports and concludes that such ventures are likely to meet less disapproval and resistance from authors and other parties involved than are article-based sys tems.

In 1984, Pudoc established the Netherlands Agricultural Report Depository (NARD), a venture in synopsis publishing based on Dutch unpublished reports in agriculture and (ap plied) biology. NARD's approach, procedures and early results are briefly discussed.
An evaluation of information sources for current awareness on occupational diseases
Authors: Price Clive , Burley Rosemary A.
Published: March 2007

An evaluative study of a selection of primary and sec ondary information sources of potential use for current aware ness in the field of occupational diseases is presented. This study identifies the more important English language primary sources of occupational diseases research information. Re search studies in the field of occupational diseases, however, are scattered widely in the medical literature. This study com pares the usefulness of a variety of secondary sources as current awareness tools for bringing together this widely scattered information. Several secondary sources are useful but, despite considerable overlap between these sources, no single source provides comprehensive coverage of the subject field. Scanning of a number of primary sources together with several secondary sources is recommended as the best means of keeping abreast of the latest research information in this subject area.
Information retrieval research in the Department of Information Studies, University of Sheffield: 1965-1985
Authors: Lynch Michael F. , Willett P.
Published: March 2007

This paper discusses research which was carried out at the Department of Information Studies, University of Sheffield in the period 1965 to 1985 into storage and retrieval techniques for databases of textual and chemical structure data. The research includes the development of methods for the auto matic production of printed subject indexes and for the inde xing and retrieval of chemical structures and chemical reac tions, the variety generation method for the analysis, characterization and storage of data in a range of types of textual database, the prediction of biological activity in chemical compounds, and the design of document retrieval systems.
Abstracting and indexing services produced in the UK
Authors: Stephens Andy
Published: March 2007

This paper analyses data extracted from Inventory of Ab stracting and Indexing Services Produced in the UK, 3rd ed. by J. Stephens, in order to present a brief survey of the abstracting and indexing services community in the UK, indicating trends since 1983, and focusing on the online availability of services.
A bibliometric critique of the EURISTOTE database
Authors: Bottle R.T. , Voudouris C.E.
Published: March 2007

Some bibliometric characteristics of university research on European Integration were investigated via the EURISTOTE database and its equivalent printed sources.

Of 14,065 records in the database, 67% referred to studies in progress or completed and 33% to researchers. It is thus of the mixed bibliographic and factual type.

"Sectoral affairs of the European Communities" were the most studied subject (35.7%) not surprisingly as they include "Agriculture" (18% of "Sectoral affairs" and 6.5% of the total number of database entries by subject).

Germany produced the largest number of studies (24%), whilst the Communrty countries indmdually and the European Communities as a whole were the most studied countries (78.5%).

The low proportion of research published as a periodical article (20%) was characteristic of social science literature. "Other research reports" was the dominant document form (44%)

French was the most popular language of publication (28%), whilst English was the most common working language of the researchers (27%).

Of the researchers studying European Integration prob lems. two thirds held the academic rank of Professor or its equivalent. Economics and Law were their most common academic disciplines (33% each).

Keyboarding errors are observable but few. Missing data, probahly due to incomplete questionnaire returns, are quite high In some fields.
Comparative evaluation of information flow from national and international journals: an empirical study in a small country
Authors: Penava Zdenka , Pravdié Nevenka
Published: March 2007

Based on interrelationships of scientific journals a novel design for the construction of information transfer maps is proposed. The maps support comparative analysis of the flow of scientific information, provided that a defined group of authors publishing in a given subject field, in a number of journals (domestic and foreign), over a significant penod of time, is taken as the data source. This paper reports the findings of an empirical investigation which was conducted in order to assess the impact of publishing performance in bi ology in a small country (Croatia/Yugoslavia). By detailed examination of similarities and differences in information flow from articles published in national journals on the one hand, and from those published in foreign journals on the other, a full insight into the structure of journal citedness is obtained. Of particular interest is the structure of citedness of non-SCI journals.
Possible inaccuracies occurring in citation analysis
Authors: Moed H.F. , Vriens M.
Published: March 2007

Citation analysis of scientific articles constitutes an im portant tool in quantitative studies of science and technology. Moreover, citation indexes are used frequently in searches for relevant scientific documents. In this article we focus on the issue of reliability of citation analysis. How accurate are cita tion counts to individual scientific articles? What pitfalls might occur in the process of data collection? To what extent do 'random' or 'systematic' errors affect the results of the citation analysis?

We present a detailed analysis of discrepancies between target articles and cited references with respect to author names, publication year, volume number, and starting page number. Our data consist of some 4500 target articles pub lished in five scientific journals, and 25000 citations to these articles. Both target and citation data were obtained from the Science Citation Index, produced by the Institute for Scientific Information.

It appears that in many cases a specific error in a citation to a particular target article occurs in more than one citing publication. We present evidence that authors in compiling reference lists, may copy references from reference lists in other articles, and that this may be one of the mechanisms underlying this phenomenon of multiple' variations/errors.
Journal citation measures: taking into account their fluctuations from year to year
Authors: Nieuwenhuysen Paul
Published: March 2007

A simple method is presented that takes into account the random fluctuations exhibited by journal citation measures from year to year. One of the advantages of this method is that it gives us a better view of the ranking of journals (their "pecking order"), when this is based on the number of received citations or on the impact factor of the journal in a given year.
Information technology, the humanities and the library
Authors: Loughridge Brendan
Published: March 2007

Some current computer-based projects in humanities re search and teaching are reviewed and the implications for the future development of library and information services to humanities scholars and for the professional education of librarians are considered. It is concluded that the penetration of information technology into humanities research and teach ing activities and the development of the concept of the electronic campus justify increased emphasis on information technology, particularly online searching and familiarization with a range of the software packages currently being used by researchers and teachers in the humanities, in the professional education of academic librarians. The Humanities Resources option on the MA Librarianship programme at the Depart ment of Information Studies, University of Sheffield, is de scribed.
JICST-E (Japan Information Centre of Science and Technology—English File): its construction in providing access to online Japanese biomedical information with selected comparisons to EMBASE and MEDLINE
Authors: Sodha R.J. , Kostrewski B.J. , Schier O.
Published: March 2007

The database JICST-E (Japan Information Centre of Sci ence and and Technology, English language database in Sci ence, Technology and Medicine) is compared with EMBASE and MEDLINE for the coverage of Japanese biomedical litera ture. Six different searches were run in each of these databases using the terms (1) diclofenac, (2) lymphokine activated killer cells, (3) tumour necrosis factor, (4) atrial natriuretic peptide, (5) Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, and (6) OK-432 (human studies) to retrieve all documents of Japanese origin on these topics (i.e. from Japanese language Journals and English lan guage Japanese Journals). A "base" of unique documents was thus created for the purpose of comparison. Of all Japanese language papers found by searching these databases, 21.7% and 28.9% could be found via EMBASE and MEDLINE, respectively, and 82.3% via JICST-E. When EMBASE and MEDLINE were combined as if they were a single database, their contribution increased to 34.2%. Of the total Japanese language literature, 65.8% could only be found by searching JICST-E. Of all papers from English language Japanese jour nals, 68.9% could be retrieved from JICST-E and 71.6% via the combined EMBASE plus MEDLINE database; overlap was 40.5%, i.e. references found in both JICST-E and the combined database. The results indicate the specific value of JICST-E as a source of Japanese language literature in the biomedical field.
Fee or free? The socio-economic dimensions of the charging dilemma
Authors: Savolainen Reijo
Published: March 2007

The issue of charging for library and information services involves complicated political and econorruc problems associ ated with the balance of public and private interests. An attempt is made to demonstrate that the dilemmas of charging finally boil down to political judgements of the value of information in society. Firstly, the role of user fees as a gate of access to information resources and the characteristics of use and exchange value of information are reviewed. Characteris tics of the values are elaborated by analyzing the modes and control of consumption processes. The main attention is di rected to the dimensions of "consumption: joint vs. individual" and xclusion from consumption: feasible us. infeasible." It is possible to link the economic considerations with the political judgements by reinterpreting the latter dimension in the sense of "exclusion from consumption: desirable us. undesirable." In the light of this interpretation, the main developments in the history of charging practices are reviewed. Finally, the future of charging practices is evaluated by focusing on the dif ferences between pivate and public interests in the production and utihzation of information.
Some impacts of electronic mail on information services
Authors: Glausiusz Josie A. , Yates-Mercer Penelope A.
Published: March 2007

Electronic mail is briefly reviewed and its impact on infor mation services is discussed. Initially a telephone survey sought to locate information services using electronic mail (e-mail). A postal questionnaire to those information services set out to discover how they are using e-mail, the extent of their use, and their attitudes towards e-mail. The results indicated that rela tively few information services are using the system and its main application is for brief admimstrative messages. Some use it in more innovative ways for the dissemination of informa tion, and also for the receipt of requests from users. In most cases there was little substitution of e-mail for letters, memos, telephone calls, meetings or travel. However, where extensive use was made of e-mail, communication became faster and more efficient, and it was considered to have had a beneficial effect on the functioning of the information service.
Enhancing a hypertext application using NLP techniques
Authors: Anderson R.E. , Sallis P.J. , Yeap W.K.
Published: March 2007

Many multimedia applications use the concept of hypertext as a means of relating textual components with associated data in a vanety of media forms. The hypertext concept facilitates one-to-one matching between lexical items (words) in text with equivalences in other data sources. User interface software thus provides access to related data by means of keyword or phrase matching techniques which are essentially lexical in nature. The problem with this approach is that a user is generally presented with a vast amount of information across a wider domain than is really required and which is often difficult to interpret. In this paper, we descnbe four natural language processing (NLP) techniques to improve the quality of the information presented to the user in a hypertext application called CDWord™
Query expansion: advances in research in online catalogues
Authors: Hancock-Beaulieu Micheline
Published: March 2007

Query expansion (or) is the process of supplement ing or replacing the original query terms with additional terms either at the search formulation or search reformulation stages This can he done automatically by the system or semi-automatically with asststance from the user. Different approaches to implementing or are considered in three on line catalogues. An evaluative study of an automatic on facil ity in ONNPI. an experimental system developed at City Uni versity, revealed that expanded searches were useful to a substantial proportion of users.
A survey of past post-graduate diploma students of the department of library and archival studies of the university of Ghana: 1970/71-1980/81
Authors: Kisiedu C.O.
Published: March 2007

This study, the second in a series initiated in the Department of Library and Archival Studies (DLAS) of the University of Ghana, aims at using the views of past graduates of the Graduate Diploma in Library Studies programme (1971-1981) to assist in evaluating and reviewing the curricu lum. It also seeks to establish and maintain contact with past students for mutual benefit. The questions covered respon dents' work place and job responsibilities; courses they stud ied and their relevance to their present jobs; and the efficacy of teaching/learning processes. The responses suggest, inter alia, what subjects are most relevant to their jobs, what improvements in terms of new subjects and enhancement of existing ones are required to strengthen the programme and make it more relevant.
Current research information in the USA*
Authors: Freeman Robert R.
Published: March 2007

The paper describes the origins, development and present state of information services regarding current research projects in the USA. It covers individual agency systems, the combined Government-wide database (Federal Research in Progress - FEDRIP) and other means for locating information about ongoing research, such as laboratory directories, research newsletters and trade publications. Finally, it discusses new policy developments designed to strengthen research reporting and new technical develop ments that are influencing the diffusion of information about current research.
Macroeconomic change: information and knowledge
Authors: Hayward Tim , Broady Judith E.
Published: March 2007

This paper considers the conceptual problems of information and knowledge within the context of twentieth- century economic theories. Whilst information as a commod ity and as a concept may be too complex to be articulated within neo-classical economic models, such models still provide the framework within which economic arguments are conducted. Of central importance is the idea of the market as a transmitter of information. Keynes' approach advocated government intervention to address the problem of market information failure and to return the economy to equilibrium. Conversely, the philosophical position of the New Right is that State intervention is unnecessary and that an unfettered market, closely tied to a 'spontaneous order', is both a suitable conveyer of information, and also provides a means for the efficient allocation of resources. However, given the informational problems inherent in economic theory, it is argued that, paradoxically, the free market requires an active and interventionist State to operate efficiently.
A study of information technology adoption in Hong Kong
Authors: Ng Tye Eugenia M. W. , Chau Patrick Y. K.
Published: March 2007

As one of the four 'little dragons' of Asia, Hong Kong is one of the fastest growing areas in the world. It is the eleventh largest trading economy in the world and is the world's sec ond busiest container port. Information technology (IT) is considered to have contributed to its success, although there have been no recent studies to date which document or investigate this contribution.
What's the use of citation? Citation analysis as a literature topic in selected disciplines of the social sciences
Authors: Snyder Herbert , Cronin Blaise , Davenport Elisabeth
Published: March 2007

This study seeks to investigate the place and role of citation analysis in our own discipline and other disciplines. The authors have examined the research literature of informa tion science and other disciplines in order to: determine what proportion is devoted to citation analysis, develop an inductive typology to categorize the major foci of research being conducted under the rubric of citation analysis, and use the typology to determine how citation analysis is applied within information science and other disciplines. By isolating citation from bibliometrics in general, and by exploring the topic across literatures, the authors differen tiate their work from previous studies. Analysis of data from a ten-year sample of transdisciplinary social sciences literature suggests that two application areas predominate: the validity of citation as an evaluation tool, and impact or performance studies of authors, journals and institutions.
An evaluation of the Pan-African Development Information System (PADIS): with particular reference to Zambia
Authors: Kangulu C.M. , Wood F.E.
Published: March 2007

The origins, the design and the operations of PADIS were studied. In 1992 questionnaires were sent to the Central Co- ordinating Office (CCO) based in the ECA (the Economic Commission for Africa) in Addis Ababa, the Sub-Regional Centres (SRCs) and the National Co-ordinating Centres (NCCs). Interviews were held at the CCO and with repre sentatives of a wide range of organisations in Africa. Questionnaires were administered to actual and potential users in Zambia to establish knowledge of and use of PADIS. A test collection of development information relating to Zambia was compiled and analysed to determine the origins of, and publication pattern for, this material. The main conclusion is that PADIS, as presently consti tuted, is ineffective. Few of the 37 NCCs have provided records for PADIS databases and thirteen countries do not have NCCs. In Zambia, few researchers and others who might need development information know of the existence of PADIS and even fewer have used it. The analysis of the test collection demonstrated that much relevant information is produced and published in Europe and North America and is thus not recorded or collected either in Zambia or by PADIS.
Regulation and control of the Internet: is it feasible? Is it necessary?
Authors: Burton Paul F.
Published: March 2007

Discusses the demand for, and problems of, regulating access to the Internet and describes the results of a two- part survey into the question. Sixty-five sites on the World Wide Web were found to contain images which could cause offence, though relatively few might be considered 'porno graphic', and most had some form of control exercised by the site owner. A number of sites had closed down due to the demand placed upon them, but there was also evidence of closure by another body. The second part of the study reports on British universities' measures to control access by staff and students: the majority exercise no control other than that recommended by the UK Education and Research Networking Association (UKERNA), but the principal reason given is the impracticality of controlling the Internet, rather than content. Argues that regulation would damage the free flow of information over the Internet, which provides an unprecedented opportunity for the exchange of information on a global scale.
How the Internet was indexed
Authors: McMurdo George
Published: March 2007

The scope and characteristics of what may be considered the first three generations of automated Internet indexing systems are identified and described as to their methods of compiling their datasets, their search interfaces and their associated etymological metaphors and mythologies. These three are suggested to be: firstly, the archie system for single keyword and regular expression searches of the file lists of anonymous ftp sites; secondly, the veronica system for Boolean keyword in title searches of the world's gopher servers; thirdly, a range of software techniques known as robots and search engines, which compile searchable data bases of information accessible via the World Wide Web, such as the currently popular Lycos project at Carnegie Mellon University. The present dominance of World Wide Web client software as the preferred interface to Internet information has led to provision of methods of also using the first two systems by this single interface, and these are also noted.
Averaging and globalising quotients of informetric and scientometric data
Authors: Egghe Leo , Rousseau Ronald
Published: March 2007

Based on the particular case of the average impact factor of a subfield versus the impact factor of this subfield as a whole, the difference is studied between an average of quotients, denoted as AQ, and a global average, obtained as a quotient of averages, and denoted as GQ. In the case of impact factors, AQ becomes the average impact factor of a field, and GQ becomes its global impact factor.
Organon of business failure: phase model of organizational decline
Authors: King Albert S.
Published: March 2007

This study defines and measures a multi-phase model of organization failure in medium to large size publicly held firms older than five years in a nationwide sample of manu facturing, communications, transportation, finance, insur ance, real estate and services industries. The utility of the progressive phases is demonstrated by their capability for discriminating with 23 variables (adapted from Miller's Failure Syndromes) the propensity toward business decline and to distinguish regular variation on a continuum of 16 measures widely used to evaluate the quality of financial performance and cause of failure. The analysis supports Miller's earlier notion of a stepwise movement in clustering of syndromes from impulsiveness to stagnation to leader lessness in heightening the likelihood of bankruptcy and demonstrates concurrent validity of progressive phases associated with perceived deterioration in the quality of business organization.
Management information system - AGRIUNIS: experiences and issues in an Indian context
Authors: Muralidhar U. , Rama Rao D.
Published: March 2007

An information system related to the various activities of State agricultural universities in India, concerning such information as personal, academic, manpower, research and budget, has been developed. Issues and problems in data collection, compilation, analysis and software devel opment are discussed. A number of recommendations have been made for providing uniform and reliable data and also for future research.
Formal Structure: A Review of the Empirical Relationships Between Task Differentiation, Role Prescription, and Authority Dispersion
Authors: Walton Eric J.
Published: March 2007

The utility of the view of formal structure as a series of dimensions has been questioned because of the several inconsistencies in the empirical outcomes among various studies. Interrelations among three dimensions of formal structure are considered on the basis of 25 major empirical studies. A framework is developed from the substantive focus of the measures of task differentiation, role prescription, and authority dispersion. The application of this scheme, together with some secondary analysis of the empirical outcomes, explicates the relationships, produces consistency among the various studies, and highlights those areas where empirical evidence is lacking. In addition, the review indicates that the substantive meaning of variables and the content realm to which concepts are addressed cannot be disregarded, particularly if integrative models of different levels of analysis are to be the focus of future research.
Corporate Goals, Managerial Objectives, and Organizational Structures in British and West German Companies
Authors: Budde Andreas , Child John , Francis Arthur , Kieser Alfred
Published: March 2007

Arguments regarding the presence of similarities and differences in management and organization across countries draw attention to the potential relevance of culture, contextual contingencies, and economic-cum-political system. These are examined by reference to comparisons of corporate goals, managerial objectives, and modes of organizational structuring (particularly around the investment decision process) in British and West German companies. The findings reinforce the view that in capitalist systems high profitability and growth are dominant corporate goals. In some respects, the structure adopted by companies in the two countries appeared to match their contingent conditions, although differences in decision making were consistent with a culturalist explanation. Where contrasts emerged in the objectives and opinions held by senior managers it was not always clear whether these were more likely to be a reflection of cultural factors rather than, for example, the generally greater success of the German companies.
Some Social Psychological Effects of Direct and Indirect Participation in Ten Swedish Companies
Authors: Rubenowitz Sigvard , Norrgren Flemming , Tannenbaum Arnold S.
Published: March 2007

Sweden has introduced schemes of participation widely in its industrial and business organizations. We present in this article data concerning some of the social psychological effects of two forms of participation, indirect and direct, in ten Swedish factories. Indirect participation entails decision making through representatives of the employees; direct participation entails decision making by the employees them selves.

Theories propose that participation has the effect of enhancing member reactions such as sense of commitment, favourable attitude and satisfaction in the company and of reducing dysfunctional reactions such as absenteeism. The data from these companies appear consistent with the above theories insofar as direct participation is concerned but not with respect to indirect participation. The data support the view that participation is likely to have the predicted effects on the reactions of members to the extent that participation is felt as a personal experience. Members are likely to feel committed and satisfied, first and foremost to the extent that they perceive themselves personally to have authority to make decisions; second, and in lesser degree, to the extent that they perceive their immediate work group to make decisions, and hardly at all to the extent that they perceive that decisions are made by representatives. These findings are consistent with conclusions drawn earlier by a number of researchers. They are inconsistent with the expectation underlying the laws of participation in Sweden (and in most other countries of Europe) insofar as these laws mandate indirect participation exclusively and are formulated with the expectation that such participation will have the positive psychological outcomes that many advocates of participation claim.
Mobilizing Adolescent Workers' Support for an American Newspaper Strike: Results from a Case Study
Authors: Keil Thomas J.
Published: March 2007

This study examines the behaviour of newspaper carriers during a strike at the Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, Times-Leader, a paper published by Capital Cities Communications, Inc. The strike began in October 1978 and continues to the present. The workers have managed to create a commercially viable newspaper, grabbing the larger part of the daily circulation in the region. An important component in the success of the strike was the defection in mass of the carriers from the company and their decision to work for the strikers. The vast majority of these carriers were between the ages of 12 and 18. Our purpose is to examine the dynamics of their mobilization on behalf of the strikers.
Statistical Information Systems and Management1
Authors: Thomas Ray
Published: March 2007

Information systems are usually seen as reflecting and/or reinforcing a hierarchical structure. But interorganizational nonhierarchical uses indicate that statistics contri bute to coordination through self-management of otherwise independent organizations. Studies of organizations show that statistical information systems contribute in similar ways to the coordination of activities of subunits and individuals within the organization.

The paper advocates that statistical information systems should be independent of management and should operate according to an ought-to-know rather than the usual need-to-know principle. Coordination is fostered if each contributing individual or subunit receives statistics relating that individual's or subunit's activities in the context in which such statistics are seen by management.
Pioneering Innovative Management: An Indian Excellence
Authors: Khandwalla Pradip N.
Published: March 2007

The top managements of 75 Indian corporate and other organizations were surveyed for their policy orientation. A composite orientation, labelled pioneering innovative (PI), was identified through a hierarchical factor analysis. PI measured policy commitment to pioneering novel, relatively sophisticated products (or services) and technologies, and to innovation and experimentation, risk-taking, flexibility, and creativity. PI seemed to have adequate validity and reliability. Over time, however, there seemed to be a stronger tendency for change from low PI scores to high PI scores rather than vice versa. An analysis of PI scores by ownership (private versus governmental), activity (manufacturing versus service), industry, technology (custom, batch/mass, and process), and size indicated that PI was largely independent of these factors, and seemed, therefore, to be a relatively open strategic choice for managements in developing countries. The significant correlation between PI, the growth rate and some other performance indicators suggests that high values of PI may have instrumental value for poor societies attempting to achieve rapid growth and modernization.
Porter's (1980) Generic Strategies and Performance: An Empirical Examination with American Data
Authors: Miller Danny , Friesen Peter H.
Published: March 2007

In Part I of this paper, published in O.S. 7/1, we compared the strategic clusters that emerged from a taxonomy of consumer durable businesses to three strategies suggested by Porter (1980). We discovered clusters that pursued combinations of Porter's differentiation and cost leadership strategies, and also those that did not. The purpose of this paper is to compare the performance of these groups of clusters, discuss the differences in strategic behaviour among them that may explain performance, and elicit some normative implications.
The Strategy and Structure of Collective Action
Authors: Carney M.G.
Published: March 2007

The developing literature on collective strategy points to the need to manage relations between a population of organizations and the broader social context in which they are located. This paper complements this perspective by examining the problems of collective action at the task environment level. It is proposed that collective action is a necessary response to environmental turbulence; which presents both opportunities and threatens organizations' resource base, and demands operational and output adaptations. It is suggested that different strategies require the solution of different crucial tasks and that specific modes of interorganizational coordination are needed to do this. The hypotheses are illustrated by four cases of collective action prompted by deregulation and technical change in the U.K. telecommunications industry.