bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Learning transfer – validation of the learning transfer system inventory in Portugal
Authors: Velada Raquel , Caetano António , Bates Reid , Holton Ed
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the construct validity of learning transfer system inventory (LTSI) for use in Portugal. Furthermore, it also aims to analyze whether LTSI dimensions differ across individual variables such as gender, age, educational level and job tenure.

Design/methodology/approach

After a rigorous translation process that included forward and backward translation, subjective evaluations of the translated items, and pilot testing, the Portuguese version of LTSI was completed by 484 trainees, who attended different kinds of training courses. Two separate exploratory factor analyses were run to analyze the specific and general domains covered by LTSI. An initial analysis with the validated items and a second one with the validated and research items were also completed.

Findings

The results of the initial factor analyses showed a 16‐factor structure that accurately paralleled the 16‐factor structure of the original English version and revealed that this one is the most parsimonious factor structure. Statistically significant differences in some LTSI dimensions were found across gender and education‐level variables.

Research limitations/implications

Data were collected through self‐reported measures using a single instrument applied immediately after the training, which might have affected the internal validity of the study. Although this study covered a wide variety of trainees' business areas and types of training, it might be possible that some types of organizations and training were not included in the analysis, thus limiting the generalization of the results to those contexts.

Practical implications

Based on the results of this study, Portuguese companies are now able to develop their training evaluation practices and to assess the training transfer factors through a valid and reliable instrument.

Originality/value

The paper expands LTSI validity in Europe, demonstrating that it has construct validity for use in Portugal.
Providing demonstrable return‐on‐investment for organisational learning and training
Authors: Elliott Michael , Dawson Ray , Edwards Janet
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to present a holistic approach to training, that clearly demonstrates cost savings with improved effectiveness and efficiencies that are aligned to business objectives.

Design/methodology/approach

Extending Kirkpatrick's evaluation framework with Phillips's return‐on‐investment (ROI) concepts, the paper conveys a number of successes; including trainee satisfaction and the capturing of improved knowledge and skills.

Findings

The paper includes case studies of how, and to what extent this knowledge has been applied with examples of resulting efficiency savings. The paper shows that there is growing agreement that one of the primary drivers, if not the key driver of long‐term organisational effectiveness, is the ability of an organisation to learn effectively. The methodology requires some additional assessment and course preparation to establish a basis from which to demonstrate learning effectiveness. The financial benefits of the applied learning are far greater than the additional preparatory costs.

Practical implications

Learning organisations that anticipate, react to change and learn, are likely to maintain a competitive advantage. These organisations are constantly looking for more effective and efficient ways of training. Paradoxically, other organisations will often slash training budgets in times of hardship, as training departments are unable to demonstrate the effectiveness of their programmes.

Originality/value

The paper presents a practical example of how training should be applied to truly demonstrate its value in the workplace
Particle swarm optimization combined with normative knowledge applied to Loney's solenoid design
Authors: dos Santos Coelho Leandro , Alotto Piergiorgio
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to show, on a widely used benchmark problem, that normative knowledge concepts can be incorporated into particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithms in order to improve their search ability.

Design/methodology/approach

Normative knowledge concepts are used within the framework of PSO algorithms in order to influence the cognitive and social components of the particle behaviour.

Findings

It is shown that the proposed algorithm can significantly improve the performance of PSO on the selected benchmark problem, in terms of both best and average solutions.

Research limitations/implications

Although the chosen benchmark is considered to be representative of typical electromagnetic problems, different test cases may give less satisfactory results.

Practical implications

The proposed approach appears to be an efficient general purpose stochastic optimizer for electromagnetic design problems.

Originality/value

This paper introduces the use of normative knowledge concepts to control the cognitive and social components of PSO algorithms.
Sorting Pareto solutions: a principle of optimal design for electrical machines
Authors: Di Barba P. , Mognaschi M.E.
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to show that the a posteriori analysis of the Pareto front associated with a given design problem facilitates the task of the decision maker and possibly helps to identify innovative solutions. The idea is to investigate the similarities existing among non‐dominated solutions.

Design/methodology/approach

A permanent‐magnet alternator for automotive applications is considered as case study. The design problem exhibits six design variables and two energy‐related objective functions. A suitable sampling of the objective space is made and non‐dominated solutions, located along an L‐shaped front, are approximated. Results are assessed by means of a successive optimization using NSGA‐II algorithm.

Findings

From the approximated Pareto front, three optimal devices have been selected and remapped in the design space in order to compare their performance. This is done in terms of iron and copper losses, material costs, rated voltage, and air‐gap induction. Moreover, making the NSGA‐II start from the knee‐point of the front, it is shown that a direct approximation of the two sub‐fronts is possible.

Originality/value

In this paper, a method to sort out the optimal solutions located along the Pareto front is proposed as a possible criterion of decision making; so doing, previously unpredicted solutions might be identified.
Optimization of an axisymmetric linear electromagnetic valve actuator
Authors: Yatchev I. , Gueorgiev V. , Hinov K.
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the optimization of a permanent magnet linear actuator with soft magnetic mover for electromagnetic valve. The optimization is carried out with respect to the minimal magnetomotive force ensuring required minimum electromagnetic force on the mover.

Design/methodology/approach

Three optimization factors are employed. The value of the electromagnetic force and the objective function – the magnetomotive force – are obtained by caring out a full factorial design of experiment. For obtaining the objective function for each parameter combination, nonlinear equation is solved in order to minimize the flux that creates force in backward direction. Thus, several finite element analyses are carried out for each parameter combination. Then, response surface model is created and optimized. The obtained optimal solution is verified again by finite element analysis.

Findings

The paper finds that optimal actuator has been obtained and its force‐stroke characteristics and temperature distribution at steady‐state mode are given.

Originality/value

The valve is optimized by defining optimization function to be the solution of an equation canceling the flux in the nonactive part of the valve.
Optimization of a linear displacement sensor using FEM and secondary model
Authors: Gueorgiev Vultchan , Gergova Zaharinka , Yatchev Ivan
Published: October 2009

Purpose

Differential sensor for linear displacement has been optimized in terms of linearity and sensitivity. The optimization of the sensor is carried out with respect to its characteristic displacement‐output voltage.

Design/methodology/approach

Response surface methodology and design of experiments have been successfully applied for sensor optimization. First, a full factorial experiment – computation of the quasi‐static electromagnetic field of the sensor using the finite element method – has been performed. Secondary model has been created on the basis of finite element results. Then this model has been optimized with respect to two criteria – linearity and sensitivity.

Findings

The mutual influence of both criteria has been studied. In this way an optimal trade‐off between linearity and sensitivity of the sensor was achieved.

Research limitations/implications

Relatively small numbers of optimization criteria have been varied. The results can be further improved by adding additional factors to the study.

Originality/value

The results obtained improve characteristics of this type of sensor and make it low cost alternative to the high‐end linear displacement sensors in low to moderate accuracy applications.
Optimal design of “high magnetic coupling passive loop” for power lines field mitigation
Authors: Canova A. , Giaccone L.
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a new concept of passive loop technique called “high magnetic coupling passive loop” (HMCPL) (suitable for buried power lines) along with optimised design parameters.

Design/methodology/approach

The optimal design (geometrical displacement and shielding current intensity and phase) for the mitigation of magnetic field produced by flat and trefoil configuration of the power line is carried out by means of genetic algorithm.

Findings

Different layouts for the source (flat and trefoil configuration) and the shield (introduction of the phase splitting technique) are designed. The optimization parameters are the coordinates of the shield conductors and the transformer ratio of the magnetic core that couple the source and the shield. Moreover, physical constraints as maximum depth of excavation and geometric interference between cables were introduced in the optimization procedure.

Originality/value

The paper deals with a very new technology for field mitigation called HMCPL. Actually, the base layout of the HMCPL does not need an optimal design. On the other hand, in some applications the base layout cannot be used, therefore, the introduction of an optimal design cannot be avoided. In this paper, the optimal design of several configurations is performed showing that the performances of the HMCPL are very interesting even if the base layout cannot be used.
Localisation of buried ferromagnetic objects based on minimum‐norm‐estimations
Authors: Eichardt Roland , Baumgarten Daniel , Di Rienzo Luca , Linzen Sven , Schultze Volkmar , Haueisen Jens
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the localisation of ferromagnetic objects buried in the underground. More specifically, it deals with the reconstruction of the XY‐positions, the depths (Z‐positions), the number, and the extension of the objects based on geomagnetic measurements. This paper introduces a minimum‐norm reconstruction approach and evaluates its performance in a simulation study.

Design/methodology/approach

A minimum‐L2‐norm estimation based on the truncated singular value decomposition method with lead field weighting is proposed in order to localise geomagnetic sources. The sensor setup and positions are taken from real measurements. The source space is formed by an automatically generated grid. At each grid point, a magneto‐static dipole is assumed.

Findings

Sources with different depths and XY‐positions could be successfully reconstructed. The proposed approach is not overly sensitive to errors/noise in measurement values and sensor positions.

Originality/value

The approach described in this paper can be used for applications like geoprospection, archaeology, mine clearing, and the clean‐up of former waste deposits.
Semi‐discrete time‐domain sensitivity analysis of electromagnetic field
Authors: Gawrylczyk K.M. , Kugler M.
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present sensitivity analysis of electromagnetic fields in the time‐domain.

Design/methodology/approach

The method utilizing adjoint models is commonly used to evaluate sensitivity. In connection with widely applied finite element method, the time‐stepping scheme for discretization of time functions is used.

Findings

The proposed semi‐discrete method allows us to obtain time‐domain solution without time‐stepping. For space discretization, the authors use finite elements, as usual. The semi‐discrete method delivers analytical and continuous solution for any given time of analysis, which has a form of exponential functions. In order to obtain an analytical formula, there is necessary the integration of sensitivity equation. The paper finds possible solutions of this problem, either the application of Zassenhaus formula or improvement of commutation properties of two matrices.

Research limitations/implications

Drawback of this method is matrices which are losing their symmetry and are no more banded. All calculations in this work were carried out with fully assigned matrices. Comparison of the efficiency of the semi‐discrete method with classical method shows that, despite the high demand for memory, this method can compete in relation to finite elements with the time‐stepping.

Practical implications

The resultant gradient information may be used for solving inverse problems, such as optimization of magnetic circuits and identification of material conductivity distributions.

Originality/value

The paper offers compact formula for sensitivity evaluation.
Fractional positive linear systems
Authors: Kaczorek Tadeusz
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce a new class of fractional positive continuous‐time and discrete‐time linear systems.

Design/methodology/approach

Solutions to the state equations of the fractional systems are given.

Findings

Necessary and sufficient conditions are established for the internal and external positivity and of the reachability and controllability to zero of the fractional systems.

Originality/value

A method for analysis of the fractional positive linear systems is proposed.
On some properties of even‐symmetric and odd‐symmetric dynamical systems
Authors: Jessa Mieczyslaw
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate new properties of continuous‐ and discrete‐time dynamical systems.

Design/methodology/approach

First, definitions of two types of spatial symmetry are introduced. These are used as definitions, which, along with existing knowledge show that it is possible to identify properties of dynamical systems that were previously unknown.

Findings

The main result of the paper is a new theorem regarding new properties of continuous‐ and discrete‐time dynamical systems.

Research limitations/implications

The present study provides a starting point for further research on the differences between continuous‐ and discrete‐time dynamical systems. This work builds on the definition of spatial symmetry.

Practical implications

The theorem proved in this paper and the new properties of dynamical systems can be used to introduce new methods of approximating continuous‐time dynamical systems by discrete‐time dynamical systems and vice versa. Such approaches can also be helpful in constructing chaotic sources to model noise.

Originality/value

This paper offers contributions to the broader discussion of differences between continuous‐ and discrete‐time dynamical systems. In particular, the paper supports the statement that many discrete‐time processes cannot be embedded into continuous ones.
On the controllability to the interval of the system governed by a hyperbolic equation
Authors: Bors Dorota , Majewski Marek
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the sufficient condition for the controllability to the interval of the system defined by a nonlinear hyperbolic equation.

Design/methodology/approach

The proof of the main theorem is based on the Miranda theorem which is a generalization of the Bolzano‐Weierstrass theorem.

Findings

In the course of the work, it was found that under some assumptions a system is controllable to the interval with the aid of controls from the oblique interval spanned by the given controls. In the end of the paper, an example illustrating the proposed method is derived.

Originality/value

This paper illustrates a procedure for finding a control which steers the system defined by a nonlinear hyperbolic equation to a given state.
Selected MRP II Standard System requirements presented in Z‐notation
Authors: Greniewski Marek J.
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the ability of Z‐notation to formulate formal requirements specification of huge application software based on an example of the Manufacturing Resource Planning (MRP II) Standard System. Z‐notation is using formal transformation approach to obtain operating software instead of traditional programming. The original MRP II software requirement specification possesses descriptive form extended by list of control questions. To make formal requirements specification, the original specification must be extending by some definition taken after APICS Dictionary. The definitions respect such concept as: item, item code, location, and order.

Design/methodology/approach

Writing schemas based on subsystem order of MRP II Standard System and treating the system as three level structures (user interface, business logic, and database), the schemas described business logic level only. As a conclusion was necessity to extend descriptive requirements specification by definitions. The limited size of the presentation contains few examples of formalization process only mainly limited to the main schemas as: item system (full definition), inventory system, bill of material, work centers and routings, generic order system, master production schedule, and material requirement planning.

Findings

As a result of the research, it can be said that Z‐notation apparatus is sufficient to build requirements specifications of big application systems like MRP II, enterprise resource planning, or customer relationship management.

Originality/value

Libraries of typical algorithms like MRP II designed through formal approach could replace traditional programming and open new prospects in the future development of broad computerization.
Application of C‐uncertain variables and systemic approach to resource distribution in a class of operation systems
Authors: Orski Donat
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine and evaluate resource allocation algorithms for mixed‐structure operation systems with unknown parameters characterized by experts using the formalism of C‐uncertain variables.

Design/methodology/approach

Aggregation and decomposition of mathematical models of operations, performed using analytical‐numerical optimization methods, lead to serial and parallel structures for which allocation algorithms are known. Evaluation of allocations carried out by means of a computer simulation.

Findings

Resource allocation problems for mixed‐structure operation systems may be solved by applying aggregation, decomposition and allocation algorithms determined for simple structures. Allocation algorithms based on C‐uncertain variables outperform these based on basic uncertain variables.

Research limitations/implications

Application of the presented algorithms is limited to some mixed structures, however, the methodology used appears general enough to allow developing algorithms for other mixed structures.

Practical implications

The algorithms developed may be embedded into a knowledge‐based system supporting management‐level decisions concerning optimal distribution of limited financial resources.

Originality/value

Originally determined rules for aggregation and decomposition, as well as resulting allocation algorithms. The presented methodology seems promising for developing a general resource allocation algorithm – valid for any mixed structure of an operation system.
Admission control in computer networks with uncertain parameters
Authors: Gąsior Dariusz
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to deal with a problem of admission control in computer networks when some of their parameters are uncertain. The case is considered when the most common probabilistic description of the uncertainty cannot be used and another approach should be applied.

Design/methodology/approach

The uncertain versions of admission control problem with quality of service requirements are considered. The uncertain variables are used to describe possible values of the unknown parameters in computer networks.

Findings

Given are formulations for the admission control problem in computer networks with unknown values of the capacities based on the network utility maximization concept. Solution algorithms for all these problems are proposed.

Research limitations/implications

It is assumed that an expert can describe possible values of uncertain network parameters in the form of a certainty distribution. Then the formalism of uncertain variables is applied and the knowledge of an expert is modelled with the use of certainty distributions. Decisions strongly depends on the quality of an expert's knowledge.

Practical implications

Obtained admission control algorithms can be useful for planning and designing of computer networks.

Originality/value

A new approach to the admission control problem in computer networks in the presence of uncertainty, in the case when the uncertain variable can be applied, is proposed and discussed.
Production flow prototyping subject to imprecise activity specification
Authors: Bocewicz Grzegorz , Bach Irena , Wójcik Robert
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present research in the area of the applications of knowledge‐based and constraint programming (CP)‐driven methodology in production planning and development of decision‐making software supporting scheduling of multi‐robot in a multi‐product job shop, taking into account imprecise (fuzzy) activity specification, and resource sharing by some industrial processes that simultaneously produce different products.

Design/methodology/approach

Applications of the knowledge‐based, logic‐algebraic and CP‐driven approach for multi‐robot task allocation problem and generating of fuzzy plan/schedule of production activities for a given period of time.

Findings

This paper illustrates the useful information that can be obtained from fuzzy and crispy‐like schedule describing production activities in a multi‐product job shop.

Research limitations/implications

The use of knowledge‐based and CP‐driven methodology for production planning in a multi‐product job shop was a very effective method dedicated to solve typical decision problems in the area of project‐driven production flow management applied in make‐to‐order manufacturing.

Practical implications

The methodology discussed in the paper can be used to design fuzzy Gantt diagrams, which define admissible schedule of production orders for a given period of time.

Originality/value

The paper's contribution covers various issues of decision making while employing the knowledge‐ and CP‐based framework. The proposed approach provides the framework allowing one to take into account distinct (pointed), and imprecise (fuzzy) data, in a unified way and treat it in a unified form of a discrete, constraint satisfaction problem.
Gordon Pask: exchanges between cybernetics and architecture and the envisioning of the IE
Authors: Miguel Furtado Cardoso Lopes Gonçalo
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study a series of exchanges between cybernetics and the arts, focusing on Pask's lifelong envisioning of the so‐called information environment (I.E). It follows the author's previous PhD dissertation which was concerned with the exchanges between systems research and architecture; Gordon Pasket al.; and a couple of outstanding architectural projects related to systems and computation.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper was mainly supported by archival research of Gordon Pask's Archive (held at the time by his daughter) and Cedric Price's Archive (held at the Canadian Centre for Architecture); supplemented with interviews and bibliographical research (research was made possible by a FCT grant – POCI 2010).

Findings

The paper details and discusses exchanges between the fields of cybernetics and the arts; and it focuses on Pask's lifelong exchange with architecture and the manifestation of his ideas in this field. One highlights, among others, Pask's exchanges within the British milieu and the AMG during the 1960s and 1970s; the seminal manifestations of his main C2 achievement – the Conversation Theory – in the field of architecture; and his later architectural performance.

Research limitations/implications

The previous primary archival research conducted at Pask's daughter house, is being expanded by the author through use of new material.

Originality/value

This paper is intended for historians of sciences and the arts. It briefly overviews Pask's well‐known main works and, in addition, it includes reference to some rare little‐known materials.
Synthesis and characterisation of thermally expandable microcapsules by suspension polymerisation
Authors: Hu J. , Zheng Z. , Wang F. , Tu W. , Lin L.
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to synthesise and characterise novel thermally expandable microcapsules having poly (acrylonitrile (AN)‐methyl methacrylate (MMA)‐butyl acrylate (BA)) copolymer shells and p‐toluenesulphonylhydrazide (TSH) cores.

Design/methodology/approach

The novel thermally expandable microcapsules are synthesised by suspension polymerisation. The effects of various parameters including monomers and surfactant compositions on thermal expandability and stability, and particle size and size distributions of the microcapsules obtained are studied. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) analyses are employed to characterise the chemical structure and morphology of the microcapsules obtained.

Findings

Suspension polymerisation with the monomers composition of 70 per cent AN/20 per cent MMA/10 per cent BA can yield microcapsules having a good expansion property and heat stability at 150°C. The paper also finds that when the amount of the incorporated PA reaches 20 per cent, the shells of microcapsules obtained will adhere together and some shells rupture resulting in the collapse of many of the expanded microcapsules. During the course of polymerisation, high‐molecular surfactant styrene – maleic acid copolymer sodium salt can help to achieve microcapsules with more uniform size distribution. FTIR and SEM characterisation show that the chemical structure of microcapsules contain core material and copolymeric shell and the morphology of microcapsules is very well defined, core‐shell type, respectively.

Research limitations/implications

The shell copolymer in the present context is synthesised from acrylonitrile‐methyl methacrylate‐ and butyl acrylate. Besides, it can be synthesised from other monomers also. In addition, the expansion efficiency of microcapsules can be studied.

Practical implications

The learning gained through this paper can be applied to the synthesis and application of other microcapsule or even nano‐capsule systems.

Originality/value

The method for preparation of TSH microcapsules by suspension polymerisation is novel and the microcapsules could find applications in water‐based intumescent and flame retardant wood coatings.
The mechanical and impact properties of MWNTs/LDPE nanocomposites
Authors: Zhao Dongyu , Wang Shuhong , Wu Jie , Bai Xuduo , Lei Qingquan
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study a new method with which multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) can be dispersed and aligned in low density polyethylene (LDPE) for improving its mechanical properties.

Design/methodology/approach

Dispersion and alignment of MWNTs in LDPE matrix are enhanced by ultrasonic vibration, solution casting and melt mixing and flow moulding method. The properties of the composite are characterised using scanning electron microscopy, tensile testing machine and the Izod impact testing machine.

Findings

It is found that MWNTs in LDPE achieve some dispersion and alignment resulting in improvement in LDPE's strength and toughness.

Practical implications

Polymer/CNTs nanocomposites are expected to have good process ability of the polymers and high mechanical and functional properties of the CNTs. Enhancing dispersion and alignment of MWNTs in the polymer matrix will promote and expand the applications and development of polymer/MWNTs nanocomposites.

Originality/value

The method that enhances MWNTs dispersion and alignment in LDPE matrix provides a new way for alignment of other CNTs in polymer matrix.
Phenolated larch‐bark formaldehyde adhesive with various amounts of sodium hydroxide
Authors: Yuan Jianlong , Gao Zhenhua , Wang Xiang‐Ming
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the effect of different amounts of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) introduced during the resin synthesis on the properties of bark‐phenol‐formaldehyde (BPF) adhesives aims at achieving a balance between storage life and other properties of BPF adhesives.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the best synthetic technologies for the production of BPF adhesives obtained in a previous study, a new synthetic technology is developed for the production of BPF adhesives that involve a three‐step addition of NaOH using different amounts of NaOH in the third charge. Gel permeation chromatography is used to evaluate properties of the phenol‐formaldehyde (PF) and BPF adhesives.

Findings

The amount of NaOH in the third charge has an important influence on many BPF adhesive properties. The paper determines that the synthetic technology involving three‐step NaOH additions with only water introduced in the third charge of NaOH produces a BPF adhesive with the longest storage life and best bonding strength.

Research limitations/implications

BPF adhesives are very complex systems with many unknown variables.

Practical implications

The improved storage life of the BPF adhesive prepared with the new synthetic technology is comparable to that of a commercial PF adhesive, which indicates that this new technology shows greater potential for commercial applications.

Originality/value

A new synthetic technology is developed to produce a BPF adhesive that is more comparable to commercial PF adhesives than other BPF adhesives in terms of storage life and other resin properties.
The marketing myths and consumers' fear of marketing
Authors: Rotfeld Herbert Jack
Published: October 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to assert how common yet unfounded claims to persuasion power are not in the best interest of marketing professionals. News reports of any pervasive marketing activity include a direct assertion, or at least an implicit presumption, that business managers do it because they know it “works.” And since consumers know that marketing wishes to influence their decisions, they fear that they are being manipulated.

Design/methodology/approach

With marketing professionals claiming great power to move the masses despite their uncertainty of just how effective their tools might be in causing sales, consumers tend to believe the claims of sales influence and, in turn, blame marketing for many consumer or social problems.

Findings

Marketing is not as all‐powerful as some consumers believe or fear, but marketing professionals tend to claim their work has all sorts of expansive powers.

Originality/value

Many public debates put marketing people in the strange position of noting the limits of their persuasion power and the uncertainty of past claims successes. Unfortunately, as marketing professionals try to gain new business budgets and make claims of their worth, their failure to admit the limits to knowledge of how or why people might be persuaded to buy products results in many consumers blaming marketing for all types of social problems. Public education and understanding might be best helped by some practitioner honesty.
Reality television (Supernanny): a social marketing “place” strategy
Authors: Ganeshasundaram Raguragavan , Henley Nadine
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to investigate the effectiveness of the Supernanny reality television programs in teaching parenting techniques and changing parenting behaviors.

Design/methodology/approach

A telephone survey was conducted with a random sample of 400 respondents who had watched at least one episode of the Supernanny program.

Findings

Almost 75 percent of the respondents had viewed the program regularly for interest and/or for educational reasons; significantly more people who said they watched for education could recollect parenting techniques than those who said they watched for entertainment. Respondents agreed that the program informed them about different techniques for managing the behaviors of their children (88 percent) and said they had used (53 percent) or intended to use (23 percent) a number of those techniques. A total of 80 percent of the respondents saw the show as realistic and 93 percent of the viewers perceived the program as useful to some extent in terms of changing their behaviors and their children's behaviors in positive ways. There were some significant differences, with greater effects in women, younger respondents, and parents of younger children.

Practical implications

Reality television can be used as an effective social marketing, mass media “place” strategy to convey positive parenting techniques and to promote positive behavior change.

Originality/value

Edutainment (combining entertainment with education) has been used to promote positive social behaviors for some years but the use of the specific entertainment vehicle “reality television” has not previously been examined as a social marketing place strategy.
A Hong Kong study of advertising credibility
Authors: Prendergast Gerard , Liu Po‐yan , Poon Derek T.Y.
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The aim of the research reported in this paper was to identify for which types of products and services consumers find the advertising to lack credibility and in which media this effect is most serious. The association between self‐esteem and skepticism towards advertising was also explored.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a structured questionnaire, 200 Hong Kong shoppers were surveyed in mall intercept interviews.

Findings

The results showed that ads for weight‐loss products were considered the least credible. The broadcast media (radio, broadcast television and cable television) were considered the most credible advertising media, while direct mail and the internet were considered the least credible. Self‐esteem was found to be positively related with skepticism towards advertising.

Research limitations/implications

The study had two key limitations. First, the list of products and services was not exhaustive. Second, the study did not consider how frequently the interviewees were exposed to each medium.

Practical implications

By recognizing the credibility of their advertisements and the media in which they are placed, and the influence of self‐esteem on advertising skepticism, the findings are of use to advertisers in formulating their strategies. The findings also provide information of value for policy makers trying to combat non‐credible and deceptive advertising.

Originality/value

The primary contribution from this work comes in the form of methodological considerations. This is the first study to consider the relationships between self‐esteem and skepticism after controlling for socially desirable responding. Also, this study takes a broader perspective by looking at credibility of advertising across a range of products and media, and with a broader audience, than has been considered in previous research.
Impact of contextual factors, brand loyalty and brand switching on purchase decisions
Authors: Shukla Paurav
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The consumer culture in recent times has evolved into one of the most powerful ingredients shaping individuals and societies. Although the behavioural intentions and purchase decisions related models continue to dominate research and managerial practice, a deeper look indicates that most studies do not take the complete picture in account and study parts of the above mentioned phenomena. Furthermore, consumers operate in a dynamic and ever‐changing environment which in itself demands a re‐examination of their behavioural intentions and purchase decision influences from time to time. This paper aims to focus on these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the context of the young adults market, this study looks into how contextual factors vis‐à‐vis loyalty and switching impact consumer purchase intentions. The study involved both qualitative and quantitative research methodology.

Findings

The findings suggest that contextual factors have the strongest influence on purchase decisions. Furthermore, contextual factors influence the brand loyalty and switching behaviour.

Practical implications

The findings provide important insights with regards to the factors on which practitioners should focus to better tailor their content and approaches.

Originality/value

The study supplies unique learning to managers and researchers alike, through conceptualising and subsequently empirically verifying the issue of purchase decision, brand loyalty and switching with regard to contextual factors.
Gender differences in information search: implications for retailing
Authors: Barber Nelson , Dodd Tim , Kolyesnikova Natalia
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence on search behavior of gender, purchase confidence, and internal knowledge in different purchase situations. It is expected that there will be gender differences on search behavior, particularly given different purchase situations.

Design/methodology/approach

Multivariate analysis of variance was used to analyze the main and interaction effects of the independent categorical variables on multiple dependent interval variables. An online survey was distributed to employees in different geographic locations in the USA.

Findings

The results of situational use indicate that sources of information are perceived differently by males and females depending on their levels of purchase confidence and internal knowledge, suggesting that, when consumers consider sources of information, such as retail clerk, family/friends or themselves, the purchase situation influences that decision.

Research limitations/implications

The measure of the situational influence through brief descriptions of hypothetical consumption situations was required. Such descriptions could not include every possible feature of a natural setting, resulting in subjective interpretation by respondents of what are socially acceptable, possibly confounding results.

Practical implications

Consumers bring to the buying decision different types of experiences and expectations. Understanding how males and females seek varied sources of external information is relevant to the service industry in designing promotional plans, whether the product of choice is a restaurant, vacation resort, and hotel or tourism destination such as a winery.

Originality/value

The contribution of the research is to broaden the understanding of search behavior and the role gender plays, particularly in different purchase situations.
The nastiness of data
Authors: Seadle Michael
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this editorial is to discuss problems in gathering and evaluating data in library and information science. Increasingly I find that I advocate an empirical approach to research in our field of library and information science. Others appear to agree and are writing more works based on explicit empirical sources.

Design/methodology/approach

The method uses standard social science techniques for examining the reliability and representativeness of data.

Findings

The editorial looks at two specific examples, one an experiment with an outlier and another a published source whose data are potentially incomplete. Sometimes the obvious problems are not really problems at all and sometimes completely unexpected issues invalidate results. This is not a reason for avoiding empirical research or for doubting empirical results every time they appear. But it is a reason for authors to engage in a thorough discussion of their data as a part of any scholarly work.

Originality/value

The editorial argues for a broader and more explicit discussion of data issues in journal articles. Some data is quite usable despite its apparent nastiness and some is just hopelessly bad. But a majority of data in our field lie somewhere between these extremes and need to be discussed as part of the analysis process.
Public libraries: places creating social capital?
Authors: Vårheim Andreas
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to show why studies of public libraries, regarding their possible contribution in creating social capital, are important for social capital research in general, and are important for library practice in particular.

Design/methodology/approach

Building on the latest theoretical developments and empirical findings of social capital research, the role of the public library as a potential creator of social capital is discussed. Findings from both quantitative and qualitative empirical research are discussed, and also the need for further studies is presented.

Findings

The paper reports quantitative macro‐level results concerning whether public library expenditure can contribute in explaining social trust patterns in the OECD countries. However, to be able to ascertain this, numerous qualitative studies revealing the mechanisms actually generating generalized trust are needed. Preliminary qualitative interviews suggest that this approach can prove fruitful.

Research limitations/implications

The implications for further research into public libraries and the building of generalized trust are twofold: one the one hand, more specific research questions on the role libraries can be asked regarding accommodating diversity and increasing trust among diverse groups, e.g. immigrants. On the other hand, the suitability of the public library for investigating these questions makes the results relevant for social capital research in general.

Practical implications

The library profession points to the importance of libraries for social capital and maintain that libraries have been overlooked in this matter. Strong sentiments like this should be ideal for implementation of research based library policies, strategies and activities for creating social capital.

Originality/value

What is new in this research is that studies of public libraries may contribute in resolving the impasse within contemporary social capital research where neither institutional nor societal perspectives seem to be able to verify how social capital is created.
To tag or not to tag?
Authors: Thomas Marliese , Caudle Dana M. , Schmitz Cecilia M.
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to provide a quantitative analysis of the extent to which folksonomies replicate the Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) to see if folksonomies would successfully complement cataloger‐supplied subject headings in library catalogs.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper compares social tags and LC subject headings for ten books from various library‐related applications including next generation OPACs and LibraryThing by ranking tags and subject headings using scales modified from research by Golder and Huberman, Voorbij, and Kipp.

Findings

Social tagging does indeed augment LCSH by providing additional access to resources.

Research limitations/implications

Several of our applications lacked tags for the books we chose in our study. Tags are primarily taken from LibraryThing.

Practical implications

A hybrid catalog combining both LCSH and a folksonomy would result in richer metadata and be stronger than the sum of its parts, giving patrons the best of both worlds in terms of access to materials.

Originality/value

This paper supplies quantitative support for the use of folksonomies in a library's catalog. The data also supports many of the previous theories proposed in literature about folksonomies and social tagging.
Issues in Indian languages computing in particular reference to search and retrieval in Telugu language
Authors: Madalli Devika P. , Patel Dimple
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the various issues involved in Indian languages computing, particularly Telugu, like creating, displaying, searching and retrieving digital content. The paper also aims to emphasize the issues involved in retrieval in Indian languages. The complexities presented by the grammar, syntax and morphology of Indian languages are discussed.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper undertakes and presents descriptive study of the issues and challenges in Indian languages computing in general and Telugu language in particular.

Findings

The problem of multilingual information retrieval in Indian languages is multi‐pronged. A major observation of this study is that, though digital content is available in Indian languages, it is mostly in non‐standard encoding format and fonts. There is an urgent need to work in the area of developing search algorithms for Indian languages, like soundex and metaphones to tolerate spelling variations and mistakes that a user might make in queries and suggest correct spelling(s).

Practical implications

With existing technologies libraries can now build online catalogues in the language of the documents or build digital repositories with content in various Indian languages. Though a few library automation software like NewGenLib and digital library software like DSpace, etc. are offering Unicode support for Indian languages, they do not allow for different types of search such as truncation search, word variants, etc. The present study is a step towards developing algorithms for indexing and searching in Indian languages.

Originality/value

The paper addresses various issues in Indian language computing with emphasis on search and retrieval.