bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Three-Dimensional Network of the Thylakoid Membranes in Plants: Quasihelical Model of the Granum-Stroma Assembly
Authors: Mustárdy László , Buttle Karolyn , Steinbach Gábor , Garab Győző
Published: October 2008

The three-dimensional (3-D) network of the granum-stroma thylakoid assembly of vascular plant chloroplasts exhibits complex structural/functional heterogeneity. A complete understanding of the ultrastructure of this assembly is critical for our understanding of thylakoid function. The prevailing historical model of thylakoid structure, based on information derived from serial section analyses of electron microscopy (EM) images, suggests a helical arrangement of stroma membranes wound around the granum stacks. More recently, electron tomography has emerged as the leading method for the study of thylakoid ultrastructure, as it provides for higher resolution in the depth dimension. The first detailed 3D topological model derived from electron tomography was in disagreement with the helical model, whereas a more recent electron tomography study, conducted under somewhat different experimental conditions, suggested that basic features of the helical model are still valid. Here, we review the conventional EM data and present a critical discussion of the two electron tomography data sets in an attempt to establish a consensus model that accommodates all the information presently available.
Phytochrome A Regulates the Intracellular Distribution of Phototropin 1–Green Fluorescent Protein in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Han In-Seob , Tseng Tong-Seung , Eisinger William , Briggs Winslow R.
Published: October 2008

It has been known for decades that red light pretreatment has complex effects on subsequent phototropic sensitivity of etiolated seedlings. Here, we demonstrate that brief pulses of red light given 2 h prior to phototropic induction by low fluence rates of blue light prevent the blue light–induced loss of green fluorescent protein–tagged phototropin 1 (PHOT1-GFP) from the plasma membrane of cortical cells of transgenic seedlings of Arabidopsis thaliana expressing PHOT1-GFP in a phot1-5 null mutant background. This red light effect is mediated by phytochrome A and requires ∼2 h in the dark at room temperature to go to completion. It is fully far red reversible and shows escape from photoreversibility following 30 min of subsequent darkness. Red light–induced inhibition of blue light–inducible changes in the subcellular distribution of PHOT1-GFP is only observed in rapidly elongating regions of the hypocotyl. It is absent in hook tissues and in mature cells below the elongation zone. We hypothesize that red light–induced retention of the PHOT1-GFP on the plasma membrane may account for the red light–induced increase in phototropic sensitivity to low fluence rates of blue light.
The Phytocalpain Defective Kernel 1 Is a NovelArabidopsisGrowth Regulator Whose Activity Is Regulated by Proteolytic Processing
Authors: Johnson Kim Leonie , Faulkner Christine , Jeffree Chris Edward , Ingram Gwyneth Christina
Published: October 2008

The role of the unique plant calpain Defective Kernel 1 (DEK1) in development has remained unclear due to the severity of mutant phenotypes. Here, we used complementation studies of the embryo-lethal mutant to dissect DEK1 protein behavior and to show that DEK1 plays a key role in growth regulation in Arabidopsis thaliana. We show that although full-length DEK1 protein localizes to membranes, it undergoes intramolecular autolytic cleavage events that release the calpain domain into the cytoplasm. The active calpain domain alone is not only necessary for DEK1 function but is sufficient for full complementation of dek1 mutants. A novel set of phenotypes, including leaf ruffling, increased leaf thickness, and abnormalities of epidermal cell interdigitation, was caused by expression of the constitutively active calpain domain. This analysis of the novel phenotypes produced by DEK1 under- and overexpression, as well as DEK1 subcellular localization and protein processing, has revealed a fundamental role for DEK1-mediated signaling in growth regulation.
A Novel Class of Gibberellin 2-Oxidases Control Semidwarfism, Tillering, and Root Development in Rice
Authors: Lo Shuen-Fang , Yang Show-Ya , Chen Ku-Ting , Hsing Yue-Ie , Zeevaart Jan A.D. , Chen Liang-Jwu , Yu Su-May
Published: October 2008

Gibberellin 2-oxidases (GA2oxs) regulate plant growth by inactivating endogenous bioactive gibberellins (GAs). Two classes of GA2oxs inactivate GAs through 2β-hydroxylation: a larger class of C19 GA2oxs and a smaller class of C20 GA2oxs. In this study, we show that members of the rice (Oryza sativa) GA2ox family are differentially regulated and act in concert or individually to control GA levels during flowering, tillering, and seed germination. Using mutant and transgenic analysis, C20 GA2oxs were shown to play pleiotropic roles regulating rice growth and architecture. In particular, rice overexpressing these GA2oxs exhibited early and increased tillering and adventitious root growth. GA negatively regulated expression of two transcription factors, O. sativa homeobox 1 and TEOSINTE BRANCHED1, which control meristem initiation and axillary bud outgrowth, respectively, and that in turn inhibited tillering. One of three conserved motifs unique to the C20 GA2oxs (motif III) was found to be important for activity of these GA2oxs. Moreover, C20 GA2oxs were found to cause less severe GA-defective phenotypes than C19 GA2oxs. Our studies demonstrate that improvements in plant architecture, such as semidwarfism, increased root systems and higher tiller numbers, could be induced by overexpression of wild-type or modified C20 GA2oxs.
A Cytosolic Pathway for the Conversion of Hydroxypyruvate to Glycerate during Photorespiration in Arabidopsis
Authors: Timm Stefan , Nunes-Nesi Adriano , Pärnik Tiit , Morgenthal Katja , Wienkoop Stefanie , Keerberg Olav , Weckwerth Wolfram , Kleczkowski Leszek A. , Fernie Alisdair R. , Bauwe Hermann
Published: October 2008

Deletion of any of the core enzymes of the photorespiratory cycle, one of the major pathways of plant primary metabolism, results in severe air-sensitivity of the respective mutants. The peroxisomal enzyme hydroxypyruvate reductase (HPR1) represents the only exception to this rule. This indicates the presence of extraperoxisomal reactions of photorespiratory hydroxypyruvate metabolism. We have identified a second hydroxypyruvate reductase, HPR2, and present genetic and biochemical evidence that the enzyme provides a cytosolic bypass to the photorespiratory core cycle in Arabidopsis thaliana. Deletion of HPR2 results in elevated levels of hydroxypyruvate and other metabolites in leaves. Photosynthetic gas exchange is slightly altered, especially under long-day conditions. Otherwise, the mutant closely resembles wild-type plants. The combined deletion of both HPR1 and HPR2, however, results in distinct air-sensitivity and a dramatic reduction in photosynthetic performance. These results suggest that photorespiratory metabolism is not confined to chloroplasts, peroxisomes, and mitochondria but also extends to the cytosol. The extent to which cytosolic reactions contribute to the operation of the photorespiratory cycle in varying natural environments is not yet known, but it might be dynamically regulated by the availability of NADH in the context of peroxisomal redox homeostasis.
Federated search engines and the development of library systems
Authors: Joint Nicholas
Published: October 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the recent history of library systems with a view to illustrating the impact of federated search systems on reinvigorating the role of the library system.

Design/methodology/approach

A narrative account of the impact of digital library technologies on the function of library systems, together with an outline of how larger principles such as “openness” and “proprietorialness” determine the success or failure of digital information products.

Findings

It was found that the present role of the library system is significantly different from its earlier purpose, and that innovative and visionary responses to the challenges of networked information services have helped reinvent its function.

Research limitations/implications

Some of the ideas in this paper may be worthy of consideration as evidence of the broader research principles underlying the success or failure of digital information products.

Practical implications

The insights in this piece may clarify for the practitioner the present and future role of the systems division within the larger framework of the academic library.

Originality/value

This paper attempts to create a coherent narrative for a number of otherwise unrelated library developments.
How do school resource centre staff deal with information requests?
Authors: Shenton Andrew K.
Published: October 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to use new data to explore the pertinence, to the work of an information professional dealing with inquiries, of an existing typology indicating the forms of action taken by people when approached for information by youngsters.

Design/methodology/approach

The study featured here drew on qualitative data from a transaction log maintained in the resource centre of an English high school and from two interviews with the information specialist employed.

Findings

Broadly, the results demonstrate that the original typology does reflect accurately the actions taken by the intermediary under scrutiny. However, two of the original categories did not emerge and a new one was detected.

Research limitations/implications

The study was small‐scale in nature. It was conducted in just one school, with data provided by a solitary information specialist. The transaction log was maintained for one week only. Future research of a similar type but staged in other kinds of library/resource centre would be invaluable.

Practical implications

An examination of the actions taken by the information specialist reveals that it is possible to identify a series of essential skills and areas of knowledge in which the individual should be expert. Skills associated with liaison may be considered especially important.

Originality/value

No previous paper has applied the original typology of action to the work of an intermediary. The fact that the article seeks to extend the theoretical knowledge base via an investigation of actual inquiry situations will interest both LIS academics and library professionals who work regularly with information users.
Students’ attitudes towards e‐books in a Scottish higher education institute: part 2
Authors: Abdullah Noorhidawati , Gibb Forbes
Published: October 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the second part of three inter‐related studies investigating the use and usability of e‐books in higher education based on experiments conducted at the University of Strathclyde.

Design/methodology/approach

The research discussed here involved two analyses: an analysis of two e‐book collections in the libraries of the University of Strathclyde and the University of Glasgow and an analysis of a follow‐up study to a web survey into user interactions with e‐books in one of the library's collections.

Findings

The follow‐up study found that in general students found that interacting with e‐books in the library collection was easy. Students indicated that their preferred book formats varied depending on the context of their information need. Despite their positive reaction and attitudes towards e‐books, students commented that e‐books needed to be promoted more strongly and that there were limitations with respect to their use.

Research limitations/implications

The study presented here was a small‐scale study based only on e‐book collections from one supplier (NetLibrary) and involved only 18 respondents. While this is considered sufficient based on the discount usability testing concept, generalisation of the results should be made with caution.

Practical implications

The findings should be of value to academic libraries in terms of improving e‐book collection management. This study highlights current attitudes of students towards e‐book in terms of how they interact with them, the features they value and their preferences between e‐books and paper books in a university library.

Originality/value

This paper provides useful information on students’ attitudes towards e‐books.
Keeping a learning diary to enhance researchers’ understanding of and users’ skills in web searching
Authors: Mansourian Yazdan
Published: October 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how using a learning diary can enable researchers to gain a deeper insight into end users’ information searching behaviour and how it can improve users’ search skills as well.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopted a qualitative approach and used a learning diary as its data collection tool. A group of 62 Library and Information Science students from Tarbiat Moallem University in Tehran formed the target group. They were asked to keep a search diary for eight weeks to reflect on their search experiences during that period of time. Moreover, 15 of them participated in a follow‐up interview after handing in their diaries.

Findings

A tentative model was developed to illustrate a number of elements which contribute to the formation of problematic, satisfying and optimal search situations. Moreover keeping a diary was perceived useful by the participants in improving their search skills.

Research limitations/implications

Only 34 of the subjects (54 per cent of the target group) recorded a detailed track of their searches which were suitable for the purpose of this study. The technique employed in this study might be helpful for the information literacy trainers to evaluate the progress of their trainees and to gain a better understanding of their difficulties.

Originality/value

There is little research in the area of information seeking on the web using learning diary as a device to reflect on users’ search behaviour.
Scientometric analysis of a sample of physics‐related research output held in the institutional repository Strathprints (2000‐2005)
Authors: Bonilla‐Calero A.I.
Published: October 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe a “scientometric” analysis of a sample of research output in Physics taken from the institutional repository of the University of Strathclyde (“Strathprints”). The documents in this sample were authored over the period 2000‐2005 but were deposited in the repository during the period from publication up to 2007. The paper aims to analyse these data bibliometrically.

Design/methodology/approach

Use was more of open access logs for Strathprints which describe the number of downloads per document, revealing how many countries cite and download each document, and analysing the factors that influence the number of citations and downloads per document. The documents retrieved in Strathprints are described by a variety of indicators delineating levels of activity, collaboration and visibility, which in turn are analysed in order to discern patterns characteristic of the repository.

Findings

The number of documents in this open access repository has increased during the period under consideration, as has the number of authors, centres and countries per document. In terms of institutional origin, unsurprisingly Scottish institutions occupy first or final position in 94 per cent of the total documents. Documents published in 2000 (the earliest documents in the repository) are the most cited. There is a positive correlation between the number of citations and downloads and the number of distinct countries that cite and download. The most cited and downloaded types of documents are articles; post‐prints are the most downloaded type of publication. There is no relationship between the journals with the highest average of citations per document in web of science (WoS) and those with the highest number of citations in Strathprints.

Originality/value

Institutional respositories (IRs) are a relatively new phenomenon in the digital library world. Not much in depth analysis of IR statistics has been undertaken to date, so this study is an important attempt to contribute to this new area of research.
Content clouds: classifying content in Web 2.0
Authors: Cosh Kenneth J. , Burns Robert , Daniel Toby
Published: October 2008

Purpose

With increasing amounts of user generated content being produced electronically in the form of wikis, blogs, forums etc. the purpose of this paper is to investigate a new approach to classifying ad hoc content.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach applies natural language processing (NLP) tools to automatically extract the content of some text, visualizing the results in a content cloud.

Findings

Content clouds share the visual simplicity of a tag cloud, but display the details of an article at a different level of abstraction, providing a complimentary classification.

Research limitations/implications

Provides the general approach to creating a content cloud. In the future, the process can be refined and enhanced by further evaluation of results. Further work is also required to better identify closely related articles.

Practical implications

Being able to automatically classify the content generated by web users will enable others to find more appropriate content.

Originality/value

The approach is original. Other researchers have produced a cloud, simply by using skiplists to filter unwanted words, this paper's approach improves this by applying appropriate NLP techniques.
Strategy execution in emerging economies: assessing strategic diffusion in Mexico and Peru
Authors: Parnell John A.
Published: October 2008

Purpose

Middle and lower‐level managers play a significant role in the strategic management process, primarily in the execution stage. However, strategic diffusion – the extent to which a strategy is effectively executed and becomes an integral part of the organization – varies across organizations. This paper aims to examine the strategic diffusion process in two emerging economies, Mexico and Peru.

Design/methodology/approach

Parnell's strategic diffusion scale (SDS) was adopted for this study. Respondents also completed Cook and Wall's nine‐item organizational commitment instrument and a three‐item scale measuring satisfaction with firm performance. Surveys were translated into Spanish and completed by 218 Mexican and 270 Peruvian managers.

Findings

Strategic diffusion was linked to performance satisfaction among both Mexican and Peruvian managers. Overall, Mexican managers produced higher scores on the strategic diffusion scale (SDS) than did their Peruvian counterparts. The link between strategic diffusion and organizational commitment among middle and lower‐level managers remains unclear.

Research limitations/implications

This study supports the strategic diffusion construct and the SDS. Three items in the scale were problematic in certain instances, however. The present study linked strategic diffusion to performance satisfaction in both Mexico and Peru. As expected, Mexican managers exhibited higher SDS scores than did their Peruvian counterparts. The link between strategic diffusion and organizational commitment was not strong, however. Additional research is needed in this area.

Practical implications

Middle and lower level managers in different countries have different views on the process of strategic diffusion. These distinctions are cause by a number of factors, including stages in the economic development cycle, organizational culture, and widely accepted management practices. Executives seeking to implement strategies should recognize the three key components of strategic diffusion – understanding, involvement, and commitment – and how they are influenced by national contexts.

Originality/value

There is a dearth of research assessing management behaviors in emerging nations. It is also important to learn more about processes associated with strategy execution in different organizations. This paper addresses both needs by assessing strategic diffusion in Mexico and Peru.
Decision making in product development: are you outside‐in or inside‐out?
Authors: Summers Gary J. , Scherpereel Christopher M.
Published: October 2008

Purpose

This paper proposes a relationship between decision making and key qualities of business systems.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors explore the relationship between decision making and systems by contrasting the decision making in two well‐known systems: MRP and JIT. The two systems present two sets of opposing qualities. By considering the relationship between a decision and its environment, we propose that these sets of qualities are not unique to MRP and JIT. They arise from two general approaches to decision making. Having introduced the two approaches, we analyze three product development systems: Stage‐Gate, Agile and Lean.

Findings

In manufacturing, MRP is a push system; JIT is a pull system. MRP seeks perfection; JIT seeks consistency. MRP gives decision makers great discretion; JIT constrains decisions. These opposing qualities, and others, arise from two general approaches to decision making: outside‐in and inside‐out. As the difficulty of decisions increase, relative to a decision maker's ability, the cost of mistakes becomes significant. In these situations, the inside‐out approach should outperform the outside‐in approach. The inside‐out approach constrains decision making to limit the cost of errors. The outside‐in approach embraces complexity, exposing itself to more decision errors. In product development, the Lean and Agile systems exploit the inside‐out approach. They constrain decisions and reduce the cost of errors that arise from two sources. Lean addresses interactions, which add complexity to business systems. Agile addresses unpredictability, which adds uncertainty to business systems.

Originality/value

The relationships the authors propose show how decision making affects the development, control and performance of business systems.
The multi‐tasking paradox: perceptions, problems and strategies
Authors: Appelbaum Steven H. , Marchionni Adam , Fernandez Arturo
Published: October 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to describe multi‐tasking behaviour in the workplace; to link its cause to the increasing prevalence of low‐cost information and communications technologies and to the changing organizational structures that have evolved to meet the demands and opportunities of these technologies.

Design/methodology/approach

This article is a presentation of the current literature on multi‐tasking behaviour among knowledge workers with a selective bibliography addressing empirical research into the behavioural, managerial and technological aspects of this phenomenon. It then expands to comprehensive coverage of the literature on past and current thinking about task structuring, strategies for coping in a multi‐tasking environment and the changing nature of work and organizations, which fuels the need to multi‐task in response to these changes.

Findings

Among knowledge workers, multi‐tasking behaviour appears to be an inevitable consequence of the presence of increasingly easy access to information. Despite the detrimental effect that multi‐tasking has on specific task completion, the paradox is that this does not seem to have an effect on overall organizational productivity. For the USA at least, an average 4 per cent growth rate over the past several years of the late twentieth and early twenty‐first centuries shows that productivity has increased in tandem with an increase in multi‐tasking behaviour and information technologies.

Practical implications

Multi‐tasking behaviour needs to be understood in the context of its manifestation as a variable that is at least partially dependent on the existence of relatively “cheap” information. In essence, in an information economy, task completion by knowledge workers to a set deadline may be counterproductive to the interests of the organization as a whole. This article describes certain strategies that can be used to minimize the harmful aspects of continuous task switching and to maximize the returns to experience that multi‐tasking can bring to an organization.

Originality/value

Multi‐tasking behaviour and its link to complexity theory may lead to a new understanding of organizations as highly fluid and variable entities that are impossible to design or maintain centrally and yet whose goals lead to the moment by moment creation of micro‐organizational structures that accomplish tasks in a manner that engages the full resources of knowledge workers.
Can intuitive and analytical decision styles explain managers' evaluation of information technology?
Authors: Selart Marcus , Tvedt Johansen Svein , Holmesland Tore , Grønhaug Kjell
Published: October 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to clarify how IT managers' decision styles affect their evaluation of information technology.

Design/methodology/approach

Four different decision styles were assessed in a leadership test directed towards IT managers. Each style included two dimensions: confidence judgment ability and decision heuristic usage. Participants belonging to each style were interviewed and their answers analysed with regard to their reasoning about central areas of IT management.

Findings

Results suggest that a decision style combining intuitive and analytical capabilities lead to better evaluations of information technology.

Originality/vale

The results of the present study are valuable for the understanding of how decision styles impact on IT management in everyday life.
An exploratory study of the reasons for the collapse of contemporary companies and their link with the concept of quality
Authors: Marwa Simmy , Zairi Mohamed
Published: October 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the link between causes of corporate collapse/demise and the concept of quality.

Design/methodology/research

The paper is informed by a review of literature on corporate collapse and quality management. A literature review and global web search of corporate demises is then conducted. Actual causes of corporate demise are established and compared/contrasted with those in the literature to ascertain any similarities/dissimilarities. The link between causes of corporate demise and the concept of quality is then explored and appropriate implications and conclusion drawn.

Findings

Evidence from the research suggests a clear linkage between causes of corporate demise and the concept of quality. Quality deficiencies/flaws if unattended may occasion corporate demise, which may be instant or gradual depending on the degree of corporate resilience.

Practical implications

Corporations can only afford to ignore the concept of quality at their own peril. The linkage between the causes of corporate demise and the concept of quality requires managers to prioritise the concept quality and by extension quality management more seriously than ever before.

Originality/value

The line of inquiry pursued by this paper provides additional insights into the phenomenon of corporate demise from a quality management perspective, thereby broadening its understanding.
Unlocking the role of a board director: a review of the literature
Authors: Petrovic Jelena
Published: October 2008

Purpose

This paper seeks to examine the current debate regarding the role of a board director.

Design/methodology/approach

A comprehensive review of the corporate governance (CG) literature is undertaken, with a particular focus on director contribution to board effectiveness.

Findings

The literature review revealed a number of issues in the CG literature that highlight the need to clarify board director role and pay closer attention to the processes needed for directors to perform their role effectively. These issues have broadly been classified into: conceptual issues regarding board effectiveness and director contribution; a methodological issue of level of analysis (board as a group and a director as individual); failure of much of the literature to account for the external context in which the board directors operate; and prescriptive nature of the literature.

Originality/value

Issues pertinent to the CG literature identified in this paper hold theoretical and practical implications.
Assessing decision tools for secondary risks of capital projects
Authors: Caspary Georg
Published: October 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the relative uses of decision tools for secondary risks of capital projects.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach is a comparison of traditional limited approaches (notably EIA) versus emerging more complex approaches at assessing secondary risks.

Findings

In many context, notably in the case of large capital projects, the new and more complex tools are necessary. However, they also apply higher costs and should therefore be applied selectively.

Research limitations/implications

One research limitation is that experience with some of the tools being discussed, notably MCDA, is still somewhat limited.

Practical implications

The key practical implication is greater use of the most appropriate decision tool for secondary risks in each new individual large capital project.

Originality/value

Comparison of risk assessment tools has so far largely focused on risk assessment for primary risks. The present article extends this to an assessment of the relative merits of secondary risks.
Localization drivers in an emerging market: case studies from Thailand
Authors: Petison Phallapa , Johri Lalit M.
Published: October 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the drivers that influence subsidiaries of international companies in the automobile industry in Thailand and how automobile companies pursue localization in response to these drivers.

Design/methodology/approach

Using case research method, examined seven leading automobile manufacturers – Toyota Motor (Thailand); Hino Motors (Thailand); Honda Automobile (Thailand); Isuzu Motors (Thailand); BMW (Thailand); DaimlerChrysler (Thailand); and Auto Alliance (Thailand) – as well as 14 of their dealers and suppliers in Thailand. In total 120 Thai and expatriate managers were interviewed.

Findings

Extending the knowledge body from existing research, this study found that there are four drivers for automobile manufacturers to adopt localization strategies. Those are host country characteristics, industry characteristics, company characteristics, and market characteristics. The results show that automobile manufacturers react to drivers by localization of their decision making, building and exploiting knowledge pool of local suppliers and distributors, increasing numbers of Thais at the management level while decreasing the number of expatriates, increasing R&D activities locally, localizing products, increasing usage of local suppliers, adapting manufacturer processes, reinvesting at subsidiary, and localizing corporate image. However, these vary in degree from company to company. Localization strategies produce benefits that go beyond allowing automobile manufactures to compete within the local situation, also enabling them to overcome challenges and use their successes to transform the parent company and other subsidiaries and eventually contribute to the parent company's globalization strategy.

Practical implications

Managers in subsidiaries may first implement localization strategies to cope with driver factors to mitigate risks and uncertainty. By adopting localization, managers should not focus only on short term benefits to gain local advantages in host countries, but these advantages at the subsidiary should be transmitted to the parent company and other subsidiaries to build a competitive international strategy.

Originality/value

CEOs of subsidiaries in emerging markets can learn what drivers influence localization strategies and how to cope and create local advantages for global competitiveness by implementing wide range of localization strategies.
Logoplaste: innovation in the global market
Authors: Morgado André
Published: October 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe a case that looks at how an innovative plastics packaging company in Portugal integrates itself into the value chain of company clients. The pedagogical objectives are: to present a success case in technological, processes and business innovation; to present a success case in business strategy, based on the build‐up of partnerships; and to construct a platform for discussion of a first mover strategy, and precautions to be taken in its pursuit.

Design/methodology/approach

A range of evidence, including primary and secondary data, was used in the writing of this case, namely: direct observation, interviewing, press releases and press cuttings, annual reports, customer records and organization charts.

Findings

Logoplaste has gained a leadership position and has successfully managed to achieve a relevant position in the international landscape by seeking a vertical integration of its activities, in order to obtain a better value proposal for its clients, which, at the same time, allows it to capture a part of that value for itself. This practice has permitted this company not only to grow overseas but also to reveal a customer loyalty performance of 100 per cent. These results are deeply connected with their innovative value proposal, e.g. product innovation, process innovation, marketing innovation and business model innovation.

Originality/value

This study provides insights into the nature of a company, which has successfully developed its activity based on a strong investment in innovation since its genesis. Logoplaste's strategy can be considered distinctive as it combines and integrates the following strategic vectors: integration of the client's logistical and value chains, based on a process of partnership developments; investing in R&D of packaging engineering, with the offer of an “vend‐to‐end” solution; and production process based on a “wall‐to‐wall” model.
An analysis of linkage between economic value added and corporate social responsibility
Authors: Mittal R.K. , Sinha Neena , Singh Archana
Published: October 2008

Purpose

Research findings indicate that there is positive relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and company's reputation but relationship between CSR and company's profitability has not been explored in the Indian context. CSR level of business firms in India is increasing in terms of both amount of the disclosure and the number of participating firms. Therefore the purpose of this paper is to explore the link between good financial performance measure and other indicators of corporate responsibility. This paper also aims at studying the trend of disclosure of CSR reporting by Indian companies.

Design/methodology/approach

This study seeks to investigate the relationship between ethical commitment and financial performance over the four‐year period, through statistical regression and correlation analysis. Studies of few Indian companies who have successfully implemented CSR initiatives have also been analyzed to investigate the level and nature of engagement of Indian companies in social responsibility initiatives.

Findings

It has been reported that there is little evidence that companies with a code of ethics would generate significantly more economic value added (EVA) and market added value (MVA) than those without codes.

Practical implications

Indian corporations need to develop a proper strategy to integrate CSR goals with stockholders' goals. Top management should create a dedicated CSR team, which should identify the core areas of CSR and strengthen internal practices such as corporate governance, transparency and disclosure issues.

Originality/value

In the Indian context very few studies have analyzed the linkages between CSR and Organizational profitability. This article presents a new approach to correlate the relationship between CSR and Organizational profitability in terms of EVA and MVA.
Selective archiving of web resources: a study of processing costs
Authors: Willer Mirna , Buzina Tanja , Holub Karolina , Zajec Jasenka , Milinović Miroslav , Topolščak Nebojša
Published: October 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess costs in the National and University Library of Croatia for processing Croatian web resources and the maintenance and development of the service, and to analyse the present organisation and workflow of their processing, and to propose improvements.

Design/methodology/approach

The assessment period was two months, during which the members of staff involved minutely monitored their tasks. The results were compared to the same exercise reported by the National Library of Australia and processing costs of cataloguing Croatian print publications.

Findings

The bottom‐up analysis of processing web resources shows that a balanced description of tasks and their distribution over staff members was established, and that the present workflow meets the requirements of efficient processing of web resources. As a general finding, approximately the same time was spent on archiving new items, as on the control and maintenance of the already archived ones due to the change of web resource properties, URL instability and the changes of technology. The comparative analysis showed: less time is spent on identification and selection and publishers' contacts on the part of the Croatian National Library compared to the Australian one; almost twice as much time was spent on gathering, quality assurance, and archiving instances in the Australian case than in the Croatian one; practically the same time was spent on cataloguing in both cases; and compared to cataloguing of print publications, significantly less time was spent on the print ones.

Originality/value

The paper is one of the two published articles on the in depth analysis of the workflow and processing costs of managing and selectively archiving legal deposit copies of web resources in a national library. Its potential value is in drawing attention of library managers of those institutions that deal with selective web archiving to assess costs and services in view of the legal obligations of libraries for preserving national cultural web heritage and meeting present and future users' needs.
Captivating Open University students with online literature search tutorials created using screen capture software
Authors: Wales Tim , Robertson Penny
Published: October 2008

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to share the experiences and challenges faced by the Open University Library (OUL) in using screen capture software to develop online literature search tutorials.

Design/methodology/approach

A summary of information literacy support at the OUL is provided as background information to explain the decision to experiment with screen capture software with particular subjects. A detailed consideration of the design, development and implementation stages of a literature search tutorial in information and communication technology is given before a critical appraisal of the problems encountered.

Findings

The paper highlights the challenges in writing and designing self‐guided online learning materials in a subject context. It considers the strengths and weaknesses of the particular screen capture software used, especially with regard to accessibility.

Practical implications

The paper is of interest not only to other academic libraries, but also any organisation seeking to publish online help or learning materials for different audiences.

Originality/value

This paper is the first to document the use of screen capture software for information literacy purposes in a UK academic library and distance‐learning context.
Access to scholarly communication in higher education in India
Authors: Chand Prem , Arora Jagdish
Published: October 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the initiative of the University Grants Commission of India in setting up the Infonet Digital Library Consortium (The Information and Library Network) in order to provide access to scholarly communication to the academic community in India.

Design/methodology/approach

The context of higher education in India and the expansion and establishment of universities under the five‐year plan is given along with details of e‐resources that are being provided. The usage trends of e‐resources from various publishers during 2004‐2007 are detailed.

Findings

The paper finds that there has been a qualitative increase in overall usage, but use is also dependent on a high‐bandwidth connection.

Originality/value

The study provides evidence of increased use of consortial services for access to e‐resources in Indian higher education.
Human information behaviour and design, development and evaluation of information retrieval systems
Authors: Keshavarz Hamid
Published: October 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce the concept of human information behaviour and to explore the relationship between information behaviour of users and the existing approaches dominating design and evaluation of information retrieval (IR) systems and also to describe briefly new design and evaluation methods in which extensive attention is dedicated to the users and their behaviours and conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper takes the form of a literature review with particular concentration on the efforts made by information science researchers.

Findings

The paper finds that there are four classic approaches to IR systems design: system‐centred, user‐centred, interactive and cognitive. Not enough research has been carried out to explore the relationship between information behaviour and information systems design to date. Contextual design and participatory design are among the new methods where users' behaviour, factors and contexts are considered more proactively than previously when designing information systems.

Originality/value

The paper introduces new methods and research frameworks being investigated currently in the area of information systems design and evaluation in which considerable attention is given to the users' information behaviour and situation. The paper is also useful in gaining a broad understanding about issues explored that have not previously been presented in one publication.
An integrative model of “information visibility” and “information seeking” on the web
Authors: Mansourian Yazdan , Ford Nigel , Webber Sheila , Madden Andrew
Published: October 2008

Purpose

This paper aims to encapsulate the main procedure and key findings of a qualitative research on end‐users' interactions with web‐based search tools in order to demonstrate how the concept of “information visibility” emerged and how an integrative model of information visibility and information seeking on the web was constructed.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was formed of three parts. The first looked at conceptions of the Invisible Web; the second explored conceptualisations of the causes of search success/failure; the third organised the findings of parts 1 and 2 into a series of theoretical frameworks. Data collection was carried out in three phases based on interviews with a sample of biologists.

Findings

The first part led to the development of a model of information visibility which suggests a complementary definition for the Invisible Web. The results also showed the participants were aware of the possibility that they had missed some relevant information in their searches. However, perceptions of the importance and the volume of missed information varied, so users reacted differently to the possibility that they were missing information. The third part indicated the “Locus of Control” and “Attribution Theory” that can help us to better understand web‐based information seeking patterns. Moreover, “Bounded Rationality” and “Satisficing Theory” supported the inductive findings and showed that users' estimates of the likely volume and importance of missed information affect their decision to persist in searching.

Research limitations/implications

The study creates new understanding of web users' information seeking behaviour which contributes to the theoretical basis of web search research. It also raises various questions within the context of library and information science practice to know whether, and if so how, we can assist end‐users to develop more efficient search strategies and satisfactory approaches.

Originality/value

The research adopted a combination of inductive‐deductive methods with a qualitative approach in the area of information seeking on the web which is mainly dominated by quantitative studies.
Web usage mining analysis of federated search tools for Egyptian scholars
Authors: Mohamed Khaled A. , Hassan Ahmed
Published: October 2008

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the behaviour of the Egyptian scholars while accessing electronic resources through two federated search tools. The main purpose of this article is to provide guidance for federated search tool technicians and support teams about user issues, including the need for training.

Design/methodology/approach

Log files were exploited to examine the behaviour of users of information retrieval systems. This study examined two log files extracted from federated search tools available to the Egyptian scholars' community for accessing electronic resources. A data mining approach was implemented to investigate user behaviour through deep analysis of these logs.

Findings

Results show that: none of the available tools provide error messages for dummy queries; most of the Egyptian scholars had short queries; Boolean operators are not used in about 50 per cent of the queries; federated search tools do not provide techniques for query reformation; the optimal days for system maintenance are the non‐weekend vacations; and early morning is the best time for maintenance.

Practical implications

To maximise the value of the federated search tools by understanding user trends when utilising federated search tools. The study shows that more attention should be given to the search capabilities through ongoing training and awareness in order to maximise the benefit from the available resources and tools.

Originality/value

The hypothetical value of the federated search tools has not been previously examined and analysed to understand user trends.
Personalised information services using a hybrid recommendation method based on usage frequency
Authors: Kim Yong , Gyo Chung Min
Published: October 2008

Purpose

This paper seeks to describe a personal recommendation service (PRS) involving an innovative hybrid recommendation method suitable for deployment in a large‐scale multimedia user environment.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed hybrid method partitions content and user into segments and executes association rule mining, collaborative filtering, and contents popularity algorithms over various combinations of content partitions and user groups. The process results in recommended content for end‐users based on the linear combination of candidate data sets.

Findings

This study reveals that: the use of usage frequency is an effective way to analyse user's behaviour patterns and their selection of content; the partitioning of content and users into meaningful groups and the identification of optimal parameter values of constituent recommendation methods, yields successful results in the implementation; the hybrid method performs better than any constituent methods in most evaluation metrics.

Practical implications

The PRS system serves as a useful reference for electronic libraries or information centres considering the development of personalised information services.

Originality/value

The PRS system is designed and implemented to work efficiently in the large‐scale multimedia user environment. It can also be applied to small and medium‐scale environments or mobile platforms.