bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Public relations challenges in Europe
Authors: Jørgen Thøgersen Niels
Published: January 2008

Public relations (PR) has outgrown national borders. In Europe it is an anachronism to think of national frontiers and this will be even more so with the single European currency. People and industry will cross and ignore national borders just as they now ignore county, ‘land’ or departmental borders; they will shop and invest where it is most convenient and most economic, even if that is over the nearest national frontier. PR professionals must adjust their thinking, planning and campaigns to the philosophical basis that the world, or at least Europe, is their oyster. Campaigns must not be limited by national frontiers but should relate to need and to the geographical area — be it multi‐state, European, intercontinental or just local — wherever the message needs to be put across. The Amsterdam Treaty, once it is ratified, presents Europe with major challenges. The European Union (EU) must adapt its institutional machinery to service a union of 400–500 million citizens, and it must communicate with them openly, fairly, effectively and well; it must earn their trust and their support to be able to function. This is where PR has a key part to play — and that means involving the PR profession and getting it to help the EU. In awarding contracts the EU has to follow procedures that often seem slow and cumbersome, but which ensure that the contracts are awarded fairly and openly, and that opportunities for corruption are reduced to a minimum. The EU's institutions are among the most open public administrations in Europe, if not in the world. Journalists have easy access to officials and experts and lobbyists are welcome and listened to. The EU wants to tell European citizens about its business and wants to hear useful advice front business and other pressure groups. The EU institutions are here to serve the people of Europe. Information helps European citizens to see that the EU enables them to live better lives and contributes to making the world a peaceful and better place for everyone.
Corporate citizenship — from the boardroom to the brand
Authors: Chalker Annabelle
Published: January 2008

In October last year, the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) and the Public Relations Consultants Association (PRCA), hosted a conference to review the state of corporate citizenship in the UK. Organised by Kinross & Render Public Relations, the event featured speakers from the PRCA, Barclays plc, British Telecom's Community Partnership Programme, Medialink, Cadbury Schweppes, Kleimvort Benson and Business in the Community. Based on the contributions made at this conference, and drawing upon recent research, this paper examines the following themes: what it means to be a corporate citizen; the benefits and pitfalls involved for corporate citizens; and what future trends may be expected as we approach the millennium.
Who is responsible for managing absence?
Authors: Gamble Karen , Mainland Keith
Published: January 2008

Continuing pressure to increase business competitiveness means that organisations are looking for new ways in which to increase efficiency and reduce costs. The old adage says that a company's greatest asset is its people. It is also business law that improving the returns achieved on assets can increase profitability. In terms of staff costs, that could mean increasing productivity, or reducing time lost through staff absence. This paper focuses on absence management, a growing trend in the USA, and one set to spread through the UK. In particular, the paper considers the specific communications issues raised by actively managing absence in the UK. This paper examines how an active approach to absence management could be seen as a challenge to the psychological contract between employer and employee. If any such policy is to succeed there has to be open communication between staff, line managers and senior management about the business case for adopting a new approach. Those responsible for communicating the policy require a clear understanding of the business issues involved, foresight as to the benefits and threats to staff, and an honest appraisal of the organisation's existing culture which will determine how easily absence management objectives can be fulfilled.
Tough calls to make: Contingency theory and the Centennial Olympic Games
Authors: Yarbrough C. Richard , Cameron Glen T. , Sallot Lynne M. , McWilliams Allison
Published: January 2008

This paper offers a quick overview of Cameron's contingency theory of conflict management in public relations. It then applies the theory to three cases that occurred during the 1996 Summer Olympic Games that were taken from the policy position papers, notes, diaries and tape recordings of C. Richard Yarbrough, Managing Director‐Communications of the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games (ACOG). The areas analysed include: the moving of preliminary volleyball matches from one venue to another which was forced by conflict between gay activists and local politicians who passed an anti‐gay resolution — a sustained effort at accommodation that shifted to advocacy; conflict between the ACOG board of directors and the media resulting from the disclosure of ACOG executive salaries — a strong advocacy stance that led to compromise; and conflict threatened between ACOG and a minority minister who was disgruntled about an Olympic sponsor — a case of marginality too insignificant to bother with. The cases not only illustrate and support factors in the contingency theory, but highlight the impracticality and inflexibility of two‐way symmetrical or mixed‐motive public relations as models of choice.
Only PR outcomes count — That is the real bottom line
Authors: Lindenmann Walter K.
Published: January 2008

This paper discusses a strategic approach to the measurement of public relations results — the Ketchum Effectiveness Yardstick concept — developed by the author as a planning tool that organisations can use to measure and evaluate the overall impact of their various communications programmes and activities.
Whither PR graduates?
Authors: Mallinson William
Published: January 2008

Reliable, specific, comprehensive and frank data about the fate of PR graduates is hard to find. The problem is compounded by the CAM professional qualifications, since CAM people are often lumped together with ‘academic’ PR graduates in research into careers. The problem is further compounded by media studies, which overlap, and often encompass, PR studies. The PRCA has obtained data from members which show an apparent reticence to provide the actual number of ‘pure’ PR graduates employed. The sparse data gathered to date do suggest that media and communications graduates are more successful in being employed than are ‘pure’ PR graduates. It is difficult to define what a pure PR degree is since, very often, despite the degree title, only a small component covers pure PR training. Many consultancies employ on an ad hoc basis, and few PR graduates are likely to be ready to take on immediate responsibility, unless they have had a fulfilling sandwich year. Moreover, there is stiff competition from graduates of cognate disciplines such as history, English and philosophy, who can be adept in communicating clearly and succinctly, especially on paper, unlike some PR graduates. Even this initial research, thanks to the PRCA's responding with alacrity to this author's request, shows that far more needs to be done, especially regarding the numbers of pure PR graduates employed. Some educational institutions are responsible for this studiedly lackadaisical lack of precision, preferring to hype all the way to the bank. The question arises as to whether comprehensive research already exists, but is too embarrassing to be shown the light of day.
Relational orientation in management: Re‐visiting the concepts of relationship and communication
Authors: Varey Richard J.
Published: January 2008

The concept of relationship marketing is established in the general management and marketing literature. Almost all of the thinking and practice has emanated exclusively from marketing scholars and practitioners. A contribution towards better understanding the communication issues is presented by re‐considering the nature of managed human communication as a fundamental management function, and a re‐consideration of the social nature and function of human relationships. This requires recognition that the field of public relations also deals with relationships. Some implications for individual managers are identified which do not depend on the scgmentalist functional view of marketing as an economic tool of persuasion. As communication occurs within the context of the communicators' multiplex relationships and relational roles, and these relationships define how to interpret the content of communication episodes, business managers can benefit from awareness of the impact of relationship status on the communication process and of communication events on their relationships.
Trade unions — the forgotten internal communications tool?
Authors: FitzPatrick Liam
Published: January 2008

Over the last two decades, internal communications has developed considerably as a sub‐discipline of public relations. Some of this growth is due to the desire of managers to bypass trade union influence in the workplace. Additionally, during the 1970s there was considerable dispute in some workplaces about who actually owned the right to communicate with employees. However, recent studies, including one by the author, have shown that good trade union channels are a considerable asset in the communication manager's repertoire. This paper considers some of the evidence for this view, highlights the need to be clear about the purpose of involvement and of participation at work and poses some practical questions for communicators.
The impact of culture on Japanese public relations
Authors: Sriramesh K. , Takasaki Mioko
Published: January 2008

The need for international public relations in a modern world characterised by collapsing trade barriers and increased international trade sets the stage for the study reported in this paper. The authors argue that public relations practitioners and scholars should recognise the importance of culture (both societal and organisational) as a variable that affects public relations practice in various countries. They then report on quantitative and qualitative data gathered from 81 public relations practitioners working in Japan. They conclude that media relations are highly valued by Japanese practitioners who use friendships, typified by the personal influence model, to conduct their media relations. Wa, kou‐chou, amae and tatemae were among the cultural concepts that played a significant role in the way Japanese public relations practitioners operate. Although Japanese practitioners valued symmetrical forms of public relations, they seemed constrained to practise the one‐way models. The authors conclude that similar studies of public relations practice in various cultures will contribute to effective public relations and help toward building a strong theory of international public relations.
Corporate communications: Conception and structure in some European, American and Asian countries
Authors: Tixier Maud
Published: January 2008

This paper deals with the rationales which prevail in the organisation of the communication function of international companies, ie the reasons which govern this organisation and the principal patterns and underlying conceptions of corporate communication. Beyond the logic or absence of logic in this organisation, one should be able to contribute to knowledge of communication in the following areas: what conceptions (definition) of corporate communication does this organisation manifest? What are the main patterns in the organisation of communication according to business field and to country? Are some better than others? To what extent does this organisation depend on managerial cultures (national culture, culture of the business sector, management style, culture of the company, etc…)? This paper was written from a survey conducted in the chair ‘Communication et Management’ of ESSEC, Graduate School of Management, in 1995. Its results appeared in International Public Relations Review, IPRA, Volume 16, 1995.
Corporate brand building: A methodology
Authors: Hallawell Francis
Published: January 2008

Brand‐building goes beyond reputation management to give a firm a sustainable point of competitive difference from its rivals, based on rational and emotional values integrated into the firm. Because a brand is tangible (consisting of carefully managed associations in the mind of the target audience), a corporate brand can be built around a firm as readily as a product brand around a product. The QBO approach involves defining and communicating the firm's vision, values and styles (the firm's contribution to the world, its principles and how these are reflected in the behaviour of its people), implemented via a four‐stage methodology.
Communication and the board
Authors: Clutterbuck David
Published: January 2008

As boards become subject to greater public scrutiny, they have an increasing need to manage their reputation. Over and above considering the organisation's communications plan at least once a year, there are strong arguments for developing a board communication strategy and plan. Such a plan would include a clear statement of communication objectives, defined methods for communicating decisions and decision‐making processes, how the board demonstrates leadership (living the values) and a system to measure the impact of board communications, both external and internal.
The impact of organisational culture research on the practice of public relations by regional television
Authors: Harris Phil , Ziegler‐Pierce Silke , Harris Irene
Published: January 2008

This paper reviews organisational culture research and explores how it can aid the understanding of regional television organisations' practice of public relations. A comprehensive review of the organisational culture literature is made and frameworks based upon this understanding are argued by the authors to allow for a fuller appreciation of corporate culture and its implications for public relations policy and organisation. Drawing upon primary research in the UK broadcasting industry, the organisational structure and operations of Granada TV and BBC North are compared and contrasted using the methods outlined. The limitations are discussed and future research is suggested.
The Industry and Parliament Trust: Contributing to better government and greater prosperity of UK plc
Authors: Brook Rosemary
Published: January 2008

The Industry and Parliament Trust (IPT) was established in 1917 at a time when polarisation of the main British political parties and of their attitudes towards industry risked leading the country to economic ruin. Its raison d'≖tre was that, regardless of party or ideology, governments and business enterprises need each other. Two decades on, the IPT has established a model for enabling Parliament and industry in their widest sense to gain mutual benefit from understanding each other better through exchanges in a safe, neutral and non‐partisan environment. The model has been adopted internationally and is expected be incorporated into the workings of the new devolved Parliament of Scotland and Assemblies of Wales and Northern Ireland.
Transforming internal communication at Bombardier Aerospace: A study in feedback
Authors: Tourish Dennis , Adams Iain , Gilmore Kerry‐Ann
Published: January 2008

This paper discusses the internal communication challenges facing a large manufacturing company in Northern Ireland. Employee surveys revealed unacceptable levels of dissatisfaction with communication, and a poor flow of information on key corporate issues. A communication strategy was developed, in response to these findings. The centrepiece of the strategy was a training programme for managers. This was designed to promote feed‐back‐seeking behaviours. This programme was piloted in one area, with a view to rolling it gradually throughout the rest of the organisation. The programme concerned is discussed in depth, and evidence presented as to its effectiveness. Its wider relevance, for other organisations, is also considered.
Applying account planning to public relations
Authors: Spencer Claire
Published: January 2008

This paper seeks to identify some of the trends that are shaping the communications agenda of tomorrow's brand/service/company, and examine how these trends are likely to impact on the way public relations (PR) campaigns are planned and evaluated. The power of PR has been recognised, and PR has earned its place, along with other communications disciplines, at the strategic table. As organisations and their brands/services gauge their susceptibility to good and bad PR, so too do they need to plan and manage the process. PR practitioners need to gain a better understanding of all the facets that touch the reputations of the organisations they serve. To achieve this they must have an intimate knowledge of the customers on whom their reputations depend. This paper sets out a process for achieving this, and a process for measuring the impact and influence of the resulting PR activity. A case study has been woven into the text to illustrate the process at each stage.
Rethinking PR evaluation
Authors: Puchan Heike , Pieczka Magda , L’Etang Jacquie
Published: January 2008

In the 1990s evaluation has been at the centre of a continued debate in public relations. With the new millennium in sight public relations practitioners, academics and professional bodies are not only asking for an intensified discussion, but are also looking for guidelines of best practice which are seen as a necessary step for further development towards professionalism.
Television from a PR perspective
Authors: Whitbourn David
Published: January 2008

This paper is designed to provide an insight into the requirements of television and the most effective ways of trying to gain coverage for a story.
Basic requisites in mergers between PR consultancies
Authors: Graham John
Published: January 2008

As an unprecedented level of merger and acquisition activity continues to sweep across the global business landscape, public relations firms certainly have not watched from the sidelines. PR agencies are pursuing mergers as fast as other industries. And this despite the sobering fact that the majority of mergers and acquisitions fail within the first three years. For any PR consultancy in search of a merger partner, avoiding that fate requires a constant awareness of one simple fact: PR is truly a people business. PR assets are exclusively people and their intellectual property, so making a PR agency merger work involves much more than getting the numbers right.
Farming in crisis: A case study
Authors: Rayner Simon
Published: January 2008

The UK farming industry is in financial crisis, the magnitude of which has not been experienced since the 1930s. The depression has left no sector of the industry untouched. The latest statistics released by Deloitte & Touche for the period July 1998 to June 1999 show farm profits and their incomes at their lowest since the company began its annual report ten years ago, with predictions that the situation will get even worse.
The models of public relations in India
Authors: Sriramesh Krishnamurthy
Published: January 2008

Developing countries are fast becoming the emerging markets in a ‘global village’. Yet few systematic analyses exist about public relations in developing nations. This study uses Grunig's models of public relations to explore the nature of public relations in a sample of four types of organisations in India. Data were collected from 18 organisations and 40 public relations professionals using the survey method and ethnographic analysis. Whereas the self‐reported questionnaires revealed that respondents engaged in two‐way symmetrical communication, the ethnographic data suggested that the press agentry/publicity model was predominantly used by all the organisations. In addition, a new model, the personal influence model, was found to be most popular in the sample organisations.
Systems theories and public relations practice
Authors: Gregory Anne
Published: January 2008

The emergence of public relations as an academic and practitioner discipline has benefited from input from many sources: social science, behavioural science, engineering, philosophy, business and management. One of the main theoretical underpinnings is systems theory, with parallels being drawn between systems and how communication is practised. Most public relations texts, however, including some of the most influential, do not do justice to the richness of systems theory, especially the most recent thinking on the subject. In this paper the author reviews the use of the better known systems theories, and examines some of the newer developments and applies these to the contemporary practice of public relations. The French school of thought called actor‐network theory is also alluded to in order to extend the discussion. The paper is in three sections. The first focuses on the older systems theories and their traditional application to public relations practice as propounded in the prevalent Grunig and Hunt public relations models. The second looks at some of the newer models in systems thinking, notes how they differ from the older ones and examines how they have relevance to modern practice. In the third section the author uses two practical examples, the breaking down of organisational barriers and current and potential uses of the Internet, to demonstrate the inadequacies of the older systems approach and the applicability of the new theories.
The European public relations body of knowledge
Authors: Verčič Dejan
Published: January 2008

The paper reports on the European Public Relations Body of Knowledge project (coordinated by the author for the European Association for Public Relations Research and Education, CERP Education & Research) that investigates the present state of public relations knowledge in Europe. The project consists of two components: an all‐European bibliography of public relations literature published in Europe in the 1990s and a Delphi study of an all‐European group of academics and practitioners on the specifics of public relations in Europe vis‐à‐vis the USA. Since public relations is predominantly a US academic discipline and business practice and it has come from there to Europe, a question arises as to the authenticity of public relations in Europe: are Europeans merely copying and repeating American public relations practice or has anything original developed in Europe? Relying on a multi‐country and multi‐language overview of European public relations, the paper also explores some localised processes within different European countries that could have implications for further development of the public relations profession in Europe
Getting to know you: Psychographics' place in public relations research
Authors: DeSanto Barbara J.
Published: January 2008

This paper discusses the contribution psychographics can make to the public relations process. While marketers and advertisers rely on building up groups through individuals' consumer purchasing behaviour, public relations practitioners have traditionally assessed different groups' public opinion to provide guidance in developing communication. Psychographics offers practitioners a dimension between the individual and the group choices that takes into consideration the individuality of the marketing/advertising approach and the group mentality of the public opinion process. Correctly researched, psychographics can also add attitudinal and behavioural information to traditional demographic categories, allowing practitioners to tailor communication to match the attitudes and perceptions of their target publics. The key, of course, to making effective use of psychographics is carefully constructing the research to generate the genuine responses that accurately reflect target publics' feelings, motivations and values.
Model for the on‐line management of knowledge transfer
Authors: Hillman Donald J.
Published: January 2008

A distinction is made between information retrieval and knowledge transfer, in terms of which the latter activity assumes a much greater degree of conceptual organization. It is argued that the current generation of on‐line information‐retrieval systems must evolve into so‐called ‘second generation’ systems that will support the more demanding requirements for knowledge instead of information. It appears that the man/machine interactive inquiry systems characteristic of today's on‐line activities can form a good basis for knowledge transfer, and an approach is described in which the LEADERMART information system is used as the platform for a knowledge‐transfer system. A model is described for the on‐line management and transfer of problem‐solving knowledge. Several ways in which information flow can be converted to knowledge‐transfer activities are explored, although there appears to be no unique paradigm for this conversion. Instead, knowledge transfer is explicated in terms of enhancements to on‐line retrieval manipulations, featuring an ever increasing emphasis on such direct forms of information transfer as numerical data retrieval and the retrieval of answer‐indicating passages. A new question‐analyzing procedure, QUANSY, is described which functions with another new technique for information regeneration to provide a start toward genuine knowledge transfer.
Developments in interactive on‐line television systems and Teletext information services in the home
Authors: Cawkell A.E.
Published: January 2008

A brief technical description is given of Teletext and Viewdata developments in the United Kingdom. These systems use modified domestic television receivers to receive pages of text. The Viewdata system enables a subscriber to select a desired page by transmitting command data using a simple keypad. ISI's SCITEL science news service, mounted on Viewdata, is described, and current and future prospects for on‐line interactive information services in the home are reviewed.
Chronicles of an information company
Authors: Ferguson Patricia
Published: January 2008

The birth and growth of a US West Coast information company is chronicled from its beginning as a part‐time partnership to its status five years later as a small but profitable corporation providing information services to Government agencies as well as graduate students. Documentation Associates provides a search and retrieval service that includes brokering on‐line data‐base searches, and the investment required to set up and maintain this kind of operation is described. Some information‐broker policies are discussed, e.g. service types, pricing methods, and the reasons for the wide disparity in data‐base search prices are examined. The policies of Documentation Associates in the operation of its broker service are presented.
Feature evalution of a full‐text information‐retrieval system
Authors: Rinewalt J.R.
Published: January 2008

Evaluations of on‐line information‐retrieval systems have been largely dependent upon monitoring of users' searches and the cooperation of users in interviews and questionnaires. Since users have a variety of information needs and levels of experience, the evaluation process has been difficult. This paper describes and presents the results of a series of experiments designed to evaluate selected features of a full‐text information‐retrieval system in a controlled environment. Features are evaluated on the basis of their development and implementation cost and their effect on user performance and system load. A figure of merit is developed for each feature, and the results of statistical tests to determine the validity of these measurements are presented.
An explanation of the coming stagnation of information search services
Authors: Lindquist Mats G.
Published: January 2008

Analyses of the on‐line search market have been subject to several serious misconceptions concerning the service retailers, i.e. the information search services (ISS). One of the consequences of this is that the ISS growth potential has been overestimated. The paper points out that, even if there is an overall growth in on‐line searching, the individual ISSs will typically show a stagnation after just over two years. Since the average operative age of an ISS is about two years, it is possible that even the aggregate growth in the next few years will be less than the present. This decline in growth rate is not inevitable but likely.
Some differences between three on‐line systems: impact on search results
Authors: Rouse Sandra H. , Lannom Laurence W.
Published: January 2008

With the growth in multiple on‐line search systems providing access to bibliographic data bases, exclusive availability of data bases is quickly disappearing. The searcher equally familiar with more than one system providing access to the same data base needs to apply some objective criteria in choosing a particular search system. Comparing three major search systems, we emphasize system differences in file structure, data fields and search features, and discuss how these differences influence search strategy and results. Results obtained from the CACondensates, ERIC, INFORM and NTIS data bases serve as examples for discussing the differences among the three search systems. Differences in postings among the systems are most often explained in terms of expected differences due to file structures, data fields and search features. Some unexpected differences between the systems are described and are assumed to be attributable to problems encountered during the preprocessing of the tape.
Use of on‐line bibliographic search in public libraries: a retrospective evaluation
Authors: Firschein O. , Summit R.K. , Mick C.K.
Published: January 2008

The results of the DIALIB project are described. This three‐year experiment of on‐line bibliographic search in the public library had as major participants four public libraries in the San Francisco Bay area. Five other public libraries in other parts of the USA participated to a lesser extent. Evaluation results were obtained concerning the users of the system and their characteristics, the use of the data bases, and librarian reactions to the system. In addition, interesting data were gathered concerning the time and cost of on‐line search, both in a free and fee‐for‐service environment.
An attempt to compare EMCS with TOXLINE
Authors: Schirner H. , Lorent J.P.
Published: January 2008

16 queries, performed on the two systems, resulted in 247 unique relevant references from EMCS and 559 from TOXLINE. The overlap varied considerably, from 6 to 50%. It is remarkable that TOXLINE, with nine subfiles specially compiled for toxicology can be supplemented by EMCS, which in the present study delivered 31% of all the unique references.
AID, an Associative Interactive Dictionary for online searching
Authors: Doszkocs Tamas E.
Published: January 2008

The paper describes the prototype Associative Interactive Dictionary. (AID) system for search strategy formulation on a large operational free text on‐line bibliographic retrieval system. The primary design objective of the Associative Interactive Dictionary is the automatic generation and display of related terms, synonyms, broader and narrower terms and other semantic associations for given search concepts. The associative analysis procedures rely on statistical frequency distribution information about term occurrences in a set of document texts retrieved in response to a Boolean search query and the occurrence frequencies of the same terms in the entire data base. Over the past two decades, a number of small experimental retrieval systems have utilized term associations for automatic or semiautomatic document classification, indexing, thesaurus building or as a search aid. These experimental systems primarily employ term‐term and term‐document matrices for the computation of similarity measures between and among terms and documents. The matrix technique can not be implemented efficiently and cost effectively on large operational retrieval systems owing to problems of scale limitations. The major on‐line bibliographic search systems, such as ELHILL, ORBIT, DIALOG, RECON, BRS and others, do not provide any search aids other than the inherent browsing capability, term truncation and/or sequential string searching. In some files, manually constructed on‐line thesauri offer partial assistance to the user. The prototype AID system overcomes the problems of scale by utilizing a computationally efficient similarity measure and a highly compressed in‐core hash table of terms and term frequencies. The hash table can accommodate tens of thousands of free text search terms. Both an on‐line version and a batch version of the Associative Interactive Dictionary system are currently operational on TOXLINE, a large file of over 400,000 journal citations with abstracts on toxicology and the environment. TOXLINE is one of several on‐line data bases on the National Library of Medicine's ELHILL retrieval system. The overal design of the AID system is general in nature, and therefore it can be implemented on other large operational retrieval systems.
Problems and pitfalls in setting up and operating an online information service
Authors: Moureau Magdeleine L.
Published: January 2008

This article takes the form of a checklist of the problems and pitfalls that can arise in setting up an online retrieval facility. The problems of both users and vendors are considered. Physical, economic, technical and social constraints are analyzed in the case of the vendor and each component in the chain — database producer, online vendor and telecommunication network — is considered separately. The user's problems are analyzed from the viewpoints of both the intermediary and the end user, and the effect of the changeover to a new system is considered.
Use of online terminals for scientific evaluation and planning
Authors: Viesca R. , Mendez A.
Published: January 2008

Online systems are presented as new tools in the hands of scientific policy makers. When new research proposals require comparative assessment, these systems provide an objective criterion for evaluating both the previous work of a given group and the timeliness and originality of a proposed project. Three examples are presented: (i) evaluation of a determinate project taking into account geographic, disciplinary and historical areas and the results and applications up to the present, (ii) evaluation of a Spanish research team in Physics and (iii) evaluation of a Spanish periodical connected with food research.
News
Authors: Lawrence Gerri G.
Published: January 2008

The Online Circuit which was formed in June of this year, as reprinted in the June 78 issue of Online Review has been busy during the summer months compiling members for the circuit. A survey was sent to contact persons for each user group that had been publicized or who had written various journals and members of the Online Circuit Steering Committee. To date, 31 user groups have joined the Online Circuit. These are all user groups located in the United States. It is hoped that the scope of the Circuit will become international as a result of the panel discussion to be held at the 2nd annual Online Information meeting in December. Gerri Lawrence, coordinator of the Online Circuit will be participating in the panel and two members of the Steering Committee, Marjorie Hlava and Jim Bement, will be presenting papers at the conference.
Online retrieval — today and tomorrow
Authors: Williams Martha E.
Published: January 2008

The present success of online retrieval is well known. The future is dependent on several factors including technological developments (computers, communications, terminals and storage), progress in information with science research, availability and use of funds for employing and coupling the available technology and the useful results of research, and finally the nontechnical exterior factors, such as political, psychological, legal and legislative constraints. Research is under way to pave the way for the development of transparent systems for retrieving references, facts and information contained in textual material. Such systems will greatly increase the useability of computer‐readable databases by professionals and laymen alike. Really significant changes will depend on research that progresses towards fact retrieval and ultimately towards knowledge retrieval.
Restrictions on database use: are they necessary?
Authors: Molster H.C.
Published: January 2008

The use of bibliographic databases and their retrieval results are presently restricted in a variety of ways. The data producers have generally instituted these restrictions to hedge against loss of potential income or they are part of a compulsory input‐cooperation arrangement. Various types of restrictions are discussed, with their rationale and their effect on use. For intermediaries, a contract with a royalty per item accessed or printed, without any market segmentation, does probably not reduce the potential income of the producer and could greatly enhance the spread of such information.
Marketing for online bibliographic services
Authors: Elias A.
Published: January 2008

The marketing of online bibliographic products has been a largely unknown area for the components of the industry — Database Suppliers, System Operators, and Telecommunications Services. Information as to the characteristics of the marketing problem(s) involved has been limited due to the relatively short period in which the services have been available, and in view of the fact that the technological sophistication of the products had developed so rapidly that we have been essentially dealing with a new product or service every year or in even shorter time periods. While stability has not been achieved, patterns are certainly much more valid than ever in the past and BioSciences Information Service (BIOSIS) has been making a start in understanding some of the basic market conditions and attempting some simple correlations. In terms of the BIOSIS experience with its BIOSIS Previews magnetic tape service, we will present information on the geographic distribution of Previews usage, the variety of organizations and institutions employing online service, their distribution in terms of the Systems Operator involved and attempt some conclusions for the short range future.
News
Authors: Nash Mary M. , Holmes Phil
Published: January 2008

To make it easier for searchers to determine which databases contain citations on a specific question, BRS has developed an automatic cross‐database search capability named CROSS. This new feature enables users to ‘browse’ various files and identify which of them contain records of potential interest. Using CROSS the searcher can specify which databases he wishes the system to search. As a convenience, the system has grouped certain files, such as life sciences databases or business databases, so that, if desired, the user may simply enter a single digit to specify which files should be searched. Once the specified files have been identified, a ‘postings’ list appears, telling the user how many appropriate citations are present in each of the files. Once the user determines which databases will yield the desired results, however, it is still necessary to change over to the individual databases to enter the strategy and retrieve the actual items. Nevertheless, this facility should prove very valuable to searchers with cross‐disciplinary queries.
Effective search strategies
Authors: Knox Douglas R. , Hlava Marjorie M.K.
Published: January 2008

Adequate preparation is basic to both computerized searching and manual searching. Typically, the researcher is not the person who operates the computer terminal. Therefore you, the searcher or information scientist, must secure an adequate definition of the topic before beginning a review of the literature.
Education, training and marketing for online information retrieval systems
Authors: Tedd Lucy A.
Published: January 2008

In late 1977 the British Library Research and Development Department funded visits I made to twelve organizations using computers for their bibliographic information requirements. I visited Norway, the Netherlands, France, Switzerland, Italy, Belgium and Britain. This paper discusses some of the general aspects of education, training and marketing techniques for online searching and describes the methods adopted by some of the organizations visited.
News retrieval services — growing but where are they headed?
Authors: Hogan Thomas H.
Published: January 2008

In the spring of 1979, Mead Data Central, which is best known for its legal information service (LEXIS), announced that it would soon make available an online retrieval service in the general news field. This brought to four the number of online services providing access to newspaper and other news media:
University of Toronto Library Automation Systems
Authors: Velazquez Harriet
Published: January 2008

UTLAS has developed and is developing a set of automated services which are directed at meeting the following criteria: (i) provision of an easily‐learned system for the sharing of catalogue and authorities records on a network facility which is economically usable over a wide geographical area; (ii) system flexibility to permit the recording of many types of bibliographic material; (iii) provision to accommodate bibliographic material from a variety of sources, and to permit the integration of records into usable databases with a clear identification of the source of each record; (iv) flexible facilities for selection and merging of material from multiple sources for the purpose of generating library products such as catalogue cards, bookform and microform catalogues and online enquiry; (v) provision of effective system control to relate each machine‐readable database to its counterpart published catalogue and updates; and (vi) provision of economic network facilities, such that system users may elect a high degree of local management of fully developed collections of machine‐readable records.
The British Library Automated Information Service (BLAISE)
Authors: Holmes P.L.
Published: January 2008

A range of library and information retrieval services are provided by the British Library under the house name BLAISE — British Library Automated Information Services. The author describes the very full range of services now established by the Library concentrating on those concerned with library processing. BLAISE is an example of a fully integrated system with online information retrieval from MARC records (and MEDLARS), online cataloguing, together with output options including full document delivery from the British Library Lending Division (BLLD), COM catalogue production via LOCAS, and, experimentally, book ordering. BLAISE is now available for U.S. users and will shortly be connected to EURONET for cheaper access by European users.
Shared cataloging at OCLC
Authors: Kilgour F.G.
Published: January 2008

This paper describes the governance, organization, and activities of OCLC. In particular, it reports on the processes and products of OCLC's online shared cataloging system, the online union catalog, as well as training, marketing, and prices related to shared cataloging. The paper also describes the computer‐communications system including general design, hardware, software, telecommunications, and terminals.
RLG's Research Libraries Information Network: bibliographic and information services
Authors: Thomson Jan , Hartzell Jennifer
Published: January 2008

The Research Libraries Group, Inc., a partnership of U.S. research institutions, operates and is expanding a computerized bibliographic and technical processing network called the Research Libraries Information Network (RLIN). It is one of four programs currently conducted by RLG. This paper outlines the nature and scope of RLIN through summaries of primary aspects of an operating computer network: hardware environment; software; systems, data bases, and services provided; user training and documentation; costs; governance; and development plans.
The development of commercially available databases in Europe
Authors: Tomberg Alex
Published: January 2008

The post‐war database revolution was triggered by ‘missions’ like health and nucleonics. In the last 10 years, the emphasis in databases has shifted from science and technology to business and softer disciplines, and from files of references (bibliographic files) to files of information (data banks). While Europe has outstripped the rest of the world in the number of bibliographic files, she lags behind in data banks and online availability. To get out of our information impasse we need to make intelligent use of new technologies like Viewdata and the European Communication Satellite, and find new ‘missions’.
The U.S. Congress — online users as policymakers
Authors: Gregory N.
Published: January 2008

During the past decade, the United States Congress has developed a wide array of online information databases and correspondence tracking systems. The legislators in Washington now probably comprise the world's largest concentration of policymakers using online systems. This paper presents the historical background, describes the various files now in use, and explores some of the policy questions faced by American lawmakers as the public seeks access to these information systems.
Online user forum
Authors: Lawrence Gerri G.
Published: January 2008

As this column originated in the desire to provide a forum of discussion on topics essential to online user groups, it is timely to consider for a moment the role of online user groups in the information community. Retrospectively, one can see that online user groups have been formed to learn and to share their experiences and knowledge in the arts and techniques of searching online. Programs tend to concentrate on workshops and training sessions in databases or online systems, in order to fulfill this basic need of the group.
U.S. Government publications: their value, online accessibility and availability for international information needs
Authors: Usdane Bernice S.
Published: January 2008

The Federal Government of the United States is the world's most prolific publisher. How is the international online specialist going to acquire the publications needed from this immense and proliferated assortment? This paper attempts to describe and classify the types of online databases which are available and to survey in greater depth some databases which access exclusively those documents published by the U.S. Federal Government.
STAIRS search strategy: ideas and opinions
Authors: Takle Quinn Karen
Published: January 2008

This article concentrates on the practical everyday aspects of search strategy, specifically offering ideas and comments on search strategies for STAIRS users.