bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Idiomarina aquimaris sp. nov., isolated from the reef-building coral Isopora palifera
Authors: Chen Ming-Hui , Sheu Shih-Yi , Chen Chaolun Allen , Wang Jih-Terng , Chen Wen-Ming
Published: August 2011

A bacterial strain designated SW15T was isolated from a sample of the reef-building coral Isopora palifera, collected in southern Taiwan. The novel strain was characterized using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Cells of strain SW15T were Gram-negative, aerobic, light yellow, rod-shaped and motile by means of a single polar flagellum. In phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, strain SW15T appeared to belong to the genus

Idiomarina

in the class

Gammaproteobacteria

and to be most closely related to

Idiomarina homiensis

PO-M2T (97.6 % sequence similarity). Strain SW15T exhibited optimal growth between 20 and 30 °C, with NaCl between 3 % and 4 % (w/v) and at a pH value between 7 and 8. Predominant cellular fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0 (31.1 %), iso-C17 : 0 (15.4 %), iso-C17 : 1ω9c (10.0 %) and C16 : 0 (8.8 %). The major respiratory quinone was ubiquinone Q-8. The polar lipid profile consisted of a mixture of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylserine, an uncharacterized aminolipid and several uncharacterized phospholipids. The DNA G+C content was 51.1 mol%. The level of DNA–DNA relatedness between strain SW15T and

Idiomarina homiensis

PO-M2T was 42.6–56.5 %. The results of physiological and biochemical tests allowed the clear phenotypic differentiation of the novel strain from established species of the genus

Idiomarina

. Based on the genotypic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic data, strain SW15T represents a novel species in the genus

Idiomarina

, for which the name Idiomarina aquimaris sp. nov. is proposed, with SW15T ( = LMG 25374T = BCRC 80083T) as the type strain.
Sphingomonas alpina sp. nov., a psychrophilic bacterium isolated from alpine soil
Authors: Margesin Rosa , Zhang De-Chao , Busse Hans-Jürgen
Published: August 2011

An aerobic, Gram-negative-staining, motile, psychrophilic bacterium, designated strain S8-3T, was isolated from alpine soil. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain S8-3T was related to the genus

Sphingomonas

and had highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with

Sphingomonas oligophenolica

S213T (98.0 %). 16S RNA gene sequence similarity between strain S8-3T and

Sphingomonas paucimobilis

ATCC 29837T (the type species of the genus

Sphingomonas

) was 93.0 %. Strain S8-3T contained Q-10 as the ubiquinone and C18 : 1ω7c (65.0 %) and C14 : 0 2-OH (13.4 %) as the dominant fatty acids (>10 %). The major polyamines were the triamine sym-homospermidine and spermidine. The polar lipid profile contained sphingoglycolipid, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine. The DNA G+C content was 64.1 mol%. Combined data from phenotypic, phylogenetic and DNA–DNA relatedness studies demonstrated that strain S8-3T is a representative of a novel species of the genus

Sphingomonas

, for which the name Sphingomonas alpina sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is S8-3T ( = DSM 22537T = LMG 26055T).
mir-11 limits the proapoptotic function of its host gene, dE2f1
Authors: Truscott Mary , Islam Abul B.M.M.K. , López-Bigas Núria , Frolov Maxim V.
Published: August 2011

The E2F family of transcription factors regulates the expression of both genes associated with cell proliferation and genes that regulate cell death. The net outcome is dependent on cellular context and tissue environment. The mir-11 gene is located in the last intron of the Drosophila E2F1 homolog gene dE2f1, and its expression parallels that of dE2f1. Here, we investigated the role of miR-11 and found that miR-11 specifically modulated the proapoptotic function of its host gene, dE2f1. A mir-11 mutant was highly sensitive to dE2F1-dependent, DNA damage-induced apoptosis. Consistently, coexpression of miR-11 in transgenic animals suppressed dE2F1-induced apoptosis in multiple tissues, while exerting no effect on dE2F1-driven cell proliferation. Importantly, miR-11 repressed the expression of the proapoptotic genes reaper (rpr) and head involution defective (hid), which are directly regulated by dE2F1 upon DNA damage. In addition to rpr and hid, we identified a novel set of cell death genes that was also directly regulated by dE2F1 and miR-11. Thus, our data support a model in which the coexpression of miR-11 limits the proapoptotic function of its host gene, dE2f1, upon DNA damage by directly modulating a dE2F1-dependent apoptotic transcriptional program.
A novel mechanism for the transcriptional regulation of Wnt signaling in development
Authors: Vacik Tomas , Stubbs Jennifer L. , Lemke Greg
Published: August 2011

Axial patterning of the embryonic brain requires a precise balance between canonical Wnt signaling, which dorsalizes the nervous system, and Sonic hedgehog (Shh), which ventralizes it. The ventral anterior homeobox (Vax) transcription factors are induced by Shh and ventralize the forebrain through a mechanism that is poorly understood. We therefore sought to delineate direct Vax target genes. Among these, we identify an extraordinarily conserved intronic region within the gene encoding Tcf7l2, a key mediator of canonical Wnt signaling. This region functions as a Vax2-activated internal promoter that drives the expression of dnTcf7l2, a truncated Tcf7l2 isoform that cannot bind β-catenin and that therefore acts as a potent dominant-negative Wnt antagonist. Vax2 concomitantly activates the expression of additional Wnt antagonists that cooperate with dnTcf7l2. Specific elimination of dnTcf7l2 inXenopusresults in headless embryos, a phenotype consistent with a fundamental role for this regulator in forebrain development.
Vacuolar Transport in Tobacco Leaf Epidermis Cells Involves a Single Route for Soluble Cargo and Multiple Routes for Membrane Cargo
Authors: Bottanelli Francesca , Foresti Ombretta , Hanton Sally , Denecke Jürgen
Published: August 2011

We tested if different classes of vacuolar cargo reach the vacuole via distinct mechanisms by interference at multiple steps along the transport route. We show that nucleotide-free mutants of low molecular weight GTPases, including Rab11, the Rab5 members Rha1 and Ara6, and the tonoplast-resident Rab7, caused induced secretion of both lytic and storage vacuolar cargo. In situ analysis in leaf epidermis cells indicates a sequential action of Rab11, Rab5, and Rab7 GTPases. Compared with Rab5 members, mutant Rab11 mediates an early transport defect interfering with the arrival of cargo at prevacuoles, while mutant Rab7 inhibits the final delivery to the vacuole and increases cargo levels in prevacuoles. In contrast with soluble cargo, membrane cargo may follow different routes. Tonoplast targeting of an α-TIP chimera was impaired by nucleotide-free Rha1, Ara6, and Rab7 similar to soluble cargo. By contrast, the tail-anchored tonoplast SNARE Vam3 shares only the Rab7-mediated vacuolar deposition step. The most marked difference was observed for the calcineurin binding protein CBL6, which was insensitive to all Rab mutants tested. Unlike soluble cargo, α-TIP and Vam3, CBL6 transport to the vacuole was COPII independent. The results indicate that soluble vacuolar proteins follow a single route to vacuoles, while membrane spanning proteins may use at least three different transport mechanisms.
Conservation and Purifying Selection of Transcribed Genes Located in a Rice Centromere
Authors: Fan Chuanzhu , Walling Jason G. , Zhang Jianwei , Hirsch Cory D. , Jiang Jiming , Wing Rod A.
Published: August 2011

Recombination is strongly suppressed in centromeric regions. In chromosomal regions with suppressed recombination, deleterious mutations can easily accumulate and cause degeneration of genes and genomes. Surprisingly, the centromere of chromosome8 (Cen8) of rice (Oryza sativa) contains several transcribed genes. However, it remains unclear as to what selective forces drive the evolution and existence of transcribed genes in Cen8. Sequencing of orthologous Cen8 regions from two additional Oryza species, Oryza glaberrima and Oryza brachyantha, which diverged from O. sativa 1 and 10 million years ago, respectively, revealed a set of seven transcribed Cen8 genes conserved across all three species. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis with the centromere-specific histone CENH3 confirmed that the sequenced orthologous regions are part of the functional centromere. All seven Cen8 genes have undergone purifying selection, representing a striking phenomenon of active gene survival within a recombination-free zone over a long evolutionary time. The coding sequences of the Cen8 genes showed sequence divergence and mutation rates that were significantly reduced from those of genes located on the chromosome arms. This suggests that Oryza has a mechanism to maintain the fidelity and functionality of Cen8 genes, even when embedded in a sea of repetitive sequences and transposable elements.
Combined Noninvasive Imaging and Modeling Approaches Reveal Metabolic Compartmentation in the Barley Endosperm
Authors: Rolletschek Hardy , Melkus Gerd , Grafahrend-Belau Eva , Fuchs Johannes , Heinzel Nicolas , Schreiber Falk , Jakob Peter M. , Borisjuk Ljudmilla
Published: August 2011

The starchy endosperm of cereals is a priori taken as a metabolically uniform tissue. By applying a noninvasive assay based on 13C/1H-magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to barley (Hordeum vulgare) grains, we uncovered metabolic compartmentation in the endosperm. 13C-Suc feeding during grain filling showed that the primary site of Ala synthesis was the central region of the endosperm, the part of the caryopsis experiencing the highest level of hypoxia. Region-specific metabolism in the endosperm was characterized by flux balance analysis (FBA) and metabolite profiling. FBA predicts that in the central region of the endosperm, the tricarboxylic acid cycle shifts to a noncyclic mode, accompanied by elevated glycolytic flux and the accumulation of Ala. The metabolic compartmentation within the endosperm is advantageous for the grain's carbon and energy economy, with a prominent role being played by Ala aminotransferase. An investigation of caryopses with a genetically perturbed tissue pattern demonstrated that Ala accumulation is a consequence of oxygen status, rather than being either tissue specific or dependent on the supply of Suc. Hence the 13C-Ala gradient can be used as an in vivo marker for hypoxia. The combination of MRI and metabolic modeling offers opportunities for the noninvasive analysis of metabolic compartmentation in plants.
The Chloroplast Calcium Sensor CAS Is Required for Photoacclimation in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
Authors: Petroutsos Dimitris , Busch Andreas , Janßen Ingrid , Trompelt Kerstin , Bergner Sonja Verena , Weinl Stefan , Holtkamp Michael , Karst Uwe , Kudla Jörg , Hippler Michael
Published: August 2011

The plant-specific calcium binding protein CAS (calcium sensor) has been localized in chloroplast thylakoid membranes of vascular plants and green algae. To elucidate the function of CAS in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, we generated and analyzed eight independent CAS knockdown C. reinhardtii lines (cas-kd). Upon transfer to high-light (HL) growth conditions, cas-kd lines were unable to properly induce the expression of LHCSR3 protein that is crucial for nonphotochemical quenching. Prolonged exposure to HL revealed a severe light sensitivity of cas-kd lines and caused diminished activity and recovery of photosystem II (PSII). Remarkably, the induction of LHCSR3, the growth of cas-kd lines under HL, and the performance of PSII were fully rescued by increasing the calcium concentration in the growth media. Moreover, perturbing cellular Ca2+ homeostasis by application of the calmodulin antagonist W7 or the G-protein activator mastoparan impaired the induction of LHCSR3 expression in a concentration-dependent manner. Our findings demonstrate that CAS and Ca2+ are critically involved in the regulation of the HL response and particularly in the control of LHCSR3 expression.
Career choice, satisfaction, and perceptions about their professional image
Authors: Alansari Husain A.
Published: August 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the factors affecting career choice, job satisfaction, and perceptions of the public image of librarians in Kuwait.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were gathered via questionnaires sent to 117 professional librarians working in academic, public, and special libraries in Kuwait.

Findings

The study identified factors which influenced the choice of career, sources of satisfaction and dissatisfaction. Respondents reported that they were moderately satisfied with their current job. The results show that extrinsic measures, such as recognition of accomplishment, fair performance evaluation, and job security were ranked in the top and are the most important aspects of job satisfaction, whereas intrinsic measures, such as suitable daily working hours and nature of work, fell close to the bottom of the list. The cause of employee job dissatisfaction occurs in the area of benefits, contingent rewards, communication, salaries, working conditions, and promotions. Recommendations are made to improve the job satisfaction and the public image of librarianship in Kuwait.

Practical implications

The results of the study may provide useful information and practical advice for library managers, library education programs, and professional associations in Kuwait.

Originality/value

This paper is the only study on career choice, job satisfaction, and librarians' image in Kuwait. It is useful to increase the understanding and improve the career choice, job satisfaction, and librarians' image in Kuwait.
Electronic journals in Nigerian university libraries: the present situation and future possibilities
Authors: Olorunsola Richard , Adeleke Akinniyi A.
Published: August 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report on research that examined the issues of e‐journal subscription, subscription models and the future of print version of journals in Nigerian universities.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey study was used to collect data from the selected 30 universities that covered the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria. The questionnaire contained questions that are pertinent to the issues being investigated. The 22 responses (73.3 percent) received were processed, analyzed and results presented.

Findings

The study reveals that Nigerian universities subscribe to e‐journals, i.e. full‐text journals. They employ acceptable models for subscriptions, however, they use consortium more than any other model. Most libraries want to retain print format.

Research limitations/implications

While the study is limited to 22 university libraries, it has applications to similar universities across Nigeria, be they public or private.

Practical implications

This research provides information on the status of subscription to e‐journals in Nigerian libraries methods, and policy issues. The data and findings may help provide ways to manage e‐journals better in Nigerian libraries to serve user needs.

Originality/value

At the time of the completion of this study no such work had been done before in Nigeria.
The case for partnering doctoral students with librarians: a synthesis of the literatures
Authors: Harris Colleen S.
Published: August 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to ask how the academic library may better position itself to assist with the demonstrated need for improved research ability in doctoral students. The paper examines the literature on doctoral student retention, which demonstrates problems with research self‐efficacy in students, and connects this issue to the library literature demonstrating the impact of library instruction.

Design/methodology/approach

The main approach is the review of the literatures in library science on the impact of instruction, and in the wider education literature on student retention and doctoral student attrition.

Findings

It was found that library instruction does demonstrably improve student research skills, and that doctoral students are generally underprepared to conduct dissertation level research. There is a case for partnering doctoral students with academic librarians to improve dissertation completion rates and lower attrition due to lack of research skill.

Practical implications

The paper demonstrates an obvious need for focus of library instruction on graduate students, and doctoral students in particular. The paper poses a number of research agendas that can be taken up by practitioners in the field, including various models for implementing instruction for doctoral students.

Social implications

Attrition from doctoral programs has a burdensome impact on academic institutions, and has been demonstrated to have adverse social, psychological and financial impacts on the doctoral students themselves. The ability of library intervention to alleviate the problem has wide‐ranging implications.

Originality/value

The paper brings a wider literature base to bear on the practice of library instruction, and raises important questions relevant to librarians and graduate faculty about the value of the library to more advanced research students and the current focus of most library instruction programs at the undergraduate levels.
Fitness map: a classification of internal strategic fit in service organisations
Authors: Hill Alex , Cuthbertson Richard
Published: August 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between internal strategic fit and business performance, propose six classifications of internal fit using the “strategic map” managerial framework and identify how firms should best move from one classification to another and the impact that these changes will have on business performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Empirical research was conducted in 12 service organisations. Based on these findings, two fit‐performance relationships were identified and the “fitness map” framework was developed showing six classifications of fit.

Findings

The alignment of operations strategy within an organisation is significantly and positively related to market share, whereas, the alignment of the service delivery system is significantly and positively related to return on sales. However, neither the alignment of the operations strategy nor the service delivery system appears to have a relationship with return on investment. Six classifications of internal strategic fit emerged: poorly aligned organisations are either “understanding processes” or “understanding markets”, medium‐fit companies are “managing processes” or “developing service offerings” and well‐aligned firms are “leveraging services and process capabilities” or “leveraging markets and design capabilities”.

Practical implications

The fit‐performance relationships show how changes in the alignment of operations strategy and delivery system impact business performance differently. Using this knowledge, practitioners can use the “strategic map” framework to identify their classification of fit and understand how it has been created, benchmark their level of fit against other businesses, understand how to move from one level of fit to another and how these decisions will impact business performance.

Originality/value

The paper's findings start to address the gap in the literature on internal strategic fit within service organisations and meet the need for more management tools to help businesses develop strategies, understand the level of fit they create and how they can impact business performance.
Minority support
Authors: Rumens Nick
Published: August 2011

Purpose

This paper aims to explore how gay men and lesbians draw upon workplace friendship for developing and sustaining managerial careers and identities.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopts a qualitative design, using data collected from semi‐structured interviews with four lesbians and eight gay men, all employed in managerial roles in the UK.

Findings

Data reveal the importance of workplace friendship as a resource for mentoring, climbing managerial career ladders, fitting into existing work cultures and developing gay and lesbian managerial identities. A significant finding is that participants preferred to befriend heterosexual colleagues, to that end complicating previous research that suggests gay and lesbian friendship preferences tend to be marked by similarity in regard to sexual identity. Work friends enable and constrain the development and visibility of gay and lesbian managerial identities and careers.

Research limitations/implications

Although the data are not generalisable, it is of concern that gay men and lesbians continue to be disadvantaged by heteronormative constructions of gender and sexuality. While gender and sexual norms can limit the visibility and embodiment of gay and lesbian managers in the workplace, the study reveals also how gay sexualities can be utilised as a resource for developing influential friendships.

Originality/value

This article provides insights into issues not previously covered or understudied in the organisation studies literature such as the agency of gay men and lesbians in constructing different types of workplace friendships as a resource for developing managerial identities and careers.
Exploring inclusion, exclusion and ethnicities in the institutional structures of UK accountancy
Authors: Johnston Roger , Kyriacou Orthodoxia
Published: August 2011

Purpose

This paper seeks to explore the ways in which discrimination is exercised institutionally. The paper takes as its focus the UK institutional structures of accountancy.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses a conceptual framework which explores the connections between institutional structures of UK accountancy and the rich experiences of individuals.

Findings

The narrative themes clearly illustrate the intersection of gender, ethnicity and identity across the institutional structures. Varying degrees of inclusion and exclusion are visible in the accountancy workplace.

Research limitations/implications

The oral history approach has its inherent limitations and many of the respondents were “snowball” contacts rather than drawn from a large randomly chosen selection.

Practical implications

This paper prioritises individual experience of unfair discrimination. Although research in this area of accountancy is emergent, it argues that the voice of the individual needs to be listened to by the institutions which form UK accountancy in order to facilitate equality and diversity.

Originality/value

The value of this study rests with the illumination of accountancy experiences which otherwise may have been silenced by the institutional structures of accountancy.
Towards a theoretical framework for knowledge transfer in the field of CSR and sustainability
Authors: Nicolopoulou Katerina
Published: August 2011

Purpose

The present paper seeks to focus on the processes involved in the knowledge transfer of CSR and sustainability programs and theorises about a conceptual framework that addresses three aspects of such a knowledge transfer process: the “thinking”, the “doing” and the “being”.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is a theoretical interdisciplinary study, which combines insights from the theory of knowledge transfer within the application domain of CSR and sustainability, and looks into the ways the above impact aspects of diversity, career identity and career development of professionals in this field.

Findings

HRM issues such as new competencies and differing approaches to career development options, talent retention and management, and a change of the notion of employment contract need to develop to successfully support the transfer of knowledge in terms of professionals in the domain of CSR and sustainability.

Research limitations/implications

Future directions and implications of this research include furthering the understanding of career identities and their development in the milieu of globally mobile knowledge workers in the field of CSR and sustainability knowledge transfer and identifying relevant and necessary tools for HR management and stakeholder engagement in this field.

Social implications

The establishment of career pathways and new career identities is an increasingly significant challenge in the workplaces of the twenty‐first century, and CSR/sustainability knowledge transfer processes highlight that.

Originality/value

The paper contributes an innovative angle to the topic of knowledge transfer in the area of CSR and sustainability, whilst also highlighting the importance of the role of knowledge workers with global mobility in this process, including their perceptions of career identities and development.
Understanding the determinants of cloud computing adoption
Authors: Low Chinyao , Chen Yahsueh , Wu Mingchang
Published: August 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the factors that affect the adoption of cloud computing by firms belonging to the high‐tech industry. The eight factors examined in this study are relative advantage, complexity, compatibility, top management support, firm size, technology readiness, competitive pressure, and trading partner pressure.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire‐based survey was used to collect data from 111 firms belonging to the high‐tech industry in Taiwan. Relevant hypotheses were derived and tested by logistic regression analysis.

Findings

The findings revealed that relative advantage, top management support, firm size, competitive pressure, and trading partner pressure characteristics have a significant effect on the adoption of cloud computing.

Research limitations/implications

The research was conducted in the high‐tech industry, which may limit the generalisability of the findings.

Practical implications

The findings offer cloud computing service providers with a better understanding of what affects cloud computing adoption characteristics, with relevant insight on current promotions.

Originality/value

The research contributes to the application of new technology cloud computing adoption in the high‐tech industry through the use of a wide range of variables. The findings also help firms consider their information technologies investments when implementing cloud computing.
A model for analyzing churn effect in saturated markets
Authors: Lee Sang‐Gun , Yu Ming , Yang Changgyu , Kim Changsoo
Published: August 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a model that predicts information communication technology (ICT) adoption in saturated markets, to analyze the shifting behaviors of the subscribers and to present the results.

Design/methodology/approach

By developing an expanded Bass model, the authors analyzed post‐adopters' switching behaviors in the mobile phone market, using the officially verified time‐series data for the number of mobile phone adopters in South Korea.

Findings

The results show that: the expanded Bass diffusion model can delineate the stream of post‐adopter's switching behaviors in saturated ICT markets; based on innovation value p and imitation value q, the authors conclude that customer immigrations during market saturated period are mainly caused by innovation effect, which is closely related to launching innovative products; and fast mover still has its imitation effect, which is closely related to first mover advantage.

Originality/value

The paper provides novel insights for the frame of practical strategies. To survive in a saturated market, late movers should continuously develop new and innovative products. In addition, fast movers should also develop innovative products to prevent customer immigrations, and they also should utilize their first mover advantage more efficiently, even in matured market.
Knowledge elicitation approach in enhancing tacit knowledge sharing
Authors: Ting S.L. , Wang W.M. , Tse Y.K. , Ip W.H.
Published: August 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present an automatic Medical Knowledge Elicitation System (MediKES), which is designed to improve elicitation and sharing of tacit knowledge acquired by physicians. The system leverages the clinical information stored in electronic medical record systems, by representing the acquired information in a series of knowledge maps.

Design/methodology/approach

The system architecture of the proposed MediKES is first discussed, and then a case study on an application of the proposed system in a Hong Kong medical organization is presented to illustrate the adoption process and highlight the benefits that can be realized from deployment of the MediKES.

Findings

The results of the case study show that the proposed solution is more reliable and powerful than traditional knowledge elicitation approaches in capturing physicians' tacit knowledge, transforming it into a machine‐readable form, as well as enhancing the quality of the medical judgment made by physicians.

Practical implications

A prototype system has been constructed and implemented on a trial basis in a medical organization. It has proven to be of benefit to healthcare professionals through its automatic functions in representing and visualizing physicians' diagnostic decisions.

Originality/value

Knowledge is key to improving the quality of the medical judgment of physicians. However, researchers and practitioners are still striving for more effective ways of capturing tacit knowledge and transforming it into a machine‐readable form so as to enhance knowledge sharing. In this paper, the authors reveal that the knowledge retrieval and the visual knowledge representation functions of the proposed system are able to facilitate knowledge sharing among physicians. Thus, junior physicians can use it as a decision support tool in making better diagnostic decisions.
The asymmetric effect of online social networking attribute‐level performance
Authors: Sheng Margaret L. , Hsu Chia‐Lin , Wu Cou‐Chen
Published: August 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the asymmetric effect of negative and positive attribute‐level performance (i.e. effort expectancy, performance expectancy, social influence, facilitating conditions, flow experience, and satisfaction) of online social networking (OSN) on behavioral intention.

Design/methodology/approach

An investigation of behavioral intention in OSN was conducted, with a total of 482 effective questionnaires collected. The psychometric properties of the measures were investigated and a dummy‐variable regression model was applied to estimate the regression coefficients.

Findings

The results confirm that the importance of asymmetrical effect is not equivalent for different attributes. Negative performance on performance expectancy, effort expectancy, flow experience, and satisfaction had a larger effect on behavioral intention than positive performance. In contrast, positive performance on social influence and facilitating conditions had a larger effect on behavioral intention than negative performance.

Originality/value

This paper adds to the extant literature by offering an empirical investigation of the asymmetric effect of OSN attribute‐level performance on behavioral intention. Furthermore, by focusing on the positive‐negative asymmetry effect, the proposed model also significantly increases the value of OSN through an understanding of behavioral intention and its antecedents.
Applying fuzzy balanced scorecard for evaluating the CRM performance
Authors: Shafia Mohammad Ali , Mahdavi Mazdeh Mohammad , Vahedi Mahboobeh , Pournader Mehrdokht
Published: August 2011

Purpose

This paper aims to provide a framework for evaluating the impact of implementing customer relationship management (CRM) based on the balanced scorecard (BSC). The outcomes illustrate the gaps between the present conditions of CRM implementation in a specific organization, which leads to some strategic remedies. These remedies are going to be ranked to achieve the best solution for enhancing the quality of CRM in the organization.

Design/methodology/approach

This study investigates the weights of measures presented in the CRM‐BSC by distributing the questionnaires among 44 experts in the beverage industry of Iran. It also benefits from judgment‐purposive in non‐probability sampling method for collecting data. The results are analyzed through a fuzzy approach. The strategic remedies for the drawbacks of the organization that were obtained from the CRM‐BSC are also proposed by the experts. These remedies are again evaluated by questionnaires and some selective tools of multi‐criteria decision‐making approach namely: simple additive weighting and technique for ordering preference by similarity to ideal solution.

Findings

Through the evaluation process, six significant gaps related to the CRM performance of the organization are agreed upon. For each of these gaps, the strategic remedies are proposed by the experts. The outcomes of ranking these remedies imply that customer feedbacks, updating managerial knowledge and employee belongingness should be the main objectives of the manufacturer for improvement.

Practical implications

This study provides a better understanding of a more effective CRM system for different kinds of organizations by first, clarifying the customer‐related performance gaps of the target organization and second, by presenting strategic solutions for the detected areas. The framework could be also beneficial in other fields of industry, but the relevancy of the measures should be considered.

Originality/value

The CRM‐BSC framework is customized to the Iranian industrial environment. The structure of the measures in the scorecard is proposed for the first time.
Relationship and role transformations in social media environments
Authors: Hall Hazel
Published: August 2011

Purpose

This paper seeks to challenge how librarians conceive a number of relationships – between themselves, social media tools, and end‐users, and to argue that this determines the boundaries of service innovation.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper develops themes and ideas derived from research projects on deployment of social media by library and information professionals completed within the Centre for Social Informatics at Edinburgh Napier University.

Findings

Librarians currently demonstrate more sophisticated use of social media for personal professional purposes than for services delivery; a number of challenges currently limit the extent to which librarians are able to exploit social media to full advantage; fuller exploitation of social media is possible when librarians transfer the good practice exhibited in personal professional use to applications for services delivery; service innovations are considered before tools; and end users are treated as collaborating clients rather than consuming customers.

Originality/value

The paper is of interest to those keen to take advantage of the opportunities offered by social media that extend beyond replicating existing service delivery.
Blurring the boundaries between our physical and electronic libraries
Authors: Walsh Andrew
Published: August 2011

Purpose

This paper aims to consider the use of technologies including GPS, QR codes and RFID tags to personalize the learning environments in academic libraries.

Design/methodology/approach

It reports on the use of QR codes at the University of Huddersfield, including information on how the QR codes have been received by users. It also outlines other technologies used elsewhere and reported in the professional literature.

Findings

The paper finds that, although location‐aware technologies are being used, for most libraries they are impractical. Instead, one could use QR codes (which have significant barriers to their use) or preferably RFID tags (already widely used for other purposes) to create smarter libraries.

Practical implications

Libraries are increasingly using RFID tags in their stock, occasionally as part of library or campus smart cards as well. When considering how to use, or justify the cost of, RFID tags in libraries, one should also consider the potential additional benefits outlined in this article.

Originality/value

While most of the technologies described have been used in experimental ways within libraries, no one has yet used RFID tags for much more than stock circulation and control. This is the first paper to suggest using them to access the wealth of data in order to personalize the learning environments of our libraries.
Application of information and communication technologies in special libraries in Kuwait
Authors: Al‐Ansari Husain
Published: August 2011

Purpose

The study is designed to explore the application of information technology in various operations and services in special libraries in Kuwait.

Design/methodology/approach

The data were collected through a questionnaire accompanied by interviews with head librarians in 25 special libraries in Kuwait.

Findings

This study provides baseline data on the current status of the application of information and communication technology (ICT). The majority of the libraries are partially automated. The library catalogue was found to be the most popular area for automation. More than one fourth of the libraries are still using manual systems in their library operations and services. Lack of adequate personnel, ICT training programs, and low priority of libraries within their organization are major obstacles for ICT application in special libraries.

Practical implications

This paper will have implications for the development of special libraries in Kuwait. It also indicates existing obstacles, difficulties, suggestion and recommendations for further development.

Originality/value

It is the first study of the status of ICT applications in special libraries in Kuwait. Its findings should help researchers and decision makers to improve the current information infrastructure
An investigation‐based learning model for using digital libraries to support mobile learning activities
Authors: Shih Ju‐Ling , Hwang Gwo‐Jen , Chu Yu‐Chung , Chuang Chien‐Wen
Published: August 2011

Purpose

This study proposes a mobile learning model that employs digital libraries to support investigative learning activities. A student‐centered mobile learning activity with self‐guided exploration for physical ecology observation has been conducted to demonstrate the benefits of using digital libraries to support investigation‐based ecology learning activities.

Design/methodology/approach

An investigation‐based mobile learning model is proposed and an experiment is designed to show the effectiveness of the learning model, in which the students are asked to answer a series of questions by observing the real‐world learning objects and searching for supplemental materials from a digital library.

Findings

The instructional experiment conducted in an elementary school with 64 sixth grade students shows that the innovative approach is able to improve the learning achievement, learning effectiveness, as well as the learning attitudes of the students.

Practical implications

The findings of this paper imply that the use of the investigative learning model will significantly promote the utilization rate of digital libraries.

Originality/value

An investigative model for using digital libraries to support mobile learning is proposed in this paper. It provides good guidance to teachers for designing learning activities with digital libraries, and a good way for students to learn, utilizing the materials in digital libraries.
Bridging digital divide in Bangladesh: study on community information centers
Authors: Islam Anwarul , Tsuji Keita
Published: August 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss different attempts that have been made to bridge the digital divide in Bangladesh, with special focus on the Community Information Centers (CICs), which are playing a unique and innovative role in reducing the digital gap.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is a case study and is based on a survey method for collecting information through telephone (outbound call center). Besides these, internet, personal visits (as a project member) and other secondary sources such as research reports, Grameenphone internal reports, articles are used.

Findings

This paper highlights the existing initiatives which are bridging the break to build digital Bangladesh and focuses on how CIC is bridging the divide.

Research limitations/implications

This study will usher a new era for its internal values and the findings can be used by the advisory committees. The outcome of this study may, however, empower policy makers to make a decision and it is suggested that discussion and further writings are needed to bridge the digital divide in Bangladesh.

Originality/value

This paper is one of the very few studies which focus on the prospects of Community Information Centers in Bangladesh, particularly breaking the digital discrimination between rural and urban areas.
Measuring the usability of academic digital libraries
Authors: Joo Soohyung , Yeon Lee Jee
Published: August 2011

Purpose

This study aims to develop a measurement instrument, which involves four usability dimensions of efficiency, effectiveness, satisfaction, and learnability, as a way of assessing the usability of academic digital libraries.

Design/methodology/approach

To generate measurement items, previous research related to usability frameworks, usability guidelines, and empirical usability tests was reviewed. The measurement instrument was then verified in terms of reliability and validity, empirically using data from 230 actual users of an academic digital library. To ensure the reliability of the instrument, internal consistency of measurements, measurement item reliability, and construct reliability were examined. Construct validity, which consists of convergent validity and discriminant validity, was also examined on the basis of confirmatory factor analysis using structural equation modeling.

Findings

The usability evaluation instrument suggested in this study comprises four dimensions: efficiency, effectiveness, satisfaction, and learnability, and three to four items were identified to measure each dimension.

Originality/value

To date, while many of the usability studies have relied on either experimental methods or inspection methods, few studies have been conducted to identify evaluation measures that can assess the usability of a digital library from a survey method. This study is one of a few studies to develop a measurement instrument tailored to academic digital library environments.
A study of integrated KM in IT support services companies
Authors: Bairi Jayachandra , Murali Manohar B. , Kundu Kumar
Published: August 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop and evaluate a good knowledge management (KM) framework for IT services companies to provide an integrated approach to IT services for efficient knowledge management.

Design/methodology/approach

The framework is evaluated at three Indian IT organizations providing global IT services with successful KM programs dedicated to services. Expert interviews were conducted with senior management involved in the KM programs. Information collected was used for studying the KM framework implemented by each organization for services and then content analyzed and evaluated.

Findings

The paper provides evidence of various strategic, technological critical factors influencing the success of KM programs in IT services companies. Organizations with successful KM programs typically adapt attrition control measures, rewards and recognitions. Application of key enabler tools of KM help in robust knowledge management, reducing cost to client, helping companies to excel better.

Research limitations/implications

Interviews are limited to three large companies in the Bangalore region. Future in‐depth studies across regions, with a mix of medium/large organizations would benefit from a larger and more diverse sample.

Practical implications

It is suggested that IT services organizations develop specific capabilities to create knowledge management system (KMS) for productivity benefits and increased profitability. To provide clear benchmarks for developing these capabilities, mainly from the outsourcing point of view, a KM framework for IT services is provided.

Originality/value

Integrated KMS is discussed from a unique perspective of IT services by integrating knowledge management and IT services. The paper also reviews customers' expectations from IT service providers. The paper conducts preliminary evaluation of the KM framework for IT services and provides a broader view for future research opportunities.
The knowledge‐based development agenda:a perspective for 2010‐2020
Authors: Ergazakis Kostas , Metaxiotis Kostas
Published: August 2011

Purpose

In the context of today's knowledge economy, development policies that are mainly based on knowledge as a primary source of wealth and added‐value are increasingly adopted by cities and countries. This tendency is becoming much more common due to the global financial crisis. Thus, the knowledge‐based development field has been in a state of important progress during the last decade. This paper seeks to discuss and highlight the major issues of knowledge‐based development. By doing so the paper aims to present an agenda for future research directions for the present decade of 2010‐2020.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents an agenda for future research by co‐instantaneously presenting the status in relation to the major pending issues of the knowledge‐based development field. This is accomplished through a wide‐scope literature review and qualitative scoring of knowledge‐based development (KBD) categories.

Findings

The main finding is that research is needed in four main directions: development of holistic and unified approaches for the practical formulation of citizen‐centric knowledge‐based development strategies; knowledge‐based urban planning; knowledge‐based development assessment and metrics; practical aspects of implementation of knowledge‐based development approaches.

Research limitations/implications

Research in the paper is based on a wide literature review of the most important and added‐value available resources in the KBD field and in qualitative scoring of research categories. Use of empirical components such as citation analysis, field surveys, knowledge network analysis as well as for a specific approach regarding the scoring system would be needed in future research.

Originality/value

The discussion and issues presented in the paper should be of value not only to researchers and practitioners but also to cities and countries willing to design efficient and effective knowledge‐based development strategies.