bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The history, evolution and principles of services marketing: poised for the new millennium
Authors: Martin Charles L.
Published: July 2002

The development and evolution of services marketing have been extraordinary. Provides a brief historical overview of services marketing, highlights its differences, then presents an extensive list of principles that attempts to reflect the current state of the field and provides a springboard for the further development of services marketing in the next millennium. The list provides guidelines for marketing managers and ideas for further research.
“I don’t know much about art, but I know what I like”: resonance, relevance and illumination as assessment criteria for marketing research and scholarship
Authors: Halliday Sue
Published: July 2002

Questions the processes and methodologies of marketing research. Challenges the “scientific” hypothetico‐deductive approach and asserts that interpretative and qualitative methods provide a more worthwhile framework for research. Explores frames of reference for assessing qualitative marketing scholarship and research. Discusses the implications of adapting frameworks from the world of art. Concludes by stressing that marketing research needs to be accepted at different levels of focus; hard work is required to create resonance; and persuasiveness and illumination should be of supreme importance in the research design and data analysis.
Supporting new product development with the Internet
Authors: Howe Vince , Mathieu Richard G. , Parker Jim
Published: July 2002

Accelerating the process by which new products are introduced to the marketplace has become a strategic imperative in many markets. An emerging precondition for new‐product development success is the integration of information technology with innovative management practices. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how the integration of Internet and Intranet applications with the stage‐gate process can support and accelerate new product development. This research provides insight into the key role Internet technology can play in facilitating information dissemination, process improvements, reductions in time and costs, and improved project management.
Converting computer‐integrated manufacturing into an intelligent information system by combining CIM with concurrent engineering and knowledge management
Authors: Prasad Biren
Published: July 2002

Some industrial organizations using computer‐integrated manufacturing (CIM) for managing intelligent product and process data during a concurrent processing are facing acute implementation difficulties. Some of the difficulties are due to the fact that CIM – in the current form – is not able to adequately address knowledge management and concurrent engineering (CE) issues. Also, with CIM, it is not possible to solve problems related to decision and control even though there has been an increasing interest in subjects like artificial intelligence (AI), knowledge‐based systems (KBS), expert systems, etc. In order to improve the productivity gain through CIM, EDS focused its information technology (IT) vision on the combined potential of concurrent engineering (CE), knowledge management (KM) and computer‐integrated manufacturing (CIM) technologies. EDS – through a number of IT and CIM implementations – realized that CE, KM and CIM do go hand‐in‐hand. The three together provide a formidable base, which is called intelligent information system (IIS) in this paper. Describes the rationales used for creating an IIS framework at EDS, its usefulness to our clients and a make‐up of this emerging IIS framework for integrated product development.
Hierarchical forecasting: issues and use guidelines
Authors: Fliedner Gene
Published: July 2002

In order to provide the appropriate demand forecast information given various managerial levels and functional disciplines within organizations, reliance on family‐based forecasting is increasing. The family‐based approach, sometimes referred to as hierarchical forecasting (HF), is based on a strategy of aggregating items into families. HF systems are capable of providing forecasts for items and their respective families. The objectives of HF systems, include improved forecast performance and a reduction in the overall forecasting burden. To date, several studies have offered practical guidelines for the structural design of HF systems. The primary purpose of this paper is to summarize these guidelines. First, an explanation of the HF process is provided. In this explanation, important system parameters and strategic choices, which allow for the custom configuration of HF systems are identified. Second, the relevant family‐based forecast research is reviewed. The important issues addressed and the conclusions presented in this research are identified. Third, practical guidelines regarding the use of a HF approach that have been reported in the research literature are clearly delineated. With much still unknown regarding the performance impact of various system parameter and strategic process choices, the paper concludes with suggestions for future research.
IT induction in the food service industry
Authors: Pete Chong P. , Chen Ye‐Sho , Chou‐Hong Chen Jason
Published: July 2002

As part of the business strategy in a competitive environment, for an organization to induct information technology (IT) appropriately, business process reengineering (BPR) must be conducted. We propose a process that incorporates both management information systems and strategic management concepts for the IT induction. First, we develop a business competition strategy based on Porter’s five competitive forces; second, using concepts developed in the field of information systems the business processes are reengineered to improve effectiveness and efficiency; and finally, IT strategy is developed to achieve these goals. A real‐life case in the food service industry is used to illustrate this process.
Modeling global facility location decisions: integrating marketing and manufacturing decisions
Authors: Canel Cem , Das Sidhartha R.
Published: July 2002

Rapid changes in today’s global markets are forcing businesses to re‐examine and improve the ways they compete. Integration of facility location decisions in global marketing and manufacturing strategies provides an important means for firms to compete in global markets. This paper proposes that manufacturing utility can be related to marketing utility through facility location decisions. Consequently, it presents a mathematical model for global facility location that integrates marketing and manufacturing decisions in a global context. It also presents a four‐stage evolutionary model that can guide managers in making global facility location decisions.
Implementing corporate intranets: lessons learned from two high‐tech firms
Authors: Wagner William P. , Chung Q.B. , Baratz Todd
Published: July 2002

Intranets are perhaps the hottest applications in the field of telecommunications today. The rapid growth of this application belies the fact that it has received little systematic study present in the academic literature. Presents two separate cases of corporate intranets that have been recently implemented. The focus of this report is to characterize the intranet implementations vis‐à‐vis the traditional systems development process. In so doing, an attempt is made to highlight the potential pitfalls through the lessons learned. As a starting‐point in the systematic study of intranets, a better definition is also introduced and a framework that captures and more accurately describes the wide variety of potential intranets.
Enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems: a research agenda
Authors: Al‐Mashari Majed
Published: July 2002

The continuing development of enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems has been considered by many researchers and practitioners as one of the major IT innovations in this decade. ERP solutions seek to integrate and streamline business processes and their associated information and work flows. What makes this technology more appealing to organizations is increasing capability to integrate with the most advanced electronic and mobile commerce technologies. However, as is the case with any new IT field, research in the ERP area is still lacking and the gap in the ERP literature is huge. Attempts to fill this gap by proposing a novel taxonomy for ERP research. Also presents the current status with some major themes of ERP research relating to ERP adoption, technical aspects of ERP and ERP in IS curricula. The discussion presented on these issues should be of value to researchers and practitioners. Future research work will continue to survey other major areas presented in the taxonomy framework.
Expert Systems: A Service Industry Exigency
Authors: Tieperman John , Inman R. Anthony , Pick Roger A.
Published: July 2002

The highly competitive service sector of the economy is important and
growing. Expert systems can provide a competitive edge for companies in
the service sector. Reasoning from examples in health care, education,
financial services, transport and marketing, argues that expert systems
can preserve and distribute knowledge, enhance standardization, improve
service and reduce costs.
Effectiveness of Information System Downsizing
Authors: Udo Godwin J. , Kick Russell C.
Published: July 2002

The information system downsizing trend has been on the increase during
the last five years because of extreme pressures brought about by the
slow economy and intense global competition. The major benefit of
downsizing is cost saving or cost avoidance, though reports of
downsizing show that not all companies have achieved projected cost
savings; while some have gained the savings predicted, others have cut
short their efforts to downsize, the project ending in total
disenchantment. Reports on a survey which uses companies, ranked as the
top 100 information users. These “best users” were selected as the basis
for determining: the motivation for downsizing; how cost effective
downsizing is; and the degree of satisfaction after downsizing was
attempted. Results indicate that cost saving and effective information
technology utilization are the principal motives for downsizing. Less
than 50 per cent of respondents indicated cost‐reduction due to
downsizing, while the rest indicated otherwise or were not sure.
Discusses downsizing strategies and identifies research challenges.
Quality Management at Golden Wonder
Authors: Wall Bryan
Published: July 2002

Traceability through a process is an integral part of a total quality
management philosophy. Looks at what it means in practice with reference
to a one process weighing systems company that has implemented a system
for a leading UK manufacturer of crisps and snacks. The system builds
from the bottom up, using strategically placed data collection terminals
to relay information to a management processor.
Change and Staff Development in Australian Manufacturing Enterprises
Authors: Kane Robert , Callender Guy , Davis Douglas
Published: July 2002

Australian manufacturing enterprises are seen to be facing enormous
pressures in terms of international competition and turbulent external
environments, and longer‐term investment in training and staff
development (TSD) is seen to be essential to produce the highly skilled
and flexible employees who will be needed. These issues were
investigated in a survey completed by senior managers from 151 private
sector Australian manufacturing enterprises. One group of organizations
appeared to see needs for change and flexibility in employee knowledge,
skills and abilities and used a longer‐term approach to TSD. A smaller
group saw less need for changes and flexibility and tended to use TSD
only when changes in staff, procedures or equipment made it necessary.
Both groups, however, seemed to be facing similar amounts of
environmental uncertainty and international competition. Discusses
possible reasons for the apparent lack of relationship between perceived
internal needs for change and the state of the external environment.
The impact of JIT: a critical analysis
Authors: Peters Michael H. , Jill Austin M.
Published: July 2002

Decisions relating to adoption and use of just‐in‐time (JIT) are
typically based on economic considerations. Experience with JIT systems
indicates that certain non‐economic issues can arise which affect
long‐term profitability. Suggests that stakeholder theory be used to
consider JIT from a realistic and complete perspective. According to
stakeholder theory, there are shared interests or interdependence
between organizations and the various groups that have a stake in the
firm. Thus organizations must consider their social responsibilities to
their stakeholders, namely, economic, legal, ethical and philanthropic
responsibilities. Discusses certain aspects of JIT that can generate
ethical and philanthropic concerns related to a firm′s principal
stakeholders – employers, suppliers, community, owners and
customer. Concludes with a list of questions to initiate the process of
identifying these types of issues for each stakeholder group.
Downsizing with executive information systems
Authors: Beheshti H.M.
Published: July 2002

Executive information systems (EIS) are relatively new,
Windows‐based software products which enable executives to access
information easily. Historically, executives have been reluctant to use
computers, principally because they did not know how and had no
inclination to learn about them. Executives must have timely and
accurate information to make effective decisions. EIS gives them this
information by allowing them to access internal and external databases
for information in a summarized form, then drill down on a specific area
to see backup detail. As modern organizations reduce the workforce to
implement cost‐cutting measures in a difficult economy, executives find
themselves in a position of attempting to maintain or increase
efficiency with fewer employees. Increasingly, they turn to technology
to fill this gap, relying on various information systems including EIS.
A stakeholder analysis approach for interorganizational systems
Authors: Gupta Amit
Published: July 2002

A large body of literature emerged in the early 1980s which
addressed the competitive implications of private investments in
information systems (IS) at the level of individual firms. Provides a
summary of the existing literature in this area which is based mostly on
Porter′s work, as well as other disparate IS strategy literature.
Discusses the limitations of the existing literature, and puts forward
the stakeholder approach to strategic management because it is seen to
offer a more complete basis for analysing the impact of information
systems and interorganizational systems at the firm, industry and
societal levels.
Object‐oriented database systems
Authors: Waltz Timothy J. , Yen David (Chi‐Chung) , Lee Sooun
Published: July 2002

Summarizes the basic tenets of an object‐oriented database system,
including a brief history of object‐oriented programming as well as a
discussion of what the object‐oriented approach entails. Includes
definitions on key concepts and terminology. Discusses the pros and cons
of the object‐oriented model, along with a comparison with relational
database systems. Finally, covers a development plan for implementing an
object‐oriented database system, with details about what types of costs
and concerns are involved.
Disaster recovery issues for EDI systems
Authors: Heikkinen David , Sarkis Joseph
Published: July 2002

Reports that EDI systems differ from traditional computer systems and, therefore, have special disaster recovery issues that need to be addressed; the main difference being that EDI systems cross organizational boundaries. Explains that this crossing of boundaries means that an organization must look beyond its own walls when constructing a disaster recovery plan. Identifies various concerns for inter‐enterprise systems. Presents a framework based on how the phases for disaster recovery planning can be used to address and plan for these concerns.
The association of demographic variables and ethical behaviour of information system personnel
Authors: Banerjee Debasish , Jones Thomas W. , Paul Cronan Timothy
Published: July 2002

The area of computer abuse and professional ethics in computing is of interest to companies as well as ethics researchers. Expands the research in ethical behaviour of information system employees. Identifies empirically a few demographic variables that are associated with the ethical behaviour of information system (IS) personnel and raises a few issues for IS managers. In addition, indicates that the existing models of ethical behaviour, when used in the computing context, need to be suitably modified by including demographic variables.
Can the UK design products for a global market?
Authors: Summers Andrew
Published: July 2002

Gives brief examples of UK design excellence to demonstrate how well the UK can design products for world markets. However, the Design Council believes that in many cases UK business and industry do not make the best use of design and innovation to differentiate themselves in world markets. Explains some of the barriers to realizing the potential of design and its impact on a company’s competitiveness. Gives examples of how the Design Council is working with several academic institutions to build a body of new knowledge which will enable design to be managed more effectively. The Design Council will develop practical tools, based on this research, which can be used by business to improve performance.
Software re‐engineering: concepts and methodology
Authors: Behling Robert , Behling Chris , Sousa Kenneth
Published: July 2002

Notes that as we move towards an information‐based society, information technologies will play a key role in establishing and maintaining economic competitiveness and that while the systems development life cycle approach has brought some order to the software development process, information engineering brings additional structure to the process. Points out that re‐engineering techniques are used to align every area of the enterprise: people, strategy, technology and business processes. Describes software re‐engineering activities and processes with a special emphasis on developing and maintaining quality systems.
Databases ‐ the “black box” concept: creating applications without creating costs and problems
Authors: Bracewell Anthony
Published: July 2002

A survey conducted by Sysdeco, the software services company, indicates that many system developers are concerned about the costs and problems involved in building applications ‐ maintenance overheads, lifetime cost‐of‐ownership, unreliability. Developers need to build applications which are low cost and require a minimum of maintenance and tuning. Sysdeco’s MIMER relational database management system (RDBMS) is an ideal solution to such problems. For a database to work most effectively, performance should not decline with database updates or with other extra demands. The MIMER architecture is particularly well suited to demanding, large‐scale, mission‐critical environments because it is powerful, fast and ultra‐reliable. The database is invisible to the user, but at the same time it provides better times and extra utilization of a computer’s resources.
Scheduling customized bag production: an application of the Group Technology concept
Authors: Zhu Zhiwei , Cernich William A. , Meredith Paul H. , Lanier Patricia A.
Published: July 2002

Describes the application of the Group Technology concept in scheduling industrial bag production in a woven products division of a bag manufacturer. The labour assignments, determined through a linear goal programming model, minimize unbalanced workloads among the operations. This study shows a new application area of the Group Technology concept which leads to a better solution of labour assignments and provides management with valuable information essential to the development of a strategic competitive advantage.
POM: a highly visual production and operations management environment
Authors: Onwubolu Godfrey C. , Mhlanga Samson
Published: July 2002

Reports the development and successful implementation of a computer‐integrated production and operations management system (POM), encompassing schedule activities such as aggregate production plan, master production schedule and material requirements plan, and capacity activities such as financial plan, resource requirements plan, rough‐cut capacity plan and capacity requirements plan, at the planning level. POM’s icon‐menu driven system which associates icons with decision model spreadsheets makes it very user‐friendly, and facilitates the integration of decisions encountered by industrial/ manufacturing engineers and operations managers.
TQM success efforts: use more quantitative or qualitative tools?
Authors: Scheuermann Larry , Zhu Zhiwei , Scheuermann Sandra B.
Published: July 2002

Total quality management is an approach to continuous organizational improvement, the goal of which is meeting customers’ needs. Two major TQM components are the use of statistical tools to help abolish non‐value‐added activities, and a change in managers’ behaviour, and from those who direct, are competitive, rely on rules, towards managers who lead, guide, co‐operate, focus on the process, view people as assets, and encourage variety, flexibility, etc. TQM programmes are not always effective; some focus more on statistical issues while others focus on more people issues. Examines the association of several variables used in TQM implementations in hospitals, manufacturing, and service organizations. Examines variables against two groupings of qualitative measures of TQM and quantitative measures of TQM. Depicts the successfulness of TQM and whether qualitative or quantitative measures are a determinant of this success. The research hypothesis is: TQM programmes are successful in organizations when their approach to TQM is based on the application of statistical process control tools/principles rather than solely on qualitative measures.
A manager’s guide to total quality software design
Authors: Gong Beilan , Yen David C. , Chou David C.
Published: July 2002

Applying total quality management (TQM) to the software development process can control software quality and productivity. Selecting suitable tools for the TQM process can strengthen the capability of software quality assurance. This article provides a manager’s guide to implementing a total quality process during a systems development life cycle. Also, tools integration can make a complicated TQM‐based software development environment easier.
The Internet as a competitive knowledge tool for top managers
Authors: Elizabeth Brabston Mary , McNamara Gerry
Published: July 2002

In today’s dynamic marketplace, top managers need information available at their fingertips. The Internet can provide this information at little cost and with little training, eliminating the “middleman” effect present today in most organizations. This paper outlines how the Internet can be used as a competitive knowledge tool to provide senior management with needed information on a real‐time basis. Included are obstacles to top managers’ use of the Internet and to obtaining needed information from the Internet, as well as Web sites of potential use to most top managers.
A chain store marketing information system: realizing Internet‐based enterprise integration and electronic commerce
Authors: Trappey Charles V. , Trappey Amy J.C.
Published: July 2002

EXPRESS (a language used to define standard data models) is used to develop data models for products, categories, and chain stores allowing for ISO‐integrated product data management. By applying EXPRESS to the task of managing product and market information, retail data are integrated in a central database and are accessible in real time by members of the distribution channel Point of Sales (POS) systems at the store level provide the streams of data from retail stores. These data are collected and kept in a central database used for dynamic sales analysis and merchandise planning. The decision models for automated shelf layout, continuous sales analysis, and real‐time logistic management are incorporated into the marketing information system (MIS), which can be utilized by store managers through an easy‐accessed Web‐based interface. The WWW is the communicators’ medium used to link the retail headquarters with the distributed retail chain. The central object‐oriented database is based on the proposed EXPRESS data model and provides a means to manage large amounts of rapidly‐changing information. Stores that implement retail information systems of this nature can easily expand to suitable and profitable economies of scale without loss of information and control.
International marketing tool: the Internet
Authors: Palumbo Fred , Herbig Paul
Published: July 2002

The main purpose of this paper is to provide a clearer understanding about the approaches to international markets using the Internet, and understanding the marketing decisions and challenges that a company will face in a global environment selling through Internet. In order to achieve this purpose, this paper is organized in the following sections: introduction to Internet; adopting marketing decisions to the Internet; and marketing via the Internet.
A quality approach to factory design?
Authors: Hall D.J. , Ford T.Q.
Published: July 2002

Provides a link between the total quality philosophy and building design/factory layout. The basic principles of TQ are incorporated into the design of a 45,000sq.ft development (comprising offices of 15,000sq.ft and 30,000sq.ft of electronics assembly and test) through meeting the requirements, management by prevention, cost of quality and error‐ free work.
Global manufacturing practices: an empirical evaluation
Authors: Kadipasaoglu Sükran N. , Peixoto Julio L. , Khumawala Basheer M.
Published: July 2002

The global manufacturing research group (GMRG) is a multi‐national group of researchers who are dedicated to the study and improvement of manufacturing practices worldwide. The GMRG developed a survey that has been administered to companies in the machine tools and non‐fashion textile industries. In this study we utilize the GMRG data collected during 1993‐1995 and we focus on improvement programs and their impact on performance outcomes. Specifically, the improvement programs of interest are cellular manufacturing, factory automation, just‐in‐time (JIT) systems, and total quality management (TQM); the performance measures used were the percentage change in manufacturing cost, product quality, delivery speed, and on‐time deliveries. The relationships among the programs and outcomes were modelled and analyzed using the partial least squares (PLS) approach to structural equation modelling (SEM).
Contaminated land – education and training for an explicit appraisal model
Authors: Gronow Stuart
Published: July 2002

Based on research and experience, it is argued that the present education and training of valuers through a General Practice division exempting degree course, Assessment of Professional Competence and Continuing Professional Development, does not prepare valuers to undertake adequately appraisals of contaminated land by means of an explicit discounted cash‐flow approach and that there is no formal device to test that they are competent to do so. Comment is made as to the reasons for these inadequacies. An alternative approach is proposed based on National Vocational Qualifications, delivered through computer‐assisted teaching and learning. It is concluded that if such an approach is adopted and allied to the use of information technology, and a suitable quality assurance system, then competence can be demonstrated and that as a result appraisals will be both more logical and defensible.
Promoting energy efficiency in the private rented sector
Authors: Wilkinson Sara J. , Goodacre Christopher
Published: July 2002

The English House Condition Survey for 1991 demonstrated that levels of energy efficiency in private rented property are significantly below other sectors, even though energy improvements have tangible benefits for landlords. The low level of energy efficiency provision in the private rented sector indicates that landlords are unaware or unconvinced of these benefits and market barriers may have restricted uptake. Information regarding energy efficiency advice to the private rented HMO sector has focussed on offering good practice design guidance, and information about the level of fitness and overall characteristics of the sector. This research project evaluated the PRESS scheme, which encouraged landlords to introduce energy efficiency measures. A total of 78 private sector rented properties in Sheffield were analysed with retrofit measures to improve levels of energy efficiency. The results demonstrate that whilst market barriers exist, the PRESS scheme went some way to overcoming some barriers to energy efficiency.
Cambridge Water v. Eastern Counties Leather
Authors: Lee Rosalind
Published: July 2002

Discusses and details the 1994 case of Cambridge Water Co. v. Eastern
Countries Leather plc and comments on the decision of the House of
Lords, which found in favour of the polluter (ECL). Considers some
implications raised by this case about the scope of environmental damage
and liability, and concludes that if damage is reasonably forseeable
then liability is strict.
Strategic Facilities Management
Authors: Jack John
Published: July 2002

With an estimated potential annual saving on property and facilities
running costs across the Government civil estate of over £100 million,
strategic facilities management represents an enormous opportunity for
the public sector to improve its value for money. Explains why public
sector resistance to change is waning.
Temporary forms of occupation – the role of licences to
occupy
Authors: Dawson Monica , Midgley‐Hunt Janine
Published: July 2002

What are licences and when are they used? What are tenancies at
will and when are they used? What are the advantages/disadvantages of
both forms of occupation in terms of, for example, exclusive possession,
statutory protection? Presents the authors′ opinions derived from the
research of case material. Considers the limited and specialized uses of
licence agreements.
Ethical expectations in the Singapore real estate industry
Authors: Sui Pheng Low , Tan Vivien P.L.
Published: July 2002

The real estate industry is an important sector of the Singapore
economy. Real estate transactions are not only getting larger in numbers
in Singapore but also involve increasingly huge sums of money.
Unfortunately, some real estate agents have also recently been found
guilty of unethical practices in Singapore. Sets out to examine the
expectations of ethics in real estate agency practice in Singapore.
Surveys real estate agents and their clients on their expectations of
ethics in property transactions. Draws conclusions pertaining to ethical
expectations from the results of this fieldwork.
Land use rights reform and the real estate market in China: a synoptic account of theoretical issues and the property rights system
Authors: Wai Chung Lai Lawrence
Published: July 2002

Is China′s “land use rights” legislation which distinguishes transferable “land use rights” and inalienable “land ownership”, a novel concept unknown to human kind before, or a pragmatic reversion to the private property rights system abolished by the communist revolution? Advocates the view that the latter is a more correct interpretation. As part of a “going capitalist” economic reform programme, such a reversion is manifested in the legal recognition of the leasehold tenure after the “responsibility system” in privatizing agricultural production had proved to be successful. As the development of private property rights is a prelude to market transactions, the Chinese land use rights reform should be conducive to the success of the economic liberalization policy of China, provided that there is a contemporaneous advance in the development of the rule of law and technical know‐how, such as valuation and land surveying.
Avoiding Part II of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954
Authors: Smith Richard E.
Published: July 2002

Based on a request by a local authority to advise it as to the means of avoiding Part II of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 and the effect of the methods it used, examines the various options for avoidance, the provisions of the Act, the relevant case law, and the traps which may beset landlords hoping to avoid the Act. Also examines how parties may inadvertently fall within the Act and how this can be avoided. Recommends appropriate means of avoidance according to circumstances, and indicates what avoidance devices are not safe to use. Aims to assist landlords and their agents who wish to grant commercial occupation rights outside the Act, and to tenants and their agents who wish to know the effect of the various avoidance measures.
Management of urban residential districts in China
Authors: Xu Jiafeng , Fang Zhida
Published: July 2002

China’s property industry in the past few years has made great progress and it is now vital to improve its management processes. Explains the traditional system of management for urban residential districts (urban living quarters) in China and the professional management pattern now becoming popular in the southern part of China. Comparing these two different management patterns, claims that the professional management pattern will sooner or later be adopted and accepted for all urban residential districts throughout China.
Derelict land reclamation and English Partnerships ‐ shedding light on the new regime
Authors: Greenhalgh Paul , McCafferty Andrew
Published: July 2002

Explains that the 1993 Department of Environment Survey of Derelict Land in England found that the area of derelict land in England between 1988 and 1993 remained relatively static, despite the considerable sums of public money spent on derelict land reclamation during this period. With the launch of English Partnerships in 1993, and its subsuming of Derelict Land Grant the following year, evaluates the changes in the funding of derelict land reclamation in England and attempts to identify the likely outcomes of such changes. Describes a study in which key players within English Partnerships and Government Offices for the regions were interviewed, as well as local government officers with the responsibility for implementing land reclamation programmes. Concludes that there will be a reduction in the priority and funding of derelict land reclamation and that as a consequence, the area of derelict land in England may increase for the first time in over a decade.
The management of large‐scale upgrading programmes for public housing in Singapore
Authors: Sui Pheng Low
Published: July 2002

States that unlike other developed countries where upgrading works have been in place for many years, the upgrading programme mounted by the Housing and Development Board (HDB) is still in its infancy stage in Singapore. Notes, however, that, unlike the upgrading experience in other developed countries, the programme undertaken in Singapore is on a more massive scale involving a larger proportion of the population. In view of these two major differences between the HDB’s experience and of the developed world, sets out to examine: the rationale for upgrading older public housing estates in Singapore; the various phases implemented by the HDB for its upgrading programmes in Singapore; and the measure adopted by the HDB and its contractors to minimize hazards and inconvenience to residents.
Volatility in the residential housing market: an international perspective
Authors: Bloch Brian
Published: July 2002

There is a substantial literature on property‐market cycles, but not on the related, though distinct, issue of volatility. Focuses on the nature, causes and effects of volatility in the residential property market. Begins with a look at the negative impact of volatility, followed by a brief historical perspective. In an analysis of the mechanics of the property market, considers supply and demand in terms of their specific characteristics in this market context. Then analyses the psychology of the property market, with an emphasis on mass psychology. Further issues are the role of banks in exacerbating the existing market volatility, speculation, population influxes as a source of instability and, finally, counter‐cyclical policy which may achieve the opposite of what is intended. Takes a deliberately international perspective.
An analysis of the distributive effects of the 1997 non‐domestic rating revaluation in Northern Ireland
Authors: McCluskey William
Published: July 2002

On 1 April 1997 the rating revaluation of non‐domestic property in Northern Ireland came into force, representing a period of 19 years since property values were last reviewed. During that period commercial property values have changed significantly across property types and locations. The primary purpose of the revaluation is not, as one might expect, to increase the total amount of revenue to be raised, but rather to ensure that value‐based relativities between properties are fairly reflected. Results from the analysis of changes in Net Annual Values indicate substantial changes in retail and office property values and in addition significant increases in rate liability. Measures the shifts in assessed values and rates liability impact across District Council areas and examines the implications of introducing a transitional relief scheme to cushion the impact of the revaluation. Concludes by recommending that as an ad valorem tax, rates should be based on the regular revaluation of the tax base.
NESLI: an agent for change or changing the agent?
Authors: Harwood Paul
Published: July 2002

The UK higher education community’s National Electronic Site Licence Initiative (NESLI) is an attempt to encourage the widespread usage of electronic journals as replacements for print. Although this is to a large extent about reducing the financial barriers to the take‐up of electronic journals, another firm aim is to further integrate provision of electronic journals with the full range of electronic services offered to the academic community. This paper examines the origins of the initiative, the Managing Agent’s functions, and the results of the initiative so far. It goes on to consider the viability of the NESLI model and possible future roles for subscription agents in the electronic world.
Turning search into knowledge management
Authors: Kaufman David
Published: July 2002

Creating a high quality search algorithm is more of an art than a science. It is a balancing act, and as any tightrope walker will tell you, it takes years to master. But when the art of ranking a query against a set of documents is virtually mastered, one has the foundation upon which to build a system that can do more than just search; it can turn information into knowledge. By effectively finding, categorizing, summarizing, and proactively routing information, it is possible to take total control of the ever‐growing mountain of unstructured data in the digital world.
Aspects of networking in multiplayer computer games
Authors: Smed Jouni , Kaukoranta Timo , Hakonen Harri
Published: July 2002

Distributed, real‐time multiplayer computer games (MCGs) are in the vanguard of utilizing the networking possibilities. Although related research has been done in military simulations, virtual reality systems, and computer supported cooperative working, the suggested solutions diverge from the problems posed by MCGs. With this in mind, this paper provides a concise overview of four aspects affecting networking in MCGs. First, networking resources (bandwidth, latency, and computational power) set the technical boundaries within which the MCG must operate. Second, distribution concepts encompass communication architectures (peer‐to‐peer, client/server, server‐network), and both data and control architectures (centralized, distributed, replicated). Third, scalability allows the MCG to adapt to the resource changes by parametrization. Finally, security aims at fighting back against cheating and vandalism, which are common in online gaming.
Some management issues on computer game development for primary education
Authors: Cheung Derek , Siu Brian
Published: July 2002

In this paper, the authors first discuss a prototype computer interaction with primary school students using Image Map Technology. This is followed by a discussion on possible enhancements with comparison to those games as suggested by other Web sites. The paper is concluded with some management issues such as hardware, software, expertise and funding for such projects.
Research on intellectual property right problems of peer‐to‐peer networks
Authors: Dong Ying , Li Mingshu , Chen Meizhang , Zheng Shengli
Published: July 2002

The Napster case has drawn enormous attention to digital intellectual property right problems of online file swapping. These peer‐to‐peer network technologies represent a powerful new paradigm for networking. In this paper, we try to figure out the intellectual property right problems of peer‐to‐peer network, in order to deal with potential digital piracy to avoid similar litigation. If libraries can embrace peer‐to‐peer technologies into their own services, they will possibly develop new service models, or improve existing ones.
Interlibrary loan in Latin America: policies and practices
Authors: Guerrero Elda‐Monica
Published: July 2002

Reports on a study sponsored by the Robert Vosper IFLA Fellows
Programme concerning interlibrary loan policies and the restrictions on
the availability of publications in selected libraries in Colombia,
Costa Rica, Mexico and Venezuela. The libraries were selected because of
their collections on ecology, food technology and public health topics.
Shows that in none of the countries is there an effective national
centre which acts as a main agency for developing and maintaining union
catalogues to allow direct access to relevant collections within each
country and to provide loan and information services to other libraries.
To promote the improvement of interlending procedures and plant the seed
for the creation of a national interlibrary loan and document delivery
centre, it was decided to adopt Cornish′s guide Model Handbook for
Interlending and Copying. The guide proved to be useful for
interlending operations and helped to reduce some of the obstacles
identified by the libraries at the beginning of the study.
Marcel: a MIME prototype study in electronic information delivery
Authors: Smith Jane , Delaney Thomas
Published: July 2002

Discusses the problems and triumphs encountered while setting up Marcel, a prototype electronic document delivery system being tested at the University of Northern Colorado, USA; and the progression from sending MIME messages to each other, and then to individual patrons. Touches briefly on software and hardware requirements and availability. Finally looks at this pilot project’s future potential.
Document delivery in an electronic world
Authors: Tuck Bill
Published: July 2002

Based on a talk given during the final session of the FASTDOC Workshop on Electronic Document Delivery held at the University of Patras, 4‐6 March 1996. Provides an outline of some of the main issues that electronic document delivery services must now confront and relates these to the many project reports given during the workshop (largely work carried out under the European Libraries Programme).
Issues in electronic document delivery
Authors: Fisher Robbert A. , Tuck Bill
Published: July 2002

Provides an introduction to some of the current work being done on electronic document delivery services within the European Libraries Programme and relates this to other national initiatives. Seeks to draw up a list of issues that must be addressed as the area develops and, in particular, to outline the considerations that must be given to initiatives within the next phase of the Framework Programme.
Project EDDIS: an approach to integrating document discovery, location, request and supply
Authors: Larbey David
Published: July 2002

Provides an introduction to EDDIS, a document delivery project of the UK Higher Education Funding Councils’ Electronic Libraries Programme. Describes EDDIS from the viewpoints of a project, a service and a business.
EURILIA ‐ European Initiative in Library and Information in Aerospace
Authors: O’Flaherty John J.
Published: July 2002

Aerospace library collections are a well‐defined pan‐European subject, for which standardized access and interconnection can add enormously to their value over any one collection and allow libraries with less‐developed library services to improve these facilities and at the same time enable those which are more advanced to upgrade their systems. EURILIA, which was part of the EC Libraries Programme, aimed to enhance the Libraries′ R&D and education process which underpins the aerospace sector by establishing a new service based on researched user information needs and development of a standardized pan‐European system for information access, retrieval, image browsing and document delivery.
International interlibrary lending activity in Romania and co‐operation with other countries
Authors: Constantin Olga
Published: July 2002

The economic difficulties Romania has been experiencing for the last seven years are reflected in library services. Owing to decreasing budgets, libraries are no longer able to buy foreign books or subscribe to important foreign journals. That makes the International Loan Service the main method of gaining access to recent scientific and technical literature for most researchers. Only the National Library deals with international loan activity for the whole country. However, this is due less to any policy of centralization than to a legacy from the former regime, where control of all information from the West was required. Since then, the only improvement there has been is that material requested through international loan is no longer censored, but the minimal funds allotted for this service force the librarian to act in some way like a censor, deciding which customers and requests to satisfy. Despite the hard times, the International Loan Section of the National Library of Romania manages to acquire about 700 items from abroad every year.
Predicting temperature profiles in producing oil wells using artificial neural networks
Authors: Farshad Fred F. , Garber James D. , Lorde Juliet N.
Published: July 2002

A novel approach using artificial neural networks (ANNs) for predicting temperature profiles evaluated 27 wells in the Gulf of Mexico. Two artificial neural network models were developed that predict the temperature of the flowing fluid at any depth in flowing oil wells. Back propagation was used in training the networks. The networks were tested using measured temperature profiles from the 27 oil wells. Both neural network models successfully mapped the general temperature‐profile trends of naturally flowing oil wells. The highest accuracy was achieved with a mean absolute relative percentage error of 6.0 per cent. The accuracy of the proposed neural network models to predict the temperature profile is compared to that of existing correlations. Many correlations to predict temperature profiles of the wellbore fluid, for single‐phase or multiphase flow, in producing oil wells have been developed using theoretical principles such as energy, mass and momentum balances coupled with regression analysis. The Neural Network 2 model exhibited significantly lower mean absolute relative percentage error than other correlations. Furthermore, in order to test the accuracy of the neural network models to that of Kirkpatrick’s correlation, a mathematical model was developed for Kirkpatrick’s flowing temperature gradient chart.