bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Industrial buyers’ influence strategies: buying situation differences
Authors: Leonidou Leonidas C.
Published: March 2005

Purpose

Despite the critical role of the industrial buying situation in shaping buyer behavior and seller response, little research has been conducted to augment extant knowledge on the subject. To fill this gap, this article focuses on influence strategies that industrial buyers exert on their suppliers in different buying situations.

Design/methodology/approach

The study received information from 122 Greek producers of industrial goods through a mail survey based on a semi‐structured questionnaire. This incorporated 24 influence strategies equally divided into six groups (legalistic, coercive, reward, expert, referent, and informational), and respondents were asked to specify their degree of agreement or disagreement, whether these are used by their customers in three buying situations (straight re‐buy, modified re‐buy, and new task).

Findings

The study revealed that: industrial customers use a wide array of influence strategies, with those based on referent, expert, or legalistic sources being more widely employed; influence strategies vary in degree of application according to buying situation, and are least used by new‐task buyers; and straight re‐buyers tend to make greater use of expert, referent, and, to some extent, legalistic influence strategies, while modified re‐buyers employ more coercive and, to a lesser extent, information‐based influence strategies. Overall, influence strategies play an important role in industrial buying behavior, requiring sellers to treat customers differently in each buying situation.

Originality/value

Several suggestions for future research are provided, such as replicating the study in different geographic contexts, monitoring changes of influence strategies as a buyer moves from one buying situation to another, and investigating the countervailing actions taken by suppliers.
The “agent effect” on business divorce
Authors: Vaaland Terje I. , Purchase Sharon
Published: March 2005

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to explore the introduction of agents, such as consultants and lawyers, when the continuation of a business relationship is threatened by conflict.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on findings in a distorted business relationship in the oil industry, describes an “agent effect” on managerial decisions.

Findings

The “agent effect” reduces uncertainty in the decision process by adding information, but also increases the uncertainty. This implies that their advice in fact may increase managerial uncertainty to a level of which the relationship may end up in a business divorce. The study is explorative and based on a single case study design where written communication between the battling parties, public media and court writs are investigated. Primary and secondary data sources are combined.

Research limitations/implications

Although the paper's strength lies in it being an in‐depth analysis of a single case, this approach is also a limitation when claiming new knowledge.

Practical implications

Future research should test the existence of “agent effect”, based on a quantitative, cross‐sectional survey design to secure a more general validity. The paper suggests a general carefulness when bringing in external agents into an inter‐organizational dispute, unless the agents are representing both parties as mediators.

Originality/value

The challenge of managing conflict and divorce in a business‐to‐business context has been well studied before, but the role of external agents has not, until now, been explored. This study fills this gap.
Perceived managerial sincerity, feedback‐seeking orientation and motivation among front‐line employees of a service organization
Authors: Paswan Audhesh K. , Pelton Lou E. , True Sheb L.
Published: March 2005

Purpose

Literature on the services industry's front‐line employees has largely focused on the relationships between service providers and customers. However, there is increasing approbation that managers influence the front‐line employees' motivation, ultimately impacting service quality. This study investigates the relationship between front‐line employees' perceived managerial sincerity, need for feedback, and role motivation.

Design/methodology/approach

The data were collected at 26 restaurants (from a global fast‐food franchised chain) located in a large US city, using a self‐administered questionnaire, from their front‐line employees. The final sample size was 185 (47.4 percent response).

Findings

The results suggest a positive association between front‐line employees’ feedback‐seeking orientation and their perceived managerial sincerity. A positive association also exists between front‐line employees' motivation levels and their job satisfaction.

Research limitations/implications

The focus on a subset of restaurants (from a single franchise system) and the limited scope of states‐of‐mind and behaviors measured are two main limitations. A multitude of other front‐line employee characteristics and factors should be investigated in future studies.

Practical implications

Results suggest that managers' interpersonal communication techniques enhance front‐line employees' perceptions of managerial sincerity, and increase their motivation and job satisfaction. However, managers need to balance a portfolio of diverse employee traits with relevant managerial styles to achieve desired outcomes.

Originality/value

The association between perceived managerial sincerity and feedback‐seeking orientation is intuitively appealing and comforting. However, some employees are happy being told what to do without any concern for involvement. Employees with low perceived managerial sincerity are also low on feedback need.
Destination brand images: a business tourism perspective
Authors: Hankinson Graham
Published: March 2005

Purpose

Most studies of destination brand images have been conducted from the perspective of the leisure tourist. This study identifies brand images from a business tourist perspective (people visiting destinations for business meetings, incentive events, conferences and exhibitions) and tests their relationship with perceived quality and commercial criteria.

Design/methodology/approach

Data on the brand image attributes associated with 15 UK destinations promoting themselves as business tourism centres were collected via repertory grid analysis from a sample of 25 organisations using business tourism facilities. A self‐completion questionnaire was used to measure managers’ ratings of the perceived quality of each destination and the commercial criteria used to select a destination. The data were analysed using content analysis, exploratory factor analysis and correlation analysis.

Findings

The content analysis identified eight clusters of brand image attributes. Subsequent factor analysis identified three underlying dimensions – overall destination attractiveness, functionality, and ambience. While all three were correlated with perceived quality, commercial criteria were dominated by a destination's functional rather than ambience attributes.

Originality/value

The results of the study provide a more informed and systematic basis on which to develop a destination's business tourism positioning strategy by providing a framework for selecting relevant brand image attributes.
Pricing objectives and pricing methods in the services sector
Authors: Avlonitis George J. , Indounas Kostis A.
Published: March 2005

Purpose

The purpose of this research paper is to explore the pricing objectives that service companies pursue along with the pricing methods that they adopt in order to set their prices.

Design/methodology/approach

An extensive review of the literature revealed the complete lack of any previous work aiming to investigate the potential association between these two important elements of a company's pricing strategy. Thus, the value of the paper lies in the fact that it presents the first attempt to examine this issue empirically. In order to achieve the research objectives, data were collected from 170 companies operating in six different services sectors in Greece through personal interviews.

Findings

The findings of the study reveal that the objectives, which are pursued, are fundamentally qualitative rather than quantitative in their nature with a particular emphasis given on the companies’ customers. However, the pricing methods, which are adopted by the majority of the companies, refer to the traditional cost‐plus method and the pricing according to the market's average prices. The study also revealed that the pricing objectives are, as should be expected, associated with the pricing methods.

Practical implications

The practical implications of the findings refer to the fact that managers might gain a lot by placing their emphasis on an integrated pricing approach and implement pricing methods that are in line with the pricing objectives that have been initially set. However, the context of the study (Greece) is an obvious limitation to the ability to generalize these findings, suggesting the need for future research that replicates the current study in other countries.

Originality/value

Managers might gain a lot by placing their emphasis on an integrated pricing approach and implement pricing methods that are in line with the pricing objectives that have been initially set.
Aftermarket support and the supply chain
Authors: Theodore Farris M. , Wittmann C. Michael , Hasty Ron
Published: March 2005

Purpose

To examine supply chain competences necessary to efficiently and/or effectively succeed in aftermarket support.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the aerospace industry as a context, this paper provides a brief overview of aftermarket support practices and trends and discusses the broader implications for aftermarket supply chain managers.

Findings

There are multiple approaches to aftermarket support. Which approach should be used depends on key variables including: technology, need for visibility and/or traceability, and need for collaborative product commerce.

Research limitations/implications

This paper is a general review. Future research should examine resources necessary in individual industries, other forms of relationships, and the influence of new technologies.

Practical implications

In many industries, there are significant opportunities for incremental profit in aftermarket support. Collaborative product commerce, alliances, a number of new technologies (e.g. web commerce), and security needs may play critical roles in determining whether or not a company's aftermarket support practices will be profitable. Firms without competences in these areas should seek help from trusted partners to fill competence gaps.

Originality/value

This paper explores an often ignored but significant line of business – aftermarket support. Lessons demonstrated in this paper may be used in a number of industries that rely on aftermarket support for incremental profit.
Competitive strategies and manufacturing logistics
Authors: Chan Joseph W.K.
Published: March 2005

Purpose

Sets out an exploratory study to give an alternative viewpoint of manufacturing logistics.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on causal analysis, the relationship between competitive strategy and manufacturing logistics was explored. Variables, including both positioning and competitive dimensions, in the competitive strategy that interacted with manufacturing logistics were identified. The elements of manufacturing logistics for this study included master production scheduling, capacity requirements planning, material planning, purchasing, and inventory control. A weighted business performance index was used to segregate the sample firms into three groups: high‐, average‐, and low‐performing organizations. For each of the performance group, the causal relationships between strategic elements and the performance of manufacturing logistics were then analyzed.

Findings

The results showed a significant relationship between competitive strategy and manufacturing logistics system performance.

Research/limitations/implications

Not all the elements in manufacturing logistics may contribute to the logistics performance. The construct of manufacturing logistics depends on a particular set of strategic variables that the organization designs.

Originality/value

Extends the study of manufacturing logistics beyond its boundary through a broader strategic perspective.
World‐class logistics: Australia and New Zealand
Authors: Mollenkopf Diane , Dapiran G. Peter
Published: March 2005

Purpose

This paper reports on a study of the logistics and supply chain practices of Australian and New Zealand firms.

Design/methodology/approach

The research uses the Supply Chain 2000 Framework developed at Michigan State University as a basis for analyzing logistics/supply chain capabilities and competencies of Australian and New Zealand firms. A mail survey instrument was used in both countries.

Findings

There are indeed Australian and New Zealand firms who are operating at world‐class levels with respect to logistics/supply chain capabilities. The majority of firms, however, still focus their efforts on internal logistics integration issues, compared with external integration issues. A comparison of industry groups shows that the motor/transport and the chemicals/petroleum sectors perform the best, while there is much room for improvement in the food, clothing/textile and primary industry sectors.

Research limitations/implications

This research takes a snapshot of Australian and New Zealand businesses at a point in time, and uses a framework developed in North America to assess the logistics competencies of the ANZ firms. These two issues can be considered research limitations, in that businesses are constantly evolving, and thus future research should be conducted to evaluate the evolution of ANZ firms as they continue to develop their logistics capabilities. Additionally, the business environment of North America is considerably different from the environment found in Australia and New Zealand. Thus, future research should also consider the logistics competencies within the specific context of the ANZ environment.

Practical implications

This research provides a baseline for ANZ managers to assess their logistics competencies and capabilities, and provides a framework for developing further logistics capabilities.

Originality/value

From a practical perspective the research enriches understanding of the state and practice of logistics in Australia and New Zealand, about which very little has been previously published. Theoretically, the study extends a conceptual framework in an international setting.
Professional women's mid‐career satisfaction: an empirical exploration of female engineers
Authors: Auster Ellen R. , Ekstein Karen L.
Published: March 2005

Purpose

The dynamics of professional women's mid‐career satisfaction are important to understand, given the vast knowledge, experience and skills typically accrued by mid‐career that are often difficult to replace.

Design/methodology/approach

This study empirically examines Auster's multilevel framework of factors affecting the mid‐career satisfaction of professional women using a sample of 125 professional women engineers.

Findings

Results of logistic regressions reveal that individual, career, job, stress and organizational factors all impact the mid‐career satisfaction of professional women, but that stress and job factors are the most powerful determinants for this sample of women.

Research limitations/implications

While this study offers many insights and possible directions for future research on women at mid‐career, there are a number of limitations. Future research could broaden the macro and micro factors explored, as well as compare these results with those of women in other fields and industries, women at other career stages, and women across other geographic regions.

Practical implications

Organizations should strive to be more transparent about advancement options and opportunities, provide interesting and challenging work and more flexibility in work schedules (emphasize output, not face time), and offer support for key drivers of stress.

Originality/value

This is the first fairly large‐scale empirical study of macro and micro factors affecting women's mid‐career satisfaction. This article should be of interest to managers concerned with retention of high‐performing employees, HR practitioners, and academics specializing in careers, women's issues, and human resource management.
Equal opportunity and affirmative action for South African women: a benefit or barrier?
Authors: Mathur‐Helm Babita
Published: March 2005

Purpose

The paper aims to examine whether the South African government and its corporate organizations have been successful in employing women as professional equals by utilizing them fully in senior and top management positions after equal opportunity and affirmative action legislation was introduced by the democratic government.

Design/methodology/approach

A descriptive and theoretical paper, and thus secondary data from previous studies are used as comparative analysis for discussions and examinations.

Findings

Reaching top level positions is still uncommon for South Africa's women, as its corporate environment is not yet ready to accept women as professional equals, resulting in government legislation and policies working against women's growth and advancement instead of working in their favour. Suggestions are made for future studies to investigate what makes women worldwide flourish in government and public sector jobs, but fail in private and corporate sectors.

Practical implications

Recommends implications for South Africa's corporate organizations to become more women‐sensitive and friendly by empowering women as a group regardless of their race and colour for government policy and legislation to be successful. This area is unexplored, thus making it a new topic.

Originality/value

This paper may be of value to those professional women who are oblivious to barriers affecting their advancement and to corporate organizations puzzled by the imperceptible upward mobility of women in top management positions despite the implementation of equal opportunity and affirmative action legislation.
Diversity reporting: how European business is reporting on diversity and equal opportunities
Authors: Holton Viki
Published: March 2005

Purpose

Reviews and reflects on how well European businesses are doing with regard to diversity, specifically with regard to reporting on diversity.

Design/methodology/approach

Reviews diversity and diversity reporting in several large European companies.

Findings

Diversity reporting is still in its infancy. The growing public pressure for diversity reporting seems likely to continue, though at present there are few mandatory requirements. Pressure from shareholders, fund managers or pressure groups may help. Another less expected pressure point may come from a younger generation of workers who have higher expectations than their predecessors. The biggest change will occur when companies seize the business case for diversity.

Originality/value

Provides a snapshot of current diversity reporting in European companies.
Editorial
Authors: McWhirter Jenny
Published: March 2005

Purpose

Aims to assess the merits of random drug testing in UK schools.

Design/methodology/approach

Outlines the arguments for and against drug testing and draws on evidence from studies in the USA that seek to determine whether young people are deterred from using drugs by random drug testing.

Findings

Both theory and practice suggest that drug testing in schools will not prevent or delay drug use in the UK.

Originality/value

The balance of the argument is against drug testing in schools, and will remain so until evidence suggests otherwise.
Post‐16 students’ perceptions to health and healthy eating in Welsh secondary schools
Authors: Thomas Malcolm
Published: March 2005

Purpose

The aim of this study was to assess how post‐16 students in Wales conceptualized health and healthy eating.

Design/methodology/approach

A health survey questionnaire was completed by 297 post‐16 students who were pursuing Biology at A level in year 12. The questionnaire was issued towards the end of the summer term in year 12 which ensured that at that stage in their A level studies, all students had received teaching on the nutritional and biochemical component of the syllabus they were taking.

Findings

For the majority of respondents, and particularly males, being healthy was seen as the absence of illness and having the capacity to function as expected whereas female students significantly reported the importance of positive health behaviours, such as the need for exercising regularly and eating a balanced diet. Of concern, only a small percentage of the respondents reported the importance of eating fruit and vegetables as part of a healthy diet. Despite an increased emphasis on health issues within the school curriculum, it was apparent that female students possessed a more positive view of health as well as demonstrating a better understanding of what healthy eating means.

Originality/value

It is recommended that greater attention needs to be devoted to how health and nutritional education is taught in secondary schools.
Is it as easy as young people claim for them to buy cigarettes?
Authors: Croghan Emma , Aveyard Paul , Johnson Carol
Published: March 2005

Purpose

There is a discrepancy between the ease of purchase of cigarettes reported by young people themselves and the results of ease of purchase obtained by tests done by official sources such as Trading Standards Units. This discrepancy suggests that either data from young people or from trading standards are unreliable. This research set out to find out whether young peoples’ perceptions of easy purchasing from shops were true.

Design/methodology/approach

Six volunteer young people visited shops around the West Midlands region and attempted to buy cigarettes. They conducted the attempt in as realistic fashion as possible. All volunteers were assessed independently as looking under 16. Shopkeeper, shop, area and youth attributes were recorded

Findings

Young people were able to make purchases in 31 out of 38 shops. The young people were very surprised by their rates of successful purchase attempts across such a large geographical area.

Practical implications

Shopkeepers and communities need to be given more help to recognise underage youth purchasers in order to reduce this important source of tobacco to young people. Trading standards protocols for test purchases need to be revised to reflect the reality of ease of purchasing for young people.

Originality/value

This research confirms that young people who say that it is possible to buy cigarettes from shops appear to generally be correct in their perceptions.
Understanding the food related experiences and beliefs of a specific group of low‐income men in the UK
Authors: Daborn Cathy , Dibsall Louise , Lambert Nigel
Published: March 2005

Purpose

“Male” and “low‐income” are both risk factors for eating a nutritionally sub‐standard diet. The aim of the study was to explore the attitudes and experiences of typical low‐income males towards food and health. Information would build upon that previously obtained from a matched group of women, providing the opportunity to explore possible gender issues.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative approach was used to meet the study aims. Face‐to‐face, in‐depth interviews were conducted in 2001 with eleven middle‐aged men who were typical of a substantial low‐income sub‐group. Interviews focussed upon the issues of cancer prevention and fruits and vegetables. Transcripts were analysed using an established interpretative phenomenological approach.

Findings

Previous life‐experiences and control beliefs concerning personal health were key themes influencing dietary attitudes and behaviours. Lack of food/health information and access to healthy foods were not significant factors. Although money was limiting, this in itself, did not prevent the men from eating appropriately. Core findings were similar (with certain exceptions) to those reported previously for a comparable group of women.

Research limitations/implications

Further studies are needed to test the transferability of these findings to low‐income men of different age, region and ethnicity, as well as to more affluent men.

Practical implications

Greater emphasis on sociological frameworks is needed in both the setting of public health nutrition policies and in how food and nutrition is taught in schools. The potential dangers of stigmatising “the poor” as consumers of “bad” diets should be considered.

Originality/value

Simplistic statistical correlations do not adequately explain the complex causes of unhealthy diets and a greater emphasis upon social and cultural dynamics is required.
Health at work in small and medium sized enterprises
Authors: Griffin Barbara L. , Hall Nicky , Watson Nigel
Published: March 2005

Purpose

This paper aims to explore a health at work initiative (“Fair Chance at Work”) for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and identify opportunities for improving engagement of businesses in such activities.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study approach is used

Findings

Two problems are identified ‐ engagement and participation. A model of engagement incorporating aspects of Prochaska and DiClemente's transtheoretical model of behaviour change is proposed based on findings from the case study and existing literature. It is concluded that improving the engagement of SMEs requires a greater understanding of their current needs, perceptions and attitudes towards health at work. Schemes such as the Teaching Companies Scheme could be useful in testing the model.

Research limitations/implications

The Teaching Companies Scheme could be useful in testing the model.

Practical implications

These findings may inform the development of health promotion projects to SMEs using an applied model behaviour change.

Originality/value

This paper is useful to health promotion workers when developing projects in SMEs.
Evidence‐based behavior change curriculum for the ambulatory clerkship
Authors: Williams Geoffrey C. , Markakis Kathryn M. , Ossip‐Klein Deborah , McIntosh Scott , Tripler Scott , Grady‐Weliky Tana
Published: March 2005

Purpose

To provide a rationale regarding the importance of physician behavior change counseling. To describe the double helix behavior change curriculum at the University of Rochester (UR). To provide initial evidence that the curriculum is effective.

Design/methodology/approach

Evidence that physician use of the 5A's model is effective in changing important patient health behaviors is summarized. The behavior change curriculum is described. Initial evidence assessing knowledge, attitudes and skills for behavior change counseling is reviewed.

Findings

Physicians will be better prepared to intervene to improve their patients quality and quantity of life if they consistently counsel patients using a brief standard model (the 5A's) that integrates biological, psychological, and social aspects of disease and treatment. Past efforts in the UR's curriculum have demonstrated that students adopt broader “biopsychosocial values” when the curriculum supports their learning needs. Initial evidence demonstrates that double helix curriculum students learn this model well and are able to provide the counseling in a patient‐centered style.

Research limitations/implications

These results are limited by the observational design, and the reliance on student self‐reports and standardized patient observations of student behavior rather than change in patient behavior.

Practical implications

Strong evidence exists that physicians can be effective in providing behavior change counseling. Additional research is called for to create, implement, and fully evaluate behavior change counseling curricula for medical students.

Originality/value

An example of a behavior change curriculum is provided for medical educators, and initial evidence of its effectiveness is provided.
Construction firms at the crossroads in Hong Kong
Authors: Chan John K.W. , Tam C.M. , Cheung Ruby K.C.
Published: March 2005

Purpose

To assist contractors in Hong Kong to review their past financial performance and to formulate new strategies for their business survival in the coming years.

Design/methodology/approach

The financial accounting ratios and distress scoring are very useful tools to measure the financial performance. These tools are also useful to compare the performance among themselves and over the years. The mathematical analysis together with a review of the current business environment and the characteristics of construction industry will assist contractors in Hong Kong to formulate new strategies for their own business survival in the coming years.

Findings

The results have shown that the financial performance of most contractors in Hong Kong have been deteriorating very fast in the past few years. The results of all financial ratios, together with the prevailing situation of over competition, inelasticity of construction costs and reduced aggregate demand in Hong Kong, has revealed the extreme difficulty of reversing the financial performance in the coming years.

Originality/value

Contractors in Hong Kong now understand that their own financial performance have been deteriorating to an alarming limit. There is an urgent need to review their business environment and to formulate new corporate strategies.
Perceptions of positive and negative factors influencing the attractiveness of PPP/PFI procurement for construction projects in the UK
Authors: Li Bing , Akintoye A. , Edwards P.J. , Hardcastle C.
Published: March 2005

Purpose

The paper aims to report the findings of research into perceptions of what makes the Private Finance Initiative (PFI) attractive or unattractive as a procurement system for projects in the UK.

Design/methodology/approach

The research uses a postal survey questionnaire technique for primary data collection. Literature review is used to identify relevant factors, which are then incorporated into the design of the survey instrument. Survey response data is subjected to descriptive statistical analysis and subsequently to rotated factor analysis.

Findings

Public/private partnerships (PPP)/PFI project procurement is perceived as most attractive in terms of positive factors relating to better project technology and economy, greater public benefit, public sector avoidance of regulatory and financial constraints, and public sector saving in transaction costs. Negative aspects, relating to factors such as the inexperience of the participants, the over‐commercialisation of projects, and high participation cost and time, make PPP/PFI procurement less attractive.

Originality/value

The procurement of public facilities and services under arrangements involving partnerships between the public and private sectors is claimed to provide a wide variety of net benefits to the public sector and to the private sector participants. In the project development process, the parties have to make decisions based on suitable evaluation criteria. At the early stage of preparing a business case, a clear and common understanding of the positive and negative factors surrounding PPP/PFI procurement will provide a more informed basis for decision making.
Partnering practice and the delivery of construction projects for Housing Associations in the UK
Authors: Fortune Chris , Setiawan Shinta
Published: March 2005

Purpose

Housing Associations in the UK are being encouraged to change the way in which they procure their building projects. This work aims to provide a snapshot of current practice in relation to the use of partnering as a procurement approach.

Design/methodology/approach

Accordingly a quantitative research design was used to capture data from a sample of 100 of the largest Housing Associations involved in the commissioning of new house building projects in 2003. Two administrations of the survey generated a 43 per cent response rate.

Findings

The findings of the study revealed that two differing types of partnering alliance could be identified. The types of partnering alliance identified were considered to have either a ”supply side” or ”demand side” focus. The results show that partnering practice, open‐book cost management, risk analysis and the use of standardised and pre‐fabricated components are now widespread and believed to deliver benefits in project costs, delivery times and quality levels.

Research limitations/implications

The work is limited due to the size of the sample frame and the measuring instrument used which could not uncover reasons for the current practices that were revealed.

Practical implications

The outcomes of the work provide practice with benchmarks that can be used to evaluate organisational approach and if necessary develop alternative approaches to the delivery of partnered projects.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the body of knowledge available on partnering practice in a client group that has been identified as being key in driving forward the post‐Egan agenda in the construction industry.
Computer integrated construction: an approach to requirements engineering
Authors: Arayici Yusuf , Aouad Ghassan
Published: March 2005

Purpose

This paper aims at proposing a process of requirements engineering for the human centred, adaptive computer integrated construction systems development through industry wide information sharing.

Design/methodology/approach

The research strategy is based on case study research methodology. The EU‐funded DIVERCITY project was analysed. This project was undertaken by a European consortium of researchers and practitioners from the construction industry. They developed a virtual environment that enables the industry to undertake collaboratively the client briefing and design reviews and the construction stages.

Findings

DIVERCITY's requirements engineering approach has the potential to provide opportunities for research to determine the appropriate requirements engineering techniques for the development of the systems and their effective implementation in the construction industry.

Originality/value

The main contribution of the research is the construction of the requirements engineering process for the development of the computer integrated construction systems.
Transforming thyself
Authors: Medeiros Norm
Published: March 2005

Purpose

This article discusses the impact of electronic resources on the suite of services provided by serials agents.

Design/methodology/approach

The article describes the changing needs of academic libraries in this new environment, and the ways in which serials agents can repurpose themselves to remain a corner‐stone of serials management. A white paper by R2 Consulting is referenced for its insights into the expectations and requirements of academic libraries. Brief statements by two Otto Harrassowitz executives are included.

Findings

If agents are to take on these new responsibilities for e‐journals, libraries must expect to pay something beyond typical service fees. Many cash‐strapped libraries will find it difficult to pay higher fees to agents than they do presently, even for services that could save hundreds of hours per year in staff time. Consortia‐purchased collections and the proclivities of a handful of large publishers aside, it will no doubt become necessary for libraries to entrust all subscriptions to agents as the majority of subscriptions maintained by libraries migrate from print to electronic.

Originality/value

Outlines a role for serials agents in the new digital information world.
Choices and challenges
Authors: Yakel Elizabeth
Published: March 2005

Purpose

To report on the October 2004 Choices and Challenges Conference and cross‐cutting themes in libraries, archives and museums.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a conference report and viewpoint article.

Findings

The Choices and Challenges Conference sponsored biennially at the Henry Ford brings together professionals from archives and museums including archivists, curators, and conservators. As such, it is one of the few conferences that enable an interdisciplinary dialog between the different professionals involved with the administration of cultural resources. The October 2004 conference featured talks on legal issues, education, and preservation. However, it is the cross‐cutting theses of visibility, advocacy, convergence and collaboration, and a focus on the researcher or visitor that made the conference compelling and thought‐provoking.

Practical implications

Libraries, archives and museums can benefit from learning about one another's approaches to the common challenges facing cultural institutions.

Originality/value

Introduces the idea of the convergence in the management of cultural institutions and in the education of professionals staffing these institutions.
The Wiki and the digital library
Authors: Frumkin Jeremy
Published: March 2005

Purpose

To look at how collaborative tools, such as Wikis, can be utilized in a digital library environment.

Design/methodology/approach

A discussion of Wikis and postulation as to how such a tool might be used to facilitate research and collaboration in a digital library setting.

Findings

Three potential applications of a digital library Wiki are discussed – the Wiki as a knowledge base tool, the Wiki as a content management tool, and the Wiki as a tool to empower interactive finding aids.

Originality/value

Provides ideas for digital library developers and implementers, especially those looking for increasing collaboration and interactivity in digital libraries.
Cataloging our information architecture
Authors: Fox Robert
Published: March 2005

Purpose

To explore the potential impact of Shiyali Ramamrita Ranganathan's classification theories on the accessibility and exposure of digital repository content.

Design/methodology/approach

Conceptual analysis of: faceted classification schemes; the symantic web; object‐oriented analysis, design and programming; and digital repository content.

Findings

With the rapid proliferation of digital repositories and digital archives comes the need for appropriate and flexible classification schemes that can be implemented in conjunction with current technology such as object‐oriented programming techniques. Shivali Ranganathan was a forerunner in the area of classification systems, and developed a classification system, which is very suited to the need at hand: faceted classification. This column explores the relationship between Ranganathan's theories and their potential use in the contemporary digital library context (specifically digital repositories).

Practical implications

Ranganathan's methodology may help libraries to expose digital repository content on a larger scale within a very flexible and forward‐looking framework. This will allow libraries to anticipate the development of the semantic web and become key players in this environment.

Originality/value

Suggests a theoretical framework for describing and syndicating digital repository content, which is flexible and anticipatory in nature, based on the work of Shiyali Ranganathan.
Making decisions
Authors: Cervone H. Frank
Published: March 2005

Purpose

To outline methods for group process within a digital library team.

Design/methodology/approach

Literature‐ and practice‐based analysis of seven key methods for making decisions within a group.

Findings

One of the many issues that digital library project managers face is getting people to make decisions. Decision making can usually be accomplished in an effective manner if the project manager uses a sound methodology for having the group come to a decision. Using a consistent approach to decision making allows the team to deal with the complexity of issues by providing a structure for organizing issues.

Research limitations/implications

The individual context of an organization will require adapting some of the methods to local practice.

Practical implications

Provides a methodology for decision making within a group/team‐based context.

Originality/value

Provides caveats and guidelines for team leaders/project managers who must facilitate decision‐making processes.
Practical quality control procedures for digital imaging projects
Authors: Riley Jenn , Whitsel Kurt
Published: March 2005

Purpose

Formal quality review processes are a necessary part of any digital imaging workflow. This article illustrates a set of quality review processes implemented in the Indiana University Digital Library Program's Digital Media and Image Center.

Design/methodology/approach

A methodology for automatic batch review of large numbers of images is presented, along with rationale and procedures for supplemental visual review. The initial stages of an effort to further automate and centralize image quality control at Indiana University are described.

Findings

Automation of checks for objective image criteria, together with formal visual review of a sample of digitized images, is an effective means of implementing a quality review process.

Originality/value

The methodologies described can be used as a model for other institutions performing digital imaging projects of any size.
Using eclectic digital resources to enhance instructional methods for adult learners
Authors: Lawson Karen G.
Published: March 2005

Purpose

To demonstrate that adult learning can be improved through the use of eclectic digital resources to enhance instructional methods rather than through learning skills in isolation.

Design/methodology/approach

During the past two decades, a significant research has focused on adults as learners. Many adults take classes for skills improvement, job advancement, and personal understanding. The demand for training programs to help workers keep current and competitive is growing. It is likely that more adults from all walks of life will be continuing their education in a variety of settings. For example, librarians do instruction for their communities in the areas of internet searching, electronic database use, and personal computing skills. Many of their students are adults, including other library staff members, community members, and non‐traditional students.

Findings

A learning program that includes digital resources helps provide the opportunity for instructors to help their students make connections and form relationships across the boundaries of classroom, discipline, skill, and background. By incorporating an eclectic assortment of digital resources into computer/internet‐related training an instructor ensures that adult learners are better able to connect what they have learned in life and are learning in the classroom.

Research limitations/implications

Relies on availability of internet access.

Practical implications

Librarians are frequently in the position of providing computer/internet‐related training for a wide variety of audiences, including adults.

Originality/value

Librarians are perfectly poised to combine sound pedagogy with their expert knowledge of available digital resources to promote adult achievement in technology education. An instruction program integrated with evocative digital resources provides the opportunity for instructors to reduce anxiety and to help their students make connections and form relationships across the boundaries of classroom, discipline, skill, and background.
Assessing the durability of formats in a digital preservation environment
Authors: Stanescu Andreas
Published: March 2005

Purpose

To describe INFORM, a new methodology for investigating and measuring the risk factors of digital formats and providing guidelines for preservation action plans.

Design/methodology/approach

Construction of a model which aims to discover specific threats to preservation and measure their possible impact on preservation decisions. The methodology defines: risk categories of digital formats and their dependencies; risk factors for each category; scales to measure probability of occurrence and impact; and methods to collect, report and interpret the results.

Findings

While individuals are biased and subjective in their aversion to risk, collating the assessments of many individuals should generate group‐consensus or group‐averaged objective results. Hence, preservation plans can be based on objective analysis of risk trends instead of individuals’ opinions developed in the relative isolation of their institutions. The methodology takes into consideration individuals’ aversion to risk, therefore refraining from imposing specific courses of action, but simply making suggestions of possible actions.

Research limitations/implications

A comprehensive approach to the format assessment must also consider, in addition to the risk factors, two other considerations, reflecting the quality of the digital format specification: significant properties of the format under consideration; the features of the format as defined in the format specification. These two aspects will be defined at a later time.

Practical implications

Digital archives, institutional repositories and digital libraries can take advantage of the measurements offered by the INFORM method to select digital formats most apt for long‐term viability. Moreover, by repeating the process, involved parties can detect changes in the threat model over time, to which digital collections managers can act accordingly.

Originality/value

Risk management has been previously used to detect the potential of loss of web resources and has been inspirational to this author. However, this method is the first to use risk factors to measure digital preservation viability of digital formats. The results of the measurements described here can be used by: content creators and publishers, to suggest best formats to use; content curators, to restrict what is collected; content managers, to know in advance how difficult to handle a certain collection may be; and preservation planners, to define and implement preservation plans, in the form of either, migration strategies or short‐term emulation solutions.
M&A in the nonprofit sector: managing merger negotiations and integration
Authors: La Piana David , Hayes Michaela
Published: March 2005

Purpose

Through research and first‐hand experience with more than one hundred nonprofit mergers in the past decade, the firm has developed a variety of tools to help nonprofit organizations determine whether to undertake merger negotiations, how to facilitate these negotiations, and how to integrate organizations post‐merger.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors have conducted more than 100 nonprofit mergers. They also interviewed board members and CEOs of nonprofits that have merged.

Findings

The critical differences between mergers in for‐profit and nonprofit sectors occur in the negotiations phase, which is where board members often play a key role.

Research limitations/implications

This article addresses the merger process, not the business case. More research is needed on the economic benefits of nonprofit mergers.

Practical implications

The article identifies best practices for nonprofit mergers.

Originality/value

This article alerts volunteer board members from the for‐profit sector to the essential differences they face facilitating mergers in the nonprofit sector and provides them with a step‐by‐step guide to success.