bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Supporting the information needs of entrepreneurs in South Africa
Authors: Underwood Peter
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The Library Business Corners (LBC) service for entrepreneurs in the Western Cape of South Africa uses public libraries as a channel for information and expertise. It is a “grass roots”, community‐driven, approach which has been adopted elsewhere in South Africa. Similar services have appeared addressing the same, or similar, groups of users, often concentrating on the use of information and communication technology.

Design/methodology/approach

Developing an effective service for entrepreneurs depends critically on the quality of staff and their contacts. The opportunities and problems of the LBCs’ approach are identified and a response to the emergence of similar services is considered. The “balanced score card” model is used to explore the vision and strategy of the present services and the potential contribution of information literacy.

Findings

Financial support for LBC work is scarce and unlikely to increase. The challenge is to create a sustainable service by the LBC team as points of presence, using the existing or reduced financial base. Concentration on increasing capacity at the point of delivery of information through knowledge of the business environment and information literacy is essential.

Originality/value

The paper describes the first application of the “balanced score card” technique to a public library business information service in South Africa.
From conceptual to perceptual reality: trust in digital repositories
Authors: Prieto Adolfo G.
Published: October 2009

Purpose

Digital repositories offer a great benefit to people in a variety of settings, especially since an ever‐increasing amount of information is being gathered, transmitted, and preserved through various technologies. The purpose of this paper is to underscore trust as a critical element in the infrastructure of digital repositories and to look more closely at trusted digital repositories from the perspective of the user communities for which they are designed.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper looks to the literature in reviewing the concept of trust and its role in an online environment. Attention is then paid to trusted digital repositories, with close examination of the user communities’ perceptions of trust and the impact of these perceptions. Special attention is given to users within the academic community.

Findings

While digital repositories may be trustworthy because of adherence to technological standards, accepted practices, and mechanisms for authenticating the authorship and accuracy of their content, it is ultimately their respective stakeholders – both those who deposit and use content – whose perceptions play a central role in ensuring a digital repository's trustworthiness.

Research limitations/implications

A future empirical study would be beneficial in order to measure perceptions of trust as contributing factors to the trustworthiness of digital repositories.

Practical implications

This paper provides a useful resource for persons wishing to review the topic of trusted digital repositories or increase their awareness in this area.

Originality/value

This paper offers a focused look at various levels of trust as they relate to the dissemination of scholarly communication in the academic world, particularly through institutional repositories.
Evaluating the usability and usefulness of a digital library
Authors: Buchanan Steven , Salako Adeola
Published: October 2009

Purpose

System usability and system usefulness are interdependent properties of system interaction, which in combination, determine system satisfaction and usage. Often approached separately, or in the case of digital libraries, often focused upon usability, there is emerging consensus among the research community for their unified treatment and research attention. However, a key challenge is to identify, both respectively and relatively, what to measure and how, compounded by concerns regarding common understanding of usability measures, and associated calls for more valid and complete measures within integrated and comprehensive models. The purpose of this paper is to address this challenge.

Design/methodology/approach

Identified key usability and usefulness attributes and associated measures, compiled an integrated measurement framework, identified a suitable methodological approach for application of the framework, and conducted a pilot study on an interactive search system developed by a Health Service as part of their e‐library service.

Findings

Effectiveness, efficiency, aesthetic appearance, terminology, navigation, and learnability are key attributes of system usability; and relevance, reliability, and currency key attributes of system usefulness. There are shared aspects to several of these attributes, but each is also sufficiently unique to preserve its respective validity. They can be combined as part of a multi‐method approach to system evaluation.

Research limitations/implications

Pilot study has demonstrated that usability and usefulness can be readily combined, and that questionnaire and observation are valid multi‐method approaches, but further research is called for under a variety of conditions, with further combinations of methods, and larger samples.

Originality/value

This paper provides an integrated measurement framework, derived from the goal, question, metric paradigm, which provides a relatively comprehensive and representative set of system usability and system usefulness attributes and associated measures, which could be adapted and further refined on a case‐by‐case basis.
Open access initiatives adoption by Nigerian academics
Authors: Avemaria Utulu Samuel C. , Bolarinwa Omolara
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine Nigerian academics' adoption of open access initiatives as authors and readers of scholarly resources. The study was necessitated by the growing need to have the number of Nigerian scholarly publications increased on the internet and accessible to scholars around the world through the use of open access initiatives.

Design/methodology/approach

Academics of two first generation Nigerian universities selected using convenient sampling technique were surveyed using the questionnaire to find out the extent of their awareness and use of open access initiatives as authors and readers of scholarly works. Two hundred and fifty questionnaire copies were distributed in the two universities out of which 189 copies were returned, while 180 copies were found to be useable for the study.

Findings

It was revealed that the respondents were aware of the pre‐print and open access journal initiatives than the post‐print initiative. In terms of the use of open access initiatives, although the study revealed insignificant use among the academics, academics in sciences showed more promise of adopting open access initiative as authors and readers of scholarly resources than their counterparts in the humanities.

Research limitations/implications

Unlike studies that assessed specific subject based and institutional repositories that allowed for the search and extraction of depositors' names and characteristics, this particular study relied on respondents' responses as a source of their actual use of open access repositories.

Originality/value

This paper reveals that academics' perception and publishing culture, and not awareness, determines the extent of their use of open access initiatives in Nigeria.
Contextualising library and information policies for health‐care delivery in Zambia
Authors: Wamunyima Kanyengo Christine
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The paper highlights the need for grounding library and information policies within the environment they operate. The purpose of this paper is to argue for the grounding of health library and information policies within the health sector context.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is an opinion piece which discusses the importance of grounding library and information policies in the national health sector strategic plans.

Findings

A comprehensive and structural approach to improving access to health information as part of the overall priorities in the health sector requires concrete policies, strategies and services to be put in place at all levels of the national health system.

Practical implications

The paper offers insights into how to influence the formulation and eventual implementation of a national policy for library and information services in the health sector.

Originality/value

It describes the areas in which library and information policies can be used to fulfill the critical roles of supporting the mission of health‐care delivery in the country.
Why do internet users play massively multiplayer online role‐playing games?
Authors: Fang Kwoting , Lin Yu‐Chih , Chuang Tung‐Lin
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is threefold. First, this study seeks to provide a framework for, and endeavor to gain, an in‐depth understanding of the decision‐making process in relation to playing or not playing massively multiplayer online role‐playing games (MMORPGs) by using qualitative data from interviewing both players and non‐players. Second, it seeks to establish a better measure and model using an ethnographic decision tree model that describes the decision‐making process of internet users. Finally, for cross‐validity purposes, it aims to verify the model using quantitative data from face‐to‐face surveys of players/non‐players in an online gaming context.

Design/methodology/approach

A two‐phase mixed method is adopted here. During the first phase, the decision tree development phase, to capture the concerns of internet users who are facing the choice of playing MMORPGs or not, qualitative‐based procedures are used to identify decision factors and organize them into a decision tree for better understanding a research problem. In the second phase, the decision tree verification phase, to test the predictive capability of the composite model, a quantitative‐based survey instrument, which represents the decision criteria identified in the first phase, is adopted for data collection and analysis.

Findings

The results revealed that 14 criteria, formulated as a decision tree, were identified in the model‐building phase. In the model‐testing phase, 137 decision processes were successfully predicted and 17 predictive pathways led to a decision against the factual, giving a predictive rate of 89 per cent.

Originality/value

The study bridges the gap between the research in online games and in decision making. At the theoretical level, the decision tree model can provide a more comprehensive and in‐depth explanation of the online games‐playing phenomenon. In practice, marketers can easily become aware of the user considerations and identify exactly what needs to be done to fulfil users' criteria for playing MMORPGs. And, from a methodological standpoint, a mixed method can help researchers improve techniques used in study for building more predictive models.
What matters to managers?
Authors: Rahbek Pedersen Esben , Neergaard Peter
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse how managers in a multinational corporation (MNC) experience corporate social responsibility (CSR); the concept, the reasons for dealing with it, and its integration in everyday practices. Moreover, the paper aims to discuss how the alignment and misalignment of managerial perceptions are likely to affect corporate social performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis is based on a case study that includes interviews with ten managers and survey data from 149 manager respondents.

Findings

The paper concludes that managerial perceptions of CSR are characterised by a great deal of heterogeneity. It shows that, even in an organisation with a long CSR tradition and formalised CSR policies, standards and procedures, managers hold different, and not necessarily convergent, views of CSR.

Originality/value

The results indicate that simple categorisations of firms' CSR activities fail to encompass the multitude of perceptions and viewpoints that actually exist in modern organisations. Moreover, the paper questions whether managerial alignment on CSR issues is a precondition for high corporate social performance.
Strategic choices, export orientation and export performance of SMEs in Nigeria
Authors: Okpara John O.
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of entrepreneurial export orientation on the performance of SMEs in Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach

The study follows a quantitative research design using survey methods with statistical treatment. Severalt‐tests and correlation tests were used to ascertain whether differences exist between proactive export orientation and conservative export orientation and performance.

Findings

The findings indicate that proactive entrepreneurs were more engaged in the export market than conservatives. The findings also suggest that firms that adopted proactive orientation achieved higher performance, profitability, and growth compared with those that adopted a conservative orientation. It was also found that proactive entrepreneurs allocated more financial resources for export activities than conservative entrepreneurs.

Research limitations/implications

The research was limited to four cities; a broader geographic sampling to include larger urban and rural areas would better reflect the national profile. The study is limited to four industrial sectors; thus the results cannot be applied to other sectors that were not part of this study.

Practical implications

The study offers practical suggestions on how SMEs can improve growth, performance, and profitability by engaging in proactive export orientation behaviors. The paper also stresses the importance of developing export markets because it enhances growth, performance, and profitability.

Originality/value

The study draws owners'/managers' attention to the fact that proactive export behavior enhances performance, growth, and productivity. It also provides insight into the export orientation and performance issue, which should contribute to the future development of this line of research, particularly in developing countries such as Nigeria. Therefore, the study is of significant value to practitioners and scholars alike.
Lessons from a case study for Greek banking M&A negotiations
Authors: Konstantopoulos Nikolaos , Sakas Damianos , Triantafyllopoulos Yiannis
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the factor “Staff's beliefs, attitudes and social representations” vis‐à‐vis the part it plays during the negotiation process in the effort of the two leaders of the Greek banking branch to merge.

Design/methodology/approach

The codification is attempted by means of software, so as to clarify the trends for negotiations in win‐win conditions. Data were collected by the negotiation process of two large banking companies.

Findings

The paper concludes that the private or public character of each banking organization involved in the negotiation process of aiming at a merger will affect its strategic choices in relation to the role played by human beliefs and professional attitudes during the negotiations. Additionally, the research has pointed out some elements that are explained and justified by the existing circumstances in the particular banking area. The fear of change, the stress, the insecurity and the loss of morale are also pointed out as being significant factors.

Originality/value

The paper is based on research of two different sectors – private and public – and how the employees of two organizations belonging to these sectors react and affect the result of the merger.
Exploring the growing phenomenon of university‐corporate education partnerships
Authors: Ryan Lindsay
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore why corporations are forming corporate education partnerships with universities and the role of corporate education programmes.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents the findings from quantitative research involving 79 senior managers from North America, the UK, and Australia responsible for the management of their university‐corporate education partnerships.

Findings

The research finds that the primary reason for establishing university‐corporate education partnerships is to provide a recognised university award programme to complement an organisation's in‐house education programmes. Also, by aligning with a university an organisation is able to add strength and credibility to its in‐house corporate education programmes.

Originality/value

The research provides an insight into the growing role of university‐corporate education partnerships and helps to quantify some emerging aspects of these partnerships.
Exploring virtual worlds: success factors in virtual world marketing
Authors: Tikkanen Henrikki , Hietanen Joel , Henttonen Tuomas , Rokka Joonas
Published: October 2009

Purpose

Drawing from recent work on online social networking and communities of consumption, the purpose of this paper is to explore, identify, and postulate key factors facilitating the growth and success of marketing in virtual worlds.

Design/methodology/approach

An empirical study was conducted employing netnographic evidence from three different virtual worlds and related user‐generated blog discussions.

Findings

The findings suggest mechanisms which enable virtual worlds to gain and maintain the interest of their users and therefore underlie successful marketer practices.

Research limitations/implications

This is an exploratory study based on qualitative and ethnographic online research methods, and therefore the results are of a descriptive nature. The study was conducted to initiate the academic discourse about marketing in virtual worlds. As such, the paper believes that it can act as a reasonable starting‐point for future discussion.

Practical implications

The study suggests that traditional advertising has not proven to be a very effective way to exploit the special characteristics of virtual worlds. There is substantial potential in virtual worlds for new and innovative marketing methods that are highly engaging and take advantage of users' active role in virtual worlds. From the marketing point of view, virtual worlds can be especially used for connecting with customers, contributing to customer learning, and getting customer input.

Originality/value

The paper illustrates that virtual worlds have come to offer marketers new opportunities for engaging their customers into interactive and co‐productive marketplace exchanges. They uncover untapped potential, resources and creative means for building customer relationships.
Dietary habits of pregnant and non‐pregnant adolescents
Authors: Derbyshire E.
Published: October 2009

Purpose

Pregnancy is a time of great physiological change. For this reason, the diet of the mother needs to be tailored and carefully managed. For teenagers, the physiologic adjustments are two‐fold; adolescent growth and physiological changes of pregnancy both need to be taken into consideration. The purpose of this paper is to establish whether pregnant teenagers change their diet after conception and which nutritional adjustments are most likely to be made.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 40 closely‐matched Caucasian participants (20 pregnant and 20 non‐pregnant) were recruited from Wythenshawe Hospital, south Manchester and a local high school within the same district. Each participant was asked to complete a background information questionnaire and four‐day food record diary.

Findings

Study findings indicate that the diet of pregnant teenagers are substantially better than that of non‐pregnant adolescents. With the exception of vitamin D, intakes of all nutrients are higher in pregnant adolescents compared to non‐pregnant teenagers (p < 0.05), particularly calcium and iron (p < 0.01). Although under‐reporting must be taken into consideration, the diets of both pregnant and non‐pregnant teenagers appear to be deficient in folate and iron. Nutrition interventions are required to improve the diet of adolescents and reinforce the diet of pregnant teenagers.

Research limitations/implications

Although care is taken to exclude incomplete food diaries, a degree of under‐reporting must be taken into consideration when interpreting these findings.

Originality/value

This appears to be the first UK study to compare the dietary habits of pregnant and non‐pregnant adolescents.
Performance and anti‐wear mechanism of Cu nanoparticles as lubricating oil additives
Authors: Zhang Ming , Wang Xiaobo , Liu Weimin , Fu Xisheng
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the tribological performance and anti‐wear mechanism of Cu nanoparticles as lubricating oil additives.

Design/methodology/approach

An end‐face wear testing apparatus is used to measure the tribological properties of Cu nanoparticles as lubricating oil additives and using a commercial SJ 15W/40 gasoline engine oil for comparison. Electrical contact resistance (ECR) is measured on a universal nano and micro tester‐2 tribometer to detect the formation of tribo‐film generated by Cu nanoparticulate additive. The worn steel surfaces are investigated by scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive spectra (EDS) and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).

Findings

The results show that Cu nanoparticles used as an oil additive can improve the anti‐wear and friction‐reduction performance of SJ 15W/40 gasoline engine oil remarkably. The results of SEM, EDS and XPS show that a deposit film containing metallic copper can form on the worn surface, which has a film thickness of about 120 nm.

Originality/value

This investigation establishes a baseline of Cu nanoparticles used as lubricating oil additives under face‐to‐face contact work conditions. Thus, the results are reliable and can be very useful for further applications of Cu nanoparticle additives in industry.
Influence of initial braking velocity and braking frequency on tribological performance of non‐asbestos brake shoe
Authors: Jiusheng Bao , Zhencai Zhu , Yan Yin , Guoan Chen
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to find the influence of the initial braking velocity and braking frequency on the tribological performance of the non‐asbestos brake shoe used in mine hoisters during some continuous emergency brakings.

Design/methodology/approach

The tribological performance experiments of the WSM‐3 non‐asbestos brake shoe braking on the 16 Mn steel are investigated on the X‐DM friction tester, by simulating continuous emergency brakings of a mine hoister ten times. Three kinds of tribological indexes: friction coefficient, its stability coefficient, and wearing rate are considered to score the tribological performance of the brake shoe.

Findings

When the initial braking velocity increases, the mean friction coefficient of the brake shoe decreases at first, then rises, and falls again finally. But when the braking frequency exceeds seven times, the falling process of the friction coefficient at low‐velocity period does not appear again. Second, when the initial braking velocity is no higher than 10 m/s, the mean friction coefficient rises with the braking frequency increasing. But when the velocity exceeds 10 m/s, the mean friction coefficient rises with the braking frequency increasing at first, then falls. Third, when the initial braking velocity is no higher than 12.5 m/s, the friction coefficient of the brake shoe has quite a favorable stability with the coefficient is no bigger than 75 percent. But when the velocity exceeds 12.5 m/s, the stability of the friction coefficient is diminishing obviously. Fourth, the wearing rate of the brake shoe increases quickly, during the process that the velocity rising from 10 to 12.5 m/s, but increases much more slowly after that period.

Originality/value

The paper investigates the tribological performance of the WSM‐3 non‐asbestos brake shoe during some continuous emergency brakings and finds that, when the initial braking velocity is no higher than 12.5 m/s and the braking frequency is no more than seven times, the WSM‐3 non‐asbestos brake shoe has quite a high friction coefficient, a good friction stability, and a low‐wearing rate, which indicate that it is very appropriate for using in the disk brake of mine hoisters in China.
Teaching the Google‐eyed YouTube generation
Authors: Ashraf Bill
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report on how the University sector in the UK has undertaken a massive transformation over recent years, resulting in a current mass market. Institutions (and their managers) are facing enormous challenges to establish competitive advantages whilst attending to customer need and focus. A smarter, cost‐effective, lean teaching and learning environment needs to evolve in order for UK universities to compete in a flatter global educational market place.

Design/methodology/approach

Adopting an action research methodology the paper seeks to analyze how much‐hyped Web 2.0, which moves away from static “read only” web sites to those which are “read‐write” and interactive and are clearly here to stay. An eclectic mix of multi‐media technology and social networking, blogs, Wikis, podcasts, RSS feeds, social software, broadband and megalithic search engines are changing the way people live – and learn.

Findings

This paper considers and highlights opportunities for increasing operational efficiency, from a personal perspective, based on a blended approach to technology enhanced learning by creating a 24/7 learning environment for the Google‐eyed YouTube generation. The challenges of teaching large groups of students from a very diverse range of backgrounds and abilities are also discussed.

Originality/value

This article balances interests in the immense potential of Web 2.0 in teaching and learning, with concern for the limitations of the technology.
Role of social software tools in education: a literature review
Authors: Minocha Shailey
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a review of literature on the role of Web 2.0 or social software tools in education.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is a critical and comprehensive review of a range of literature sources (until January 2009) addressing the various issues related to the educator's perspective of pedagogical effectiveness of social software tools.

Findings

The paper provides insights about the: educational goals of using social software tools; benefits to the students, educators and institutions; challenges that may influence a social software initiative; and issues that need to be considered in a social software initiative.

Research limitations/implications

It is hoped that the analysis, as captured in this paper, will highlight the different pedagogical roles of social software: communication, nurturing creativity and innovation, and collaborative learning. The paper will be of interest to researchers in the areas of social software and technology‐enabled learning environments, in general. Further, this paper demonstrates how the analysis of academic literature sources has been combined with commentaries and opinions on the web to develop this literature review.

Practical implications

The review has been written from an educator's perspective: the questions and challenges that an educator encounters when considering the use of social software tools for learning and teaching. The analysis of the literature review in this paper is presented as answers to questions, which educators may have about social software initiatives. The findings in this paper may influence learning and teaching strategies in higher and further education – specifically institutions that are considering the use of social software.

Originality/value

The paper presents theoretical underpinnings related to pedagogical role of social software tools. In this paper, the practical issues and challenges for educators and policy makers who are considering the adoption of social software tools in learning and teaching are analysed. The paper consolidates a variety of literature sources from academic publications, recent reports on social software (2007‐2009), and commentaries and views on social software within the social media itself (blogs, wikis, YouTube).
Scenarios and strategies for Web 2.0
Authors: Martin Graeme , Reddington Martin , Beth Kneafsey Mary , Sloman Martyn
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The aim of this article is to bring together ideas from the authors' review of the Web 2.0 literature, the data and their insights from this and other technology‐related projects to produce a framework for strategies on Web 2.0 focusing on the implications for human resource professionals.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors discuss organisational design as a socio‐technical system, which depends on the interaction between people, work organisation and technical systems for its effectiveness.

Findings

The article sets out four scenarios on the use of traditional and new social technologies intended to enhance collaboration and give employees voice in matters that affect them at work. In doing so, it shows how Web 2.0 can alter the choices available to employees and organisations to collaborate and exercise their respective voices. It is in this sense the authors argue that these technologies have the potential to transform the business model.

Practical implications

There is a potential trend away from Web 2.0, which is potentially difficult for organisations to cope with towards Enterprise 2.0, which offers a social platform within companies. There is also a trend away from traditional media used to give employees a say in decisions, such as face‐to‐face representation in consultative committees, focus groups and online surveys towards Enterprise 2.0 read‐write media.

Originality/value

This article examines potential scenarios for the adoption of Web 2.0 and Enterprise 2.0 platforms in real business settings.
Positioning ePortfolios in an integrated curriculum
Authors: Housego Simon , Parker Nicola
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the potential and the challenges of successful integration of ePortfolios and graduate attributes into the curriculum.

Design/methodology/approach

An argument is presented about the positioning of ePortfolios, and their links to graduate attributes, that draws upon the experiences of working with teachers to design, implement and support effective teaching practices to inform the challenges and opportunities that ePortfolios present for institutions, teachers and business curricula.

Findings

The potential of ePortfolios for supporting student learning must be balanced against the difficulties of embedding the necessary curriculum changes. Institutions expecting to see take‐up of ePortfolios by their teachers will need different strategies than those that accompanied the introduction of learning management systems.

Research limitations/implications

The paper is based on experiences in an Australian context and a small‐scale trial. The limited availability of studies of student learning and the longitudinal use of ePortfolios in the social networking Web 2.0 context are also limitations.

Practical implications

A range of potential uses of ePortfolios is considered with a particular focus on seeing their use from the whole‐of‐program viewpoint, with discussion of the limitations for curriculum if decisions about ePortfolio use are left entirely to teachers to decide.

Originality/value

The paper's value is in its argument about the potential for linking ePortfolios to an integrated curriculum by addressing a common problem with the process of embedding of graduate attributes, and in suggesting a role for changed assessment practices to make this possible.
Simulations: a case study of City & Guilds' newest assessment
Authors: Stone Andrew , Dearing Mike
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a case study of City & Guilds' development of simulation‐based assessments for its ICT user qualification. These simulations are authentic scenario‐based replicas of word processing and spreadsheet software, which present a series of tasks that the test‐taker completes as if they were using actual software, thus demonstrating their ICT competence.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology for the pilot study involved running a series of small trials at five customer sites, with test‐takers completing a detailed questionnaire. It is from this questionnaire that most of the conclusions about the simulations are drawn.

Findings

The case study explains the reasons why City & Guilds wanted to pursue this development work and presents the findings of a pilot exercise in which the simulations were trailed by a group of learners and tutors. The strengths and weaknesses of the simulations are evaluated, particularly in terms of assessment validity, and opportunities for further development work are discussed.

Research limitations/implications

The main limitation of this paper is that the sample used for trialling was small; this was a necessity imposed by tight budgets and deadlines. Furthermore, the authors were required to use the existing City & Guilds test delivery platform, which had implications for the type of simulation that could be developed.

Originality/value

In terms of originality, it is the authors' opinion that the paper has value because it offers a unique insight into the challenges faced by a vocational awarding organisation in its efforts to develop new assessments. Although the technology involved is not completely new, it is believed that the candid evaluation of the simulations will be of interest to anyone working with e‐assessments, regardless of their level of familiarity with the UK education system.
Why do we play the games? Exploring institutional and political motivations
Authors: Bardon Thibaut , Josserand Emmanuel
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore why digital games based learning (DGBL) is spreading rapidly in all educational settings, when the literature does not provide clear empirical evidence of the pedagogical benefits. The paper seeks to understand why DGBL is constantly developing despite this lack of consensus about the learning outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to identify the motivations for DGBL adoption and implementation beyond pedagogical ones, the authors use organizational theories to propose a three‐dimensional framework in which pedagogical motivation is articulated with political (linked to local characteristics) and institutional (linked to the macro‐environment) motivations. They then study the respective importance the three kinds of motivation in the adoption decisions and the implementation process of DGBL. To this end, they conducted a retrospective analysis of four embedded case studies in European business schools.

Findings

The authors find that institutional motivation plays a major role in adoption decisions while political motivations can contribute to the decision but are not necessarily present. Isomorphic pressure is essentially mimetic for early adopters and combined with coercive elements for late adopters.

Practical implications

During the implementation phase customization is mainly driven by political objectives while institutionalized ideas about the best way to implement the game are not typically influential.

Originality/value

The study shows that pedagogical benefits are a prerequisite rather than the core motivation for adoption or implementation. Second, the study is a call for both academics and practitioners not to over‐rationalize or under‐rationalize DGBL and, more broadly, pedagogical innovations and adoption decisions.
Self‐employment among Italian female graduates
Authors: Rosti Luisa , Chelli Francesco
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the gender impact of tertiary education on the probability of entering and remaining in self‐employment.

Design/methodology/approach

A data set on labour market flows produced by the Italian National Statistical Office is exploited by interviewing about 62,000 graduate and non‐graduate individuals in transition between five labour market states: dependent workers; self‐employed workers; unemployed persons; and non‐active persons. From these data, an average ten‐year transition matrix (1993‐2003) is constructed and the flows between labour market conditions by applying Markovian analysis are investigated.

Findings

The data show that education significantly increases the probability of entering self‐employment for both male and female graduates, but it also significantly increases the transition from self‐employment to dependent employment for female graduates, thereby increasing the percentage of female graduates in paid employment and reducing the percentage of women in entrepreneurial activities. It is argued that the disappointment provoked by the gender wage gap in paid employment may induce some female graduates with low‐entrepreneurial ability to set‐up on their own, but once in self‐employment they have lower survival rates than both men in self‐employment and women in paid employment. Thus, what is observed overall is that education widens the gender gap between self‐employed workers and employees for individuals persisting in the same working condition.

Originality/value

The data are enabled to shift the focus of the relationship between education and entrepreneurship from the probability of being self‐employed to the probability of entering and surviving in this condition.
Skills and training in Great Britain: further evidence
Authors: Sutherland John
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the amount of training received by employees; the extent to which individuals are dissatisfied with the training they receive; and employee perceptions of the extent to which the skill levels they possess are higher than/lower than those required to do their jobs.

Design/methodology/approach

A matched workplace‐employee data set which has its origins in the 2004 Workplace Employment Relations Survey is created and analysed using ordered and binomial logits.

Findings

One in five employees received five days or more training within the last 12 months. One in three received no training at all. One in three are satisfied with the training they received. One in four are dissatisfied. More than half of all employees felt that their skill levels are higher than those required to do their jobs. Only 5 percent felt that their skill levels are lower than those required to do their jobs.

Research limitations/implications

There is little evidence of “skills gaps.” However, there is much evidence to the effect that employees' skills capacities are under‐utilised.

Originality/value

The contribution made both to the skills and training policy agenda and the controversy over explanations of the UK's relatively low rate of productivity growth.
A service‐learning initiative within a community‐based small business
Authors: Simola Sheldene
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to extend previous scholarly writing on community service‐learning (SL) initiatives by looking beyond their use in the not‐for‐profit sector to their potential use in community‐based small businesses.

Design/methodology/approach

A rationale for the appropriateness of using SL projects in small businesses is provided, and distinctions drawn between small business SL projects and student internships. A case study involving a strategic management project in a community‐based small business is presented.

Findings

The findings support the usefulness of SL initiatives in small businesses. Benefits to the students include an enhanced understanding of course material, improved learning through the transparent information sharing and experience of the small business owner, increased confidence in strategic management skills, and greater appreciation of community, environmental, and ethical concerns. Benefits to the small business owner included receipt of customized, onsite services that circumvented opportunity, and financial costs associated with other consultation or training options, an unbiased and well‐rounded strategic audit, and receipt of an alternate perspective on the business that would not otherwise be available.

Research limitations/implications

Future research should explore the use of SL projects in a broader range of undergraduate business courses and continue to develop pragmatic frameworks for initiatives involving small businesses. Factors associated with small business engagement in SL and outcomes for business owners should also be investigated.

Practical implications

Practical information on the implementation SL initiatives in community‐based small businesses is provided, along with guidance on dealing with potential risk management concerns related to non‐conflict of interest, confidentiality, and liability.

Originality/value

Previous approaches to SL have focused almost exclusively on partnerships with not‐for‐profit agencies. This paper supports the usefulness of SL initiatives in for‐profit, community‐based small businesses.
The conscientious HR manager and the Rubik's Cube
Authors: Steers Ian
Published: October 2009

Purpose

By examining the literature on the ethical dilemmas of H/RM practitioners, the paper aims to put an “H” in H/RM.

Design/methodology/approach

Analysing the significant contribution which H/RM scholars have made in studying the ethical dilemmas of H/RM practitioners, the paper builds a view of an H/RM practitioner as a “conscientious HR manager” loosely connected to an ethical dilemma, a “Rubik's Cube”. Using these linguistic devices to simplify others scholarly work, the paper introduces a complex autopoietic system to provide a more “connected knowing” of ethical dilemmas and the “H” in H/RM.

Findings

Generalising from this analysis, the paper connects a social sub‐system (H/RM) with a living human system.

Research limitations/implications

Naturalistic “grounds” for launching a normative critique of H/RM that celebrates humans as social and biological animals are provisionally outlined.

Originality/value

The paper adapts Capra's complex autopoietic system to present a normative critique of H/RM from the Darwinian left.
ERP‐systems and job content: a case study of HR‐assistants
Authors: Benders Jos , Schouteten Roel , Aoulad el Kadi Mohamed
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to gain insights into the effects of an enterprise resource planning (ERP)‐implementation on job content.

Design/methodology/approach

Data are collected using a qualitative expert instrument (WEBA) and a questionnaire (NOVA‐WEBA) among HR‐assistants in a case study in the Dutch hospitality industry.

Findings

Contrary to what one might expect, the introduction of an ERP‐system does not automatically result in a more centralized organization: in granting local authorizations user/employee job decision latitude is affected c.q. realized. However, even when a decentralization policy is pursued as is the case in our study, job decision latitude is not necessarily enhanced. This is partly caused by ERP‐related changes such as increasing standardization of operational procedures and data entry requirements, and partly by organization‐specific developments in how tasks get assigned to jobs.

Research limitations/implications

The configuration of ERP‐systems varies by organization, and is largely a matter of organizational choice. The case is unique, as is indeed any case.

Practical implications

Insights into ERP's effects can help organizations achieve better designed jobs. Pre‐implementation simulations of effects can help steering towards desired outcomes.

Originality/value

The paper provides useful insights into the effects of an ERP‐implementation on job content through a case study of HR‐assistants.
Wikipedia: friend or foe?
Authors: West Kathy , Williamson Janet
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report on a research study that entailed the rigorous evaluation of the quality of a large multidisciplinary sample of Wikipedia articles. The objective of the paper is to assess whether Wikipedia can be used and recommended as a credible reference or information tool.

Design/methodology/approach

The 106 randomly generated Wikipedia articles are analyzed and evaluated on specific criteria (completeness, accuracy, presentation, objectivity, and overall quality). Articles are reviewed from a broad range of subject areas: arts, popular culture, entertainment, geography, history, science, technology, people, entities, and politics.

Findings

The findings indicate that overall the articles are objective, clearly presented, reasonably accurate, and complete, although some are poorly written, contain unsubstantiated information, and/or provide shallow coverage of a topic.

Research limitations/implications

Further research on evaluating Wikipedia entries should include reviewing outward links to more accurately assess overall quality.

Practical implications

Wikipedia has a role as a reference and instruction tool.

Originality/value

This paper provides empirical data on a large number of articles on a wide range of disciplines in Wikipedia, supporting its use as an acceptable encyclopedia.
On the remediation of Wikipedia to the iPod
Authors: Hahn Jim
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the results of a usability study of information search on mobile devices, seeking to understand mobile computing best practice in the design of library services.

Design/methodology/approach

Three second‐year undergraduate students took part in this semester long study. They are loaned iPods with a Wikipedia copy to use as desired. Usability data are drawn from search logs recording titles of the articles searched and an internet‐based survey completed by students.

Findings

Students characterize the nature of information searched for on the Wikipedia iPods as recreational. Students did not utilize the iPods for academic research. Search logs show students viewed articles primarily about objects.

Research limitations/implications

The results of this paper do not show generalized principles of mobile search. More data collected from additional sets of users are needed in order to articulate principles of mobile search.

Practical implications

If it is the case that students will primarily make use of mobile computing for recreational or leisurely purposes then library services on mobile computing platforms must be designed accordingly.

Originality/value

The paper presents methods for the study of information search though mobile computing and poses questions resulting from this paper that require further study.
Building a sustainability collection: a selected bibliography
Authors: Beth Applin Mary
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a bibliography for collection development purposes. It is a list of fundamental reference books, serials, monographs, DVDs, and web sites for academic libraries that are supporting sustainability efforts on their campus.

Design/methodology/approach

Resources are identified using subject article databases,American Reference Books Annual(2007, 2008),Choiceonline,Books in Print,Ulrich's, and Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher EducationPublications on Campus Sustainability(www.aashe.org/resources/publications.php). Numerous reviews of reference works and monographs are used to ensure the relevance and value. Brief annotations are provided.

Findings

More colleges and universities are signing on to the American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment particularly with the new emphasis on greening from Washington, DC. The author conducted an extensive review of sustainability literature in an effort to develop a comprehensive bibliography of core titles for academic libraries that will be supporting sustainability projects and curricular initiatives of their college or university.

Originality/value

This is the first published bibliography of its kind of core sustainability titles for academic libraries.