bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A comparison of marketing teaching methods in North American and European universities
Authors: Küster Inés , Vila Natalia
Published: July 2006

Purpose

To compare marketing education methods in Europe and North America, and analyse the opinions about effectiveness underpinning educators' choices among available options.

Design/methodology/approach

E‐mail questionnaires distributed to a sampling frame extracted from the worldwide directory of the Academy of Marketing Science were completed by 93 marketing academics in North America and 42 in Europe: a 26 per cent overall return rate. Data were analysed by χ2, ANOVA and correspondence analysis.

Findings

Three teaching‐and‐learning methods are most common in both environments: practical exercises, case studies and lectures. Europeans tend to rely on lectures and other traditional methods, while Americans make more use of technology‐based alternatives. The approach to the subject in Europe favours practical exercises, for their connection to the real world. Practice in North America reflects a cultural predisposition to personalised teaching, by emphasising face‐to‐face small‐group tutorials and one‐to‐one distance learning interaction. Teaching methods popular in the business world are little used across the sample, a somewhat paradoxical finding in a business‐school environment.

Research limitations/implications

The sample is comparatively small, and the European sub‐sample is not further broken down into cultural sub‐groups. Because the research instrument was adapted from one previous Spanish‐language survey, terminology may have influenced the responses.

Practical implications

The findings could be a useful input to planning of teaching and learning strategies, particularly in the international and distance‐learning contexts.

Originality/value

A rare comparative study of marketing education, suggesting fruitful directions for future research.
Corporate branding versus product branding in emerging markets
Authors: Yu Xie Henry , Boggs David J.
Published: July 2006

Purpose

To build a conceptual framework for the development of branding strategy from the pint of view of a Western firm entering a market in a developing economy.

Design/methodology/approach

An extensive literature review brings together two research streams, market entry and branding strategy, with particular reference to corporate branding versus product branding.

Findings

The choice of branding strategy is determined in the conditions under study by five antecedent factors and three moderating variables, which are expressed as a visual model and eight propositions.

Practical implications

In a rapidly developing world, this framework and the literature review from which it is derived offer applicable marketing intelligence to planners of branding strategies for international markets. The eight propositions suggest fruitful directions for further academic research.

Originality/value

Draws together two streams within the marketing literature in an original way, and offers a framework for the conceptualisation of an important element of marketing strategy in challenging market conditions.
Marketing to Chinese consumers on the internet
Authors: Yu Jun
Published: July 2006

Purpose

To provide an objective assessment of the current and future potential of China as an environment for the practice of internet marketing.

Design/methodology/approach

The findings of a series of biennial longitudinal studies, published by a research centre operating under the auspices of the Chinese government, were analysed and interpreted. Key variables and future trends were inferred from the re‐assembled data.

Findings

The online market in China is growing rapidly and has a strong potential, despite many real obstacles and many others based on superficial interpretation of received wisdom now substantially out of date. Although the majority of Chinese consumers are still internet novices, the only concrete concerns among the experimenting minority are product quality and online security. The indications are that the short‐to‐medium term future therefore offers more opportunities than threats to alert market entrants.

Practical implications

A comprehensive analysis of the findings of an official large‐scale survey last conducted in 2004 provides up to date market intelligence concerning a rapidly developing market for planners and academic observers. Specific marketing‐mix strategies are suggested.

Originality/value

An authoritative overview of a complex operating environment.
Case study of a successful internet advertising strategy in Hong Kong: a portal for teenagers
Authors: Chu Ting Cheung Ronnie
Published: July 2006

Purpose

To identify key success factors related to internet advertising, in the specific case of a portal directed at a teenage audience in Hong Kong; to derive a generally applicable formula for measuring the effectiveness of internet advertising.

Design/methodology/approach

Proposes a framework for advertising effectiveness that includes traditional objective measures (click‐through rates), subjective measures applied by advertisers, and seasonality corrections. Derives a mathematical formula for measurement of effectiveness. Extracts components from ten banner advertising campaigns at one web site between January 2001 and May 2002, and analyses them by means of proprietary data‐mining rule‐induction software. Selects two rules form the several generated, on the basis of confidence levels.

Findings

Finds that, in the case example studied: small interactive games and free gifts deliver the highest brand impression after normalization of the banner click‐through rate; revenue is significantly affected by local cultural and seasonal factors; “media‐rich” design is an important factor in attracting the target audience to click on a banner. Notes the importance of countering the natural variability of click‐through rates, and proposes a variety of design add‐ons to stabilise them.

Research limitations/implications

The study relates to a very specific case example of internet advertising in one special administrative area of China. Caution is therefore indicated in applying the proposed model and formula or the related communication strategies more generally. Future research should investigate the conversion of muse‐clicks to sales.

Practical implications

Since, the cost to internet users of switching from one site to another is almost zero, competition for audiences is particularly severe, and planned marketing communication strategies essential to effective performance. In particular, continuing uncertainty about the cause‐effect link to sales threatens the revenue stream for firms that rely heavily on internet advertising. It is vital that such advertisers keep abreast of relevant research, such as the case study reported here.

Originality/value

The proposed formula for measurement of effectiveness is original in combining objective and subjective measures of effectiveness. The general principles underpinning strategic conclusions drawn in this particular situation could be selective applied by planners of internet advertising campaigns for other products and services to other target audiences.
Consumers' “mental accounting” in response to unexpected price savings at the point of sale
Authors: Ho Ha Hwan , Suk Hyun Jung , Pae Jae H.
Published: July 2006

Purpose

To investigate shoppers' decision‐making behaviour under conditions of expected and unexpected in‐store price discounts, using mental accounting theory as the analytical framework.

Design/methodology/approach

In an experiment manipulating expected and unexpected discounts on electronic organisers and portable audio players, data collected by questionnaire from 240 first‐year business administration students at a Korean university were used to test two hypotheses predicting the ways in which the savings would be used.

Findings

Recipients of unexpected discounts tend to spend the savings in store. If a choice of two products is available, the savings are more likely to be applied to the discounted one than the other. Shoppers commit more actively to planned purchases when price discounts are known in advance. The key factor in purchasing behaviour with respect to discounts is the existence or otherwise of predictions. Shoppers' decision‐making in these conditions is, therefore, context and frame dependent.

Research limitations/implications

The experimental subjects were not representative of the general shopping population, and Korea is a distinctive culture. The findings should be interpreted with caution, but are indicative within limits. Aspects of the topic not investigated by the experiment are identified, and future research directions suggested.

Practical implications

Unadvertised discount available at the point of sale offer several potential benefits to retailers, including reduced costs and increased patronage. Pricing strategists need to understand the theoretical basis of customers' behaviour in response to discount offers, for effective planning.

Originality/value

Adds to the body of knowledge relating to crucial aspect of pricing strategy, and has potential applicability beyond retailing.
A knowledge management approach for managing uncertainty in manufacturing
Authors: Koh S.C.L. , Gunasekaran A.
Published: July 2006

Purpose

This paper proposes a knowledge management approach for managing uncertainty in manufacturing enterprises.

Design/methodology/approach

The knowledge management approach consists of a knowledge‐enriched manufacturing system, which is modelled using SIMAN simulation language and programmed using Visual Basic applications. A knowledge‐based planning module and an execution platform are simulated so that signals could be transferred, and configuration to the planned parameters could be made, in order to minimise variations due to uncertainties. A reference architecture and intelligent agent are created to store tacit knowledge and create explicit knowledge, respectively.

Findings

Manufacturing enterprises should use both tacit knowledge about uncertainties and buffering and dampening techniques, simultaneously with the explicit knowledge that is generated by the intelligent agent, for managing uncertainty. The design of the knowledge management approach enables easy integration with material requirements planning, manufacturing resource planning or enterprise resource planning systems, and complements with the adoption of advanced technology.

Originality/value

A new concept – management by valued‐added urgency, emerges that underpins the knowledge management approach. It is grounded from the previous literature on managing uncertainty classified into: masking approach; standardising approach; prioritising approach; and optimising approach and extended Westbrook's priority management theory. This concept focuses selectively on value‐added changes that need to be made to counteract variations caused by significant uncertainty.
Consumer trust, perceived security and privacy policy
Authors: Flavián Carlos , Guinalíu Miguel
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the effect of privacy and perceived security on the level of trust shown by the consumer in the internet. It also aims to reveal and test the close relationship between the trust in a web site and the degree of loyalty to it.

Design/methodology/approach

First, there is an explanation of the main attributes of the concepts examined, with special attention being paid to the multi‐dimensional nature of the variables and the relationships between them. This is followed by an examination of the validation processes of the measuring instruments.

Findings

Specifically, the study reveals that an individual's loyalty to a web site is closely linked to the levels of trust. Thus, the development of trust not only affects the intention to buy, as shown by previous researchers, but it also directly affects the effective purchasing behavior, in terms of preference, cost and frequency of visits, and therefore, the level of profitability provided by each consumer. In addition, the analyses show that trust in the internet is particularly influenced by the security perceived by consumers regarding the handling of their private data.

Practical implications

The results of this study provide several managerial implications for companies in this sector. Suggestions are offered for national and international organizations involved in regulating these markets.

Originality/value

The results of this research remedy, to a certain extent, the scarcity of empirical studies that have designed and validated measuring scales for the concepts of privacy, security, trust and loyalty to the internet, as well as testing the relationships between them.
A proposed white‐collar workforce performance measurement framework
Authors: Takala Josu , Suwansaranyu Udomsak , Phusavat Kongkiti
Published: July 2006

Purpose

To propose a structured framework for measuring white‐collar workforce.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed framework, designated as the multi‐dimension measurement process or the MDMP, is based on the nature of white‐collar work as well as on the strengths of current measurement techniques such as Zigon's. The experiment on comparing the MDMP with several techniques was conducted. The analytic hierarchical process (AHP) has been adopted to determine the usefulness and applicability of the MDMP. The follow‐up discussions with the participants and the surveys to external experts have also been made.

Findings

The research results imply potential usefulness and applications for the MDMP. Relatively to others, the MDMP has performed very highly with the set of prioritized criteria (from the AHP) that is used for this comparison, e.g. reliability, strategic congruence, measurement coverage, and user acceptance. Based on this experiment, the MDMP appears to ensure the alignment between strategies and measurement, and also to gain the acceptance by both workers and supervisors.

Research limitations/implications

Given the small size (16 participants) and the limited scope (participants mainly from the accounting and finance areas), it is not possible to provide a definite conclusion on the effectiveness of the MDMP. More experiments and tests will be needed to determine the level of the MDMP generalization.

Practical implications

A basis or a starting point to help develop a tool that can be used to measure white‐collar workforce.

Originality/value

This research incorporates several aspects relating to the work performed by white‐collar workforce from outputs/outcomes, skills, behavior, and organizational goals. The needs to develop the framework that measures and captures the performance of white‐collar workforce have been cited by several sources for many years. The focus on measuring the workforce level is mainly for appraisal/administrative purposes. As a result, the information may not reflect all aspects relating to the white‐collar work.
Identifying the pivotal role of participation strategies and information technology application for supply chain excellence
Authors: Lin Chinho , Tseng Hojung
Published: July 2006

Purpose

To propose a conceptual structural equation model to demonstrate the direct and indirect impact of supply chain participation strategy (SCPS), information technology application (ITA), manufacturing participation strategy (MPS) on customer satisfaction (CS) and organizational performance (OP) from a strategic perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

An empirical study is conducted through surveys of 109 senior managers from the top 800 manufacturing firms in Taiwan and the data collected are used to test the relationships expressed in the proposed structural equation model.

Findings

MPS planning plays a pivotal role in achieving OP in implementing the supply chain system. This demonstrates the strategic importance of integrating manufacturing (operations) with suppliers and customers in a supply chain system.

Research limitations/implications

The current data were collected in Taiwan, and the distribution of the scale of the firms surveyed may be quite different from that in other countries. But it can be useful for managers' reference, especially for those whose firms are located in other countries where the circumstances are similar to those in Taiwan.

Practical implications

This application of conceptual structural equation model is a very useful source of information and a notice for managers to achieve greater success in implementing the supply chain systems.

Originality/value

This paper provides a useful conceptual structural equation model and points out a critical pivotal variable for managers to implement SCM more effectively to enhance the competitive advantage.
Safeguarding mechanisms in a supply chain network
Authors: Léger Pierre‐Majorique , Cassivi Luc , Hadaya Pierre , Caya Olivier
Published: July 2006

Purpose

Building on the transaction cost theory and power structure literature, this paper aims to investigate the extent to which firms use two safeguarding mechanisms (supply chain relational investments and electronic collaboration) in different network dependency contexts in order to protect their portfolios of business relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

Empirical evidence is gathered though a survey data conducted with 159 firms in the wireless communication sector. The paper tests the assumption that the two safeguarding mechanisms are used to a greater extent in interdependency‐intensive networks than in other supply chain contexts.

Findings

This empirical study suggests that: in a network‐dependent context, relational investments allow firms to safeguard their portfolios of relationships; electronic collaboration seems to be a safeguarding mechanism for firms in downstream‐dependent network contexts; in general, firms appear to use both relational investments and electronic collaboration to manage their relationships in a supply chain network; and the knowledge‐based theory may explain the strong relationship between upstream and downstream use of electronic collaboration.

Research limitations/implications

Overall, the present study complements the extant literature on supply chain management and inter‐firm electronic collaboration by showing how an important structural characteristic of supply chain networks (i.e. dependency) operates on the choice of using two key safeguarding mechanisms.

Practical implications

Results stress the importance of these safeguarding mechanisms in joint actions such as collaborative planning, forecasting and replenishment.

Originality/value

The paper addresses interdependencies from a network perspective which encompasses the firms' complete portfolio of relationships.
Knowledge management enablers: a case study
Authors: Yeh Ying‐Jung , Lai Sun‐Quae , Ho Chin‐Tsang
Published: July 2006

Purpose

To analyze the crucial role that enablers play in carrying out knowledge management within the enterprise.

Design/methodology/approach

This research uses the method of a case study and has directed the survey on Advanced Semiconductor Engineering, Inc. (ASE) and VIA Technologies, Inc. (VIA). It is anticipated through the case study of these two companies that it will be possible to verify the finding of enablers concluded by other papers, thus showing the inter‐relationship between theory and business.

Findings

It is found that among the enablers: on the part of strategy and leadership; obtaining top managements' support is most important; among organization culture enablers is the forming of an atmosphere and culture of sharing is most important but needs to be supplemented by informational technology; among people enablers, other than training courses and channels that provide learning, employee incentive program is one of the executing key factor; and among informational technology enablers, other than the digitization of documents, the function of speedy search of information for its re‐use is becoming more and more important.

Practical implications

The result of this study not just validates theory with reality; it also provides a reference for the academia as well as the business field.

Originality/value

This paper has discovered that establishing a dedicated unit for implementing knowledge management is also one of the key enablers. Its role does not just stop at managing knowledge, but instead it plays the role of furthering knowledge management by taking on the duty of assisting and coordinating different departments in their communication.
Sustainability: a matter of energy?
Authors: Fellows Richard
Published: July 2006

Purpose – This paper sets out to explore the concepts involved in sustainability by investigating the basic meanings of the terms, the primary principles involved and their application to practices of development. Design/methodology/approach – A perspective founded in natural science is adopted relating to energy and matter. Issues of pragmatism and human behaviour are considered to determine how the basic essentials are being pursued, with consideration of common project evaluation methods. Issues of culture, human groups and institutions are examined with respect to their impact on sustainability. Contrasts between relativist approaches (“green”) and absolute approaches (sustainability) are explored. Findings – It is concluded that absolutism should form the decision approach in order that real sustainability may be achieved. Practical implications – The paper highlights the deficiencies in the relativist approaches which are adopted currently. By diverting foci to concepts of economic, social etc. sustainability, the real and underpinning imperatives of environmental sustainability – expressed in terms of energy and matter, are diluted in the ensuing pragmatic debates. Real sustainability, it is argued, must concern such essential issues to be effective. Originality/value – This paper addresses the basic, absolute issues of sustainability and so, acts as a focus for addressing the difference between real sustainability and the relativism of current “sustainability” legislation, practices, and, unfortunately, much debate. The paper endeavours to be productively provocative as a catalyst for advance.
Maritime history, sustainable development and resource management
Authors: Davies Stephen N.G.
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to outline the intellectual pre‐conditions for meaningful debate about resource management of the sea and its contents.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach is historical and theoretical.

Findings

The argument contends that because of the social and historical status of the sea and those who earn their living from it, comprehensive and accurate knowledge of the sea and its depths is conspicuously lacking, as is a sympathetic understanding. Historically, this has led, where attempts to manage the sea's resources are concerned, to a misconceived application of terrestrial legal concepts and approaches to an indivisible whole upon which, as a whole, Life itself depends.

Practical implications

If the argument is correct, piecemeal local, national and regional attempts to manage marine resources may prove unable to achieve what is intended and may be counter‐productive. Such smaller‐scale regulation must depend on prior global agreement on marine resource management principles.

Originality/value

The paper attempts to lay out the broad framework within which alone constructive discussion of marine resource management is possible.
Paradoxes of sustainable development
Authors: Batty Susan
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore two of the paradoxes arising from different views about resource limits and sustainable development.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper identifies the implications for property rights and public participation in environmental decisions. The first paradox concerns the adoption of policies of exclusion and inclusion through property rights and collective action; the second looks at the new role of the city where concentration of activities, once the cause of environmental degradation is now seen as the route to sustainable development.

Findings

Although private property is capable of securing exclusion and resource protection – it is neither necessary nor sufficient for sustainable development. Cooperation and appropriate institutions are essential; in other words a system of stable and binding rules that under some circumstances can be more effective when they are social and local than when they are national and legal. Urban renaissance principles of mixed uses and compact cities obscure traditional density relationships and point to the need for new forms of measurement to replace outdated residential density measures.

Originality/value

The paper addresses issues relevant to institutional design including private and collective property rights, and discusses appropriate measures for residential densities in relation to sustainable development policies.
The framework underpinning conflicting keys in sustainability: harmony‐in‐transit
Authors: Liu Anita M.M.
Published: July 2006

Purpose

This paper proposes a conceptual framework underpinning the conflicting key elements in analyzing sustainable development (SD) of real estate property and the environment.

Design/methodology/approach

The key elements in the framework are the economic, the socio‐environment, the socio‐economic and the legal systems which represent different competing values.

Findings

The competing values framework encompasses the development of environmental legislation and other governmental policies towards environmental sustainability of construction activities. The competing values which direct policy‐making are modelled as short term (resource exploitation) versus long term (resource sustainability) and flexibility (freedom in land use/development) versus control (planning and building laws). As people attain harmonious outcome (intra‐ and inter‐group) in arriving at consensus and directions towards “SD” they do so as members of a complex social organism that has multiple group memberships, interests and loyalties.

Research limitations/implications

As loyalties and interests shift, harmony is in transit, and directions of actions and attitudes change as a function of time. The choice of (potentially conflicting) attainable goals towards SD is a consequence of power play amongst stakeholders.

Practical implications

The paper is important in highlighting the main issues in conceptualizing key conflicting elements in the formulation of policies for SD.

Originality/value

A definition of harmony relating to social exchanges and cultural settings with emphasis on dynamic equilibrium is proposed for the formulation of “SD” policies.
Institutional considerations for sustainable development policy implementation
Authors: Staley Samuel R.
Published: July 2006

Purpose

To examine political and economic institutional constraints that can facilitate or impede the implementation of sustainable development policies in urban areas.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study of Santa Monica, California is sued to examine the practical limitations of implementing sustainable development even under politically supportive conditions. The US experience is particularly instructive because it more clearly contrasts the differences between political, bureaucratic, and planning approaches to urban policy.

Findings

The analysis indicates policymakers must give more attention to the political and economic institutions that govern cities, particularly those that value individual choice, market economies, private property, and guarantees of civil liberties that encourage an open political process. Sustainable development in US cities has tended to emphasize centrally directed resource use. The analysis finds Santa Monica has fallen short of its sustainable development goals and progress has been uneven in large part due to the confounding influences of these alternative institutions.

Practical implications

The successful application of sustainable development policies will require adopting a more open‐ended, market‐based, and dynamic approach.

Originality/value

This paper more clearly identifies the forces that determine the success or failure of sustainable development policies while outlining an approach that is more likely to reconcile conflicting tendencies in complex policy environments.
The leasehold system as a land management measure to attain sustainable development planning by contract
Authors: Ho Eric C.K.
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The purpose of paper is to investigate the institutional features of the leasehold system of Hong Kong, which is predicated on the freedom of contract as an institutional arrangement for land management and planning that promotes sustainable development.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach is analytical, using concepts of property rights informed by Coasian neo‐institutional economics and the ideas of Yu et al. on the Schumpeterian process in innovation.

Findings

It was demonstrated that the post‐contractual imposition of statutory planning control on the leasehold land management system in Hong Kong has adversely affected and adaptability of the leasehold system in achieving sustainability.

Research limitations/implications

This paper encourages a reinterpretation of statutory zoning in areas with a leasehold system and the reception of the land lease as a basis for innovations that help promote sustainable development.

Practical implications

This paper warns against legislative activism in planning controls as that can destroy or erode the basis for innovations that help promote sustainable development.

Originality/value

Using the idea of innovations of Yu et al. and Lai and Lorne, this paper further develops Lai theory of “planning by contract” as an alternative to “planning by edict”.
Effects of building management regimes of private apartment buildings in Hong Kong
Authors: Chi‐wing Ho Daniel , Yau Yung , Wong Siu‐kei , King‐chung Cheung Alex , Chau Kwong‐wing , Leung Hing‐fung
Published: July 2006

Purpose

There has been a growing public concern over the importance of building management in apartment buildings. However, people's views toward the effects of building management on building performance have long been divergent due to a lack of empirical study. This study aims to empirically test the relationship between building management regimes and the conditions of private apartment buildings in Hong Kong.

Design/methodology/approach

An assessment scheme was developed to assess the health and safety conditions of 134 apartment buildings. Multiple regression models were then applied to analyze the effect of building management regimes on building conditions. The optimal functional form of the regression models was selected using Box‐Cox transformation.

Findings

The empirical results suggested that the presence of incorporated owners and property management agents (PMA) are significant factors in enhancing building conditions.

Research limitations/implications

The sample was confined to single block buildings located in one particular district in Hong Kong. Further research is needed to validate the findings in estate‐type developments as well as those in other districts.

Practical implications

The empirical results assisted building owners in determining which management regimes to adopt should they want better building conditions. The government may also consider giving more support to owners by incorporating them and employing PMAs to create a pleasant living environment for society.

Originality/value

Our study is the first in the literature to provide an empirical test reconciling the divergent views toward the effects of building management with the conditions of buildings.
HKSAR's nature conservation policy – a new formulation for an old problem?
Authors: Winstanley T.
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine Hong Kong's newly published nature conservation policy (NCP) which introduces two additional mechanisms to address sites deemed by Government of HKSAR to be of prime conservation importance. These sites have historically proven problematic, as they have fallen without the proper scope of pre‐existing measures to balance development, conservation and social pressures.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper reviews the background of such measures and how they inter‐relate. It then queries whether the additional mechanisms are an initial move by government to tackle the most difficult sites first, prior to rationalising and integrating legislation for sustainable development, or merely another ad hoc fix.

Findings

The new NCP decidedly represents a step in the right direction for Hong Kong's treatment of nature conservation.

Originality/value

The paper critically evaluates the ad hocism in the conservation policies in Hong Kong.
Energy issues in Chongqing
Authors: Li Baizhan , Liu Meng , McKinnell Keith
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to trace the heavy reliance of coal as an energy source in the city of Chongqing and the serious impact this has had on the air quality together with the municipal authority's responses.

Design/methodology/approach

It provides a factual description of the coal centred strategy and the heavy reliance on secondary industry output to fuel Chongqing's growth which has in turn brought about air pollution and acid rain.

Findings

The authorities are now responding through a number of new policies targeting the use of clean energy and renewable energy resources and improving energy efficiency which has already started to have positive results.

Originality/value

The paper provides a good practical guide to the current situation of energy consumption and policy implications for combating serious air quality issues in one of China's major urban centres.
African culture and libraries: the information technology challenge
Authors: Omekwu Charles O.
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the invention of computer systems, information and communication technology and the internet as the critical landmarks in the transformation of information processing, storage, retrieval and dissemination.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey of 42 librarians in the Nigerian cities of Lagos and Ibadan was carried out, along with information gathered from research on the internet.

Findings

The paper reports on how the internet can affect African cultural values in the area of songs/music and dance, theater, dress, languages, arts, housing, marriage, child care, friendship, decoration, religion, politics and personality profile development. Librarians' IT skills, internet literacy and awareness of the implications of the unfolding environment on library and African cultural value systems are discussed.

Originality/value

The paper recommends a set of proactive professional repositioning that African librarians must initiate as custodians of both information and African rich cultural heritage.
Instruction via Instant Messaging reference: what's happening?
Authors: Desai Christina M. , Graves Stephanie J.
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to analyze one Instant Messaging (IM) reference service to determine to what extent instruction is or can be offered in this medium and whether patrons want or expect it.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors surveyed IM patrons over a seven week period to determine whether they felt they could and did learn from chat transactions. Transcript content was analyzed to find out whether and how instruction is being offered.

Findings

Results show that patrons overwhelmingly welcome instruction and that it is provided in a large majority of cases, using a variety of bibliographic instruction techniques. The way the question is phrased, however, affects the likelihood of instruction to some extent.

Practical implications

The results of this study indicate that librarians should make a habit of practicing instruction in IM reference even when patrons do not appear to be asking for it.

Originality/value

The relationship between instruction and virtual reference has not been fully explored in the literature. Reference and instruction librarians will benefit from this study's exploration of instruction in the IM medium.
Performance evaluation for university electronic libraries in Taiwan
Authors: Hsieh Ling‐Feng , Chin Jiung‐Bin , Wu Mu‐Chen
Published: July 2006

Purpose

This article aims to construct a performance evaluation system for the e‐library in universities in Taiwan. The paper uses actual university cases as the target for analysis for in‐depth research so as to provide an evaluation reference.

Design/methodology/approach

This article reviewed the library performance evaluations found in the literature of the UK, Germany, USA and Taiwan and constructed primary performance evaluation indicators. The Delphi Method was then used to summarize the opinions of experts in completing the construction of a performance evaluation model for e‐library. With all the factors of e‐library, user satisfaction and input of libraries as the basis, Analytic Hierarchy Process is used to illustrate the problems and combine the two to establish the hierarchy structure for the performance evaluation of this research. The weights of all indicators within hierarchies are calculated and then the weight of the overall hierarchies are worked out.

Findings

The e‐library plays two important roles: data searching and academic study.

Originality/value

Using relevant e‐business data collected from libraries in six universities, combining indicator weight and Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), this paper considers the distance of the universities from positive and negative Ideal Solutions as the evidence for ranking and demonstrate the overall performance of e‐libraries in all universities – providing future improvement directions for university libraries. The research can also provide important future decision‐making references for libraries and universities to enable better performances.
The assessment of the use of information and communication technology (ICT) in data storage and information dissemination in Nigerian meteorological stations
Authors: Ighovie Efe Sunday , Benson Adogbeji Oghenevwogaga
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the level of automation in Nigerian meteorological stations.

Design/methodology/approach

It involves a descriptive survey of the assessment of the use of information and communication technology (ICT) in data storage and dissemination in Nigerian meteorological stations. Questionnaires were used as the major instruments of data collection while interviews were still used to gather some peculiar data. Questionnaires were sent to each of the 46 meteorological stations and 11 to weather stations in some Nigerian universities. Out of the 57 questionnaire only 15 were returned and used for the study. The results are presented in tables and analysis using simple percentages.

Findings

The results showed a low level of automation because only two of the meteorological and weather stations in Nigeria are automated. The study also revealed that CLICOM software is very effective in weather information management. Similarly, the result showed that the CLICOM software is highly useful in the making of weather maps, charts and for quick dissemination of weather data, map and other information to students, university and public libraries who request such information. The reasons for the low level of automation were attributed to a lack of funds, faulty equipment and obsolete computer systems. It is therefore highly recommended for the Nigerian government to make funding available for the automation of the Nigerian meteorological stations and weather stations in Nigerian universities to ease data management and dissemination of weather information in Nigeria.

Originality/value

This research and its findings will assist the Nigerian meteorological service agencies in quick dissemination and retrieval of weather information to airports, university and research libraries and to the public in general.
Towards the digital library in Africa
Authors: Rosenberg Diana
Published: July 2006

Purpose

In 2004, the International Network for the Availability of Scientific Publications (INASP) commissioned a survey to find out the current state of digitization in university libraries in sub‐Saharan Anglophone Africa. This paper aims to report some findings of the survey.

Design/methodology/approach

Questionnaires were sent to 107 libraries in 20 countries, with a 72 per cent response rate. Site visits and interviews took place in five countries, followed by a focus group discussion with librarians from four countries.

Findings

The study finds that university libraries in Africa have progressed towards establishing digital library services at very different speeds and levels. Libraries therefore have very different needs and ambitions. For the majority of libraries e‐resources are available but facilities for access are poor. The acquisition and implementation of a library management system would appear to be an essential building block in the construction of a digital library. All e‐developments have depended heavily on external funding and will continue to do so. Lack of funding and lack of or retention of trained staff is the key challenge for the future.

Originality/value

The report provides data on which the future plans of libraries and support interventions can be based.
E‐journals in Korea: the electronic site licence initiative
Authors: Chae Kyun‐Shik , Park Jong‐Seon , Choi Ho‐Nam
Published: July 2006

Purpose

In contrast to paper journal acquisitions, libraries in Korea have obtained collective bargaining power in purchasing electronic journals by forming a strong consortium named the Korea Electronic Site License Initiative (KESLI). KESLI is an epoch‐making programme developed in Korea as an attempt to greatly expand the availability of foreign scholarly information by consortia‐based purchasing of site licences of electronic journals from publishers and information providers. KESLI operates under the National Digital Science Library (NDSL) project, the purpose of which is to build a national digital library providing a one‐click total gateway to foreign scholarly information. This paper aims to describe KESLI and examine its significance for scholarly libraries in Korea.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper provides a descriptive analysis of KESLI.

Findings

The paper finds that some 400 KESLI members as of the end of June 2005 have voluntarily formed as many sub‐consortia by publishers as they wish to join, thus enhancing the use levels of scholarly information to six times higher on average than before. NDSL services, launched on 16 May 2001, enable patrons from KESLI member institutions to download, at a single interface from their desktops, all the licensed electronic journals provided by various publishers/vendors.

Originality/value

This paper's description of KESLI may allow further analysis of the value of collective site licensing for electronic journals and help other potential consortia to develop their own licensing system.
Potential roles for performance support tools within library systems
Authors: van Schaik Paul , Barker Philip , Famakinwa Oladeji
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The aim of the research was to design and evaluate a prototype electronic performance support system (EPSS) for libraries.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the theory of performance support and usability problems identified in the use of academic libraries, a performance support system for using the Dewey Decimal Coding system was designed, implemented and evaluated. The system embedded two components: a tutorial to develop knowledge and two games to develop skills. An experimental evaluation was conducted with three groups of students to assess the effects of the two components.

Findings

The study found that students found the system useful. There was a large difference in confidence in own knowledge (in favour of the groups who studied the tutorial component), approaching statistical significance. Although no major usability problems were identified, some specific problems surfaced that should be addressed in future work. Results from staff (who also used the system) confirmed the findings from students and also highlighted the scaffolding function of the EPSS.

Research limitations/implications

This research has shown the viability of performance support for academic libraries. However, it identified issues for future research, including the inclusion of sound and speech, dynamic adaptability of content to make the system more suited to specific libraries and academic disciplines, and integration with existing library systems and virtual learning environments.

Originality/value

The study has extended the concept of performance support to the domain of academic libraries. Given its wide applicability, the system should be valuable to academics and students worldwide.
TERI Integrated Digital Library Initiative
Authors: Deb Subrata
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The paper seeks to describe the setting up of the Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) Digital library, which provides better single window access for researchers to access the structured information from their desktop. The aim of this paper is to share the experience gained and invite comments and suggestions for further improvement.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper describes a case study of TERI's Integrated Digital Library resources and digitization in detail and how the digital resources can be accessed through a single window. It also deals with basic problems and suggests practical solutions.

Findings

The paper finds that TERI Integrated Digital Library has been created to provide access to all digital and digitized offline and online resources, online e‐journals, electronic documents and virtual resources, and virtual libraries. The purpose of the integrated library is to provide a single window to researchers, through which they can access all the resources (both digitally born resources and digitized documents). Once users are able to access the Digital Library homepage, all the electronic resources are accessible using linkages with a single click, no matter whether they are available in a database or as a simple file in a virtual collection. A physical digital library has been created to address access to all the LAN connected systems that provide CD‐ROM access and journals and books downloaded or purchased for all time free access to in‐house users.

Research limitations/implications

Integration has helped in saving researchers' valuable time. Library management has become easier and much more effective than was previously the case. Any additions to existing resources are announced by e‐mail for user access. Future plans are to make the resources highly interoperable across platforms or applications, so that platforms should not be a problem. Once a search is initiated, the search engine from the main search window should be able to hand over the search to subsequent search windows for any given database (bibliographic and full text). Once a search is handed over to the subordinate search engines, it should be able to retrieve the items and display the retrieved items in the main window. Future libraries seem to have no escape from the integrated digital library approach other than to an integrated digital collection that will make all available resources accessible from a single window.

Originality/value

This paper could be useful for small and medium special and research libraries who do not have enough funds to start with commercially available digital library software. This paper shows the way to start using Open Source Software, which is easy to use and has been used by the libraries with little effort.