bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pragmatic support for taxonomy‐based annotation of structured digital documents
Authors: Whitelaw Lara , Collins Trevor , Zdrahal Zdenek , Mulholland Paul , Potter Linda , Scantlebury Non , Taylor Josie
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop support for the annotation of educational resources within a digital library and their subsequent integration with distance learning course materials in a virtual learning environment.

Design/methodology/approach

A toolset for supporting the annotation of structured course materials was developed in participation with subject librarians, lecturers and library cataloguers.

Findings

The transparency of support provided by the system was found to be an important factor influencing the acceptance of the toolset. The approach was to facilitate rather than automate the annotation tasks of the subject librarians, lecturers and cataloguers.

Research limitations/implications

The tools developed were used in two pilot applications: one for an undergraduate health and social care course, and the second for a postgraduate science communication course. The implications of the research are not limited to these domains, and further applications of this approach and the toolset would help to further generalize and refine the work done.

Originality/value

The value of the work described here is in identifying the benefits of transparent support tools for multi‐disciplinary teams involved in the production and deployment of online course materials. Here the benefits of metadata annotation are highlighted by enabling the subject librarians, lecturers and cataloguers to see how the annotations are made and the consequences of those choices.
The instantiation of OmniPaper RDF prototype in the context of scientific publications
Authors: Susana Mendes Pereira Teresa , Baptista Ana Alice
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present an instance of the system developed in the OmniPaper project, regarding the mechanisms of distributed information retrieval. These mechanisms were developed for newspaper articles and they were then instantiated in the context of the scientific publication.

Design/methodology/approach

One of the steps of the system's development was the definition of the metadata layer that supports the research and the navigation functionalities as well as the contents' syndication. Several tasks were performed for the definition of the metadata layer, namely: analysis of several metadata standard vocabularies; selection of the metadata elements; definition of an application profile and the RSS template; development of a metadatabase, through the use of a native Resource Description Framework (RDF) database management system to store the RSS descriptions of the scientific publications; implementation of the search and navigation processes developed in the prototype; finally, tests and validation of all developed functionalities.

Findings

The RSS technology is well suited for handling the description of scientific contents. RDF records that were used in the OmniPaper RDF prototype were replaced by RSS. The subject and lexical thesauri were kept. This strong metadata layer allows the creation of several services that facilitate the conceptual search of scientific contents.

Research limitations/implications

The system implemented was tested but not evaluated in a real environment with specific users.

Originality/value

This paper presents a system that uses a central metadatabase to support conceptual searching mechanisms. This is a solution for a value‐added service for the scientific community that is fully based in state‐of‐the‐art standard technologies and is fully open for integration with other systems. Moreover this could be implemented by journals to improve the current mechanisms used to access, distribute and disseminate the scientific research developments.
Semantic navigating an OPAC by subject headings meta‐information
Authors: Papadakis Ioannis , Stefanidakis Michalis , Tzali Aikaterini
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to address a library service based on semantic web technologies capable of exposing knowledge that is otherwise hidden in a library's subject headings repository.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed service implements a web‐based information seeking process that combines browsing and searching of information assets within a library, based on their corresponding subject headings. The underlying subject headings hierarchy is the Greek translation of a subset of the official Library of Congress subject headings. The information seeking process exposes the expressiveness of an underlying ontology capable of modeling subject headings together with their relations.

Findings

In order to assess the effectiveness of the proposed approach in a real‐world scenario, the library service is integrated into a working OPAC located at the Ionian University in Greece. Thus, the library service contributes to the fast retrieval of information. Moreover, during the information seeking process, users underpin their cognitive learning.

Originality/value

The paper introduces a novel service for the library domain capable of being integrated in many library portals. Serving as a semantic web application, the proposed work promotes interactive navigation in ontology structures that could be potentially exploited by ontologies developed in other domains.
Enhancing availability of learning resources on organic agriculture and agroecology
Authors: Sánchez‐Alonso Salvador
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the provision of existing learning object repositories with enhanced forms of describing digital resources on organic agriculture and agroecology.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach followed was to investigate non‐invasive techniques for semantic annotation of learning objects, for which use was made of two tools. The first tool was a software application for the automated classification of learning resources stored in public learning object repositories. The second tool was an ontology in OWL derived from the knowledge in the Agrovoc thesaurus.

Findings

Current digital repositories for educational resources and open access archives provide scholars with a number of features, such as the ability to search for materials according to given criteria, or to retrieve the full content of those materials from the repository. Many provide advanced features as well, such as browsing, assessing and collaboratively peer reviewing learning resources, but at the cost of using the specific tools and interfaces provided by each repository.

Research limitations/implications

This research is part of the EU‐funded project Organic.Edunet, aimed at facilitating access, usage and exploitation of digital educational content related to organic agriculture and agroecology (OA&AE). Consequently, knowledge representation, thesauri and the educational resources reported herein are deliberately focused on the OA&AE domain, even though the concepts and techniques utilized may be easily applied in other contexts.

Originality/value

The paper describes two new approaches aimed at enhancing availability of learning resources: the potential use of ontologies for the description of learning resources, and the full use of the classification category in the IEEE LOM metadata standard.
How do virtual visitors get to the library?
Authors: Waller Vivienne
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present an exploratory and preliminary analysis of virtual visitors to the web site of the State Library of Victoria (SLV) in order to enable more understanding about the type of content people are accessing on library web sites.

Design/methodology/approach

Most of the analysis in this paper is based on web activity data sourced from Hitwise. Different uses of the library web site are investigated as well as the characteristics of the visitors, where they were on the internet before coming to the library web site and where they went afterwards.

Findings

Queries on history, places and particular buildings were almost exclusively related to Victorian places or buildings, reflecting the content of the SLV web site. These three categories of query accounted for two fifths of all non‐SLV‐related queries. Most of the analyses presented in this paper have shown little difference over the years 2006‐2008.

Research limitations/implications

One of the things that is very difficult to gauge from the data is whether the user obtained material of interest from the SLV site. To really find this out, one would need to ask the user directly.

Practical implications

This analysis will have implications for libraries' management of their online presence.

Originality/value

This paper differs from most papers on web search as it attempts a manual classification of the long tails of upstream web sites, downstream web sites and search queries. This paper will be of interest to anybody interested in the use of library web sites or information search.
Web archiving in a Web 2.0 world
Authors: Crook Edgar
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the current state of web archiving in Australia, and how libraries are adapting their services in recognition of the expanding role that online material plays in their collections.

Design/methodology/approach

The National Library of Australia is the lead institution for digital archiving and preservation in Australia. Its PANDORA Archive has been the repository for archived web resources in Australia for over ten years and is a mature but continually developing system. The archival management system PANDAS that underpins the Archive, is as of 2007, in its third major revision. Other web archiving activities also now include annual Australian Domain Harvests and the usage of Archive‐It, both of which are conducted in conjunction with the Internet Archive.

Findings

For many years it was considered that archiving could only ever completely capture a small, albeit representative, sample of the internet. Today the gap between what is available and what can be archived is decreasing. But as our archives and our archiving abilities increase, we are still confronted by new technologies and Web 2.0 applications.

Originality/value

Using as an example the 2007 Federal Election in which a large number of interactive sites such as Kevin07, MySpace and YouTube were archived the paper shows how Australian web archivers continue to adapt to and meet new challenges.
Smart Client approaches to digital archiving of e‐journals
Authors: Balnaves Edmund , Chehade Mark
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the results of a research project undertaken by Prosentient Systems and partially funded by the ALIA 2007 research study grant. The focus of the project was a proof‐of‐concept implementation of a Smart Client application for digital archiving of e‐journal subscriptions held by special libraries.

Design/methodology/approach

This research comprised a survey of libraries in the area of electronic journal archiving and software development research. The quantitative survey was distributed to 254 member libraries of the GratisNet and GLASS special library networks in Australia. Seven questions explored current practice in e‐journal archiving. In total, 164 responses were received, of which only seven indicated current progress toward e‐journal archiving. Based on the survey results, the second phase of the project comprised software development research.

Findings

The research outcomes indicate that a cross‐platform “Smart Client” approach to e‐journal archiving is achievable and the presentation will review architectural design techniques that support cross‐platform deployment and simple installation using open source smart client tools.

Practical implications

The transition to e‐journal subscriptions has not been matched with attention to methods for local archiving of e‐journal subscriptions. This research demonstrates the feasibility of simple solutions suitable for special libraries to implement local e‐journal archives.

Originality/value

This research presents an innovative approach to e‐journal archiving for special libraries. The approach differs from current, peer‐to‐peer approach by implementing a central metadata server and a simple easy to deploy desktop archiving agent. Furthermore, limitations imposed by copyright restrictions are the principal impediment that libraries face in implementing e‐journal archives, and the centralised metadata approach can help libraries distinguish journals for which local archiving is allowed.
Public library 2.0: some Australian experiences
Authors: Gosling Maryanne , Harper Glenn , McLean Michelle
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to share the experiences of three public libraries near Melbourne, Victoria, Australia of using Web 2.0 tools to reach existing and new users.

Design/methodology/approach

Using blogs and other social software and mash‐ups, Casey‐Cardinia Library Corporation, Eastern Regional Libraries and Frankston Library Service are opening up their web sites and services to their communities and giving voice to their users. The various tools are described and how the libraries are making use of them is detailed.

Findings

That Web 2.0 tools can be successfully utilised by public libraries to provide enhanced services to their users.

Originality/value

The paper provides practical examples of how Web 2.0 tools can be used by public libraries. It is of particular value to public libraries that are interested in or already providing service to their users using Web 2.0 tools.
Self‐service technology for sales purposes in branch banking
Authors: Berger Sven C.
Published: October 2009

Purpose

This article aims to explain the adoption of self‐service technology with pro‐active sales applications (automated teller machines or kiosk systems) in brick‐and‐mortar outlets with special respect to personality traits, relationship characteristics and previous online banking usage.

Design/methodology/approach

A theoretical framework is proposed, extending well proven technology adoption models by moderating effects from personality traits and customer relationship characteristics. An empirical study using survey and customer account data from customers of a European retail bank assesses the usage antecedents, separately for adopters of online‐banking and non‐adopters.

Findings

The study validates the framework and identifies relevant moderating effects.

Research limitations/implications

The study was carried out solely in one country, but provides a starting point for more international research.

Practical implications

The results call for a clear decision in the multi‐channel strategy about which customer segment should be targeted, as previous online‐banking adopters show different adoption behavior. The development and the communication of self‐service technology (SST) should reflect the strong drivers of adoption and, e.g. use a socio‐technical approach. Customer personality traits require increased attention, should be systematically recorded and may support individualized promotional campaigns for SST.

Originality/value

The article is the first to explain the adoption of in‐branch self‐service applications for sales purposes and integrate the moderating effects of personality and relationship.
The different roles of switching costs on the satisfaction‐loyalty relationship
Authors: Augusto de Matos Celso , Luiz Henrique Jorge , de Rosa Fernando
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop and empirically test the antecedent, mediating and moderating role of switching costs on the relationship between satisfaction and loyalty.

Design/methodology/approach

Competing models are proposed based on previous studies investigating the influence of switching costs on satisfaction and loyalty. A survey was conducted with 7,461 customers of a large Brazilian bank. The four competing models were tested using structural equation modeling technique.

Findings

The analysis revealed that: switching cost is a significant antecedent of both attitudinal and behavioral loyalty; the mediating effect of switching cost is stronger in the relationship between satisfaction and attitudinal loyalty; and the moderating effect of switching cost is stronger in the relationship between satisfaction and behavioral loyalty.

Practical implications

This study emphasizes the relevance of the switching cost construct in the banking industry. Customers with different switching costs levels will manifest distinct relationship between satisfaction and behavioral loyalty. Thus, investment on marketing strategies and campaigns should be oriented to better convert switching perceptions into effective loyalty considering its mediating or moderating effects.

Originality/value

Even though there are several different approaches (i.e. direct, mediator and moderator) concerning the effects of switching costs on the satisfaction‐loyalty relationship, there is a lack of integration between these approaches. The paper tests and compares the different roles of switching costs. Another contribution is the inclusion of both attitudinal and behavioral aspects of loyalty, given that the current literature is incipient concerning the role of switching cost when considering the distinct loyalty components.
Web banking layout effects on consumer behavioural intentions
Authors: Vrechopoulos Adam , Atherinos Evagelos
Published: October 2009

Purpose

Elaborating on earlier research by Vrechopoulos et al., this paper aims to investigate web banking store layout effects on user‐consumer behaviour and to report on a laboratory experimental investigation into user acceptance of three different layout types.

Design/methodology/approach

A web banking store was developed in three versions equal to the number of the alternative layouts manipulated by the laboratory experimental design. Two layout types were transformed from conventional banking and one type was designed by incorporating users' preferences and suggestions. The relationships in technology acceptance model (TAM) in the three treatments are tested separately, and then the subjects' evaluations on TAM constructs are compared.

Findings

The findings imply that store layout affects online consumer behaviour, confirming the findings of Vrechopoulos et al. in a different sector. The study also confirms the TAM relationships in all treatments and indicates that layout has an effect on user acceptance of web banking in terms of TAM constructs.

Research limitations/implications

This study confirms the available knowledge regarding a store layout's influencing role on consumer behaviour in the context of web commerce.

Practical implications

Direct managerial implications for web banking are provided through the design of the “improved future” layout, which is depicted in the form of an abstract interface design.

Originality/value

The paper adopts an innovative conclusive causal research design towards testing the research hypotheses. To that end, an experimental application was developed in the laboratory and the research hypotheses were “packed‐up” with references from different disciplines (i.e. marketing and information systems) providing through that an interdisciplinary nature on the present study.
Lack of lending behind the surge in company closures
Authors: McCabe Phil
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to present data on the situation for small businesses during the current recession in terms of financial services support.

Design/methodology/approach

A panel of members of the Forum of Private Business (FPB) were surveyed, seeking information about the services and support of financial services.

Findings

Whilst some respondents reported a slight improvement in support, the number of insolvencies continues to rise.

Research limitations/implications

The panel represents only members of the FPB.

Practical implications

The data are very recent and report the current experiences of small businesses with messages to government and the financial services sector of a lack of support for small businesses.

Originality/value

Small businesses are hard to access and the article contributes to both policy and practice in the support of an important commercial sector.
Information and learning commons, faculty and student benefits
Authors: Bodnar Jon
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the benefits of information and learning commons to students and faculty.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the experiences of its author, this paper considers two cases in which Georgia Tech faculty worked with the Georgia Tech Library's East and West Commons to expand their teaching practices and their students' learning and research opportunities. It then discusses the benefits of these activities to students and faculty.

Findings

This paper argues that, although information and learning commons are designed primarily to benefit college and university students, these spaces can, with little modification, benefit faculty as well.

Originality/value

The idea that information and learning commons benefit students is nothing new. They are explicitly designed for that purpose. But, the idea that information and learning commons might also support college and university faculty teaching and research interests is one that has received little attention in the library literature to date. This paper explores this idea.
Balancing both lives: issues facing librarians working in Second Life and real life worlds
Authors: Blankenship Emily F. , Hollingsworth Yolanda
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the ongoing issues and concerns of Second Life librarians who are attempting to balance both their virtual library tasks and assignments along with their real world library tasks and assignments.

Design/methodology/approach

Members of the Library and Information Technology Association and, in addition, members of the Second Life Librarians group are invited to participate in an online survey during the summer of 2008. In addition to sharing issues and concerns of balancing their work lives in both virtual and real life worlds, survey participants suggest solutions for problem resolution.

Findings

Data from 161 survey participants show that virtual world librarians are passionate about their commitments to virtual world libraries to the extent that most librarians completed virtual library work at home and are not compensated by their libraries for this work. Issues and problems shared by respondents include inadequate computers and slow internet connections at work, lack of support by library administration, blocking of virtual world software by network technicians, and little response to requests for scheduled time for virtual world library tasks.

Research limitations/implications

The number of respondents is comparatively small. The authors feel a larger percentage of members may have participated if the survey was conducted during either fall or spring semesters of the academic calendar year. A second survey may be conducted in spring 2009 to compare findings and to track solutions and concerns.

Practical implications

Librarians may have more time to devote to real life library work and will not need to complete virtual world library tasks at home if they are provided adequate computers and Internet connections at work and are also scheduled for virtual library work.

Originality/value

This paper provides empirical data on the perceived allocations of virtual library work time for virtual librarians and also discusses suggested solutions for better time management of virtual work.
Using Kidder's dilemma paradigm to resolve conflicts in library core values
Authors: Dole Wanda V. , Hurych Jitka M.
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify core values commonly held by library and information professionals and discusses whether Rushworth Kidder's concept of dilemma paradigms may be used to analyze and resolve conflicts between the right to access to information and other core values. Kidder identifies two types of dilemmas: “right‐versus‐wrong” and “right‐versus‐right”. He defines “right‐versus‐right” dilemmas as those that “however complex and varied, typically reduce themselves to one or more of the following dilemma paradigms: Truth versus Loyalty, Self versus Community, Short Term versus Long Term and Justice versus Mercy.”

Methodology/design/approach

The paper discusses Kidder's theory and applies it to several situations or scenarios reported by practicing librarians.

Findings

The analysis of the scenarios highlights the complex nature of dilemmas faced by library and information professionals.

Research limitations/implications

The scenarios are limited in number and drawn from only one country. The authors recommend more research on the application of Kidder's theory to authentic library scenarios.

Originality/value

There is little discussion of Kidder in library literature. Despite the limitations, this paper will introduce librarians to dilemma paradigms as one possible tool for resolving conflicts.
Information seeking and learning: a comparison of Kuhlthau's information seeking model and John Dewey's problem solving model
Authors: Isabella Fainburg Linda
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explain how the users' information need could be compared with a learning, knowledge and research need where the purpose of information seeking is to find relevant information in relation to the fulfilment of a specific goal and information need in order to become information literate.

Design/methodology/approach

By theoretical considerations and studies of research literature an analysis and comparison of Kuhlthaus's ISP‐model and Dewey's problem solving model are presented. According to epistemological pragmatism information seeking is primarily a process of finding relevant and useful information in relation to the fulfilment of a specific research need. This can be accomplished by a combination between rationalistic thinking and action. Therefore the paper stats that pragmatism is a fruitful epistemological view for library and information science research and practice

Findings

This paper presents, compares, and discusses Kuhlthau's ISP‐model and Dewey's problem solving model. First, it is clear that both Kuhlthau and Dewey are focusing on the close relationship between thinking and action where both information seeking and problem solving is considered a learning process. Second, both Kuhlthau and Dewey find that information seeking is easier when the problem is more focused or the hypothesis more verified. However, when Kuhlthau rather extensively pays attention to the feelings of uncertainty during the ISP, Dewey finds only that problem solving initiates uncertainty and perplexity.

Practical implications

This paper may provide guidelines for academic libraries interested in developing their information literacy program.

Originality/value

This paper points out that further epistemological, theoretical and empirical investigations of the relationship between Kuhlthau's ISP‐model and Dewey's problem solving model are necessary. In particular, further investigations of specific user groups of Research Libraries and their information seeking and problem solving are important in order to optimize Research Libraries' educational programmes.
Next‐generation technology: challenges and applications
Authors: Rudall B.H. , Mann C.J.H.
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review current research and developments with particular reference to the next‐generation technologies.

Design/methodology/approach

A general review and survey of selected research and development topics is given, and some of the new challenges and applications of future technologies are considered.

Findings

The paper illustrates the multi‐ and trans‐disciplinary natures of studies in cybernetics, systems and management science, with a view to further research and development activity.

Practical implications

The choice of reviews provides an awareness of current trends in these areas of endeavour.

Originality/value

The reviews are selected from a global database and give a studied assessment of current research and development initiatives.
Cybernetics and the White House
Authors: Andrew Alex M.
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review proposals concerned with advice to President Obama from a cybernetics viewpoint, along with critical comments on the new administration by Noam Chomsky. Also reviewed are proposals for an international conference on the financial crisis.

Design/methodology/approach

The aim is to review developments on the internet, especially those of general cybernetic interest.

Findings

There is enthusiasm about introducing cybernetics principles in the new administration. Reservations by Chomsky about some aspects are mentioned, as is also a separate initiative for application of cybernetics to world problems.

Practical implications

The proposals relating to the Obama administration include not only giving off advice but also possible installation of a specialist on cybernetics in the White House, and founding of a new research facility. For the proposed international conference mentioned, the advice is to watch the CYBCOM list for developments.

Originality/value

It is hoped that this paper is a valuable periodic review.
Supplier evaluation model for computer auditing and decision‐making analysis
Authors: Shih Kuang‐Hsun , Hung Hsu‐Feng , Lin Binshan
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a model and a supporting approach for effective supplier selection decisions.

Design/methodology/approach

Structural equation modeling (SEM) and confirmatory factor analysis are applied to test the evaluation principles and samples. Next, the data tested by SEM is used for artificial neural network (ANN) by Likert and fuzzy scales to structure a classification model, accompanying with canonical discriminate analysis (CANDISC) to diminish variables. After the training and test of the model, multiple discriminate analysis is applied to compare the accuracy of the classification. Last, the CANDISC variable reduction method with ANN classification model utilized in the study is applied.

Findings

The supplier selection model designed with ANN classification model and fuzzy scales will be more effective than with the traditional statistics analysis.

Research limitations/implications

The new paradigm for decision making includes a combination of several effective methods and analysis.

Practical implications

This research provides an integrated model for internal auditors and managers to classify their supplier selection decisions.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the new approach of the decision model building process for computer auditing and improves the classification accuracy effectively.
Migrating personality theories Part 2: towards a theory of the balanced personality?
Authors: Yolles Maurice , Fink Gerhard
Published: October 2009

Purpose

Some personality schemas are seen to compete with others, but are they really complementary? The purpose of this paper is to show that two trait approaches, Myers‐Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and Mindscape theory, which are normally considered to be competitive, shall be migrated into a more complex modeling space using knowledge cybernetics, when they are shown to have a complementary potential.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses the meta‐framework of knowledge cybernetics (KC) part of the relevantial universe identified by Maruyama, to migrate different theoretical approaches and relate them. A consequence is the possible development of a more sophisticated trait theory that is capable of providing more complex information about personality.

Findings

The findings indicate that current type theories are not necessarily stand‐alone, but may be seen as complementary within a broader conceptual framework.

Research limitations/implications

This paper is limited to the investigation of MBTI. However, it offers a generic approach that can be applied to other solitary theories like MBTI.

Practical implications

The paper leads to the possibility of improved explanatory power for a type theory than is currently possible.

Originality/value

Very little comparative work has been done relating representations of MBTI and Mindscape theory. This also appears to be the first serious extensive direct comparison between any form of MBTI and Mindscapes. KC uses Habermas's three world theory and shows that it is possible to consider MBTI and Mindscape theory as conceptually distinct and complementary, and together contributing to a new way of exploring the field of personality theory.
A model for assessing organizational knowledge inventory
Authors: Wei Chiu‐Chi , Chen Su‐Hui , Lee Yu‐Chen
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a mathematical model that can quantitatively and vividly measure the current capability of enterprises by evaluating their existing knowledge inventory.

Design/methodology/approach

Knowledge management starts from assessing the current position of enterprises, visioning future intention, and then specifying knowledge objectives and formulating knowledge strategies. Along with this process, a critical component that must be realized in order to assist management in determining knowledge objective and strategies is the assessment of existing knowledge inventory.

Findings

The paper finds that enterprises can better position themselves by deciding realistic objectives and formulating achievable strategies.

Research limitations/implications

The force that drives human history from agricultural age to industrial age, information age, and finally to the knowledge age was innovation, and the crucial element determining the level of products and services innovation lies in people. In other words, all innovations come from human resources, and knowledge enables human beings to be creative. Especially, in this global era with stiff competition, enterprises should create, manage and preserve knowledge better than their competitors in order to maintain competitive advantage, and therefore remain ever‐lasting existence.

Practical implications

Previous investigations mainly employed qualitative methods, such as questionnaire survey and in‐depth interviews, to explore knowledge management performance of enterprises.

Originality/value

The paper shows that by categorizing the knowledge inventory in terms of knowledge depth and width, enterprises would be able to formulate suitable knowledge strategies of accumulation, widening, deepening, or strengthening and specify proper learning strategies to bridge the knowledge gap to cope with the competition.
Success factors and competencies in organisational evolution
Authors: Bertoncelj Andrej , Kovač Darko , Bertoncel Rok
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate organisational evolution and change forces that influence the adaptation process. Despite significant research interest in this topic, the knowledge is still incomplete.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper examines the importance of organisational evolution and introduces two frameworks, five change forces and success factors and competencies, in the process of transformation from the new economy to the innovative economy.

Findings

The paper finds that organisational capacity for transformation in response to the economic change forces has become the critical success factor in the ever‐changing business environment where more competition means more intense selection. As organisations fight to remain on the market, unadaptive and consequently unsuccessful rivals fail to capture an adequate market share and have to exit.

Research limitations/implications

It would be particularly interesting to conduct studies in different countries to see whether the results are affected by the cultural context.

Practical implications

In today's knowledge‐based economy, different resources are used in creating new value and a broader circle of participants is involved than in the past. Human capital is becoming more important than economic capital.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the discussion on adaptive evolution of organisations and emphasizes which economic forces have impact on organisations in an era of innovative economy.
Toward semantical model of reaction‐diffusion computing
Authors: Schumann Andrew , Adamatzky Andrew
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to fill a gap between experimental and abstract‐theoretic models of reaction‐diffusion computing. Chemical reaction‐diffusion computers are amongst leading experimental prototypes in the field of unconventional and nature‐inspired computing. In the reaction‐diffusion computers, the data are represented by concentration profiles of reagents, information is transferred by propagating diffusive and phase waves, computation is implemented in interaction of the traveling patterns, and results of the computation are recorded as a final concentration profile.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper analyzes a possibility of co‐algebraic representation of the computation in reaction‐diffusion systems using reaction‐diffusion cellular‐automata models.

Findings

Using notions of space‐time trajectories of local domains of a reaction‐diffusion medium the logic of trajectories is built, where well‐formed formulas and their truth‐values are defined by co‐induction. These formulas are non‐well‐founded set‐theoretic objects. It is demonstrated that the logic of trajectories is a co‐algebra.

Research limitations/implications

The paper uses the logic defined to establish a semantical model of the computation in reaction‐diffusion media.

Originality/value

The work presents the first ever attempt toward mathematical formalization of reaction‐diffusion processes and is built building up semantics of reaction‐diffusion computing. It is envisaged that the formalism produced will be used in developing programming techniques of reaction‐diffusion chemical media.
Human motion design in hierarchical space
Authors: Miatliuk Kanstantsin , Hyuk Kim Yoon , Kim Kyungsoo
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to define the process of human motion design in hierarchical space by cybernetic technology using mathematical symbol construction of hierarchical systems (HSs) and realize the technology in tasks of biomechanical motion design.

Design/methodology/approach

Suggested HS technology allows definition of human motion on level space. HS are presented by their two main symbol images, i.e. mathematical symbol construction and graphic image. Those images connect all the strata of HS, show the acts of systems multiplying (learning) and uniting (design), the place of man in hierarchical space and human activity on higher levels. The design&control tasks are solved by HS coordinator.

Findings

The paper proves that HS technology presented allows design&control tasks of human motion in hierarchical space to be solved. Coherence of man's construction deformations and correspondent changes of his interactions with environment elements (his motion) is controlled by HS coordinator. Coordinator design tasks are formulated. The possibility of computer program description in frames of the proposed technology is revealed.

Practical implications

The technology presented gives an instrument for the design&control of different kinds of human motion in hierarchical space, predicts connected motion dynamics on different levels. It is applied in design tasks of biomechanical motion.

Originality/value

The method (technology) presented meets all the requirements of practical cybernetic (design&control) tasks. It brings new light to theory and practice of human motion design, presents human motion as hierarchical process in the level space, allows motion design&control task to be solved as coordination task of HS coordinator.
Algorithm for qualitative analysis of a system's dependencies
Authors: Lloret‐Climent M. , Esteve‐Calvo P.F. , Almenara‐Carmona E.
Published: October 2009

Purpose

Based on knowledge of the variables of a link system and their interrelation, the purpose of this paper is to show how it is possible to specify all the objects relating to dependency chains of a discrete system which are essential in systemic analysis of any system.

Design/methodology/approach

An algorithm is designed based on previously developed theoretical concepts which enables the discovery of the aforementioned objects.

Findings

A tool has been developed which is able to analyse any system with given variables and dependencies in a fast and economical manner.

Practical implications

These results can be applied to a number of cases. For example, in the case of an ecosystem, the structural function associated with each species of the ecosystem can be determined, it could be ascertained whether a group of species covered another group of species, whether there is an invariant group of species can be determined, and the orbit of each species analysed.

Originality/value

The algorithm presented in this paper is innovative in that it is a direct transfer of the theoretical results presented in recent publications, and therefore presupposes a different treatment of the qualitative analysis of the system.
Analytical approximate solution of a SIR epidemic model with constant vaccination strategy by homotopy perturbation method
Authors: Yıldırım Ahmet , Cherruault Yves
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce an efficient method for solving susceptible‐infected‐removed (SIR) epidemic model. A SIR model that monitors the temporal dynamics of a childhood disease in the presence of preventive vaccine. The qualitative analysis reveals the vaccination reproductive number for disease control and eradication. It introduces homotopy perturbation method (HPM) to overcome these problems.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper considers HPM to solve differential system which describes SIR epidemic model. The essential idea of this method is to introduce a homotopy parameter, say p, which takes values from 0 to 1. When p=0, the system of equations usually reduces to a sufficiently simplified form, which normally admits a rather simple solution. As p is gradually increased to 1, the system goes through a sequence of deformations, the solution for each of which is close to that at the previous stage of deformation. One of the most remarkable features of the HPM is that usually just few perturbation terms are sufficient for obtaining a reasonably accurate solution.

Findings

HPM is employed to compute an approximation to the solution of the non‐linear system of differential equations governing the problem.

Originality/value

The paper is of value in presenting, via some tables and figures, some numerical experiments which resulted from applying new methods on test problem.
Sextic B‐spline collocation method for the modified Burgers' equation
Authors: Irk Dursun
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the numerical solutions of the Burgers' and modified Burgers' equation using sextic B‐spline collocation method.

Design/methodology/approach

Crank‐Nicolson central differencing scheme has been used for the time integration and sextic B‐spline functions have been used for the space integration to the modified and time splitted modified Burgers' equation.

Findings

It has been found that the proposed method is unconditionally stable and obtained results are consistent with some earlier published studies.

Originality/value

Sextic B‐spline collocation method for the Burgers' and modified Burgers' equation is given.
Monte Carlo simulation for solving Fredholm integral equations
Authors: Farnoosh Rahman , Morteza Ebrahimi
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a Monte Carlo variance reduction method based on Control variates to solve Fredholm integral equations of the second kind.

Design/methodology/approach

A numerical algorithm consisted of the combined use of the successive substitution method and Monte Carlo simulation is established for the solution of Fredholm integral equations of the second kind.

Findings

Owing to the application of the present method, the variance of the solution is reduced. Therefore, this method achieves several orders of magnitude improvement in accuracy over the conventional Monte Carlo method.

Practical implications

Numerical tests are performed in order to show the efficiency and accuracy of the present paper. Numerical experiments show that an excellent estimation on the solution can be obtained within a couple of minutes CPU time at Pentium IV‐2.4 GHz PC.

Originality/value

This paper provides a new efficient method to solve Fredholm integral equations of the second kind and discusses basic advantages of the present method.
Renewable energy; tapping and typing the citizen's mind
Authors: Guardiola Sandy , Gabay Gillie , Moskowitz Howard R.
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to gain an understanding of consumer preferences and mind‐set regarding the transition to using renewable energy.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach taken is an experimental design of messaging (conjoint analysis).

Findings

The study uncovered different segments of individuals, with different mind‐sets, needing different types of messaging. Results show what marketing messages might best work to interest consumers in the transition to renewable energy. The study revealed two different mind‐set segments among respondents. The first segment comprised residents who preferred a gradual transition toward using 80 percent renewable energy, and 20 percent conventional energy, with no specific transition time span, and with no tax increases. The second segment comprised residents who preferred a five year, fixed‐time plan for the conversion to renewable energy sources (RES), along with service plans, and an accompanying “money back” guarantee.

Research limitations/implications

The study did not include the testing of pricing elements to the messaging about the transition to “green” process. Thus, insights concerning the interaction of financial concerns with mind‐sets in the transition to “green” are yet to be studied.

Practical implications

After identifying the segment to which each individual belongs, data permit the creation of a “typing tool” to identify segment membership, thus allowing more targeted and effective messaging when building awareness and demand for green power.

Originality/value

This is a pioneering study that looks at the “mind” of the customer, to investigate how different ideas and messaging drive the consumer's comfort level regarding the use of RES, and the future of their energy consumption and transitional needs. This is a multi‐disciplinary study incorporating public policy and marketing together with practical application.