bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Policy paradigms, gender equality and translation: scales and disjuncture
Authors: Kennett Patricia , Lendvai Noemi
Published: March 2014

The growing influence of transnational process, institutions and policy communities has contributed to the emergence of a global public policy that is distinct (although not separate) from the national process of policy-making. In this context gender equality and gender mainstreaming have become dominant policy and political narratives for addressing gender injustice. The focus of this paper is on developing the conceptual and theoretical links between global policy paradigms and gender equality and incorporating multi-scalarity, translation and disjuncture into our understanding of the ways in which policies are made, processed and enacted. The discussion begins by extending Hall's concept of policy paradigm as a nationally bounded entity and highlighting the transnational processes and institutions contributing to the emergence of a global policy paradigm and global policy space. It then goes on to highlight the fluidity of policy paradigms and the importance of moving beyond the focus on techno-managerial “order” as the essence of the policy paradigm and indicators of change and instead to bring into sharper focus disjuncture and tensions.
The protein tyrosine phosphatase PTP1B is a negative regulator of CD40 and BAFF-R signaling and controls B cell autoimmunity
Authors: Medgyesi David , Hobeika Elias , Biesen Robert , Kollert Florian , Taddeo Adriano , Voll Reinhard E. , Hiepe Falk , Reth Michael
Published: March 2014

Tyrosine phosphorylation of signaling molecules that mediate B cell activation in response to various stimuli is tightly regulated by protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs). PTP1B is a ubiquitously expressed tyrosine phosphatase with well-characterized functions in metabolic signaling pathways. We show here that PTP1B negatively regulates CD40, B cell activating factor receptor (BAFF-R), and TLR4 signaling in B cells. Specifically, PTP1B counteracts p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation by directly dephosphorylating Tyr182 of this kinase. Mice with a B cell–specific PTP1B deficiency show increased T cell–dependent immune responses and elevated total serum IgG. Furthermore, aged animals develop systemic autoimmunity with elevated serum anti-dsDNA, spontaneous germinal centers in the spleen, and deposition of IgG immune complexes and C3 in the kidney. In a clinical setting, we observed that B cells of rheumatoid arthritis patients have significantly reduced PTP1B expression. Our data suggest that PTP1B plays an important role in the control of B cell activation and the maintenance of immunological tolerance.
Interplay of host microbiota, genetic perturbations, and inflammation promotes local development of intestinal neoplasms in mice
Authors: Bongers Gerold , Pacer Michelle E. , Geraldino Thais H. , Chen Lili , He Zhengxiang , Hashimoto Daigo , Furtado Glaucia C. , Ochando Jordi , Kelley Kevin A. , Clemente Jose C. , Merad Miriam , van Bakel Harm , Lira Sergio A.
Published: March 2014

The preferential localization of some neoplasms, such as serrated polyps (SPs), in specific areas of the intestine suggests that nongenetic factors may be important for their development. To test this hypothesis, we took advantage of transgenic mice that expressed HB-EGF throughout the intestine but developed SPs only in the cecum. Here we show that a host-specific microbiome was associated with SPs and that alterations of the microbiota induced by antibiotic treatment or by embryo transfer rederivation markedly inhibited the formation of SPs in the cecum. Mechanistically, development of SPs was associated with a local decrease in epithelial barrier function, bacterial invasion, production of antimicrobials, and increased expression of several inflammatory factors such as IL-17, Cxcl2, Tnf-α, and IL-1. Increased numbers of neutrophils were found within the SPs, and their depletion significantly reduced polyp growth. Together these results indicate that nongenetic factors contribute to the development of SPs and suggest that the development of these intestinal neoplasms in the cecum is driven by the interplay between genetic changes in the host, an inflammatory response, and a host-specific microbiota.
Increased environmentally driven recruitment variability decreases resilience to fishing and increases uncertainty of recovery
Authors: Kuparinen Anna , Keith David M. , Hutchings Jeffrey A.
Published: March 2014

Independent of the effects of spawning-stock biomass (SSB), environmental variability in juvenile production, driven by factors such as temperature and food supply, have considerable potential to influence population resilience to fishing and depletion. Here, we analyse 18 time-series of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) stocks and empirically estimate this “environmental variability” in recruit-per-spawner (RPS) ratios. We then investigate the role of environmental recruitment variability on population resilience to fishing and ability to recover following depletion. To this end, cod population dynamics are simulated through a period of fishing, followed by a period of recovery, with alternative scenarios of recruitment variability and autocorrelation within it. The major effect of environmental recruitment variability is manifested through uncertainty. Firstly, the higher the recruitment variability, the shorter and less variable the time required for the population to decline below 15% of its carrying capacity, K. Secondly, higher variability leads to higher uncertainty in recovery time. Both these patterns are further strengthened by autocorrelation. Our findings suggest that increased environmental recruitment variability decreases resilience to fishing and increases uncertainty in recovery, thus challenging some traditional views that variability confers high productivity and rapid ability to recover from collapse.
Short-term acclimation of the photosynthetic electron transfer chain to changing light: a mathematical model
Authors: Ebenhöh Oliver , Fucile Geoffrey , Finazzi Giovanni , Rochaix Jean-David , Goldschmidt-Clermont Michel
Published: March 2014

Photosynthetic eukaryotes house two photosystems with distinct light absorption spectra. Natural fluctuations in light quality and quantity can lead to unbalanced or excess excitation, compromising photosynthetic efficiency and causing photodamage. Consequently, these organisms have acquired several distinct adaptive mechanisms, collectively referred to as non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) of chlorophyll fluorescence, which modulates the organization and function of the photosynthetic apparatus. The ability to monitor NPQ processes fluorometrically has led to substantial progress in elucidating the underlying molecular mechanisms. However, the relative contribution of distinct NPQ mechanisms to variable light conditions in different photosynthetic eukaryotes remains unclear. Here, we present a mathematical model of the dynamic regulation of eukaryotic photosynthesis using ordinary differential equations. We demonstrate that, for
Chlamydomonas
, our model recapitulates the basic fluorescence features of short-term light acclimation known as state transitions and discuss how the model can be iteratively refined by comparison with physiological experiments to further our understanding of light acclimation in different species.
Structural changes of the thylakoid membrane network induced by high light stress in plant chloroplasts
Authors: Kirchhoff Helmut
Published: March 2014

Land plants live in a challenging environment dominated by unpredictable changes. A particular problem is fluctuation in sunlight intensity that can cause irreversible damage of components of the photosynthetic apparatus in thylakoid membranes under high light conditions. Although a battery of photoprotective mechanisms minimize damage, photoinhibition of the photosystem II (PSII) complex occurs. Plants have evolved a multi-step PSII repair cycle that allows efficient recovery from photooxidative PSII damage. An important feature of the repair cycle is its subcompartmentalization to stacked grana thylakoids and unstacked thylakoid regions. Thus, understanding the crosstalk between stacked and unstacked thylakoid membranes is essential to understand the PSII repair cycle. This review summarizes recent progress in our understanding of high-light-induced structural changes of the thylakoid membrane system and correlates these changes to the efficiency of the PSII repair cycle. The role of reversible protein phosphorylation for structural alterations is discussed. It turns out that dynamic changes in thylakoid membrane architecture triggered by high light exposure are central for efficient repair of PSII.
Making water count: water accountability change within an Australian university
Authors: Egan Matthew
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– Drought conditions affected an acute water scarcity crisis across large parts of Australia through the late 1990s and into the 2000s. Public policy responses emphasised demand management strategies. This study aims to examine the response to these challenges within a large Australian university from 1999 to 2010.

Design/methodology/approach

– Case study utilising semi-structured interviews.

Findings

– Staff empowered to take an emergent approach to issues of social concern, initiated water accountability change focused on water efficiency from 1999, and “water principles” from 2002. A growing network had some success translating and enrolling others over coming years. However into the late 2000s, as drought conditions abated and with a renewed focus on financial control, developments that had not established clear links to core accountability mechanisms eroded. This study demonstrates that measurement is essential to understanding patterns of water usage, but also needs to establish links to core systems of accountability to broadly change behaviour.

Practical implications

– Higher education continues to be an environment where creative responses to community challenges can be nurtured. Despite increasing pressures to focus on financial outcomes, the sector should continue to nurture opportunities to shape issues of community concern through leading practice.

Originality/value

– This study provides insight into the development, fragility, and contested meaning of emergent systems of water accountability within the context of a university.
Can accreditation help a leopard change its spots?
Authors: Cooper Stuart , Parkes Carole , Blewitt John
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– Neo-institutional theory suggests that organisations change occurs when institutional contradictions, caused by exogenous and endogenous dynamics, increase over time to the point where change can no longer be resisted. Human praxis will result, but only when sufficiently powerful interests are motivated to act. This paper aims to examine the role that the accreditation of business schools can play in increasing institutional contradictions and hence fostering organisational change towards stakeholder engagement and engagement with social responsibility and sustainability issues. Numerous accreditations are promulgated within the higher education and business school contexts and a number of these relate to, or have aspects that relate to, ethics, social responsibility and sustainability.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper first analyses the take up of accreditations across UK business schools and then uses a case study to illustrate and explore stakeholder engagement and changes related to ethics, social responsibility and sustainability linked to accreditation processes.

Findings

– Accreditations are found to be an increasingly common interest for UK business schools. Further, a number of these accreditations have evolved to incorporate issues related to ethics, social responsibility and sustainability that may cause institutional contradictions and may, therefore, have the potential to foster organisational change. Accreditation alone, however, is not sufficient and the authors find that sufficiently powerful interests need to be motivated to act and enable human praxis to affect change.

Research limitations/implications

– This paper draws on previous research that considers the role of accreditation in fostering change that has also been carried out in healthcare organisations, public and professional bodies. Its findings stem from an individual case study and as such further research is required to explore whether these findings can be extended and apply more generally in business schools and universities in different contexts.

Practical implications

– This paper concludes by recommending that the newly established UK & Ireland Chapter of PRME encourages and supports signatory schools to further embed ethics, social responsibility and sustainability into all aspects of university life in the UK. This also provides an opportunity to engage with the accrediting bodies in order to further support the inclusion of stakeholder engagement and issues related to this agenda in their processes.

Originality/value

– This paper contributes by introducing accreditation as an institutional pressure that may lead indirectly to organisational change and supports this with new evidence from an illustrative case study. Further, it draws on the role of institutional contradictions and human praxis that engender organisational change.
A narrative literature review on the health of migrant farm worker children in the USA
Authors: Connor Ann , Page Layne Laura , Ellis Hilb Laura
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to provide a comprehensive narrative review of the literature on migrant farm worker child and adolescent health. It highlights current health issues and suggests methods to improve research and clinical practices with this underserved and vulnerable population.

Design/methodology/approach

– The methodology for this narrative review included a search of articles published between 2000 and 2012. From the primary search, 76 articles met the search criteria. A secondary search revealed three additional articles.

Findings

– The various methodologies used in the current literature have limited rigorous analysis of the health of pediatric migrant populations. The findings highlight the complex factors that influence migrant pediatric health. Despite the many challenges migrant farm worker children and their families face, they exhibit enormous resilience and strengths that may help counterbalance these challenges. Study categories that emerged from the analysis include health perspectives and behaviors, occupational health, access to care, utilization and satisfaction with health services, health outcomes and health disparities, and oral health. This review provides a strong foundation from which to work toward improving migrant pediatric health.

Originality/value

– This paper provides an original review of the unique health needs and the complex factors influencing the health of migrant farm worker children and adolescents. This will be of value to clinicians and researchers since migrant farm worker families are part of communities across the country. It offers public health professionals insight into services and programs that can improve the health and well-being of children, families, and communities.
Inter-sector senior leader transitions: experience and outcomes
Authors: McLeay Thompson Robert , Flynn Christine
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore the experience of senior leaders who move into the public sector from other sectors of the economy, a process referred to in this paper as inter-sector senior leader transitions. This is a little researched area of public sector leadership yet has significant implications for fundamental public sector reform.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper employs an interview design to elicit senior leaders' stories of their transition into the public sector.

Findings

– The data suggest that successful senior leader transitions are more likely when a set of conditions is met; the leader transitions into CEO role, rather than levels below CEO, ministers provide inter-sector transition support, senior leaders develop responses to stress, senior leaders reject high formalization, their change processes focus on building capacity, and senior leaders confront dysfunctional organizational relationships directly.

Research limitations/implications

– The research relies on a relatively small sample. However, access to senior managers at this level can be difficult. Nevertheless, those senior managers who participated were very willing to share their stories.

Practical implications

– If public sector organizations are to realize the value of successful leaders from other sectors, they need to invest in structured processes that facilitate the transition. A laissez-faire approach is not viable given the cost of such transitions.

Originality/value

– The paper focuses on a little researched area of leadership experience which has significant implications for the development and change of the public sector.
Making the case for sport and recreation services
Authors: King Neil
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the actual and potential utility of social return on investment (SROI) analysis as an instrument to strengthen the financial and social “case” for local authority sport and recreation services (SRS) in the context of recent research by the Association of Public Service Excellence.

Design/methodology/approach

– The research for APSE, undertaken by the author, consisted of a survey and a series of interviews over 18 months with policy officers within leisure services across local authorities in England. Data on “making the case” for SRS is extracted from this research.

Findings

– It is argued that SROI has utility where it can demonstrate the contribution of sport, physical activity and recreation to health policy, adult social care, education, youth crime reduction, place shaping agendas and community engagement, for example. However, findings of the APSE research imply that although SROI offers use value in making a case for retaining services, this method of assessment may not be widely employed for a number of political and practical reasons.

Research limitations/implications

– The research is limited to a sample of 55 local authorities in England from which generalisations are made.

Practical implications

– In the context of the introduction of the Social Value Act in 2013, SROI offers use value in making a case for retaining or adapting discretionary services within emerging models of strategic commissioning. Implementation will however be challenging for SRS.

Originality/value

– It is argued that without an evidence base, it is unlikely that a case can be made for retaining discretionary services that benefit local communities.
Public buying decisions: a framework for buyers and small firms
Authors: Mark McKevitt David , Flynn Anthony , Davis Paul
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– The aim of this paper is to explore the factors that influence buyer decision-making in public procurement. The objective is to better understand the processes and conditions that support different supply arrangements, which maximise SME participation.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper uses case study evidence of contract awards across multiple organisational contexts including: a local authority, commercial semi-state, police force, and a tourist agency.

Findings

– National policy and the role of procurement exerted mixed effects upon the cases. The procurement processes were broadly similar and included cross-functional teams, consideration of trade-offs and market research.

Research limitations/implications

– The paper highlights the transition of public organisations toward strategic procurement including supplier engagement.

Practical implications

– This offers buyers a decision support tool that promotes equal opportunities for SME participation, a key goal of EU procurement. The implications for suppliers of each buying decision are also outlined. The concept of practical rationality is used to support the framework.

Originality/value

– A normative framework of public procurement decision-making is generated from the cases. Buying complexity and supplier engagement are two conditions that support a 2×2 decision framework. The framework extends efficient and central-buying decisions to include adapted and balanced decisions. This range offers buyers a decision support tool that promotes equal opportunities for SME participation, a key goal of EU procurement. The implications for suppliers of each buying decision are discussed.
AT and telecare to manage fire risks in the homes of older and vulnerable people
Authors: Doughty Kevin , Orton Mike
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to identify opportunities where technology interventions could help manage the risks associated with fire and explosions in homes of people who are older or who are vulnerable through other causes such as mental health problems or a history of substance abuse.

Design/methodology/approach

– The approach focused on reviewing the latest available statistics in order to identify the major causes and rooms in which fire accidents occurred.

Findings

– The authors found that the number of incidents and fatalities continues to decrease as a result of preventive measures such as a greater use of smoke detectors, but that there remained issues with cooking safety. New products for limiting damage and managing risks are available which could have a positive impact.

Research limitations/implications

– The paper concludes that the challenges are making both professionals and the public aware of the available technologies and of introducing them following appropriate assessment of needs and risks.

Practical implications

– Greater resources need to be offered for training of the public and of health and safety professionals. Further funding may be needed to implement the introduction of new technology.

Originality/value

– This is the most up-to-date review of fire control measures employing assistive technology and telecare for domestic properties and will be of value to community health teams, adults care organisations, housing associations and other public bodies.
E-safety for high schools project
Authors: Asaria Mubina
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– Greenford High School has been successful in their bid to John Lyon's Charity for their “E-safety for high schools” project to safeguard and educate young people from the increasing risks emanating from new technologies and the internet. The paper aimed at addressing the significant gap in e-safety provision across schools, the project will enable this school in West London to share and replicate their innovative model of good practice – recently commended by the Ealing Health Improvement Team – with three high schools as part of a three-year training and development programme.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper aims to provide some background to the project and outline its unique holistic and multifaceted approach to managing e-safety and cyberbullying, within the context of a broader social, behavioural and educational model rather than the narrowly defined ICT context within which it is traditionally perceived.

Findings

– E-safety is a whole school issue and can only be effectively addressed through collective critical thinking and a social, cultural and educational approach.

Originality/value

– This e-safety project is unique in promoting the opportunities afforded by technology through harnessing the positive role of the bystander and addressing e-safety through a broader, social model and multifaceted approach.
Enterprise and entrepreneurship education: towards a comparative analysis
Authors: Jones Brian , Iredale Norma
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– This paper states the case for adopting a comparative method of analysis to the study of enterprise education. Adopting a comparative approach can provide fresh insights and opportunities for researching from different perspectives. It develops understanding of the concept by reexamining its origins and history. By default its purpose, development operation and rationale are also briefly discussed through reference to literature and policy.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper draws on the literature around enterprise and entrepreneurship education. It argues that comparative analysis of enterprise education is an important methodological tool that can enrich, deepen and inform research processes, findings and outcomes. Comparative analysis can take a number of forms and can include within country, cross-country, historical, temporal, longitudinal, spatial, pedagogical, policy or other types of comparison.

Findings

– This paper unpacks and teases out some of the points of difference and similarity between enterprise education concepts, policies and practices; and the way they are introduced to, applied and operate in different contexts. The main focus and point for comparison is the UK. Enterprise education is distinct from and should not be confused with business and economics. Teacher training in the techniques of enterprise education and resources designed to suit social and cultural requirements is crucial to achieve successful project outcomes.

Originality/value

– The comparative analysis of enterprise education programmes and policies advocated here adds value and provides additional insight to these concepts and practices.
“The advertising problem”: an Irish solution of 1910
Authors: Kenny Colum
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– The aim of this paper is to discuss a unique and significant article about advertising that was published in Dublin in 1910.

Design/methodology/approach

– The article, entitled “The advertising problem” (reproduced in its entirety in the Appendix) is analysed and contextualised.

Findings

– It is demonstrated that at least some early Irish advertising practitioners had a reflexive understanding of the tools of marketing and advertising as used then in Ireland and abroad, and that their own use of such tools served not only manufacturers and other clients, but also the ideological project of an Irish-Ireland.

Originality/value

– This analysis has a particular value in rebutting clearly any possible assumption that advertising and marketing practices in Ireland in the early twentieth century were simply “quaint”.
Outward facing: W&R Jacob & Co. biscuit labels, 1900-1939
Authors: Williams Wendy
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– The aim of this paper is to explore the marketing strategies and tools used by W&R Jacob & Co. in the first four decades of the twentieth century.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper is based on close analysis of W&R Jacob & Co. labels and other primary material supported by secondary sources.

Findings

– The paper explores the company's initial focus on the development of an export market and their competition with similar firms in England for that business. It reveals the ways in which the firm contributed to the development of product naming and labelling conventions within the biscuit industry in this period. Labelling and product presentation strategies are examined to show methods of origination that coped with a prolific rate of introduction of new lines. Political change in Ireland in the 1920s and 1930s imposed limits on Jacob's markets and precipitated a reorientation of labelling strategies.

Originality/value

– The paper is based on extensive original research and makes a solid contribution to the understanding of new product development and marketing strategies within the biscuit industry in the first four decades of the twentieth century. It also furthers understanding of the effects of Irish Free State policies on export industry.
User categories of mobile travel services
Authors: Eriksson Niklas
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– This study aims to identify user categories of mobile travel services and analyze the differences between the categories based on individual characteristics, the individuals' perceived barriers to use internet-/mobile services during a trip and the individuals' preferred channel strategies.

Design/methodology/approach

– An extensive online survey in Finland was conducted to collect the data and a cluster analysis is used to identify the user categories.

Findings

– The study indicates that there are four user categories of mobile travel services: “info-seekers”, “checkers”, “bookers” and “all-rounders” and one group of “non-users”.

Research limitations/implications

– Due to the online data collection method and the self-selective process, the sample may be biased towards respondents finding electronic travel services important. It would be of value to conduct similar studies on a representative sample of the total population of different countries.

Practical implications

– The identified categories can be seen as consumer segments for which travel service providers can target mobile services.

Originality/value

– This study contributes with a categorization of mobile travelers and provides insights on the diffusion of mobile travel services.
Cross-border labor mobility
Authors: Dowlah Caf
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of the paper is to examine convergence of economic interests – both empirically and theoretically – among labor-abundant (labor-sending) and labor scarce (labor receiving) countries, in the context of Mode 4 of the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) of the WTO. The paper also explores regional trade associations as an interim alternative forum for promoting temporary cross-border labor mobility in the backdrop of failure of multilateral trade negotiations under the Doha Round.

Design/methodology/approach

– The research methodology of the paper involves literature review, an analysis of databases and theoretical findings, and a critical examination of pertinent empirical and secondary information on the subject matter.

Findings

– The findings reveal that although a convergence of economic interests seem to exist between the labor-sending and receiving countries for promoting cross-border labor mobility, this sector faces formidable trade and non-trade barriers across the world, especially in the developed countries. As multilateral trade negotiations under the Doha Round have failed to make any progress toward liberalization of this sector, regional trade associations, especially those pursued by the USA, Canada and Australia, seem to provide a credible alternative vehicle, as an interim measure, for further liberalization of this sector. These RTAs can serve as examples for other RTAs to promote regional mobility of labor.

Research limitations/implications

– Cross-border temporary labor mobility, as envisaged by GATs of the WTO, is a burgeoning field. Although some serious works are available, especially sponsored by the World Bank and some leading universities, there is a considerable dearth in this field, especially in respect to contribution from individual scholars and researchers. This paper fills the void to some extent by ascertaining factors and forces that help or hinder cross-border mobility, by pointing out limitations of multilateral trade negotiations under the WTO, and by exploring the regional trade associations as an interim measure for promoting cross-border labor mobility.

Practical implications

– This paper points out factors and forces that help or hinder cross-border mobility, ascertains crucial limitations of multilateral trade negotiations under the WTO, and explores the RTAs as an interim measure for promoting cross-border labor mobility – all these would have practical policy implications.

Originality/value

– The originality of the paper lies with its critical and careful review of existing literature and available databases, with the determination of factors and forces that help or hinder cross-border mobility in the contemporary world, in pointing out the limitations of multilateral trade negotiations under the WTO, and in exploring the RTAs as an interim measure for promoting cross-border labor mobility.
Institutional repository management models that support faculty research dissemination
Authors: Armstrong Michelle
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– Research dissemination is a core mission for all universities. As a result, libraries should adopt this mission, utilizing institutional repositories services to support this goal. This paper aims to explore management models that institutional repositories can use for this purpose.

Design/methodology/approach

– By using research dissemination as a primary objective, individual management models are reviewed for their ability to accomplish this goal. Institutional repository services resulting from this purpose are also described.

Findings

– By adopting these kinds of models, libraries can develop new services that go beyond traditional library services and provide key support for the dissemination of a university's scholarship.

Originality/value

– This article challenges the existing ideology surrounding institutional repositories and helps frame these services as a core component for fulfilling an important university mission.
UX gardens
Authors: Fox Robert
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– This column aims to explore the important role of user experience analysis in the design of web based digital library services and tools.

Design/methodology/approach

– Three key areas of UX are talked about.

Findings

– Three key areas of UX are applied to digital librarianship.

Originality/value

– The needs of the patron populations served by individual libraries are unique, but certain design principles can be followed that will significantly enhance the user experience. This column contributes to the discussion regarding those principles.
Evaluating an instruction program with various assessment measures
Authors: R. Gewirtz Sarah
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– The aim of this paper is to demonstrate how the author's library was able to enhance the collaborative learning and teaching environment, with secondary goals to improve teaching effectiveness and increase sharing among librarians of ideas and techniques used in first-year student sessions.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper describes the various measures of assessment (peer-to-peer, student feedback and self-reflection) that the College of St Benedict (CSB) and St John's University (SJU) Libraries implemented in 2011. The methods were used to improve teaching by listening to peers, getting feedback from students, and by also doing self-reflection. Many librarians were able to make changes that were beneficial to their teaching sessions.

Findings

– The outcome allowed librarians to incorporate new ideas into their own instruction sessions; re-evaluate teaching methods based on student feedback; and, to realize that self-assessment was beneficial. More importantly, it led to the development of Learning Goals for First Year Students.

Originality/value

– This is a significant contribution to the field of librarianship due to the lack of publications on the observations of peers. Articles about peer-to-peer feedback for librarians whose employment duties entail library instruction were difficult to find. Much of the literature focuses on faculty (who are not librarians) who go through peer-to-peer observations for their tenure files. This article focuses not only on peer-to-peer feedback but student assessment of librarians and self-reflections.
Citation searching for tenure and promotion: an overview of issues and tools
Authors: Dagenais Brown Janet
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– While the primary importance of citation searching continues to be connecting researchers to highly-related literature, additional uses for the data have developed. For example, academic institutions frequently recommend that faculty include a citation analysis in their tenure and promotion (t & p) dossiers as a way of demonstrating the value of their research. Due to the limited number of tools available for this type of analysis in the past, Librarians were unable to help faculty create an exhaustive accounting of citations to their work. The aim of this paper is to provide examples of the growing number of tools that now exist to assist librarians and faculty in locating citation information for t & p dossiers.

Design/methodology/approach

– An in-depth survey of both free and subscription resources to identify those that offered options for citation searching was conducted.

Findings

– Commercial vendors, organizations and researchers are developing a wide variety of tools that help track the impact of a faculty member's research.

Research limitations/implications

– The list of resources surveyed is not comprehensive. The research was focused on those available, and most relevant to the author's institution.

Practical implications

– Based on the results of this investigation, a web page was created to help direct faculty and librarians to a large number of resources for citation searching (available at:http://libresources.wichita.edu/citationsearching).

Originality/value

– Librarians have prepared numerous web guides to assist faculty in conducting citation searches. Few offer links to as wide a variety of resources as this research presents.
Research consultation effectiveness for freshman and senior undergraduate students
Authors: Faix Allison , MacDonald Amanda , Taxakis Brooke
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– The aim of this paper is to compare the effectiveness of library research consultations for freshmen and senior undergraduate students, to determine if freshmen or seniors benefit more from these sessions.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study looks at the results of a survey conducted with students enrolled in a senior level capstone research course and in a freshman level composition course who were required to attend library research consultations.

Findings

– The study finds that freshman students can be overwhelmed by the amount of resources a research consultation may help them locate, and research consultations for freshmen should be conducted with this in mind.

Research limitations/implications

– Because the size of our study was small, further research with a larger sample size should also be conducted.

Practical implications

– If librarians experience high demand for required research consultations, and have difficulty scheduling sessions, then they may take into consideration that senior students benefit more from consultations than freshmen. Research consultations should also be designed to take student class rank into account.

Originality/value

– This study shows that upper-level students benefit more from research consultation than freshman students. Librarians should take this research into consideration when consulting with faculty about the most effective methods of instruction for students.
Assessment and change leadership in an academic library department: a case study
Authors: M. Carter Toni
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to report an academic library's efforts to introduce course-integrated assessment into its library instruction program. Applying a leadership change model to the process allows for a step-by-step examination of both organizational change and the creation of cultures of assessment.

Design/methodology/approach

– Over a period of three years, course-integrated assessment was introduced into an academic library's instruction program. Rather than implementing rapid, superficial change, the process focused on transforming librarians' thoughts and feelings about their teaching and student learning. Dr John P. Kotter's eight-step process for leading organizational change is applied to explain the methodology.

Findings

– Kotter's leadership change model provides a suitable framework for organizing and implementing organizational change within an academic library. However, the use of his method to create and sustain cultures of assessment proves questionable. This may not be fault of his method, but a combination of a less than perfect application of his process and unrealistic expectations of how cultures of assessment develop and function.

Research limitations/implications

– The paper focuses on one unit within an academic library, rather than an academic library as a whole.

Practical implications

– Changing organizational culture, creating cultures of assessment, and/or implementing course-integrated assessment exemplify some of the challenging tasks academic libraries face in their mission to prove value. This case study provides a candid discussion of both successes and obstacles encountered in using a change leadership model to address each of these. It may also inspire other possible uses of such a model within academic libraries.

Originality/value

– According to Meredith Farkas, investigations into the application of leadership change models to build and sustain cultures of assessment within academic libraries do not exist in the literature.
Promoting lifelong learning through government document information literacy
Authors: Jane Scales B. , Von Seggern Marilyn
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– The aim of this paper is to report on the development and assessment of a government document information literacy curriculum by librarians at Washington State University. The pedagogical and assessment goals are described, and the learning outcomes by participating sophomore and junior English composition students are explored.

Design/methodology/approach

– Instruction librarians adopted ACRL standards to government information in order to address difficulties undergraduates have in identifying and evaluating common federal government resources. Learning outcomes are measured with a mixed-methods approach including pre- and post-tests, in-class worksheets, and student bibliographies.

Findings

– Overall, the project improved government document information literacy in the student groups that participated.

Research limitations/implications

– There are many questions the project raises that the authors cannot address. Does the curriculum have any long-term impact on the students? Will it make students who participated more likely to use government information when job seeking, or when making important decisions?

Originality/value

– The project uniquely targets a population for which there has been little research on regarding government information literacy – undergraduates who have already received introductory library instruction, but who are not yet researching upper-division, discipline-specific topics.
Using employee surveys to attract and retain the best talent
Authors: Pritchard Kate
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– This feature seeks to demonstrate the importance of organizations understanding how they are perceived externally as an employer, and how regularly tracking the opinions of staff can ensure the best talent are engaged and stay with an organization.

Design/methodology/approach

– ORC International is an expert in employee engagement research. This article incorporates findings from its global HR survey “HR Reflections”, and includes two case studies that demonstrate how regular tracking and deep analysis of staff opinions can help organizations to boost their employer brand and retain their best talent.

Findings

– Advanced analysis of employee surveys can predict how employees are feeling to help organizations retain their most valuable staff.

Practical implications

– This is a practical paper designed to give ideas and good practice to readers facing similar situations.

Originality/value

– The paper combines findings from a global survey with case study content to help employers to understand how to improve engagement and retention of staff through effective use of regular employee surveys.
Enhanced isotropic gradient operator
Authors: Alfaraj Mohammed , Wang Yuchun , Luo Yi
Published: March 2014

We present a two‐dimensional (2D) gradient operator that produces more accurate results than known traditional operators such as Ando, Sobel and the so‐called Isotropic operator. We further extend the derivation to three‐dimensional (3D), a powerful feature missing in all conventional operators.

We start by constructing a parameterized formula that generically represents all 2D numerical gradient operators. We then solve for the required parameter by equating this numerical gradient with that obtained analytically from a single Fourier harmonic (or, equivalently here, a stationary plane wave). As this parameter is frequency‐ and direction‐dependent (by virtue of the underlying Fourier harmonic), we construe a pragmatic version of it that is independent of these two variables yet capable of significantly reducing the error associated with traditional operators. Extension to 3D is achieved similarly; it requires dealing with two parameters as opposed to only one in the 2D case. Synthetic and real‐data results confirm higher accuracy from this operator than from traditional ones.
Pre‐therapy relationship adjustment, gender and the alliance in couple therapy
Authors: Halford Tyler C. , Owen Jesse , Duncan Barry L. , Anker Morten G. , Sparks Jacqueline A.
Published: March 2014

This study examined gender differences in session one alliances and in the trajectory of the alliance over the course of couple therapy. Additionally, this study examined the association between men and women's pre‐therapy relationship adjustment and alliance at session one and over the course of therapy. A total of 316 couples seeking outpatient couple therapy were given the Locke–Wallace marital adjustment test at pre‐therapy to measure relationship adjustment and the session rating scale after each session to measure alliance with the therapist. The results showed that men had lower alliance ratings after session one than women. Men's pre‐therapy relationship adjustment was positively associated with their own session one alliance as well as their own alliance trajectory over the course of therapy. Men's pre‐therapy relationship adjustment was also positively associated with their partner's session one alliance. Women's pre‐therapy relationship adjustment showed no significant relationship with their own alliance or their partners at session one or the alliance trajectory over the course of therapy. The implications for how these gender differences may impact on the process of couple therapy with heterosexual couples are discussed.

Practitioner points

Initial alliances may differ for men and women in heterosexual couples and attending to reasons for seeking help may be instrumental.

Partners’ pre‐therapy relationship distress can negatively impact on early alliance establishment; thus, more attention to the alliance may be needed for more distressed couples.

Therapists may want to monitor the alliances in couple therapy to develop a better understanding of each partner's engagement in the process.