bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Public service motivation and job satisfaction in China
Authors: Liu Bangcheng , Tang Ningyu , Zhu Xiaomei
Published: November 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to investigate how generalisable the public service motivation (PSM) observed in Western society is to China and to examine the effects of public service motivation on job satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

Exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis techniques are applied to survey data of 191 public servants in China to investigate the generalisability of Western PSM. Using hierarchical regression analysis, the paper examines the effects of the dimensions of PSM on job satisfaction.

Findings

The results show that the public service motivation observed in the West exists in China, but the generalisability of the construct is limited. Three of the four dimensions of public service motivation (attraction to public policy making, commitment to the public interest, and self‐sacrifice) exist in China, but the fourth dimension (compassion) is unconfirmed.

Originality/value

The paper is the first to examine the generalisability and instrumentality of PSM as observed in Western society to China. The results indicate that the public service motivation observed in the West also exists in China, but that the generalisability is limited. Public service motivation emerges from the results as a positively significant predictor of job satisfaction in the public sector of China. It enhances the applicability and meaningfulness of the concept of public service motivation across political and cultural environments.
Is there a new knowledge economy in Ireland? An analysis of recent occupational trends
Authors: Turner Thomas , D'Art Daryl
Published: November 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of the substantial expansion in the labour force between 1997 and 2004 on the proportion of the Irish workforce that can be categorised as working in knowledge occupations.

Design/methodology/approach

The Quarterly National Household Survey was used to estimate the trend in knowledge type work at the national level for the period 1997 to 2004, specifically examining which specific occupations are increasing over this period.

Findings

Employment growth occurred relatively equally at the high‐, middle‐ and low‐skill occupational levels, indicating the continuing importance of intermediate and particularly low‐skill occupations in the structure and expansion of the Irish labour force.

Research limitations/implications

There are substantial problems with the use of broad occupational level data as a proxy to measure the extent of knowledge occupations. It would be useful to consider adopting the Australian Standard Classification of Occupations as it includes the complexity of the set of tasks involved in a job, formal education, training and previous experience.

Practical implications

The findings indicate the continuing importance of intermediate and low‐skill occupations as well as high‐skill occupations in the structure and expansion of the Irish labour force. Government training and education policy needs to target resources across a broad range of skills and occupations.

Originality/value

The paper provides a profile and analysis of occupational changes in the Irish labour market.
The innovativeness effect of market orientation and learning orientation on business performance
Authors: Lin Chien‐Huang , Peng Ching‐Huai , Kao Danny T.
Published: November 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a quantitative analysis, in which learning orientation, market orientation, entrepreneurial orientation, and innovativeness function as key success factors in technology‐intensive firms. The authors formulate a structural equation model to examine the relationship among these constructs.

Design/methodology/approach

A structural equation model was designed to examine the relationship. To test the model, the authors conducted covariance structural analyses of data collected from 333 venture companies, including innovation companies, in Taiwan.

Findings

The central finding is that learning orientation plays a full mediating role in the relationship between market orientation and innovativeness. The results indicate that organizational structure (formalization and decentralization) does not play a moderating role in the relationship between innovativeness and business performance; however, the extent of formalization of an organizational structure negatively correlates with business performance.

Practical implications

Market orientation can strengthen innovativeness via organizational learning. In the high‐tech industry, the market information obtained from customers and competitors helps firms to keep an eye on the market. For better competitive advantages and business performance, firms must have learning capabilities and employees' identity with corporate mission.

Originality/value

The research empirically examines the mediating role of learning orientation and the moderating role of organizational structure in the model. The findings indicate that firms should strengthen their learning orientation and innovativeness, and avoid interfering in the organizational structure to improve business performance.
In “the zone”
Authors: Bendoly Elliot , Prietula Mike
Published: November 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how training specific to a given operational task, and subsequent experiential learning, can heighten skill and hence shift the level of workload at which individuals are most productively motivated.

Design/methodology/approach

To analyze these effects, a laboratory experiment was used involving a vehicle routing application and 156 managers exposed to a 2 × 3 complete treatment design. Both multi‐period objective in‐task data and subjective self reports are collected to tap into skill levels, actions and behavioral variables of interest.

Findings

In the absence of additional workload challenges, the paper finds that increases in skill may in fact significantly limit and in some cases actually degrade overall motivation, as well as objective performance.

Research limitations/implications

Limitations potentially stem from specific operationalizations of the factors studied as well as selectivity of the subject pool and the context (vehicle routing task).

Practical implications

The implications of the skill‐challenge‐motivation dynamics observed have direct repercussions for existing management models in which training and experience are viewed as having strictly monotonic benefits to performance. The implications also go far to promote more informed models of worker behavior in operations modeling that otherwise view performance as static or monotonically increasing based on experience.

Originality/value

This is believed to be the first study that has explicitly studied the inverted‐U dynamics stemming from the interplay of both skill and workload on motivation and performance, over a multi‐period framework of analysis.
Developing a conceptual model of lead performance measurement and benchmarking
Authors: McAdam Rodney , Hazlett Shirley‐Ann , Anderson‐Gillespie Karen
Published: November 2008

Purpose

Environmental turbulence including rapid changes in technology and markets has resulted in the need for new approaches to performance measurement and benchmarking. There is a need for studies that attempt to measure and benchmark upstream, leading or developmental aspects of organizations. Therefore, the aim of this paper is twofold. The first is to conduct an in‐depth case analysis of lead performance measurement and benchmarking leading to the further development of a conceptual model derived from the extant literature and initial survey data. The second is to outline future research agendas that could further develop the framework and the subject area.

Design/methodology/approach

A multiple case analysis involving repeated in‐depth interviews with managers in organisational areas of upstream influence in the case organisations.

Findings

It was found that the effect of external drivers for lead performance measurement and benchmarking was mediated by organisational context factors such as level of progression in business improvement methods. Moreover, the legitimation of the business improvement methods used for this purpose, although typical, had been extended beyond their original purpose with the development of bespoke sets of lead measures.

Practical implications

Examples of methods and lead measures are given that can be used by organizations in developing a programme of lead performance measurement and benchmarking.

Originality/value

There is a paucity of in‐depth studies relating to the theory and practice of lead performance measurement and benchmarking in organisations.
Customer enquiry management and product customization
Authors: Zorzini Marta , Hendry Linda , Stevenson Mark , Pozzetti Alessandro
Published: November 2008

Purpose

The customer enquiry management (CEM) process is of strategic importance in engineer‐to‐order contexts but existing literature does not adequately describe how firms support delivery date setting and order acceptance decisions in practice. This paper seeks to explore how and why the CEM process varies between companies in the capital goods sector, thereby taking a contingency theory approach.

Design/methodology/approach

Multi‐case study research involving 18 Italian capital goods manufacturers in four industrial sectors. Face‐to‐face interviews with senior representatives have been conducted. Companies have been grouped into five clusters, based on similarities in their CEM decision‐making modes, to aid analysis.

Findings

Three contingency factors were found to be particularly relevant in determining CEM modes: degree of product customization, flexibility of the production system, and uncertainty of the context. These factors affect the choice of specific CEM decision‐making modes. However, a high level of cross‐functional coordination and formalization of the process were found to constitute best practices whatever the contingency factors.

Research limitations/implications

The research focuses on companies belonging to the Italian capital goods sector – findings may differ in other countries and sectors.

Practical implications

The results indicate that all firms, including small and medium‐sized companies, should implement high levels of cross‐functional coordination and formalization in their CEM practices, in order to improve their performance. For other aspects of the CEM process, including supplier and subcontractor monitoring, the company context will indicate whether these aspects are required, according to a need of matching the approach to CEM with specific sets of contingency factors.

Originality/value

This paper provides a rare insight into the CEM processes found in practice.
Developing a socio‐technical framework for business‐IT alignment
Authors: Lee Sang M. , Kim Kihyun , Paulson Patrick , Park Hyesung
Published: November 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to develop a framework for evaluating business‐IT alignment. Specifically, the authors emphasize internal business‐IT alignment between business and IS groups, which is a typical setting in recent boundary‐less, networked business environments.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the previous studies, a socio‐technical approach was developed to explain how the functional integration in the business‐IT alignment process could be accomplished in collaborative environments. The study investigates the relationship among social alignment, technical alignment, IS effectiveness, and business performance.

Findings

The results indicated that alignment between business and IS groups increased IS effectiveness and business performance. Business‐IT alignment resulting from socio‐technical arrangements in firms' infrastructure has positive impacts on business performance.

Research limitations/implications

This study is limited by control issues in terms of the impact of the confounding variables on business performance. Future studies need to validate the research model across industries. The study results imply that business‐IT alignment is a multidimensional concept that includes social and technical activities explaining the way people and information technology institutionalize business value.

Originality/value

By establishing a socio‐technical framework of business‐IT alignment, this study proposes a conceptual framework for business‐IT alignment that accounts for not only improved technical performance, but also improved human performance as well. This study emphasizes the importance of addressing internal socio‐technical collaboration in modern business environments.
Information technology maturity stages and enterprise benchmarking: an empirical study
Authors: Seong Leem Choon , Wan Kim Byeong , Jung Yu Eun , Ho Paek Min
Published: November 2008

Purpose

Recently, many enterprises are using a variety of methods and techniques to examine and improve their current maturity level of information technology (IT). Although IT evaluation studies based on IT maturity stages have been conducted widely, the stages theory has not been confirmed through statistical testing. IT evaluation activities can present managerial implications to an enterprise by determining where it stands within the stages theory. The purpose of this paper is to test empirically and repeatedly the once‐defined maturity model in order to make its validity more powerful.

Design/methodology/approach

To define IT maturity stages and benchmarks with statistical testing, evaluation fields and factors of the L&K Model are referred to. Data were gathered by a questionnaire survey and interviews, in which 312 enterprises in South Korea participated. Consequently, IT maturity stages are defined and significant benchmarks of each stage are validated through ANOVA and post hoc comparison methods.

Findings

The results of the study indicate the meanings and benchmarks of newly defined five stages of IT maturity: initiation, recognition, diffusion, control, and integration.

Practical implications

The aim of this study is not only to apply an advanced methodology to study empirically how IT maturity level of an enterprise is improved, but also to suggest practical guidelines for actions to improve it.

Originality/value

The five stages model is totally enhanced and reformulated from the previous stages theories. First, well‐combined and comprehensive evaluation factors are used to critically appraise the evolutionistic characteristic of IT in enterprises. Second, the definition and benchmarks of the five stages model are confirmed through statistical testing with sufficient sample size (n=312).
Managerial cost mitigation tactics in offshore IT projects
Authors: Sayeed Lutfus
Published: November 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to enhance our understanding of managerial decision‐making process regarding offshore sourcing of information technology (IT) projects. The study explored the relationship between transaction cost economics and maturity levels of a firm's offshore sourcing activities. Transactions costs theory and firms' offshore sourcing maturity levels provided the framework for studying the decision process.

Design/methodology/approach

The present study is a qualitative empirical investigation of the underlying decision process to offshore IT projects. The study is based on interviews of executives in fifteen large to medium size companies.

Findings

The data suggest that transaction cost mitigation approaches used by a firm vary based on the size of the company as well as the maturity level of the firm's offshore sourcing activities.

Research limitations/implications

The present study is based on interviews of IT executives in fifteen firms. Case studies and confirmatory studies can provide further insights.

Practical implications

Offshore sourcing maturity can influence cost mitigation tactics used by managers.

Originality/value

This is the first study to explore the relationship between transactions cost economics and offshore sourcing maturity of a firm. Future studies can extend the findings to deepen our knowledge of offshore sourcing challenges.
Stock selection using data envelopment analysis
Authors: Chen Hsin‐Hung
Published: November 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to adopt data envelopment analysis (DEA) to construct portfolios, and compare their return rates with the market index to examine whether DEA portfolios created superior returns. In addition, this study investigated whether using the “size effect” as a stock selection strategy is appropriate in Taiwan.

Design/methodology/approach

This study applied two DEA models to evaluate the efficiency of the firms and construct portfolios by selecting stocks with high efficiency. Furthermore, the return rates of the portfolios constructed by small‐size firms, DEA models and market indices were compared via empirical data analysis.

Findings

The results showed that size effect seems inappropriate as a stock selection strategy in the Taiwan stock market. However, the portfolios constructed by DEA models achieved noticeable superior returns.

Research limitations/implications

Future studies can apply DEA models to other stock markets in different countries to confirm the effectiveness of DEA methods in stock selection.

Originality/value

This study is the first attempt to select stocks using DEA models and compares the performances of the portfolios composed by DEA analysis, small‐size firms and the stock market indices. The proposed approach provides useful managerial implications in stock selection and insight to improve financial efficiencies of corporations.
Exploring the future of interlibrary loan: generalizing the experience of the University of Virginia, USA
Authors: Reighart Renee , Oberlander Cyril
Published: November 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to share opinions about where the future of Interlibrary Loan could go by discussing new methods of providing service to users. These methods include the expansion of arenas in which requests are searched, and several purchase‐on‐demand options.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors describe a framework in which resource sharing transactions are placed within four domains: free, buy, borrow, and rent. New methods of filling requests are discussed within this framework.

Findings

In this climate of constant change there are risks involved with libraries integrating a new company or service into a workflow. Factors such as reliability and stability, user expectations, cost, and license terms and provisions are important to consider. Also, the time it takes for staff to learn new tasks must also be evaluated. Staff should be encouraged to evaluate these factors, balancing them in a cost‐benefit framework and strategy, with a focus on ensuring library user satisfaction. Exploring how alternative sources can adapt to a request system, including billing infrastructure is fundamental to the future of resource sharing.

Originality/value

This article is useful for interlibrary loan staff who want to expand their current services or revise their borrowing/lending workflows.
Sharing resources, networking and document delivery: the INIST experience
Authors: Gillet Jacqueline
Published: November 2008

Purpose

This article aims to outline how the Institute for Scientific and Technical Information (INIST‐CNRS), the French leader in the document delivery market, works with a broad national and international network of some 200 libraries and STI centres. It also seeks to provide an overview of recent developments in the French academic ILL network and of French copyright legislation, as well as information on negotiations with publishers on secure electronic delivery.

Design/methodology/approach

The article is based on a communication at the 10th Interlending and Document Supply conference, Singapore, 29‐31 October 2007. It is descriptive and based on INIST data and experience.

Findings

Resource sharing and networking in document delivery on a national and international level have become essential to maintain good quality services.

Originality/value

The article focuses on INIST‐CNRS, a leader in the document delivery market.
Exploring interlibrary loan usage patterns and liaison activities: the experience at a US university
Authors: Leykam Andrew
Published: November 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore actual interlibrary loan (ILL) usage patterns as a way to improve ILL services and assist in library liaison work.

Design/methodology/approach

The study assesses ILL services at a mid‐size comprehensive college library in order to see who is utilizing the current service. Usage patterns are constructed and explored based on data collected over a three‐year period. The requested materials' publication date and Library of Congress subject heading, as well as the requestor's academic status (faculty, graduate student, undergraduate student) and department are addressed.

Findings

Usage patterns can accurately illustrate trends in the borrowing behavior of patrons in order to gain a better understanding of their needs. The majority of users were faculty members from a limited number of academic departments. Usage patterns can be very helpful in constructing and focusing liaison work. A thorough study of ILL usage patterns is a viable undertaking worthwhile for any institution looking to improve and expand its ILL and liaison services.

Practical implications

This paper recommends that The College of Staten Island Library utilize ILL statistics to improve and redesign Liaison activities to under‐represented departments. Assessing ILL usage patterns can enable a quick and accurate overview of actual use for improving ILL and liaison services.

Originality/value

Previous research has linked Interlibrary Loan services to collection development. The current study links the assessment of actual ILL usage patterns with liaison activities beyond collection development.
Goportis: a new service for document supply in Germany
Authors: Burblies Christine , Pianos Tamara
Published: November 2008

Purpose

This paper seeks to describe Goportis, the new German service for document supply.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper describes the environment for obtaining high quality information in Germany and the approach of Goportis.

Findings

The advantages of Goportis are described. Goportis will be the host of the 11th ILDS conference in Hannover, Germany, in 2009.

Originality/value

Goportis is a new service that started in 2008 and this is the first article to describe its origins and characteristics.
Bootstrapping comparison on availability of parallel systems with non‐identical components
Authors: Ke Jau‐Chuan , Chu Yunn‐Kuang , Lee Jia‐Huei
Published: November 2008

Purpose

In order to develop a feasible and efficient method to acquire the long‐run availability of a parallel system with distribution‐free up and down times, the purpose of this paper is to perform the simulation comparisons on the interval estimations of system availability using four bootstrapping methods.

Design/methodology/approach

By using four bootstrap methods; standard bootstrap (SB) confidence interval, percentile bootstrap (PB) confidence interval, bias‐corrected percentile bootstrap (BCPB) confidence interval, and bias‐corrected and accelerated (BCa) confidence interval. A numerical simulation study is carried out in order to demonstrate performance of these proposed bootstrap confidence intervals. Especially, we investigate the accuracy of the four bootstrap confidence intervals by calculating the coverage percentage, the average length, and the relative coverage of confidence intervals.

Findings

Among the four bootstrap confidence intervals, the PB method has the largest relative coverage in most situations. That is, the PB method is the best one made by practitioners who want to obtain an efficient interval estimation of availability.

Originality/value

It is the first time that the relative coverage is introduced to evaluate the performance of estimation method, which is more efficient than the existing measures.
Subsidiary size, internationalization, product diversification, and performance in an emerging market
Authors: Chiao Yu‐Ching , Yu Chow‐Ming Joseph , Li Peng‐Yu , Chen Yi‐Chuan
Published: November 2008

Purpose

This study aims to explore subsidiaries' diversification strategies, both internationally and with regard to their product offerings. The study seeks to examine, at the subsidiary level, the relationships between subsidiary size, internationalization, production diversification, and performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the archival data of an officially conducted survey, the study used ordered logit regression analysis to test its hypotheses using data from 920 Taiwanese subsidiaries in China.

Findings

The study's results revealed: larger subsidiaries tend to engage in internationalization and product diversification activities to a greater degree, and, as a result, tend to exhibit superior performance; and subsidiaries that pursue outward internationalization and that reinvest in related businesses enjoy enhanced performance.

Research limitations/implications

This study examines Taiwanese firms that have one foreign subsidiary in China. Future research should examine larger firms with numerous foreign subsidiaries in developed countries, and should employ more fine‐grained measurements of subsidiary size to provide a clearer picture of subsidiary‐specific advantages.

Originality/value

Unlike the existing literature, which has tended to take the perspective of the multinational corporation, this study examines internationalization and product diversification at the subsidiary level. By extending the resource‐based view to the subsidiary level, larger subsidiaries might be able to exploit their advantages so as to more successfully implement international and product diversification strategies and improve their performance in a host country.
Cross‐border interfirm cooperation: the influence of the performance context
Authors: Obadia Claude
Published: November 2008

Purpose

This study aims to examine the antecedents and consequences of a cooperative norm in exporter‐importer relationships. Moreover, it seeks to investigates the impact of the past economic performance of the venture on the effectiveness of interfirm cooperation.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was conducted among a sample of French exporters. Data on 283 exporter‐importer relationships were analyzed using structural equations modeling.

Findings

Trust and continuity expectations foster the development of a cooperative norm, which in turn enhances importers' distributive performance. The study also shows that the effectiveness of cooperation increases in a low‐performance context.

Practical implications

Exporters can improve the performance of their cross‐border business relationships by fostering the development of behavioral norms. The findings suggest that a norm of cooperation helps coordinate partners' behaviors in an international exchange. The effectiveness of such a norm increases in bad times, which supports the notion that cooperation can be viewed as a tool to turn around failing export ventures.

Originality/value

Unlike previous studies on exporter‐importer relationships, this study conceptualizes and operationalizes cooperation as a behavioral norm. This new conceptualization of cooperation makes it possible to assess its influence on the importer's distributive performance, which conditions the success of the export venture. Another distinguishing feature of this study is that it evaluates the effect of past performance on the effectiveness of cooperation. It is shown that cooperation can be used to improve failing business relationships. Thus, cooperation can be an alternative to costly formal governance mechanisms and time‐consuming searches for new foreign representatives to replace terminated ventures.
The role of networks and matching in market entry to emerging retail markets
Authors: Elg Ulf , Ghauri Pervez N. , Tarnovskaya Veronika
Published: November 2008

Purpose

The purpose is to investigate how a retailer identifies critical network actors and gains their support when entering an emerging market. and to examine the role of a firm's relationships with different types of actors on the new market.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is of an exploratory nature, and based on an inductive and qualitative research method. A case study of IKEA's entry into Russia and China was conducted.

Findings

It is argued that IKEA's entry into China and Russia was successful because of its dynamic utilization of matching and networking capabilities. The study explains how the support of relationships with, for example, political actors, interest groups and media supported the entry and the development of a positive consumer image.

Research limitations/implications

This is a qualitative, in depth study and future research is needed in order to test the generalizability of the proposed framework and models.

Practical implications

The paper shows how retail managers can generate the support of different types of actors and relationships when entering new markets.

Originality/value

Traditionally consumer product firms' entry to new markets is regarded as a function of dealing with environmental, cultural and legal differences, and adapting products and strategies accordingly. This paper extends understanding by showing that matching and networking capabilities to mobilize resources, actors and activities on global, macro and micro levels are also critical components. It also relates the firm's business relationships with relationships to socio‐political actors on the new market.
E‐readiness and trust: macro and micro dualities for e‐commerce in a global environment
Authors: Berthon Pierre , Pitt Leyland , Cyr Dianne , Campbell Colin
Published: November 2008

Purpose

The paper's aim is to create a framework for national readiness and receptivity to e‐commerce at both the business to business (B2B) as well as business to consumer (B2C) levels.

Design/methodology/approach

Relevant literature on e‐readiness is discussed in light of research on corruption and national values. A model is formulated at the macro level in which e‐readiness is predicted to be related to national culture values and corruption. Analysis at the micro level rests on existing literature related to trust and web site usability.

Findings

At the macro level of analysis, levels of perceived corruption within a country, and overarching national values are identified as significant contributors to e‐readiness especially in the B2B realm. At a more micro level, it is proposed that individual expectations regarding ability to trust an online vendor, and the suitability of usability characteristics of web site design contribute to e‐readiness at the B2C level. Taken together, macro and macro factors jointly contribute to a nation's readiness and receptivity to e‐commerce.

Research limitations/implications

The empirical work presented is based on aggregate level data from only one point in time. Results only provide generalized trends that may not be representative of all firms in a country or still applicable in the present time.

Practical implications

Practitioners are challenged to think beyond technological readiness and address factors such as corruption, national culture, and web design before entering new markets.

Originality/value

This paper identifies aspects of e‐readiness beyond purely technical infrastructure and provides a fresh empirical model. This study uniquely considers both micro and macro level characteristics that contribute to e‐readiness.
Rural library services: historical development and modern‐day examples from West Africa
Authors: Dent Goodman Valeda F.
Published: November 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the historical development of the rural library services in Africa, and highlight modern rural village libraries in Ghana and Burkina Faso within this context.

Design/methodology/approach

The information in the article comes from a number of different impact studies, including one research study of the rural village libraries in Ghana and one research study of the rural village libraries in Burkina Faso. In particular, the studies examined the impact and role of the libraries on the communities they serve, and enquiries included library use by students, reading habits, leisure reading, attitudes of community members towards the library, and the library's role in academic support. The methodology included focus groups, interviews, questionnaires, examination of library circulation information, and many hours of observation. A review of the professional literature is also provided to contextualize the historical review and the findings from the studies.

Findings

Findings indicate the rural village libraries in Ghana and Burkina Faso are successful village/community libraries that are of great benefit to their users. The models for development of these libraries might be used in other similar rural villages to serve both schools and the community.

Research limitations/implications

Future research might include the review and evaluation of other rural libraries in Asia, the Caribbean, and South America, and an analysis of their impact and sustainability.

Practical implications

The information presented in this paper offers some basic considerations in terms of the implementation of rural library services, which have great potential to bridge information gaps in rural areas. Provision of such services is becoming increasingly important as more and more of the world's population desires to become literate. At the same time, efforts to provide access to information must integrate cultural practices, local languages and traditions, and operate from a place of respect and understanding by involving those who will be served in outreach efforts.

Originality/value

The paper builds on previous studies of rural village libraries in Uganda, and provides more support for the village/community library concept as being a potentially powerful solution for provision of reading materials in rural areas. Literacy continues to be a major factor in terms of economic and personal development in underdeveloped nations, and all libraries, but perhaps these small village libraries even more so, have the potential to play an important role in the eradication of illiteracy, development of a reading culture, and provision of services for the “newly literate”.
Patrons with developmental disabilities: a needs assessment survey
Authors: Holmes Jennifer L.
Published: November 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine the library usage, attitudes, and needs of an underserved population – persons with developmental disabilities – and to offer insights to librarians as to how to serve this population better.

Design/methodology/approach

After examining demographic information and national and state statistics, two surveys were conducted with adults with developmental disabilities as the sample population. These surveys included a variety of questions involving library usage and information needs.

Findings

Adults with developmental disabilities do go to public libraries and are entitled to the same quality services provided to all patrons. The surveys show that the primary materials sought by persons with developmental disabilities are books; 78 percent of the clients surveyed go for books compared with 55 percent of the general public. Thirty‐five percent of the clients did not know that libraries offer music and movies to check out, and 96 percent said they did not use the computers.

Research limitations/implications

These surveys were by nature limited by geographical scope and the intellectual capabilities of those surveyed. Similar surveys in other regions could expand the possibilities of future research.

Practical implications

Information gathered from this survey can aid librarians in assisting patrons with developmental disabilities. Suggestions for possible actions are given. These results can also help open a dialogue between librarians and professionals in social services who may not see the library as the valuable resource it is.

Originality/value

According to a literature review included in this article, there has been little research on serving this population. These surveys are the first of their scope, and can lead to better service through better understanding.
Strategic planning for municipal libraries in Greece
Authors: Kostagiolas Petros A. , Korkidi Maria
Published: November 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore issues related to the development of long‐term planning for the municipal/public libraries in Greece. In Greece, municipal libraries constitute the largest category of public libraries. Although over the last decade efforts have been made to enhance their services, municipal/public libraries appear to be still in search of a purpose and are at a crossroad.

Design/methodology/approach

An empirical qualitative research study was conducted in order to examine the efforts made so far to develop long‐term plans and to study the attitudes and views of Greek municipal libraries' heads concerning the development of long term plans. The empirical research was carried out early in the second half of 2007, utilizing a specifically developed questionnaire distributed to 194 municipal library representatives, 100 of which agreed to participate in the study.

Findings

A number of current issues facing Greek municipal libraries are studied along with an overview of the strategic plans already developed. The perceptions of 100 municipal library directors in regard to developing strategic plans are recorded and the results overall suggest the need for formal long‐term planning in the municipal/public libraries in Greece.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the discussion on the development of long‐term planning aimed at municipal libraries in Greece. It is one of the very few studies providing empirical evidence based on the views of municipal/public library directors in Greece.
LILAC 2008 in Liverpool, European Capital of Culture
Authors: Glass Bob
Published: November 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a flavour of the content of the LILAC conference held in Liverpool, UK in March 2008.

Design/methodology/approach

An outline of the issues, content, keynote speakers and delegates is provided.

Findings

This conference covered the themes of supporting researchers, diversity and social justice, practical approaches to information literacy, the Net generation, ethical information, staff development and information literacy and marketing information literacy.

Originality/value

A conference report of value to library and information professionals regarding various information literacy themes, with a link to web site information.
A new approach to controlling the viscosity of a coating with a blend of particles with significantly different shapes
Authors: Sudduth Richard D.
Published: November 2008

Purpose

This study aims to introduce a new theoretical approach to blend spherical and non‐spherical particles in a coating to improve its viscosity characteristics.

Design/methodology/approach

Theoretical analysis has been used to modify an existing model developed by this author to apply to a broad range of particle configurations.

Findings

Non‐spherical particles like fibres or discs in a suspension or coating have been found to have three different viscosity response regions. Consequently, the viscosity of suspensions or coatings with these types of particles appears to have two apparent maximums as a function of concentration. Improved viscosity control of coatings have been found to be directly achievable by blending particles with different shapes based on the concentration relative to this first maximum. This optimisation process has been found to be better understood using a new variable which has been described as the “sphericity”, s. The “sphericity”, s, as described in this study has been defined as the relative ratio of the surface to volume fraction for a non‐spherical particle to that of a sphere of equivalent volume.

Research limitations/implications

Experimental data involving monodisperse particles of different configurations is often extremely difficult to obtain. However, the theoretical general concepts can still be applicable.

Practical implications

The model presented in this paper provides practical guidelines to blending pigments with different particle shapes to control the viscosity of coatings and suspensions.

Originality/value

The model presented in this paper provides the first apparent guidelines to control the blending of pigments in coatings and composites with different particle shapes using the “sphericity” of the pigment particle.
Synthesis of a new series of polyfunctionally substituted thiazole azo dye systems for dyeing of synthetic fibres
Authors: Helal M.H. , Elgemeie G.H. , Masoud D.M.
Published: November 2008

Purpose

This paper's aim is to evaluate the dyeing performance of newly designed azo dye system based on thiazole substituted for improved dyeing when applied to synthetic fibres.

Design/methodology/approach

For improved dyeing qualities, various azo dye systems were synthesised based on polyfunctionally substituted thiazole as the coupling component. The heterocyclic moiety was coupled with diazotised aromatic amines to afford the respective azo or hydrazono systems. The structure of the novel systems was elucidated based on elemental analysis and spectral data. Dyeing performance, electronic spectra and optical properties were characterised based on UV and K/S measurements. Fastness properties were evaluated.

Findings

The novel systems were designed so that the functionalities located on the heterocyclic ring afforded structure modification that led not only to good dispersion but also to improved adherence on the fibre. The location of the sites led to constructing a resonating system with higher electron mobility and higher absorption maxima.

Research limitations/implications

The azo dyes, used in the present context were synthesised via a step‐wise pathway leading to new dyes. In addition, the variations in substituents and location of sites on the heterocyclic core could also be studied.

Practical implications

The novel azo dye systems based on polyfunctionally substituted thiazole provided a simple practical access to a series of azo dyes with improved dyeing properties. The availability of starting materials, the simplicity and efficiency to production in good yields and high purity lead to valuable achievements for commercial production.

Originality/value

The designed azo dye systems could find numerous applications as disperse dyes in the fields of dyeing, printing and surface coating. Moreover, the systems can find applications as reactive dyes for wool, silk and cellulosic fibres.
On‐shelf availability: the case of a UK grocery retailer
Authors: Fernie John , Grant David B.
Published: November 2008

Purpose

On‐shelf availability (OSA) has been a major cause of concern to UK grocery retailers over the last five years and the topic has been the focus of commissioned research reports by various trade associations. The purpose of this paper is to present a case study of how one major grocery retailer tackled the OSA issue that had been exacerbated by management focus on new technology and distribution facilities.

Design/methodology/approach

The purpose of the research was to determine if any relationship existed between OSA and store picking for home shoppers, OSA and promotions and OSA and store size. This paper discusses the academic and practitioner literature on OSA and out‐of‐stocks (OOS) and then presents a single company, in‐depth case study of one multiple grocery retailer. Primary research was undertaken with senior managers of the company but also at regional distribution centre (RDC) and store level to chart how new logistics strategies were implemented at an operational level in Scottish stores.

Findings

It was noted that the advent of home shopping has aggravated the “last 50 yards” and a company can experience acute OSA difficulties. Network changes involving a mixture of old and new systems create short‐term pressures and profitability shortfalls. The new high‐tech networks push products out to stores but overstocks occur in backrooms of stores and do not reach the shelves. Demand and supply may not synchronised.

Research limitations/implications

Although there is primary empirical research related to the case study the major output is a framework presented for future investigation, thus there is no expansive empirical study in this paper.

Practical implications

With the exception of smaller stores where OSA remains a problem, the company has succeeded in improving OSA levels in the other areas.

Originality/value

This paper adds to our knowledge of OSA and OOS by investigating the flow of goods from the RDC to the store shelf and presenting various critical points in the process flow that have received scant attention from academics and practitioners.
Reverse logistics strategies for end‐of‐life products
Authors: Hanafi Jessica , Kara Sami , Kaebernick Hartmut
Published: November 2008

Purpose

End‐of‐life (EOL) products have become a major environmental issue among countries and manufacturers. This is due to the growing number of EOL products and their hazardous contents. Many collection strategies and pilot projects have been conducted to manage EOL products, especially Waste Electrical and Electronics equipments (WEEEs). However, as characteristics of a population are different to one another, a customized collection strategy is required. The purpose of this paper is to find an effective collection strategy which considers cost and environmental impact simultaneously.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents an integrated collection strategy which combines a Fuzzy Colored Petri Net forecasting method and collection network model to collect EOL products. Colored Petri Net is used in modeling the integrated collection strategy. To test the collection strategy, a case study on mobile phone collection in Australia is presented.

Findings

The integrated collection strategy developed in this paper finds that by providing demographic data and historical sales of a relevant product in a certain location, the best strategy to collect EOL products in that location can be determined. This paper finds that the best strategy that suits one location might be different to other locations.

Originality/value

This paper presents a model which provides a customized collection strategy that follows the characteristics of a population. This strategy allows government organizations or manufacturers to simulate the strategies to collect EOL products in different locations.