bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mcg light chain dimer as a model system for ligand design: a docking study
Authors: Yuriev Elizabeth , Ramsland Paul A.
Published: November 2002

Mcg light chain dimer has been extensively studied by crystallography and peptide binding studies to investigate its peptide cross‐reactivity as well as to use it as a model system for designing space filling peptide ligands. Here we extend these investigations by utilizing automated docking. Mcg light chain dimer is an ideal model system for such study due to the availability of experimental data for both the native structure and the 14 complexes with various peptide ligands. We show the ability of the docking approach to reproduce the experimental structures and discuss the limitations associated with such outcomes. We demonstrate the usefulness of the docking approach in generating structural information otherwise not available from the experiment. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dealing with intractable protein cores: protein sequencing of the Mcg IgG and the Yvo IgM heavy chain variable domains
Authors: Shaw Denis C. , Shultz Brandon B. , Ramsland Paul A. , Edmundson Allen B.
Published: November 2002

The VH domains of two human monoclonal antibodies, designated Mcg IgG1(λ) and Yvo IgM(κ), were particularly intractable to standard protein sequencing protocols. Peptides liberated from the VH domains of these proteins, using standard enzymatic or chemical cleavages, invariably precipitated during the procedures. Boiling in SDS containing buffers dissolved precipitates and the peptides were separated using SDS–PAGE. Fully overlapped VH sequences were obtained with a series of ‘in‐gel’ cleavages, followed by passive/differential transfers of peptides onto PVDF membranes. Both the in‐gel cleavages and passive transfers could be applied to ‘wet’ or ‘dry’ gels so that gels could be archived and used at a later date to obtain additional sequence information from a fragment of interest. Repetitive yields of even the most insoluble peptides were such that the sequences of various peptides from relatively complex mixtures of peptides could be assigned with confidence. Despite the overall success of the sequencing, we occasionally referred to electron density maps, calculated for crystals of the Fab of Yvo IgM, to resolve particular sequences and confirm ambiguous amino acid assignments. Methods we describe in this report should be generally useful for obtaining sequences of proteins with intractable cores and may find many applications in the ‘post genomic era’. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fiber‐ring laser‐based fiber grating sensor system using self‐healing ring architecture
Authors: Peng Peng‐Chun , Tseng Hong‐Yih , Chi Sien
Published: November 2002

This paper presents a self‐healing fiber grating sensor system and demonstrates its effectiveness. The self‐healing function is constructed by using a primary ring architecture incorporated with several ring sub‐networks. To enhance the sensing signal when a breakpoint suddenly occurs in the network, we employ a fiber‐ring laser‐based sensor system. The network survivability of an 11‐point FBG sensor is experimentally examined. The proposed fiber grating sensor system can increase the reliability of a sensing network. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 35: 441–444, 2002; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.10633
Theoretical studies on the structures and electronic spectra of C75B−
Authors: Teng Qiwen , Wu Shi , Zhu Zheying
Published: November 2002

Intermediate neglect of differential overlap (INDO) calculations were used to study the structure of C75B−—the isoelectronic molecule of C76. It was found that the boron atom mainly substitutes the second carbon atom (there are 19 types of carbon atoms in C76). The electronic spectra of all the possible isomers of C75B− were calculated based on the optimized geometries. It was shown that the UV‐Vis spectra of C75B− and C76 resemble each other in many ways with the exception of the absorptions beyond 700 nm. The red shift of the absorptions was rationalized and nature of transition of the peaks discussed. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2003
Rationality as Social Justice and the Spatial-Distributional Analysis of Risk
Authors: Lejano Raul P , Piazza Bill , Houston Douglas
Published: November 2002

Policy analysis is driven by a dominant normative stance that conflates the notion of social welfare with some notion of collective good or, even more restrictively, strictly utilitarian notions of aggregate benefit. In this paper, we suggest how this perspective leads to a strongly aggregative analysis that masks concerns of actors in their unique contexts. We examine the policies of the South Coast Air Quality Management District in Los Angeles, California, USA and argue that they have strongly furthered the status quo at the expense of communities. We illustrate alternative models for analysis in the hope that this type of dialectic might lead to a more inclusive model of rationality. We also hope to take the conversation deeper into notions of justice and not farther away from them, as some attempts to broaden the discussion by appealing to notions of democratization, civic governance, or modernization naively do.
Size and Direct Democracy at the Local Level: The Case of Switzerland
Authors: Ladner Andreas
Published: November 2002

After a brief look the most important characteristics of Swiss municipalities, this paper describes the municipalities' organization according to the principles of direct democracy and means of decisionmaking. Drawing on empirical findings, it then examines size effects more closely. Whether legislative decisions are taken in a direct democratic assembly or in a representative parliament largely depends on the size of a municipality: smaller municipalities have an assembly, larger ones a parliament. By contrast, direct democratic instruments such as initiatives and referendums are not necessarily more widespread in larger municipalities. The use of initiatives and referendums is higher in larger municipalities, but assembly attendance and election turnout clearly decreases with increasing municipal size. The strength of the size effect varies considerably depending on the different variables of direct democracy under scrutiny.
Local Autonomy versus Central Control during Transition: Explaining Local Policy Outputs in Post-Soviet Ukraine
Authors: Brown Trevor L
Published: November 2002

Many post-Soviet central governments have assigned numerous policy responsibilities to local governments, but have simultaneously constrained local autonomy in an effort to ensure that local governments pursue central objectives. In this paper, I examine the interplay between local autonomy and central control in one post-Soviet central government—Ukraine—by examining the case of small-enterprise privatization. Shortly after Ukraine's independence, the central government transferred ownership of state-run small enterprises to local governments, but required that local governments meet annual privatization targets set by a central agency. Some local governments have met the annual targets, while others have lagged behind. The results of an empirical analysis of local privatization levels indicate that central control mechanisms currently have limited influence over local decisionmaking. The results demonstrate that, instead, local elections have increased the influence of local groups whose interests do not always coincide with those of the central government. In response, the central government has instituted several changes to the intergovernmental finance system that are likely to increase central government authority and continue to move Ukraine towards a system in which local governments carry a heavy service-delivery load with limited autonomy.
Initial environmental project characterizations of four US universities
Authors: Starik Mark , Schaeffer Timothy N. , Berman Polly , Hazelwood Amanda
Published: November 2002

Universities and colleges, as societal educational institutions, have relatively recently attempted to begin to upgrade their multiple relationships with their natural environments, as have other institutions. However, “greening” initiatives of higher education institutions appear to have received far less attention in various bodies of academic literature than have the environmental policies and practices of these other institutions. This article highlights four US universities’ “campus ecology” projects, initially characterizing major elements of each, using a common organizational effectiveness model which has been widely employed in organization‐related academic fields.
Quantitative sustainability in a college or university setting
Authors: Graedel T.E.
Published: November 2002

Colleges and universities that adopt the attractive but abstract goal of sustainability are intellectually honest only if they go on to devise operational approaches to meet that goal. Improved environmental performance is laudable, but may or may not be equivalent to sustainability. This paper proposes and discusses five areas in which college and university performance can be definitely linked with sustainability: energy use, water use, use of land, purchase of products and treatment of them at the end of their useful lives, and emissions to air, water, and land. For each, a quantitative target can be defined and defended. Colleges and universities that meet these targets can legitimately call themselves “sustainable”.
The UK benchmark statement for earth sciences, environmental sciences and environmental studies
Authors: Eastwood David , Blumhof Jennifer
Published: November 2002

This article is written by the chairman and a panel member of the UK Benchmarking Group in Earth Science, Environmental Science and Environmental Studies. In it we have discussed the broad “purpose” of benchmarking and the timescale and remit afforded to the group. As far as the benchmark statement itself is concerned, we have reviewed the statement section by section concentrating especially both on the rationale underpinning each section and the way in which the statement may be used for the purpose of academic review. Finally, we have looked briefly at the process of academic review itself, in so far as it is understood at the moment. Although we are confident that the Benchmarking Group as a whole would agree with the vast majority of this article, nonetheless it must be seen as representing only our own views.
Emergent strategies and etnrepreneurial managers in public and mixed‐mode enterprises: the evolution of community/business resource centres in south‐east England
Authors: Broadhurst Arlene , Paterson Andrew , Ledgerwood Grant
Published: November 2002

Utilising qualitative research methodology, this pilot study of telecottages/business resource centres in South‐east England interviewed 13 centre managers to identify problems, needs, models and ideas that could be related to enterprise televillage development. The research also aimed to improve the quality of management guidance and the long‐term future for these centres. Questions were posed to identify the extent to which centre managers perceived their business strategies to be entrepreneurial and innovative, as they attempted to decrease dependence on public funding by generating additional business income. Emergent strategies, networking, telecommunications and building partnerships with both private and public organisations allowed some centres to expand and to move from total reliance on public funding to a mix of private and public sources of income. Although initial public funding is seen as an important factor in reducing the early vulnerability of business resource centres, the ability of opportunity‐seeking managers to develop an innovative range of services, including a mix of those offered free and those that required fees, was an important factor in survival. Two detailed case studies (private and mixed) are presented as generic prototypes.
Mapping the strategic landscape for small businesses through sectoral and cross‐sectoral benchmarking
Authors: McNamee Patrick , O’Reilly Dolores , McFerran Brendan
Published: November 2002

Often businesses fail, or fail to reach their true potential, for strategic rather than operational reasons. This type of failure may be caused because the key decision makers in such firms are not well informed about the strategic landscape in which their firm operates. A military analogy is used to show that successful military campaigns are often predicated upon having accurate maps. Similarly, competitive strategies followed by firms are likely to be more successful if key decision makers possess accurate strategic maps which display the location of their own and rival firms. In other words, those firms which have detailed knowledge of their strategic landscapes are likely to enjoy significant competitive advantage, while firms which are in ignorance of their strategic landscape are less likely to be able to navigate a route that will confer sustained competitive advantage. A firm’s strategic landscape is analysed in terms of: the firm’s true competitive position, the industry conditions under which the firm and its competitors operate and the core strategies that firms in the industry are following. This paper analyses an approach to strategic mapping developed by a major new independent strategic database called CAM (Competitive Analysis Model). This database has been built to aid small firms improve their results through generating accurate strategic maps. These maps enable client firms to assess their strategic locations and performances longitudinally, sectorally and cross‐sectionally. Finally, CAM clients appear to have outperformed similarly structured non‐CAM firms.
Small and medium young enterprises’ strengths and weaknesses: empirical study of a sample of industrial firms
Authors: Castellanos Rosa
Published: November 2002

The main objective of this paper is to check whether the youngest small and medium‐size enterprises (SMEs) have potential in comparison with those that we could consider established and at the same time to show the main weaknesses that they could face at the beginning of the 21st century. We have used a 67‐industrial SMEs sample located in the Castilla‐La Mancha Autonomous Community. The information acquired about those firms refers to the years 1994, 1995 and 1996. We have divided this sample into two groups: one formed by newly created firms and another by those companies that have been able to survive their first years of life and develop an activity that we could consider to be established. In order to make the division, we considered new enterprises as those established within the previous five years (created between 1991 and 1994) and established enterprises as those created five or more years previously (created before 1991). The first group consists of 19 enterprises and the second 48 enterprises. A study of those variables that better reflect the potential of the business was carried out. The level of risk, the growth and the profitability, characteristics that we consider very important in order to determine the future viability of any activity were analysed. An early version of this paper was presented at the 22nd Institute for Small Business Affairs Policy and Research Conference held in Leeds, UK, in November 1999.
Differing views and use of integrated marketing communications – findings from a survey of New Zealand small businesses
Authors: Shyan Fam Kim
Published: November 2002

The purpose of this study is to examine how small businesses (ie owner‐managers) view integrated marketing communications (IMC), its associated advantages and barriers to adopting this new marketing paradigm. This is undertaken by exploring clothing and shoe retailers’ perceptions of several specific combinations of promotion tools. The study will concentrate on respondents’ awareness of the IMC concept, regardless of whether they utilise the concept or not. Pleasingly, these small New Zealand businesses are equally as aware as large corporations of the benefits of adopting an IMC approach. This is despite a plethora of claims that small businesses do not have the manpower and specialist skill to integrate their marketing communications. The paper concludes by discussing the various advantages of and barriers to adopting an IMC approach and the implications for small businesses.
Exploring growth in vertical inter‐firm relationships: small‐medium firms supplying multiple food retailers
Authors: Blundel Richard K. , Hingley Martin
Published: November 2002

This paper presents new insights into the growth of small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) engaged in vertical inter‐firm relationships. It adopts a processual and resource‐based perspective and focuses on the experiences of fresh produce businesses which have achieved high rates of growth while supplying the UK’s large multiple food retailers. The context in which these suppliers operate is shown to be a complex and dynamic supply chain, characterised by increasing structural concentration and close vertical linkages. The primary research investigates how certain SMEs have prospered in an apparently “hostile” environment. It includes a programme of matched‐depth interviews, conducted across the retailer‐supplier dyad. Content analysis of transcripts reveals six factors which appear to be strongly associated with the formation of “successful” relationships. In subsequent interactions, securing “developmental” supplier status appears to open the way to a self‐reinforcing cycle of Penrosian learning and reinvestment. This cycle contributes to growth in the supplier firm. The authors argue that, with certain crucial caveats, growth‐oriented SMEs can develop mutually beneficial relationships with much larger “customer” firms. The paper concludes by drawing out wider policy implications and indicating how this contextualised approach might be used in other contexts.
Marketing in supported employment enterprises – Part II: The national survey results
Authors: Simpson Mike , Padmore Joanne , Taylor Nick
Published: November 2002

Supported Employment Enterprises (SEEs) are a unique sector of small and medium‐sized enterprises that provide meaningful, gainful employment, training and development opportunities for people with a disability. SEEs are run specifically to provide employment but are also commercial enterprises trading with other businesses. Many of these SEEs are not profitable and work under severe financial and operational constraints despite help from local authorities and the Supported Employment Procurement and Consultancy Service (SEPACS). This paper examines the effectiveness of the marketing strategies, plans and tactics of SEEs. The methodology used a national survey questionnaire sent to 96 SEEs listed in a directory of products and services produced by the Employment Service. The response rate was 45 per cent. The results showed that there is a general weakness of marketing strategies and plans in these organisations and highlighted the dysfunctional impact of local authority policies and practices. Marketing mix techniques were generally well understood by most SEEs managers.
Will progressive beer duty really help UK small breweries? a case study in profit appropriation
Authors: Pugh Geoff , Tyrrall David , Wyld John
Published: November 2002

Both the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) and the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) argue that barriers to market access in the UK brewing industry disadvantage small brewers. They have been actively campaigning for a number of years for a tax concession (progressive beer duty or PBD) to alleviate the situation of small brewers. This paper argues that the disadvantages faced by small brewers are due to a complex monopsony in the beer industry, where the power of the distribution segment of the value chain is paramount. It outlines a model of the structure of the UK beer industry, and undertakes two types of empirical analysis to test the potential impact of PBD on the small brewery sector. The paper finds that control over distribution is the key to profitability and survival in the beer industry, and that small brewers with such control are most likely to benefit from PBD. The findings, however, also have relevance to the position of any small business facing a powerful distribution segment. Finally, for the issue of policy development, the paper indicates that the potential outcomes of a policy change may not be entirely those intended.
Performance of Brazilian supermarkets: a comparative analysis between large and small store chains
Authors: Sin Oih Yu Abraham , Felisoni de Angelo Claudio
Published: November 2002

This paper compares the productivity of large and small Brazilian supermarkets from 1994 to 1998. The authors’ findings, based on the application of Data Envelopment Analysis, or DEA, support an initial hypothesis that assumes not only that the productivity of larger supermarkets is much higher, but the production gap between smaller and larger chains is increasing.
Creating a virtual reference library: experiences at Suffolk Libraries and Heritage
Authors: Davies Margaret
Published: November 2002

This paper describes the creation of the Suffolk Libraries and Heritage virtual reference library in the UK and its links with the Co‐East project. In particular this case study reviews a pilot experiment in four small rural libraries, which, for a period of three months, had their reference books removed to test whether they could indeed become virtually resourced. In place of the printed reference sources users were able to access subscription services from Ebsco and KnowUK as well as the Web.
Experiences in developing and maintaining the Virtual Reference Library at Toronto Public Library
Authors: Scardellato Kathleen
Published: November 2002

The Virtual Reference Library (VRL) is a web‐based reference and research library produced by the Toronto Public Library, in the province of Ontario, Canada and is primarily aimed at people living in the province. The VRL has been created with funding support from the Ontario and Canadian governments, and partners and sponsors in the private sector. Production began in April 1998 and the first phase went live in May 1999. The focus of this paper is a description of the development and maintenance of the VRL.
Librarians in the digital age: planning digitisation projects
Authors: Tanner Simon
Published: November 2002

The digitisation of valued information resources opens up new avenues of access, use, and research and is an important aspect in the development of digital libraries. Increasingly, librarians are having to manage technical projects to achieve their goals of delivering valuable information to their ever‐increasing user base. This is a significant challenge and librarians need the practical skills and the vision to implement such projects in a controlled and manageable fashion. This article describes the key issues in project planning for managing a digitisation project covering the key areas of identifying the vision and the risk management in such technology‐based projects. This article also considers the implementation issues and costs associated with digitisation projects. Finally, there is a consideration of the range of skills needed and how these may be developed for managing and running digitisation projects.
Trends in using CD‐ROM is academic libraries of three South Asian countries ‐ Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka
Authors: Majid Shaheen
Published: November 2002

High hopes were attached to CD‐ROM technology at its inception in bridging the gap between ‘information rich’ and ‘information poor’ countries. However, this is technology is entering the libraries of developing countries at a much slower pace than expected. This paper explores the use of CD‐ROM in academic libraries of three South Asian countries, namely Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. A questionnaire was used for data collection and 39 academic libraries participated in the study. It was found that only one‐half of the libraries were using CD‐ROM technology and 65% of these were facing financial difficulties in sustaining it. TWO‐thirds of the libraries have only up to two CD‐ROM workstations and, on average, libraries have just over four CD‐ROM titles. Most of the library staff was self trained and only libraries were undertaking promotional and user education activities. This paper suggests that donor agencies and leading publishers should pool their resources to develop full‐text CD‐ROM products to help sustain the flow of digital information to these countries.
The future of academic libraries
Authors: Akeroyd John
Published: November 2002

A review of the future of academic libraries that draws initially on a generic model to describe the components of all library systems. Touches upon some economic changes and looks for evidence in statistical trends derived from United Kingdom reportage. From this extrapolates scenarios relating to the function of libraries as a collection of resources, as a physical place, its role in organising information and its service function. Library collections will continue to exist but described in different ways, whilst physical collections will mutate into multi‐functional spaces. Knowledge management will become increasingly important and the overriding shift will be towards a service and support role. The librarian‘s role is also discussed and changes summarised.
The convergence of convergence
Authors: Withey Richard
Published: November 2002

Examines, the relative merits of digital information platforms. Included are online systems, CD‐ROM, the Web and mobile distribution platforms. Proposed a methodology to assist in the determination of the relative merits of the platforms. Reach and Complexity are the two key characteristics used to ‘type’ the various platforms. Power Ratios are calculated for each platform. Considers the digital information platform of the future.
Information and social quality
Authors: Berman Yitzhak , Phillips David
Published: November 2002

This paper introduces the concept of ‘social quality’ as a measure of quality‐of‐life and it sets out a framework for identifying social indicators of the relationship between information and social quality. Social quality has four elements: socio ‐ economic security, social inclusion, social cohesion and empowerment. Illustrative indicators are identified at both national (Demos) and community (Ethnos) level for four different aspects of each social quality element: input, process, outcome and impact. Then the distribution of information and social quality between Demos and Ethnos levels is investigated. It is concluded that usable indicators of all aspects of each element of social quality can be identified and that analysis of informational social quality at Demos and Ethnos level can add to knowledge about information provision and policy, particularly with reference to minority and marginal communities.
End‐users in academia: meeting the information needs of university researchers in an electronic age
Authors: Herman Eti
Published: November 2002

This paper is the first part of a two‐part paper, which examines the transition to the electronic information era in academia. Seeks to establish from the published literature to what extent university researchers have accepted, and adapted to, the changes wrought in information activity by seemingly endless technological developments. Within the wider context of the impact of the changing information environment on each of the three clearly discernible components of academic research (the creation of knowledge and standards, the preservation of information, and the communication of knowledge and information to others), disciplinary‐rooted differences in the conduct of research and their influence on information needs are identified, and the resulting inter‐ and intra‐ individual variations in researchers’ information seeking behaviour are explored. Reviewing a large number of studies investigating the integration of electronic media into academic work, an attempt is made to paint the picture of academics’ progressively harnessing the new technologies to scholarly information gathering endeavours, with the expressed hope of affording some insight into the directions and basic trends characterizing the information activity of university faculty in an increasingly electronic environment. *The author is a PhD student at City University and is also Vice‐Director of the Library at the University of Haifa, Israel.
Custom interfaces for advanced queries in search engines
Authors: Thelwall Mike , Binns Ray , Harries Gareth , Page‐Kennedy Teresa , Price Liz , Wilkinson David
Published: November 2002

Those seeking information from the Internet often start from a search engine, using either its organised directory structure or its text query facility. In response to the difficulty in identifying the most relevant pages for some information needs, many search engines offer Boolean text matching and some, including Google, AltaVista and HotBot, offer the facility to integrate additional information into a more advanced request. Amongst web users, however, it is known that the employment of complex enquiries is far from universal, with very short queries being the norm. It is demonstrated that the gap between the provision of advanced search facilities and their use can be bridged, for specific information needs, by the construction of a simple interface in the form of a website that automatically formulates the necessary requests. It is argued that this kind of resource, perhaps employing additional knowledge domain specific information, is one that could be useful for websites or portals of common interest groups. The approach is illustrated by a website that enables a user to search the individual websites of university level institutions in European Union associated countries.
Electronic communities in an information society: paradise, mirage, or malaise?
Authors: Komito Lee
Published: November 2002

Communities and neighbourhoods are often perceived to be under threat in the information society, as technological developments accelerate economic and social change. Technological developments may also provide a solution: ‘virtual communities’. There has been much debate about whether virtual communities can exist, but in the midst of such debates there has been little recognition that ‘community’ is a complex phenomenon. Many varieties of community exist, which can be categorised as moral, normative or proximate. Evidence suggests that some varieties of community can be constituted via electronic communication, but it is probably not possible to replicate those features of community that many people find lacking in modern life. Such a lack, and the desire for virtual communities as a response to that lack, are symptomatic of individuals‘ disengagement from social and political participation. If the process continues, this suggests an information society constituted by segmented diversity with isolated pockets of sociability.
Document text characteristics affect the ranking of the most relevant documents by expanded structured queries
Authors: Sormunen Eero , Kekÿlÿinen Jaana , Koivisto Jussi , Jÿrvelin Kalervo
Published: November 2002

The increasing flood of documentary information through the Internet and other information sources challenges the developers of information retrieval systems. It is not enough that an IR system is able to make a distinction between relevant and non‐relevant documents. The reduction of information overload requires that IR systems provide the capability of screening the most valuable documents out of the mass of potentially or marginally relevant documents. This paper introduces a new concept‐based method to analyse the text characteristics of documents at varying relevance levels. The results of the document analysis were applied in an experiment on query expansion (QE) in a probabilistic IR system. Statistical differences in textual characteristics of highly relevant and less relevant documents were investigated by applying a facet analysis technique. In highly relevant documents a larger number of aspects of the request were discussed, searchable expressions for the aspects were distributed over a larger set of text paragraphs, and a larger set of unique expressions were used per aspect than in marginally relevant documents. A query expansion experiment verified that the findings of the text analysis can be exploited in formulating more effective queries for best match retrieval in the search for highly relevant documents. The results revealed that expanded queries with concept‐based structures performed better than unexpanded queries or Ñnatural languageÒ queries. Further, it was shown that highly relevant documents benefit essentially more from the concept‐based QE in ranking than marginally relevant documents.
The choice of initial web search strategies: a comparison between Finnish and American searchers
Authors: Iivonen Mirja , Domas White Marilyn
Published: November 2002

This paper uses a mix of qualitative and quantitative methodology to analyse differences between Finnish and American web searchers (n=27 per country) in their choice of initial search strategies (direct address, subject directory and search engines) and their reasoning underlying these choices, with data gathered via a questionnaire. The paper looks at these differences for four types of questions with two variables: closed/open and predictable/unpredictable source of answer (n=16 questions per searcher; total n=864 questions). The paper found significant differences between the two groups’ initial search strategies and for three of the four types of questions. The reasoning varied across countries and questions as well, with Finns mentioning fewer reasons although both groups mentioned in aggregate a total of 1,284 reasons in twenty‐four reason categories. The reasoning indicated that both country groups considered not only question‐related reasons but also source‐ and search‐strategy related reasons in making their decision. The research raises questions about considering cultural differences in designing web search access mechanisms.
Dretske’s semantic information theory and meta‐theories in library and information science
Authors: Bonnevie Ellen
Published: November 2002

This article presents the semantic information theory, formulated by the philosopher Fred I. Dretske, as a contribution to the discussion of metatheories and their practical implications in the field of library and information science. Dretske’s theory is described in Knowledge and the flow of information. It is founded on mathematical communication theory but developed and elaborated into a cognitive, functionalistic theory, is individually oriented, and deals with the content of information. The topics are: the information process from perception to cognition, and how concept formation
takes place in terms of digitisation. Other important issues are the concepts of information and knowledge, truth and meaning. Semantic information theory can be used as a frame of reference in order to explain, clarify and refute concepts currently used in library and information science, and as the basis for critical reviews of elements of the cognitive viewpoint in IR, primarily the notion of “potential information”. The main contribution of the theory lies in a clarification of concepts, but there are still problems regarding the practical applications. More research is needed to combine philosophical discussions with the practice of information and library science.
Legal deposit and preservation of digital publications: a review of research and development activity
Authors: Muir Adrienne
Published: November 2002

The aim of legal deposit is to ensure the preservation of and access to a nation’s intellectual and cultural heritage over time. There is a global trend towards extending legal deposit to cover digital publications in order to maintain comprehensive national archives. However, including digital publications in legal deposit regulations is not enough to ensure the long‐term preservation of these publications. Indeed, there are many practical difficulties associated with the entire deposit process. Conceptsm, principles and practices that are accepted and understood in the print environment, such as publication, publisher, place of publication and edition, may have new meanings or no longer be appropriate in a networked environment. Mechanisms for identifying, selecting and depositing digital material either do not exist or are inappropriate for some kinds of digital publication. There is a great deal of work on developing digital preservation strategies; this is at an early stage. National and other deposit libraries are at the forefront of research and development in this area, often in partnership with other libraries, publishers and technology vendors. Most of this activity is of a technical nature. There is some work on developing policies and strategies for managing digital resources. However, not all management issues or users’ needs are being addressed.
Mapping national research profiles in social science disciplines
Authors: Ingwersen P. , Larsen B. , Noyons E.
Published: November 2002

The paper investigates the advantages of graphical mapping of national research publication and citation profiles from scientific fields in order to provide additional information with respect to research performance. By means of multi‐dimensional scaling techniques national social science profiles from seventeen OECD countries and two periods, 1989‐1993 and 1994‐1998, are mapped, each profile represented by a vector of either publication volumes or citation values for nine social science fields. Aside from demonstrating the developments of publication volumes and citedness ranges as well as patterns, the graphical maps display clusters and similarities of national profiles over time. Combined with international rankings of averaged national impact factors (NIF) relative to the average world impact of field (WIF) for the same number of fields and periods, the graphical display supplies additional otherwise concealed information of the differences in research patterns between countries – even when the NIFs are quite similar. The analyses show that low Pearson correlation coefficients can be applied to flag extraordinary instances of either high or low national citation impacts during a period. Most importantly, the graphical maps make a strong case for adjusting or tuning the baseline impact to the actual national publication profiles when comparing NIFs of different countries. A new indicator, the Tuned Citation Impact Index (TCII) is proposed. It is constructed from the amount of expected citations a country ought to have received in each research field aggregated over its true profile. Common baseline profiles, like those of the world or EU, are consequently not regarded as the ideal benchmark. In the case illustrated by the journal publications of the social sciences the paper verifies the hypothesis that a dominant central cluster exists consisting of the large Anglo‐American countries: USA, Canada and the UK. A further hypothesis, that the smaller northern EU countries with English as the second language are located together and close to the central cluster on the publication maps is only partly satisfied in the second period. A third hypothesis, that countries located near the central cluster on the citation maps may hold high(er) NIFs is falsified.
Comparing performance of service points in public libraries
Authors: Creaser Clair
Published: November 2002

The paper examines the use that can be made of the statistics available to a very large English public library service. It describes a methodology that will identify benchmarks and which could be used to extend examples of best practice available to the authority itself. Extensions of this methodology could be applied to other public library services.
Measuring the performance of ILL and document supply: 1986 to 1998
Authors: Stein Joan
Published: November 2002

No thorough review of the literature of performance evaluation of interlibrary loan and document supply operations has been published in over a decade. This article surveys that literature in the years 1987 through 1997 from published research in all English‐speaking countries. There is general agreement that fill rate, turnaround time, cost and user satisfaction are the four primary criteria for evaluating ILL and document supply. Although there has been increased emphasis on quantifying the performance of ILL and document supply in recent years, this research has been hindered by the lack of standardisation of measurement devices and definitions of terms. Following a discussion of theoretical considerations, recent studies in each of the four main criteria will be examined in separate sections. A supplement to this article, covering the years 1998 through 2000, is in preparation and will be published in the near future.
Measuring database service use patterns as a tool for evaluating the academic networked environment: the case of the Carlos III University Library
Authors: Suarez‐Balseiro Carlos A. , Sanz‐Casado Elias
Published: November 2002

The processes involved in accessing information are essential to the continuous acquisition of knowledge in university environments. Hence the vital importance of studies on the use of the information resources available in academic institutions to enable them to reach their objectives, thereby contributing to the ongoing enhancement of the quality of higher education. A number of statistical techniques, including mapping techniques with multivariate analyses, are used in this paper to identify and highlight the features that characterise the use of the Carlos III University of Madrid Library’s Database Access Services on the campus network from 1997 to 2000. Trends in the use of databases are evaluated and the indicators that typify tendencies and patterns by kind of user are analysed. Certain criteria on the interaction between users, new technologies and electronic information services in the academic networked environment are likewise discussed.
Preservation of Metropolitan Police Service records under the Greater London Authority
Authors: Brown Andrew
Published: November 2002

This article examines the effects of the Greater London Authority Act 1999 which makes changes to the accountability of the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) by making it responsible to an independent police authority in the same way as other police forces in England and Wales. This is likely to affect the legal status of its records as ‘public records’. A comparison is made between current MPS practices and those of other police forces, together with an examination of the use of police records at the Public Record Office. The article attempts to show that, by making the MPS responsible to an independent authority rather than the Home Secretary, it is the authority, rather than the force, which will be subject to the provisions of the Local Government Act 1972 for records purposes, and the resulting change in status may result in a more fragmentary preservation of historical material.
Data warehousing – a boat records managers should not miss
Authors: Atkinson Edward
Published: November 2002

This article describes a data warehouse by comparing definitions. It examines the difference between a database and a data warehouse, and gives definitions of datamarts and data mining. The article goes on to look at methods for implementing a data warehouse, and problems that can be encountered during implementation. It discusses whether the data in a data warehouse are records, finally deciding that they are and that the records manager should have overall responsibility for the data.
Securing funding in the local government bidding culture: are records sufficiently ‘sexy’ to succeed?
Authors: Coulson Graham , Ray Kathryn , Harrop Ken , Parker Sandra
Published: November 2002

This paper presents some of the findings from research into the effects that the emergent bidding culture has had on the development of English local government archive, library and museum services. The project was funded by Resource and undertaken by the Information Management Research Institute at the University of Northumbria at Newcastle. The research revealed that the extent of involvement by archives and record management services in competitive bidding for external funds was dependent on a number of factors including the level of existing resource bases of archive services; the geographical and cognitive locations of archives; and the focus of external funding opportunities. However, the need for archives and records management services to engage in effective bidding is not likely to disappear, and it is suggested that these organisations must adopt a dynamic approach to bidding and marketing, asserting that their needs – ‘sexy’ or otherwise – deserve appropriate funding.
ISO 15489 Records Management – its development and significance
Authors: Healy Susan
Published: November 2002

This article describes the process of producing ISO 15489 Records Management, and explores some of the professional and other issues that arose for consideration at an international level. It concludes by identifying some of the benefits of the Standard for records management in the UK.
Effects of product image at three stages of the consumer decision process for apparel products: alternative evaluation, purchase and post‐purchase
Authors: Jessie Chen‐Yu H. , Kincade Doris H.
Published: November 2002

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of product image at three stages of the consumer decision process for apparel products: alternative evaluation, purchase and post‐purchase stages. The three specific objectives of the study were to examine at the alternative evaluation stage the effect of product image on perceived quality and performance expectation, at the purchase stage the effect of product image on purchase intention and the price the consumer was willing to pay, and at the post‐purchase stage the effect of product image on consumer satisfaction and the effect of product image with product consumption performance on consumer satisfaction. The experimental design was used to determine the cause‐and‐effect relationships between the treatment variables (independent variables) and the dependent variables. Sweatshirts were used as the sample product category and 120 university students were recruited as participants. Results showed that at the alternative evaluation stage, product image significantly and positively influenced perceived quality and performance expectation. At the purchase stage, product image was not a determinant of purchase intention, but significantly and positively influenced the price participants were willing to pay for the product. At the post‐purchase stage, product image did not directly influence participants’ satisfaction, but product image with product consumption performance significantly affected satisfaction. When consumption performance was good, product image significantly and positively influenced satisfaction. When consumption performance was poor, product image significantly and negatively influenced satisfaction.
A comparison of apparel quality: outlet stores versus department stores
Authors: Fowler Deborah , Clodfelter Richard
Published: November 2002

Past research has shown that consumers believe there is a strong relationship between price and quality; they also believe there is a strong relationship between brand and quality. Therefore, when comparing similar pieces of apparel, items with a designer brand or a higher price are perceived, by most customers, to be of higher quality. The purpose of this study was to compare the pricing and quality of identical designer merchandise sold in department stores and manufacturers’ outlet stores. The researchers found no significant differences in the quality of apparel sold in the two retail formats; however, there was a significant difference in the price. The department store merchandise was 31 per cent higher in price than the outlet store merchandise.