bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sustaining corporate success: what drives the top performers?
Authors: Matzler Kurt , Bailom Franz , Anschober Markus , Richardson Susan
Published: September 2010

Purpose

In a world afflicted with hyper‐competition, dynamic and increasingly rapid market changes, and global economic crises, there still exist, however rare, exceptional companies that have found a way to weather the storm and position themselves for a bright future. This study investigates success factors of top performing companies and drivers of innovativeness and corporate success.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a research study of over 700 European companies, this article explores ways in which many top companies have surged passed their competitors and achieved sustained corporate success. A synthesis of scientific studies, practical experience, and numerous conversations with successful entrepreneurs and senior executives, the results of the project are discussed in order to direct readers' attention to those levers that can help companies create, maintain and strengthen a competitive edge.

Findings

The study identifies the pillars of success of high‐performing companies and shows how leadership, entrepreneurship culture, market orientation, core competences and leadership influence innovativeness and corporate success.

Originality/value

Based on a large‐scale empirical study success factors are identified and it is shown how they work together. Examples of successful companies and interviews with senior executives give insights into the secrets of success of top performers.
Thinking strategically about pricing decisions
Authors: Piercy Nigel F. , Cravens David W. , Lane Nikala
Published: September 2010

Purpose

Harsh economic conditions have put pricing higher on the agenda but responses to pricing challenges have frequently been tactical. The intent is to build on basic pricing principles to emphasize a strategic perspective on pricing built around opportunities to deliver superior customer value.

Design/methodology/approach

Our logic is drawn from the observation of company pricing practices and interesting moves from conventional to innovative pricing strategies.

Findings

Our observations underline the need for executives to adopt a more strategic view of price and to examine the scope for raising prices, especially in a post‐recession economic scenario.

Practical implications

Our action agenda addresses: why there is an urgent need to make pricing decisions strategically, particularly as economic recovery occurs, with important insights coming from innovative pricing models designed to deliver superior customer value; the role of price in strategic positioning – key management considerations are whether price is to play an active or passive role in marketing the product or service, and whether price is high or low compared to alternatives; the challenges of raising prices in recession and recovery conditions, where analysis underlines the importance of considering product differentiation from a customer perspective and comparing this with how strongly the customer needs the product; and the need to design a value‐based pricing strategy which integrates the conclusions reached about the strategic role of price.

Originality/value

Viewing pricing as a “quick fix” and the only route to maintaining sales or protecting market share underplays the strategic importance of pricing and its long‐term strategic implications. We propose a management action agenda for making pricing decisions strategically.
The ambidextrous organization: integrating managers, entrepreneurs and leaders
Authors: Dover Philip A. , Dierk Udo
Published: September 2010

Purpose

Argues that three basic archetypes – managers, entrepreneurs and leaders – must exist within the “ambidextrous organization” where a balance must be found between managing the present while preparing for the future. Introduces the MEL‐Index, a measurement tool that represents the managerial, entrepreneurial and leadership capabilities of both individuals and institutions.

Design/methodology/approach

The conceptual framework suggests that the interactive roles of the MEL archetypes have a profound impact on the innovation profile of the organization. To test this idea in‐depth, case studies with a sample of SME's and large companies in North America and Western Europe was conducted.

Findings

Although still at an early stage of data collection, initial findings suggest that: it is difficult for strong managers to co‐exist with visionary entrepreneurs without the facilitating role of leaders; there may be a difference in the balance of archetypes needed in private versus, publicly owned companies; the measurement tool was easy to administer and has strong face validity.

Research limitations/implications

The findings of this project are not generalizable to the greater population of businesses in Europe and North America due to the convenience nature of the sample. However, as we continue to collect data confidence will grow at the inferences drawn from our case‐based examples.

Practical implications

By using the results from an MEL project, companies can adjust their balance of capabilities through more targeted recruitment, focused executive development programs and better internal allocation of personnel.

Originality/value

Very little applied research has been undertaken to explore the combination of skills required of executives to guide the ambidextrous organization. Exploration of the MEL interface opens an exciting, applied research stream within management studies.
Pay more get more? What buyers say
Authors: Gelb Betsy D.
Published: September 2010

Purpose

This study investigated perceptions useful for pricing decisions. Buyers observing premium prices may believe that “you get what you pay for,” but do buyers seeing low prices believe that “you do not get what you do not pay for”? This research tested the idea that these two statements often prompt different perceptions.

Design/methodology/approach

Data came from a questionnaire completed by 105 working professionals in an evening MBA program at a metropolitan university. A randomly selected half received one version, asking about the statement “you get what you pay for.” The other half received an otherwise identical version asking about “you do not get what you do not pay for.” All were asked whether they believed the statement, Yes or No, and then asked to offer an example from their own experience to support that answer.

Findings

As expected, different examples were offered, depending on the statement. Examples agreeing that “you get what you pay for” disproportionately involved quality. Examples of “you do not get what you do not pay for” disproportionately involved service or “extras” – whether they were examples in support of agreeing or disagreeing. Most respondents agreed with whichever statement they saw, but more agreed with “you get what you pay for.”

Originality/value

Managers fearful that lowering a price will signal a drop in quality – exemplifying “you do not get what you do not pay for” – may be misreading the way buyers think. Those considering setting a higher price than they otherwise might, to signal better quality, have evidence here to support that view. So do those who, regardless of price level, offer occasional unexpected “extras.”
Channel innovation for the rest of us
Authors: Jackson Stuart E.
Published: September 2010

Purpose

This article discusses one approach to innovation involving changing the way a product is delivered to customers. Building on the work of Kim and Mauborgne in the book Blue Ocean Strategy, Jackson acknowledges the appeal new product concepts with limited competition in “Blue ocean” competitive environments. The challenge for most consumer goods is coming up with entirely new products that have strong customer appeal, because most consumers have a familiarity and loyalty to products they already use. One solution to this is channel innovation. This involves finding new ways to deliver products that consumers already use and love.

Design/methodology/approach

The author uses case studies of successful consumer products channel innovations in the areas of baked goods, juice drinks, pizza, salad and fresh produce.

Findings

The key lessons from the case studies are in three areas: understanding consumer frustrations with how existing products are delivered; understanding the value of the channel innovation through comparison with alternative substitute products or services; and embracing new technology that can make new delivery channels work.

Originality/value

The key message of this article is that innovating new products is good but executives need to recognize and take advantage of consumer loyalty towards products they are already familiar with. Channel innovation provides a valuable lens to develop and evaluate new products ideas that have a much higher chance of consumer acceptance than entirely new to the world innovations.
Lords of Huh?
Authors: Marren Patrick
Published: September 2010

Purpose

Review and discussion of the book Lords of Strategy by Walter Kiechel III.

Design/methodology/approach

Opinion column.

Findings

“Strategy” has not been seen as something in which businesses must engage. The “Strategy revolution” Kiechel outlines arose in the 1960s with the new breed of consulting firm, had its heyday then and in the 1970s, and declined thereafter into something like incoherence and a focus on tactical, financial, and cost‐cutting approaches.

Originality/value

Reviews an important book and extracts some lessons about business strategy.
Edited ethics: corporate governance and Kant's philosophy
Authors: McNutt Patrick A.
Published: September 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to address the debate on an ethical foundation underpinning modern corporate governance and to argue that an ethical foundation is absent in the definition of corporate governance. The paper recommends an applied Kantian philosophy.

Design/methodology/approach

The objective is achieved by introducing a Kantian morality and considering the distinction between accountability and responsibility in terms of fulfilling one's duty.

Findings

Individuals do have a sense of duty and sense of what is right and what is wrong from an ethical perspective. There is a need for a code of ethical practice (CoEP) in business to encourage individuals to apply their sense of duty at employees or management.

Research limitations/implications

The research ideas are limited to an ethical perspective that is based on a Kantian morality and the implementation of a code.

Practical implications

Some practical implications from the theory addressed in the paper include a CoEP and the introduction of a K‐profiling template at interview stage to assess the moral compass of a potential employee.

Originality/value

The paper opens the debate on the need for an ethical foundation or “moral metric” in corporate governance that goes beyond a public relations exercise.
Kantian ethics within transaction cost economics
Authors: Duran Xavier , McNutt Patrick
Published: September 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is twofold: first to add to the debate on trust and opportunism within transaction cost economics (TCE) and second to describe a partial solution, a code of ethical practice (CoEP) originating in Kant's moral philosophy.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology has centred on ethical values of right and wrong within an organisation in terms of fulfilling one's duty.

Findings

The contracting or exchange objective in any transaction is to arrive at a mutually satisfactory outcome, an equilibrium point. With opportunism, a free rider problem may well arise; if so, a partial solution emerges. This has to be avoided. In this paper, the authors focus on simple contracts as a solution, that is, an agreement‐as‐bargain in a CoEP not made in deed but made in reason, so that each party to the arrangement, has “dignity”. The avoidance of an ethical dilemma in not fulfilling one's duty is linked to the role of trust in TCE.

Practical implications

It is argued that the decision not to engage in opportunistic behaviour, for example, by any one individual, may be rooted in a personal sense of duty or influenced by the ethical values and beliefs embedded within the culture of the organisation or the firm. Management may therefore decide not to abuse their discretionary power; workers may opt not to shirk.

Originality/value

The paper builds on a new approach to understand governance and ethics insofar as a firm teaches people morality. This CoEP supports the role of trust in modern companies and links across to the literature on TCE. The paper should be of value to shareholders, workers and management, trade unions and commentators on the theory of the firm.
“Green” company or “green” consumers: a Kantian retrospective
Authors: Feng Fulong‐Daniel
Published: September 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this short paper is to re‐examine corporate social responsibility (CSR) in terms of the ethical criterion of “greenness” through an assessment of one company's response to green consumers during the past number of years.

Design/methodology/approach

The ethical evaluation proceeds along the lines of a case study analysis of the significance of “green” as a value and the likely implications for a company.

Findings

There is a need for all companies to shift to Kantian responsibility with the appointment of a chief ethical officer and creation of an ethics department in an attempt to balance the short‐term profit‐oriented pursuit and the long‐term pursuit of fulfilling one's duty.

Research limitations/implications

The paper addresses the ethical issue of “greenness” from a Kantian perspective of fulfilling one's duty.

Practical implications

Public companies should adopt full transparency on CSR so that the public can be assured that the company is ethical and acting in an ethical manner.

Originality/value

The paper provides a brief application of a Kantian time‐variant responsibility in terms of fulfilment of one's duty now to be a green company. It asks: how can a company best achieve “greenness” as a time‐invariant ethical standard?
Theoretical tensions between regulation, governance, and strategic behaviour in a federated world order
Authors: Todeva Emanuela
Published: September 2010

Purpose

The paper seeks to explore Kant's formulations on universal good will, perfect moral order, and universal peace, and the notion that the world's citizenship should be organised in a federated system of states, free to choose their own universal laws.

Design/methodology/approach

This theoretical discussion is pursued in two separate sections. The first section reviews leading regulation theories that explain how governments in their decision‐making capacity engage in regulation at macro‐level of the entire socio‐economic system. The second section follows from this argument and discusses the governance theory and alternative governance mechanisms designed and employed by governments to manage the strategic behaviour of the individual economic actors at mezzo‐ and micro‐level of contract relationships.

Findings

The paper discusses some of the current theories that underpin the analysis and interpretation of public administration practice, or public governance in different socio‐economic systems. The paper looks at some of the dominant postulates of regulation and governance, and question to what extent they can be accepted as universal principles in line with Kant's argumentation. Different types of governance mechanisms are compared and contrasted in the context of strategic actors such as: the public government as a regulating authority and the firms as regulated economic actors.

Originality/value

The argument in this paper is that governments as regulators of national socio‐economic systems are strategic actors in their capacity to actively shape the regulatory environment, implementing various coordination mechanisms that facilitate the functioning of the economy and the society. The paper attempts to make some ethical judgements on market imperfections and government imperfections in line with Kant's concept of universal moral order.
The ethics of enterprise risk management as a key component of corporate governance
Authors: Demidenko Elena , McNutt Patrick
Published: September 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is twofold: first to add to the debate on good governance and ethics of enterprise risk management (ERM) and second to describe an ethical maturity scale based on duty and responsibility for practical implementation to ensure better governance.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology has centred on risk governance as a way for many organisations to improve their risk management (RM) practices from an ethical perspective based on responsibility and on fulfilling one's duty within the organisation.

Findings

While companies in Australia, for example, are more mature than those in Russia in terms of governance systems life cycle, there are a number of common international challenges in risk governance implementation. These relate to a link between risk framework, enterprise value model and strategic planning; to a definition of risk appetite, the embodiment of RM in organisational culture, internal audit and ERM function, the evolving role of a chief risk officer (CRO) and senior management buy‐in and sponsorship of the integrated ethical RM from a chief executive officer.

Practical implications

ERM – a way for many organisations to improve their RM practices – is a key component of the applied ethics of corporate governance. It has developed into a philosophy to assist organisations with the process of protecting shareholders' value while also increasing the bottom‐line profitability. Effective ERM is based on ethical risk governance. Internal audit needs to be involved in the process of integrating RM and compliance. It should maintain a degree of independence when assisting with ERM establishment. CRO is most effective when reporting to the board.

Originality/value

Global companies are becoming more accountable to multiple stakeholders. It is the adoption of an ethical code to arrest the lack of clarity of roles ascribed to the audit committee and risk committee and management's accountability or lack thereof that remains the challenge across different jurisdictions. In attempting to implement good governance and meet the challenges, the paper introduces an ethical maturity scale as an internal measure that could be embedded in an organisation's strategy.
Compliance: an over‐looked business strategy
Authors: Rossi Clelia L.
Published: September 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the merits of self‐regulation and the art of embedding it within an organisation, not as a secondary activity but as a core and fundamental business skill that ensures the survival of a business entity in the long term.

Design/methodology/approach

The objective is achieved by considering compliance leadership as a strategy within a modern company. If the highest layer of stewardship of the firm (directors) explicitly accepts a conventional definition of business ethics (the law, best practice, a set of values in a specific hierarchy), then the author can measure this agreement and benchmark it against the highest known standards of corporate governance.

Findings

Rational shareholders and managers will behave morally and find acceptable categorical imperatives to govern their behaviour. The delivery and preservation of long‐term value demand that firms build capabilities to self‐regulate and co‐shape their environment, particularly if highly regulated. The paper suggests a way to organise the compliance leadership within some well‐known business structures and present the idea that the chief executive officer of a firm who operates in a complex regulatory environment must make compliance a significant part if not the core element of his or her overall strategy.

Research limitations/implications

Some arguments highlighting weaknesses in the Kantian arguments have not been fully discussed. A global initiative that measures the relationship between ethical maturity and share price has not been undertaken in the writing of this paper.

Practical implications

Twenty‐first century management must ensure the health and resilience of their company's culture to successfully manage and overcome the daily ethical questions that arise across all levels and layers of the organisation as a first priority and that whole business models can be built around this mission. Regulators should be accountable for recognising cultural crisis within the firms they regulate in order to balance the reliance on quantitative measurements of success and to navigate the complexity of the largest players in the market.

Originality/value

The paper builds on earlier research by the author that rational norms of behaviour are core business capabilities that will produce industry leaders that can change the risk landscape of the industries wherein these firms operate. This new leadership will be demanded by the rational shareholder and will transform firms into stakeholder firms capable of interacting with their environment and creating and sustaining value over the longest term.
Challenges of serials text encoding in the spirit of scholarly communication
Authors: Dalmau Michelle , Schlosser Melanie
Published: September 2010

Purpose

The paper aims to describe an electronic text project involving a scholarly history journal, and to share findings related to the encoding of serials using the text encoding interchange (TEI) guidelines.

Design/methodology/approach

The project was completed using a combination of in‐house and outsourced digitization and encoding, employing a variety of methods for quality control and encoding guidelines creation.

Findings

Evidence is provided that certain types of encoding should be done in‐house, and describes a variety of mechanisms for capturing granular metadata in serials projects.

Originality/value

The paper covers a number of areas, including serials encoding using the TEI and granular metadata capture, which have not been explored elsewhere in the literature. It also provides guidance for others undertaking similar electronic text projects.
Turned loose in the OPAC: URL selection, addition, and management process
Authors: Meagher Elizabeth S. , Brown Christopher C.
Published: September 2010

Purpose

The paper aims to cover the institutional decision‐making processes behind the decision to add machine readable cataloging records to the library catalog that link to hundreds of thousands of URLs with freely available web content, the management processes making this possible, as well as other more philosophical concerns.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a case study conducted at the University of Denver, Penrose Library.

Findings

Implementing a URL tracking system, combined with a philosophical decision to follow a proactive URL maintenance approach rather than a reactive one, has resulted in an improved error rate for URL click‐throughs.

Originality/value

The paper addresses URL maintenance issues, staffing solutions, and error rates not addressed elsewhere in the literature.
The SFX citation linker and its enhancements
Authors: Xu Fei
Published: September 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to implement and enhance the citation linker that enables users to search articles, journals, and books with minimal but sufficient citation metadata.

Design/methodology/approach

The research work was mainly based on experimental results with a large amount of specific articles, journals, books, and eBooks. Further Ex Libris was consulted during the implementation process.

Findings

The paper found ways to implement and enhance the citation linker that facilitates citation search with minimal but sufficient citation metadata. Different methods to search papers and books were identified and possible future endeavors to enhance the citation linker by Ex Libris were also suggested.

Originality/value

The paper elaborates how to implement and enhance the citation linker that facilitates citation search with minimal but sufficient citation metadata. The author did not find any research work specifically focused on configurations of the citation linker and their effects on search results for users, so the implementation experience presented in this paper should be singularly instructive for libraries implementing their citation linkers.
Improving the search experience: federated search and the library gateway
Authors: Caswell Jerry V. , Wynstra John D.
Published: September 2010

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to review the evolving nature of the library web site with a focus on improving the usability of the access points to licensed and unlicensed research databases.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper describes the milestones in the development of a library gateway and the incorporation of federated search into a prominent place in the gateway.

Findings

Technological developments present new opportunities to extend the functionality of library systems. Achieving simplicity among the complex array of bibliographic and full text resources is critical.

Originality/value

The efforts made by the library in the development of a gateway and incorporating metasearching and other tools into it have resulted in greater control over the way resources are presented to the user community.
European digital libraries: web security vulnerabilities
Authors: Kuzma Joanne
Published: September 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the web vulnerability challenges at European library web sites and how these issues can affect the data protection of their patrons.

Design/methodology/approach

A web vulnerability testing tool was used to analyze 80 European library sites in four countries to determine how many security vulnerabilities each had and what were the most common types of problems.

Findings

Analysis results from surveying the libraries show the majority have serious security flaws in their web applications. The research shows that despite country‐specific laws mandating secure sites, system librarians have not implemented appropriate measures to secure their online information systems.

Research limitations/implications

Further research on library vulnerability throughout the world can be taken to educate librarians in other countries of the serious nature of protecting their systems.

Practical implications

The findings serve to remind librarians of the complexity in providing a secure online environment for their patrons and that a disregard or lack of awareness of securing systems could lead to serious vulnerabilities of the patrons' personal data and systems. Lack of consumer trust may result in a decreased use of online commerce and have serious repercussions for the municipal libraries. Several concrete examples of methods to improve security are provided.

Originality/value

The paper serves as a current paper on data security issues at Western European municipal library web sites. It serves as a useful summary regarding technical and managerial measures librarians can take to mitigate inadequacies in their security implementation.
An investigation of digital scholarship and disciplinary culture in Oman
Authors: Al‐Aufi Ali , Genoni Paul
Published: September 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate disciplinary differences in the use of networked information for research and scholarly communication at Sultan Qaboos University (SQU), Oman. The paper produced quantitative data on how and why academics within different disciplines utilise networked information either made available internally through the university library, or externally through services accessed by the internet.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire survey was conducted with academic staff at SQU.

Findings

Statistical analysis found a number of significant differences between respondents in the science disciplines and those in the social sciences and humanities with regard to their use of, and attitudes towards, digital information services. While respondents from science disciplines show overall longer and more frequent use of networked information, respondents from humanities and social sciences indicated more positive attitudes towards library networked services.

Research limitations/implications

The Arab country context presents a challenge in determining the degree to which results can be extrapolated to other environments, in that disciplines are also divided by language. Science disciplines teach in English, and the social science and humanities in Arabic.

Originality/value

While similar studies have been undertaken in developed countries, this study is an attempt to establish some data for a developing Arab country.
International scientific collaboration among Iranian researchers during 1998‐2007
Authors: Hayati Zouhayr , Didegah Fereshteh
Published: September 2010

Purpose

The paper aims to investigate the rate of Iranian researchers collaboration with their colleagues in other countries in science citation index (SCI). In addition, it seeks to investigate the visibility of publications by Iranian researchers, and particularly the visibility of papers resulting from international collaboration.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper employs the survey research method to answer research questions. Any publication recorded in the SCI database from 1998 to 2007 with at least one Iranian author was recognized and transferred to a database in Excel. The total records were 33,813. This number mostly includes articles, letters, notes, and reviews.

Findings

The results showed that Iranian researchers have had scientific collaboration with 115 countries, and that their numbers have increased between 1998 and 2007. The results also showed that the number of domestic articles per year was 2‐3.5 times more than international ones. Investigating international collaboration in different subject areas revealed that geosciences had the biggest number of publications co‐authored internationally. Iran's main partners were the USA, Canada, and UK, respectively. European researchers were the main counterparts of Iranian researchers. In addition, Iranian researchers had mostly co‐published with their colleagues in advanced countries. Among Iranian universities and research institutions, the University of Tehran had the highest collaboration at the international level. The results revealed that the average number of citations received by international co‐authored publications was more than those received by domestic co‐authored publications.

Originality/value

The paper shows the situation of international collaboration among Iranian researchers and the impact of publications resulting from international collaboration.
Snapshots of laptop use in an academic library
Authors: Briden Judi , Marshall Ann
Published: September 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to quantify recent changes in students' use of laptops in one academic library and to consider the potential role of new high‐tech library spaces on laptop use.

Design/methodology/approach

Instead of relying on standard library exit and entrance counts, this study was based on brief, structured observations of library spaces, including counts of laptop use. By conducting such observations over regular intervals in both new and pre‐existing library spaces, the authors were able to observe changes in laptop use across both time and type of library space.

Findings

The growth in laptop use dramatically exceeded expectations: 28 percent of students used laptops in existing spaces in 2005, while 62 percent of students used laptops in the same spaces in 2008. While a new, adjoining high‐tech space also had high laptop use, the opening of this new space coincided with growth in both laptop use and overall student presence in the pre‐existing library spaces. In addition, the paper posits a variety of potential causes for these changes, including available technology and hardware, university‐wide policy, and student behavior.

Originality/value

The changing use of laptops in libraries is important for administrative decision making at both the library and institutional level, including decisions about facilities, technology infrastructure and support, and security.
The emergence of electronic books publishing in Spain
Authors: Cordón García José Antonio , Alonso Arévalo Julio , Martín Rodero Helena
Published: September 2010

Purpose

In Spain, recent experiences by publishing houses are related to the new market of electronic books and they will change the current publishing scene in no time. The paper aims to discuss some of them and to give an outlook of future developments in the sector and in the libraries.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to develop the current situation of electronic publishing and the research on the initiatives of production and sales of electronic books, the authors used statistical and business sources, as well as bibliographic and reference databases. They assessed the experiences that have been developed in the libraries regarding the lending and use of electronic books, by means of a survey that considers these points.

Findings

There are several working experiences with electronic books, mainly through the subscription of collections in university and research libraries. However, the latest innovation is represented by the appearance of initiatives for the production and creation of publishing contents in Spain. The publication of electronic books in Spain has gone from being a mid‐term possibility, calmly accepted by the publishing sector, to being an unstoppable reality that has forced the main actors in this field to take their positions and to adopt immediate initiatives.

Originality/value

This is the first time that an analysis of the sector of electronic books in Spain and their implications for library and publishing sector is done.
Bloggership, or is publishing a blog scholarship? A survey of academic librarians
Authors: Hendricks Arthur
Published: September 2010

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to gauge how academic libraries treat publishing a blog.

Design/methodology/approach

As blogging becomes more popular, the question arises as to whether it should count as scholarship or a creative activity in academic promotion and tenure. To find out, the author sent a link to a questionnaire to several e‐mail lists, inviting academic librarians to answer a short survey.

Findings

In total, 73.9 percent of respondents indicated that their institution expects them to engage in scholarly activities and/or publish scholarly articles, 53.6 percent indicated that their performance review committees do not weigh a blog the same as an article published in a peer‐reviewed journal.

Research limitations/implications

As technology changes, policies will need to change.

Practical implications

Libraries may need to adapt to new forms of scholarship. Electronic scholarship needs a mechanism for peer‐review.

Originality/value

The paper is original – the author did not find any other surveys regarding blogging as scholarship in the library literature.
Exploring copyright solutions to online‐sharing of scientific literature
Authors: Xianrong Huang , Xiao Li
Published: September 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the effective mechanisms to balance the “sharing online” and the “copyright protection” of scientific literature in the digital environment, under the existing legal systems in China.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is through scrutinizing the legal provisions referring to fair‐use, statutory licensing, collective administration of copyright, and information dissemination by a library or through a computer network in current laws of the People's Republic of China, as well as through examining the successful copyright solution in China.

Findings

The paper concludes that statutory licensing plus common‐use licensing is the proper and effective approach in the current situation, while collective management should be enhanced, and technological measures should be strengthened without prejudice to the public interest.

Practical implications

The exploration of copyright solutions could raise law and policy debates, in order to realize scientific literature sharing online and facilitate scholarly communication in the digital age.

Originality/value

The paper describes the possible legal room from scattered provisions of laws and regulations, lists the schemes for scientific information dissemination online in sequence, provides insight into noticeable licensing models and summarizes good experience, and discusses the technological measure issues while giving adaptive suggestions. It is, therefore, of use to scholars, librarians, and practitioners in the library and information field. The suggestions can help modify the copyright laws and the policies as further step.
Service quality dimensions of hybrid services
Authors: Ganguli Shirshendu , Roy Sanjit Kumar
Published: September 2010

Purpose

This paper aims to identify the dimensions of service quality in the case of hybrid services.

Design/methodology/approach

The service quality dimensions are identified using an exploratory factor analysis (EFA). Next the reliability and validity of the factors are established through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) using AMOS.

Findings

The paper identifies nine service quality dimensions in the hybrid services – customer service, staff competence, reputation, price, tangibles, ease of subscription, technology security and information quality, technology convenience, and technology usage easiness and reliability.

Practical implications

The various dimensions of service quality should be viewed as the levers of improving perceived service quality in the minds of its current customers. Identifying the service quality dimensions in hybrid contexts can offer service providers valuable insights regarding on which aspects of the service to focus in order to improve customer satisfaction, loyalty, and commitment to the firm.

Originality/value

This paper introduces the concept of hybrid services, wherein a mix of technology and human interaction is used to produce and deliver services. Furthermore, since hybrid services have received little attention in the literature, the study addresses this gap by identifying a set of dimensions that are relevant for measuring service quality in hybrid contexts.
Critical factors for effective implementation of ISO 9001 in SME service companies
Authors: Psomas Evangelos L. , Fotopoulos Christos V. , Kafetzopoulos Dimitrios P.
Published: September 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the critical factors for the effective implementation of the ISO 9001 standard in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) operating in the services sector.

Design/methodology/approach

An empirical study is conducted with a sample of 93 ISO 9001:2000‐certified Greek service companies. Data are obtained by a questionnaire survey of the managers responsible for quality in each of the sample firms. Individual critical factors for ISO 9001:2000 implementation are assessed for importance by simple descriptive statistics. Exploratory factor analysis is then applied to refine these individual critical factors into five latent constructs.

Findings

All of the individual critical factors examined in the study are assessed as being of some importance with regard to their contribution to ISO 9001 effectiveness. The five latent constructs of the underlying structure of these critical factors are (in descending order of importance): “internal motivation of company”; “attributes of company”; “employee attributes”; “requirements of the quality system”; and “attributes of the external environment”.

Research limitations/implications

The study is limited by the small size of the whole sample and sub‐samples of SMEs. Future research could utilise a broader sample of private SME service companies.

Practical implications

This study provides practical guidance for SME service companies that wish to implement the ISO 9001:2008 standard effectively.

Originality/value

Several authors have noted that more research is required into the critical factors for effective implementation of the ISO 9001 standard, especially in SMEs. In addition to assessing the importance of various critical factors, the present study defines their underlying structure in terms of latent constructs, thus identifying the broad critical areas that require attention for effective implementation of the quality standard.
Updating service operations
Authors: Sulek Joanne S. , Hensley Rhonda L.
Published: September 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper was to develop a customer‐oriented systems approach to updating a service operation. The approach will allow managers to gather information, make changes in service delivery and then assess the effects of these changes.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was developed and administered at intervals in the same service setting; data from these survey results were used to illustrate the proposed systems‐based approach. Data from the open‐ended survey question were analyzed using content analysis. Based on that analysis, changes were made in service delivery. The impact of these changes was assessed as part of the second survey.

Findings

Initial data analysis showed that customer perceptions of the quality of the core service offering, the physical setting and service intangibles differed. Content analysis identified areas for improvement and changes were made in the three areas. Analysis of the second survey showed improvements in customer satisfaction with the service setting and the service intangibles.

Research limitations/implications

The research approach utilizes immediate feedback from customers who experience an actual – rather than hypothesized – service. Measurement of customer satisfaction with service delivery occurs longitudinally – rather than at a single point in time.

Practical implications

The methodology could be used by service managers in an ongoing effort to identify service attributes that may warrant improvement.

Originality/value

This paper provides a structured approach to updating service delivery and illustrates its use in an actual service setting.
A comparative study of truck cycle time prediction methods in open‐pit mining
Authors: Chanda Emmanuel K. , Gardiner Steven
Published: September 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to compare the predictive capability of three methods of truck cycle time estimation in open‐pit mining: computer simulation, artificial neural networks (NNs), and multiple regressions (MRs). The aim is to determine the best method. The most common method currently used is computer simulation.

Design/methodology/approach

Truck cycle times at a large open pit mine are estimated using computer simulation, artificial NNs, and MRs. The estimated cycle times by each method are in turn compared to the actual cycle times recorded by a computerized mine monitoring system at the same mine. The errors associated with each method relative to the actual cycle times are documented and form the basis for comparing the three methods.

Findings

The paper clearly indicates that computer simulation methods used in predicting truck cycle times in open‐pit mining underestimate and overestimate the results for short and long hauls, respectively. It appears that both NN and regression models are superior in their predictive abilities compared to computer simulations.

Research limitations/implications

The cycle time prediction models developed apply to a specific mine site and one has to be careful not to directly apply these models to other operations.

Practical implications

The paper describes the implementation of regression and NN modelling. An opportunity exists for mines to utilise the large volumes of data generated to predict truck haulage cycle times more accurately and hence, improve the quality of mine planning.

Originality/value

The paper addresses an area of need in the mining industry. Accurate prediction of cycle times is critical to mine planners as it impacts on production targets and hence, the budgets.
Comparative analysis of operational coefficients' impact on excavation operations
Authors: Panas A. , Pantouvakis J.P.
Published: September 2010

Purpose

The paper aims to provide a structured framework for comparing different productivity estimation methodologies and evaluate their sensitivity to operational coefficients variation for excavation operations.

Design/methodology/approach

Two process‐oriented methodologies were analysed in a deterministic fashion in terms of their input requirements and their respective outputs. A phase‐oriented framework was presented to enable their comparison. The research methodology allows the estimation of excavation productivity in relation to the selected operational coefficients.

Findings

The system productivity is significantly influenced by operational conditions, such as the digging depth and the swing angle from the excavation front to the dumping position. Each methodology presents a differing sensitivity to every operational factor. Since the excavator is considered as the system's leading resource, the variation on productivity has direct implications for the truck fleet size and the unit cost of operations.

Originality/value

The proposed approach is useful in analyzing process‐oriented productivity estimation methodologies under a given set of operational coefficients when no historical data is available. Thus, it provides an alternative to intuitive estimates based solely on personal judgment. The concept of “baseline reference” conditions is introduced, so as to enable the transformation of any operational scenario into equivalent mathematical models that allow comparisons between different estimation methodologies and computational approaches.
Case study analysis of construction excavator H&S overturn incidents
Authors: Edwards David J. , Holt Gary D.
Published: September 2010

Purpose

Construction plant and equipment harbour significant health and safety hazards. One particular item, the mini‐excavator, presents a hazard from its inherent instability and tendency to overturn during use. The purpose of this paper is to investigate turnover incidents to observe prominent factors and contribute to development of best practice guidance for improving health and safety relating to mini‐excavator use.

Design/methodology/approach

Comprehensive documentary data from eight case study incidents, along with anecdotal data from a further three, were qualitatively analysed in terms of: machine weight, machine activity, ground type/topography, operator competence, type of overturn, damage to property, and injury to person(s). Results were presented to experts in the field for comment and conclusions/recommendations accordingly developed.

Findings

Observed prominent casual factors include: inadequate assessment of risk and non‐adherence to safe working practice, working on poor ground, and working on inclined surfaces. The use of sealed operator cabs and proprietary seat restraint mechanisms seem to mitigate risk of personal injury to operators during overturn incidents. A need for cyclic training to reiterate good operator and banksman practice is emphasised, while construction managers should also be aware of the risks, and help implement risk controls.

Research limitations/implications

Findings will inform construction plant management research generally, and the subject of mechanised workplace transport stability specifically.

Practical implications

Best practice protocol will inform health and safety management of mini‐excavators at the workplace.

Originality/value

Academic research into mini‐excavator stability is embryonic; this paper furthers evolving knowledge in the field.