bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Melt process and performance of multi‐walled carbon nanotubes reinforced LDPE composites
Authors: Zhao D. , Lei Q. , Qin C. , Bai X.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

To develop a method for the preparation of multi‐walled carbon nanotube reinforced low density polyethylene (LDPE) composites (MWNTs/LDPE), based on ultrasonic vibration, solution casting and melt mixing.

Design/methodology/approach

The preparation for MWNTs/LDPE composites was carried out by vibration of carbon nanotubes (CNT), solution casting and melt mixing for MWNTs and LDPE. The physical chemical properties of the composites were characterised using a variety of techniques including scanning electron microscopy, resistance and tensile measurement.

Findings

It was found that the preparation method reported had significantly improved the dispersion of multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) in LDPE matrix, resulting in the improvement of tensile strength of the composite. The percolation of MWNTs in LDPE matrix was between 10 and 15 wt% (1016‐108 Ω cm).

Practical implications

The preparation method reported addressed a problem concerning the dispersion of CNT in polymer matrix. The method developed provided a practical and effective solution to such a problem.

Originality/value

The preparation method for MWNTs/LDPE composites involving vibration of CNT, solution casting and melt mixing for MWNTs and LDPE was novel. The method could be adapted for use in industrial scale.
Water‐soluble polymers as corrosion inhibitors
Authors: Umoren S.A. , Ebenso E.E. , Okafor P.C. , Ogbobe O.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

To determine the inhibition efficiency and adsorption characteristics of two water soluble polymers namely polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and polyethyleneglycol (PGE) as corrosion inhibitors of mild steel in H2SO4.

Design/methodology/approach

The inhibition efficiencies of PVA and PEG were evaluated using the weight loss and hydrogen evolution techniques at 30‐60°C.

Findings

The inhibition efficiency (I per cent) of the inhibitors increased with increase in concentration and temperature. The inhibitors (PVA and PEG) were found to obey Temkin, Freundlich and Langmuir adsorption isotherms from the fit of the experimental data at all concentrations and temperatures studied. The phenomenon of chemical adsorption is proposed from the activation parameters obtained. PEG was found to be a better inhibitor than PVA.

Research limitations/implications

The mechanistic aspect of the corrosion inhibition can be better understood using electrochemical studies such as polarization and AC impedance spectra.

Practical implications

The findings may be useful in cooling water systems in industries under simulated conditions.

Originality/value

This paper provides additional new information on the inhibiting characteristics of PVA and PEG as promising corrosion inhibitors.
Flow modified epoxy resin: the complete solution of aerosol in 2‐pack epoxy adhesive
Authors: Shukla V.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

To reduce the cost of epoxy adhesive without affecting the properties of epoxy adhesive in two pack system.

Design/methodology/approach

For effective toughening, adhesion, chemical resistance, etc. various compositions were made by incorporating flow modified solid epoxy resin. The impact, adhesive strengths and some other properties of the unmodified and modified epoxy networks were characterised.

Findings

The modification of epoxy resin using flow modified solid epoxy resin showed significant enhancement of impact and adhesive strengths and chemical resistance over the unmodified one. The optimum results were obtained at 13.66 parts per hundred parts of epoxy resin (phr) of modifier by replacing 4.33 phr of aerosil.

Research limitations/implications

The modifier, 7004 FM, used in the present context was high molecular weight flow modified epoxy resin. Besides, these results could be obtained from other grades of flow modified high molecular weight epoxy resin. In addition, the efficiency of modification of epoxy resin using this could also be studied.

Practical implications

The method developed provided a simple and practical solution to removing the costly aerosil without affecting properties such as toughness, adhesive strength and chemical resistance of the cured epoxy.

Originality/value

The method for enhancing toughness, adhesive strength and chemical resistance of cured epoxy was novel and could find numerous applications in surface coating and adhesive.
Information sources for thrift shopping: is there a “thrift maven”?
Authors: Christiansen Tim , Snepenger David J.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

Thrift shopping (the buying of previously owned products) provides products and shopping pleasure for consumers of all economic levels, however, little is known about how information regarding thrift shopping is acquired by consumers. This research aims to investigate whether there may be a “thrift maven,” someone who could and does transmit information about the thrift market to other individuals.

Design/methodology/approach

A scale was developed from previous research to identify thrift mavens. Data were collected via survey to see if the scale could be used to segment the market and to assess differences in the mavens' demographics and shopping patterns.

Findings

The study found the scale valid and useful. Thrift mavens were found to have lower household incomes, but were as likely to be male as female. This finding was surprising since thrift shopping is a more difficult method of acquiring products, and males in the USA are notable for their dislike of the task of shopping. The study also found that thrift mavens both shop and purchase from thrift outlets more frequently than non‐mavens.

Research limitations/implications

This was a single study in a single setting. Future research should examine whether this type of individual exists across a range of living conditions (e.g. rural, urban settings) as well as examining such areas as the type of behaviors mavens may engage in to assist fellow thrift shoppers.

Originality/value

The value of this paper is in identifying a segment of consumers who may be key informants for other consumers interested in thrift shopping. Thrift outlets typically have a limited promotional budget, at best, and thrift mavens would be a key resource to identify and encourage to shop at the outlet in order to pass on information.
Loyalty program planning and analytics
Authors: Banasiewicz Andrew
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The paper aims to review and critique the current state of loyalty program planning and analytics, highlighting a number of process and methodological deficiencies.

Design/methodology/approach

A general loyalty program planning approach is outlined, designed to build a foundation for a profitable loyalty initiative.

Findings

The paper demonstrates the importance of robust customer insights to program planning and its ongoing management; it also challenges the accuracy of the conventional buyer loyalty measurement approach. In particular, the paper highlights the flaws of the dichotomous loyalty classification which makes often unreasonable category purchase requirements assumptions.

Originality/value

The alternative to the loyal customers vs brand switchers buyer categorization is offered, which allows customers to be single‐brand loyal, multi‐brand loyal or brand switchers. An explicit brand buyer loyalty categorization is presented, built around explicit differentiation between repurchase exclusivity and brand loyalty.
For the drugs we need
Authors: Rotfeld Herbert Jack
Published: January 2007

Purpose

To delineate confusions and uncertainties of the issues surrounding those criticisms. Critics assert that all marketing of medical products is abusive, while actual impacts are disputed.

Design/methodology/approach

Pulling from past commentaries on pharmaceutical marketing and current criticisms of the practice, to indicate areas of confusion.

Findings

The ills of pharmaceutical marketing are not as great as critics presume, but the practices are not as positive as the companies might wish to assert. With uncertainty on the actual impact of specific practices, the companies are engaging in a certain degree of warfare via ever‐increasing budgets of sometimes‐questionable value.

Practical implications

Puts criticisms of pharmaceutical marketing in context.

Originality/value

Perspectives for understanding pharmaceutical marketing.
Direct‐to‐consumer prescription drug advertising: a study of consumer attitudes and behavioral intentions
Authors: Singh Tanuja , Smith Donnavieve
Published: January 2007

Purpose

To determine whether direct‐to‐consumer prescription drug advertising influences consumers' behavioral intentions.

Design/methodology/approach

Gathered data from 288 respondents using a pencil and paper mail survey. Respondents were asked about their knowledge and behavior regarding prescription drugs.

Findings

Indicated that while consumers generally have favorable perceptions of prescription drug advertising, their behavioral intentions are nevertheless influenced by a heightened awareness of specific branded drugs. Consumers feel empowered by the information provided in direct‐to‐consumer advertising and they are concerned about governmental attempts to regulate prescription drug advertising.

Research limitations/implications

Data was collected from a relatively homogenous sample with respect to ethnicity. Future research efforts could include respondents from diverse ethnic backgrounds and could incorporate questions regarding respondents' actual behaviors with respect to branded prescription drug medications.

Practical implications

Useful information for researchers, public policy makers and prescription drug manufacturers. Results suggest that consumer motivation to request branded drugs may be impacted by factors related to the quality of advertisements, trust in their physician, and personal competence. Consumer interest in advertised drugs may also depend on the strength of the relationship that they have with their physician.

Originality/value

This research fills an identified gap in the literature. While researchers have examined consumers' general perceptions of direct‐to‐consumer prescription drug advertising, little research has been done on the link between consumer perceptions and behavioral intentions.
Direct‐to‐consumer advertising and young consumers: building brand value
Authors: Baca Erin E. , Holguin Juan , Stratemeyer Andreas W.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

Direct‐to‐consumer advertising (DTCA) is a pervasive element in society today. Consumers have responded accordingly by becoming more knowledgeable, developing specific perceptions and attitudes toward DTCA. The purpose of this article is to examine direct‐to‐consumer prescription drug advertising issues among younger adults as both consumers and caregivers to determine whether companies are, or should be, taking advantage of building brand value through DTCA.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of 225 young adults answered questionnaires to measure the effects of DTCA. The questionnaire was based on a study by the National Consumers League and only the items that were most central to the current study were utilized and/or modified to measure the following key variables: age; current health status; prescription drug use; attitudes toward DTCA; interest in DTCA; DTCA recall; and inclination to seek additional information.

Findings

The findings show that demographics influence attitudes and interest in DTCA, as well as younger consumers' interest and propensity to seek additional information for themselves and family members. Details of the statistical analysis of the study are given.

Originality/value

The implications of the findings for pharmaceutical marketers, health care advisors, and academic researchers are discussed in the paper.
Global marketing of lifesaving drugs: an analogical model
Authors: Mascarenhas Oswald A. , Kesavan Ram , Bernacchi Michael
Published: January 2007

Purpose

In light of the desire to bring about an increase in the global distribution of lifesaving drugs at affordable prices, the purpose of this paper is to focus on the global marketing of lifesaving drugs related to the current pandemic of HIV/AIDS.

Design/methodology/approach

An analogical model is used to challenge companies to reengineer their products and their strategies to meet the twin objectives of profitability and humanitarianism. Following analogical reasoning, it is argued that an innovative reengineering and redesigning of lifesaving drugs can meet the great needs of developing countries with affordable prices.

Findings

The paper proposes an analogical model that treats the marketing of drugs in general and of lifesaving drugs in particular, to the developing countries as a “target problem.” This problem can be resolved by seeking analog “candidate solutions” from other “source industries” that have faced similar problems.

Practical implications

In recent decades the pharmaceutical industry and its free market model of marketing drugs have come under sharp criticism both domestically and globally. Their pricing and distribution of lifesaving drugs to developing countries have been severely criticized. This paper helps pharmaceutical firms to meet the need for lifesaving drugs in developing countries.

Originality/value

Analogical reasoning as applied to marketing is new. The paper submits that this solution will be more effective in combating the HIV/AIDS pandemic than any current solutions. The paper discusses the strategic marketing implications of the analogical model.
Pharmaceutical marketing on the internet: marketing techniques and customer profile
Authors: Guraˇu Caˇlin
Published: January 2007

Purpose

Attempts to investigate the perceived advantages and risks associated with online pharmaceutical transactions, and on this basis, to propose a specific segmentation of consumers.

Design/methdology/approach

Analyses the marketing procedures applied by pharmaceutical sites to emphasise the specific advantages and to minimise the perception of transactional risks, as well as the segmentation techniques applied online.

Findings

The results of the study indicate the existence of four main consumer categories. This schematic categorisation needs further development, in order to define more precisely the decision taking process and the online shopping behaviour for each customer segment, as well as the level of post‐purchase satisfaction. On the other hand, the paper demonstrated that the marketing approach of various online pharmacies is determined by the transactional model applied.

Originality/value

The empirical analysis presented in this paper should be complemented by future qualitative study, in order to facilitate a deeper understanding of the factors determining the growing success of online pharmacies.
Direct‐to‐consumer advertising of prescription drugs: help or hindrance to the public's health?
Authors: Finlayson Greg , Mullner Ross
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review the issues regarding direct‐to‐consumer advertising that have been identified in the literature from the perspective of consumers, consumer groups, physicians, the medical profession and the pharmaceutical industry.

Design/methodology/approach

Literature from international sources was reviewed to identify themes relating to direct‐to‐consumer advertising.

Findings

Direct‐to‐consumer advertising is expressly permitted in only two developed countries (USA and New Zealand). All other countries place various limitations on the practice. The debate surrounds whether or not the advertising provides a public health benefit.

Originality/value

The debate over direct‐to‐consumer advertising continues in jurisdictions around the world. This paper identifies and summarizes the issues that are being considered.
Using private label credit cards as a loyalty tool
Authors: Ferguson Rick
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effectiveness of retail private‐label credit cards in a crowded marketplace. It offers ideas, citing examples from successful retailers, for improving the effectiveness of credit cards as a loyalty tool.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper examines the strategy behind Gap Inc.'s private label credit card, which allows customers to earn rewards for shopping at Gap, Banana Republic and Old Navy stores. It also examines other retail card programs, including quotes from program leaders who share their ideas.

Findings

Statistics are cited which indicate how crowded the marketplace currently is for private label credit cards. By closely examining successful credit card programs, and by interviewing industry leaders, the importance of competitive differentiation in this marketplace is proved.

Practical implications

The reader will walk away with some specific ideas for improving the effectiveness of their private label credit card program. Armed with the knowledge of the scope and size of the private label credit card market, readers should gain insight that will improve their decision making about their own program.

Originality/value

The paper takes a look at how private label credit cards are currently used as loyalty marketing tools, and follows with suggestions on how to incorporate the strategies of some major retailers into existing programs.
Using customer equity models to improve loyalty and profits
Authors: Stevens Kathy
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to teach the reader how to compile a customer equity model in order to calculate the true profitability of customers. The reader can use the information to make better business decisions across their organization.

Design/methodology/approach

Transaction data (as much as can be collected) on individual customers is needed to build the customer equity model. An analyst is needed to devise an algorithm and discern the best way to allocate costs. The goal is to build the best representation of profitability for the company. Once a process is in place for assigning revenue and costs to customers, tables must be programmed to calculate profitability. The final step is to take what is learned in the customer equity model and test ideas for retaining best customers and converting unprofitable customers into profitable ones.

Findings

It was found that customer equity models are important tools for describing past behavior, predicting a customer's next‐year profitability, and exploring other variables that factor into marketing decisions.

Practical implications

Identifies the need for companies to do a more thorough job of identifying their “best” customers, that is, their most profitable customers. Provides direction on putting together a customer equity model that will help companies reach the above‐mentioned findings

Originality/value

This paper is valuable to anyone who could benefit by better understanding past behavior of customers, and by predicting a customer's next‐year profitability. The reader can use the information to make better business decisions across their organization.
The art of storytelling: how loyalty marketers can build emotional connections to their brands
Authors: Papadatos Caroline
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to highlight the importance of building emotional connections between brands and consumers. Using Canada's Air Miles Reward Program as an example, the paper aims to stress the importance of using customer insight to drive branding decisions and ensure a long‐term emotional attachment to a loyalty program.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper thoroughly explains Air Miles' method of reaching out to its customers to glean information that could be used to re‐brand the program. The method, used during focus groups, asked collectors to re‐tell stories that were important in their life. Common themes emerged, which Air Miles incorporated into the re‐branding of their program.

Findings

Through specially‐designed focus groups, Air Miles strategists learned that it isn't enough to be a well‐functioning loyalty program. In order to be distinctive in an overcrowded market, Air Miles must provide collectors with an emotionally engaging experience in the redemption process.

Practical implications

If your customers talk about your brand as if it's a part of who they are, you have made an emotional attachment with them. Thus, your program is on the right track.

Originality/value

The paper takes a fresh approach to loyalty markting research as well as analyzing and improving customer loyalty.
Life is not a shopping cart: three keys to building brands and improving customer loyalty
Authors: Pearson Bryan
Published: January 2007

Purpose

With the average consumer receiving six million marketing messages each year, it is increasingly difficult for marketers to achieve their desired impact. The purpose of this article is to provide ideas on sustaining brand loyalty in a crowded marketplace.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper cites a recent study to explain the reason for a disconnect between consumers and marketers, and why some brand loyalty programs fall short. It then provides the author's ideas for rebuilding a relationship with consumers, citing examples from the Air Miles Rewards Program.

Findings

By incorporating the three ideas presented within the article, it is believed that marketers can create deeper, more meaningful, relevant and mutually beneficial relationships with their customers.

Practical implications

Although consumers are assaulted by six million marketing messages each year, marketers can still take steps to keep their customers loyal. The paper reminds marketers that a brand is a promise and offers ideas on sustaining brand loyalty among consumers.

Originality/value

The paper examines results of a recent survey which shows a disconnect between marketers and their marketplace. It then provides ideas on repairing that disconnect.
The role of loyalty programs in behavioral and affective loyalty
Authors: García Gómez Blanca , Gutiérrez Arranz Ana , Gutiérrez Cillán Jesús
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to analyze the behavioral and affective loyalty of retailer customers in order to establish the role played by loyalty programs in the development of these variables.

Design/methodology/approach

Research data were taken from a survey carried out on 750 customers from a Spanish supermarket chain. Several ANOVAs are employed to compare the two loyalty dimensions among participants and non participants in loyalty programs.

Findings

The results show that participants in loyalty programs are more behavioral and affectively loyal than non participants. Nevertheless, most customers do not change purchase behavior after joining a loyalty program. The strategy is therefore to retain loyal customers and to achieve the reinforcement of affective bonds linking the customer to the retailer.

Practical implications

Companies should focus their efforts on developing a reward plan as adapted as possible to concrete needs of each participant in the program to achieve true loyalty.

Originality/value

The main contribution of this paper is the completion of an exhaustive analysis of customer loyalty. On the one hand, it is a pioneer in the study of the influence of loyalty programs on affective loyalty and, on the other hand, it confirms results from other researches on behavioral loyalty of program participants. In addition, this is one of the few papers developed in this field using the survey as a source of information.
Lasting customer loyalty: a total customer experience approach
Authors: Mascarenhas Oswald A. , Kesavan Ram , Bernacchi Michael
Published: January 2007

Purpose

Understanding and delivering total customer experience (TCE) in order to sustain lasting customer loyalty (LCL) is increasingly important given the pressures of commoditization, globalization and market saturation in developed countries. The purpose of this paper is to review the concepts of TCE and LCL.

Design/methodology/approach

The concepts of TCE and LCL are discussed and defined and their combined importance for marketers is outlined and few key cases of their best practices are analyzed in order to derive a set of managerial frameworks for strategizing TCE to achieve LCL. Customer loyalty as a hierarchical ladder starting from random casual awareness in the bottom rung to high bonding loyalty of brand communities in the topmost rung is derived

Findings

TCE is captured in its three essential interactive elements: physical moments, emotional involvement moments, and its value chain moments. Accordingly, a typology of customer loyalties is proposed as a function of high vs low levels of the three constitutive elements of TCE.

Practical implications

The loyalty ladder is a useful classification tool to monitor customer loyalty and dollar‐effectiveness of customer loyalty programs. Each rung offers a managerial challenge to ascend to the next rung of loyalty.

Originality/value

Linking TCE with LCL is unique and challenging. Adding the third dimension of value chain moments makes TCE more focused and loyalty‐driven. The typology of TCE‐based customer loyalty is new and offers a broad strategic canvas for marketers. The loyalty ladder with each rung buttressed by differentiated value, interactive relationship and TCE makes it credible, viable and a strategic destiny. TCE and LCL are also distinguished from related concepts in marketing to derive managerial implications.
Segmenting customer‐brand relations: beyond the personal relationship metaphor
Authors: Story John , Hess Jeff
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose and test segmentation of multi‐dimensional customer‐brand relationships as a superior method of defining, understanding, and predicting customer loyalty behaviors.

Design/methodology/approach

A method of segmenting customer‐brand relationships is proposed, based on the development of personal and functions connections. The resulting groups are hypothesized to better define and predict customer loyalty behaviors. The model is tested with an empirical sample.

Findings

Customers can be effectively segmented into relationship groups, based on the extent to which they have personal and functional connections with the brand. These relationship groups display different levels of commitment to the brand and engage in significantly different levels of loyalty behaviors. The resulting segments serve to define and measure levels of customer loyalty.

Research limitations/implications

The primary limitation of this research is that behaviors were self‐reported. However, the impact was limited by the fact that the initial survey was conducted six months before the behavior questionnaire.

Practical implications

These results have extensive implications for developing customer‐brand relationships that promote, enhance, and expand loyalty behaviors.

Originality/value

Measures of loyalty based on behavior in the market or customer satisfaction have proven ineffective at defining, measuring, and predicting loyalty behaviors. Relationship segmentation not only better defines loyalty, but also provides insight into loyalty development, based on personal and functional connections.
Masochistic marketing: Volvo Australia's not “so safe” strategy
Authors: Svensson Göran , Wood Greg , Callaghan Michael
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The objective is to describe a marketing approach used by Volvo in the Australian marketplace. It appears to be a rare approach and could be perceived to some extent as being “masochistic”.

Design/methodology/approach

The research is based upon a case study. The term “masochistic marketing” is introduced.

Findings

The “masochistic marketing” approach applied by Volvo in Australia should be seen as a process. It is dependent upon the outcome of a series of cause and effect relationships.

Research limitations/implications

The masochistic marketing approach may be divided into four cause‐related phases, all of which create a dualistic outcome of either positive or negative effect‐chains in respect to the corporate image in the marketplace and society.

Practical implications

A masochistic marketing approach is a high‐risk venture. It is a challenging and demanding marketing process, because it plays on the humiliation of the corporate image itself. The core idea of the masochistic marketing approach violates, or at least appears to oppose, the fundaments of marketing.

Originality/value

Masochistic marketing is not recommended to be used as a common approach, unless a series of events has turned the corporate image in the marketplace into something that is highly undesirable and a stigma.
Can a brand outperform competitors on cross‐category loyalty? An examination of cross‐selling metrics in two financial services markets
Authors: Mundt Kerry , Dawes John , Sharp Byron
Published: January 2007

Purpose

Many service organisations seek to grow by selling additional different products to their existing customers. Many managers are evaluated on the level of customer loyalty in terms of cross‐product holdings – for example, the average number of bank products or insurance policies held per customer. The purpose of this paper is to provide managers and researchers with some contextual knowledge and norms concerning “cross‐category” loyalty.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to compare the levels of loyalty for competing brands, five relevant loyalty metrics were used in the analysis, with data sourced from two service industries, banking and insurance.

Findings

The results show little variation in loyalty scores between competing brands, and what variation there is can be explained by historic factors, without reference to CRM strategies. This suggests that investments into CRM and cross‐selling initiatives seem to have less effect on loyalty metrics than many marketing textbooks and CRM advocates have assumed.

Practical implications

Marketers should be very cautious of setting ambitious goals for increasing loyalty to their brand at a cross‐category level.

Originality/value

Very few research papers have explored the issue of cross‐category loyalty. This is despite the value of the specific loyalty metrics as key performance indicators in service industries such as banking and insurance.
The Lied Library Automated Storage and Retrieval (LASR) Unit
Authors: Haslam Michaelyn
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to determine whether an automated storage facility met the need to manage space, given a growing collection and the study area needs of users.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper describes the automated storage and retrieval installation, storage projects since the first load, and daily use.

Findings

Using an automated storage and retrieval system has allowed efficient space handling in Lied Library, while offering quick access to stored materials.

Originality/value

In recent years automated storage and retrieval systems have become viable options for the onsite storage of library materials. Those planning new library facilities or remodelling existing facilities will be informed of the practical experience in using such a system for five years.
UNLV Libraries and the digital identification frontier
Authors: Fabbi Jennifer L. , Watson Sidney D. , Marks Kenneth E. , Sylvis Zep
Published: January 2007

Purpose

To reflect on activities and developments related to the 3M™ Digital Materials Flow Management since its implementation at the UNLV Libraries, including system hardware and software developments and the UNLV Libraries' evolving relationship with 3M™.

Design/methodology/approach

Following an introduction which highlights the major 3M™ Digital Materials Flow Management components in place at the UNLV Libraries, product improvements that have expanded the functionality of the system are detailed, patrons and staff benefits of the technology are described, and RFID privacy issues at the UNLV Libraries are examined.

Findings

Expanded capability and use of the 3M™ Digital Materials Flow Management system has allowed the UNLV Libraries to establish more efficient processes for undertaking collection management activities, such as inventory and weeding. The system has also had a positive impact on customer service. Benefits of the system currently outweigh the potential risks in terms of patron privacy.

Practical implications

Libraries must continually assess their positions on radio frequency identification (RFID) and patron privacy as technology progresses. Additional possibilities and developments stemming from further collaboration between libraries and vendors in areas such as product standardization are anticipated.

Originality/value

Provides information on innovative uses of the 3M™ Digital Materials Flow Management system and gives concrete examples of system benefits. Useful to libraries considering the implementation of an RFID system, those currently working with the 3M™ Digital Materials Flow Management system, and those considering collaborative work on product development with a vendor.
The UNLV Libraries Collaborative Learning Center
Authors: Cox Jennifer , VanderPol Diane
Published: January 2007

Purpose

To provide an update on the impact of new instructional spaces and technologies on the class offerings and professional development efforts of the Lied Libraries' Instruction Department.

Design/methodology/approach

Reviews the data on increased numbers of instructional sessions and students reached. Discusses new technologies available in the classrooms and the impact on students and instructors. Provides examples of new professional development opportunities for librarians, program developments, and class offerings.

Findings

Provides information on how the Instruction Department was able to take advantage of the campus community's interest in seeing the new library and its resources to market information literacy programs and build lasting relationships with faculty. The Department has used increased contacts to sustain growth and development in programming and services.

Research limitations/implications

This is not a research study, but might point to a need for further research on topics such as sustainable development in instruction programs.

Practical implications

This study has information on revitalizing staff development and instruction programming through marketing contacts and professional development activities.

Originality/value

This study is of special interest to librarians building new facilities or upgrading facilities and technologies.
Reorganization of the Knowledge Access Management (KAM) Division
Authors: Bierman Ken , Eden Brad
Published: January 2007

Purpose

Aims to provide a summary and analysis of the organizational changes of the UNLV Libraries Knowledge Access Management Division since it was previously described in Library Hi Tech.

Design/methodology/approach

Describes and analyzes the significant and unanticipated changes in organization structure that occurred as the UNLV Libraries attempts to respond to the web and digital scholarly information world.

Findings

Several alternative organizational structures to respond to web and digital initiatives are described. The process used to select an organization structure that was not anticipated three years earlier is documented.

Originality/value

This article provides useful reading for academic library administrators contemplating organizational change to respond to the web and digital information world.
New program growth and its impact on collection assessment at the UNLV Libraries
Authors: Sinha Reeta , Tucker Cory
Published: January 2007

Purpose

Seeks to describe how Lied Library has responded to a rapid increase in the number of new academic programs and degrees at UNLV resulting from new strategic initiatives and tremendous growth of the university's student population during the past four years.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors focus on the role of the Collection Development (CD) department in the university's approval process for new academic programs and the role of subject librarians in assessing how well the Libraries' collection meets the demands of new programs proposed by faculty.

Findings

Detailed descriptions are provided of the process used by subject librarians and CD to develop the tools and guidelines necessary to assess library collections in support of new academic programs.

Practical implications

Provides information and a model for other libraries and subject bibliographers to use when developing library collection assessment processes and guidelines.

Originality/value

Provides practical information and tools for subject bibliographers and CD departments responsible for performing collection assessment reports for library administrators and/or university officials as new academic programs are proposed.
Creating a virtual branch library to serve a remote campus
Authors: Stowers Eva , Galbraith Gillian , Kendall Susan L.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

Aims to present an overview of the implementation of library services to a distinct user population.

Design/methodology/approach

Presents a review of the decision‐making process behind the development of services to support a new remote campus at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Findings

Provides the rationale behind the decisions that were made regarding the branch library web page. Recognizes the need for continuous assessment and revision of procedures and the web page.

Originality/value

This paper provides a practical look at creating a virtual library in a paperless environment.
Copyright in the networked world: orphaned copyrights
Authors: Seadle Michael
Published: January 2007

Purpose

This column aims to look at the results of the US Copyright Office's request for comments about orphan copyrights.

Design/methodology/approach

It uses a form of Game Theory called the Prisoner's Dilemma Game to analyze the comments that are available on the Copyright Office web site.

Findings

Some change seems likely, if only because the opponents of change may discover that they can gain more for themselves when they stop defending the interests of those who have abandoned their copyrights already.

Practical implications

If some form of cooperation between intellectual property consumers and rights holders could be worked out for orphan copyrights, it might lead to further “tit‐for‐tat” reactions that help to address other copyright issues.

Originality/value

Provides useful information on orphan copyrights.
Archimède: a Canadian solution for institutional repository
Authors: Benjelloun Rida
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the main features of Archimède, which is the institutional repository system developed by Université Laval to address its specific needs.

Design/methodology/approach

These needs include the availability of a multilingual interface, the possibility to simultaneously index metadata and full text, and the compatibility with multiple technological infrastructures. The privileged approach relied on open source softwares and the use of automatic code generation tools in order to lower development costs and time. This led Université Laval's team to the creation of an institutional repository system that is based on Java technology and which is not OS‐specific.

Findings

The system offers: documents management functionalities; dissemination mechanisms compatible with OAI‐PMH2 (Open Archive Initiative Protocol for Metadata Harvesting V.2.0); an indexing and searching framework (LIUS) that can index over ten documents formats; and a selective dissemination of information service. Archimède and LIUS are now distributed under a GPL licence. Further developments will extend the metadata formats range supported by Archimède and will include archive management functionalities.

Originality/value

This experience shows that the development of an institutional repository system resting on open source softwares, frameworks and application program interfaces could lead to impressive results, in a short amount of time and with a minimum of investment.
dbWiz: open source federated searching for academic libraries
Authors: Mah Calvin , Stranack Kevin
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the experiences of developing an open source federated searching tool. It is hoped that it will generate interest not only in dbWiz, but in the many other open source projects either completed or in development at the Simon Fraser University Library and at other libraries around the world.

Design/methodology/approach

The methods used in this paper include reviewing of related literature, analysis of other federated search tools, and the observation and description of the development process at the Simon Fraser University Library.

Findings

The paper discusses the benefits and challenges faced in developing an open source federated searching tool for libraries. As a case study, it demonstrates the strength of the collaborative, open source development model. The paper also describes the key features required of any federated searching tool.

Originality/value

Federated searching is becoming an important new product for both academic and public libraries, with several commercial products to choose from. This paper describes the development of an open source federated search tool that provides a low‐cost, yet highly functional alternative for the wider library community.
Creating and managing XML with open source software
Authors: Lease Morgan Eric
Published: January 2007

Purpose

To review a number of open source XML applications and systems including editors, validators, native XML databases, and publishing systems; to describe how some of these tools have been combined by the author to create a specific system, for a specific need.

Design/methodology/approach

An overview of XML is provided, a number of open source XML applications/systems are reviewed, and a system created by the author using some of these tools is described.

Findings

The open source tools for working with XML are maturing, and they provide the means for the library profession to easily publish library content on the internet, using open standards.

Originality/value

XML provides an agreed upon way of turning data into information. The result is non‐proprietary and application independent. Open source software operates under similar principles. An understanding and combination of these technologies can assist the library profession in meeting its goals in this era of globally networked computers and changing user expectations.
Lessons learned from analyzing library database usage data
Authors: Coombs Karen A.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe a project undertaken at SUNY Cortland to develop a system that would collect electronic resource usage data in a consistent manner and allow SUNY Cortland to assess this data over several years.

Design/methodology/approach

The project used data gathered from EZProxy server log files to examine usage of the library's electronic resources.

Findings

Through examining the usage data the library discovered that users were utilizing particular types of resources, from specific physical locations, and accessing those resources from specific pages in the library's web site.

Originality/value

By examining usage data for electronic resources, libraries can learn more than which resources are being used. Usage data can give libraries insight into where, when, how, and possibly why their users are accessing electronic resources.
Re‐defining the library
Authors: Brindley Lynne
Published: January 2007

Purpose

This article was originally the keynote speech to the Bielefeld Conference. The article aims to explore the challenges facing libraries in the digital age and consider ways in which they need to reshape and rethink their services and skills to maintain their relevance and contribution.

Design/methodology/approach

Provides a review of a wide range of recently published materials (2003‐2006) and gives a broad perspective on the challenges facing libraries. These are then considered within the case study experience of the British Library to identify key themes for redefining the concept of “library”.

Findings

This article gives a clear articulation of the challenges facing libraries. Through the case study the author identifies seven themes as central to redefining the library in the twenty‐first century: know your users and keep close to them; re‐think the physical spaces and create a desirable draw; integrate marketing into the organisation; open up legacy print collections to digital channels and through digitisation; reduce legacy costs and continue to improve productivity in traditional activities; invest more in innovation and digital activities; and develop our people and ensure the right mix of skills.

Practical implications

A practical source of ideas for those seeking to develop their own library activities and a thought‐provoking analysis for anyone interested in the implications of the digital age.

Originality/value

This paper gives an original view of changes within the library sector from one of the leaders in the field and is rooted in the practical and innovative approaches adopted by one of the world's great research libraries.
Strategic planning and customer intelligence in academic libraries
Authors: Decker Reinhold , Höppner Michael
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to refer to a current discussion on the effectiveness and efficiency of Bielefeld University Library and concentrates on requirements and conditions of implementing customer intelligence in academic libraries. Moreover, a conceptual framework for a library management information system based on a data warehouse that links external and internal data to support strategic planning processes is introduced.

Design/methodology/approach

Content‐related and technical aspects of customer intelligence in academic libraries are outlined and analogies are drawn to commercial enterprises to motivate the conceptual reflections. The paper closes with two examples that demonstrate how multifaceted the data pool for customer intelligence can be in librarianship.

Findings

The paper sensitizes to the advantages of systematically generating customer knowledge in academic libraries for strategic planning and customer orientation.

Practical implications

The suggested approach can serve as a basis for the development of data‐based decision support systems focusing on the tracking of the usage of library services and customer preferences over time.

Originality/value

Up to now the discussion of customer intelligence as a foundation of strategic planning in academic libraries has been almost a blank space in the literature. The paper contributes to fill this gap.
WSIS, IFLA, UNESCO and GATS: networking for libraries on an international level
Authors: Mahnke Christel
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) shows the political dimension of the global information society. The purpose of this article is to consider the state of WSIS after the second phase and show possibilities for libraries to participate in the WSIS implementation. Furthermore, relations between WSIS, GATS and the “UNESCO convention on the protection and promotion of the diversity of cultural expressions” are explained. IFLA, as leading library organization, as well as national associations, is taking up the challenge of advocating libraries as agencies of information societies.

Design/methodology/approach

Provides a report and analysis of WSIS Summit 2003‐2005 and WSIS Stocktaking for Libraries.

Findings

Relevance of WSIS Summit 2003‐2005 and WSIS Stocktaking for Libraries.

Originality/value

The paper offers first‐hand information on the WSIS process. It outlines proposals for networking between libraries and advocacy for libraries on global political level.