bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Managing library processes: collecting data and providing tailored services to end‐users
Authors: Juntunen Arja , Ovaska Tuulevi , Saarti Jarmo , Salmi Liisa
Published: January 2007

Purpose

To present the process of creating the quality management system of the Kuopio University Library (Finland) and its auditing.

Design/methodology/approach

Case study of the Library's quality management system's building process, with some survey‐based material.

Findings

The European Union has decided that some kind of quality management system should be established in its higher education institutions. This sets new challenges for the university libraries. The paper presents the fact that quality management can be used as a tool for leadership within the Library, improving the Library's processes and marketing the Library within the University.

Research limitations/implications

The paper is based on conditions in Finland.

Practical implications

The paper gives an example of what implications national and international higher‐education policies have on a university library.

Originality/value

The paper provides a model for quality management and quality system documentation.
Continuing professional development and workplace learning 13
Authors: Smith Ian
Published: January 2007

Purpose

This paper's purpose is to examine the nature of resistance to organisational change – why and how it occurs and the importance of effective response.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper argues that change resistance may in some circumstances be a hindrance and an obstacle to achieving effective organisational change.

Findings

The paper reveals that, if understood and dealt with effectively, change resistance may also form a constructive part of the process of organisational change management. The importance of a clear understanding of the reasons underlying change resistance and appropriate and effective responses is emphasised.

Originality/value

This paper provides useful information for those wishing to implement organisational change.
Decentralization as a management strategy in university libraries in South Eastern Nigeria
Authors: Iwe J.I.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to explore decentralization as a management strategy in university library administration using University Libraries of Calabar, Uyo and Cross River State University as case studies. It examines how effective the different levels of decentralization in a large establishment such as a university library can stabilize the management system and create cohesion, and harmony in spite of problems of communication, coordination and control.

Design/methodology/approach

These objectives are achieved through the descriptive survey methodology investigating the implications of a decentralized system of administration in a university library using the instrument of questionnaire.

Findings

The finding is that decentralization could make for efficient management in a large establishment such as a university library especially if enhanced by the new technologies.

Research limitations/implications

For further research, this paper suggests investigation into the implications of the assertion that no organization is totally centralized or totally decentralized.

Practical implications

The practical implication of this paper is the fact that there are both centralized and decentralized systems of functions, services and administration in most university libraries. Where a library is totally decentralized, the high executive has no more responsibilities and the library may collapse. Where it is totally centralized, subordinates are alienated and are remote from activities.

Originality/value

Provides the rather paradoxical vision of the internet as a centralized approach towards the enhancement of a decentralized system of administration.
Managing the library labor gap: the role of bridge employment for the older library professional
Authors: Castiglione James
Published: January 2007

Purpose

This paper seeks to provide librarians and library administrators with the necessary information to begin thinking about and perhaps preparing for the large number of retirements that are projected to take place in the library profession over the coming decade.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper broadens the library literature related to the retention and recruitment of older employees with concepts derived from the relevant demographic, management, medical and personnel literature.

Findings

The profession has not given this problem the time and research attention that is required to successfully manage through the projected “labor gap”. Librarians possess transferable skills and work habits that would be welcomed by corporations attempting to cope with their own labor shortages that are projected to cut across industry and occupational classes over the next decade. Therefore, library administrators should consider developing satisfactory bridge employment options that retain and attract the older or retired library employee.

Research limitations/implications

The preponderance of the literature consulted for this article was assembled from sources outside of the field of library management. Therefore, library administrators who would use the information contained in this paper to develop viable bridge employment options, are cautioned to develop programs that reflect the unique operational realities of the library they work for and the post‐retirement needs of their employees.

Originality/value

The paper provides a useful review of the library and management literature related to the establishment of bridge employment options in the library environment. The paper concludes by introducing the importance of utilizing mathematical and statistical modeling techniques to determine, where possible, the economic value of the services to the stakeholders served. This information is presented with the objective of increasing awareness, debate and additional research in this neglected but critically important area of “value analysis” and its possible impact on the development of sustainable, long‐term solutions to the problems associated with recruitment and retention.
“First time use” (FTU) name headings, authority control, and NACO
Authors: Van Pulis Noelle
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to examine “first time use” (FTU) name headings in the context of outsourced authorities processing and NACO participation, with consideration given to workflow and management issues in cataloging operations, and to the concept of achieving authority control in a catalog.

Design/methodology/approach

For this study, a report was produced from an integrated library system of 295 “headings used for first time” (FTU) on one day in a month during which more than 10,000 bibliographic records were cataloged system‐wide. Of these FTU headings, 100 were from fields used for author names (field 1xx, 7xx) in 80 bibliographic records. This represents a snapshot of FTU headings rather than a random sample but is typical of reports from this system. Issues addressed include FTU headings as errors; matching of bibliographic headings to existing authority records in the LC/NACO national file; and the need for NACO contribution when the heading has no supporting authority record.

Findings

Describes “first time use” headings in relation to bibliographic records cataloged (original or copy, language, etc.) and the match rate of about two‐thirds of the headings to existing authority records in the international LC/NACO authority file by the authorities processing vendor. This is a slight increase over time, assumed to be due to the growth of the NACO program. Approximately one‐third of the name headings are candidates for authority records via NACO.

Research limitations/implications

The sample size was small but findings are similar to related research, for example regarding match rate of headings on bibliographic records to the LC/NACO authority file. However, there is no agreed‐upon benchmark with respect to this match rate. The questions remain about the need for all headings to have authority records and what constitutes a given catalog being “under authority control.”

Practical implications

Similar academic libraries likely can depend on authorities processing vendors to deliver matching name authority records for about two‐thirds of headings and also expect that approximately one‐third of name headings will lack authority records. If not a NACO participant, locally created authority records might be a choice. For NACO members, administrative decisions about workflow and authority record creation are needed. The resulting utility of the catalog, if matching authority records are included in the system, is a factor that should be considered.

Originality/value

This paper reports findings regarding authority records for name headings in relation to vendor processing of bibliographic records and subsequent catalog utility if matching authority records are founding the LC/NACO file and used in the system. The concept of establishing a benchmark for a satisfactory “match rate” of headings to existing authority records and for a catalog that may be said to be under authority control is raised.
Periodicals collection management
Authors: Bazin Paul , Desmarais Norman , Schuster Janice
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine Providence College's experience in organizing, creating, and implementing the library's collection management system.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper discusses the need for and the development of a collection management system to help make decisions regarding the cancellation and retention of periodical titles.

Findings

The collection management system provided the librarians with information required to integrate the periodicals collection. It allows the academic departments to manage the periodical titles in their respective areas and to make decisions about which periodical titles they would like the library to subscribe or to cancel. It allows the library to inventory the collection.

Originality/value

The paper provides insight into the integration of a collection management system and would be useful to those involved in that field who are looking to follow suit.
LIS professionals and knowledge management: some recent perspectives
Authors: Sarrafzadeh Maryam , Martin Bill , Hazeri Afsaneh
Published: January 2007

Purpose

To identify the general perspectives of library and information science professionals on knowledge management and examine their assessments of its potential values, benefits, opportunities and threats to the profession.

Design/methodology/approach

An international survey was conducted using a web‐based questionnaire. The questionnaire targeted LIS professionals around the world, through the use of the IFLA‐L, KMDG‐L mailing lists.

Findings

The survey found an increased awareness among LIS professionals of their potential contribution to knowledge management, with a high agreement on its positive implications for both individuals and the profession.

Research limitations/implications

Although the survey was distributed through international mailing lists, it succeeded mainly in obtaining responses from Australia and New Zealand, the USA, the UK, South Africa and Canada. Thus, the findings may have limitations in their generalizability.

Originality/value

Knowledge management is a field with which the LIS community is already familiar. Despite its wide impact on many aspects of the profession, the wider ramifications of the relationship between the two as yet remain unclear. The paper attempts to contribute to further understanding of these ramifications.
Socio‐economic‐cultural aspects and mass information need
Authors: Nasir Uddin Mohammad , Quaddus Mohammed , Islam Shamsul
Published: January 2007

Purpose

To evaluate the magnitude of public library uses and resulting values among the general people with associated socio‐economic‐cultural features of Bangladesh and thus to indicate strategies for better library impact in societal, cultural and economic development.

Design/methodology/approach

Primary data were collected from the users of four public libraries in the cities of Dhaka and Rajshahi considering rich library profiles and wide variety of users. Interviews were conducted based on a structured questionnaire by visiting the sample libraries that also result in studying the users and libraries closely.

Findings

Some factors like age, income, education, and gender are very important in using public library in relation to particular socio‐economic features of Bangladesh. Though the study reveals dissatisfaction in library resources, it shows a strong library impact on recreation and culture, self‐learning, social welfare, and on economic development of the country. The findings lead some recommendations for improved utilization of library.

Research implications/limitations

The paper provides focus on studying the demographic variables of users to measure public library values and benefits in the areas of learning, recreation, culture, social welfare, and development.

Practical implications

Concerned authorities should come forward to minimize the funding and administrative barriers to make public library exclusively worthy to all with quality access.

Originality/value

Studying social factors are unavoidable to understand the magnitude of social inclusiveness of libraries and their strength of impact, and importantly, to ascertain the ways of comprehensive access to libraries by acquiring indication of realistic policy implementation from empirical evidence.
Fostering innovation in library management and leadership
Authors: Sidorko Peter Edward
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss experiences gained from the introduction of a library leadership institute for Asian academic librarians.

Design/methodology/approach

The success of the institute is measured through the evaluations of all participants including, most recently, an attempt to identify challenges faced by academic library leaders, and potential leaders, and assessing how well the institute addresses those challenges.

Findings

While evaluations of the institute are highly positive, there appears to be potential for expanding the institute into two streams, one being strictly leadership and the other drawing mainly on management issues.

Research limitations/implications

While analysis of institute evaluations and comments demonstrates a great deal of satisfaction, further research should be undertaken to identify long‐term benefits gained by participants.

Practical implications

The volatile world of information places many challenges on library leaders in the Asia region. The need for strong leadership is apparent as librarians must draw on a range of skills that are not traditionally taught in library schools and are often difficult to develop in the workplace. The benefits of leadership institutes, while limited, do at least plant a seed for new ideas and ways of thinking.

Originality/value

The paper provides a through analysis of the only Asian academic library leadership institute. It is useful for others considering establishing a similar institute or for those concerned with library professional development in Asia.
Study and analysis of information on the reader's potential discontent in an academic library
Authors: Huang Renhao
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to grope for the scientific research method for the reader's potential discontent information with the analysis of the show form of the reader's potential discontent information and the statistic analysis of the reader's service information in the academic library.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses the research method of the behavior analysis to study the show form of the reader's potential discontent information, and farther puts forward the research path for the reader's potential discontent information in the academic library by a statistics analytical methodology.

Findings

The paper finds that the reader's potential discontent information is very important but not easy ascertained information source in the library service work estimate. Library supervisor must understand that not only the behavior analysis but also statistics analytical method can develop the scientific analysis and research to obtain the information for the improvement of the library service.

Research limitations/implications

There is an important value for using the behavior analysis and statistics method to develop a further research.

Practical implications

The paper shows that it is very important value to obtain the reader's potential discontent information for improvement of the library service.

Originality/value

The paper offers some important information collection outlet and method to design the service mode and improve the service work for the academic library.
Investigation and analysis of current use of electronic resources in university libraries
Authors: Shuling Wu
Published: January 2007

Purpose

In recent years, electronic resources have become the library's important storage of a university library, and the fund purchased electronic resources also increased quickly, year after year. In order to find out the readers' present conditions, difficulties and requirement of using e‐recourses, The Library of Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, carried out sampling, questioning and investigating of all teachers and students at campus. The purpose of this paper is to present the findings of this investigation.

Design/methodology/approach

The investigation was carried out in 206.3 at the campus, and the investigative target involves teachers, scientific staff, gadre, graduate students, scientific staff, undergraduate students, and some training students, from 15 institutes in the whole university. It centers on seven subjects, deigns 24 question and 155 selective answers, and everyone is multilateral, 1,000 questionnaires were sent out, 909 reclaimed. The ratio is 90.9 percent.

Findings

The investigative result shows that: nearly half of the readers investigated are satisfied with e‐resources of our university. At present, the main way that reader's obtained rebases or literature is from traditional library storage. This illustrated that the printing literature obtained important functions. The e‐book does not substitute the traditional printed book. The construction of library storage should advocate the printed one. Readers selecting the printed and e‐book occupy the greatest majority. This shows that the two type of literature are not completely substituted, only mutually supple. The way readers liked obtaining information is to skim the homepage of the library. This indicated the homepage had become the important window to give publicity and serve the outside. It also shows the use of reading on screen, non‐familiarizing the structure and the retrieval method. Showing that the net condition and computer facilities are the main external factors.

Research limitations/implications

This paper analyses the consciousness of using e‐resources, and the ability of obtaining literature for university readers, by investigating some readers' utility of e‐resources at Shaanxi University of Science and Technology. Therefore the readers' range is limited.

Practical implications

In this paper the result from one side reflects every unit and layer personnel's utilizing condition and difficulty of e‐literature at the whole university. By investigating and analyzing, the work emphasis of the library is defined.

Originality/value

The investigating table does not only look into some teachers and students' utilizing condition, and readers' opinions and proposing to use the library's, but also obtains the disseminated fanfaron to all people using the library. By angling the result, it supplies theoretic foundation of e‐resources' order, storage's construction, readers' serve, etc.
Working with Generation‐D: adopting and adapting to cultural learning and change
Authors: Shih Win , Allen Martha
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The paper aims to discuss the expectations and needs of Generation Y students for higher education specifically targeting issues relating to libraries and library management.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper provides a brief overview of Generation Y personality traits and characteristics. This is followed by a discussion of organizational culture, explaining how to effectively adapt to meet the expectations of the Generation Y students. Two academic libraries' programs designed to meet the needs of the new learners are discussed.

Findings

The paper recognizes the need to address the challenges of the new learners from all levels of library management and provides strategies and programs to enable positive change within the library culture.

Originality/value

The paper highlights generational differences of current higher educational students and library staff and provides practical solutions to enable positive change within library organizational culture.
Strategic human resources, innovation and entrepreneurship fit
Authors: Wang Zhongming , Zang Zhi
Published: January 2007

Purpose

Strategic human resource management (SHRM) is seen as crucial for innovation and entrepreneurship in China. An empirical research was carried out to investigate main dimensions of the model of human resources management (HRM), practices and their effects on organisational performance in relation to innovation and entrepreneurship.

Design/methodology/approach

The research has two parts. The first part is a field survey on human resource management practices and its main dimensions. The study was conducted in the Chinese local companies and joint ventures across different partnerships. The second part is an in‐depth case‐set analysis of Chinese entrepreneurship models from a strategic HRM perspective.

Findings

The results showed that both functional and strategic dimensions of HRM could be identified which had differential effects upon organisational performance and that the most successful local entrepreneurial firms were among the collective‐based and globally‐oriented ones.

Originality/value

This study demonstrated that the fit between strategic HRM practices, innovation strategy and entrepreneurship model was significantly contributed to entrepreneurial performance. A regional comparative model of SHRM and entrepreneurship was proposed for sustainable business developments and organisational change.
Strategy alignment between HRM, KM, and corporate development
Authors: Shih Hsi‐An , Chiang Yun‐Hwa
Published: January 2007

Purpose

This study seeks to examine the relationships between corporate strategy, human resource management (HRM) strategy, and knowledge management (KM) strategy, as well as their interactive influence on KM effectiveness.

Design/methodology/approach

Samples studied are 147 Taiwanese large companies in banking, services, and manufacturing industries; responses from multiple informants are collected from each firm.

Findings

Results indicate that firms pursuing cost leadership strategy and buy‐bureaucratic HRM strategy are more likely to adopt codification KM strategy. Firms adopting differentiation strategy and make‐organic HRM strategy are associated with frequent use of personalization KM strategy.

Originality/value

This study finds that fit between KM strategy and both corporate as well as HRM strategy are significantly related to better KM effectiveness in terms of process outcome, learning capability, and organizational outcomes.
Can high performance work systems really lead to better performance?
Authors: Shih Hsi‐An , Chiang Yun‐Hwa , Hsu Chu‐Chun
Published: January 2007

Purpose

This study presents a conceptual scheme concerning the core constituents of high‐performance work system (HPWS) and examines their effects on firm performance.

Design/methodology/approach

This study proposes a conceptual scheme incorporating the universalistic and the configurational perspectives of strategic human resource management. The effect of HPWS on firm performance is empirically tested using data collected from publicly listed companies in Taiwan, as well as multinational companies' branch offices in Taiwan.

Findings

Initial factor analysis on HPWS practices supports this conceptual scheme. Using the structural equation modeling technique (AMOS 4.0) better‐performing firms were found to invest in more sophisticated HRM practices, which further enhanced organizational performance.

Research limitations/implications

Surveys conducted in other countries can expand the external validity of this study's findings.

Originality/value

While most previous research on HPWS involves regression‐like analyses, this study tries a different approach, with the structural modeling technique, to verify HPWS' relationship with firm performance.
A cross‐cultural study of supervisory trust
Authors: Costigan Robert D. , Insinga Richard C. , Jason Berman J. , Ilter Selim S. , Kranas Grazyna , Kureshov Vladimir A.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

This study examines the relationship of a supervisor's affect‐based trust and cognition‐based trust to a subordinate employee's self‐ratings of enterprising behavior, which includes creativity, risk taking, initiative, motivation, and assertiveness, and to the supervisor's and coworker's ratings of the subordinate's enterprising behavior. The extent to which the power distance and in‐group collectivism cultural variables moderate the relationship between affect‐based trust and enterprising behavior is assessed.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey responses of US, Turkish, Polish, and Russian supervisor‐subordinate‐coworker triads were collected in a number of firms. Regression results were employed to test the research hypotheses.

Findings

The findings of this study show that the supervisor's cognition‐based trust and affect‐based trust of the employee are associated with that employee's enterprising behavior. Significant two‐way interactions indicate that the relationship between affect‐based trust and enterprising behavior is stronger in the three collectivist countries than in the individualist USA. The moderating effects of power distance, on the other hand, appear to be negligible.

Originality/value

The main implication of this study's results is that human relations theories, which are based on the supervisor's top‐down trust of the subordinate employee, may be more effective in collectivist cultures than in individualist cultures.
Perceptions of emotion expressiveness: gender differences among senior executives
Authors: Callahan Jamie L. , Hasler Michael G. , Tolson Homer
Published: January 2007

Purpose

Folk theory and empirical studies generally indicate that women tend to be somewhat more expressive than men. The present study seeks to determine whether there are gender‐related emotion‐expressiveness differences among senior executives and to explore the extent to which there are emotion expressiveness differences by organizational position.

Design/methodology/approach

The levels of self‐reported expressiveness among senior organizational leaders (781 males, 669 females) were examined. Differences by gender and position were explored using ANOVAs.

Findings

In several key positions, including CEOs, males reported themselves to be significantly more expressive than females. However, differences between male and female expressiveness were not observed for certain executive positions. Further, both males and females reported statistically significant low levels of expressiveness.

Research limitations/implications

Professionals charged with addressing conflict within organizations may find themselves handling socio‐emotional aspects of leadership if executives are not fulfilling this responsibility. Further, organizational initiatives, such as organizational learning, may be hindered if executives do not engage in managing the emotional aspects of leadership. Finally, the reasons for gender‐role reversal found in the present study should be explored in future research.

Originality/value

This study adds to the literature on gender, emotion, and leadership. There are two primary contributions of the present study. First, female executives tend to report themselves as less expressive than male executives; this is in contrast with research that suggests that women are better at emotional expressiveness than men. Second, executives are, in general, not focusing on the socio‐emotional dimensions of leadership, which is a well‐accepted element of successful leadership.
Framing effects in managerial third‐party intervention: an exploratory study
Authors: Elangovan A.R.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

This paper seeks to examine the role of framing effects and the third‐party's need for consistency in intervention strategy selection in managerial dispute intervention. The objective is to move research forward by adopting a decision‐making perspective of dispute intervention and examining the role of framing in such a context.

Design/methodology/approach

A scenario‐based experimental approach was used and data were collected on 318 intervention cases from 106 students majoring in business, and enrolled in a medium‐sized public university.

Findings

Results suggest that framing does influence the selection of intervention strategies to some extent, but the third‐party's need for consistency between his/her preferred settlement and the actual final settlement plays a bigger role in influencing strategy selection.

Research limitations/implications

This study higlights the merits of adopting a decision‐making perspective to understand managerial dispute intervention and points to the need for extending and testing more of the key concepts from that area of research.

Practical implications

The results indicating support for a need for consistency on the part of managerial third‐parties as well as the influence of framing underscore the need for managers to be aware of these factors influencing their conflict management behaviours and to strive to “rise above the fray”.

Originality/value

The results of this paper challenge the conventional view that third‐parties in disputes are generally more objective and can see the “big picture”, and represents a valuable first step towards gaining a better understanding the role of cognitive biases and heuristics in managerial dispute intervention.
Leadership and gender: a dangerous liaison?
Authors: Trinidad Cristina , Normore Anthony H.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review the extant literature on the ways women lead in organizations with a focus on the fields of business and education. A secondary purpose is to identify implications of the literature for leadership and gender issues in the worlds of business and education.

Design/methodology/approach

A review of the extant literature was conducted to collect data through professional and academic journals of business and education, pertinent web sites, and textbooks. Once these data were collected, they were placed in categories according to common themes and patterns that emerged from the literature on the leadership styles of women in business and education.

Findings

Research findings show that women adopt democratic and participative leadership styles in the corporate world and in education. Transformational leadership is the preferred leadership style used by women. The characteristics of transformational leadership relate to female values developed through socialization processes that include building relationships, communication, consensus building, power as influence, and working together for a common purpose.

Originality/value

This paper provides a theoretical perspective on women's leadership behaviours as an approach to equity in organizations by capitalizing on female contributions to organizations and the importance of those contributions in an increasingly diverse workforce world‐wide. Women leadership styles are presented as alternatives to traditional leadership models.
Development of the servant leadership assessment instrument
Authors: Dennis Robert S. , Bocarnea Mihai
Published: January 2007

Purpose

Building upon Patterson's servant leadership theory, this study aims to present an instrument to measure the constructs of this working theory (identified as agapao love, humanity, altruism, vision, trust, service, and empowerment).

Design/methodology/approach

Specifically, the seven component concepts, as defined by Patterson, were used to build items for a servant leadership instrument. This study used DeVellis' “Guidelines in Scale Development” to develop an instrument for Patterson's new theory of servant leadership. The participants for the study consisted of a stratified sample taken from the study response data base. The surveys were created, and administered, using an online survey using surveysuite.

Findings

Three separate data collections were used for the development of this instrument reducing the 71‐item scale to 42 items yielding five factors: empowerment, love, humility, trust, and vision.

Research limitations/implications

Recommend that future research include surveys at companies and organizations that advocate servant leadership concepts. Future research should include how each gender influences some of these items.

Practical implications

It is the intention that this instrument has the ability to predict or give measurement to the concepts of Patterson's theory of servant leadership so that a servant leader can measure his or her effectiveness as a servant leader.

Originality/value

According to the review of the literature, this is the first instrument to measure five factors on servant leadership.
Stakeholder leadership: organizational change and power
Authors: Ford Randal
Published: January 2007

Purpose

To research how the chief executive officers (CEO) and vice presidents (VPs) and Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System (SRHS) developed into a highly collaborative enterprise in managing change on a daily basis.

Design/methodology/approach

A combination of research methods, both qualitative and quantitative, was used in gathering data. Archival records – meeting minutes, memos, internal and external diagnostic surveys, local and regional newspapers – enabled collecting data over an extended period, in addition to direct observation (April 2003‐May 2004) and interviews: retrospective and concurrent. Content analysis – a qualitative method employed through grounded theory (analytic induction) – generated the themes from the archival and interview data.

Findings

Quantitative data suggest for the years May 2000‐December 2003 a change in behavior toward more participation occurred at SRHS, on an organizational level and in the relations between the CEO and VPs; also during this period the hospital's patient satisfaction scores improved significantly from 50 to low‐to‐mid 90 percent. The collaborative work practices the CEO and VPs had assumed was not the norm for the VPs working at SRHS back in March 2000, under the former CEO's administration. Research shows by May 2004 the current CEO and VPs' social interaction had evolved into practices of reciprocal power relations and knowledge sharing that was more decentralized, lateral, team‐based, and participative than a strict bureaucracy would tolerate.

Originality/value

Findings from this study illustrates three principles leaders can use in establishing stakeholder power relations to guide practices that aid organizations in managing change on a day‐to‐day basis.
Middle managers' uncertainty management during organizational change
Authors: Herzig Sharyn E. , Jimmieson Nerina L.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

This study aims to identify factors that facilitate or inhibit middle managers' experience of uncertainty management during organizational change.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach is qualitative and involved interviews with 40 middle managers from a range of organizations.

Findings

Analysis revealed that at the pre‐implementation stage, uncertainty focused on the strategic concept of the change, whereas at implementation, uncertainty related to the appropriate procedures to implement. Middle managers’ uncertainty management was found to be important in assisting their employees in the change transition. The factors identified as being either facilitators or barriers to uncertainty management focused on themes related to the design of change, communication with both senior management and their own staff, support from senior management, role conflict, and peer interaction. A model was created to link facilitators and barriers with uncertainty to guide future research.

Research limitations/implications

Implications for organizational change research along with practical implications are discussed.

Originality/value

This study provides insight into the positive contributions middle managers can make during change, along with suggesting what factors are facilitators or barriers to this positive role.
Implementing change: the perspective of NHS change agents
Authors: Massey Lynn , Williams Sharon
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review the change process that is required to support CANDO, a business improvement technique primarily associated with the manufacturing sector. It reviews the transferability of CANDO to a health setting and examines the effectiveness of this tool through the eyes of the change agents and implementers. The study draws on an ongoing empirical research study in the NHS.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology is a case study, combining semi‐structured interviews, observations and reflexive accounts.

Findings

The results show that this improvement tool is an appropriate mechanism as a foundation for developing change agents and for creating change in health care. The capability and competence of the change agent is critical to the success of a change programme. Specific skills include developing people outside of their normal functional boundaries, redefining values and norms, motivating and energising others, translating terminology, setting the initiative within the wider agenda for change, and designing and communicating solutions and new systems as a result of CANDO activities.

Research limitations/implications

As the research focuses on one NHS Trust within the UK this limits the generalisibility of the results. However, the results provide an important insight into developing change agents, their role while identifying enablers and inhibitors to the change process.

Originality/value

This paper records the early stages of what is a large‐scale and long‐term improvement programme from the perspective of the change agent. This is an important perspective that is often overlooked when examining change programmes.
UK robotic installations statistics for 2004
Authors: Young K. , Tuersley I. , Vaidya A.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

Aims to collate and analyse data relating to the sales and installations of industrial robots in the UK for the preceding year and, by comparison with data from previous years, identify market trends.

Design/methodology/approach

Data has been collected by the annual survey of UK robot sales and installations conducted by the British Automation and Robotics Association.

Findings

The key statistics for 2004 are as follows: a total of 785 units installed; total installations to date (from 1978) are 21,744 units adjusted to 14,176 to allow for International Federation of Robotics 12‐year retirement rule; the automotive sector remains dominant but dropped 79 per cent from 2003 to 458 units; the non‐automotive sector grew 11 per cent from 2003 with 327 units installed; significant growth in three sectors are: plastics and rubber 46 per cent; construction 85 per cent; and pharmaceuticals 95 per cent. Arc and spot welding installations reduced by 45 per cent, however, spot welding remains dominant application; growth of 80 per cent in “Dispensing” applications; six‐axis robots account for majority of the market; significant growth in seven‐axis robots; majority of installations fall between £10 and 30 k cost classification highlighting a price drop from 2003; robots originating from EU decreased by 145 per cent; and robots originating from Japan increased by 8 per cent.

Originality/value

The study identifies current trends in the UK industrial robot market in terms of factors such as industrial sector, application, robot type/structure and cost. By relating the data to the economic and industrial conditions prevalent in the UK this will provide a useful insight for robot application and development for both end‐users and vendors.
Robots will be of service with muscles, not motors
Authors: Duncheon Charlie
Published: January 2007

Purpose

Aims to project how electroactive polymer will replace conventional electromagnetic motor driven solutions for service and industrial robots.

Design/methodology/approach

Presents the ability of electro active polymer to provide higher power density for robot actuation over conventional approaches. Laboratory tests by DARPA compared electroactive polymer with conventional electromagnetic methodologies as well as shape memory alloy and piezo solutions.

Findings

Tests by DARPA and SRI International showed significant power density advantages for electroactive polymer artificial muscles (EPAM). Robot prototypes and well as early commercial prototypes developed by Artificial Muscle, Inc. in pumps, valves, and actuators prove superior performance over other actuation solutions.

Originality/value

Introduces a new low cost, low power consumption, light weight, and silent method for actuation for robots and other motion control devices.
Vision enabled robotics
Authors: Connolly Christine
Published: January 2007

Purpose

Examines a recently launched integration of smart cameras into industrial robots to make them responsive to a changing environment.

Design/methodology/approach

Reviews the capabilities of the vision‐enabled robot, citing installations in Sweden and the UK, then describes the robot and vision programming procedure.

Findings

Vision integration opens up a range of new possibilities such as simultaneous product handling and inspection, as well as providing real‐time robot guidance. Standardisation plays an extremely valuable role in building integrated systems from disparate technological elements. Here ActiveX web standards, ethernet connectivity, a standard interchangeable family of cameras and a common controller for a whole range of robots are the keys to the synthesis of a powerful new combination of robot and machine vision.

Originality/value

Draws to the attention of industrial engineers the availability of a family of robots with integrated machine vision.
Automation in the sky
Authors: Kochan Anna
Published: January 2007

Purpose

Aims to summarise the programme of UV Europe, a conference on unmanned vehicles that took place in Paris in June 2005.

Design/methodology/approach

Selects key conference presentations and summarises their contents, indicating the main themes.

Findings

Finds very strong international activity in the field of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Most progress has been made in the military sector so far. Concern about air space safety is holding back the industry.

Originality/value

Presents the topics relating to UAVs that concern the market today, and summarises the main areas of research and development.
Japanese robotics – where to go?
Authors: Kusuda Yoshihiro
Published: January 2007

Purpose

Aims to make an appeal to Japanese robotic community in an attempt to keep global competitivity for the future.

Design/methodology/approach

Clarifies the cost structure of the robotic business. Analyses the needs of Japanese society. Leads to suggest the new direction of Japanese robotics.

Findings

Specific target robots for the future are suggested.

Originality/value

The new direction in R&D is proposed based on the study on the cost structure of the robotic industry and the needs of Japanese society.
Weighted path planning based on collision detection
Authors: Lu Shujun , Chung Jae H.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

Aims to make an industrial robot work human‐friendly while coexisting with humans in a same working space, without any modification of the manipulator hardware as well as its motion controller.

Design/methodology/approach

Presents a weighted path planning approach based on collision detection for a robot sharing the same workspace with humans. Using a base and wrist force/torque sensors, a model‐based method is investigated to estimate the collision force and collision position on the manipulator; then a weighted path planning approach is developed to control the human‐robot interaction. Simulation experiments, with collisions between the manipulator and static objects and moving objects, are conducted to validate the efficacy of the method.

Findings

The experimental results illustrate the validity of the developed collision detection and planning scheme and make it possible for industrial robots to work safely around humans. The proposed weighted path planner (WPP) outperforms other three path planners.

Originality/value

Introduces the WPP based on collision detection. The wrist and base force/torque sensors configuration has the friction free benefit, and the developed method does not modify the existing designs of industrial robots. The contact force is well controlled under the human pain tolerance limit, through the modification of the desired path, and does not need torque control which is usually not available to industrial robots.
The impact of spoken interfaces on the design of service robots
Authors: Bugmann G. , Wolf J.C. , Robinson P.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

Service robots need to be programmable by their users who are in general unskilled in the art of robot programming. We have explored the use of spoken language for programming robots.

Design/methodology/approach

Two applications domains were studied: that of route instructions and that of game instructions. The latter is work in progress. In both cases work started by recording verbal instructions representative of how human users would naturally address their robot.

Findings

The analysis of these instructions reveals references to high‐level functions natural to humans but challenging for designers of robots. The instruction structure reflects assumptions about the cognitive abilities of the listener and it is likely that some human capabilities for rational thinking will be required in service robots.

Research limitations/implications

Some of the high‐level functions called for by natural communication stretch current capabilities and there is a clear case for more effort being devoted in some areas. Instruction analysis provides pointers to such research topics.

Practical implications

It is proposed that service robot design should start with investigating the way end‐users will communicate with the robot. This is encapsulated in the “corpus‐based” approach to robot design illustrated in this paper. This results in more functional service robots.

Originality/value

The paper stresses the importance of considering human‐robot communication early in the robot design process.
Robots and operators work hand in hand
Authors: Kochan Anna
Published: January 2007

Purpose

To report on new robot technologies and applications exhibited at Automatica trade fair held in Munich.

Design/methodology/approach

Visited exhibits of key manufacturers and reviewed their latest developments.

Findings

Clear trend is emerging for safe robots that permit operator and robot to work without safety barriers separating them.

Originality/value

Informs industry about new solutions and applications that could be of benefit to them.