bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Doctoral students' information behaviour: an exploratory study at the University of Parma (Italy)
Authors: Vezzosi Monica
Published: January 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this exploratory study is to investigate the information behaviour of a group of doctoral students in the field of biology with the aim of understanding their needs and obtaining suggestions for an improved library service.

Design/methodology/approach

In‐depth semi‐structured interviews explore which information sources students use, research strategies they adopt, the role people adopt in their information seeking process and the attitude students have towards library services.

Findings

Doctoral students rely heavily on the internet for their research work. They appreciate simple and easy research tools and their use of the library is limited to a few services, such as document delivery and interlibrary loan. People play a crucial role in doctoral students' information behaviour mainly in terms of suggesting relevant documents. Students demonstrate progress throughout the years of their doctorate course in terms of awareness and information competence.

Practical implications

The paper presents a perspective on the information needs of doctoral students in the biology field and provides some insights into students' priorities in terms of information tools and library services.

Originality/value

The paper can represent a starting‐point for further investigation into the information‐seeking patterns and needs of doctoral students in Italian universities.
Promoting a comprehensive view of library resources in a course management system
Authors: Solis Jacqueline , Hampton Ellen M.
Published: January 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the way the University of North Carolina Libraries have begun to incorporate library resources into their university course management system.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents a case study of course‐specific web pages that have been incorporated into BlackBoard sites as a way to facilitate the use of the library and to promote a comprehensive view of library services and resources at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Findings

Students and professors appreciate course‐specific web pages that provide access to library resources that relate directly to class assignments. Web page usage statistics show that students are using librarian‐created course pages to access library materials.

Originality/value

The paper describes a way for librarians to bring library resources into a course management system that may be beneficial for other academic libraries.
IFLA WLIC 2008 Quebec City, Canada
Authors: Madge Bruce
Published: January 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a flavour of the World Library and Information Congress: 74th IFLA General Conference and Council.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper gives an outline of the issues, content, speakers, participants, social networking and location of this conference.

Findings

The conference was informative, useful and provided wonderful international networking opportunities.

Originality/value

The paper provides a report of a major annual international conference of value to international information and library professionals.
Reviewing the relationship between human resource practices and psychological contract and their impact on employee attitude and behaviours
Authors: Aggarwal Upasana , Bhargava Shivganesh
Published: January 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review and synthesise literature on the role of human resource practices (HRP) in shaping employee psychological contract (PC). Based on this review, a conceptual framework for examining the relationship between HRP and PC and their impact on employee attitudes as well as behaviour has been put forward for further examination.

Design/methodological/approach

An extensive review of the literature, examining the role of HRP in influencing PC of employees, between the periods 1972 to 2007 has been conducted. Adopting the multi‐level approach, the paper discusses the role of individual variable (PC) and organisational variable (HRP) on employee attitudes and behaviours.

Findings

The review brings to fore the following: the role of business and employment relationship strategy on HRP; the relationship between HRP and organisation culture as well as employees attitudes and behaviours; the relationship between HRP on and employee's psychological contract; and the moderating effect of those conceptions on employee attitudes and behaviours relationship.

Practical implications

HRP and PC influence employee attitudes and behaviours as well as have a bearing on organisational effectiveness. Suggestively, as a policy implication, firms need to craft and effectively communicate their HR toolkit based on their employment relationship and business strategies.

Originality/value

The main contribution of this paper is that it synthesises the research examining the impact of HRP on PC. Adopting a meso theory, the paper integrates both organisational and individual level variables and proposes a conceptual model.
Determining the relationship among organizational learning dimensions of a small‐size business enterprise
Authors: Nafukho Fredrick M. , Graham Carroll M. , Muyia Machuma H.
Published: January 2009

Purpose

The primary purpose of the study was to determine the type of relationships that existed among organizational learning dimensions studied. In addition, the study sought to establish whether the correlations were statistically significant at 0.05 and 0.01 levels.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopted a correlational quantitative research design. It has been established that quantitative methods enable researchers to conduct comparisons across individuals. The correlational research design was found appropriate since it enabled the researchers to determine if statistically significant correlations existed among the learning dimensions studied.

Findings

The results of the correlation analysis showed that the learning organization dimensions leadership and culture had the highest level of association, followed by correlations between rewards and recognition and culture. The correlations were statistically significant at 0.01. Meaning that for the small business unit studied to be successful in promoting organizational learning practices, leadership must assume the primary responsibility.

Research limitations/implications

Further research should include comparisons of organizational learning dimensions within small, medium and large business firms. Generality of this study's results will be limited due to the investigation of a single small‐size manufacturing enterprise. Qualitative research techniques could have been used to supplement the findings.

Originality/value

There are limited studies that focus on the issue of organizational learning within small‐size business enterprises.
Transfer as a two‐way process: testing a model
Authors: Vermeulen Rita , Admiraal Wilfried
Published: January 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this exploratory research is to test the model of training transfer as a two‐way process.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on self‐report data gathered from 58 to 44 respondents in a field experiment, it is argued that there is not just learning in the context of training and not just application in the context of work. For training design may ask for performance during training, and data show significant further learning of skills in the context of work.

Findings

The overall results of the data analysis suggest support for transfer as a two‐way process. Data show a dip in transfer in the first interval, three weeks after training. In the longer term (one year), transfer restored significantly.

Practical implications

Discusses how to combine learning and performance, in the training context and the work context.

Originality/value

The usual view of transfer is one‐way (from training to work; from learning to application), while transfer may be a two‐way process. A presented model is put to the test.
Managerial competencies for middle managers: some empirical findings from China
Authors: Xuejun Qiao June , Wang Wei
Published: January 2009

Purpose

This study aims to identify managerial competencies required for successful middle managers in China.

Design/methodology/approach

First a questionnaire survey was distributed among MBA and EMBA students at a major university in China, and then two case studies were conducted to collect more in‐depth data.

Findings

The findings of this study suggest that team building, communication, coordination, execution and continual learning are critical competencies for the success of middle managers in China. Implications for future research and practices are also discussed.

Originality/value

The literature review shows that although previous leadership competency studies are extensive, little research has been conducted to explore the competencies required for middle managers. This study would contribute to fill the gap in the literature.
Engaging the small firm in learning
Authors: Higgins David
Published: January 2009

Purpose

The paper sets out to suggest that knowledge in the SME enterprise is embodied as evident in such notions as tacit knowing and learning, and embedded grounded in the situated social historic contexts of individual lives and work. This supports the view that the nature of knowledge is inherently indeterminate and continually evolving.

Design/methodology/approach

A practice‐based approach focuses towards, the point of action, enabling the researcher to observe knowing as an intimate recursive feature of organisational life, the local in which traditional dualisms lose their meaning, in the specific context of real time practices, in that the knowing subject and the known objects cannot be treated in isolation and opposed to one another, the given and the emergent co‐exist and presuppose one another.

Findings

The paper offers the suggestion that a social process perspective offers a means of engaging the SME enterprise in more effective knowledge creating activities, and fostering innovation, which is both relevant and useful to them.

Practical implications

The paper offers the suggestion that a social process perspective offers a means of engaging the SME enterprise in more effective knowledge creating activities, and fostering innovation, which is both relevant and useful to them.

Originality/value

The paper seeks to extend the current conceptualisations of organisational learning developing the view that learning is no longer associated with the diffusions of pieces of knowledge, but rather it is viewed as the process of developing of situated identities based on participation in a process of social engagement and interaction.
DSC characterisation of urea‐formaldehyde (UF) resin curing
Authors: Gao Z. , Wang X‐M. , Wan H. , Liu Zhi‐Ming
Published: January 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of various catalyst contents, resin solid contents, catalyst species and wood extract on urea‐formaldehyde (UF) curing by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) technique. The finding obtained would benefit the manufacturers of UF‐bonded composite panels.

Design/methodology/approach

The UF curing rate under each condition in terms of DSC peak temperature was measured by high‐pressure DSC at a heating rate of 15°C/min; the correlations of peak temperature with catalyst content, resin solid content, catalyst species and wood extract, respectively, were regressed via a model equation, which described the curing characteristics of the UF bonding system.

Findings

A model equation, Tp=A · EXP(−B · CC per cent)+D, was proposed to characterise the DSC peak temperatures or the rate of UF curing with regressing coefficients greater than 0.97 (commonly greater than 0.99). The constants A and B in the model equation were found to correspond to kinetic characteristics of UF resin curing reaction. The constant D in the model equation is believed to be associated with the utmost peak temperature, which implies that the DSC peak temperature will finally reach a maximum with catalyst content increasing. It was also found that the wood extracts having higher pH value and base buffer capacity had stronger catalyses on UF curing.

Research limitations/implications

The catalysts commonly used in medium density fibreboard plants or particleboard plants are those having the utmost peak temperature of about 90‐95°C; the catalyses of wood extracts were much weaker than that of catalyst NH4Cl.

Practical implications

The model equation could be used to predict the peak temperature or the curing rate of UF resin, and to quantify the effects of wood extracts on UF curing.

Originality/value

The study developed a model equation that can well characterise the UF curing, and quantified the effects of wood extracts on UF curing.
Investigation of fundamental parameters affecting electrospun PVA/CuS composite nanofibres
Authors: Wang C. , Yuan J. , Niu H. , Yan E. , Zhao H.
Published: January 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the preparation of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/CuS composite nanofibres, and the effects of solution and process parameters on the resulting nanofibres.

Design/methodology/approach

A facile method coupling self‐assembly and electrospinning technology was used to prepare PVA/CuS nanofibres from PVA/CuCl2 · 2H2O solution.

Findings

CuS nanoparticles were well dispersed in the composite nanofibres, the dimension of which was in the range of 4‐9 nm. Low amount of salt in electrospinning solutions and high‐applied voltage were beneficial for forming smooth and small sized nanofibres. The tip‐to‐collector distance has not affected the morphology of resulting nanofibres.

Research limitations/implications

The orientation of the composite nanofibres was hardly controlled and the diameter distribution of nanofibres was not uniform enough.

Practical implications

The method combining electrospinning and self‐assembly provided an effective strategy for preparing nanoparticles doped composite nanofibres.

Originality/value

The morphology of composite nanofibres was well controlled via adjusting the solution and process parameters, therefore, the fibres obtained will have potential applications as controllable nano‐optoelectronic materials.
Inhibition of corrosion of mild steel in sulphuric acid medium by Calotropis procera
Authors: Raja P.B. , Sethuraman M.G.
Published: January 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the corrosion inhibition potential of Calotropis procera in sulphuric acid medium on mild steel with a view to developing green corrosion inhibitors.

Design/methodology/approach

Extract of the C. procera was studied for its corrosion inhibitive effect by weight loss, electrochemical, SEM and UV methods. Using weight loss measurement data, mechanism of inhibitive action is probed by fitting in adsorption isotherm.

Findings

C. procera has been found to show significant corrosion inhibitive effect in sulphuric acid medium on mild steel. Inhibition is through adsorption of the phytoconstituents on mild steel following Tempkin adsorption isotherm. The results of ac impedance and polarization studies correlate well with the weight loss studies.

Originality/value

The plant has been investigated for the first time for its corrosion inhibitive effect. The effect has been studied by proven methods. This green inhibitor can find use in the inhibition of corrosion in industries where mild steel is used as a material of choice for the fabrication of machinery.
Sonicator dyeing of cotton fabric and chemical characterization of the colorant from Melastoma malabathricum
Authors: Vankar P.S. , Tiwari V. , Singh L.W. , Potsangbam L.
Published: January 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the dyeing potentials of Melastoma malabathricum whose fruit pulp showed high dye contents. It is an abundantly available shrub in the north eastern forests of India.

Design/methodology/approach

Dye extraction was carried out by conventional heating and sonicator. The dyebility of the aqueous extract of melastoma was evaluated for dyeing cotton fabric by two methods – sonication and conventional heating. The purpose of using sonication was for betterment of dye uptake, improved dye adherence and good wash and light fastnesses.

Findings

The test results showed that choosing this dyeing method produced improved results. The superiority of sonicator dyeing over conventional dyeing in terms of enhanced resource productivity and as a result, reduced wastes, makes it the established best available technique in the natural dyeing industry. Use of sonicator shows marked enhancement for cotton dyed fabric. Typical bath liquor to fabric ratio for conventional dyeing varies from 20:1 to 15:1 and for sonicator dyeing from only 12:1 to 10:1 thereby reducing specific water and energy consumption by, respectively, 30 and 50 percent.

Research limitations/implications

Although natural dyeing has its limitations of fastness, we have tried to overcome this limitation by using sonicator.

Practical implications

The method developed for natural dyeing of cotton fabric using sonication in conjunction with metal mordanting has shown marked improvement.

Originality/value

The method developed for natural dyeing of cotton fabric using fruit pulp of Melastoma malabathricum under sonication in conjunction with metal mordanting using has shown marked improvement in terms of dye adherence and fastness properties and can thus be recommended for industrial application.
Marketing medical implants: new challenges and concerns
Authors: Mackert Michael , Harrison Tracie
Published: January 2009

Purpose

The paper seeks to raise awareness of the issues surrounding marketing of medically implanted devices, a logical extension of issues now debated on direct‐to‐consumer pharmaceutical advertising.

Design/methodology/approach

Parallels from the direct‐to‐consumer marketing of pharmaceuticals provide a context for discussion of the marketing efforts of a specific medically implanted device: cochlear implants for children.

Findings

Since CI implantation is controversial among some members of the deaf community, the marketing of the product for children raises additional issues beyond those of many other devices or drugs. The omission of this concern in the marketing materials targeting parents overlooks a significant cultural risk that could derail desirable marketing efforts.

Research limitations/implications

Researchers should initiate investigation of consumer perceptions of surgically implanted medical devices and related issues, to provide guidance for health professionals, marketers, and policymakers.

Practical implications

In the interest of designing ethical messages, engendering consumer trust, and improving sales, health marketing should consider the full array of issues surrounding surgically implanted devices and design promotional messages accordingly.

Originality/value

Raising important issues regarding the marketing of a surgically implanted medical device can encourage future responsible marketing of the technology.
Communicating healthy eating to adolescents
Authors: Chan Kara , Prendergast Gerard , Grønhøj Alice , Bech‐Larsen Tino
Published: January 2009

Purpose

This study aims to explore perceptions of healthy/unhealthy eating, and perceptions of various socializing agents encouraging healthy eating, amongst Chinese adolescents.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was conducted of 152 seventh, eighth and ninth grade Hong Kong students. A structured questionnaire with closed‐ended questions was distributed in three public secondary schools.

Findings

Results showed that respondents frequently ate out with friends and frequently consumed a range of relatively unhealthy food (candies, chips, and soft drinks). They perceived that a balanced diet and eating at a regular time were the most important attributes of healthy eating. In terms of situational influences on their consumption, respondents most likely ate unhealthy food at parties, when eating out or with friends. They most likely ate healthy food at home and when they were sick. Looking at socializing agents, respondents claimed that parents and government publicity asked them to eat healthy food more often than teachers or friends. Parents were also perceived as being the most effective source in encouraging them to eat healthy food. In terms of alternative advertising appeals discouraging unhealthy eating, respondents considered news and fear appeals to be the most effective, while popularity and achievement appeals were considered to be relatively less effective.

Research limitations/implications

The respondents were chosen from three secondary schools (two co‐ed schools and one school for boys). These three schools may not be representative of all schools in Hong Kong or elsewhere, thus limiting the generalizability of the findings.

Practical implications

The study can serve as a guideline for social services marketing professionals targeting adolescents. Looking at the findings in relation to socializing agents, social services marketers can consider influencing the adolescents' eating habits through the parents. As government publicity was perceived as a relatively weak socializing agent, there is a need to review health education materials targeting adolescents. Looking at the findings in relation to different advertising appeals discouraging unhealthy eating, news and fear appeals should be considered, as these were considered relatively more likeable and effective than other types of appeals.

Originality/value

The paper offers insights into designing communication strategies for adolescents. It is original in that it focuses on adolescents, and explores the perceptions of various socializing agents influencing healthy eating.
Devil wears (counterfeit) Prada: a study of antecedents and outcomes of attitudes towards counterfeits of luxury brands
Authors: Phau Ian , Teah Min
Published: January 2009

Purpose

This paper sets out to examine how social and personality factors influence Chinese consumers' attitudes towards counterfeits of luxury brands and how these two sets of variables influence purchase intention. It provides a profile of buyers and non‐buyers of counterfeits of luxury brands.

Design/methodology/approach

A self‐administered questionnaire was designed using established scales. A survey was conducted in downtown Shanghai through the “mall intercept” method. A variety of statistical techniques were used to analyze the data.

Findings

Status consumption and integrity are strong influencers of purchase intention, whereas normative susceptibility, information susceptibility, personal gratification, value consciousness, and novelty seeking had weaker influencing relationships. The attitude towards counterfeits of luxury brands is found to influence purchase intention. Collectivism does not influence attitudes nor purchase intentions towards counterfeits of luxury brands.

Research limitations/implications

The findings are limited to Chinese consumers in Shanghai, which cannot be generalized across the whole of China or other international markets. Further, only luxury brands are considered. Other cultural contexts and product categories should be investigated in the future.

Practical implications

The research provides an in‐depth understanding of Chinese consumers' attitudes towards counterfeits of luxury brands. The research findings can be used to formulate strategies for academia, practitioners and, more importantly, policy makers to help eradicate, or at the very least curb, counterfeiting activities.

Originality/value

The majority of previous studies focused on counterfeiting and piracy of music and other optical media, whereas this paper focused exclusively on luxury brands. Status consumption is also added as an antecedent towards attitudes and purchase intention of counterfeits.
Two dimensions of attribute importance
Authors: Smith Russell , Deppa Brant
Published: January 2009

Purpose

This study aims to consider how the consumer ascribes importance to attributes that define a given product or service consumption experience relative to the extent that they contribute to satisfaction. Two separate dimensions of attribute importance are conceptualized, contrary to the more common view that there exists only a single form of importance. A hypothesis of how each type of importance changes throughout a consumption event is constructed in order to illustrate the nature of each importance dimension and how they operate in tandem.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey data taken from tourists who were asked to evaluate attributes describing a travel destination are used to illustrate how each type of importance changes.

Findings

Changes in each type of attribute importance occurred as predicted. Evidence indicates that the differences between the two types of attribute importance diminish as the consumption experience unfolds.

Research limitations/implications

In addition to validating the theoretical underpinnings of this conceptualization of attribute importance, the study illustrates the usefulness of a framework developed to measure each type of importance.

Practical implications

Importance performance analyses, commonly used by organizations to evaluate and improve product and service performance, should recognize and incorporate these two separate types of attribute importance.

Originality/value

The study provides a new conceptualization of attribute importance.
Increasing elder consumer interactions with information technology
Authors: Hough Michelle , Kobylanski Andrzej
Published: January 2009

Purpose

Advances in health care are enabling individuals to live longer, healthier lives. Although the use of information technology can improve the quality of life for the elderly, many older consumers choose to limit their interactions with information technology and so may be denied its potential benefits for enhancing quality of life. This paper seeks to explore factors impacting the engagement of consumers aged 65 and older with higher forms of IT, primarily PCs and the internet, and to examine the potential effectiveness of marketing methods toward improving diffusion and increasing engagement.

Design/methodology/approach

Citing published research and using previously known models (TAM and Trocchia and Janda's interaction themes) the study highlights possible ways of using marketing tools to increase elder consumer interaction with IT.

Findings

Marketers should focus efforts on reference group affiliation, nature of social relations, perception of reality, and physical dexterity as the interaction themes on which to focus marketing efforts, because they seem to be a most effective mechanism for influencing engagement.

Research limitations/implications

The paper represents an initial attempt to identify potential influences toward increasing the IT adoption by elder consumers. It presents a theoretical framework for the future investigation of the diagnosed problem: what are the ways of successfully influencing the adoption of information technology by older consumers by using traditional components of marketing mix (product, price, promotion, and place)?

Originality/value

In the fast pace of technology advancement and the potential for assistance for elder members of society, the paper discusses how to market the use of IT to consumers aged 65 and older and considers the factors that could be related to product, price, place, and promotion in this context.
Shopping for loyalty: an executive's wish list
Authors: Kerr Bruce
Published: January 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a blueprint for loyalty strategy development, and to inform the reader of the basic and not so basic elements that should be considered by companies, academics and executives when determining the future effectiveness and success of a customer loyalty program.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper draws on author expertise and know‐how, as well as past experiences and market trends, to present a compelling review of necessary elements for a customer relationship program.

Findings

Before embarking on a loyalty program design companies should be wise to set long‐ and short‐term goals to drive the initial strategy. One should avoid launching a “me too” program by differentiating from one's close competitors. Implement a strategy from top to bottom across the organization. Data and customer engagement are the most important elements to foster.

Practical implications

A well‐planned and executed loyalty strategy can boost growth in incremental sales, increase in‐store traffic, drive higher impact from promotions and significantly boost overall revenues. Customer relationship marketing can also lead to richer data insights about current customers and high‐value potential customers.

Originality/value

An executive with decades of experience building and maintaining customer loyalty programs cites trends for the future of the loyalty discipline.
Society for Scholarly Publishing 30th Annual Meeting, Boston, MA, May 28‐30, 2008
Authors: Bowering Mullen Laura
Published: January 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report on the Society for Scholarly Publishing's 30th Annual Meeting

Design/methodology/approach

Conference report

Findings

The meeting was an informative and welcoming event for any librarian interested in finding out what is happening in the world publishing

Originality/value

Provides a report on the Society for Scholarly Publishing's 30th Annual Meeting, which will help to promote dialogue and learning.
Libraries as learning organisations: implications for knowledge management
Authors: Jain Priti , Mutula Stephen
Published: January 2009

Purpose

The purpose of thi s paper is to describe how libraries are under increasing pressure to become learning organisations for better knowledge management and to cultivate a culture of continuing learning to cope with both current and future changes in the organisations in which they exist.

Design/methodology/approach

Literature review and authors” experiences in academic libraries in east and southern Africa.

Findings

Learning organisations” role includes knowledge creation, sharing and dissemination and the ability to effectively operate in an increasingly digital environment.

Practical implications

Academic libraries are undergoing tremendous transformations due in part to new technologies, customer expectations, competitive pressures, evolving knowledge‐intensive organisations, and the changing roles of librarians. Academic libraries can be considered as learning organisations involved in intensive generation of knowledge and must operate competitively in order to satisfy customer needs and be able to deal with the challenges and opportunities of the digital environment.

Originality/value

Academic libraries have long been acknowledged as the heart of the institution in which they reside. As a result, they are confronted with challenges and opportunities in the digital environment which they must fully understand as learning organisations in order to redefine and effectively perform their roles.
Perceptions of library and information science professionals about a National Digital Library programme
Authors: Fatima Warraich Nosheen , Ameen Kanwal
Published: January 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the perceptions of library and information science professionals regarding a national digital library programme in Pakistan.

Design/methodology/approach

This study investigates the perceptions of LIS Professionals regarding the usage and satisfaction of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) National Digital Library (NDL) databases. This program provides free access to electronic resources including 30 full text databases with access to 24,000 peer reviewed online journals and e‐books to universities and non‐profitable research and development organizations in Pakistan. The study utilized an online survey, group interviews, and observations. Seventy‐five respondents from 40 institutions responded to the survey.

Findings

The findings reveal that younger professionals showed greater interest in the use of databases. A majority of users accessed these databases from the HEC website. Respondents were more satisfied with electronic journals and least satisfied with e‐books. The study also showed that the resources of the HEC NDL are underutilized and increased promotion and training is needed.

Originality/value

This study will be helpful for universities regarding the use of digital resources.
Reforms on teachers' employment system and children's rights to education in China
Authors: Niu Zhikui
Published: January 2009

Purpose

By reviewing the related literature on the Jiaoshi Pinren Zhi (JPZ) system, this paper seeks to indicate that the implementation of JPZ not only has led to domestic brain drain and the imbalance of teachers' qualities between different areas and schools, but also has violated children's equal rights to education guaranteed by the Constitution and educational laws in PR China.

Design/methodology/approach

By analysing national policies and laws and some cases, the paper points out that the reforms on teachers' employment causes the imbalance of teachers' qualities between different areas and schools and it is against the principle of children's equal rights to education guaranteed by the Constitution and some educational laws in China.

Findings

Since the late 1980s, many reform initiatives have been launched in the context of the transition from planned economy to market economy in China.

Originality/value

The reforms on the teachers' employment system from “Tongyi Fenpei” (TF, a system of unified placement for all graduates) and the life‐time employment system to JPZ (a free contract employment system) is one of the important reform initiatives.
The effects of university mergers in China since 1990s
Authors: Mao Ya‐qing , Du Yuan , Liu Jing‐juan
Published: January 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discover and better understand the efficiency of university mergers from the perspective of knowledge production, with the research capability as the point of contact.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 20 colleges and universities directly under the central ministries that merged in 2000 were taken as the research samples. Factor analysis methods are adopted to calculate the public factor scores, which were taken as the basis of the time series analysis and similar comparative analysis.

Findings

The results indicated that, by the end of 2005, the reform of universities merger has a positive impact on the universities' knowledge production, but there was a “short‐term prosperity” after the merger happened, especially in the aspect of scientific research funding efficiency and the transformation of knowledge production outcomes.

Originality/value

Few if any mergers are painless and in the literature on mergers it is generally agreed that it can take up to ten years for the wounds to heal and for the new institution forged from previously autonomous identities to operate as a cohesive and well integrated whole.
Efficiency of primary schools in Beijing, China: an evaluation by data envelopment analysis
Authors: Hu Yongmei , Zhang Zhi , Liang Wenyan
Published: January 2009

Purpose

Under the new policy framework, the China Government will substantially increase education resources investment. As a result, financial under‐provision of schools will not be the main problem in the near future. However, school efficiency will emerge as the new factor in attracting the attention of the government and the public in China, which is also one of the important fields of Education Economics research.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) to evaluate a sample of 58 primary schools in six districts in Beijing, hoping to find the solutions to school efficiency improvement as a result of under‐adequate investment.

Findings

In the years to come, the central government of China will continue to enhance transferring payment from the exchequer. The education input will be assured accordingly. However, if schools run under low efficiency, the education resources will not be well used and sustainability of elementary education will not be assured.

Originality/value

In light of the research purpose and the limited data, there has been no in‐depth discussion of the impact of, for example, families' social status, district development disparity, social cultural influence and history context. Obviously, considering more factors which may affect school efficiency will help to find the best solution for the public education sector of government.
Principal preparation and training: a look at China and its issues
Authors: Yan Wu , Catherine Ehrich Lisa
Published: January 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an understanding of principal preparation and training in China by providing a background discussion of principal preparation in a number of countries. As an illustration, it provides an overview of the curriculum used in the initial preparation of school principals at Beijing Normal University.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper draws mainly on writing and research from China, Australia and the USA to explore principal preparation and training in China.

Findings

In addition to providing a rich description of principal preparation in China, the paper's main findings comprise seven key challenges that confront China as it endeavours to provide quality principal preparation. These challenges include China's diversity and uneven social, cultural and educational development; limited resources in some regions throughout China; the place and importance of study tours for principal preparation; the teaching approach used to train principals; the process used for assessing principal learning during their training programs; the limited transfer of learning from the classroom to the school environment; and the timing of training for principals.

Practical implications

Each of the challenges arising here raises important practical implications for developers of principal training programs.

Originality/value

The paper paints a picture of principal preparation in China and raises a number of issues and challenges with which it continues to grapple. Of note is that China is not alone in facing some of these ongoing concerns.
Hong Kong educational reforms in the last decade: reform syndrome and new developments
Authors: Cheong Cheng Yin
Published: January 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to analyse the reform syndrome, bottle‐neck effects and their impacts on teachers and school education in the last ten years and highlight the direction of new developments.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper examines educational reforms in Hong Kong in the last decade.

Findings

Echoing the international trends of educational reforms, Hong Kong, as an international city, has initiated a series of educational reforms in the past decades. The experiences of educational reforms in Hong Kong may provide a good case for understanding the dynamics of educational reforms and drawing theoretical and practical implications for research, policy formulation and implementation not only in Hong Kong but also in other international communities.

Originality/value

From the analysis of the reform syndrome, particularly the bottle‐neck effect, there should be seven key aspects for policy‐makers, educators and stakeholders in Hong Kong to address the emergent key issues in educational reforms and work for the further development of their education system in the coming few years.
Realistic expectations: accounting for young people's progress in training programmes
Authors: Devanney Carol
Published: January 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to communicate the challenges and tensions faced by front‐line workers in negotiating the demands of performance targets and those of the young people they work with.

Design/methodology/approach

An in‐depth study, over a two‐year period, of a number of training programmes combining participant observation and qualitative directed data collection.

Findings

Workers need to be sensitive to young people's previous educational experiences and social context while encouraging participation in education‐based work. Personal problems had to be addressed if progress towards the target of education, employment or training was to be achieved. Effective programmes rely on the front‐line workers but systems of accountability do not recognise the breadth of this work in handling the wider personal situations of young people. The role of training programmes needs to be better understood within this wider socio‐economic context.

Research limitations/implications

The study is of a small number of training programmes so it is not possible to generalise from the findings. A limitation of the paper is that the ethical, moral and practical implications of the study are not explored.

Practical implications

This paper extends our understanding of the complexity involved in the delivery of training programmes for young people.

Originality/value

Providing practitioners working in training settings with an account of the work which may address some of the criticisms often levelled at them. It has potential value to inform policy development, implementation and future forms of accountability.
The new GP contract in English primary health care: an ethnographic study
Authors: McDonald Ruth , Checkland Kath , Harrison Steve
Published: January 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the impact of contracts on general practise in the UK National Health Service. In particular, it is concerned with the response of practitioners to the apparent flexibilities offered in the new contract with its focus on outcomes rather than processes.

Design/methodology/approach

Ethnographic studies of two general practices, using non‐participant observation, documents and interviews with staff over a five‐month period.

Findings

Conclusions suggest that the new contracts, far from encouraging flexibility and responsiveness from general practitioners, have tended to strengthen bureaucratic forms in the way the contract is implemented.

Originality/value

The new contract has introduced greater clarity regarding roles and responsibilities within practises. At the same time, when operating in financially tight conditions, the contract can make rationing more explicit. Decisions are made not in accordance with the targets but in light of local pressures and constraints, causing tensions between primary and tertiary care.
The persistence of the audit culture: supervision within Swedish ambulance services
Authors: Waks Caroline
Published: January 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether, or to what extent, the audit society influences the professional context of Swedish pre‐hospital care.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected through an in‐depth case study of public supervision within ambulance services in Sweden. A three‐dimensional framework departing from three analytical concepts (knowledge base, formal organization and operational process) was used as a tool for further analysis of the field material.

Findings

The paper describes ambulance services under the pressure of frequent audits in a context where the knowledge base of ambulatory work was contested. While some have argued this would make it more receptive to an audit culture, the relational distance between the auditor and the auditees was high, which should indicate the opposite.

Originality/value

The paper explores the audit society and its processes. In this particular case, it could be argued that the impact of an audit culture on professional activities was moderated by the dissociated approach of the auditing team.
Opening up one's everyday negotiations to inspection
Authors: Gastelaars Marja
Published: January 2009

Purpose

This paper reflects on the output of four ethnographic research projects examining the implementation of the Dutch Inspection for Work and Income. These four reports were to open up the “black box” concerning the everyday negotiations involved in implementation and particularly focused on the actual contribution of various participants to this process.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents an analysis, a political re‐reading of four reports, examining the underpinning questions and assumptions behind the work of the ethnographic research.

Findings

The paper raises questions about the role of ethnographic researchers. It analyses, for instance, the ways in which researchers framed the “objects of concern” they investigated on behalf of the inspection and the political effects of their fieldwork choices, including the selection of their respondents and the ways they dealt with them throughout the research.

Originality/value

In the context of evaluative reports that are to be made public as part of a political process, the inadequate or unequal representation of particular actors has wider political consequences. Researchers need to explicitly engage with these issues raised in their reflections on the process and their findings.
Reciprocal accountability
Authors: Sullivan Patrick
Published: January 2009

Purpose

This paper attempts to replace the understanding of public sector accountability as a linear and hierarchical process with one in which accountability occurs within a network of social relationships. It associates the former approach with the introduction of New Public Management principles in Australian public administration. It investigates the effect of this on the ability of Australia's indigenous people both to access democratic accountability as citizens, and to develop their community organisations as service providers.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on field experience with aboriginal community organisations and critical assessment of the literature on this aspect of Australian public administration.

Findings

The paper finds that New Public Management approaches in Australian public administration have not led to greater political accountability but the reverse. As a disadvantaged, culturally distinct minority, aboriginal people are the subject of, rather than partners in, accountability regimes which mire their community service organisations in reporting requirements at the expense of practical activity. In some respects Aborigines are dealt with as individual citizen/clients, at other times as a disadvantaged minority group, and third, as culturally distinct polities. Each of these approaches implies different forms of accountability both by Aborigines to the state and by the state to them.

Research limitations/implications

This analysis is inherently interpretative rather than exclusively empirical. However, greater efficiency as well as culturally appropriate outcomes can be found by instituting regional regimes of reciprocal accountability.

Originality/value

The analysis of developments in public administration is rarely brought to bear on Australian indigenous affairs.
Championing intellectual pluralism
Authors: Parker Lee , Guthrie James
Published: January 2009

Purpose

This editorial seeks to argue for intellectual pluralism and adventurous enquiry in an era of status badging of publication venues and institutions and to review AAAJ's role, strategies and international recognition in this context.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is an editorial review and argument.

Findings

The paper acknowledges pressures towards a North American inspired unitary neo‐classical economic view of the accounting world and related badging of higher education institutions and research publications globally. It identifies the community of accounting scholars including AAAJ with wider and more pluralist philosophies and research agendas.

Research limitations/implications

The paper offers scope and associated recognition for researchers prepared to take up and address a wide array of theoretical perspectives and research issues of global significance.

Originality/value

The paper provides important empirical data and research network information to scholars in the interdisciplinary accounting field of research.