bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The business aims of eight national libraries in digital library co‐operation
Authors: Collier Mel
Published: January 2007

Purpose

To describe the process and results of the business‐planning workpackage of The European Library (TEL) project, in which eight national libraries collaborated on a joint approach to access to their digital libraries.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology was in three parts: first, a literature review and the mapping of the partners' existing and planned digital products and services, then a structured interview or survey to determine the partners' business requirements from TEL, then a harmonization process, and finally the results were then combined with normal business planning elements to produce a mission and final business plan.

Findings

Business planning for digital libraries has hitherto not been widely reported. The methodology proved to be an effective method of achieving mutual agreement among partners with widely different aims and characteristics. Eleven harmonized service aspirations were agreed and five categories of business aims.

Research limitations/implications

Focused on the business aims of national libraries, but the methodology can be relevant to other collaborative projects. Together with the few existing other reports, this can form the basis for a new field of work.

Practical implications

The work described led directly to the creation of an operational service, which will be open to all European national libraries.

Originality/value

As far as is known, the first reporting of a collaborative international planning process for a digital library, and maybe the first multi‐partner business plan between national libraries.
Usability and user perceptions of a thesaurus‐enhanced search interface
Authors: Shiri Ali , Revie Crawford
Published: January 2007

Purpose

This paper seeks to report an investigation into the ways in which end‐users perceive a thesaurus‐enhanced search interface, in particular thesaurus and search interface usability.

Design/methodology/approach

Thirty academic users, split between staff and postgraduate students, carrying out real search requests were observed during this study. Users were asked to comment on a range of thesaurus and interface characteristics including: ease of use, ease of learning, ease of browsing and navigation, problems and difficulties encountered while interacting with the system, and the effect of browsing on search term selection.

Findings

The results suggest that interface usability is a factor affecting thesaurus browsing/navigation and other information‐searching behaviours. Academic staff viewed the function of a thesaurus as being useful for narrowing down a search and providing alternative search terms, while postgraduates stressed the role of the thesaurus for broadening searches and providing new terms.

Originality/value

The paper provides an insight into the ways in which end‐users make use of and interact with a thesaurus‐enhanced search interface. This area is new since previous research has particularly focused on how professional searchers and librarians make use of thesauri and thesaurus‐enhanced search interfaces. The research reported here suggests that end‐users with varying levels of domain knowledge are able to use thesauri that are integrated into search interfaces. It also provides design implications for search interface developers as well as information professionals who are involved in teaching online searching.
A bird's eye view of cross‐platform web interaction
Authors: Slone Debra J.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

This exploratory study sets out to describe the ways in which end‐users exchanged information between the web and a web online catalog, how they searched one device based on what they knew about the other, and their experiences in navigating between the two devices.

Design/methodology/approach

Thirty‐one participants were observed searching the web or a web online catalog. After the observations, an interview guide was used to ask targeted questions.

Findings

The findings suggest that people familiar with the use of traditional online catalogs were more comfortable using web tools than those who lacked online catalog experience. People who had recent web experience expected online catalog searching to be similar to web searching. However, drawing too close an association between the two systems sometimes caused difficulties when the searching protocols varied, like keyword searching versus selecting an index.

Research limitations/implications

Some limitations of the study include a small sampling size, varied responses to interview questions, obtrusive procedures, and lack of generalizability to groups or settings dissimilar from the one in this study.

Originality/value

This study provides a rare look into the challenges faced by a diverse group of public library users on the web. It is instructive for practicing librarians and researchers.
eLiteracy or information literacy: which concept should we prefer?
Authors: Joint Nicholas
Published: January 2007

Purpose

To give a comparative analysis of the validity of the concepts of eLiteracy (eL) and Information Literacy (IL).

Design/methodology/approach

A purely abstract, conceptual discussion.

Findings

That eLiteracy and Information Literacy are different but mutually compatible concepts with validity within specific contexts.

Research limitations/implications

An entirely abstract discussion of theoretical descriptions.

Practical implications

By defining concepts clearly, this paper attempts to inform and clarify the framework for practical LIS research.

Originality/value

In contrast to other discussions (which tend to focus either on eLiteracy, or on Information Literacy) this editorial squarely addresses criticism of the eL concept in comparison to IL. It sets out the difference with IL and recognises the strength of both ideas, as long as they are each applied within their appropriate frame of reference.
Using focus groups to assess student needs
Authors: Anna Fagerheim Britt , Weingart Sandra J.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

Reports methodology and findings of focus groups conducted at Utah state university to assess students’ needs in the library’s new information commons.

Design/methodology/approach

A joint committee of computer services personnel and librarians, with assistance from undergraduate library peer mentors, undertook a series of focus groups with participants from the Utah state university student population. The goals were to assess the undiscovered needs of students and students’ preferences in a new library.

Findings

After the focus group responses were organized into eleven categories, we recorded several key traits and sets of comments from our user population; our users spend a good deal of their study time in the library either working individually or as a group, participants differ in their preferences for seeking help in the library, and participants consider noise levels and adequate space to study important concerns.

Practical implications

By following a few standard procedures, focus groups can be a useful format for collecting data regarding patrons’ needs and interests in the library. Focus groups can help library staff plan for and design new intellectual and physical spaces in the library.

Originality/value

This paper will be useful to academic librarians planning an Information Commons or other services in the library, or librarians interested in assessing their users’ needs through focus groups.
A selective review of research in content personalization
Authors: Jeevan V.K.J. , Padhi P.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

To provide a selective bibliography in the emerging area of library content personalization for the benefit of library and information professionals.

Design/methodology/approach

A range of recently published works (in the period 1993–2004), which aim to provide pragmatic application of content personalization rather than theoretical works, are discussed and sorted into “classified” sections to help library professionals understand more about the various options for formulating content as per the specific needs of their clientele.

Findings

This paper provides information about each category of tool and technique of personalization, indicating what is achieved and how particular developments can help other libraries or professionals. It recognises that personalization of library resources is a viable way of helping users deal with the information explosion, conserving their time for more productive intellectual tasks. It identifies how computer and information technology has enabled document mapping to be more efficient, especially because of the ease with which a document can be indexed and represented with multiple terms, and confirms that this same functionality can be used to represent a user's interests, facilitating the easy linking of relevant sources to prospective users. Personalization of library resources is an effective way for maximizing user benefit.

Research limitations/implications

This is not an exhaustive list of developments in personalization. Rather it identifies a mix of products and solutions that are of immediate use to librarians.

Practical implications

A very useful source of pragmatic applications of personalization so far, that can guide a practicing professional interested in creating similar solutions for more productive information support in his/her library.

Originality/value

This paper fulfils an identified need for a “review of technology” for LIS practitioners and offers practical help to any professional exploring solutions similar to those outlined in this paper.
Scholarly use of web resources in LIS research: a citation analysis
Authors: Maharana Bulu , Nayak Kalpana , Sahu N.K.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The essential purpose of this paper is to measure the amount of web resources used for scholarly contributions in the area of library and information science (LIS) in India. It further aims to make an analysis of the nature and type of web resources and studies the various standards for web citations.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, the result of analysis of 292 web citations spread over 95 scholarly papers published in the proceedings of the National Conference of the Society for Information Science, India (SIS‐2005) has been reported. All the 292 web citations were scanned and data relating to types of web domains, file formats, styles of citations, etc., were collected through a structured check list. The data thus obtained were systematically analyzed, figurative representations were made and appropriate interpretations were drawn.

Findings

The study revealed that 292 (34.88 per cent) out of 837 were web citations, proving a significant correlation between the use of Internet resources and research productivity of LIS professionals in India. The highest number of web citations (35.6 per cent) was from .edu/.ac type domains. Most of the web resources (46.9 per cent) cited in the study were hypertext markup language (HTML) files.

Originality/value

The paper is the result of an original analysis of web citations undertaken in order to study the dependence of LIS professionals in India on web sources for their scholarly contributions. This carries research value for web content providers, authors and researchers in LIS.
Organizational charisma and vision across three countries
Authors: Hwang Alvin , Khatri Naresh , Srinivas E.S.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the extent leadership charisma and vision could be discriminated by followers and how they influenced follower commitment and reported performance across three countries.

Design/methodology/approach

An instrument to identify leadership charisma and vision was developed in Singapore and validated in New Zealand and India before tests on how these leadership qualities influenced followers through Lisrel path models.

Findings

Results from the Singapore sample showed that charisma and vision were made up of two charismatic factors (social sensitivity and personality traits – persuasive) and two visionary factors (expert and analytical and visionary and futuristic). Tests across three countries showed that the two visionary factors influenced reported performance and the two charismatic factors influenced subordinate commitment. Only social sensitivity predicted both performance and commitment of subordinates.

Research limitations/implications

Future studies should include a larger sample of respondents. Cross‐cultural differences in vision and charismatic qualities would have to be explicitly tested with cross‐cultural variables in future studies. The performance output measure should also include objective measures of follower performance, such as revenue or cost in future studies.

Practical implications

Effective leaders should strive to have both charismatic and visionary qualities. Special attention should be paid to “socially sensitive” since it influenced both commitment and reported performance.

Originality/value

This instrument was developed and tested across three countries and therefore has some cross‐cultural validity. The clear discrimination between charisma and vision is also an important development that showed the role both played in leadership influence.
Optimising the effects of leadership development programmes
Authors: Burke Veronica , Collins David
Published: January 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to discuss a framework for analysing the learning and transfer of conflict handling skills via leadership development programmes. The framework links the role of knowledge in skill acquisition to the process of learning transfer to suggest how different methodologies may influence learning outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to explore the veracity of the framework, content analysis was conducted on 22 UK leadership development programmes. In addition, semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 18 managers acting in leadership roles and ten leadership development providers.

Findings

Results confirmed the model to be tenable insofar as providers reportedly utilised both design paths represented in the framework and as managers used the approaches in handling business conflicts.

Research limitations/implications

The framework remains to be tested longitudinally with a large sample of managers and providers. Given the lack of empirical work to support an expressed link between design and outcome to maximise effect, a mixed methodology examining both approach and rationale would be essential.

Practical implications

It is suggested that clients question the training provider about the philosophy underlying skills learning and transfer. Due consideration should also be given to the circumstances under which learning transfer may be optimised.

Originality/value

It is proposed that the framework may offer clients an evaluation tool in respect of particular methodologies or course designs and that this may help to maximise the chances of focused learning and subsequent skills transfer.
A practical focus on leadership in management − for research, education and management development
Authors: Rausch Erwin
Published: January 2007

Purpose

To provide an explanation of an approach to education and development for leadership in organizations, as distinct from education about leadership.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper refers to leadership in private as well as public organizations and organizational units, to all types of managers including those of non‐supervisory functions affecting stakeholders, and even to personal affairs. It suggests a decision‐assisting model based on the issues that should be considered in decisions pertaining to matters involving leadership roles. It is based on three foundations: comparison of decision‐making practices involving leadership aspects of management with decision making in other professional fields; analysis of the actual and potential impact of leadership and motivation theories on leadership decisions; and responsibilities involved in effectively applying leadership to management activities in all fields.

Findings

The paper reports on the informal research process that resulted in the development of the model.

Research implications

Extensive possible research is outlined that could gradually overcome the enormous obstacles to empirical validation of the model.

Practical implication

The model is relatively simple, consisting of eight groups of considerations, in the form of questions that help to ensure that leadership decisions consider all relevant issues. The approach outlined here is highly practical and can easily be applied.

Originality/value

The model is unique and highly practical for all individuals who are in management and for those who are called on to assume leadership roles on teams, in their profession, in their family roles, and in other situations.
Leading and managing: it takes two to tango
Authors: Kent Thomas W.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

To create a starting point for defining the processes of leading and managing in a way that enables both the separation and distinction of the concepts for study as well as the integration of the concepts for practical application.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper draws on research that describes specific behaviors involved in leading and in managing; and it proposed a model that might be used to think about the integration of the two processes – leading and managing. The paper further describes the specific competencies involved in both leading and in managing.

Findings

The paper suggests that the current literature is particularly confusing as a result of the lack of agreement and specificity regarding the nature of the processes of leading and managing. The literature suffers from a proliferation of “spin off” forms of leadership – such as strategic leadership, entrepreneurial leadership, etc. – as well as from using the two terms as replacements for each other.

Originality/value

This discussion should further the research on the study of leadership competencies and leadership behaviors. It should also prove useful to those wishing to develop leadership development programs, leadership selection criteria, and more.
Leadership in project management: from firefighter to firelighter
Authors: Barber Elizabeth , Warn James
Published: January 2007

Purpose

To demonstrate two distinct leadership requirements for project managers and establish a theoretical basis for distinguishing between these two types of leadership.

Design/methodology/approach

A framework linking transactional and transformational leadership qualities with project management attributes is developed.

Findings

Explains how reactive decisions relating to monitoring of schedules and budgeting data of projects has received the greatest attention in the literature but this is only one aspect of project control. Project leadership that is proactive in controlling projects is more effective.

Research limitations/implications

The implications of our findings are substantive. Project managers who focus on proactive leadership behaviour will be more successful in completing projects on time, on budget and to the specified standard as well as achieving the strategic purpose of the project.

Practical implications

Project managers need to pay more attention to the progress of their projects and forestall any problems rather than just being reactive problem solvers.

Originality/value

The paper provides a framework for establishing the linkage between proactive decisions that impact on the direction that the project is progressing and reactive decisions that solve the existing problems of project management. It is a different focus to the traditional project management leadership knowledge base.
Organizational justice and decision making
Authors: Eberlin Richard , Tatum B. Charles
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine organizational justice, decision making, and the unintended consequences of cognitive biases and errors. Managers, and other leaders, are often subject to simple, but serious, biases and errors when making important organizational decisions. Sometimes these errors and biases produce decisions that result in adverse outcomes. Moreover, these same errors and biases may be used to justify or excuse the unintended results.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reviews the literature on organizational justice, decision‐making styles and biases, and cognitive errors. From this review, the authors draw conclusions about potential adverse outcomes when leaders or managers engage in biased decision‐making or commit cognitive errors.

Findings

When leaders or managers inadvertently make biased decisions or cognitive errors that lead to adverse results, their followers may perceive these acts as unfair and unjust even when no injustice was intended. Leaders must acknowledge, and be accountable for, their actions and decisions if they want to avoid undesirable side effects such as lower morale, increased turnover, reduced performance, or litigation.

Originality/value

The lack of consideration of the implications of organizational justice (especially the social forms of justice) during the decision‐making process may create perceptions of unfairness and injustice among followers (e.g. employees, subordinates). Any rip in the fabric of social justice, whether intentional or not, can create problems in an organization. Many of these problems can be avoided if leaders or managers accept responsibility for their decisions and not try to deflect criticism or rationalize their actions.
Learning orientation and leadership quality
Authors: Paparoidamis Nicholas G.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

Although sales managers influence to a great extent their salespeople's outcomes, research examining the impact of leadership effectiveness and learning orientation in the sales department is limited. As such, an investigation of the impact of sales managers' learning values and leadership – on the grounds of goal‐setting and leader‐member exchange (LMX) theories – on salespeople's goal orientation and performance is warranted. This paper aims to investigate these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

To explore these issues, the author presents the extant literature on learning orientation, goal orientation and leadership quality, in an effort to provide the basis for the development of theoretical propositions. A strategic learning pathway is proposed for further research indicating that sales managers' learning orientation and leadership affect salespeople's goal orientation and performance.

Practical implications

Each of the underlying propositions is explored and managerial and research implications are identified. The proposed model indicates that it is vital for sales managers to pursue strategic learning and create favourable learning conditions and processes that facilitate organisational learning and change.

Originality/value

The research framework provides a new perspective to sales managers for strategic implementation of learning practices in the sales environment.
Ritualism, symbolism and magic in consultancy practice
Authors: Gbadamosi Gbolahan
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The paper is an exploratory attempt to examine the practice of management consultancy and the cultural components of rituals, symbolism and magic in Botswana. Management consultants as catalytic agents of change remain relevant in organisational life and this study aims to investigate how they are perceived and how they perform their tasks in the African context.

Design/methodology/approach

In‐depth unstructured interviews were conducted with seven top management consultancy firms in Botswana, who agreed to participate in the study, focusing on six key research questions.

Findings

Findings revealed that the role of cultural values, while relevant, does not affect actual consultancy practice. It also establishes that consultation process is limited to mainly big organisations and government departments. The activities of consultants may be ritualistic to the extent of repetitiveness; there are also symbolic practices, there is, however, no evidence of superstitious or magical acts.

Research limitations/implications

Qualitative data generally struggles with the accusation of researchers bias, while a sample size of seven consultants, certainly limits the generalisability of the findings, how much can we possibly learn from such a small size?

Practical implications

The need to reposition the consultation process for long‐term survival in the non‐Western context by inculcating indigenous values and mores was discussed as well as other policy implications.

Originality/value

The paper demonstrates the need for a re‐conceptualisation of what should constitute an effective management consultancy practice in non‐Western settings. Since managers are not divorced from their socio‐cultural environment their mental images reflect axioms that are deeply located in the uniqueness of their cultural settings.
Consensus in team decision making involving resource allocation
Authors: Chong Philip S. , Benli Ömer S.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a practical method to be used in team decision making when allocating resources.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper proposes the following hypothesis: the selected team consensus strategy from among all available strategies must have minimum sum of squares of monetary regrets. A general algebraic representation of the above hypothesis is developed.

Findings

This hypothesis can be interpreted as a Nash equilibrium involving mixed strategies when the entire problem is viewed in game theoretic framework. The paper provides an explanation in quantitative terms of the reasoning process pursued by five business college department chairs faced with three strategies, in an actual consensus decision making to illustrate the above hypothesis. By making observations of the behavior of decision makers in the selection of a budget allocation formula, the paper shows that the hypothesis holds true for the specific reasoning process pursued by the chairs in arriving at the consensus solution. However, the chairs' consensus solution is found to be a local solutionvis‐à‐visthe global optimal solution found by solving the game theoretic model.

Research limitations/implications

The authors plan to conduct further empirical testing of the hypothesis using allocation strategies found in diverse decision‐making environments involving diverse decision makers such as business executives, government officers, education administrators, and others.

Practical implications

If this hypothesis can be validated to be true, decision makers should propose for consideration only those rational strategies that have minimal or low variance in monetary regrets since these are the strategies that would most likely be selected in team decision making.

Originality/value

Team decision making involving resource allocation abounds in all organizations, at all levels and in diverse applications. The practical procedure proposed in this paper, based on analytical foundation of game theory, provides decision makers a viable tool for allocating resources that results in consensus of all rational parties involved.
Situational and organizational determinants of turnaround
Authors: Francis John D. , Desai Ashay B.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

To test the ability of situational variables, manageable pre‐decline resources, and specific firm responses to decline to classify performance outcomes (turnaround vs non‐turnaround) in declining firms.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a longitudinal methodology and a multi‐firm sample, the paper studies the relative role of situational factors concerning the environment and a firm's decline, along with various internal resources and strategies that can enable a firm to recover from decline.

Findings

The results indicate that contextual factors such as the urgency and severity of decline, firm productivity and the availability of slack resources, and firm retrenchment can determine the ability of sample firms to turnaround. Overall, factors under the control of managers contribute more to successful turnarounds than situational characteristics.

Research limitations/implications

This study does not identify the exact cause of firm decline. The authors believe this is beyond the scope of this multi‐firm study.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the existing research by theoretically explicating and empirically testing the influences of multiple situational and organizational factors on turnaround outcomes. While several studies have investigated conceptually unique sets of actions applied by managers attempting to turn around declining firms, this paper integrate these actions as they can often impact each other and the eventual turnaround. The authors believe their research design affords a more holistic view to the turnaround process. In order to direct executives efforts, the findings are summarized into some practical applications.
Fads, stereotypes and management gurus: Fayol and Follett today
Authors: Parker Lee D. , Ritson Philip
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The management profession has a long and well‐documented history adopting and abandoning “fads” promulgated by a series of thinkers, practitioners, and opinion leaders who enjoy a “guru” like status. The purpose of this paper shows that stereotyping contributes to the existence of this guru‐fad phenomenon.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper examines the characteristics of both management fads and the phenomenon of stereotyping with reference to two leading historical management practitioners and thinkers, Henri Fayol and Mary Parker Follett.

Findings

Drawing on the examples of Mary Parker Follett and Henri Fayol, it argues that the influence exerted by other management gurus and fads, such as Frederick Winslow Taylor's Scientific Management and Elton Mayo's Human Relations Movement, gave rise to a stereotyped view of both Follett and Fayol's work that prevented an accurate appraisal of their ideas.

Research limitations/implications

In addition, this paper notes that, while Follett and Fayol exhibited an extraordinary capacity to identify the very issues that have spawned many subsequent management fads, the contemporary management discipline's approach to both thinkers is quite different. While Follett has escaped her earlier stereotypes, allowing management thinkers a new opportunity to re‐assess her work and value its contemporary relevance, Fayol remains misclassified as a European Taylorist who has little to offer the contemporary management practitioner.

Originality/value

This paper provides an interesting insight into the characteristics of both management fads and the phenomenon of stereotyping.
Using cointegration methods to estimate the interconnectedness of intangible strategic assets
Authors: Onyeaso Godwin , Johnson William
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to advocate and implement cointegration methods for the estimation of interconnectedness of service quality and customer loyalty as intangible strategic assets within management decision.

Design/methodology/approach

Using longitudinal time series quarterly data on loyalty and service quality, the paper uses cointegration methods to empirically estimate the weight of interconnectedness of customer loyalty and service quality as intangible strategic assets.

Findings

The research evidence suggests that customer loyalty and service quality are interconnected intangible strategic assets that managers can develop, accumulate, estimate and deploy for superior competitive advantage.

Originality/value

To the extent that the global economies are increasingly service‐driven, managerial capability to estimate intangible strategic assets as drivers of superior competitive advantage will remain strategically important. Assumedly, this paper is the first to illustrate how cointegration methods can be used by managers to estimate interconnectedness of intangible strategic assets. In this sense, to the extent that this method is new to managers, it represents another toolkit of intangible strategic asset management for managers.
What do we need to know about wisdom?
Authors: Rowley Jennifer
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The article seeks to open the debate on the nature and role of wisdom in organisations.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper conducts a review of the diverse writing on wisdom in the literatures of philosophy and psychology, and gathers in a number of passing references to wisdom in the knowledge management and management literatures. Its aim is to gather together existing views on the nature and relevance of wisdom in the context of management and organisations. This review is structured using the following four questions: why might wisdom be important in organisations? What is wisdom, and what is its relationship to knowledge? What is the link between wisdom and leadership? What is organisational wisdom and how can it be cultivated?

Findings

Building on previous literature, definitions are proposed for wisdom, organisational wisdom, wisdom management and triple loop learning. Wisdom is defined as the capacity to put into action the most appropriate behaviour, taking into account what is known (knowledge) and what does the most good (ethical and social considerations). Wisdom is identified as a central element of leadership. The concept of organisational wisdom translates wisdom from the individual to the organisational level, and poses the need to consider the processes associated with wisdom management. The conclusion uses this review as a platform to pose a number of further questions about wisdom in organisations.

Practical implications

An enhanced understanding of wisdom and related concepts such as organisational wisdom, managerial wisdom and wisdom management has the potential to provide a valuable contextualisation for knowledge management theory and practice, and other aspects of organisational behaviour that can support business performance and success.

Originality/value

Despite being identified as a capstone concept in the relationship between data, information and knowledge, neither the concept of wisdom within organisations nor the processes associated with the cultivation of wisdom have received much attention in the knowledge management, organisational learning or management literatures. This paper provokes further debate about wisdom by drawing on the diverse literatures that explore wisdom and reflecting on the relevance of wisdom in the context of management and organisations.
Motivation of scientists in a government research institute
Authors: Jindal‐Snape Divya , Snape Jonathan B.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

This study seeks to explore the perceptions of scientists regarding the intrinsic and extrinsic factors that motivate them and the role of management in enhancing and maintaining motivation with the purpose of identifying practical recommendations for managers to improve the productivity of scientists.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 18 semi‐structured interviews were undertaken with randomly selected (stratified sampling) scientists working at a government research institute in the UK.

Findings

The scientists interviewed were typically motivated by the ability to do high quality, curiosity‐driven research and de‐motivated by lack of feedback from management, difficulty in collaborating with colleagues and constant review and change. Extrinsic motivators such as salaries, incentive schemes and prospects for promotion were not considered as motivating factors by most scientists. Promotion was not a motivator for most of the scientists and many thought that they would never get promoted again. Efforts should be focused on addressing the hygiene factors (i.e. removing the negatives) rather than introducing new incentives.

Research limitations/implications

The sample size was relatively small (18) and a larger study will be required in order for comparisons to be made with scientists employed in industry or universities.

Practical implications

The results from this study suggest that the current incentivisation schemes based on financial rewards have little impact, and that alternative methods of motivating scientists should be considered. Rewards that may be more highly valued could include, time and resources to pursue own research interests; funds to attend international conferences and investment in physical resources (e.g. laboratory refurbishment, new equipment, etc.). The recommendations to motivate scientists could be applied to other highly‐trained specialists.

Originality/value

This is the only study that has been conducted with scientists working at a government research institute in the UK. It is important in providing an insight into the motivation of a diverse and under‐researched group of employees.
Anxiety and defective decision making: an elaboration of the groupthink model
Authors: Chapman Judith
Published: January 2007

Purpose

This article sets out to revisit Janis' groupthink theory that holds that, when anxiety is present for a decision‐making group, premature concurrence seeking emerges unless other mitigating factors are present. Research from selected segments of the decision making literature are introduced to explain the underlying causes of concurrence seeking. The result is an elaboration of the theory based on a synthesis of older and newer ideas, supporting Janis' core thesis that anxiety triggers this phenomenon.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is conceptual and draws on literature addressing the impact of emotions on decision‐making behaviour; human responses to anxiety, including psychological defence modes and mechanisms; and groupthink research and writing.

Findings

The theoretical elaboration of the groupthink model centres on the idea that anxiety associated with a decision task triggers implicit motivations of anxiety reduction in groups, which are enacted through the activation of common defence mechanisms, thus resulting in the symptoms of defective decision making. A table that recasts the symptoms of groupthink as common defence mechanisms is provided.

Research limitations/implications

Suggestions are made for broadening the conceptual base of the groupthink model, including consideration of the research on negative and positive emotions.

Practical implications

The article distinguishes between poor decision making due to groupthink and other causes. Remedies for the emergence of groupthink include better approaches to recognising and surfacing anxiety and other negative emotions, so they can be managed constructively. Such remedies complement more conventional methods of improving group decision making.

Originality/value

The article focuses on the underlying causes of premature concurrence seeking, an aspect of the groupthink model that is not well understood. It builds on Janis' explanation of anxiety as the main cause, by elaborating the linkages between the presence of anxiety, the symptoms of groupthink and the signs of defective decision making. In this, the article draws on research into the effects of negative emotions on decision‐making behaviour and related theories. It synthesises several research streams to provide a more comprehensive explanation of concurrence seeking.
Opportunistic collaboration
Authors: Everitt Sian
Published: January 2007

Purpose

To review a small specialist repository's strategic and opportunistic approach to utilising collaborative regional and national digital initiatives to increase access. The Birmingham Institute of Art and Design (BIAD) Archives activity is evaluated to determine whether a project‐based approach recognises and meets the needs of historians, or in manufacturing a digital semblance, does it in fact mislead historians.

Design/methodology/approach

The context in UK higher education and the archives domain of an emphasis on the digitisation of resources evident in national policies is outlined. Recent studies into the requirements and expectations of academics and historians as users of archives and digital resources are considered. BIAD Archives' creation of a repository web site and participation in national collection level description schemes are examined. The experience of two collaborative digitisation projects, a national subject‐based virtual collection and a regional collaborative information literacy initiative, are described and reflected upon.

Findings

An opportunistic project‐based approach does not easily accumulate as a cohesive strategy for increasing access. Collaboration is problematic. It is beneficial in raising profiles and can act as a legitimising agent. It entails compromise, applying an external filter to collections and potentially creating a digital semblance. The proliferation of projects raises concerns of sustainability, invisibility within the deep web and that merely signposting may not satisfy user needs. To address this problem archives as a domain require a more sophisticated understanding of all our different users.

Originality/value

Critical reflections on collaborative practice beneficial to archivists and resource managers embarking on digitisation initiatives and to those developing collaborative projects.
Digital imaging South Africa (DISA): a case study
Authors: Saunders Christopher
Published: January 2007

Purpose

To tell the story of a particular digitisation project with which the author has been closely involved, illustrating the problems and scope of the project and focusing especially on the issues relating to the selection of appropriate content.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is based largely on personal involvement in the project and is the work of a historian who traces change over time.

Findings

The paper records the history of the project and discusses what has been achieved to date, problems were encountered along the way, and what has been done to try to resolve them.

Practical implications

There may be lessons to be learnt from this project for similar projects in other parts of the world.

Originality/value

This paper is the first study of DISA to be written by a historian.
Remembering history
Authors: Law Derek
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The paper seeks to record the work of the committee and its interaction with the much better known Electronic Libraries (eLib) Programme. It also examines the principles that underlay the development of content acquisition and supporting infrastructure in UK university libraries in the 1990s.

Design/methodology/approach

A historical account of the development of nationally organised e‐services for higher education in the 1990s, based on personal recollection, committee minutes and contemporary reports.

Findings

Confirms the continuing relevance of principles established in that period.

Originality/value

Provides a record of previously undocumented work.
Gabriel: Gateway to Europe's national libraries
Authors: Jefcoate Graham
Published: January 2007

Purpose

This paper seeks to look into Gabriel – the Worldwide web server for those European national libraries represented in the Conference of European National Librarians (CENL), providing a single point of access on the internet for the retrieval of information about their functions, services and collections. Above all, it serves as a gateway to their online services. Three national libraries emerged as natural partners in setting up a pilot project on behalf of the CENL membership as a whole

Design/methodology/approach

Following the success of the Portico prototype, a development project was launched with the aim of creating a well‐founded service and building up coverage of British Library services and collections by adding home pages for directorates and departments.

Findings

The service has been developed through an international project involving the national libraries of the United Kingdom, The Netherlands, Finland and Germany.

Originality/value

Gabriel has the potential of becoming a model for collaboration in the networking field across a wide geographical area and among diverse institutions.
Redesigning a web site in‐house to improve information literacy: experiences of a small library
Authors: Humbert S.I. , Tilley E.A.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The paper aims to provide advice, suggestions and encouragement for small budget‐restricted libraries contemplating the need for web site redesign where an underlying goal for improving users' information literacy is a key factor.

Design/methodology/approach

The initial planning is set within the context of a broader project examining user education in the library, with a set of desired outcomes, based on user surveys, resulting in the web site as one focus. Project planning techniques employed are described. Information architecture is used as a basis for research, planning, design and implementation of a redesigned web site. Accessibility and usability were predominant in the minds of the designers. The process of redesign is set firmly within a context of little or no actual funds available, and a small, subject‐specific, active user‐base. The case for providing a complementary information literacy programme is highlighted, given the nature of the initial project.

Findings

A redesigned accessible, user‐driven web site in a small library is possible despite few resources.

Originality/value

This paper provides a focus for staff in small libraries that may lack funds and who need guidance and practical help in redesigning their web sites. It suggests a structure on which to base the process, and conclusions about the limitations and problems encountered from which others may learn.
Dietary fiber consumption and composition of foods in “by‐the‐kilo” restaurants
Authors: Simioni de Abreu Edeli , Lima Garbelotti Maria , Aparecida Ferraz Silva Torres Elizabeth
Published: January 2007

Purpose

In Brazil, studies on dietary fiber consumption are scarce. The greatest difficulty is to obtain reliable data on the fiber content of foods that are part of Brazilians’ eating habits, which involves adjusting laboratory methodology. It is extremely important to evaluate the average daily fiber intake on a regional basis, considering the heterogeneous eating habits of the Brazilians. The study aims to estimate the average dietary fiber content of meals eaten in “by‐the‐kilo” restaurants.

Design/methodology/approach

The foods used in the preparation of 1,907 meals consumed during one month in four restaurants in the city of São Paulo were studied. Intake, nutritional composition, and fiber analyses focusing on average lunch intakes were performed based on the RDA and SBAN (Brazilian Food and Nutrition Society) recommendations. Intake and nutritional composition results were compared with the values of a control meal theoretically prepared. A total of 40 samples of preparations using fiber‐rich foods were analyzed and their dietary fibers and soluble and insoluble fiber fractions were determined by enzymatic‐gravimetric method.

Findings

The results showed that a lunch meal alone accounts for 69.2 per cent of the SBAN recommendation and 39.5 per cent of the maximum RDA for dietary fiber.

Originality/value

Foods served in “by‐the‐kilo” restaurants proved to be good sources of fiber, and their insoluble‐to‐soluble fiber ratios were similar to the recommendations.