bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Developing an integrated institutional repository at Imperial College London
Authors: Afshari Fereshteh , Jones Richard
Published: October 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to demonstrate how a highly integrated approach to repository development and deployment can be beneficial in producing a successful archive.

Design/methodology/approach

Imperial College London undertook a significant specifications process to gather and formalise requirements for its repository system. This was done through an initial proposal stage, and then the engagement of groups of College members with interest in the project to elucidate the requirements and allow the specification of a system that would be of genuine benefit. Then, using well understood technology for distributed systems, such as web services, and a well understood repository platform (DSpace), it was possible to undertake that work inside a structured project.

Findings

Demonstrates the advantages of producing integrated systems, especially with regard to lowering adoption barriers through easing academics' deposit workflows, introducing strong administrative tools for library administrators, and making research available in open access repositories in a well engineered environment.

Research limitations/implications

The service produced by the project is relatively new, and the long‐term benefits or failings cannot yet be enumerated. The paper looks primarily at the management and organisational issues but does not deal with the technical details to any great extent.

Practical implications

A useful source of information for institutions considering heavy integration work and the use of the PRINCE2 methodology for engaging institutional support.

Originality/value

This paper introduces a heavily integrated repository system within UK higher education. A lack of literature on this topic suggests that this paper could be beneficial for others considering the same route.
Finding the way
Authors: Fenton Candida
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the Images for All digitisation project at the Royal Scottish Geographical Society, and lessons learned from it.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper describes the background to the project and collections held. It focuses on the development of the project web site, the digitisation of 100 images from the collection and the nature of project management in a small‐scale project.

Findings

There are many potential challenges faced by project managers working in small voluntary organisations, but these can be overcome.

Originality/value

This paper gives a direct insight into some of the challenges facing smaller organisations with limited full‐time staff and so reliant on volunteers, which are often overlooked.
Pure dead brilliant?
Authors: Anderson Ian G.
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present an evaluation of The Glasgow Story (TGS) digitisation project, funded by the UK's National Lottery's New Opportunities Fund digitisation (NOF‐Digi) programme, and a critique of the evaluation process itself. The paper emphasises the need for user impact evaluation and for results to be brought into the public domain in order to substantiate the claimed benefits of digitisation projects and programmes and inform ongoing digitisation activity. By critiquing the evaluation methods used the paper also hopes to contribute to the development of good practice in evaluation methodology.

Design/methodology/approach

Questionnaires, focus groups, data logs, online surveys and feedback forms were used to gather user responses and make impact assessments.

Findings

The paper suggests that whilst the evaluation can point to some positive impacts that justify the project's innovative approach, practical constraints on the evaluation and methodological flaws ultimately limit the value of the results. The paper concludes that effective evaluation of digitisation needs to extend beyond individual projects, or at the very least, employ generic evaluation tools that facilitate comparison between different projects and approaches.

Originality/value

Few digitisation projects attempt to assess their impact and fewer still make their results available. As one of the larger NOF‐Digi projects, the results from the TGS evaluation provide a unique window on one of the major digitisation initiatives in recent years.
Use of digital repositories by chemistry researchers: results of a survey
Authors: Polydoratou Panayiota
Published: October 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to present findings from a survey that aimed to identify the issues around the use and linkage of source and output repositories and the chemistry researchers' expectations about their use.

Design/methodology/approach

This survey was performed by means of an online questionnaire and structured interviews with academic and research staff in the field of chemistry. A total of 38 people took part in the online questionnaire survey and 17 participated in face‐to‐face interviews, accounting for 55 responses in total.

Findings

Members of academic and research staff in chemistry from institutions in the UK were, in general, favourably disposed towards the idea of linking research data and published research outputs, believing that this facility would be either a significant advantage or useful for the research conducted in the domain. Further information about the nature of the research that they conduct, the type of data that they produce, the sharing and availability of research data and the use and expectations of source and output repositories is also discussed.

Research limitations/implications

Interpretation of the results must recognise that the majority of the interviewees worked in the area of theoretical/computational chemistry and therefore their views may not be representative of other chemistry research fields.

Originality/value

Such data was essential for the business analysis that described the functional requirements for the development of the key deliverable of the source‐to‐output repositories (StORe) project, the pilot middleware, which aimed to facilitate and demonstrate the bi‐directional links between source and output repositories. It also enabled the identification of workflows in research practice and contributed to the prime aspiration of the StORe project which was to invest new value to the intellectual products of academic research.
Functional requirements for bibliographic records: an investigation of two prototypes
Authors: Pisanski Jan , Žumer Maja
Published: October 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to establish how the Functional Requirements for Bibliographic Records (FRBR) conceptual model, which holds a lot of potential in theory, works in practice. It also aims to identify, and if possible, give solutions to problems found in two of the existing prototypes.

Design/methodology/approach

An independent evaluation and comparison of two of the most recent FRBR‐based prototypes, OCLC FictionFinder and the LibraryLabs, was carried out in January 2007.

Findings

FictionFinder focuses almost exclusively on the concept of work, while the LibraryLabs prototype applies an FRBR‐like structure only as part of a larger group of experiments. Neither of the prototypes fully follows FRBR, owing to issues associated with current cataloguing practice and the model itself. These barriers also cause some practical shortcomings for these prototypes, however new results displays clearly enhance the user experience.

Research limitations/implications

The prototypes may not be representative of the whole population of FRBR‐based implementations. Also, technical aspects of the implementations were not taken into account, as user experience was given full priority.

Practical implications

The identified problems and any given solutions should help not only the authors of the two prototypes, but also other researches in the field.

Originality/value

This paper offers a rare published independent evaluation of two FRBR‐based prototypes, giving pointers towards improvement and establishing the position of current FRBR implementation relative to what is expected in the future.
Introduction: What work? What life? What balance?
Authors: Ruth Eikhof Doris , Warhurst Chris , Haunschild Axel
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to initiate critical reflection on the assumptions and evidence underpinning the work‐life balance debate.

Design/methodology/approach

The article reviews a range of international literature focused on and related to the work‐life balance debate and issues.

Findings

In the work‐life balance debate, over‐work is perceived as the problem. Nevertheless, beyond working time and the provision of flexible working practices to enable child care, there is little in the debate abut the need to change work per se. The debate also narrowly perceives “life”, equating it with women's care work, hence the emphasis again of family‐friendly polices.

Research limitations/implications

The article suggests that reconceptualisation is required in analyses of both work‐life balance and the relationship between work and life.

Practical implications

The article implies that current work‐life balance policies are myopic in terms of addressing the needs and aspirations of employees.

Originality/value

The article offers a synthesis of evidence that is wider than that typical in current analyses of work and life.
Robot welding of hatch coamings for large container ships
Authors: Jul Jacobsen Niels
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to describe the changes that were needed in an existing offline programming system (OLP) in order to produce heavy steel weldments.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper examines the changes needed in an OLP system in order to produce heavy steel weldments in a shipyard.

Findings

The paper finds that the new requirements given for the production of hatch coaming lead to a fundamentally change in the design of the OLP system; it is possible to automate the welding of heavy steelplates, but the savings in this process are not always as planned.

Practical implications

It is not clear that the added complexity makes for a better software system. Sometimes a split into two programs makes the design of the programs more simple.

Originality/value

The paper shows how manipulators can be used in a new way to increase the welding quality at a robot installation in a shipyard.
TIP TIG: new technology for welding
Authors: Wilson Mike
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The paper aims to report on a new welding technology, TIP TIG.

Design/methodology/approach

The principle of operation and benefits of the technology are described together with a typical application.

Findings

The study finds that the technology provides the quality of TIG welding at the speeds of MIG welding, providing significant cost savings to the user.

Practical implications

TIP TIG provides a good opportunity for all users of robotic MIG welding to improve the quality of their product and reduce their costs.

Originality/value

The paper introduces a new and useful technology to the robot industry.
Research on weld pool control of welding robot with computer vision
Authors: Shen H.Y. , Ma H.B. , Lin T. , Chen S.B.
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The control of weld penetration in gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) is required for a “teach and playback” robot to overcome the gap variation in the welding process. This paper aims to investigate this subject.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents a robotic system based on the real‐time vision measurement. The primary objective has been to demonstrate the feasibility of using vision‐based image processing to measure the seam gap in real‐time and adjust welding current and wire‐feed rate to realize the penetration control during the robot‐welding process.

Findings

The paper finds that vision‐based measurement of the seam gap can be used in the welding robot, in real‐time, to control weld penetration. It helps the “teach and playback” robot to adjust the welding procedures according to the gap variation.

Research limitations/implications

The system requires that the seam edges can be accurately identified using a correlation method.

Practical implications

The system is applicable to storage tank welding of a rocket.

Originality/value

The control algorithm based on the knowledge base has been set up for continuous GTAW. A novel visual image analysis method has been developed in the study for a welding robot.
Design of a climbing robot for inspecting aircraft wings and fuselage
Authors: Shang Jianzhong , Sattar Tariq , Chen Shuwo , Bridge Bryan
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The paper aims to develop a robot that climbs on non‐ferrous surfaces, e.g. aircraft wings and fuselages, carrying a heavy payload up to 18 kg including scanning arm and various equipments, for non‐destructive testing (NDT).

Design/methodology/approach

This robot in the study uses vacuum suction cups for adhesion, and two pairs of pneumatic cylinders to drive itself, moving in two directions in stepping gait. A rotation mechanism in the centre is used to correct the off‐course deviations by ± 5 degrees. Multiple universal joints are used to make every single suction cup, every robot foot and the whole structure flexible to negotiate with varying surface curvatures presented in different parts of aircraft. This flexible structure is also rigid once the robot is stuck on the surface to enable the NDT inspection being carried out reliably.

Findings

The paper finds that the walking speed is limited by the cylinder stroke, time for generating vacuum and changing legs. Although most NDT inspection is time‐consumable, it is still desirable to increase the robot speed.

Practical implications

The application of this robotic NDT can significantly reduce the cost of aircraft inspection, eliminate labour‐intensive and monotonous inspection tasks and eliminate the need for an operator to work in confined and dangerous spaces.

Originality/value

The paper introduces the structure that combines flexibility and rigidity for a robot climbing on non‐ferrous curvatures.
CiceRobot: a cognitive robot for interactive museum tours
Authors: Chella Antonio , Liotta Marilia , Macaluso Irene
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to integrate perception, action and symbolic knowledge to allow an autonomous robot to operate in unstructured environments and to interact with non‐expert users.

Design/methodology/approach

To achieve such goals, a cognitive robot architecture is proposed based on the integration between subsymbolic and linguistic computations through the introduction of an intermediate level of representation based on conceptual spaces.

Findings

The architecture has been tested in the CiceRobot project on tasks related to guided tours in the Archaeological Museum of Agrigento. Experimental results show that robot cognitive behaviors allow one to achieve a full functional robotic museum guide. In particular, through the interaction with visitors the robot is able to customize the tour depending on their preferences.

Originality/value

The paper presents a significant case study because it involves perception, planning and human‐robot interaction. The proposed architecture addresses the capacities which are generally addressed by an intelligent agent: the capability of representing itself and the external world, of imagining possible evolutions of the world, of paying attention to the relevant events, of planning and evaluating situations and actions.
A precise method for correcting stereo pairs collected by a new binocular device
Authors: Zhao Jie , Yu Shuchun , Cai Hegao
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The paper seeks to develop a stereo vision system based on a new binocular device. It aims to present an explicit‐implicit correction method to correct radial and tangential distortion of image synchronously. It also aims to propose a step‐rotation rectification method to rectify epipolar error between stereo pairs.

Design/methodology/approach

Least squares technique was used in solving the explicit‐implicit correction model. When the step‐rotation rectification method was implemented, the technology of rotating image space was used.

Findings

The paper finds that the stereo vision system based on a new binocular device can be used in different circumstances, and it can obtain more eyeshot of cameras. The explicit‐implicit correction method can eliminate radial and tangential distortion of images, and the solution to this method is so easy that it can be solved by least squares technique. The theory of step‐rotation rectification is simple, and it is effective for rectifying epipolar error.

Practical implications

The explicit‐implicit correction method and step‐rotation rectification method can be used in correcting image distortion and epipolar error in stereo pairs collected by a stereo vision system. The new binocular device can be used in building a stereo vision system.

Originality/value

A new binocular device is developed in the paper. Explicit distortion method and implicit distortion method are united to correct image distortion. A step‐rotation rectification method is proposed to rectify epipolar error.
AMTRI accelerates assembly automation
Authors: Connolly Christine
Published: October 2007

Purpose

This paper seeks to investigate the work of a small company involved in researching techniques and designing equipment for assembly automation.

Design/methodology/approach

The development of a fully automated CNC machine for drilling aircraft wing sub‐assemblies is described. The importance of accurate process simulation is discussed, and a research project combining physics‐based gaming hardware with factory simulation software is presented. Its application to the laying‐up of carbon composite materials is explained.

Findings

Effective and affordable simulation software is essential to small companies to avoid risk in one‐off projects. AMTRI leverages new developments and puts them together to form powerful new systems. The automation of innovative composite processing is intrinsically connected with the behaviour of the material itself.

Originality/value

The paper points out the importance of automation to the future of European manufacturing, in the light of increasing fuel costs.
Linking product design in CAD with assembly operations in CAM for virtual product assembly
Authors: Wu Chi‐haur , Xie Yujun , Mean Mok Swee
Published: October 2007

Purpose

Virtual product design has become a key technology in reducing costly design errors that are often difficult to detect manually. In order to evaluate product assembly in a virtual environment, it is important to link a product's design in CAD with the constrained complexity of assembly operations in CAM so that the design can be evaluated and modified in a virtual environment before production begins. The paper aims to focus on this.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed virtual system includes the following components: a product assembly coding model, named Open Structured Assembly Coding System (OSACS), that codes part‐mating operations for assembling any two parts in CAM; a rule‐based code extractor that identifies OSACS codes for assembling product from the part‐mating information encoded in Standard for the Exchange of Product Model Data AP‐203 CAD data; and an assembly‐sequence generator that generates a binary assembly‐tree for the designed product coded with OSACS assembly codes, representing assembly operations in CAM for product assembly.

Findings

The proposed system links the design phase in CAD with the manufacturing phase in CAM. Simulation studies were made using CAD Ap‐203 data files from an actual mobile phone housing assembly. A binary assembly‐tree assigned with OSACS assembly codes was generated for assembling the product. The assembling complexity between any two parts was coded with the unique OSACS assembly codes. The final binary assembly tree represents how the product is going to be assembled in CAM with the mating complexity encoded in the assigned OSACS codes.

Research limitations/implications

The advantage of this virtual product assembly system is that a design can be validated first in a virtual environment without building the expensive physical production system. Moreover, additional design iterations can be performed in the same amount of time to improve product quality.

Practical implications

Linking product design in CAD with assembly operations in CAM can help realize significant cost savings by preventing future manufacturing problems. With the proposed virtual system, a company can prevent a potential problematic design from reaching production.

Originality/value

This paper introduces the conceptual design of a virtual system that links product design in CAD with assembly operations in CAM. This system provides a designer with a virtual product assembly process to evaluate a designed product.
A software framework for coping with heterogeneity in the shopfloor
Authors: Fernández‐Madrigal Juan‐Antonio , Galindo Cipriano , Cruz‐Martín Ana , González Javier
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The CIM framework pursues the integration of components in a manufacturing enterprise by means of computer systems. This, however, may be obstructed due to heterogeneity in the field: programmable controllers, robots, sensors and actuators, etc. in communications: different kinds of networks and/or field buses; and in the programming tools for all these devices. Thus a solution is needed to integrate heterogeneous software/hardware components in a well‐defined and flexible fashion. This paper seeks to address these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper proposes a metalanguage, called H, and a set of tools that serve for designing, implementing, deploying, and debugging distributed heterogeneous software on the shopfloor. The metalanguange includes fault‐tolerance and real‐time mechanisms, among other features.

Findings

The use of a framework that can integrate different software and hardware components enables the engineer to take advantage of the best features of each existing technology. The use of object‐oriented techniques, concurrent and distributed programming, and the isolation of heterogeneous parts, have also important benefits in the reusability and optimality of the solutions.

Practical implications

The use of a metalanguage like H, that separates the parts of the application that depend on particular (heterogeneous) components from the parts that are portable, has, as a main implication, important improvements in the development time, effort, and cost of CIM projects.

Originality/value

H is the first metalanguage coping with heterogeneity through the complete development cycle of software for manufacturing applications. It also provides a formal and well‐defined framework for future extensions.
Automated assembly of fuselage skin panels
Authors: Jayaweera N. , Webb P.
Published: October 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to describe the development and testing of a system for the automated assembly of aircraft fuselage panels.

Design/methodology/approach

The system described in this paper uses a low‐cost industrial robot and laser stripe sensor to assemble stringers on to a fuselage panel prior to riveting. The method uses a combination of measurement and best fit placement algorithms to optimally locate parts relative to existing features.

Findings

The paper demonstrates that with a combination of metrology and mathematical processing standard industrial robots can be used to assemble aero‐structure subassemblies. The paper also demonstrates that the system can work within the tolerances required within the aerospace industry.

Originality/value

The paper introduces techniques for compensating for the inherent distortion that occurs in airframe components during manufacture. This is an enabling technology that will significantly increase the number of possible applications for industrial robots in the assembly of aero‐structures.
Leading UK manufacturer probes the potential of six sigma
Authors: Lee‐Mortimer Andrew
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to detail the reasons behind, and the successful process adopted for, the introduction of a six sigma programme within a leading, and award‐winning, UK manufacturing business.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper outlines the driving factors behind the adoption of six sigma at Renishaw plc, and details how the training, along with the introduction process, has been focused on helping build firm foundations and overcome internal “scepticism”. The study also reviews successful six sigma projects undertaken within the company that have delivered significant manufacturing and transactional process improvements.

Findings

Despite initiative fatigue, ongoing business success and a culture wary of any approach that may hinder the innovation that is driving this success, the six sigma programme at Renishaw, which has been supported by a specialist training organisation, has taken root and is now starting to deliver significant business benefits.

Originality/value

Many companies have various concerns over implementing six sigma, including the belief that the “strict” process requires too much effort and that it can stifle innovative thinking. This case study details how one company's successful six sigma implementation programme is overcoming these and other “internal” hurdles.
Assessing collections using brief tests and WorldCat Collection Analysis
Authors: Benedetto Beals Jennifer , Gilmour Ron
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess the efficacy of the brief test method and OCLC's WorldCat Collection Analysis (WCA) in analyzing strengths and weaknesses of collections in three academic libraries.

Design/methodology/approach

Monographic collections in zoology were assessed in the study, using both the brief test method and WCA at three institutions.

Findings

The paper finds that both the brief test and WCA provide valuable insight into collection strengths and weaknesses.

Research limitations/implications

This is an analysis of only one subject area and one format. Further studies might focus on other disciplines and might take into account a variety of formats.

Practical implications

The study suggests ways in which collection managers might gain a better knowledge of their collection for such purposes as cooperative collection development and preservation.

Originality/value

Since WCA is a newly available tool, there are few studies using this methodology. This adds to the limited literature on the brief test methodology.
Scholarly communication in educational psychology: a journal citation analysis
Authors: Liu Zao
Published: October 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to study the scholarly communication of educational psychology by exploring its intellectual structure and general journal citation patterns.

Design/methodology/approach

Journal citation data were collected from Journal Citation Reports for 2004‐2005. The structure of the subject relatedness of the journals was created through a cluster analysis using the cosine as its measure. The general citation patterns were discussed in terms of cited and citing frequencies and related ratios.

Findings

Six clusters of journals were identified, including general educational psychology/learning/literacy, school psychology, measurement and counseling, Germany‐based educational psychology, creativity, and the other. The following general citation patterns emerged in the study: a small number of journals accounted for a relatively high percentage of the intra‐disciplinary citations; the majority of the selected journals cited more than being cited in the field; the major general educational psychology journals, most school psychology journals, all Germany‐based journals, and creativity journals had higher level of concentration in the field than others; and journals with high cited and citing frequencies and high cited/citing ratios did not necessarily have high level of concentration in the field.

Research limitations/implications

Given the broad scope of educational psychology, the study was limited to the journals included in the educational psychology category of Journal Citation Reports.

Practical implications

Libraries may benefit from the study results for collection development in educational psychology. Prospective authors may use the information to enhance their publishing opportunities. Academic administrators may use the citation information for promotion and tenure review.

Originality/value

The study revealed the subject relatedness and general citation patterns of educational psychology journals in a large context. The visual and quantitative presentation of the citation patterns is conducive to the understanding of educational psychology as a discipline.
From the streets to academia: a librarian's guide to hip‐hop culture
Authors: Gibbons William C.
Published: October 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to identify a variety of titles and resources to offer both public and academic librarians guidance in establishing and maintaining a definitive core collection of past and present materials.

Design/methodology/approach

The annotated bibliography includes CD recordings, films, documentaries, serials, monographs and web sites on rap music and hip‐hop culture. The entries chosen were culled from rap music periodicals, reference works, catalogs and journals.

Findings

These resources showcase the innovation of rap's formative years. They trace the broad scope of rap musical styles and document and critique hip‐hop culture.

Originality/value

These selected titles capture distinctive periods in hip‐hop history and help librarians stay current and conscious of what to include in their collections as rap becomes more mainstream and more respectable.
Native American literature in collection development
Authors: Shaffer Christopher
Published: October 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to discusses the importance of Native American literature in library collections.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is based on research of recent articles.

Findings

The paper identifies many good titles on Native Americans that deserve to be in libraries so that the history and culture of Native Americans will be available to all users.

Practical implications

Libraries should identify good quality books on Native Americans and by Native Americans to add to their collections. Many are now available so that it is not difficult to find appropriate ones that reflect contemporary views of Native Americans.

Originality/value

This paper pulls together a good deal of recent information on books by and about Native Americans as well as pointing to some excellent collections.
GLBTQ content in comics/graphic novels for teens
Authors: Greyson Devon
Published: October 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to provide an historical perspective and current guidance for youth librarians collecting graphic novels for teens.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper provides a brief review of the historical issues involved with censorship/intellectual freedom and comics and of current teen‐oriented graphic novels with gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning of sexual orientation (GLBTQ) content in Canada and the USA. It also provides a context for negotiating intellectual freedom and collection management policy issues, and suggestions for targeted acquisitions of teen graphic novels with GLTBQ content.

Findings

The paper provides a brief overview of US and Canadian censorship of comics, including how this legacy affects today's market. It recognizes the difficulty of obtaining information and recommendations for teen‐appropriate graphic novels containing GLBTQ content, and makes suggestions for core collection items.

Research limitations/implications

Only English sources from the USA and Canada are reviewed. Francophone Canadian literature is relevant but outside of the scope of this paper.

Practical implications

The paper is a useful source of information for the librarian looking for collection development suggestions, and/or for the librarian dealing with or preparing against intellectual freedom challenges to graphic novels or GLBTQ material for teens.

Originality/value

This paper furthers discussion of censorship of graphic novels and of GLBTQ material, and provides concrete suggestions to librarians developing a teen graphic novel collection. The issue is timely, as the graphic novel industry is booming and the ALA has documented an increasing number of challenges to graphic novels in libraries. Few previous papers on graphic novels or comics have included Canadian content, although the Canada‐American library worlds, publishing industries and legal codes are historically and currently intertwined.
Collections 2007: Reinvigorating Collection Development and Management
Authors: Howard Vivian
Published: October 2007

Purpose

This paper seeks to describe the Canadian Library Association's 2007 pre‐conference, Collections 2007: Reinvigorating Collection Development and Management.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper summarizes the various papers, describing actual collections practices in a variety of library and information center settings that made up the CLA Collections pre‐conference.

Findings

The paper finds that collections development activities in academic, public and special libraries are characterized by a diversity of approaches and methods.

Originality/value

This paper provides a brief summary of some of the practical approaches to collections building in a variety of library and information center settings.
The use of fuzzy logic and expert systems for rating and pricing firms
Authors: Malagoli Stefano , Mastroleo Giovanni
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to focus on the rating, ranking and valuing of firms.

Design/methodology/approach

Fuzzy logic and expert systems are used in order to provide a score for the firm(s) under consideration, representing the firm value‐creating power.

Findings

The fuzzy expert system introduced is capable of dealing with both quantitative and qualitative variables and integrates financial, managerial and strategic variables. A sensitivity analysis corroborates the model.

Research limitations/implications

The system is apt to rate and rank firms within a sector. Some regression analysis can lead to a determined price for the target firm.

Practical implications

The expert system may be used by rating agencies for ranking firms, and by financial analysts and potential buyers to furnish a price for acquisition.

Originality/value

The use of a fuzzy expert system for ranking firms within a sector and pricing firms is a first attempt at an alternative way of measuring performance and value.
Information transparency and valuation: can you value what you cannot see?
Authors: Damodaran Aswath
Published: October 2007

Purpose

It is clear that some firms are more forthcoming about their financial affairs than others, and that the financial statements of some firms are designed to obscure rather than reveal information about the firms. How does one reflect the transparency (or the opacity) of a firm's financial statements in its value? This paper aims to examine both the sources of complexity in financial statements and the appropriate responses in valuation.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper examines both the sources of complexity in financial statements and the appropriate responses in valuation.

Findings

The paper develops a number of potential measures of complexity, ranging from a measure of opacity (developed by Price Waterhouse) to a complexity score (developed by asking a series of questions about companies).

Practical implications

If the value of complex firms is consistently discounted, an incentive for simpler holding structures and more transparent financial statements will be created.

Originality/value

While investors and analysts may increasingly bemoan the increasing complexity of financial statements, there is no simple measure of complexity. This paper considers some ways in which the complexity of a firm's financial statement can be measured.
Strategic options and firm value
Authors: Lin Lihui , Kulatilaka Nalin
Published: October 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to discuss how firms make investment decisions and the impact of these decisions on firm value, considering the strategic impacts of such investments.

Design/methodology/approach

Built on real options and game‐theoretic models, simulations are used to find out how investment decisions and firm values change in face of network effects and potential competition.

Findings

It is found that high intensity of network effects lowers the investment threshold as well as the expected value of the firm at the investment threshold. It is also found that potential competition makes an innovating firm less likely to invest. Moreover, in a more competitive environment, the value of the firm when it is indifferent between investing and waiting tends to be high.

Practical implications

It is shown that overestimating and failure to capture the network values may lead to poor investment decisions, resulting in firms or projects with little value. The research also has important implications for the management of R&D. When an innovation is likely to face fierce competition, the owner may invest more aggressively under high uncertainty. However, if competitors are likely to provide substitutes, firms should be cautious making upfront investments under high uncertainty.

Originality/value

This paper discusses the implications of new developments in the field of real options to firms’ strategic investment decisions and the valuation of firms.
Determinants of market reactions to goodwill write‐off after SFAS 142
Authors: Bini Mauro , Della Bella Chiara
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The paper aims to analyze the reasons for the unremarkable increase in value relevance of new impairment testing of goodwill following the introduction of new accounting standards SFAS 141 and 142.

Design/methodology/approach

After surveying main research about market reactions to announcements of goodwill write‐off before and after the introduction of the new SFAS the paper shows why the two‐step procedure of impairment testing risks undermining the very economic substance of the test.

Findings

The analysis shows the inadequacy of the impairment test to measure the destruction of wealth experienced by acquiring firms’ shareholders and to supply value‐relevant information owing to the lack of disclosure of information after the first stage of the test. It also shows the consequences of management's discretionary power in setting forth projections.

Originality/value

The paper lays the groundwork for interpreting the empirical evidence on the limited information content of goodwill write‐offs.
Towards a model of human resource solutions for achieving intergenerational interaction in organisations
Authors: McGuire David , Todnem By Rune , Hutchings Kate
Published: October 2007

Purpose

Achieving intergenerational interaction and avoiding conflict is becoming increasingly difficult in a workplace populated by three generations – Baby Boomers, Generation X‐ers and Generation Y‐ers. This paper presents a model and proposes HR solutions towards achieving co‐operative generational interaction.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper adapts Park's theory of race relations to explain the distinctiveness of generational work groups and the challenges and opportunities that these groups present when interacting in organisations. Rashford and Coghlan's cycle of organisational change, based on the Kübler‐Ross grief cycle, is then mapped onto Park's race relations cycle in order to link generational interaction to emotional reactions to change over time.

Findings

The paper sets out a research agenda for examining how generations interact in the workplace. It acknowledges the limitations of using Park's theory of race relations, in particular the criticisms levelled at assimilationist approaches.

Originality/value

The paper provides an alternative viewpoint for examining how generations co‐exist and interact and shows how HR solutions can respond to the needs of different generations.
Evaluating the impact of leadership development: a case study
Authors: Dexter Barbara , Prince Christopher
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The relevance of business education is coming under increasing challenge from many quarters, who argue that business schools are not delivering research and programmes that are relevant to the needs of business and society. The purpose of this paper is to test these claims by evaluating the impact of a leadership development programme on middle managers within a city council organisation.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative methodology was employed within an evaluative research approach. Interviews were held with 32 line managers of the Leading Managers (delegates on the programme). A thematic analysis was undertaken using categories of “knowledge”, “skills” and “attributes”. Key stories were also collected as “vignettes” to illuminate where the line manager had considered the impact of the programme to have been particularly significant to their department or to the organisation as a whole.

Findings

The research was able to identify how the programme had benefited those managers who had taken part on the programme, and how the programme had positively impacted on the organisation as a whole.

Research limitations/implications

The paper counters the claims that business schools and business education have little impact at organisational level. The paper provides evidence to support the value and relevance of training and development within the workplace.

Originality/value

There is little hard evidence available highlighting the impact of management education on organisations. This paper provides such evidence.
Professional competence enhancement via postgraduate post‐experience learning and development
Authors: Chivers Geoffrey
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine the ways in which postgraduate study in vocational fields supports the development of advanced competences amongst mid‐career professionals.

Design/methodology/approach

The extensive written communications between health and safety professionals taking a postgraduate course in health and safety management and their tutor were investigated to determine the competence domains where learning was taking place or attempted. The individual written communications were analysed and each issue raised allocated to a learning area. The quantitative results for each area were determined. The learning areas were assigned to one or more competence development domains.

Findings

The quantified results demonstrate that the main domain where mid‐career professionals on this postgraduate course were most strongly challenged to learn and develop in advanced competences was the meta‐competence domain on the Cheetham and Chivers model.

Research limitations/implications

This study was based on written communications passing between a limited number of students and one tutor on a single postgraduate study programme. There is clearly great scope to extend this form of research given the large number of postgraduate vocational study programmes now undertaken by mid‐career professionals.

Practical implications

Tutors need to focus strongly on supporting the very demanding learning leading to the growth of meta‐competencies. Given the ready availability of relevant factual information to mid‐career professionals in the information age, there is much less need to focus on teaching facts, although supporting the interpretation and application of such factual information by students retains great importance.

Originality/value

Few other studies exist which attempt to analyse written communications between tutors and postgraduate students on professional/vocational courses in terms of how such courses are developing professional competences.
A holistic approach to acquisition of strategic resources
Authors: Andersén Jim
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The aim of this article is to provide a holistic framework for the acquisition of strategic resources.

Design/methodology/approach

The literature dealing with resource creation is reviewed and analyzed from a resource‐based point of view. The major methods of acquiring resources are identified through the literature review and the applicability of the framework proposed is illustrated with an empirical example.

Findings

Three ways of acquiring strategic resources are identified – direct investments, organizational processes, and product market positioning. All three ways of acquisition can be intentional or unintentional. Arguments for using this six‐dimension scale are provided through deductive reasoning, literature review, and the empirical example.

Research implications/limitations

The study identifies the six dimensions of strategic resource acquisition. However, integration of these dimensions is not a subject addressed in this study. Cluster analysis of companies according to these dimensions could enhance our understanding of the characteristics of companies regarding resource acquisition.

Originality/value

Whereas previous studies have generally used a single‐theory approach, this study highlights the importance of having a holistic outlook when analyzing resource‐based competitive advantages.
Methods to Enhance Student Learning: A Student Appraisal of the 2007 Annual Learning Technologies Showcase
Authors: Thomas Kirstin
Published: October 2007

Purpose

To highlight the latest technologies that were showcased as this annual event of learning technologies in higher education.

Design/Methodology/approach

Conference report.

Findings

Several different technologies were emphasized that can be scaled with relative ease and others that require more commitment to learn and use creatively and appropriately. The range included very practical technologies as well as virtual reality platforms such as Second Life, now increasingly used for different collaborative exchanges and learning opportunities that promote visual queues and interactions.

Originality Value

Most campuses today have such a technology forum to promote how technology can be used in new instructional and administrative capacities. This showcase emphasized the instructional methods and introduced attendees to podcasting, VOIP and other communication technologies that can be used in the classroom and in distance education programs.
28th Annual IATUL Conference Report
Authors: Trussell Alice
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a report of the 2007 annual meeting of the International Association of Technological University Libraries (IATUL) held at the KTH, Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, Sweden.Design/methodology/approach – conference report.

Findings

Scientific publishing directions are changing the environmental landscapes of science and academic research libraries as well as in how scientists are conducting their work in all disciplines and communicating and collaborating with each other. The increasingly more complex and global environments indicate that access to the scientific literature and information sharing are paramount interests of scientists, national governments, the scientific community at‐large, professional societies and commercial publishing interests.

Originality/value

Libraries are evolving into far more than repositories of bound volumes as eScience and eCollections mature. The changing role of librarians and of the physical library to handle and treat much more than books and journals is demonstrated by many addresses at this conference.