bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intercultural differences and leadership perceptions of Jewish and Druze school principals
Authors: Popper Micha , Sleman Khatebb
Published: April 2007

Most studies on leadership focused on the personality, actions and behaviors of leaders as independent variables. More and more scholars of leadership call to place more weight on the images of leaders that followers construct. This article demonstrates the significance and potential of this approach by discussing the effect of cultural dimensions on perceptions of leaders in schools. The effect of intercultural differences on followers’ perception of leadership was examined in a study carried out in Israel, where 154 teachers from the Druze minority were compared with 103 teachers from the Jewish majority. Cultural differences were examined on the basis of Hofstede’s conceptual formulations. The two groups were found to differ significantly in their attitude to authority. The second phase tested the hypothesis that this cultural dimension would be reflected in different leadership perceptions. The findings partly supported the hypothesis. Theoretical, methodological, and practical implications of the research are discussed.
Financial Reporting Standard 5
Authors: Ryl David
Published: April 2007

The Accounting Standards Board have now issued Financial Standard
Reporting 5 (FRS5) – Reporting the Substance of Transactions. Highlights
two principal changes to the Financial Reporting Exposure 4 (FRED4)
which have been incorporated into FRS5, namely offset and partial
de‐recognition. Briefly discusses the ″linked presentation″ rules which
were set out in FRED4 and have now been implemented in FRS5.
Viewpoint: reaching the consumer through e‐grocery VMI
Authors: Småros Johanna , Holmström Jan
Published: April 2007

Current e‐grocery models are based on the consumer making his or her purchase over the Internet, and the e‐grocer delivering the purchase to the household. However, there are numerous opportunities for innovative new services. Analyzes the opportunities offered by bar code and radio frequency identification (RFID) technology to develop a new type of e‐grocery related service, namely vendor‐managed inventory (VMI) in the household. In assessing the opportunity for extending the value offering of an e‐grocery business to VMI in the household a number of key operational issues are addressed, i.e. data capture, solution robustness and cost saving potential in the supply chain. The analysis indicates that the development of new value offerings such as VMI is critical if e‐grocery businesses are ever to gain a competitive advantage over traditional retail formats.
An analysis of Taiwan’s distribution system
Authors: Chung Henry F.L.
Published: April 2007

Taiwan is one of the newly industrialised economies. Its foreign currency reserves are among the largest in the world. Still, few efforts have been expended to examine its distribution system. This article intends to examine issues concerning Taiwan’s distribution system and its impact on foreign‐produced consumer products. Based on examining the distribution channels for six New Zealand‐produced products, a number of conclusions are drawn. The findings of this study point out that firms’ choice of market entry mode might be affected by the host market’s distribution system. The most common channel structure used by foreign producers marketing in Taiwan is a multiple channel system. In addition, the study concurs with findings on the Japanese distribution system, that a common problem facing firms operating in these markets is the large number of small sized retailing outlets. Due to the similarities of the two systems, foreign firms are recommended to use the experience of those firms which have successfully penetrated the Japanese market.
ABC/TA for Internet retail shopping
Authors: Tollington Tony , Wachter Philipp
Published: April 2007

Considers some of the assumptions underpinning the utilisation of activity‐based costing (ABC) and throughput accounting (TA) systems in relation to Internet retail shopping. It shows that there is a role for both ABC and TA systems depending on where managerial attention is directed towards supply chain efficiency and/or cost control. Internet retail shopping was chosen because it is a new niche market that favours the maximisation of retail inventory “throughput” while, at the same time, favouring “ABC” because of the substantial fixed overhead costs incurred by many of the major supermarket stores.
Retailing and the retail space market in Singapore
Authors: Yap Corinne
Published: April 2007

Singapore’s retail landscape has undergone much change since the 1960s as a result of its economic growth and social change. Fuelling the transformation is the Urban Renewal Authority (URA) whose policies have resulted in modern one‐stop shopping centres. Today’s retail market is highly cosmopolitan, complex and sophisticated with nearly every international brand and retailer found there. However, the retail market has been tough in the last few years owing to problems such as an oversupply of retail space, high labour costs and a tight labour market. Describes strategies adopted by retailers and developers to combat the problems in the industry. Among the strategies adopted by retailers are niche marketing and regionalization. They have also forged strategic alliances with other larger retailers. Developers, on the other hand, have recognized the need to find the right tenant mix as opposed to just securing the highest rents. Less competitive shopping centres have also considered converting their retail space to more sought‐after office space. The government continues to steer Singapore’s urban development with its policies. The URA’s long‐range vision is presented in its concept plan. The broad policies of the concept plan have been translated into detailed development guide plans for specific areas.
Smart cards and retailers ‐ who stands to benefit?
Authors: Worthington Steve
Published: April 2007

Explains that the smart card is increasingly being held and used by consumers in the UK, particularly in its electronic purse or loyalty card capacity. The smart card is a plastic card that carries an embedded computer chip with memory and interactive capabilities. Describes the current major payment options open to consumers, and accepted by retailers, with a review of the costs and benefits of each payment option. Considers the electronic purse pilot of Mondex as a new payment option and looks at the issues facing retailers with the introduction of smart cards. Concludes that acceptance of the smart card as a new payment option depends heavily on retailers’ attitudes and these will be formed by the so‐far unquantified balance of costs and benefits that will accompany the introduction of the smart card.
In‐company education: an example of best practice?
Authors: Best Warwick , Lashley Conrad , Rowson Bill
Published: April 2007

Purpose

Nottingham Business School recently validated a suite of generic qualifications based round the theme of leisure retailing. The purpose of this paper is to describe the Advanced Diploma, where one of the first cohorts on the programme was pub managers and area managers from J.D. Wetherspoon.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents the findings of a telephone survey of 17 pub managers and three area managers who had successfully completed the Advanced Diploma in 2005.

Findings

Around eight out of ten pub managers interviewed reported positive impressions of the course and went on to state that their property had increased sales, profits, customer and staff satisfaction. Results from company sales and performance data support the impressions created by these qualitative interviews. Sales, gross profit and unit profit performance all show overall improvements in performance compared to company averages.

Practical implications

Apart from students obtaining a university qualification it would appear that in every case individual pubs reported a substantial improvement in their business. The other implication is that the way in which these students are able to obtain a degree might well become the accepted alternative to full time education and all the financial implications that go with it.

Originality/value

The paper provides a model for evaluating the impacts of education and training interventions that could be employed by both university teams and professional in‐company trainers.
An alternative analysis of inventory costs of JIT and EOQ purchasing
Authors: Schniederjans Marc J. , Cao Qing
Published: April 2007

Recent models comparing inventory costs under just‐in‐time (JIT) purchasing plans and economic order quantity (EOQ) purchasing plans have tended to favor EOQ purchasing in situations where annual demand of inventory is moderately large. Contends that these cost models are lacking dynamic cost components inherent in virtually all JIT purchasing plans. Presents a series of inventory purchasing cost models that extend prior methodology by Fazel by including relevant physical distribution cost savings. Additional comparative models are presented to further demonstrate how other relevant costs factors can be included in a comparative EOQ/JIT model. A cost comparison with an existing problem from the literature is used to illustrate the informational efficacy of new models.
Epilogue ‐ Moving forward with agility
Authors: van Hoek Remko I.
Published: April 2007

This epilogue offers a status quo report on progress that firms have made in moving closer towards achieving agility in their supply chains. Data was collected through a large scale audit including data from over 200 firms. Second, entry level and move forward reaching practices that can support the migration towards the agile supply chain are offered, including references to real life examples.
Quality in practice ‐ four more from Oklahoma
Authors: Taylor Chris
Published: April 2007

Finds that across corporate USA, companies are achieving remarkable results against quality, productivity and customer satisfaction targets, but outside their home town, or state, few receive much publicity. Profiles four more businesses (three were featured in the last issue of MSQ) from Oklahoma, USA, all of which have been winners of the state Quality Awards: the companies are Baxter Healthcare, Mannford, Oklahoma; Eaton Corporation Hydraulics Division, Shawnee, Oklahoma; Zebco Corporation, Tulsa, Oklahoma and Bone & Joint Hospital, Oklahoma City.
Effectiveness of the operator splitting for solving the atmospherical shallow water equations
Authors: Carfora M.F.
Published: April 2007

A semi‐implicit semi‐Lagrangian mixed finite‐difference finite‐volume model for the shallow water equations on a rotating sphere is considered. The main features of the model are the finite‐volume approach for the continuity equation and the vectorial treatment of the momentum equation. Pressure and Coriolis terms in the momentum equation and velocity in the continuity equation are treated semi‐implicitly. Discretization of this model led to the introducion, in a previous paper, of a splitting technique which highly reduces the computational effort for the numerical solution. In this paper we solve the full set of equations, without splitting, introducing an ad hoc algorithm. A von Neumann stability analysis of this scheme is performed to establish the unconditional stability of the new proposed method. Finally, we compare the efficiency of the two approaches by numerical experiments on a standard test problem. Results show that, due to the devised algorithm, the solution of the full system of equations is much more accurate while slightly increasing the computational cost.
A deficient spline function approximation for boundary layer flow
Authors: El‐Hawary H.M.
Published: April 2007

In this paper a spline approximation of deficiency 3 and a step of length 3h method is proposed to approximate the solution of the problem and its derivatives. The Falkner‐ Skan equation has been solved through the use of the shooting technique for handling the problem when the conditions imposed are of boundary‐value rather than an initial‐value type for different values of its parameters. Comparisons are made between the data resulting from the proposed method and those obtained by others.
Will we ever learn? The continued (mis)‐application of rational management technique to an irrational world
Authors: Ellis Steve
Published: April 2007

Questions the existence of traditionally‐structured organizations. Discusses important factors in successful organizations in a turbulent environment. Covers topics such as new challenges, new skills and virtual organizations.
Managing a fashion boutique
Authors: Margerison Charles , McCann Dick , Wyler Olivier
Published: April 2007

Reports on how the Types of Work Index was used to ascertain roles of boutique managers in the LVMH group. Discusses what the different roles involve. Concludes that the exercise is a useful way for managers to share and compare information on their roles, and that they can thus learn from one another to improve their performance.
Streamlining the Fuzzy Front‐end
Authors: Reinertsen Don
Published: April 2007

In the product development process the time between
“could” start and actually starting, it is referred to as
the “fuzzy front‐end” and is the key to reducing
time‐to‐market. Examines the different ways of doing this, and the links
between them.This action values may vary but capture approach is the
same. Lists the ten most common front‐end failures.
Software Development Process Improvement: The Forgotten Son?
Authors: Tong Gregg
Published: April 2007

Explores the issues surrounding process improvements in the
software development function of product development, an area
traditionally neglected by corporate quality programmes. Explains the
need for implementation of software process improvement, the current
state of such initiatives in industry, and cites a case study of
successful implementation at Hewlett Packard. Provides guidelines on
identifying the need for such a programme in an organization,
information on Carnegie Mellon University′s Software Engineering
Institute (SEI) and instructions for receiving additional information.
Reusability – the key to corporate agility: its integration
with enhanced quality function deployment
Authors: Witter Jérôme , Clausing Don , Laufenberg Ludger , Soares de Andrade Ronaldo
Published: April 2007

Market presence, quality and costs are primarily decided during
product development – improved in the last 15 years by the
implementation of basic concurrent engineering and now further extended
by enhanced quality function deployment (EQFD). Another key improvement
is extended reusability, which enables greater product variety, while
staying higher on learning curves. Reusability is best planned and
managed by using a reusability matrix which is responsive to the voices
of the customers and fully integrated into the total development
process. Outlines the integration of the reusability planning and the
required interface management into EQFD, and thus the integration into
total quality development.
The Polaroid experience: countdown to market
Authors: Fearis Paul
Published: April 2007

Presents a product redesign project undertaken for Polaroid.
Discusses the key features of a rapid product development programme,
highlighting the need for a well‐integrated multidisciplined team and
concurrent engineering supported by effective use of CAD/CAM technology.
Time‐to‐market: time equals money – but where does it all go?
Authors: Brooks Barry , Schofield Norman
Published: April 2007

Contends that, while the importance of time to product development
processes has been underscored by many commentators, it is not until
“time” is divided into component elements that the scope for
improvement becomes manifest. Since time equals money, effective time
management is of self‐evident importance. Outlines areas of management
focus, through which time is a common thread. Analyses the constituents
of time‐to‐market in terms of their capacity to measure temporal
processes and reduce their costs. Proposes a structure to support the
changes necessary for such reductions, and delineates the benefits
accruing from reduced time‐to‐market.
Achieving growth, competitive advantage and increased profits
Authors: McGrath Mike , Gilmore Dean
Published: April 2007

Summarizes some of the findings of a two‐year research project
concerned with how technology‐based companies can master market
challenges and so improve their product strategy. Identifies best
practices and some of the prerequisites of successful strategy
development which have already been implemented with clients of the
authors′ organization, Pittiglio, Rabin, Todd & McGrath.
Inequality of discourse: problematic consumption of justice in the common law legal system
Authors: Korac‐Kakabadse Nada , Kouzmin Alexander , Reeves Knyght Phillip
Published: April 2007

Examines access to justice, within the Australian context of an adversarial system, from a consumer’s perspective. It is argued that the current system of justice represents the most conservative element of Australian society and that the courtroom discourse structure and the legal professional code of practice do little to ensure access to justice or quality of service. Inequality in communication and in the distribution of wealth, affecting all spheres of social life, especially the legal system, pose major barriers to access to justice. Stemming from these two principal barriers to equality in access to justice, a multitude of other barriers are perceived to exist. These perceived barriers are magnified by various platforms of social and political analysis as well as historical, contextual factors and administrative action. Attention is drawn to the emerging need for a continuous alignment of administrative and justice systems with democratic justice principles and global social changes.
My practical experience in emergency management
Authors: Moore G.H.
Published: April 2007

Charts the career of the author through the fire service and the subsequent major disasters which occurred during that time. Advocates the importance of adequate disaster plans, and explains the development of Lincolnshire’s civil contingency plan.
The new world ahead: the internationalisation of accounting rules
Authors: Damant David
Published: April 2007

The new draft standard on financial instruments will revolutionise financial reporting around the world. The author argues that because of the politics of accounting standard‐setting the recently promulgated draft standard will become the rule. This marks two great changes in global perception. First, it means that the principles behind accounting standards are aimed at providing investors with the ability to forecast the future. Second, it means that fair value will gradually take its place as the dominant measurement within accounts. This has severe consequences in the world of banking and financial institutions. The shape of the balance‐sheet will be changed for ever.
The risk of risk
Authors: Eccles Robert , Herz Robert , Keegan Mary , Phillips David
Published: April 2007

This is an exclusive extract from The ValueReporting Revolution: Moving Beyond the Earnings Game, a new book published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., and written by four senior PricewaterhouseCoopers experts. In this extract they discuss the dilemma of risk management and risk reporting. They argue that there are difficulties in disclosing risk on the grounds that it causes problems with competitors and investors alike. There is also a lack of consensus of how market risk should be measured. They assess how to quantify operational risk and conclude that the gap between improving risk management techniques and risk disclosures needs to be closed.
Fair value for financial instruments – where to next?
Authors: Hague Ian
Published: April 2007

Proposals for fair value measurement of all financial instruments in company financial statements have been subject to significant criticism. This article reviews the responses to the latest international proposals – those of the “Financial Instruments Joint Working Group of standard setters”. It concludes by recommending that the next steps to be taken in exploring this issue, rather than immediate standard setting, should be rigorous testing of the proposals with users and preparers of financial statements.
A seven‐point prediction for 2004
Authors: Bittlestone Robert
Published: April 2007

The author provides a seven point plan for what 2004 holds. The predictions range from a tougher environment for company directors as investors fight back and a greater focus from financial reporting on the future and cash.
Bond indices: understanding all the angles
Authors: Mariathasan Joseph
Published: April 2007

The author, a stalwart of the UK Asset and Liability Management Association, provides a guide to the construction and make‐up of bond indices and argues that users should assess them in great depth until they gain a proper understanding of what they will gain from their use.
Assessing the regulatory impact: credit risk – going beyond Basel II
Authors: Tschemernjak Richard
Published: April 2007

As the end of the 2006 deadline to implement regulatory changes being proposed by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision looms closer, banks are battling to make their credit risk management systems compliant. But the majority are looking beyond the demands of the regulator. Some are realizing that Basel II provides them with an opportunity to improve their overall risk management strategy, improve business decision‐making, and increase shareholder value.
Xerox takes a strategic approach to e‐learning
Authors: Ettinger Andrew
Published: April 2007

Purpose

To highlight the planning, design and delivery of e‐learning at Xerox Europe.

Design/methodology/approach

The article presents the views of Ian Sellers, manager of Xerox Education support services.

Findings

Xerox has an ambitious target of providing 50 percent of training via technology to Xerox Europe's workforce of 15,000 in Europe, but the company recognizes that, while e‐learning is important, it will not – and should not – replace traditional training options. Emphasizes the key role of a small, select number of suppliers, who are strategic partners. Also stresses the importance of promoting and marketing e‐learning within the organization. Presents linguistic and technological barriers to the adoption of e‐learning, and how they may be overcome.

Practical implications

“Selling” e‐learning across the organization is paramount. The article highlights some of the innovative ways in which Xerox has done this.

Originality/value

The article is of most value to trainers and human‐resource specialists who are considering the adoption of e‐learning in their organization, and those who have adopted e‐learning but found their experiences to be disappointing.
Building global leadership at The Body Shop
Authors: Sinclair Annette , Agyeman Barbara
Published: April 2007

Purpose

Focuses on how The Body Shop is fostering and developing its global leaders.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is extracted from a research report that examines what is required for effective global leadership in an increasingly complex global marketplace through understanding the challenges that global organizations and leaders face.

Findings

Highlights the importance of good communication skills, teamwork, exchanging best practice, and achieving the best balance between what should be decided at the centre and what is best left to regional and local decision makers.

Practical implications

Identifies and presents practical strategies for developing and supporting effective global leadership.

Originality/value

Contains plenty to interest top managers in any large company with extensive international operations.
Effects of local government reorganization on senior library management
Authors: Malley Ian
Published: April 2007

Conjecture over the past few years on the negative impact of local government reorganization on public library staff at the most senior level (Malley, 1993 et al.), is now being supported by evidence emerging from the local authorities which have been reorganized. Recent research on Wales (Matrix Library Management, 1996) and brief reports on Scotland (MacNaughtan, 1996, and Morrow, 1996) confirm that both library departments and the most senior librarian positions in these departments have been considerably downgraded in the re‐structuring programmes that have accompanied the reorganization process. Outlines the finding of this research. Reflects on the consequences of these developments.
Librarians, who are they?
Authors: Martin Murray S.
Published: April 2007

States that many librarians are ill‐prepared for an assault on their professional status, in the light of current organizational life ‐ outsourcing, downsizing and clericalization. Suggests that librarians must be able to show that what they achieve is based on their qualifications and which is not readily duplicated by others.
The DBA in British universities: assessment and standards
Authors: Ruggeri‐Stevens Geoff , Bareham Jon , Bourner Tom
Published: April 2007

This article is about the assessment of the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) degrees that were developed in the UK in the 1990s. The article is based on a content analysis of the 16 DBA programmes in the UK at the end of 1999. It evaluates the assessment methods found against: the assessment of students’ achievement on traditional Doctor of Philosophy degrees (PhDs); the guidelines on the assessment of DBA candidates produced by the Association of British Business Schools; and the espoused intended learning outcomes of the DBA programmes themselves. The main conclusion is that there is a tension in the assessment methods employed by DBAs through their relationship with the traditional PhD. The tension is captured in the question: should programme developers follow the assessment methods of the “gold standard” PhD or should they use assessment methods that assess the learning outcomes of the DBA that distinguish it from the traditional PhD?
Quality assessment of continuing education short courses
Authors: Kabouridis Georgios , Link Dave
Published: April 2007

Evaluates a short course entitled: “The implementation of managerial techniques in primary and secondary schools”, which was addressed to the headmasters of the primary and secondary schools in Patras, Greece. The course was designed utilizing the principles of total quality and the evaluation is focused on the degree of achievement of the objectives through the analysis of quality factors such as participation, methodology, content, subject knowledge and teaching ability of the course deliverers. The evaluation is based on questionnaires that were completed by the participants at different stages of the duration of the short course. Proposes a list of parameters that have to be considered in designing short courses for adults who already have a long professional experience.
Organisational Transformation and Alignment
Authors: Hugh Macdonald K.
Published: April 2007

The business environment is turbulent, with the degree and frequency of
change seemingly increasing but action to anticipate and prepare for
turbulence being less evident. Outlines the issues to be understood,
responsibilities to be assumed and changes in thinking required to
manage turbulence. Uses the Strategic Alignment Model to show how
organisations can determine and manage the achievement of alignment
goals and extend these goals in response to external turbulence.
Background checks for employees in computer‐related positions of
trust
Authors: Cresson Wood Charles
Published: April 2007

Suggests a policy for checking the backgrounds of employees in
computer‐related positions of trust, including examination of any
criminal records, lawsuit records, credit bureau records and previous
employment.
Top‐down driven architecture design
Authors: Nolan Richard L.
Published: April 2007

Argues that senior management must be involved in the IT architecture process in a directly participatory manner. Describes the process of executive architecture design, complete with the essential components of both top‐down and bottom‐up driven architecture. Describes the characteristics of five levels of maturity in the development of IT architectures, from a business competitor’s perspective.
Business critical messaging
Authors: Tarascio Everard
Published: April 2007

States that growth‐oriented retailers such as WalMart deploy messaging infrastructures that actually run the business. Enterprise Solutions Ltd works with leading retailers to define and build “electronic nerve systems” for the enterprise. Reports the implementation of a communications infrastructure known as business critical messaging to speed the delivery of business information and maximize corporate co‐ordination, while reducing communications costs.
Digital signatures and the future of documentation
Authors: Wilson Stephen
Published: April 2007

While the business world has been moving inexorably online ever since the PC appeared, documentation itself has remained paper based for the most part. Paper of course has several major advantages including its longevity and robustness, its legal traditions, and its ability to be signed. But now the reach and speed of the Internet plus the sheer volume of business documentation is creating irresistible demand for entirely electronic documents and processes. Why should you have to wait for a hard copy to arrive by courier when you can get an e‐mail instantaneously? And why should you have to re‐key faxes, especially when the original almost certainly started out as a soft copy somewhere? Recent digital signature technology and associated legal analysis mean that contracts can be reliably formed online, and that purely electronic evidence can be treated the same as paper, for all legal and accounting purposes. This paper explains how digital signatures are used and online information authenticated, and paints a picture of the future documentation environment, utilising trusted electronic credentials for lawyers, doctors, accountants and so on.
The 43rd All‐India Conference of the Indian Library Association:
Authors: Satija M.P. , Singh Sukhdev
Published: April 2007

Reports briefly on the Technical Sessions and other presentations of the 43rd All‐India Conference of the Indian Library Association, and mentions the recommendations made by delegates at the conclusion of the conference.
Resource sharing for Chinese language materials and what technologies can offer in the digital age
Authors: Tam Lawrence W.H.
Published: April 2007

In Hong Kong resource sharing for cooperative cataloguing for Chinese language materials started in the 1990s with an infrastructure of a Z29.50‐based distributed system under the auspices of JULAC of the University Grants Committee. The advantages and limitations of the distributed approach for resource sharing are considered. Problems such as variant MARC formats, romanisation, and codes for information exchange are examined. Unresolved practice issues specific to Chinese language materials are discussed. Resource descriptions for resource sharing, especially cataloguing, are introduced.
Classroom, library and campus culture in a networked environment
Authors: Bazillion Richard J. , Braun Connie L.
Published: April 2007

The advent and evolution of Web‐enhanced teaching is changing the relationships among classroom, library, and campus culture at many of our nation’s colleges and universities. Portable computing is increasing in such a way that wired campuses are more and more the norm. In response to portable computing, some faculty are taking time to create and develop Web‐enhanced courses so that students may enjoy the extensive electronic resources now available to them. Faculty development in the use of technology in the classroom, knowledge of scholarly electronic resources, and close collaboration with the library are transforming what happens in higher education. “Laptop” university pioneers are fine examples of the kind of collaboration that is necessary to ensure success in this arena.
Developing webs of significance through communications: appropriate interactive activities for distributed learning environments
Authors: Crawford Caroline M.
Published: April 2007

Interactive activities are an important aspect of distributed learning situations, wherein online communities and learner motivational levels evolve and thrive. Through the thoughtful integration of interactive activities into the online learning process, learners and instructors gain considerable exposure to reciprocally favorable occurrences among learners, content, interface, instructor, community, and self. The thoughtful design and development of a distributed learning environment aids the use of interactive activities in moving beyond mere online interactions towards a more theoretically productive level of interactions. Within a theoretically productive level of interaction wherein the learners obtain information, develop conceptual frameworks through which the information is not only derived but becomes useful knowledge, develop higher‐level thinking skills, and continue to be internally motivated to continue with the course, the learners conceptualize a learning community which can be sorely lacking within distributed learning situations that do not integrate appropriate interactive activities.
The MacCycle: an extensible multimedia for teaching the physiology
and histology of the menstrual cycle
Authors: Aiten James F. , Whiten Susan , Peterson Nils S.
Published: April 2007

The development of MacCycle, a multimedia visual database of the
female menstrual cycle, stemmed from two related events. First, the
School of Biological and Medical Sciences at St Andrews University began
to make contingency plans to update a computer classroom which had been
used to teach physiology for about five years. Second, staff retirements
were about to change the profile of the School′s teaching coverage in
the key area of preclinical medicine. We anticipated that the
introduction of a more flexible delivery system for the histology course
might go some way to offsetting potential staff shortages.
Garbage in Gotham: enter(ing) the trashless classroom
Authors: Nagle Robin
Published: April 2007

Outlines the philosophy behind a Web‐based college course entitled “Garbage in Gotham”, which examines the cultural assumptions and revelations found in the category of object called “garbage”.
University of Wisconsin‐Green Bay: technology makes students active participants in American government
Authors: Dell Virginia C.
Published: April 2007

Summarizes a teaching strategy developed by three University of Wisconsin‐Green Bay faculty members which employs e‐mail and the World Wide Web to bring interactivity to large‐section, introductory lecture classes.
Metadata, metadata, everywhere – but where is the hook?
Authors: Kiesling Kristi
Published: April 2007

Encoded Archival Description (EAD) and Dublin Core (DC) are metadata standards with different purposes. EAD fully supports archival descriptive practices, but lacks the robust mechanisms for Web resource discovery that DC provides. This article explores the relationship between the two standards and pinpoints areas where there could be a more direct relationship.
OCLC Users’ Council meeting minutes, February 5‐7, 1996
Authors: Jones Emma
Published: April 2007

Reports on the OCLC Users’ Council meeting of February 5‐7, 1996. Issues discussed included nominations for the board of trustees, the OCLC president’s report, the Users’ Council executive committee report and reports on users of electronic information. Also under discussion were a number of strategies for the future.
Fenix – personalized information filtering system for WWW pages
Authors: Coimbra Delicato Flávia , Pirmez Luci , Fernando Rust da Costa Carmo Luiz
Published: April 2007

Nowadays the Internet offers a large amount of information to a wide range of users, making it difficult to deal with. The present work suggests the use of intelligent agents for the personalized filtering of Web pages. A set of autonomous, non‐mobile and adaptive agents was developed, aiming to satisfy the user’s need for information. The agents learn from the users’ feedback and attempt to produce better results over time. This work presents the system description and the promising results of tests performed in a simulated environment. The proposed system has proven to be a useful tool in reducing the amount of information with which the user has to deal.
Legacy‐based Thinking II: Resisting New Tools and Competencies
Authors: Harkins Arthur , Kubik George
Published: April 2007

This is the sixth article in our series projecting a shift from learning to perform to performing to learn. This article summarizes and comments upon the last of three story‐writing exercises undertaken by 166 Minnesota public school administrators in late January 2001.
The Intelligent Use of Information
Authors: Abeles Tom P.
Published: April 2007

Filtering out useful bits of information, in a world awash with information, is becoming very costly. Not only must we consider the information itself, but we must also consider the factor of time. When in time and space is it important and what is its half‐life?
US higher education in transition
Authors: Morrison James L.
Published: April 2007

American higher education is undergoing substantial change in terms of the way colleges and universities are organized and function. This change is being driven by the combined forces of demographics, globalization, economic restructuring, and information technology – forces that will, over the coming decade, lead us to adopt new conceptions of educational markets, organizational structures, how we teach, and what we teach. This article describes these forces and speculates on their effects on higher education in the USA and other industrialized nations.
Genuine and counterfeit leadership:
Authors: Ingalls John D.
Published: April 2007

What causes high‐level corporate executives to leave unexpectedly? Is it personality or politics? This article explores the behaviors that shape genuine and counterfeit leadership and explains the role these factors play in human capital flight. A new conceptual framework, Mind OS 1, Version 1.0, introduces behavioral circles that build on the wants and needs of leaders and identify optimal and dysfunctional behaviors. Key linkages to the Myers‐Briggs type indicator (MBTI) are illustrated.
Innovation:
Authors: Tucker Robert B.
Published: April 2007

The new century promises to bring more change, more complexity, and more competition. As a result, enterprisewide innovation will become a required operational discipline. Managing innovation in this environment involves four key principles: the approach must be comprehensive; innovation must include an organized, systematic, and continual search for new opportunities; organizations must involve everyone in the innovation process; a company must work constantly on improving its climate for innovation.
Civic scenarios as a tool for societal change
Authors: Kahane Adam
Published: April 2007

Since the early 1990s, Generon Consulting has been developing the use of scenario thinking as a tool for effecting societal change. In its civic scenario projects, a group of influential leaders, drawn from a broad range of sectors and organizations, works together to understand what is happening, might happen, and should happen in their city, region, or country. They then act in concert on that shared understanding and vision. This article summarizes its experience with this work to date, the process developed, and the kinds of results produced. Examples are drawn from pioneering projects in two countries that made among the most remarkable democratic transitions of the 1990s: South Africa and Guatemala.
A new research medium, new research populations and seven deadly sins for Internet researchers
Authors: Nancarrow Clive , Pallister John , Brace Ian
Published: April 2007

The increasing use of Internet‐based qualitative and quantitative research is based on both “pull” and “push” factors. “Pull” factors include research clients’ demand for faster turnaround and low cost, while marketing research agencies’ naturally competitive endeavours represent the “push”. Attempts “to clear the e‐mist” regarding research on the Internet and examines the main types of Internet based research (qualitative and quantitative) as well as seven “sins” for Internet researchers – based on interviews with leading providers of Internet market research and IT specialists. Concludes that there is a need for both practitioners and academics to ensure their houses are kept in order and to respect the rights of respondents and clients and, just as importantly, be seen to be doing this and so keep possible interference by governments at bay.
Myths and misconceptions in current engineers’ management practices
Authors: Petroni Alberto
Published: April 2007

This article peers into some of the myths and misconceptions in current management practices in motivating technical professionals. A questionnaire survey was carried out on 376 development engineers. The foregoing analysis clearly suggests that engineers in industry are generally dissatisfied and largely demotivated. It also emphasizes the importance of sound managerial practices that enable the organization to establish appropriate reward systems, to understand engineers’ expectations as technical professionals and to provide them with task‐related motivational tools fostering challenge and flexibility.
Exponential approximation for maintained Weibull distributed component
Authors: Xie M. , Kong H. , Goh T.N.
Published: April 2007

Exponential distribution is widely used in reliability and maintainability studies although it is well known that the constant failure rate assumption may not be valid. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the use of exponential distribution as an approximation. In fact, for components undergoing regular maintenance or replacement, the exponential assumption can be acceptable. In this paper, the exponential approximation for regularly maintained Weibull component is studied. The approximated exponential distribution using the average failure rate is compared with the exact reliability. The asymptotic relative error is derived, which can be used to adjust the exponential approximation when needed. Based on the framework of exponential approximation for Weibull distributed components, the problems of decision‐making regarding the optimal maintenance time and spare allocation are also addressed.
A risk‐based model for inspection and maintenance of cross‐country petroleum pipeline
Authors: Dey P.K.
Published: April 2007

The existing method of pipeline health monitoring, which requires an entire pipeline to be inspected periodically, is both time‐wasting and expensive. A risk‐based model that reduces the amount of time spent on inspection has been presented. This model not only reduces the cost of maintaining petroleum pipelines, but also suggests efficient design and operation philosophy, construction methodology and logical insurance plans. The risk‐based model uses Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), a multiple attribute decision‐making technique, to identify the factors that influence failure on specific segments and analyzes their effects by determining probability of risk factors. The severity of failure is determined through consequence analysis. From this, the effect of a failure caused by each risk factor can be established in terms of cost, and the cumulative effect of failure is determined through probability analysis. The technique does not totally eliminate subjectivity, but it is an improvement over the existing inspection method.
Political policy: president and parliament in Zambia
Authors: Bach Stanley
Published: April 2007

In October 1991, Zambia experienced its first competitive elections in 23 years. These elections for both the presidency and the National Assembly were expected to mark the end of one‐party rule and the beginning of a new regime of multi‐party politics. In the aftermath of the elections, some also expressed the hope or expectation that the transition starting to take place in Zambia would inspire a movement elsewhere in sub‐Saharan Africa away from authoritarian regimes or regimes effectively immune from electoral accountability. In fact, even some Zambians drew hopeful comparisons between what was occurring in Lusaka and the democratic transformations that had begun several years earlier in Central and Eastern Europe.
International policy: the Cuban missile crisis
Authors: Cimbala Stephen J.
Published: April 2007

In this study I revisit the Cuban missile crisis of 1962, in order to gain additional perspective on the relationship between organizational decision making and crisis outcomes. This exercise is an historical “counterfactual” or “what if” excursion, using recently declassified documents and simulated exchange calculations, from which I hope to draw three principal benefits. First, the study may shed some additional light on why Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev was willing to take such a dangerous gamble. Second, our counterfactual crisis suggests that the risk of inadvertent war, so much written about in connection with Cuba, 1962, was less important than the risk of a deliberate, but miscalculated, escalation. Third, the balance of command and control vulnerability might have mattered more to crisis‐ridden US leaders than the balance of strategic nuclear forces. If so, it helps to explain the apparent reluctance of US leaders to employ highly coercive forms of nuclear brinkmanship.
Optimization with minimum process error for layered manufacturing fabrication
Authors: Lin Feng , Sun Wei , Yan Yongnian
Published: April 2007

A mathematical model to predict the layered process error and an optimization algorithm to define the fabricating orientation based on the minimum process error for layered manufacturing fabrication has been developed. Case studies to determine the preferred orientation candidates for fabricating spherical objects, cube objects and objects with irregular geometrical shapes have been conducted and the results were used to validate the sensitivity, accuracy, and capability of the developed model and optimization algorithm. Different orientation candidates determined by minimum processing error and by minimum processing time were also compared. The developed model and the optimization algorithm can be used, in conjunction with other processing parameters such as processing time and support structure, to define an optimal processing planning for layered manufacturing fabrication.
Standards for the rapid prototyping industry
Authors: Jurrens Kevin K.
Published: April 2007

This paper proposes that development of formalized standards for the rapid prototyping (RP) industry will help enable the continued growth and further advancement of RP technologies. Appropriate standards can provide common methods for measuring the benefits and limitations of RP, as well as facilitate the transition of current advanced rapid manufacturing capabilities from the research laboratory to commercial products. Results and recommendations from a prior RP industry workshop at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in October 1997 form the basis for this discussion paper. This paper was presented as part of the 2nd Internet Conference on Rapid Prototyping to gather additional information and obtain further viewpoints regarding the need for and potential content of standards for the RP industry. An addendum is provided to summarize and analyze the results of the conference discussion.
The dual risks of market exchange: the roles of marketing institutions and activity in the transition process
Authors: Yamin M.
Published: April 2007

Examines the risks that simultaneously arise for buyers and sellers in the process of market exchange and argues that a key role of marketing institutions is that they reduce or modify these risks; without such institutions market the development of market exchange in society has significantly hampered. These observations are crucially relevant to the transition process in Eastern Europe where the institutional dimension of the marketization process have been largely ignored.