bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Norwegian work‐sharing couples project 30 years later
Authors: Bjørnholt Margunn
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to outline the background as well as methodological and epistemological aspects to, and the effects of, a follow‐up study 30 years later of the work‐sharing couples project, which is a Norwegian, experimental research project in the early 1970s. The aim of the project is to promote gender equality and a better work/life balance in families. In this paper the variation in work‐sharing and post work‐sharing trajectories over the life‐course is explored, mainly focusing on the impact of the work‐sharing arrangement on the couples' relations, their work/life balance and the well‐being of participants, the core objectives of the original project.

Design/methodology/approach

The original project has a small scale, interventionist design based on couples working part‐time and sharing childcare and housework; effects on family life and gender equality are documented by questionnaires and time diaries. In the follow‐up study, retrospective life‐course couple interviews with the original participants are used.

Findings

Revisiting the original project produced new insights into, the subversive and radical use of sex‐role theory in early Norwegian family sociology as an instrument of changing gender relations. In the follow‐up study, the high level of participation and the long duration of the arrangement would seem to qualify for a heightened level of expectation as to the effects of the experiment on the participants' lives. A high proportion of the couples are still married, and the work‐sharing arrangement has been regarded by the majority of participants to have had a positive impact on their marital relation, work/life balance and well‐being.

Practical implications

Insights gained from revisiting this project may prove fruitful when confronting contemporary dilemmas of work/life balance, as well as demographic and environmental challenges.

Originality/value

The original project is unique internationally owing to its theoretically subversive, interventionist design and reformatory ambition. The longitudinal follow‐up of the experiment is also unique in family research, and of great value for researchers into gender equality and the family.
Gender and leadership in Turkish and Australian universities
Authors: Özkanlı Özlem , White Kate
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the factors in the under‐representation of female Rectors/Vice‐Chancellors (VCs), Vice‐Rectors/Deputy Vice‐Chancellors (DVCs), and Pro‐Rectors/Pro Vice‐Chancellors (PVCs) – collectively described as the University Executive or senior management – in Turkey and Australia. This includes support and mentoring, recruitment and selection processes, and the role of Rectors/VCs.

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative interviews are conducted with both male and female senior managers in old and new and metropolitan and regional universities in Turkey and Australia.

Findings

It is found that some women have difficulty getting into senior management, and generally their support or mentoring came from further down the organization than for men. In both countries male and female managers consider that Rectors/VCs are particularly influential in senior management appointments, with women perceiving this as a barrier. The particularly low representation of women in senior management in Turkey reflects the absence of equity frameworks, but also role conflict which is more likely to impact on women in relation to senior management rather than academic appointments.

Practical implications

This research indicates that it is still difficult for women in both countries to be appointed to senior management roles in Universities and that support, networks and the role of Rectors/VCs in the appointment process are important factors. Awareness about gender in senior management links back to legislative frameworks or lack of them. Universities in Australia – unlike Turkey – are required to report annually on their commitment to addressing under representation of women in their workforce. The impact of legislative compliance has been to sensitise both men and women in universities to gender issues. Turkey, by contrast, continues to have low representation of women in senior management and no legislative imperative to address this inequality. And because many women in Turkey decide not to apply for senior management positions due to conflict between work and family responsibilities, their representation remains low and fails to challenge the prevalent view that gender is not an issue in senior management.

Originality/value

The paper demonstrates that equity frameworks –or lack of them – may have an impact on the representation of women in higher education (HE) senior management in Turkey and Australia but that cultural factors such as role conflict may also prevent women in Turkey from applying for senior management positions.
University students' perceptions of sexual harassment in the workplace
Authors: Sipe Stephanie R. , Johnson C. Douglas , Fisher Donna K.
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess whether a gap exists in student perceptions of sexual harassment in the workplace as compared to the realities. Over 20 years following the enactment of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the US Supreme Court recognized sexual harassment as a cause of action under Title VII. However, despite the developing law and public awareness of the same, sexual harassment persists in today's workplace, and its presence and effects continue to be underestimated by relevant stakeholders, including university students.

Design/methodology/approach

College students (n = 1,373) provide perceptions on sexual harassment of self, sexual harassment of others, potential career impact of sexual harassment on self, and demographic information. Descriptive statistics are used to evaluate research questions, while t‐tests determine if differences exist by race and/or gender.

Findings

The paper's findings suggest that the majority of respondents believe sexual harassment is not a serious risk in the modern workplace, especially in relation to its impact on their own careers.

Practical implications

College students (and potentially members of the workforce) need ongoing training and education in order to minimize discrimination or harassment. This misalignment between perception and reality poses the risk of negative consequences to both business organizations as well as to individual employees and raises the issue of how education may be used to minimize these consequences.

Originality/value

This paper provides college students with a definition of sexual harassment, then inquires as to whether or not they believe it happens (to them or others), and if so, would it affect their careers. The findings suggest the rose colored lenses may adversely impact their ability to see realities of the workplace.
A comparative analysis of managerial competency needs across areas of functional specialization
Authors: Wickramasinghe Vathsala , De Zoyza Nimali
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether there is a set of management competencies that should be possessed by managers irrespective of their areas of functional specialization using quantitative methodology.

Design/methodology/approach

For the study, 31 individual competencies were analyzed. The study was confined to a fully integrated telecommunication service provider; 198 managerial employees participated in the survey.

Findings

The findings reveal broad level competencies that are important for managers working in one of the seven functional areas. The findings suggest the importance of competencies from value and skill clusters than knowledge cluster across all functional areas. Further, there was hardly any congruence with the perceptions on current expertise and current importance across all the functional areas.

Practical implications

While the findings of the study have a specific relevance to the managers in the telecommunication industry, they could have a rather broader relevance with implications for management development initiatives.

Originality/value

Although there is an enormous diversity in the scope of competency literature, a few empirical research studies have been conducted on management competency requirements for different functional areas. A limited number of competency studies have been conducted in Asia and in many cases those were confined to identify requisite competencies for managers from a specific functional area, such as human resources development. Hence empirical research studies are needed to fill this lacuna in literature. This paper fills some of the gaps
What's in it for me? The fundamental importance of stakeholder evaluation
Authors: Finlay‐Robinson David
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the importance of stakeholder evaluation.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents an overview of the relevance and value of stakeholder analysis and provides a list of key factors for consideration when carrying this out.

Findings

The importance of stakeholder analysis as a component in change management within a business strategy is revealed.

Originality/value

The paper presents useful information on the importance of stakeholder evaluation and key factors for consideration.
The new Construction Act 2009: implications for building surveyors
Authors: Donohoe Steve
Published: April 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to discuss forthcoming changes to the Housing Grants Regeneration and Construction Act 1996 following UK government consultation exercises. The paper seeks to examine five key areas of construction contract administration which will be affected should the proposed changes be included in new legislation.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach of the paper is to conduct a literature review of the proposed changes.

Findings

The five key areas are: changes in requirement for contracts to be in writing; changes to interim payment decisions by third parties; so‐called “Tolent” clauses and matters concerning adjudication costs, cross contracts; and payment notices. The implications of how these changes might affect building surveyors are explored. The paper concludes that while some of the proposed changes are likely to be welcomed, other proposed changes throw up potential complex and difficult legal issues.

Originality/value

It is hoped that this paper will stimulate discussion between practitioners and academics about suitable reforms to adjudication and construction law issues in the UK.
Dutch standard for condition assessment of buildings
Authors: Straub Ad
Published: April 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to provide insight into the use of a standard for condition assessment.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on a literature review, an analysis of the development, content and practical use of the Dutch Standard for Condition Assessment of Buildings, and the findings of several research projects about condition assessment and maintenance planning by Dutch housing associations.

Findings

By using the standard for condition assessment, building inspectors can provide property managers with objective data about the condition status of building components. Aggregated condition data could be used for setting condition targets for built assets and for benchmarking. It is anticipated that as a result of the standardisation, condition surveys will become more reliable and as a consequence more popular among large‐scale property owners.

Research limitations/implications

The standard has been introduced recently. At present there is little experience of the use of (aggregated) condition data for maintenance planning and benchmarking built assets.

Practical implications

The standard is a tool to assess the technical status of the properties to underpin the long‐term maintenance expectations. Condition assessment is not meant for preparing the annual maintenance budget and planning of the work. Supplementary information is needed in the phase of preparing for the execution of remedial work.

Originality/value

This paper provides practical tools for condition assessment and maintenance planning.
Modern methods of construction
Authors: Kempton Jim , Syms Paul
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the current drive for 3 million new homes by 2020. The delivery of this number of homes is a challenge for the house building industry and its associated stakeholders such as local authorities, registered social landlords (RSLs) and others. One mechanism proposed to ensure delivery is the use of modern methods of construction (MMC). There are, however, several problems with this premise including the legacy of non‐traditional housing formats employed in the past, demand side suspicion of MMC, and a lack of capacity on the supply side. The paper concentrates on the implications of MMC in the RSL sector – particularly the potential impacts of MMC on asset management (long‐term maintenance) of RSL housing stock.

Design/methodology/approach

A literature review and interviews with key RSL personnel are used to inform the discussion contained in this paper.

Findings

Seven overall themes emerged from the research, pointing to the main issues that need to be addressed if MMC housing is to be successfully employed in the RSL sector, while also ensuring that asset management is able to carry out its long term maintenance programmes in an effective and efficient manner.

Originality/value

Little previous research has been located on the subject of MMC and its specific impacts on RSL asset management operations. The research should therefore be of interest to a broad range of people, including asset managers and surveyors, developers, planners, and local, regional and national policy makers.
Concrete manufacture with un‐graded recycled aggregates
Authors: Richardson A.E. , Coventry K. , Graham S.
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether concrete that includes un‐graded recycled aggregates can be manufactured to a comparable strength to concrete manufactured from virgin aggregates.

Design/methodology/approach

A paired comparison test was used to evaluate the difference between concrete made with virgin aggregates (plain control) and concrete including recycled waste. Un‐graded construction demolition waste and un‐graded ground glass were used as aggregate replacements. With regard to concrete, compressive strength is widely used as a measure of suitability as being fit for purpose. Therefore compressive strength was mainly used to compare the different concrete batches; however density was measured across the range of samples.

Findings

The findings show that a lower average compressive strength is achieved when compared to the plain control sample manufactured with virgin aggregates. Correct particle packing may not be achieved and grading of aggregates is essential prior to mix design. The recycled aggregate was highly variable in terms of the fine particle content, which affected the water demand of the concrete.

Practical implications

This manufacturing practice is considered necessary because of the current trend in using waste products in concrete to replace binders and aggregates; thus reducing the impact on the environment and use of finite natural resources. The research shows the risk of mixing concrete using a simple aggregate replacement without careful aggregate grading and adjustments to the mix design.

Originality/value

The paper examines 100 per cent ungraded aggregate replacement with glass and demolition waste.
Renewable energy in US federal buildings
Authors: Castro‐Lacouture Daniel , Roper Kathy O.
Published: April 2009

Purpose

This research seeks to investigate sources of renewable energy into the everyday operation of federally owned facilities. The goal is to present comparisons of existing US federal buildings and analyze the savings and methodologies for acceptance of each project for the use of building and project managers within the US federal government or other researchers interested in similar analysis.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were analyzed on several case studies where solar, wind, and geothermal sources of renewable energy have already been integrated in federally owned facilities. The analysis focused on cost due to available data and resources, and its scope was to estimate the potential for success or failure and possible outcomes.

Findings

Current case studies of solar, wind, and geothermal projects within the US federal government suggest that cost savings are not the sole reason for adopting such technologies. Projects move forward based on additional motivations such as reduced environmental impact, government policy, and in an effort to increase leadership, awareness, and image.

Research limitations/implications

A larger number of case studies are needed to infer trends in federal renewable energy projects. The methodology is aimed at an objective comparison of electricity costs between buildings; however, as the findings demonstrate, the quantitative normalized ratio implemented needs other soft considerations to fully represent renewable energy scenarios in US federal buildings.

Practical implications

Key decisions that must be made in order to get a renewable energy‐building project completed may be facilitated by using the paper and its implications of the need for soft factors to become part of the analysis.

Originality/value

The analysis presented here includes five stages or key decisions that must be made to get a renewable energy project in US federal facilities to award, including criteria beyond economics. Findings support the need for inclusion of soft factors, along with economic considerations for project success.
A critical review on innovation in facilities management service delivery
Authors: Nazali Mohd Noor Mohd , Pitt Michael
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to define facilities management and innovation in generic business contexts and critically discuss the role of innovation in facilities management service delivery.

Design/methodology/approach

The research adopts a comprehensive literature review from numerous published sources. All related references were discovered through electronic databases, journals and books.

Findings

FM is capable of contributing towards organisational success if it is given the opportunity to exploit new ideas and perform innovative activities that are regularly measured and integrated within the overall business goals or an organisation. To achieve this, it is essential that innovation in FM is given appropriate empowerment and a platform within the boundaries of the organisation's total innovation agenda.

Research limitations/implications

There are limited literature materials which focused on service innovation particularly in the context of facilities management and its service delivery. Some discussions that are related to multiple contract management are only mentioned but not extensively reviewed in accordance with the scope of the research. One of the constraints is due to the nature of services that are non‐tangible and hard to perceive.

Practical implications

The study provides in‐depth knowledge on the importance and benefits to an organisation by embracing innovation in facilities management as well as in the delivery of FM services. By tying innovation in FM with the firm's overall innovation agenda, significant improvements are gained through total efficiency in business operations.

Originality/value

The paper provides fresh literature updates on the needs of FM players to embrace innovative ideas and concepts to effectively deliver facility‐related services. The findings indicated here can be used by relevant FM stakeholders to plan and re‐evaluate the role of facilities management functions in their organisations.
Knowledge management adoption in times of crisis
Authors: Wang Wei‐Tsong
Published: April 2009

Purpose

Organizations are threatened by business crises that may be prevented or lessened if critical knowledge is identified in advance. The purpose of this paper is to enhance the understanding of the role knowledge management (KM) plays in affecting organizational performance during crises.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study of a business crisis was conducted to investigate how KM helped mitigate damage caused by the crisis.

Findings

First, KM plays an important role in crisis management. Second, organizations have different knowledge needs that require the application of different KM strategies at different phases of a business crisis to achieve the best results. Finally, the experience handling crises makes organizations consider their incompetence and thus leads to the generation of organization‐wide learning initiatives which facilitate knowledge acquisition, sharing, and institutionalization.

Practical implications

The proposed knowledge‐centered crisis management framework can be used by organizations as guidelines to develop their KM strategies based on their concerns during business crises.

Originality/value

Few prior studies have specifically addressed the role KM plays when encountering business crises. This study focuses on investigating how organizations can apply useful KM strategies based on their knowledge needs and thus achieve desirable crisis management outcomes.
The role of partnership in supply chain performance
Authors: Ryu Il , So SoonHu , Koo Chulmo
Published: April 2009

Purpose

Supply chain management emphasizes collaborative relationships between buyers and suppliers within a supply chain. The purpose of this paper is to examine the antecedents of buyer‐supplier partnership and to explore its impact on the supply chain performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed research model was tested via structural equation modeling analysis with survey data collected in October 2007 from 141 buyer‐supplier practitioners in South Korea.

Findings

The results of this study imply that both strategic and operational variables are perceived as crucial factors affecting the buyer‐supplier partnership; thus, this partnership relationship exerts an impact on supply chain performance.

Research limitations/implications

This study provides researchers and practitioners with a more comprehensive understanding about the buyer‐supplier partnership in a supply chain context. Future research should focus on developing additional constructs that may capture other aspect of buyer‐supplier partnership.

Originality/value

The present study makes an empirical contribution by investigating an integrated framework focusing on the antecedents of buyer‐supplier partnership and its impact on supply chain performance.
Determinants of success in open source software networks
Authors: Casaló Luis V. , Cisneros Jesús , Flavián Carlos , Guinalíu Miguel
Published: April 2009

Purpose

Open source software (OSS) products have rapidly acquired a notable importance in the last years among consumers and firms all over the world. They are mostly developed and distributed through online social networks thanks to the voluntary and collaborative actions of their members. However, their innovation and development has to face up the existence of free‐riders which can benefit from the knowledge developed in the online social network. This paper aims to understand the factors that moderate the opportunistic behaviour in OSS development and distribution, which will help to correctly manage the OSS innovations.

Design/methodology/approach

The influence of reputation on members' satisfaction and participation intentions in OSS online social networks are measured. Additionally, the impact of being an active and satisfied member on his/her commitment and intention to use the OSS products are studied. After the validation of measurement scales the hypotheses are contrasted with structural modelling.

Findings

This research show that perceived reputation acts as a deterrent factor of free‐riders. More specifically, reputation exerts a positive and significant effect on member's satisfaction with previous interactions and an indirect effect on participation intentions in the social network through satisfaction. Besides, these two outcomes of reputation boost the members' affective commitment to the OSS and, as a consequence, the intention to use OSS products is also increased.

Practical implications

Reputation and satisfaction are two crucial aspects in explaining the success of an online social network since they serve to guarantee the interaction among its members. In addition, participation continuance intentions in an online network may help to increase the levels of affective commitment and loyalty to the mutual interest of the network (the OSS in this case). This result may be especially relevant for commercial networks, which are based on the admiration to a brand, firm or product.

Originality/value

The analysis of online social networks as a development and distribution channel and the role of reputation in promoting members' participation (that is, avoiding opportunistic behaviour) represent a new contribution to the analysis of online social networks. This research field has acquired a notable popularity in recent years.
Importance of performance information in managerial work
Authors: Laitinen Erkki K.
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to analyse the connection between managerial job and importance of job‐relevant performance information.

Design/methodology/approach

Two hypotheses on the relationship of the nature of job to the job‐relevant information are tested by survey data gathered in spring 2008. The data include responses from 76 Finnish CEOs in manufacturing industry. Managerial job, information, and information gap types are extracted by the factor analysis. The hypotheses are tested by the regression analysis.

Findings

Evidence shows that the type of job strongly influences the importance of different information types in managerial work. However, information gap does not depend on the type of work but on contextual variables.

Research limitations/implications

The results limited by the small sample size and industry. Larger data, advanced statistical methods, and different constructs to measure managerial job and contextual variables should be used in further studies.

Practical implications

Contingency factors are important in affecting the nature of managerial job. Managerial job largely determines the importance of information but the gap of information depends on contextual environment. It is important to take account of the nature of managerial job in designing information systems.

Originality/value

This study shows that managerial job mediates the effect of contingency factors on the importance of information. However, these factors have a direct effect on the gap of information.
Universal design for people with disabilities
Authors: Chan Edwin H.W. , Lee Grace K.L. , Chan Antony T.S.
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review the major pieces of statutory control regulating unobstructed access. In order to ensure that all residents including those with disabilities can access places that the public is entitled or allowed to enter or to use, adequate provision of unobstructed access is required.

Design/methodology/approach

A comprehensive literature review is conducted to identify whether there is room for improvement in the building laws regulating access for people with disabilities (PWDs), in order to achieve universal access design. In order to ascertain that the universal access design is achieved in public housing estates, a set of checklists are prepared and a number of checkwalks are conducted. After completion of the on‐site survey, data analysis is adopted and the results are summarized for future reference.

Findings

This study presents the result of a meaningful and beneficial study which has investigated the accessibility of PWDs in public housing estates serving the majority of the Hong Kong population. This case study is valuable because it identifies the inadequacies of current access provisions for PWDs and highlights the areas requiring further improvement. Based on the review of existing legislative controls and the case studies, some possible solutions for improving present building regulations are generated.

Originality/value

This study investigated the accessibility of PWDs in public housing estates that affect a large proportion of residents in Hong Kong. Assessing the accessibility of PWDs in the public housing estates is a good indicator of the effectiveness of current controls over unobstructed access in Hong Kong.
The unique approach to institutional repository
Authors: Chen Kuang‐hua , Hsiang Jieh
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the practical and unique approach to construct an institutional repository (IR) at the National Taiwan University (NTU).

Design/methodology/approach

In general, IR systems are used to preserve the research outputs of academic organizations. The preserved contents as a whole will demonstrate the achievements and influences of organizations. The NTU Repository (NTUR) project is the action which is the response of NTU Library to the converging and emerging issues. The system design of NTUR is based on a well‐known open‐source package, DSpace, but many of its functional modules are modified to fulfill the requirements of Chinese users. The content acquisition of NTUR is carried out by a machine‐aided manual approach, which quickly accumulates the volume of registered digital objects in NTUR.

Findings

With comparison to other IR systems, it is found that a content‐rich system with the much friendlier user interface like NTUR could be constructed in an effective way. The post‐processing for search results – which is very unique feature of NTUR – could be also implemented effectively.

Practical implications

Many investigations point out that an open‐access IR system can decrease the cost in dissemination of scholarly information and increase the impacts of research outputs.

Originality/value

The practical approach to the construction of an institutional repository at NTU has been proposed. The approach can make NTUR quickly acquire a large volume of digital objects. This makes NTUR a much more content‐rich repository with comparison to other similar IR systems.
Innovation community
Authors: Xiaobin Lu , Jing Guo
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to put forward a completely new academic library service mode called “Innovation community” in light of current information environment, social background and user demands. “Innovation community” is a mode especially suitable for academic libraries, aimed at supporting the cultivation of innovation ability, encouraging user participation, joint construction, interaction and communication, designing different theme communities and organizing supporting services and activities so that both libraries and users can become entities of independent innovation. At the same time, this paper seeks to elaborate on the development of ideas on constructing this new mode of “Innovation community” by taking the IC2 mode and its auxiliary innovation support plan put forward by Shanghai Jiaotong University Library as a practice case.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper adopts the research methodology that combines situation analysis and theoretical explanation, model exhibition and case study.

Findings

It is found that “Innovation community” is a kind of library service mode especially suitable for learning and research groups with a demand for innovation. Under an e‐science and e‐education environment, libraries construct an environment and platform for promoting communication and cooperation and supporting interdisciplinary study and research innovation, and more effectively promoting knowledge discovery, research innovation and exploitation of tacit knowledge through individualized design and service of theme communities.

Research limitations/implications

IC2@SJTUL, the practice case of “Innovation community”, has only constructed an environment at present, and the first term of this plan has not been completed. Therefore, evaluation of the actual operation effect cannot be made until later, and its actual effect has to be tested after a period of operation.

Originality/value

From a new perspective, this paper elaborates on the intention, elements and primary characteristics of “Innovation community” and studies a typical practice case.
Building a virtual community platform for subject information services at Shanghai Jiao Tong University Library
Authors: Pan Wei , Lan Xiaoyuan
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce the functional framework of a subject service virtual communities' platform and implementation planning at Shanghai Jiao Tong University Library.

Design/methodology/approach

First, the paper analyses the three aspects which should be considered when libraries carry out subject information services, next points out the users' behavior preferences of scholar communities to use libraries services and access library resources, and then explains the limitation of current methods used by academic libraries to reveal and deliver resources and services. Second, the paper describes the advantages of using a virtual community platform to reveal library subject resources, services, and to construct the communication environment for subject users. Finally, the functional framework of the subject service virtual communities and implementation planning at the Library of Shanghai Jiao Tong University are illustrated.

Findings

Based on the next‐generation discovery and delivery system – Primo – subject service virtual communities at Shanghai Jiao Tong University Library integrate diverse functions as follows to one platform: Subject information discovery and accessing (subject information letters, subject information gateway, subject information one‐stop search), Subject information blog, Subject information literacy instruction, Subject information generation and preservation, Subject information consultation. Besides “one‐stop” accessing and obtaining only needed library resources and services, the virtual communities platform gives subject users a more convenient and more attractive environment to preserve their research results and share their experiences.

Originality/value

Subject service at Chinese academic libraries has become a hot topic in recent years. Advice on how to support the service and make it become more effective and attractive is also an important problem. This article covers various library systems and tools that can be used to build subject service virtual communities and shows it is valuable and could be tried elsewhere.
System architecture of Library 2.0
Authors: Yang Xinya , Wei Qunyi , Peng Xiaodong
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to present a subsection circulatory management (SCM) model of Library 2.0. The design idea of Library 2.0 system architecture is to be illustrated and a five‐tier model of service‐oriented architecture (SOA) is to be put forward and analyzed.

Design/methodology/approach

The SOA model conforms to the desires of Library 2.0. Libraries require integration of literature resources, knowledge services and operations management and together all these integrations must be based on the user service. The realization of the concept and technology of Library 2.0 is similar with the SOA model.

Findings

Current library management systems (LMS) remain at the era of Library 1.0, which focused on literature management. The new design principles are aiming to manage library resources much better. Library 2.0 must break through the current framework, and adopt a multilayer structure, user‐centered and service‐oriented system architecture to integrate the resources, the services and managements. Amongst other things, Library 2.0 should utilize the multilayer architecture based on the module mode, improve the flexibility and adaptability of modern management systems, both in system configuration and operational management.

Originality/value

The SOA model is applied in Library 2.0 for the first time and is divided into five tiers – hardware tier, system tier, data tier, operation management tier and knowledge service tier. According to the architecture, three application systems – LMS based on librarians, knowledge service system based on patrons, and knowledge search engine, are designed.
Digital libraries in China: progress and prospects
Authors: Yao Leye , Zhao Ping
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of Chinese digital library (DL) projects via the corresponding web sites, It also seeks to illustrate the current situation of DLs in China by offering insights into the digitization of resources, technologies and services.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire was designed on the basis of the definition and features of digital libraries, together with the relevant library homepages and services. Overall, ten comprehensive universities and their library web sites, five public libraries and one science library were selected for comparison and analysis focusing on the content set‐up, digital resources, navigation systems, mainstream modes, home‐grown databases construction, user instruction training programs etc. Other issues including the virtual reference, service (VRS), academic information resource portal and integrated searching system or platform, personalized service, logon and authentication are also discussed.

Findings

All the selected libraries are operational digital libraries or prototypes. The electronic or digital resources are made up of two parts and the mainstream modes are service‐oriented. Most have their own library information portals and provided integrated searching. However, there are some defects in term unification on some home pages, unified retrieval platform selection among various databases, and navigation system construction.

Practical implications

This paper presents a perspective of how DLs in China have been developing in the past few years. It also indicates the existing problems and difficulties and suggests the practical ways to optimize the application, standards, laws and rules, personal information environment, logon and authentication based on encryption. In addition, Open Access resources' utilization, conflict between copyright protection and resources sharing, and user interface customizing are addressed.

Originality/value

This paper describes the general status of Chinese digital library construction. It provides relevance for researchers and the public in China as well as other countries on the DL construction experiences, efforts and achievements. It also highlights the importance and value of sharing experience in DL construction.
Using RFID guiding systems to enhance user experience
Authors: Tang Lin Hsien , Feng Lin Chia , Ming Yuan Shyan
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to present a guiding system with enhanced functionality based upon radio frequency identification (RFID) technology to promote a user friendly experience.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a user survey, the paper provides a guiding system using RFID with blog platform for further interaction. An example of this technology was built into a gallery at a college in Taiwan.

Findings

This guiding system is defined as pull type because users actively pull the relevant information using RFID readers. With such functionalities, users have the opportunity to acquire information, using a mobile device, about a specific object in a context‐aware manner. In addition, users can share ideas and comments related to the object on blogs with others who had visited or will visit the object or site. The user survey results showed that visitors seldom met the artists at an exhibition of their works, but desired to discuss and shares comments with them and other visitors. The proposed system addressees this need with a blog, and the user satisfaction survey confirmed that the proposed system met the requirements.

Originality/value

The paper provides a guiding system to enhancing user experience by RFID and blog. The system also builds a channel between the creators of the artworks and others.
Numerical modelling of a slope stability test by means of porous media mechanics
Authors: Sanavia Lorenzo
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a finite‐element analysis of the initiation of a slope failure in a small‐scale laboratory test due to pore pressure variation. To this aim, a fully coupled multiphase model for saturated/partially saturated solid porous materials based on porous media mechanics is used.

Design/methodology/approach

The slope is described as a three‐phase deforming porous continuum where heat, water and gas flow are taken into account. The gas phase is modelled as an ideal gas composed of dry air and water vapour. Phase changes of water, heat transfer through conduction and convection and latent heat transfer are considered. The independent variables are: solid displacements, capillary pressure, gas pressure and temperature. The effective stress state is limited by Drucker‐Prager yield surface for the sake of simplicity. Small strains and quasi‐static loading conditions are assumed.

Findings

The paper shows that the multiphase modelling is able to capture the main experimental observations such as the local failure zone at the onset of slope failure and the outflow appeared in that zone. It also allows understanding of the triggering mechanisms of the failure zone.

Research limitations/implications

This work can be considered as a step towards a further development of a suitable numerical model for the simulation of non‐isothermal geo‐environmental engineering problems.

Practical implications

The multiphysics approach looks promising for the analysis of the onset of landslides, provided that the constitutive models for the multiphase porous media in saturated/unsaturated conditions and the related mechanical and hydraulic properties are described with sufficient accuracy.

Originality/value

Elasto‐plastic thermo‐hydro‐mechanical modelling of the initiation of slope failure subjected to variation in pore pressure boundary condition.
Optimization of non‐convex water resource problems by honey‐bee mating optimization (HBMO) algorithm
Authors: Bozorg Haddad O. , Afshar A. , Mariño M.A.
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the honey‐bee mating optimization (HBMO) algorithm tested with, first, a well‐known, non‐linear, non‐separable, irregular, multi‐modal “Fletcher‐Powell” function; and second, with a single hydropower reservoir operation optimization problem, to demonstrate the efficiency of the algorithm in handling complex mathematical problems as well as non‐convex water resource management problems. HBMO and genetic algorithm (GA) are applied to the second problem and the results are compared with those of a gradient‐based method non‐linear programming (NLP).

Design/methodology/approach

The HBMO algorithm is a hybrid optimization algorithm comprised of three features: simulated annealing, GA, and local search. This algorithm uses the individual features of these approaches and combines them together, resulting in an enhanced performance of HBMO in finding near optimal solutions.

Findings

Results of the “Fletcher‐Powell” function show more accuracy and higher convergence speed when applying HBMO algorithm rather than GA. When solving the single hydropower reservoir operation optimization problem, by disregarding evaporation from the model structure, both NLP solver and HBMO resulted in approximately the same near‐optimal solutions. However, when evaporation was added to the model, the NLP solver failed to find a feasible solution, whereas the proposed HBMO algorithm resulted in a feasible, near‐optimal solution.

Originality/value

This paper shows that the HBMO algorithm is not complicated to use and does not require much mathematical sophistication to understand its mechanisms. A tool such as the HBMO algorithm can be considered as an optimization tool able to provide alternative solutions from which designers/decision makers may choose.
An assessment of the Gurson yield criterion by a computational multi‐scale approach
Authors: Giusti S.M. , Blanco P.J. , de Souza Netoo E.A. , Feijóo R.A.
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess the Gurson yield criterion for porous ductile metals.

Design/methodology/approach

A finite element procedure is used within a purely kinematical multi‐scale constitutive modelling framework to determine estimates of extremal overall yield surfaces. The RVEs analysed consist of an elastic‐perfectly plastic von Mises type matrix under plane strain conditions containing a single centered circular hole. Macroscopic yield surface estimates are obtained under three different RVE kinematical assumptions: linear boundary displacements (an upper bound); periodic boundary displacement fluctuations (corresponding to periodically perforated media); and, minimum constraint or uniform boundary traction (a lower bound).

Findings

The Gurson criterion predictions fall within the bounds obtained under relatively high void ratios – when the bounds lie farther apart. Under lower void ratios, when the bounds lie close together, the Gurson predictions of yield strength lie slightly above the computed upper bounds in regions of intermediate to high stress triaxiality. A modification to the original Gurson yield function is proposed that can capture the computed estimates under the three RVE kinematical constraints considered.

Originality/value

Assesses the accuracy of the Gurson criterion by means of a fully computational multi‐scale approach to constitutive modelling. Provides an alternative criterion for porous plastic media which encompasses the common microscopic kinematical constraints adopted in this context.
Nodal ordering for bandwidth reduction using ant system algorithm
Authors: Kaveh A. , Sharafi P.
Published: April 2009

Purpose

For the solution of equations with sparse matrices, the problem of bandwidth reduction is an important issue. Though graph theoretical algorithms are available, the purpose of this paper is to examine the feasibility of ant systems (AS).

Design/methodology/approach

For band optimization an ant colony algorithm based on AS is utilized. In this algorithm a local search procedure is also included to improve the solution.

Findings

AS algorithms are found to be suitable for bandwidth optimization.

Originality/value

Application of AS to the bandwidth reduction is the main purpose of this paper, which is successfully performed. The results are compared to those of a graph theoretical bandwidth optimization algorithm.