bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Selection of dispute resolution methods: factor analysis approach
Authors: Chong Heap‐Yih , Mohamad Zin Rosli
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to discover the behavior of dispute resolution in the Malaysian construction industry by analyzing factors that affect the selection of dispute resolution methods using factor analysis approach.

Design/methodology/approach

Preliminary interviews and a questionnaire survey were conducted. Dispute resolution methods were grouped and discussed together, based on the similarity of their characteristics, and used for the questionnaire survey. This research approach is different from the earlier studies that mostly focused on a single dispute resolution method. The data were further analyzed with factor analysis. This improved the data interpretation.

Findings

Seven latent factors were extracted and revealed that the contractors and developers preferred alternative dispute resolution (ADR). However, the appreciation of the outcomes of ADR was perceived to be very low. Arbitration and litigation were in part accepted and agreed upon by the respondents.

Originality/value

The combined results from the literature review on the stages of dispute resolution and the latent factors affecting the selection of dispute resolution methods could assist in decision making. The selection of ADR or non‐ADR itself is not a major issue; rather, there is a concern for increased efficiency and an appreciation of the methods in the construction industry are more demanding.
Determinants of construction duration for building projects in Germany
Authors: Dursun Onur , Stoy Christian
Published: June 2012

Purpose

Construction duration is referred to as one of the most crucial success elements for a construction project along with quality and cost. Modelling construction duration supports decision making at the early stages of a project. Exploring the complex structure of construction duration is necessary; hence this forms a basis to develop a predictive model. Therefore the main aim of this study is to determine the subset of variables for a descriptive model that explains the most substantial part of the variation in construction duration.

Design/methodology/approach

Secondary data set which includes 1,695 observations with 30 quantitative and four qualitative variables was utilized. Multiple linear regression was employed to define the relationship between explanatory variables and construction duration. General procedure for variable selection was presented in detail for data sets that suffer multicollinearity and singularity.

Findings

Analysis indicated that gross external floor area and cost of construction works are the major variables for describing the construction duration. In addition, categorisation with respect to type of facility, project location, availability of construction area, and market conditions was justified to be statistically significant.

Research limitations/implications

The study was limited to the population: German building industry. Besides, the affect of various qualitative variables, identified in the literature, could not be assessed due to lack of data availability.

Originality/value

To the authors' knowledge, the study is the first to assess construction duration for German building projects. Moreover, it provides a method for describing variable selection routine transparently.
Exploring parents’ and children's awareness on internet threats in relation to internet safety
Authors: Ktoridou Despo , Eteokleous Nikleia , Zahariadou Anastasia
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to explore parents’ level of awareness in relation to the threats that children are exposed to when using the internet. Additionally, it explores the parental interest to raise their awareness on internet use and threats, as well as investigating their interest in establishing household environment safety measures in their household and a secure internet system in order to protect their children.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employed a mixed method approach where quantitative and qualitative data were collected (Creswell). Questionnaires were used to collect the quantitative data and focus groups were organized for the qualitative data collection. The study's target population consisted of parents in two major cities in Cyprus, Nicosia and Larnaca. Non probability sampling was used to distribute 400 questionnaires to parents. The response rate was 55 percent, since 220 completed questionnaires were returned. The focus groups were organized as soon as the results of the questionnaires were analyzed. Eight focus groups (four focus groups with parents and four focus groups with children) were organized.

Findings

The results of the study are grouped in the following categories: internet uses, internet dangers and children, parents’ awareness on internet dangers, parents’ concerns, parents’ experience with internet dangers and productive measures.

Originality/value

The study provides practical and scientific implications related to raise parents’ and students’ awareness on internet safety, explaining the role of the various stakeholders involved.
Distance, online and campus higher education: reflections on learning outcomes
Authors: McPhee Iain , Söderström Tor
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss performance in postgraduate education in Sweden and Scotland. Drawing on two cases, the paper considers three themes: differences in students’ performance by study mode, differences in students’ performance by length of study, and finally comparing performance by study mode between modules in Scotland with an entire programme in Sweden.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical setting from Scotland builds on an evaluation of online and on‐campus study groups with exactly the same module syllabus. The Swedish setting is also based on an evaluation of distance and on‐campus study groups with exactly the same module syllabus. The data compiled in both countries arise from student performance scores and grades.

Findings

The results indicate that students in both countries foremost use the virtual learning environment (VLE) as a forum for accessing information, to access asynchronous postings in the forums and access streaming‐synchronous online lectures which are also accessed asynchronously in the VLE. The results show that there are no differences between the grades or test scores between campus students with face‐to‐face education and distance students with electronically (VLE) mediated education. These differences and similarities will form the basis of these reflections in this paper.

Research limitations/implications

The study is limited because the examples given are only a few cases and small samples and there is a need to more rigorously investigate different educational programs in different academic disciplines.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to quality issues in distance, online and campus education by taking into account, in the first case, different student performance in the same course over a longer period and in the second case, changes over time within the same educational program.
Virtual classroom: reflections of online learning
Authors: Michael Kathy
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to identify student and staff experiences with online learning at higher education (HE) using the software Elluminate Live!

Design/methodology/approach

This paper adopts a qualitative approach, focusing on the reflections of participants (student and teacher) collated over a 12 month period of piloting online classes with Elluminate Live!

Findings

A number of insightful themes and issues emerged from the data collected from the journal reflections as well as other source documents such as meetings and emails. The themes considered in the paper include: increased flexibility and cost reductions, technical challenges, resistance to online learning, extension of online facilities and student engagement, and visual literacy skills.

Research limitations/implications

The school's virtual classroom strategies need to address staff and student concerns. Staff training and the establishment of effective support structures for embedding safe, secure, and rewarding virtual classrooms are required. Once these issues have been addressed, online classes can be expanded across numerous discipline areas within the school.

Originality/value

Currently, Australian scholarly papers focussing on the use of Elluminate Live! as a teaching tool to help develop curriculum at tertiary level are scarce. The significance of this study is to share the important knowledge garnered through reflective insights (via feedback and journal writing) which can act as a guide to other higher education universities looking at undertaking online learning.
Generation Y, learner autonomy and the potential of Web 2.0 tools for language learning and teaching
Authors: Morgan Liam
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between the development of learner autonomy and the application of Web 2.0 tools in the language classroom.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach taken is that of qualitative action research within an explicit theoretical framework and the data were collected via surveys and through the analysis of learner diaries.

Findings

Although the students were found to have high‐level skills in relation to the use of Web 2.0 tools, it was also found that explicit teaching is needed to maximize the potential of these tools.

Research limitations/implications

Future research in this area is needed to develop a stronger research base around the student use of Web 2.0 to enhance their learning of second languages.

Practical implications

The paper highlights a need for teachers to engage in discussions with students around the use of Web 2.0 tools beyond the classroom and to model effective use of these within the classroom.

Social implications

The paper seeks to explore the implications of the development of Web 2.0 skills by students and seeks to contribute to the current thinking around the use of social media by Generation Y (Gen‐y) students.

Originality/value

This paper will be of value to second–language teachers reflecting on the need to better equip students faced with the combination of vast amounts of online material with the rich potential of publishing through Web 2.0 tools.
An analytic framework to support e.learning strategy development
Authors: Marshall Stephen J.
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss and demonstrate the relevance of a new conceptual framework for leading and managing the development of learning and teaching to e.learning strategy development.

Design/methodology/approach

After reviewing and discussing the research literature on e.learning in higher education institutions from 2000 to 2010 to identify the issues associated with leading and managing the development, implementation and evaluation of e.learning, the paper describes and makes an argument for how a new conceptual framework for leading and managing the development of learning and teaching in higher education, developed and reported elsewhere (Marshall et al.), might be used to guide the development, implementation and evaluation of e.learning strategy.

Findings

While subject to the limitations of all conceptual/analytical frameworks, it is argued that this new conceptual framework is able to first alert those with the responsibility for the development of e.learning to many of the critical issues identified in the research literature as being associated with its development, implementation and evaluation, and second, assist in conducting and developing the multi‐dimensional SWOT analyses and strategies necessary to guide the development, implementation and evaluation of e.learning.

Originality/value

This is the first paper to demonstrate the applicability of Marshall et al.'s new conceptual framework for leading and managing the development of learning and teaching to the development, implementation and evaluation of e.learning strategy.
Employers’ perspectives of online education
Authors: Linardopoulos Nikolaos
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the strengths and weaknesses of seven representative studies pertaining to the employers’ perceptions of online education.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper retrieved and analysed representative studies on the subject from two scholarly databases and Google.

Findings

The results indicate that there is a much greater likelihood that a candidate with an online degree would be viewed less favorably for employment purposes compared to the candidate with the face‐to‐face degree.

Originality/value

The paper identifies the gaps in the current studies and suggests future research directions regarding this critical topic.
The governance of supply networks: a systematic literature review
Authors: Pilbeam Colin , Alvarez Gabriela , Wilson Hugh
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to establish what is known regarding how supply network governance leads to network outcomes, what mechanisms underlie this relationship, and how context impacts it.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic literature review identified 44 conceptual and empirical studies. Purely dyadic studies were excluded. Synthesis used the context‐intervention‐mechanism‐outcomes (CIMO) logic.

Findings

From a categorization of contexts, governance instruments, mechanisms and outcomes a contingent conceptual framework is developed in the paper relating governance instruments to network outcomes dependent on the context. In general, formal instruments are adopted in dynamic and unstable circumstances defined as risky, uncertain, unpredictable or during organizational change. These instruments can result in coordination, control, viability and performance outcomes. Informal instruments tend to be adopted in contexts where prior relationships exist between actors.

Research limitations/implications

Arising from the conceptual framework three robust propositions are developed. A more nuanced view of power and trust is proposed to augment the explanations provided by transaction costs and social embeddedness. This provides opportunities for further research, including longitudinal and comparative studies.

Practical implications

The conceptual framework provides three propositions suggesting that in dynamic or unstable circumstances formal governance instruments can provide viability, control, coordination or performance outcomes. Informal governance instruments are more effectively used in established relationships to improve performance, control and viability.

Originality/value

The synthesis reveals contingencies in the appropriate governance modes of supply networks for desired outcomes in specific contexts, resolving apparent inconsistencies between prior studies.
Supply chain risk management: a new methodology for a systematic literature review
Authors: Colicchia Claudia , Strozzi Fernanda
Published: June 2012

Purpose

Supply chain risk management (SCRM) has recently gained increasing attention in the supply chain context, both from the practitioners' perspective and as a research area. Given the relevance of the topic, the aim of the present paper is to present a focused literature review, investigating the process of knowledge creation, transfer and development from a dynamic perspective within the context of SCRM.

Design/methodology/approach

A review of the literature on SCRM was undertaken. The new proposed methodology combines the systematic literature review approach to identify the most relevant articles to be included in the study with the citation network analysis in order to unfold the dynamics of the field under study. The authors define this new methodology as systematic literature network analysis.

Findings

The paper demonstrates that there are a number of key themes in the field of SCRM. The contributions that influenced the field were identified and, by analysing the evolution over time of key concepts, a number of research directions were identified and discussed.

Research limitations/implications

The dynamic nature of current literature review allows the identification of the directions in which research is moving and thus the recognition of streams of research that appear most promising. However, the application of the research methodology, and in particular of the citation network analysis, requires the support of specific computer programs. Moreover, the underlying assumption of the citation network analysis is that, by analysing the network of citations made to and from articles, it is possible to explain the flows of knowledge used to generate new results. This is only partially true since the spread of measures based on impact assessment led many researchers to an excessive use of citations, even if their content is not always decisive for the outcome of their work.

Practical implications

The present paper outlines a research agenda that may facilitate the development of models for managing supply chain risk. Furthermore from the evidence of the performed literature review some managerial insights can be derived on how to manage supply chain risk: by considering uncertainty in the design of supply chains, by understanding the impact of risks arising from network collaboration and interactions between supply chain partners, by developing proactive mitigation capabilities to hedge the increasing level of risk.

Originality/value

The novelty of this research lies in the combination of two existing methodologies for reviewing the literature and in the adoption of a dynamic perspective in order to analyse theory development.
Towards a theory of supply chain alignment enablers: a systematic literature review
Authors: Wong Chee , Skipworth Heather , Godsell Janet , Achimugu Nemile
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The importance of supply chain alignment has been discussed since the birth of supply chain management (SCM). Yet it remains a major challenge for supply chains. This paper aims to systematically review the cross disciplinary literature on supply chain alignment in order to identify, and develop constructs for enablers to alignment, and an associated set of hypotheses.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic approach has been taken to the literature review, which ensures it is auditable and repeatable. The selection criteria are clearly aligned with the review question ensuring all literature pertinent to the question is identified and reviewed. Relevant information is extracted from the selected papers and synthesised into a set of hypotheses.

Findings

Six main constructs for the enablers of alignment are identified and defined: organisational structure, internal relational behaviour, customer relational behaviour, top management support, information sharing and business performance measurement system. While the literature is disparate, across different disciplines there is good support for these enablers. The relationships between supply chain alignment and shareholder and customer value are also argued with the support of the literature. Although each of the enablers is argued to positively affect shareholder and customer value, their interactions with one another are not well supported in the literature, either theoretically or empirically, and therefore this could be an area for further research.

Research limitations/implications

While the hypotheses remain theoretical, it is now possible to test them and understand the relative significance of the various enablers to alignment.

Practical implications

The significance of shareholder and customer alignment on the delivery of shareholder and customer value can be examined, thus moving towards a theory of supply chain alignment. This is needed since in practice companies are struggling with supply chain alignment.

Originality/value

The existing literature on supply chain alignment is disparate and multi‐disciplinary as this descriptive analysis shows, with 72 papers published in 43 different journals. Moreover, most of the papers focus on particular enablers, while this paper brings together six key enablers from the literature to produce a set of hypotheses.
Understanding the role of logistics capabilities in achieving supply chain agility: a systematic literature review
Authors: Gligor David M. , Holcomb Mary C.
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of logistics capabilities in achieving supply chain agility through a multi‐disciplinary review of the relevant research. The systematic literature review aims to provide the basis for formulating a conceptual framework of the relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic, comprehensive review of the literature on manufacturing, organizational and supply chain agility from 1991 through 2010 was conducted. The literature on logistics capabilities was also examined to identify the various elements that contribute to supply chain agility.

Findings

Supply chain agility has primarily been explored in the literature through a focus on manufacturing flexibility, supply chain speed, or lean manufacturing. The role of logistics capabilities in achieving supply chain agility has not been addressed from a holistic conceptual perspective. This research addresses that gap using a multi‐disciplinary approach. As such, it is the first phase in theory building on the concept of supply chain agility. Further research is needed to empirically test the conceptualized relationships.

Research limitations/implications

This research is a systematic, integrative review of the existing literature on the concept of agility and logistics capabilities. As such, the next phase of research needed for theory building will be the operationalization of constructs and testing of the hypothesized relationships proposed by the conceptual framework.

Practical implications

The level of agility in a supply chain can determine the efficiency and effectiveness of the collective efforts. It is important that firms become more knowledgeable about the role of logistics capabilities in achieving agility.

Originality/value

Through a systematic, comprehensive review of the literature in four distinct areas, the paper explores the relationship between logistics capabilities and supply chain agility.
Theoretical perspectives in purchasing and supply chain management: an analysis of the literature
Authors: Chicksand Daniel , Watson Glyn , Walker Helen , Radnor Zoe , Johnston Robert
Published: June 2012

Purpose

This paper attempts to seek answers to four questions. Two of these questions have been borrowed (but adapted) from the work of Defee et al.: RQ1. To what extent is theory used in purchasing and supply chain management (P&SCM) research? RQ2. What are the prevalent theories to be found in P&SCM research? Following on from these questions an additional question is posed: RQ3. Are theory‐based papers more highly cited than papers with no theoretical foundation? Finally, drawing on the work of Harland et al., the authors have added a fourth question: RQ4. To what extent does P&SCM meet the tests of coherence, breadth and depth, and quality necessary to make it a scientific discipline?

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic literature review was conducted in accordance with the model outlined by Tranfield et al. for three journals within the field of “purchasing and supply chain management”. In total 1,113 articles were reviewed. In addition a citation analysis was completed covering 806 articles in total.

Findings

The headline features from the results suggest that nearly a decade‐and‐a‐half on from its development, the field still lacks coherence. There is the absence of theory in much of the work and although theory‐based articles achieved on average a higher number of citations than non‐theoretical papers, there is no obvious contender as an emergent paradigm for the discipline. Furthermore, it is evident that P&SCM does not meet Fabian's test necessary to make it a scientific discipline and is still some way from being a normal science.

Research limitations/implications

This study would have benefited from the analysis of further journals, however the analysis of 1,113 articles from three leading journals in the field of P&SCM was deemed sufficient in scope. In addition, a further significant line of enquiry to follow is the rigour vs relevance debate.

Practical implications

This article is of interest to both an academic and practitioner audience as it highlights the use theories in P&SCM. Furthermore, this article raises a number of important questions. Should research in this area draw more heavily on theory and if so which theories are appropriate?

Social implications

The broader social implications relate to the discussion of how a scientific discipline develops and builds on the work of Fabian and Amundson.

Originality/value

The data set for this study is significant and builds on a number of previous literature reviews. This review is both greater in scope than previous reviews and is broader in its subject focus. In addition, the citation analysis (not previously conducted in any of the reviews) and statistical test highlights that theory‐based articles are more highly cited than non‐theoretically based papers. This could indicate that researchers are attempting to build on one another's work.
Not learning in the workplace: austerity and the shattering of illusio in public service work
Authors: Colley Helen
Published: June 2012

Purpose

This paper seeks to discuss the impact of UK government austerity policies on learning in public service work, specifically youth support work. It also aims to argue that austerity policies intensify “ethics work”, create emotional suffering, and obstruct workplace learning in a variety of ways.

Design/methodology/approach

The research adopts narrative methods and a critical interpretive paradigm to investigate practitioner perceptions within a broader analysis of neo‐liberal change. It draws on Bourdieu's sociology as an interpretive framework.

Findings

Austerity is shifting the “stakes” of the youth support field from a client‐centred ethos to the meeting of economically driven targets. This shatters the illusio of practitioners committed to client‐centred ethics, resulting in emotional suffering, difficulty in learning to cope with new demands, and an erosion of professional capacity.

Research limitations and implications

A particular limitation is the lack of longitudinal data. There is a pressing need for more research on ethics work, emotional suffering and (not) learning in public service workplaces facing austerity, and to continue theorising this nexus more thoroughly.

Practical and social implications

There is a need to promote a feminist ethics of care in such workplaces. There is also a need to stimulate public debate about the ethical impact of austerity on public service work as a whole. These might allow workplaces to encourage learning more effectively.

Originality/value

This paper departs from traditional discussions of workplace learning to consider instances of “not learning”. It introduces the innovative concept of “ethics work”, discusses ethics as a form of work, through a sociological rather than philosophical lens, and utilises Bourdieu's key concept of illusio, not previously addressed in workplace learning research.
Learning racial hierarchies
Authors: Mirchandani Kiran
Published: June 2012

Purpose

This paper aims to focus on the communications skills training given to transnational call center workers in India whose jobs involve providing customer service to Western customers. Emotion work is a key component of customer service jobs, and this work is constructed as an important soft skill.

Design/methodology/approach

Between 2002 and 2009, 100 interviews were conducted with customer service workers, trainers and managers in India. Respondents provided detailed descriptions of their training curricula and some workers shared their complete set of training booklets. The analysis for this paper is based on a section of the curricula that focuses on communication skills used during training programs for Indian customer service agents.

Findings

Training curricula designed to enhance the communication skills of call center agents are vehicles through which workers learn to make sense of their place in social, economic and cross‐national hierarchies.

Research limitations/implications

The study of emotion work in relation to workplace learning occurs in the context of global economic regimes.

Originality/value

Training curricula on communication skills serves to help workers to cope with the expression of customer abuse. Rather, there is a need to develop regulations that protect workers from customer aggression.
Online tutoring and emotional labour in the private sector
Authors: Webb Sue
Published: June 2012

Purpose

What happens when computer software is designed to replace the teacher and the human role is to service the relationship between the software and the learner? Specifically, this paper aims to consider whether or not emotional labour is performed in contexts mediated by technology in the private sector.

Design/methodology/approach

The research is a single site, the online tutoring centre, in a large global education company in Europe servicing learners based in companies elsewhere. It is a critical case study with strategic importance for understanding the effects of the transformations to the education work afforded by a work design based on digital Taylorism. Qualitative methods are used, including observation, analysis of tutor/student e‐mail exchanges over a ten‐month period and interviews with key personnel.

Findings

It was found that in spite of the drive for standardisation and consistency, online tutors engaged in considerable levels of emotional labour, individualised in its performance along a spectrum.

Research limitations/implications

The work has value in that it extends into new sites the study of digital Taylorism. In finding emotional labour in this critical case, it suggests that emotional labour will be present in less extreme cases.

Practical implications

The article is a useful source of information for practitioners in online learning centres, as well as researchers in the area of recruitment and training of online tutors.

Social implications

The article provides insights into effects of the recruitment of underqualified people in private learning centres.

Originality/value

The article provides insights into an area of work‐based learning that is under‐investigated to date – i.e. the recruitment and practices of tutors in private learning centres and the role of emotional labour.
Emotion and learning in the workplace: critical perspectives
Authors: Benozzo Angelo , Colley Helen
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The aim of this Guest Editorial is to position the special issue.

Design/methodology/approach

The Guest Editors reflect on critical perspectives on the relationship between emotion and learning in the workplace, and also present the four papers that constitute the special issue.

Findings

Emotion and learning are deeply intertwined in the workplace. To understand this inter‐relationship, it is essential to examine the cultural and political context of particular organisations and the countries in which they are located. Class, gender and race are also highly influential factors that need to be taken into account in such studies.

Originality/value

The special issue gives space and consideration to under‐explored and under‐developed areas in the literature on emotion and learning in the workplace: how emotional suffering can block workplace learning, race, emotion and learning in the workplace, and emotion in relation to ICT support for learning.
Online gaming misbehaviours and their adverse impact on other gamers
Authors: Teng Ching‐I , Tseng Fan‐Chen , Chen Ye‐Sho , Wu Soushan
Published: June 2012

Purpose

As a popular entertainment form, online gaming is a significant global industry with millions of customers. However gaming misbehaviours (gamer behaviours that violate generally accepted norms) and their impact on other gamers have received little attention. This study thus aims to examine five online gaming misbehaviours (i.e. account theft, cheating, bullying, profanity, and hoarding of advantageous locations) and how they influence other gamers in terms of anger and continuance intention (intention to repetitively play a specific game).

Design/methodology/approach

The study sample comprises 767 online gamers who provided valid responses to an online survey. The hypotheses are tested using structural equation modelling.

Findings

Analytical results indicate that profanity and hoarding of advantageous locations anger other gamers, reducing continuance intention.

Practical implications

The analytical results suggest that game providers should focus on reducing gaming misbehaviours such as profanity and hoarding of advantageous locations.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature by investigating the misbehaviours in online games and their impact.
Wikipedia for academic publishing: advantages and challenges
Authors: Xiao Lu , Askin Nicole
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the potential of Wikipedia as a venue for academic publishing.

Design/methodology/approach

By looking at other sources and studying Wikipedia structures, the paper compares the processes of publishing a peer‐reviewed article in Wikipedia and the open access journal model, discusses the advantages and challenges of adopting Wikipedia in academic publishing, and provides suggestions on how to address the challenges.

Findings

Compared to an open access journal model, Wikipedia has several advantages for academic publishing: it is less expensive, quicker, more widely read, and offers a wider variety of articles. There are also several major challenges in adopting Wikipedia in the academic community: the web site structure is not well suited to academic publications; the site is not integrated with common academic search engines such as Google Scholar or with university libraries; and there are concerns among some members of the academic community about the site's credibility and impact in academia.

Originality/value

This paper promotes a fundamental idea for adjusting methods of creating and disseminating academic knowledge. It is a valuable resource for those interested in academic innovation, for research librarians, and for the academic community in general. This topic has not been sufficiently addressed in the literature.
Predictors of high‐quality answers
Authors: Blooma Mohan John , Hoe‐Lian Goh Dion , Yeow‐Kuan Chua Alton
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the predictors of high‐quality answers in a community‐driven question answering service (Yahoo! Answers).

Design/methodology/approach

The identified predictors were organised into two categories: social and content features. Social features refer to the community aspects of the users and are extracted from explicit user interaction and feedback. Content features refer to the intrinsic and extrinsic content quality of answers that could be used to select the high‐quality answers. In total the framework built in this study comprises 17 features from two categories. Based on a randomly selected dataset of 1,600 question‐answer pairs from Yahoo! Answers, high‐quality answer predictors were identified.

Findings

The results of the analysis showed the importance of content appraisal features over social and textual content features. The features identified as strongly associated with high‐quality answers include positive votes, completeness, presentation, reliability and accuracy. Features weakly associated with high‐quality answers were high frequency words, answer length, and best answers answered. Features related to the asker's user history were found not to be associated with high‐quality answers.

Practical implications

This work could help in the reuse of answers for new questions. The study identified features that most influence the selection of high‐quality answers. Hence they could be used to select high‐quality answers for answering similar questions posed by users in the future. When a new question is posed, similar questions are first identified, and the answers for these questions are extracted and routed to the proposed quality framework for identifying high‐quality answers. Based on the overall quality index computed, the high‐quality answer could be returned to the asker.

Originality/value

Previous studies in identifying high‐quality answers were conducted using either of two approaches. First using social and textual content features found in community‐driven question answering services and second using content appraisal features by thorough assessment of answer quality provided by experts. However no study had integrated both approaches. Hence this study addresses this gap by developing an integrated generalisable framework to identify features that influence high‐quality answers.
Why are A‐list bloggers continuously popular?
Authors: Ko Hsiu‐Chia
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore why A‐list bloggers are continuously popular and what benefits they may obtain from becoming A‐list bloggers.

Design/methodology/approach

This work compared the varying popularity ranking list at two stages of Wretch, the biggest blog platform in Taiwan, and selected 44 continuously popular A‐list bloggers as research subjects. The research used online ethnographic methods, social network analysis, and text analysis to analyse collected data, including personal blog homepages, profile pages, blogrolls, blog posts, and audience responses to 44 continuously popular A‐list bloggers.

Findings

The results reveal that, on average, A‐list bloggers publish several articles weekly. Each article draws many responses and quotations; however only a few audience members continuously respond to these articles. The social network analysis and the online ethnographic analysis results indicate that a large audience regularly visits A‐list blogs, and their quotations and diffusion of information promote A‐list bloggers' reputations and build social capital, which consequently provides opportunities to convert popularity into a profit source. Finally the text analysis results show that A‐list bloggers often share positive life experiences in their blogs and receive positive feedback from their audience, which may increase their psychological well‐being and life satisfaction, and motivate them to continue writing. The positive emotions of A‐list bloggers may affect their audience and create emotional resonance with them.

Originality/value

This is the first study to explore the success of continuously popular A‐list bloggers to increase the understanding of the blogging phenomenon.
Intention to adopt knowledge through virtual communities: posters vs lurkers
Authors: Liao Shuling , Chou En‐yi
Published: June 2012

Purpose

This study aims to examine the social capital and technical determinants of knowledge adoption intentions in virtual communities and to explore the differences between posters and lurkers.

Design/methodology/approach

An online survey was conducted with a sample of 318 virtual community participants for a structural equation model test.

Findings

The structural and cognitive social capital, peer influence, and perceived usefulness positively contribute to virtual community participants' attitudes and intentions toward knowledge adoption. Lurkers' attitudes are more influenced by network ties, reciprocity norms, shared vision, and perceived usefulness, whereas posters are more affected by social trust and shared language.

Research limitations/implications

The results produced in the Chinese context may not fully apply to other cultures.

Practical implications

Devising effective strategies to increase social capital and content value is crucial for fostering virtual community members' positive attitudes toward knowledge adoption.

Originality/value

This study is one of the first to combine and examine social capital and technology acceptance theories with regard to the knowledge adoption intentions of posters and lurkers in virtual communities.
Using Google Scholar for journal impact factors and the h‐index in nationwide publishing assessments in academia – siren songs and air‐raid sirens
Authors: Jacsó Péter
Published: June 2012

Purpose

Google Scholar has been increasingly used in the past six to seven years as a highly efficient information source and service by librarians and other information professionals. The problem is when Google Scholar is touted and used as a bibliometric/scientometric tool and resource in the assessment of the quantity (productivity) and quality (impact) of research publications, in formal and informal ways, for decisions related to tenure, promotion and grant applications of individual researchers and research groups, as well as in journal subscriptions and cancellations. This paper aims to examine this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper discusses the use of Google Scholar for journal impact factors and the h‐index in nationwide publishing assessments in academia. It focuses on the issues of access and excess in Google Scholar: the innate limits of Google Scholar and those imposed by its developers on the users.

Findings

The paper reveals that issues of access and excess in Google Scholar prevent the researchers from doing appropriate content analysis that the best librarians and other information professionals do systematically to discover the pros and cons of databases. The excess content grossly dilutes the originally worthy collection of scholarly publications. The accuracy, reliability and reproducibility are essential for realistic research assessment through the prism of the quantity (publication counts) and quality (citation counts) of scholarly works. Unfortunately the metadata created by Google Scholar is substandard, neither reliable nor reproducible and it distorts the metric indicators at the individual, corporate and journal levels.

Originality/value

The paper provides useful information on the use of Google Scholar for journal impact factors and the h‐index in academic publishing.
Minimizing potential apathy and loss of meaning associated with overuse of popular management terms
Authors: Schraeder Mike
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to provide a set of practical recommendations or strategies for reducing the potential apathy and/or perceived loss of meaning that may accompany the overuse of common or popular management terms.

Design/methodology/approach

The article summarizes possible unintended consequences (i.e. apathy and perceived loss of meaning) that could develop as a result of repetition or overuse that may be associated with the growing popularity of certain management terms as they emerge. Recommendations for minimizing these unintended consequences are provided.

Findings

Four recommendations for reducing/minimizing potential apathy or perceived loss of meaning that may be associated with overuse of popular management terms are outlined. Two contemporary management terms (innovation and quality) that have been characterized as overused are utilized for illustration purposes to highlight the application of select recommendations. These recommendations include: acknowledging the potential for apathy; providing a context for the overused term; the use of synonyms; and discussing personal perceptions associated with the term.

Originality/value

The article provides a relatively pragmatic perspective on the unintended consequences of apathy and perceived loss of meaning that may develop as management terms emerge, gain popularity, and potentially become overused. Practical recommendations/strategies for reducing/minimizing these unintended consequences are discussed.
Balanced Scorecard – fostering learning organizations towards achieving strategic results: a case study of an oil PSU in India
Authors: Yemeshvary Ashok Upadhyay Archana
Published: June 2012

Purpose

This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting‐edge research and case studies.

Design/methodology/approach

This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context.

Findings

Organizations compete to succeed in a continuously changing business scenario. It is obvious that as an organization, they need to learn continuously, develop their competencies and adapt to the changes in business environment, thus becoming a learning organization. However, it is important that the individual and collective learning of the organization is such that it contributes to accomplishing strategic business results and the organization's vision. This can be achieved through the Balanced Scorecard as it clearly highlights in the “Learning & Growth” perspectives, the competencies and organizational capabilities that need to be built. The Balanced Scorecard thus links the learning endeavors of the organization with its strategy and vision.

Practical implications

The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world's leading organizations.

Originality/value

The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy‐to digest format.
Those “difficult conversations:” how can technology help managers to learn how to hold them in an effective manner?
Authors: Elliott Judith
Published: June 2012

Purpose

Managers find holding difficult conversations with staff a challenge. Are the learning messages the same as they used to be and how can technology help now in a way that was not available before? This paper aims to address this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents a review of what needs to be learned and how and compares old methods to the new.

Findings

The paper reveals the opinion that the learning is still the same but that m‐learning is an even better learning method than e‐learning and also has advantages over more traditional learning methods.

Research limitations/implications

The CIPD survey gives good data on the use of e‐learning but is limited to the UK. M‐learning is too new to have any research to back up opinion.

Practical implications

This is a new method of learning, only possible because technology has advanced, so employers/learning and development (L&D) professionals are not aware that it exists or that the cost is low. Also they do not all have suitable IT kit, for example soundcards in PCs, or smart phones as standard.

Social implications

It is the other way round here. Actually social change has enabled this method of learning; video on demand, technology on the move, etc. make m‐learning acceptable.

Originality/value

The paper is of value to L&D professionals because it introduces a new learning methodology.