bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Heuristic algorithms for ordering media objects to reduce presentation lags in auto‐assembled multimedia presentations from digital libraries
Authors: Lin Feng‐Cheng , Lai Chien‐Yin , Hong Jen‐Shin
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine an auto‐assembled multimedia presentation from digital libraries, in which the retrieved media objects are dynamically composed to form a continuously played “TV‐like” presentation. This study seeks to propose techniques for ordering the media objects in such a presentation so as to reduce its total presentation lag in a high‐delay network environment.

Design/methodology/approach

Scheduling techniques adapted from conventional operational research for solving the proposed problem were applied. A number of computationally efficient heuristic algorithms that can obtain near‐optimal sequences are proposed. Numerical simulations and real‐life experiments for cases with different buffer constraints and bandwidth fluctuations were conducted to evaluate the proposed algorithms.

Findings

The result indicates that the proposed algorithms always significantly reduce the presentation lag of a given presentation, compared with a random sequence. Overall, for all the test cases, the average gaps between the idle rates of the heuristic sequences and random sequences range from 15 to 25 per cent. In particular, the RRB_3_2007 algorithm outperforms others in most of the cases involved in the experiment.

Originality/value

The study develops a sequence optimization technique for ordering the media objects and a framework for a prefetch‐enabled presentation system. The effectiveness and ease of implementation of the heuristic algorithms and the system framework make it feasible for practical digital library and meta‐search engine applications.
Engineering to the rule, not the exception: an interlibrary loan case study at The University of California, Santa Barbara
Authors: Johnson Gary
Published: February 2009

Purpose

During the implementation of a new interlibrary loan management system, Virtual Document eXchange (VDX), the University of California Santa Barbara (UCSB) analyzed all aspects of its operation to gain processing efficiencies and improve its service. This paper attempts to quantify the gains achieved from the implementation and to offer explanations for the improvements measured.

Design/methodology/approach

Six months before implementing VDX, UCSB participated in the Association of Research Libraries' “Assessing ILL/DD Service Study” conducted in spring 2003. The results from the spring 2003 study were used as a benchmark for measuring the improvements observed after implementing VDX. To assure the validity of the results, an equivalent study using the same protocols prescribed in the 2003 ARL study was carried out in spring 2007.

Findings

The findings confirmed that turnaround times and fill rates had improved after implementing VDX, despite an overall workload increase of 19 percent. Other findings revealed: automating end‐user requesting methods improves turnaround time; automating the creation of brief bibliographic records in the local circulation system reduces labor costs; and adjusting local policies and procedures to conform with a new ILL management system is essential to an implementation's success.

Originality/value

ILL practitioners will find this case study useful, especially if they are implementing a new ILL management system or are evaluating their current operation and hoping to improve its efficiency.
The challenge of unfilled requests in document supply: the experience in South Africa
Authors: Zambri Janet , Visser Heidi
Published: February 2009

Purpose

This study attempts to determine the reasons for unfilled requests within the Gaelic library consortium in South Africa.

Design/methodology/approach

Management information retrieved from the ReQuest document supply system for the participating libraries formed the base point of the research. Data included the number of requests placed and filled, and reasons for unfilled requests. The data were analysed, and fill rates calculated. In‐depth research into the unfilled requests was carried out, which enabled one to suggest remedial measures for such requests. Indicators to measure library performance were identified.

Findings

Previous reasons for unfilled requests have been mainly speculative; research, however, confirmed that the hypothesis proved to be correct; namely that the fill rate of requests is determined by the quality of work, the quantity of items requested, and effectiveness of staff within service units, along with sufficient staff capacity and their levels of experience.

Practical implications

The results of this study enable document supply staff to take remedial actions within their institutions. Supplying and requesting fill rates differ. In practice, the request fill rate is the more important. Librarians looking to improve client satisfaction and expectations should focus on this aspect of document supply.

Originality/value

The recommendations are a useful checklist for document supply librarians internationally – not just in South Africa – who wish to improve their service to users.
National seminar on open access movement – initiatives, promotion and impact @ Kashmir valley: a brief report
Authors: Ghosh Maitrayee
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this report is to outline selected presentations of the national seminar based on the theme “open access movement – initiatives, promotion and impact” organized by department of Library and Information Science, University of Kashmir held during 23‐25 October 2008 at Srinagar and narrates scenic beauty of Kashmir.

Design/methodology/approach

Conference report.

Findings

Many case studies and presentations were made about applications of OA software and the OA publishing model to overcome barriers and promote scholarly communication with special reference to Asia. These are included in this report.

Originality/value

Based on discussion during the seminar and personal interaction the author had with the participants, this report is a useful summary of open access related activities which is a topic of interest to managers of organizations, teachers and educators, librarians, open access protagonists and members of information provider communities. Some new ideas/study reports that have not been placed the traditional literature are introduced in the discussion.
Using RSS feeds and social bookmarking tools to keep current
Authors: Mu Cuiying
Published: February 2009

Purpose

With really simple syndication (RSS), library users can have information delivered to them automatically, instead of spending large amount of time searching databases, web sites and blogs for new literature in their subject fields. The availability of social bookmarking tools gives researchers new ways to discover, share and store information for their research. This paper aims to provide information on how academic librarians can use RSS feeds and social bookmarking tools as mechanisms of current awareness and resource discovery.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper focuses on the ways of keeping current using RSS feeds and social bookmarking tools.

Findings

RSS feeds and social bookmarking tools help manage information and save time as well as increase access to new information.

Originality/value

The paper showcases how academic librarians at the University of Canterbury Library teach students to stay current by using RSS feeds and social bookmarking for current awareness and resource discovery.
Kautilya on economics as a separate science
Authors: Sihag Balbir S.
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the origin of economics as a separate science.

Design/methodology/approach

A very comprehensive approach is presented for determining the origin of economics as a science. Three kinds of inter‐related issues are discussed: how to interpret and evaluate earlier, particularly ancient, writings, the specification of the requirements for declaring economics as a science and the definition, scope and methodology of economics.

Findings

Application of the most stringent requirements for declaring economics as a separate science to Kautilya's Arthashastra validated A.K. Sen's claim that it is the first book on economics.

Research limitations/implications

According to Kautilya, economics is a separate science but not independent of other disciplines and particularly of ethics. Whereas, most of the current research ignores this inter‐dependence and consequently does not fully capture reality.

Practical implications

It implies that the inter‐dependence between economics and other disciplines should be encouraged and vigorously explored.

Originality/value

It validates Redman's assertion, “The history of economics as a science is, in my view, still waiting to be properly written”.
Kautilya: a forerunner of neoclassical price theory
Authors: Sihag Balbir S.
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to establish Kautilya as a genuine contender to be a forerunner of the neoclassical price theory.

Design/methodology/approach

Rational reconstruction approach is used to present Kautilya's understanding of several most basic concepts in economics.

Findings

Kautilya's understanding of the law of diminishing returns is at par with the classicists. His applications of concepts like opportunity cost, and of demand and supply framework, are closer to those of the neoclassicals. His understanding of the rules (axioms) of comparison and consistency and the exploration of substitution possibilities is way ahead of the classicists.

Research limitations/implications

The current research in the history of economic thought concentrates too heavily on the exploration of Western history of economic thought.

Practical implications

Kautilya'sArthashastrais a new source of knowledge and the profession should encourage the exploration of other ancient contributions outside of Europe.

Originality/value

The paper revises the history of economic thought.
Kautilya on law, economics and ethics
Authors: Sihag Balbir S.
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the status of economic analysis of laws relating to property and contracts during ancient times in India.

Design/methodology/approach

Modern research tools are used to present Kautilya's ideas on contracts and property.

Findings

Kautilya implicitly proposes a labor theory of property. He devised economic laws related to contracts, property and tort, which promoted economic efficiency and encouraged ethical behavior.

Research limitations/implications

Current approaches ignore the role of ethics in designing legal rules for promoting economic efficiency.

Practical implication

Unless laws are designed to encourage and promote ethical conduct optimum economic efficiency is unlikely to be achieved.

Originality/value

Kautilya advocated a contract theory (between the ruler and the ruled), which was utilitarian in nature, however, unlike Bentham, he still appealed to the moral motivation.
Buying business services: towards a structured service purchasing process
Authors: van der Valk Wendy , Rozemeijer Frank
Published: February 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to uncover the specific difficulties associated with buying services and proposes a structured purchasing process which can help organisational buyers to overcome the problems associated with services purchasing.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors investigate the supposed differences between goods and services procurement by means of literature research and a questionnaire distributed among Dutch purchasing managers. Additionally, they draw on experiences from additional case study research and business practice to better understand the results of the survey and to further explore the actual process of buying services.

Findings

The results of the literature review and the survey show that developing a proper specification is an important prerequisite for purchasing services successfully. Based on these findings, an expansion to the traditional purchasing process is proposed which incorporates the steps of pre‐selecting suppliers and detailing the initial specification.

Research limitations/implications

The survey is limited to The Netherlands. Furthermore, the questions in the survey consider the respondent's perception and not the “truth”.

Practical implications

For organisational buyers, the importance of a proper specification implies that they should involve service providers early on in the service purchasing process. The service providers consequently can exercise the appropriate resources to develop a high quality solution, but need to be able to demonstrate this added value in these early phases of the services purchasing process.

Originality/value

The paper adds to the discussion on buying services and tries to find out why this is perceived as complicated. It highlights three problem areas and proposes a solution to tackle these.
Exploring commercial friendships from employees' perspectives
Authors: Rosenbaum Mark S.
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate which types of service employees provide their customers with social support and to understand why they do so.

Design/methodology/approach

The article employs a network‐based inventory method to evaluate a customer's commercial‐based social support network and grounded theory to develop a framework illustrating the interdependence between service providers and their customers regarding the exchange of intrinsic support and extrinsic financial incentives and gifts.

Findings

Indirect service employees who do not directly receive tips from customers emerge as key providers of social support. Also, commercial friendships are not marketplace niceties. Service providers and customers engage in a mutually beneficial exchange of social support, gifts, and tips under the guise of commercial friendships.

Research limitations/implications

The article is based upon service provider and customer relationships in an American diner. Researchers may want to apply the offered model to other contexts and locals. Also, researchers may want to reconsider the idea that service providers willingly provide social support to their customers.

Practical implications

The hiring and training of service employees, such as cashiers, hostesses, and “bus boys,” should be taken into consideration as they may be key providers of social support. Service providers should realize the extrinsic and intrinsic benefits or providing support.

Originality/value

The paper empirically investigates the role of indirect service employees in providing customers with social support. Also, it demonstrates that commercial friendships are mutually beneficial relationships where service providers and customers realize extrinsic and/or intrinsic benefits from these relationships.
Teachers' organisational behaviour in public and private funded schools
Authors: Honingh M.E. , Oort F.J.
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to compare teachers' organisational behaviour in publicly‐ and privately‐funded schools in the Dutch Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector.

Design/methodology/approach

A percentage of all middle managers in publicly and privately funded schools (72 per cent and 43 per cent respectively) distributed self‐report questionnaires to their teachers measuring teachers' attitudes, sense of identification and perception of the school climate. The sample consisted of 705 teachers in publicly funded schools and 25 teachers in privately funded schools. Data were analysed through multilevel analysis accounting for the dependency of teachers working within the same teaching unit.

Findings

The analyses show that teachers in publicly funded schools report a less curriculum‐oriented attitude, a lower sense of identification, and perceive a less supportive school climate than teachers in privately funded schools. Funding did not have an effect on the extent to which teachers have a student‐oriented attitude. In addition, the analyses show significant effects of teacher characteristics, the disciplinary sector, and affiliation characteristics on teachers' organisational behaviour.

Research limitations/implications

The paper clearly indicates differences in teachers' organisational behaviour in publicly and privately funded schools. Contrary to common beliefs, the institutional context hardly influences the extent to which teachers have a student‐oriented attitude.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to insights in behavioural aspects of the fading boundary between the public and private sector.
Depicting the arena in which Brazilian local government authorities make decisions
Authors: Gomes Ricardo C. , de Oliveira Miranda Gomes Luciana
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to describe the arena in which managers of small size Brazilian municipalities make decisions as constrained by stakeholder influence.

Design/methodology/approach

Four case studies were carried out with municipalities in the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The investigation was carried out using grounded theory. Data were gathered through in‐depth interviews with managers and with the main stakeholders. Data were analysed using content analysis, supported by QSR N6 software.

Findings

The contribution of this paper to theory is based on a description of the arena in which Brazilian municipal districts make decisions. In so doing, it endeavours to model this arena as comprised of five clusters of stakeholder concerns: limitation, collaboration, orientation, legitimacy, and inspection. The paper raises some issues that are helpful in explaining the relationship between stakeholder influences and public organisations. In other words, it helps to label stakeholder influences and to make stakeholder influence more manageable by public organisations at the local government level. In practical terms, the paper concludes that the number of stakeholders is less important than the sort of influence they are supposed to exert upon organisations.

Research limitations/implications

The limitations of this investigation relate to the features of the case study methods employed. The results show the particular situation of the State of Minas Gerais (at the southeast of Brazil) and represent the situation of small municipalities.

Originality/value

There has been very little prior analysis of stakeholder influence focusing on local government. This investigation is the first with a specific focus on identifying the arena in which Brazilian municipalities make decisions and the relationship of those municipalities with stakeholders.
Improving the validity of public procurement research
Authors: Gordon Murray J.
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to argue that the fundamental difference between private and public procurement, that of politicians, has been largely overlooked in public procurement strategy and management research. It then aims to argue that existing public procurement research could be improved if greater attention were given to in research design to validity and the interface with politicians.

Design/methodology/approach

The research is based on a critical literature review of public procurement strategy and management literature, examining the methodologies used and roles of politicians.

Findings

The findings suggest there is an in‐built bias through over reliance on procurement managers as the key respondents, tendency to focus on private sector procurement research attributes and questions, and a tendency to focus on operational as opposed to strategic public procurement decision making.

Research limitations/implications

The research suggests a need for greater understanding of politicians' engagement in public procurement strategy and management and the need for greater triangulation in public procurement research.

Originality/value

The paper highlights how public procurement strategy and management research can be improved to increase its validity. It explores the neglected area of the role of politicians in public procurement.
Gendered nature of managerialism? Case of the National Health Service
Authors: Miller Karen
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to argue that managerialism, as applied to the public sector, contributes to a gendered organisational culture that disadvantages female career progression.

Design/methodology/approach

The research was qualitative in approach and involved face‐to‐face interviews with male and female, clinical and non‐clinical managers (n=31) in Scotland's health service.

Findings

The main finding is that public sector managerialism, and consequent transactional and stereotypical masculine styles of management, inhibits female career progression.

Practical implications

Managerialism as currently applied in the public sector creates certain inefficiencies by limiting the potential of women, which has implications for female career progression in the public sector, succession management and the sustainability of services.

Originality/value

The paper adds to a growing body of evidence that stereotypical masculine styles of management create an organisational culture that affects female career progression. Furthermore, the paper will be of value in understanding the factors that impact on female career progression within the public sector, which is of importance given that the majority of public sector employees in the UK, particularly in the health sector, are female.
Value creation in health care services – developing service productivity
Authors: Nordgren Lars
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The “old” concept of productivity seems to be misleading in health care, because it does not involve the contribution of the patient in value creation. The purpose of this paper will therefore be to explore possibilities for developing service productivity in theory and practice.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis is based on a discursive reading of authoritative texts, an understanding of how health care work is organised and of several examples illustrating value creation. A proposed theoretical frame draws on “value creation”, “match matching” and “agency”. Empirical material is used, as are an analysis of a service meeting in health care, official texts in a Swedish context and narratives written by “users” and professionals.

Findings

The concept of service productivity in the context of health care encompasses values such as experienced health, quality of life, accessibility, trust, communication, avoidable suffering and avoidable deaths, and not only reduced costs, activities and outcomes.

Research limitation/implications

There is a need for more research concerning matchmaking and support of the customer. An overall aim for the providers should be to match the value creation process of the customer (patient).

Originality/value

This is a conceptual paper concerning value creation and service productivity in health care.
Patterns of voluntary extended performance reporting in Italian local authorities
Authors: Marcuccio Manila , Steccolini Ileana
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the phenomenon of voluntary extended performance reporting (EPR) by Italian local authorities (LAs) by exploring the patterns of financial and non‐financial disclosure and the factors affecting those patterns. More specifically it aims to analyse hypotheses drawing from contingency and legitimacy approaches against the content of the reports and findings discussed consistently.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper takes the form of a content analysis conducted on all EPRs prepared by Italian LAs. The classification scheme is based on the literature on social and environmental disclosures content analysis and is specifically designed to investigate EPR practices by governmental entities.

Findings

From the empirical analysis an extremely differentiated picture emerges. A common model of EPR does not exist; nevertheless EPR represents a significant effort by LAs in communicating performance to external stakeholders, with specific reference to the results achieved in social and economic development. Even if there is not a unique set of factors which can explain the differences in the reporting choices by Italian LAs, the analysis shows that the type of activities performed and the LAs' strategic priorities influence significantly the content of the reports.

Originality/value

The paper focuses on an interesting phenomenon for Italian LAs, namely the shift from a reactive compliance of law‐driven managerial reform process to a proactive adoption of managerial practices. The paper explores the under‐investigated field of voluntary social reporting in LAs. It discusses the influence of a set of external and internal factors in shaping the patterns and contents of EPR disclosure in Italian LAs. If empirical findings confirm the explicit influence of only a limited set of factors, they provide a valuable insight into how LAs use (voluntary) EPR in order to legitimise strategic and management choices.
Raising preparedness by risk analysis of post‐disaster homelessness and improvement of emergency shelters
Authors: Becker Nicole
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the development of a winterised tent for emergency shelter use in cold climate regions. As in any risk management process the risk analysis and evaluation are of major importance. First, a risk analysis of post‐disaster homelessness is presented. Second, a number of feasible floor insulations for tents will be dealt with.

Design/methodology/approach

The risk analysis was undertaken evaluating the homelessness data of the EM‐DAT (Emergency Disasters Data Base) database. For the development of a floor insulation the literature on past‐disasters was reviewed and experts in the field of emergency shelters were consulted. Furthermore, a transfer of knowledge from other fields was undertaken, e.g. from build materials.

Findings

It was found that beside the endangerment the human development status is of major importance for the number of people left homeless by a natural disaster. A number of floor insulations were developed which allow for thermal comfort of the tent occupants up to a ground temperature of −10°C.

Research limitations/implications

Having investigated analytically various options for a floor insulation, consequently field testing becomes necessary.

Practical implications

The paper demonstrates that thermal comfort is not possible without an appropriate floor insulation and therefore highlights the need to consider it as an integral part of tent winterisation.

Originality/value

Within the scope of tent winterisation this paper widens the view from the usual restriction on roof insulation towards a fully winterised tent and addresses thereby all persons working in the field of emergency shelters.
Supporting urban emergency response and recovery using RFID‐based building assessment
Authors: Aziz Zeeshan , Peña‐Mora Feniosky , Chen Albert , Lantz Timothy
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to focus on improving mobile computing support for professionals involved in a disaster response and recovery operation to facilitate better assessment of the damage caused to buildings and to make this assessment information available to personnel within the disaster response arena so as to expedite a safe, efficient and effective disaster response process.

Design/methodology/approach

The research method involved the use of scenario‐based user needs analysis for studying end‐user needs and requirements and use of Rational Unified Process for software design and implementation. An IT‐supported collaboration platform was developed to enable first responders to communicate using handheld devices and laptops and share critical building evaluation information using a mobile ad hoc network. The deployed system was trialled at Illinois Fire Services Institute (IFSI).

Findings

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)‐enabled mobile devices and tags can be used for posting, gathering, storing and sharing building assessment information in a efficient manner with fewer errors, leading to improved efficiency and effectiveness in the emergency response process.

Originality/value

The key research contribution includes analysis of the information needs of first responders, development of a collaborative framework for supporting urban preparedness and emergency response, demonstration of developed concepts in realistic disaster scenarios, and implementation and validation of the prototype system to demonstrate the concepts.
Towards a more “robust” technology? Capacity building in post‐tsunami Sri Lanka
Authors: Pathiraja Milinda , Tombesi Paolo
Published: February 2009

Purpose

In fast urbanizing economies such as Sri Lanka, the construction industry tends to fragment into almost separate spheres of production with little or no reciprocal connection in training, know‐how and career development paths, and consequent limitations in internal knowledge dissemination and technology transfer. This type of industrial compartmentalization is detrimental to the social acquisition of skills, and restricts the operational frameworks of given technologies, especially in low‐cost sectors. Against this backdrop, this paper sets out to speculate on how design can act as an engine of social and economic growth for those involved in its production.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on government statistics and building output analysis, the paper argues that architects can build labour policy‐making into the design of their buildings, provided that such an agenda is developed strategically, by examining the industrial base of the region, and by defining a design and technological vocabulary that feeds off the analysis of place‐specific conditions, limitations, and ambitions.

Findings

The integration of technological development and broad socio‐economic growth can be facilitated by “open” (or “incremental”) industrial design strategies aimed at connecting construction markets rather than keeping them separate. To this end, it is posited that technological contamination and compromise can help the labour force to increase its own skills progressively.

Research/limitations implications

In practical terms, this objective translates in the definition of building implementation techniques that can adapt to the level of complexity required and the level of expenditure possible without penalizing the expected performance of the building – i.e. they must be inherently “robust” as opposed to precise and therefore more “sensitive”.

Originality/value

The paper is the first result of a thesis‐in‐progress that, on the basis of a technical review carried out on a small sample of ideal‐type projects in Sri Lanka, is considering ways to create and link labour development opportunities through architectural design.
Using the PEN‐3 model to plan culturally competent domestic violence intervention and prevention services in Chinese American and immigrant communities
Authors: Yick Alice G. , Oomen‐Early Jody
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this article is two‐fold. First, it applies the PEN‐3 model to the topic of domestic violence within the Chinese American and Chinese immigrant community. The PEN‐3 model was developed by Collins Airhihenbuwa, and it focuses on placing culture at the forefront of health promotion. It consists of three dimensions: cultural identity, relationships and expectations, and cultural empowerment. The article offers practice recommendations from the PEN‐3 analysis to plan culturally relevant and sensitive domestic violence prevention, education, and services targeted to the Chinese American and Chinese immigrant community.

Design/methodology/approach

Using existing literature in the areas of domestic violence and health, mental health, and counseling interventions with Chinese Americans and immigrants, the PEN‐3 model, as an organizing framework, was applied to understand the phenomenon of domestic violence among Chinese Americans and Chinese immigrants in the United States.

Findings

How Chinese Americans and Chinese immigrants perceive domestic violence and how they obtain formal assistance are embedded within a larger sociocultural context including a host of factors ranging from personal, family, community, environmental, and structural variables.

Practical implications

The PEN‐3 model reinforces the importance in addressing domestic violence within an ecological and cultural framework. Harnessing traditional Chinese value systems (i.e. emphasis on collectivism, hierarchy, patriarchy) and collaborating with the community are essential in promoting culturally sensitive interventions.

Originality/value

Practice articles examining the application of the PEN‐3 model on domestic violence among Chinese Americans and Chinese immigrants are lacking. More often than not, culture and other social forces are minimized by practitioners who are guided by “Western ways of knowing.”
Challenges to improving the uptake of milk in a nursery class: a case study
Authors: Albon Deborah
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine why the uptake of free milk in a particular nursery class was low, to explore the meanings children attribute to drinks given to them in school and those brought from home, and make suggestions as to what might be done to improve children's intake of free school milk.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is based on a case study of a nursery class attached to a primary school in West London. A total of 24 morning sessions were observed, comprising of 72 snack times. In addition, interviews were carried out with parents and early years' practitioners i.e. teachers and nursery nurses. Children's views were elicited through use of narrative observations and an activity using their drinks' cartons.

Findings

This study found that these young children linked drinks brought in from home to having choices whereas drinking school milk was associated with having little or no choice. Unlike school milk, drinks from home were linked to stories of personal identity and family life. The children seemed to exert pressure on their parents to provide them with a drink from home and appeared to be attracted to drinks that included representations of characters from popular culture as well as particular brands.

Research limitations/implications

This research is based on one case study, therefore issues raised may not be generalisable to all nursery settings.

Practical implications

This paper encourages early years' practitioners to look in detail at how they organize snack times and the way that this might contribute to negative perceptions of healthy foods/drinks. It offers practical suggestions around how the uptake of milk could be improved in a nursery setting, emphasizing the need for the active involvement of the children. In addition, the study highlights the importance of informal as well as formal discussions with parents about food and drinks. The study recommends that improvements need to be made to early years' practitioners' initial and subsequent training in this area, given the significant role they play in health promotion.

Originality/value

The value of this paper lies in the way it elicits the active participation of young children in the research as well as the focus on the minutiae of nursery practice and its implications for promoting healthy eating/drinking.
Plodders, pragmatists, visionaries and opportunists: career patterns and employability
Authors: Clarke Marilyn
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore individual approaches to career and employability through the career stories of a group of mid‐level to senior managers in career transition. Career patterns are identified and then compared with traditional, boundaryless and protean models of career. The study aims to consider the extent to which individuals in this group had adopted behaviours supportive of future employability as opposed to behaviours more in line with traditional careers.

Design/methodology/approach

The research adopted an interpretive and qualitative approach. In‐depth interviews were conducted with people currently going through a career transition program. The interviews were recorded and then transcribed, coded and analysed using NVivo, a qualitative research software tool.

Findings

Career patterns appeared to be shifting away from traditional careers and more towards protean and boundaryless models. There was evidence of increased responsibility for career self‐management and of behaviours supportive of ongoing employability. Self‐perceived employability could be linked to degree of job mobility and having a future career orientation.

Research limitations/implications

Despite the small sample size and the subjective nature of self‐reported career histories the study provides insights into the relationship between career patterns and employability. Both organisations and individuals need to work towards developing attitudes and behaviours supportive of employability such as flexibility, adaptability and a future career orientation.

Practical implications

Individual level career management will need to focus more on the development of attitudes and behaviours appropriate to contemporary employment relationships than on the development of formal career plans. At an organizational level support can be provided by encouraging flexibility through activities such as job rotation, short‐term projects and opportunities for both internal and external networking.

Originality/value

The study provides empirical evidence of how careers are being managed within contemporary employment relationships.
The effects of organizational communication on job satisfaction and organizational commitment in a land ambulance service and the mediating role of communication satisfaction
Authors: Carrière Jules , Bourque Christopher
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide further insight into the relationship between internal communication practices, communication satisfaction, job satisfaction, and organizational commitment. It is centered in the emergency services sector in general, and on land ambulance services in particular. The focus organization is a large urban land ambulance service with an operating budget of approximately $50 million and 468 employees.

Design/methodology/approach

Only paramedics were eligible to participate in the study. In total, 91 (32.5 per cent) of the organization's 280 paramedics participated. Data were collected using a questionnaire comprising pre‐existing work‐related psychometric measures. The measures included the Communication Audit Survey, the Communication Satisfaction Questionnaire, the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire and the Affective Organizational Commitment Scale. Only quantitative data were collected.

Findings

The data showed that internal communication practices explained 49.8 per cent of the variation in communication satisfaction, 23.4 per cent of the variation in job satisfaction, and 17.5 per cent of the variation in affective organizational commitment. However, these effects were fully mediated by communication satisfaction when job satisfaction and affective organizational commitment were regressed against both internal communication practices and communication satisfaction.

Research limitations/implications

These findings have important practical and theoretical implications. Managers will not be able to foster job satisfaction and affective organizational commitment through internal communication practices unless they recognize and appreciate what information is valued by employees. Second, managers must have a clear understanding of both the quantity and quality of information desired by employees if they are to design internal communication systems that meet the information needs of employees. Finally, one must consider the possibility that, for employees, communication satisfaction represents a fundamental yardstick against which all of the organization's activities and change initiatives are measured. This possibility is supported by research from the domain of change management.

Originality/value

Given the present shortage of skilled and able emergency personnel, it is in the best interest of organizations to enhance job satisfaction and commitment of such critical employees.
Present but sick: a three‐wave study on job demands, presenteeism and burnout
Authors: Demerouti Evangelia , Le Blanc Pascale M. , Bakker Arnold B. , Schaufeli Wilmar B. , Hox Joop
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The opposite of absenteeism, presenteeism, is the phenomenon of employees staying at work when they should be off sick. Presenteeism is an important problem for organizations, because employees who turn up for work, when sick, cause a reduction in productivity levels. The central aim of the present study is to examine the longitudinal relationships between job demands, burnout (exhaustion and depersonalization), and presenteeism. We hypothesized that job demands and exhaustion (but not depersonalization) would lead to presenteeism, and that presenteeism would lead to both exhaustion and depersonalization over time.

Design/methodology/approach

The hypotheses were tested in a sample of 258 staff nurses who filled out questionnaires at three measurement points with 1.5 years in‐between the waves.

Findings

Results were generally in line with predictions. Job demands caused more presenteeism, while depersonalization was an outcome of presenteeism over time. Exhaustion and presenteeism were found to be reciprocal, suggesting that when employees experience exhaustion, they mobilize compensation strategies, which ultimately increases their exhaustion.

Research limitations/implications

These findings suggest that presenteeism can be seen as a risk‐taking organizational behavior and shows substantial longitudinal relationships with job demands and burnout.

Practical implications

The study suggests that presenteeism should be prevented at the workplace.

Originality/value

The expected contribution of the manuscript is not only to put presenteeism on the research agenda but also to make both organizations and scientists attend to its detrimental effects on employees' wellbeing and (consequently) on the organization.
The effects of social comparisons on managerial career satisfaction and turnover intentions
Authors: Eddleston Kimberly A.
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to apply social comparison theory to the study of managerial careers. It is proposed that how managers evaluate their career progression in comparison with the accomplishments of others will affect how they feel about their careers and organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

Male and female managers who were similar in age (±5 years) and from the same organization, functional area, management level, and region were asked to participate in the study. Data from 392 managers from lower and middle levels were used to test the study hypotheses. Respondents completed measures of upward comparisons, downward comparisons, enacted aspirations, competitiveness of work group, career satisfaction and turnover intentions.

Findings

Study results showed that social comparisons influence managers' turnover intentions and career satisfaction. Upward comparisons were found to be positively related to turnover intentions and career satisfaction. Downward comparisons were found to be negatively related to turnover intentions and positively related to career satisfaction. In addition, the competitiveness of the managers' work group and their enacted aspirations were found to be significant moderators. These findings emphasize the importance of relative standards in predicting managerial career attitudes.

Research limitations/implications

The measures created to assess the degree to which individuals make downward and upward social comparisons when assessing their career progress should be tested in additional occupations and studies. Future research should investigate how social comparisons influence career attitudes beyond considering feelings of relative deprivation. In particular, researchers should aim to understand when upward comparisons are threatening or motivating.

Practical implications

The findings demonstrate that social comparisons can be quite prevalent within organizations and that the competitiveness of the organizational climate can have a significant impact on how social comparisons affect managers' career satisfaction. Therefore, organizations should be mindful of the climates they endorse. Furthermore, findings suggest that organizations should encourage managers to participate in career strategies since career strategies associated with enacted aspirations were found to enhance the effects of the social comparison process, leading to an increase in managers' career satisfaction and a decrease in their turnover intentions.

Originality/value

This is the first known study to empirically examine how upward and downward comparisons affect managers' turnover intentions and career satisfaction.
Congruent knowledge management behaviors as discriminate sources of competitive advantage
Authors: Magnier‐Watanabe Remy , Senoo Dai
Published: February 2009

Purpose

While knowledge management has been shown to be a strategic source of competitive advantage, processes designed to enhance the productivity of knowledge do not, however, equally contribute to the organization's capabilities. Consequently, this research aims to focus on the relationship between each mode of the knowledge management process and multiple sources of competitive advantage.

Design/methodology/approach

This research, using questionnaire data collected from the entire population of a pharmaceutical company's head office in Japan, investigates how different perceptions and behaviors related to knowledge management affect the perceived contribution of certain types of organizational knowledge acting as sources of competitive advantage.

Findings

The study finds that the perceived importance of knowledge management activities, especially combination, appears as an important source of competitive advantage related to technical knowledge, and more time spent on knowledge management tasks, in particular socialization, contributes to a competitive advantage related to affective knowledge. Further analysis involves a taxonomy of employees based on their perceived importance of, and the time they spend on, knowledge management activities

Research limitations/implications

This paper focuses on the entire population of a single firm, and for that reason, further research with other companies in different industries is necessary.

Practical implications

There is evidence suggesting that knowledge management strategies should be tailored to fit the discriminate beliefs and actions of each group of workers, identified based on their level of congruence between their espoused theories and theories‐in‐use related to knowledge management.

Originality/value

The taxonomy of workers introduced in the paper emphasizes the fact that the workforce is not a uniform body and therefore that intrinsic differences need to be taken into account to maximize the efficiency of knowledge management.