bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Design and diagnosis for viable organizations in practice: university urban planning
Authors: Pérez Ríos José , Lois Martínez Suárez Xosé , Velasco Jiménez Iván 
Published: May 2014

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present an example of the application of a framework, based on Beer's organizational cybernetics and viable system model, that allowed the top management of a public university to design and implement university policy and actions related to the physical design of the various university campuses.Design/methodology/approachBased on organizational cybernetics concepts, an heuristic is used by the top management of a public university for designing the strategy and actions related to urban planning issues.FindingsThe paper outlines the process that helped the university's new top management to diagnose the situation at the beginning of its mandate and to design pertinent actions. This process starts by clarifying the university identity, purpose and boundaries and is followed by identifying the required structural levels. For each of them the key factors to be considered and actions to be taken are stated. The use of a Recursion Levels‐Key Factors Matrix helped to maintain a coherent and holistic view of the intervention.Practical implicationsThis kind of framework can guide leaders of public and private organizations to apply cybernetic concepts to improve their strategic policies' design and actions.Originality/valueThe application of organizational cybernetics and the viable system model to urban planning‐related activities in universities is highly original. The framework here presented, together with the example of its application, can serve as a guide to leaders of other universities as well as other public or private organizations when coping with the complexity they have to face.
A systemic approach to the philosophy of history
Authors: Johannessen Jon‐Arild 
Published: May 2014

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present a systemic philosophy of history, which, to the author's knowledge, is new in the study of history. As such this is an innovation into the study of history.Design/methodology/approachThe question studied is: What constitutes a systemic approach to the philosophy of history? In this study the author first develops the systemic hypothesis and the relationship between history and the past, then develops a systemic perspective on ontology and epistemology.FindingsThe materialism, idealism debate is discussed and an answer given to the question, why study history from a systemic perspective?Originality/valueThe paper presents five reasons for studying history and the historical process itself. A systemic approach to history views history as a long‐term perspective contrasted with spectacular events. This results in individuals and exceptional events being examined in their social context as part of a social system.
Adaptive self‐organization vs static optimization
Authors: Gershenson Carlos , Rosenblueth David A. 
Published: May 2014

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to compare qualitatively two methods for coordinating traffic lights: a static optimization “green wave” method and an adaptive self‐organizing method.Design/methodology/approachStatistical results were obtained from implementing a recently proposed model of city traffic based on elementary cellular automata in a computer simulation.FindingsThe self‐organizing method delivers considerable improvements over the green‐wave method. Seven dynamical regimes and six phase transitions are identified and analyzed for the self‐organizing method.Practical implicationsThe paper shows that traffic light coordination can be improved in cities by using self‐organizing methods.Social implicationsThis improvement can have a noticeable effect on the quality of life of citizens.Originality/valueUnderstanding how self‐organization obtains adaptive solutions for complex problems can contribute to building more efficient systems.
Elements of a cybernetic epistemology
Authors: Nechansky Helmut 
Published: May 2014

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyze how pattern recognition can contribute to the behavioral options of a goal‐oriented system.Design/methodology/approachA functional approach is used to develop the necessary cybernetic structures of a pattern recognition unit that can store observations as new standards for pattern matching by itself and can later apply them to recognize patterns in incoming sensor data.FindingsCombining such a structure for pattern recognition with a feedback system shows that the resulting system can only deal with known patterns. To deal with novel patterns this structure has to be added to an adaptive system that can develop system‐specific behavior. Such a system has to able to initiate a trial and error process to test new behavior towards new patterns and to evaluate its effect on the highest, existential goal‐values of the system.Practical implicationsA system with a pattern recognition unit that can set new standards for pattern matching by itself is identified as the point of departure where not‐programmable and unpredictable individual behavior starts. Dealing with newly‐recognized pattern requires individual behavioral solutions and a system‐specific evaluation of the achieved results in relation to the highest goal‐values of the system. Here internal “emotional” criteria to select behavior emerge as a cybernetic necessity.Originality/valueThe paper is the third in a series of three on a cybernetic theory distinguishing system capable of pre‐programmed adaptation, system‐specific adaptation and learning. It determines the cybernetic starting point of individual psychology.
Improved calculation method of shortest path with cellular automata model
Authors: Wang Min , Qian Yongsheng , Guang Xiaoping 
Published: May 2014

PurposeShortest path problem has always been a hot topic in the study of graph theory, because of its wide application field, extending from operational research to the disciplines of geography, automatic control, computer science and traffic. According to its concrete application, scholars in the relevant field have presented many algorithms, but most of them are solely improvements based on Dijkstra algorithm. The purpose of this paper is to enrich the kinds of (and improve the efficiency of) the shortest path algorithms.Design/methodology/approachThis paper puts forward an improved calculation method of shortest path using cellular automata model, which is designed to search the shortest path from one node to another node. Cellular state set is adjusted with combination of breeding and mature states. Evolution rule is improved to enhance its parallelism. At the same time, recording manner of cellular state turnover is modified to record all information sources.FindingsThe result indicates that the improved algorithm is correct and more efficient, in that it could reduce the times of cellular state turnover; meanwhile, it can solve multi‐paths problem.Originality/valueIn this paper, cellular state set in exiting shortest path algorithm based on cellular automata theory is adjusted; evolution rule is improved; and recording manner of cellular state turnover is modified to record all information sources. All of which make the parallelism of this algorithm enhanced and the multi‐paths problem solved.
Using an iPad to redefine roving reference service in an academic library
Authors: Gadsby Joanna , Qian Shu 
Published: May 2014

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe how Reference Librarians at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County sought to reach students, faculty and staff at their point of need by setting up a mobile reference unit at high traffic locations on campus rather than inside the library building.Design/methodology/approachThe librarians initiated this project to increase outreach efforts for graduate students but as this service attracted undergraduates equally, they eventually decided to target all students. Using an iPad, a laptop stand, and a large sign to advertise the service, they spent two semesters visiting various locations on campus to collect data on frequency of use and optimal sites.FindingsThe authors identified patterns of use regarding the type of questions that were frequently asked and the time of day that most students utilized the service. This knowledge helped establish a need for further efforts to make library services available outside of the library building. The iPad served as a vital tool for answering questions while roving and attracted patrons to the desk as well.Originality/valueThe librarians hope to establish a regular roving schedule for future semesters based on the data they collected. This roving reference service continues to grow and is expected to do so even more as the librarians use more aggressive marketing techniques and form additional partnerships with student organizations. This paper offers strategies for creating a roving reference service and is valuable to all librarians who seek to serve library users outside of the library building.
Peter Drucker on marketing: application and implications for libraries
Authors: Robinson Cynthia K. 
Published: May 2014

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to discuss Peter Drucker's theory of marketing in the context of strategic planning and change (innovation) in libraries. With the need for change and innovation accelerating within all types of libraries, it is increasingly important for libraries to adopt a marketing orientation, integrating a marketing plan into the overall strategic planning process.Design/methodology/approachThis paper employs case study methodology to demonstrate one library's attempt to integrate a marketing plan into the library's overall strategic planning activity, using this process to move the library towards a marketing orientation. The paper also provides a viewpoint based on the author's experience and the teachings of Peter Drucker.FindingsLibraries must adopt a marketing orientation in order to remain viable into the future. As Drucker stated, “it is the customer who determines what a business is”. It is imperative libraries understand what their customer values and needs in order to develop services and provide resources to meet these needs.Originality/valueThis paper examines Peter Drucker's theory of business and marketing as it applies to libraries and highlights the systems framework called the Drucker Management System, described by Joseph Maciariello in his article “Marketing and innovation in the Drucker Management System”.
Technology is a gift that must be fed
Authors: McMullen Anthony 
Published: May 2014

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide insights into issues encountered in maintaining library technologies on a limited budget and with limited personnel.Design/methodology/approachThe paper presents reports on real world experiences in the deployment of an electronic resource management system (ERMS) in an effort to centralize information relevant to electronic resource subscriptions.FindingsWhile technological advances have streamlined workflows in the modern library, adequate staffing is still required to maintain these technologies. As such, libraries must re‐examine priorities in an age of shrinking budgets.Originality/valueThis paper offers insights and real‐world experiences encountered in the deployment of an ERMS with limited human resources.
ReferenceUSA and Mint Global: a comparative examination of two business directories
Authors: Camacho Leticia 
Published: May 2014

Purpose‐‐ The purpose of this paper is to evaluate two business directories.Design/methodology/approach ‐‐ The paper reviews the organization of information, ease of use, coverage, and each directory's unique features.Findings ‐‐ These two business directories have similar search capabilities and unique features. Mint Global seems to contain detailed financial information that would be useful for a business researcher, but which is unnecessary for the regular user who is looking only for a business list.Research limitations/implications ‐‐ This is a short review that does not cover all the features and tools offered by the directories.Originality/value ‐‐ The paper provides a brief comparative overview of two business directories.
State comparison websites
Authors: Von Seggern Marilyn 
Published: May 2014

Purpose‐‐ The purpose of this paper is to identify internet resources that offer comparisons of the 50 US states in various subject areas.Design/methodology/approach ‐‐ Organizations, agencies, and businesses offering state comparisons as part of multi‐ or single‐topic presentations are included as an overview of available resources.Findings ‐‐ Many reliable, detailed, current, and usable comparison statistics are available on a variety of issues and subjects for all 50 states.Originality/value ‐‐ Awareness of these resources is of value to librarians assisting students and researchers. Familiarity with the variety of state comparison web resources freely available facilitates ease of information location for librarians, students, and researchers.
Mining consumer dialog in online forums
Authors: Kaiser Carolin , Bodendorf Freimut 
Published: May 2014

PurposeThe paper's aim is to mine and analyze opinion formation on the basis of consumer dialogs in online forums.Design/methodology/approachThe study identifies opinions, communication relationships, and dialog acts of forum users using different text mining methods. Utilizing this data, social networks can be derived and analyzed to detect influential users and opinion tendencies. The approach is applied to sample online forums discussing the iPhone.FindingsCombining text mining and social network analysis enables the study of opinion formation and yields encouraging results. Out of the four methods employed for text mining, support vector machines performed best.Research limitations/implicationsThe data set applied here is fairly small. More threads on different products will be considered in future work to improve validation.Practical implicationsThe approach represents a valuable instrument for online market research. It enables companies to recognize opportunities and risks and to initiate appropriate marketing actions.Originality/valueThis work is one of the first studies that combine communication content, relationships and dialog acts for analyzing opinion formation.
Towards long‐term foresight for transport: envisioning the Finnish transport system in 2100
Authors: Auvinen Heidi , Tuominen Anu , Ahlqvist Toni 
Published: May 2014

PurposeThis paper aims to introduce a process for constructing long‐term visions of the transport system. The vision building process is demonstrated by creating a concise test vision of the Finnish transport system in 2100.Design/methodology/approachThe vision building process combines four futures methods that support the long‐term foresight approach: transition management, PESTE analysis, the futures table and the Delphi method. The process is validated with a test vision.FindingsA three‐step vision building process for long‐term transport system visions is structured. The three consecutive steps of the process are environmental scanning, constructing futures tables and visions, and describing visions. In addition, a demonstrative test vision is created to describe a possible future transport system in 2100 in a metropolitan Finland. The successful application of the developed method supports further work on creating full‐scale strategy‐driven visions.Originality/valueFutures studies analyzing transport systems and infrastructures tend to focus on short‐ to medium‐term perspectives. This paper presents a unique method for constructing alternative long‐term visions as far as 50 to 100 years into the future.
Self‐selection and the citation advantage of open access articles
Authors: Xia Jingfeng , Nakanishi Katie 
Published: May 2014

PurposeThis research seeks to examine the relationship between the open access availability of journal articles in anthropology and their citation conditions.Design/methodology/approachThe paper applies a statistical logistic regression model to explore this relationship, and compares two groups of articles, those published in high‐ranked journals and those in low‐ranked journals based on journal impact factor, to examine the likelihood that open access status is correlated to scholarly impact.FindingsThe results reveal that open access articles in general receive more citations. Moreover, this research finds that articles in high‐ranked journals do not have a higher open access rate, and articles in lower‐ranked journals have a greater increase rate of citations if they are freely accessible.Originality/valueThe findings are contrary to the existing theory that a higher citation rate of open access articles is caused by authors posting their best articles online. It is hoped that the research discoveries can help electronic publishers and digital project managers to adjust their strategies in open access advocacy.
Differing perspectives on collaboration in construction
Authors: Hughes Deborah , Williams Trefor , Ren Zhaomin 
Published: May 2014

PurposeThe purpose of this research is to identify the key aspects present in collaborative projects with the objective of producing a clear definition for collaboration within the UK construction industry. Firstly, the research provided a summary of the different forms of “working together” that have become more prevalent since Latham's and Egan's work. Partnering was seen as the ultimate form of collaboration, but due to the recent economic crisis, it has enjoyed diminishing support. Collaboration was perceived as the new way forward. However, the literature on the subject often used the term “collaboration” interchangeably with partnering, alliances, joint ventures, and networks. Therefore, the aim of this research is to identify what the meaning of collaboration is currently.Design/methodology/approachPrimary research was carried out in order to provide a clearer picture of what collaboration is. Both qualitative and quantitative data was collected through a triangulation of questionnaires and interviews. Selective samples of personnel were approached to take part in interviews to identify aspects of collaboration which were subsequently used to produce a questionnaire. A larger selected sample of personnel was then approached to complete the questionnaires. All personnel in the sample were selected as they had been involved in collaborative construction projects. Semi structured interviews were used to provide a list of aspects to collaboration. The aspects were then ranked in importance based on the analysis of results from an online questionnaire. The aspects were then grouped into those that were considered essential; for those that were considered desirable and those that merely added an extra dimension to collaborative working.FindingsThe interviews produced a list of 48 aspects which the participants considered were relevant to collaboration. Through the use of online questionnaires, the 48 aspects were rank ordered and the essential aspects to collaboration identified. The rank ordered list of aspects was then used to inform the definitions of collaboration.Originality/valueThe findings of this research indicated that there are a large number of aspects that are associated with collaborative working. However, the results provide an indication of which of the many aspects identified are essential if a collaborative environment is to be established.
Corporate social responsibility and corporate governance in Malaysian government‐linked companies
Authors: Esa Elinda , Anum Mohd Ghazali Nazli 
Published: May 2014

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate whether there has been a change in the level of corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosure and to determine whether corporate governance attributes influence CSR disclosure in corporate annual reports of Malaysian government‐linked companies (GLCs).Design/methodology/approachThe annual reports of 27 GLCs for two years (2005 and 2007) were analysed using content analysis. Multiple regression analysis was performed to identify factors influencing CSR disclosure in annual reports.FindingsConsistent with expectations, the paired‐sample t‐tests showed that there was an increase (significant at the 1 percent level) in the extent of CSR disclosure. The multiple regression analysis revealed that board size was positively associated and statistically significant (at the 1 percent level) with the extent of CSR disclosure.Research limitations/implicationsThe regression model reported an R2 of 33.9 percent, which means that almost 66 percent of factors influencing CSR disclosure in Malaysian GLCs have not been captured by the model. These other factors may perhaps be identified through other research methods such as questionnaire surveys or interviews.Practical implicationsThe findings appear to suggest that the government efforts in promoting CSR among GLCs through the introduction of the Silver Book in 2006 have had some positive impact on CSR disclosure in annual reports. The results also imply that larger board size through wider exchange of ideas and experience could lead to better appreciation and involvement in corporate social activities and hence disclosure in annual reports.Originality/valueThis paper is one of the few studies to examine CSR disclosure and corporate governance attributes in GLCs after the introduction of new initiatives to promote CSR.
Investigating the phenomenon of earnings management in the Egyptian stock market
Authors: Kamel Hany , Elbanna Said 
Published: May 2014

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to investigate the phenomenon of earnings management in Egypt, with particular reference to the pricing of IPOs. In addition, it aims to discuss its respondents' perceptions of the factors that are likely to weaken the effectiveness of internal corporate governance mechanisms in preventing the engagement in earnings management practices.Design/methodology/approachTo achieve the objectives of this paper, a multi‐method approach was adopted. This approach includes secondary data analysis and the collection of primary data from a number of semi‐structured interviews.FindingsThe results indicate that Egyptian IPO managers have no incentive to affect the offering proceeds of their firms through exercising their discretion over the accounting accruals before going public. On the contrary, the results suggest that the amount of equity retained by issuers and the size of IPOs have a very significant impact on determining offering prices in the Egyptian stock market. The results also suggest that state‐owned enterprises are less eager to maximise their offering proceeds than privately owned companies.Practical implicationsThe findings of this paper will be of interest to domestic and overseas investors in the Egyptian IPO market. This paper also provides many recommendations to the regulatory authorities in Egypt regarding ways to strengthen and reinforce the internal governance structure of companies.Originality/valueThere has so far been relatively little or no research into earnings management practices in Egypt. The multi‐cultural roots of Egyptian society make it different from other societies and hence distinguish it as a setting for our study.