bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Social networks: a strategy for enhancing project-stakeholder commitment
Authors: Nangoli Sudi , Ahimbisibwe Arthur , Namagembe Sheila , Bashir Hassan 
Published: November 2013

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to examine the human dimension of project management by establishing the extent to which social networks influence the commitment of project stakeholders. Up to date, project managers still identify inadequate stakeholder commitment to project undertakings as a key antecedent of project failure and so efforts aimed at addressing this challenge are highly valued. The paper therefore explores the use of social networks as one of the possible strategies to enhance project-stakeholder commitment.Design/methodology/approach– The paper adopts a quantitative, cross-sectional study design. Based on responses from 172 project stakeholders who took part in a sample of 92 citizenship projects conducted by major commercial banks in Uganda, hierarchical regression was used to indicate what happens to a model as different predictor variables are introduced The use of specific type of projects minimizes bias in results due to the unique nature of specific projects hence enhances reliability of results.Findings– The results from statistical analysis reveal that social network elements (network transitivity and network degree) are significant predictors of project stakeholder commitment. The results also suggest that network transitivity is a better significant predictor of project-stakeholder commitment than network degreePractical implications– Project-stakeholder commitment has been widely studied in relation to project performance and the study makes a number of contributions to the theory and study of projects. First and foremost, the paper studied project social networks and project-stakeholder commitment in citizenship projects in commercial banks in Uganda which is a developing country. The study therefore contributes to an understanding of project social networks and project-stakeholder commitment in citizenship projects of commercial banks in a developing country. The implication of the findings is that it provides a different view point of understanding the aspects that affect project commitment. A lot of focus has been placed on improving project performance in Uganda, but none has specifically focussed on building project-stakeholder commitment through the use of project social networks.Originality/value– Earlier attempts to investigate the impact of social networks on commitment in projects did not study commitment among individuals. Also, no previous empirical study in less developed countries has given special attention to the effect of social networks on project-stakeholder commitment especially in the domain of citizenship projects which have gained a lot of momentum around the globe. The study results indicate that getting concerned with the nature of social networks the project creates and the means it uses to maintain such networks has implications for project-stakeholder commitment.
Rethinking strategic leadership: stars, clans, teams and networks
Authors: Kriger Mark , Zhovtobryukh Yuriy 
Published: November 2013

Purpose– Most of the thousands of studies of leadership as well as strategic leadership in organizations choose as the unit of analysis the individual leader. This choice runs contrary to the often-observed fact that organizations have numerous leaders at all levels of the organization – in other words, a network of leaders, which permeates the formal organizational structure. The purpose of this paper is to re-conceptualize strategic leadership by advancing understanding of: the effects of variations in internal complexity and external turbulence and the effects of choices by the strategic leadership based on those variations.Design/methodology/approach– The paper advocates a network approach to strategic leadership where there is a set of highly dynamic role changes, based on both human and social capital. The typology and propositions in the paper emerged over a period of many years of observation of organizations (direct and indirect) as well as reflection of theories on how strategic leadership actually occurs in medium to large-size profit-oriented organizations.Findings– The paper proposes a model of strategic leadership based upon four modes of single actor and shared leadership (stars, clans, teams, and leadership networks). The paper sets forth propositions for the situational appropriateness of each of these four forms and identifies avenues for future research to advance the theory.Originality/value– The paper cross-fertilizes extant research streams in leadership and strategic management to create a contingency theory of strategic leadership that is closer to what executives actually experience in the workplace.
Agricultural information needs and sources of the rural farmers in Tanzania
Authors: Elly Tumsifu , Epafra Silayo Ephraem 
Published: November 2013

Purpose
– This study aims to determine information needs and sources of the rural farmers in Tanzania specifically from Iringa rural district.

Design/methodology/approach
– Survey technique was used as the principal data collection technique where 120 rural farmers were interviewed. In-depth interviews of ten key informants from two villages of Ifunda and Kalenga complemented the survey.

Findings
– 70 per cent of farmers' information needs is about crop and livestock husbandry, marketing, funding options and value addition. However, there is a significant difference between the two wards in information needs for “information on crop and livestock husbandry” as well as information on “value addition”. To a great extent, farmers use the old means of communication, the traditional and interpersonal by default due to relevancy in the context and content. The modern means of communication are used to access non-agricultural (other) information.

Research limitations/implications
– Designing effective extension and dissemination programs should consider the needs and mechanisms desired and preferred by specific group of farmers.

Practical implications
– There is heterogeneity within farming communities in terms of information needs which requires a consideration by intervention programs.

Originality/value
– The study identifies information needs and sources of rural farmers. It points out that needs of the farmers are not static and they change over time. Though farmers largely use old means, the modern communications means have the potential of being better sources should the information producers upload relevant and context-specific information.
Intra-organizational careers in Estonian university libraries: a necessity and a possibility?
Authors: Kont Kate-Riin , Jantson Signe 
Published: November 2013

Purpose
– The aim of the current article is to clarify whether the staff of Estonian university libraries has enough possibilities for self-realization and variety in their everyday work; whether employees see any relationship between their personal performance improvement and their intra-organizational career and, whether they see any possibility and/or necessity for promotion within their library.

Design/methodology/approach
– The data used in this paper are based on reviewing of relevant literature to provide an overview of the concept of intra-organizational career as well as on the results of the original online survey, created by the paper's authors, held in 2011/2012 in Estonian university libraries governed by public law in Estonia. The analysis of the results is interpreted on the basis of the literature, authors' opinions, based on long-term working experience in Estonian academic libraries and on the legislation of Estonia.

Findings
– Estonian university librarians are relatively pessimistic about career opportunities within their libraries, and, unfortunately do not see any relation between performance improvement and their career. The biggest problem is that the younger librarians do not see any opportunities for promotion. In Estonian university libraries, there does not exist an adequate grading system for promotion.

Practical implications
– Based on the current study, it can be said that the biggest challenge for university libraries in Estonia is to keep young professionals in libraries and in this way prevent the continuing growth of the average age of employees in the organization. This challenge would require from managements of the university libraries: to take bolder action in analyzing personnel and staff developments and promotion plans; to build up an adequate and clear career system; and pay more attention to the organizations' internal reserves.

Originality/value
– The majority of the literature in library science in Estonia has focused – and rightfully so – on the user: what do users and patrons want and/or need, how do they use it, how can librarians best provide it to them, do the users feel themselves comfortable in library building, etc. No research has been previously carried out in the Estonian library context to determine employees' attitudes towards librarians intra-organizational career development opportunities. The issues that emerge from this survey could be helpful for library managers, but also for employees.
Diversity in municipal police agencies: a national examination of minority hiring and promotion
Authors: Gustafson Joseph 
Published: November 2013

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to better understand the institutional and external factors associated with African-American and Latino representation in policing at the line and managerial ranks. Line representation analyses utilize new data sources and a full range of theoretically informed covariates. Managerial representation analyses provide the first comprehensive attempt to understand the dynamics behind minority promotion.Design/methodology/approach– Portions of the 2000 US Census of Population and Housing Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Tabulation, Division of Governmental Studies, and Services (DGSS) survey and Law Enforcement Management and Administrative Statistics (LEMAS) survey were combined to produce a sample of 180 cities/municipal departments for analysis.Findings– Results indicate that the representation of minorities in political office and their presence in police leadership positions are among the most influential predictors of line officer diversity. Proportions of minorities in administrative police roles are greater in larger departments paying higher salaries. There is also evidence that the career advancement of minorities can be limited when multiple minority groups compete for the same promotional opportunities.Originality/value– This study provides a thorough examination of minority officer line representation and the first multivariate examination of minority representation in managerial positions using a national sample.
Facilitating police-probation/parole partnerships
Authors: Kim Bitna , K. Matz Adam , Gerber Jurg , Richard Beto Dan , Lambert Eric 
Published: November 2013

Purpose
– The current study examines the prevalence, perceived effectiveness, and potential antecedents (e.g. departmental culture) of law enforcement agencies in collaborating with probation and parole agencies. Specifically, the study reveals how the leaders (i.e. police chief, sheriff) in law enforcement view police-community corrections partnerships.

Design/methodology/approach
– Data were collected from a state-wide survey of all sheriffs’ offices and a random sample of municipal police departments in Texas.

Findings
– Findings indicated information sharing and specialized enforcement partnerships were the most common partnership types, partnerships were more common with adult and juvenile probation than with adult parole, and partnerships remain predominantly informal. Finally, police chiefs/sheriffs in the departments with a culture supportive of offender reentry were more likely to support and engage in partnerships with adult/juvenile probation and adult parole agencies.

Originality/value
– Even without formal programs, it seems that police-probation/parole partnerships are, in one form or another, practically inevitable. The positive evaluation of law enforcement personnel leaves room for hope for expansions of such partnerships in the future.
Attitudes of police supervisors: do volunteers fit into policing?
Authors: W. Phillips Scott , Terrell-Orr Amanda 
Published: November 2013

Purpose– Early research assumed there was a ubiquitous police culture that resisted change and outsiders. Recent scholarship questions this assumption, but most of the studies focussed on the attitudes of street-level police officers. This study examined the attitudes of police supervisors toward the use of volunteers in policing. The purpose of this paper is to examine general police attitudes held by police supervisors within the context of the use of volunteers in policing.Design/methodology/approach– Surveys were distributed to over 400 police supervisors attending the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) National Academy (NA) program. Items used to measure general police attitudes were borrowed from the Project on Policing Neighborhood study. These items were submitted to a factor analysis and three general police attitudes were identified (expectations for citizen involvement, expectations for order maintenance, and expectations for aggressive law enforcement). Other items were constructed to measures several aspects of using volunteers in policing. While the respondents are a convenience sample of police supervisors, they represent police agencies of various size, location, and type.Findings– Expectations for citizen involvement and order maintenance were significantly related to each of the volunteerism variables in ways that suggest openness if not acceptance to the use of volunteers in policing. These results were seen in the bivariate correlations and were sustained in the regression analysis. Police supervisors with an expectation of aggressive law enforcement, however, were not related to any volunteer measures.Research limitations/implications– The sample of police supervisors is a convenience sample of supervisors attending the FBI's NA, and it is likely that the results are not what would be expected from a random sample of police supervisors. Also, the survey instrument offered limited space for items, thus restricting the attitude questions that could be included. Still, these data from a nationwide sample of police supervisors lends support to the body of scholarship questioning the existence of a universal police culture where all police officers see the world the same way.Originality/value– There is a distinct lack of empirical research focussing on police supervisors, and what is available is limited in sample size and generalizability. This study can shed additional light on the salience of a pervasive and singular police culture. Further, an understanding of the attitudes of the police supervisors toward the use of volunteers in policing can be applied to other agencies that want to improve or implement a volunteer program.
A critical review of psychological instruments used in police officer selection
Authors: Lough Jonathan , Von Treuer Kathryn 
Published: November 2013

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to critically examine the instruments used in the screening process, with particular attention given to supporting research validation. Psychological screening is a well-established process used in the selection of employees across public safety industries, particularly in police settings. Screening in and screening out are both possible, with screening out being the most commonly used method. Little attention, however, has been given to evaluating the comparative validities of the instruments used.

Design/methodology/approach
– This review investigates literature supporting the use of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), the California Personality Inventory (CPI), the Inwald Personality Inventory (IPI), the Australian Institute of Forensic Psychology's test battery (AIFP), and some other less researched tests. Research supporting the validity of each test is discussed.

Findings
– It was found that no test possesses unequivocal research support, although the CPI and AIFP tests show promise. Most formal research into the validity of the instruments lacks appropriate experimental structure and is therefore less powerful as “evidence” of the utility of the instrument(s).

Practical implications
– This research raises the notion that many current screening practices are likely to be adding minimal value to the selection process by way of using instruments that are not “cut out” for the job. This has implications for policy and practice at the recruitment stage of police employment.

Originality/value
– This research provides a critical overview of the instruments and their validity studies rather than examining the general process of psychological screening. As such, it is useful to those working in selection who are facing the choice of psychological instrument. Possibilities for future research are presented, and development opportunities for a best practice instrument are discussed.
Seeking to prevent residential care for young people with intellectual disabilities and challenging behaviour: examples and early outcomes from the Ealing ITSBS
Authors: Reid Caroline , Sholl Catherine , Gore Nick 
Published: November 2013

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to present early outcomes and case examples from the Ealing Intensive Therapeutic and Short Break Service.

Design/methodology/approach
– The service was piloted over a period of 3.5 years during which clinical data were collected for young people at risk of a move to residential care.

Findings
– There were positive outcomes for young people with intellectual disabilities and challenging behaviour who were seen through the service with residential placements prevented in the vast majority of cases.

Originality/value
– These early outcomes highlight the importance of providing intensive therapeutic intervention with short breaks in order to prevent family placement breakdown.
Promoting independence through the use of assistive technology
Authors: Beyer Stephen , Perry Jonathan 
Published: November 2013

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the impact of assistive technology (AT) on social care services and on the quality of life (QOL), particularly the independence, of people with intellectual disabilities. In addition, to make recommendations about an ethical approach to implementing AT.

Design/methodology/approach
– The evaluation is based on consideration of relevant research, particularly, research undertaken at the Welsh Centre for Learning Disabilities at Cardiff University.

Findings
– AT can promote independence and prevent harm. There also appear to be benefits to social care services in terms of changes in staff input levels and reduced costs. However, the data are limited and existing studies have shown mixed results.

Research limitations/implications
– This is not a systematic review. Revised research methods may be needed to detect key outcomes from AT.

Practical implications
– A focus is needed on individual planning and robust and transparent processes to balance organisational and user benefits. There are implications for care management, person-centred planning and care commissioning to ensure good QOL outcomes are targeted by AT and that the delivery of these outcomes is monitored and ensured.

Originality/value
– Based on the existing literature on the impact of AT on people with intellectual disabilities, recommendations are made about an ethical approach to implementing AT.
Commentary – the perspective of people with learning difficulties/disabilities
Authors: Chapman Steve , Bland Peter , Bowerman Max , Adeshokan Babatunde , Kidd Jo 
Published: November 2013

Purpose
– The paper is a commentary (an outline or explanation) about the theme of this edition (supporting independence) from the point of view of people with learning difficulties. The paper has been co-written by people with and without learning difficulties.

Design/methodology/approach
– The paper is based on discussions using several open prompt questions around what people understand by independence and why it is important to them.

Findings
– The team found that being listened to and taken seriously, having real involvement in the community, good support that is personalised and co-produced services are all key to ensuring people can be as independent as possible.

Originality/value
– The paper is uniquely co-written by people with and without learning difficulties and provides an insight into why independence is so important for people with learning difficulties.
Local adaptation and range boundary formation in response to complex environmental gradients across the geographical range ofClarkia xantianassp. xantiana
Authors: Gould Billie , Moeller David A. , Eckhart Vincent M. , Tiffin Peter , Fabio Eric , Geber Monica A. 
Published: November 2013

SummaryTheory predicts that lack of heritable trait variation and/or maladaptive gene flow can promote the formation of species geographical range boundaries even in the absence of barriers to dispersal. Little is known, however, about the patterns and drivers of differentiation across species' ranges and whether they influence boundary formation in the field.Using field measurements, two common garden studies, andQST–FSTanalyses, we examined environmental and genetic influences on plant phenotype across the geographical range ofClarkia xantianassp. xantiana. This annual plant endemic to California has an eastern range border that lacks obvious physical barriers to dispersal.We find that across opposing environmental gradients that span the species core range, populations are likely to be locally adapted. Populations are phenotypically differentiated from each other in the field as well as common gardens. Traits are correlated with field environmental variables in both settings, andQST–FSTcomparisons indicate variation in flowering time, degree of branching, and herkogamy may be adaptive. The strength and direction of environment‐trait correlations at the range edge are similar to the range centre, and quantitative genetic variation is not reduced. Genetic correlations between traits are generally weak, also suggesting little constraint on trait evolution at the range edge.Synthesis. For traits measured here, it is unlikely that either low heritable variation at the range edge or maladaptive gene flow strongly inhibits eastward range expansion. Our results suggest that across environmentally complex landscapes, patterns of diversity generated by locally adaptive selection do not necessarily contribute broadly to the formation of range boundaries as predicted.