bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Public relations in academic libraries in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states
Authors: Alansari Husain A. 
Published: January 2013

PurposeThe aim of this study is to investigate the nature and extent of public relations activities in academic libraries in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. The focus is on understanding how academic libraries conduct and provide their public relations products and services.Design/methodology/approachThe study reported here used the survey method, done in two phases. The first phase consisted of a questionnaire survey and the second phase was a focus group discussion based on the results of the survey.FindingsAlthough all libraries indicated that public relations are important, a clear majority (72.2 percent) does not have a public relations unit or division, they have a very small number of staff involved in public relations work, and half of the responding libraries (50 percent) do not have full‐time staff for public relations. Library web site, traditional mail, displays and bulletin boards and library guides/brochures are major channels of communication. The study also reported on the main problems that prevent academic libraries from performing effective PR activities.Practical implicationsThe results have implications for the planning and development of public relations programs and activities in academic libraries in GCC countries. It also indicates existing obstacles, suggestion and recommendations for further development.Originality/valueThis study reports the results of one of the few studies of public relations in academic libraries in developing countries. It increases the understanding and awareness of what public relations encompasses and how it can be utilized. It also advocates that the social media should be used in promoting library resources and services.
Let your hands do the thinking!
Authors: Hadida Allègre L. 
Published: January 2013

PurposeThe aim of this viewpoint article is to offer a reflection on the author's personal understanding and experience of using the Lego® Serious Play® methodology to help teams address core strategy and creativity challenges within their organizations.Design/methodology/approachThis is a viewpoint paper.FindingsBy using metaphors, imagination and story‐making to facilitate a better understanding of core strategic challenges and defining moments in the life of organizations and teams, LSP also satiates the current organizational thirst for stories and meaning.Originality/valueThe rewards of serious play are tangible and plentiful.
The impact of corporate governance on working capital management efficiency of American manufacturing firms
Authors: Gill Amarjit S. , Biger Nahum 
Published: January 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of corporate governance on working capital management efficiency. This study also seeks to extend the findings of Gill and Shah.Design/methodology/approachThis study applied a co‐relational research design. A sample was selected of 180 American manufacturing firms listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) for a period of 3 years (from 2009‐2011).FindingsThe findings of this study indicate that corporate governance plays some role in improving the efficiency of working capital management.Research limitations/implicationsThis is a co‐relational study that investigated the association between corporate governance and working capital management efficiency. There is not necessarily a causal relationship between the two, although the paper provides some conjectures to the findings. The findings of this study may only be generalized to firms similar to those that were included in this research.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the literature on the factors that improve the efficiency of working capital management, and in particular on the association between several features of corporate governance and the efficiency of working capital management. The findings may be useful for financial managers, investors, financial management consultants, and other stakeholders.
Gender identities and career aspirations of middle leaders
Authors: Lin Choi Pik 
Published: January 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine gender identities of Chinese male and female middle leaders in secondary schools and how gender dynamics play in the leadership process and impact on career aspirations and career development.Design/methodology/approachThis paper draws on the data of a larger qualitative study conducted using the life history approach. Cases of four male and female middle leaders, which are able to demonstrate the “efficacy” of life stories to enhancing our appreciation of the process of gender negotiation and the impact of gender dynamics on leadership behaviour, are reported.FindingsEvidence suggests that traditional Chinese gender identities played out in the leader‐follower relationships although signs of hybrid gender identities were also evident in some cases. Gender identities and the family role perception of the middle leaders have impact on their career aspirations and development.Research limitations/implicationsFindings yield implications for the professional development needs of Chinese middle leaders not only regarding their professional role but also their personal understanding of how gender identities and family role perception impact on their career development. Further study with overlapping and complementary methods to a larger sample could be more illuminating to this complex and multifaceted issue.Originality valueIn the context of global concerns about the shortage of leader talent, the present study illuminates gender identities and the dynamics of the interactions between Chinese superiors and subordinates of different sexes and adds perspective to the leadership development literature.
“Leadership” and the social: time, space and the epistemic
Authors: Eacott Scott 
Published: January 2013

Purpose“Leadership” is arguably the central concept of interest in contemporary scholarship on educational administration. Within this scholarly discourse, there is an explicit assumption that leadership is a “real” phenomenon that is not only important, but also necessary for educational institutions. However, few scholars engage with issues surrounding the confusion of a socially constructed label with an assumed empirical reality. The aim of this paper is to mobilise critical social theory and to discuss the concept of leadership in educational administration.Design/methodology/approachTo engage with this matter, the author mobilises critical social theory, specifically that of Pierre Bourdieu, to discuss the concept of leadership in educational administration.FindingsIn doing so, the author argues that: “leadership” is a label taken from common language into scholarly discourse for the purpose of solving a perceived problem in the empirical world, and that this is made possible through a particular constitution of the social space.Research limitations/implicationsThe central argument of this paper challenges the hegemonic position of educational leadership scholarship, particularly its mobilisation of context, both time and space.Originality/valueUnlike scholarship focused on developing an explanation of what constitutes leadership, this paper engages with the abstraction of “leadership” as an educational administration concept.
The challenges of Nigerian agricultural firms in implementing the marketing concept
Authors: Herstein Ram , Jaffe Eugene 
Published: January 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is twofold. First, the study traces 30 international marketing strategies of Nigerian agri‐business firms in order to learn whether these firms work today according to the marketing concept in their attempts to export their products. The second purpose is to identify gaps between the current international marketing strategy of Nigerian agri‐business firms and the required international marketing strategy that these firms should carry out in five stages of implementing the marketing concept.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative study was conducted by interviewing 30 CEOs and senior managers in five focus groups, in order to learn more about the difficulties and challenges that agri‐business managers in Nigeria must cope with, while trying to work according to the marketing concept.FindingsAlthough most senior managers of leading agri‐business firms in Nigeria are aware and fully understand the meaning of the marketing concept, there is a major gap between what should be implemented and what is carried out in practice, mainly because of the structure of the Nigerian market economy.Originality/valueThis pioneering study provides useful knowledge for any agri‐business firm in Nigeria and other firms in Africa in order to improve their marketing capabilities to gain a competitive advantage in international markets.
Commentary on “Enabling access to information by people with learning disabilities”
Authors: Walmsley Jan 
Published: January 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide a commentary on Oldreive and Waight's article on enabling access to information by people with learning disabilities.Design/methodology/approachThe article reflects on the issues raised by Oldreive and Waight, drawing on 25 years' experience and research.FindingsAccessible information needs to be tailored to the individual and part of a wider approach to improving access.Practical implicationsWe should not rely on “easy read”. Instead we should be prepared to offer individualised support to people with learning disabilities, using “easy read” as a tool.Social implicationsIt is unlikely that any technology will replace support from skilled people.Originality/valueThe issues discussed provide a reminder that translating information does not equate to inclusion.
Resisting loneliness' dark pit: a narrative therapy approach
Authors: Stacey James , Edwards Adrian 
Published: January 2013

PurposePeople with learning disabilities want and value friendships and close, intimate, or romantic relationships. However, many people with learning disabilities are socially and emotionally lonely. The purpose of this paper is to describe a novel intervention, using a narrative therapy based group approach, which aimed to ameliorate the negative effects of loneliness in adult men with a mild learning disability.Design/methodology/approachThis study explored the group process, examined participants' experiences of the narrative therapy approach, and used an amended version of the UCLA loneliness scale (3rd ed.) to evaluate the effectiveness of a narrative therapy group approach.FindingsThe group enabled participants to develop “experience near” descriptions of loneliness and its effects and to identify and strengthen their abilities, strengths, and resources. Qualitative feedback from participants indicated that the group was experienced positively and helped participants to feel less lonely. Quantitative feedback from an adapted version of the UCLA loneliness scale suggested that most participants felt less lonely following the intervention.Research limitations/implicationsThere are several limitations of the current study. Most importantly, because of the small sample size (n=5), the results of the current study lack generalisability. Future, larger‐scale research should be carried out to address these limitations.Originality/valueThe current study draws attention to a significant problem experienced by many people with a learning disability. It also adds to the emerging evidence that narrative therapy approaches may be useful within learning disability contexts.
The zone of parental control: a reasonable idea or an unusable concept?
Authors: Watts John , Mackenzie Robin 
Published: January 2013

PurposeThe Zone of Parental Control (ZPC) is a concept that has been introduced in the Code of Practice for the revised Mental Health Act 1983, but guidance on its scope remains scanty. The purpose of this paper is to bring together recent rulings from case law and the original guidance, and make suggestions for clinicians when deciding if an intervention is within the Zone.Design/methodology/approachReview and examination of case law, legislation and legal guidance.FindingsDeprivations of liberty fall outside the ZPC, but restrictions of liberty lie within; parental disagreement with care correlates strongly with care that lies outside the ZPC.Originality/valueThe findings of this article should aid clinicians in deciding whether a treatment regime lies within the ZPC.
The role of the adoption network in the early market survival of innovations
Authors: Dell’Era Claudio , Frattini Federico , Ghezzi Antonio 
Published: January 2013

PurposeConsidering the strikingly high number of new products and services that are withdrawn from the market very soon after launch, the aim of this paper is to study how early market survival is affected by decisions regarding a particular launch tactic, i.e. the configuration of the adoption network through which the innovation is commercialized. The paper also investigates how the impact on early market survival of this launch tactics depends on the maturity of the technology underlying the new service.Design/methodology/approachThe conceptual model relating the variables “size of the adoption network”, “brand awareness of the organizations comprised in the adoption network”, “maturity of the underlying technology” and “early market survival” is tested in the empirical setting of the Italian mobile value added services (VAS) market, utilizing a longitudinal dataset which includes more than 28,000 new VAS launched between 2003 and 2007.FindingsThe paper shows that increasing the number of external organizations involved in the adoption network is a particularly effective tactical decision for new services based on very novel technologies, whereas building an adoption network that involves organizations with high brand awareness in the eyes of prospective customers positively impacts the early market survival of services relying on mature technologies.Originality/valueBesides providing practical insight to product and marketing managers seeking to maximize the chances of early survival of the services they are responsible for, the paper has interesting implications for launch decisions and diffusion of innovation research.
Implementing an intellectual capital framework in practice
Authors: Demartini Paola , Paoloni Paola 
Published: January 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyse the transition from measurement to management in relation to intellectual capital (IC). It aims to understand the relationships between measurement of IC and operational activities, strategies and context.Design/methodology/approachThis study takes an “action research” perspective to investigate the management of the analysed company in respect to IC.FindingsThe study concerns a company operating in the field of electronics and defence, which has developed a model of IC management. Every project set up by the company that impacts on IC is subject to measurement, valuation and reporting. This model aims to be an effective support to general management, providing a link between intangible assets and capabilities that create value.Originality/valueThis study does not aim to develop a framework for IC measurement but to highlight the process leading to implementing an IC framework in practice.
An empirical analysis of resources in the Indian pharmaceutical industry
Authors: Jit Singh Mann Bikram , Dutta Prabhjot 
Published: January 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to utilize the concept of resource based approach to ascertain the resources and the interactions that exist among these resources leading to differential performance in the Indian pharmaceutical industry. Based on review of the literature, the study also highlights differences among companies operating in economically developed economies and in an emerging economy in the pharmaceutical industry, in terms of resources that matter.Design/methodology/approachPanel data ranging from 2005‐2010 comprising of the listed companies from the Indian pharmaceutical industry is analyzed using random effects regression technique.FindingsThe analysis reveals company age and the interaction of R&D expenditure with MD experience are significantly related to performance. Further, the analysis reveals a negative relationship of R&D expenditure with performance in two out of the four models and marketing expenditure is found to have no significant impact on performance.Practical implicationsThe paper helps managers understand the resources they should build upon to improve performance.Originality/valueThe paper adds to existing literature on the resource based research in India, where the application of the concept is less prevalent.
Principled success
Authors: Stephens Anne 
Published: January 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to report on the product of a ten year study, the PhD thesis, “Feminist Systems Thinking: Principles and Practice”, conferred in April, 2012 by the University of Queensland, which contains a set of five practical principles, to assist in policy directions for enhanced community development and project management.Design/methodology/approachThis research adapted Constructivist Grounded Theory to complete Part A, a theoretical imbrication of Cultural Ecofeminism and Critical Systems Thinking. Part B of the thesis is a set of four applied case studies utilising participatory action research.FindingsThe findings of Part A of this work established a meta‐theoretical framework in the form of five practical principles to guide project managers at various stages and scales of their work. Part B's evaluation of these principles found that the principles can make practitioners' work clearer, identify gaps to address the multiplicity of often overlapping social concerns, and flag implications for future research and practice.Research limitations/implicationsEmbedding the principles in practice can help managers plan, guide and evaluate community development interventions. Further research to establish the principles in a wider number of settings would be advantageous.Social implicationsEmbedding the principles draws in the voices of those on the margins of any project, helping to avoid superficial consultations and oversight of all (human and non‐human inhabitants) affected.Originality/valueThis work is entirely original. There is no known imbrication of the epistemologies selected for this study. In the recent examination of the thesis, the work was commended for its innovative methodological approach and original contribution to knowledge.
TQM in new car dealerships: a study from the firms’ perspective
Authors: Fraser Kym , Tseng Bill , Hvolby Hans‐Henrik 
Published: January 2013

PurposeNew car dealerships play an integral role in the initial and on‐going relationship between the purchaser and vehicle manufacturer. Evidence, mostly anecdotal, suggests that the buying and servicing experience of the paying public in regards to new car dealerships is far from ideal. With continuous improvement systems such as total quality management (TQM) firmly embedded into the manufacturing and supply side of the car industry, questions still exist surrounding the level of quality being adopted by automotive dealerships. The purpose of this paper is to empirically investigate if a quality culture is being developed within the dealership network in South Australia by testing a number of key principles of TQM such as: the support and commitment from top management, customer focus and satisfaction, process management, and employee involvement.Design/methodology/approachA questionnaire survey was designed and all 105 new car dealerships in the greater Adelaide region were targeted. The service manager from each dealership was advised of the pending posted questionnaire and an excellent response rate of 66 percent was achieved.FindingsResults indicated a reasonably high level of commitment to quality within dealerships, including the important success factors of TQM. Questions still remain about quality endorsement, the type of quality systems being used and the depth of penetration of quality at the ground level.Research limitations/implicationsThe limiting features of this study surround the descriptive nature of the data analysis and the fact that the study was only conducted in one major city in Australia.Practical implicationsThe findings of this paper can give some implications for senior managers to consider when developing firm's policies.Originality/valueEmpirical studies on quality in automotive dealerships are very scarce in the literature. Therefore, this paper provides an insight into the quality culture of new car dealerships and examines if key TQM principles such as top management support, customer focus, process management, and employee involvement are in fact practised.
Cognitive behavioural therapy and the impact of internalised societal discourses in people with intellectual disabilities: a case example
Authors: Gerry Louise , Crabtree Jason 
Published: January 2013

PurposeWhilst there is a growing evidence base for the use of cognitive behavioural therapies (CBT) for people with intellectual disabilities, there may be challenges to using an approach that locates problems within people rather than as being generated and maintained through social relations and social discourses. The purpose of this paper is to present a cautionary case that demonstrates some of the potential dilemmas and challenges that can be experienced in therapy when applying this way of working to a client with intellectual disabilities.Design/methodology/approachThe authors present a case example of work with Mark, a young man with intellectual disabilities who accessed services for support with his low mood and outline the challenges faced when using CBT in understanding his presenting problem.FindingsThere is evidence from the case example that there is the potential for therapeutic techniques used in CBT to promote questions that invite, generate and reinforce feelings of incompetence and inability in people with intellectual disabilities.Originality/valueThe use of narrative techniques is discussed as a means of avoiding locating the problem as being within clients with intellectual disabilities; the implications that this has for the use of CBT with this client group are considered.
Teachers’ solutions: a learning study about solution chemistry in Grade 8
Authors: Vikström Anna , Billström Anna , Fazeli Parviz , Holm Monica , Jonsson Kerstin , Karlsson Gunilla , Rydström Peter 
Published: January 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe the collective exploration, process and knowledge production made in a learning study about solution chemistry.Design/methodology/approachSecondary school teachers conducted a learning study with variation theory as a guiding principle, supervised by a researcher. The relationship between teaching and learning was analyzed and evaluated in a learning study cycle of three lessons.FindingsCritical aspects when teaching solution chemistry were identified, as well as enacted patterns of variation that significantly improved students’ learning. Examples of critical aspects were the particulate character of matter, especially the feature of “empty space” between particles, the connection between macroscopic phenomenon and sub‐microscopic explanations and the difference between answers with everyday language and scientific language.Practical implicationsThe paper suggests that teachers in a learning study can produce new knowledge as well as use earlier research results when creating teaching activities that can improve their own practical work and students’ learning.Originality/valueThe study represents an example of research with the aim to improve teachers’ practice by generating knowledge in connection with teachers’ professional tasks.