bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Learning to make sense: what works in entrepreneurial education?
Authors: Higgins David , Elliott Chris 
Published: May 2011

PurposeThe paper aims to explore the changing influences and relevance of passive and experiential methods of learning within what can be described as a new era of entrepreneurial education. What still largely remains unaddressed in the literature is how are entrepreneur's best educated and developed in a manner which can have a direct impact on their personal and business development.Design/methodology/approachThe paper suggests that learning is action oriented, and that entrepreneurs are not merely “doers”; they are “practitioners”. An integral part of being a “practitioner” is the use of practice to help move the firm beyond the “adaptive” learning which takes place in naturally occurring non‐contrived learning occasions. The paper is theoretical in its intent and adopts a social constructionist view of knowledge and learning. The research approach is informed by practitioner‐based practice and research, education and participation as a process of social learning.FindingsThe development of experiential knowledge in entrepreneurs is an incremental process that evolves throughout the course of their working lives. This means that attempts to stimulate “real life” experience through formal modes of passive education and training are unlikely to have a strong influence or impact on the development of the entrepreneur as a practitioner.Practical implicationsThe paper sets out to develop an argument against the traditional “passive” means of business education, by suggesting that entrepreneurs who are exposed to passive learning are spectators rather than active participators.Originality/valueThe paper contributes to our current understanding of entrepreneurial learning by recognising that entrepreneurial learning in the context of higher education takes place beyond the domain of the classroom learning experiences, through experiential and discovery‐based learning which questions traditional orthodox pedagogies. The paper illustrates how knowledge is constructed through a situated practice of knowing, and demonstrates how a practice‐based perspective might be useful for the study of entrepreneurial education.
What is a symbol?
Authors: Scott Bernard , Shurville Simon 
Published: May 2011

PurposeIn order to develop transdisciplinary working across the disciplines, clear epistemological foundations are required. The purpose of this paper is to show that sociocybernetics to provides the required unifying metadisciplinary epistemological foundations and transdisciplinary frameworks.Design/methodology/approachThe authors note that second‐order cybernetics provides a metadisciplinary framework for discerning the causes and cures for the schisms within the natural and cognitive sciences. The particular contributions of sociocybernetics are to extend the second‐order understandings to unify the social sciences and, by incorporating extant sociological theory back into the transdisciplinary pursuits of cybernetics and systems theory, to enlighten and enrich those pursuits.FindingsIn order to highlight the power and fruitfulness of these contributions from sociocybernetics, the authors problematise, deconstruct and reconstruct key concepts concerned with human communication. To do this, they take as central the question, “What is a symbol?” and present a sociocybernetic, transdisciplinary solution. In doing so they make clear the epistemological poverty of approaches in cognitive science that are based on the thesis that brains and computers are both “physical‐symbol systems”.Originality/valueThe paper contributes to the metadisciplinary and transdisciplinary aims of cybernetics and, in particular, uses a sociocybernetic analysis to enlighten foundational issues in cognitive science.
From the systemic view to systems science
Authors: Korn Janos 
Published: May 2011

PurposeAfter the postwar years, the realisation that parts of the world, real, imaginary or abstract, can be seen as “related properties or objects”, the systemic view, has resulted in an immense production of, by and large, speculative intellectual output. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how following the methodology of conventional science, the systemic view can be turned into systems science.Design/methodology/approachBasic notions which transcend discipline boundaries are put forward. Natural language is used as the primary model for description of human activity and other scenarios leading to its processing into homogeneous language of one‐ and two‐place declarative sentences, the minimal elements which still reflect the systemic view. These sentences are called “ordered pairs” in static state and “dynamic sentences” in dynamic state. Complex models are developed: as sets of ordered pairs from which meaningful objects and “products” can be deduced (static linguistic modelling) leading to hierarchical structures; and as sequences of predicate logic statements which propagate changes of states towards final states (dynamic linguistic modelling).FindingsStatic and dynamic linguistic modelling is used together when products are expressed as sets and in design of products and systems. Linguistic networks, semantic diagrams and an information theory which is an integral part of the dynamics of change, are introduced.Research limitations/implicationsThe limitations of application of a formal method to scenarios with human components with “will” need to be debated.Practical implicationsOnce software is developed, a comprehensive method for analysis and design of scenarios is available.Originality/valueHomogeneous language exhibiting the structure and semantics of products and systems based on recognition of empirical and linguistic invariants and carrying uncertainty and mathematics, is put forward.
Memory model of information transmitted in absolute judgment
Authors: Nizami Lance 
Published: May 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the popular “information transmitted” interpretation of absolute judgments, and to provide an alternative interpretation if one is needed.Design/methodology/approachThe psychologists Garner and Hake and their successors used Shannon's Information Theory to quantify information transmitted in absolute judgments of sensory stimuli. Here, information theory is briefly reviewed, followed by a description of the absolute judgment experiment, and its information theory analysis. Empirical channel capacities are scrutinized. A remarkable coincidence, the similarity of maximum information transmitted to human memory capacity, is described. Over 60 representative psychology papers on “information transmitted” are inspected for evidence of memory involvement in absolute judgment. Finally, memory is conceptually integrated into absolute judgment through a novel qualitative model that correctly predicts how judgments change with increase in the number of judged stimuli.FindingsGarner and Hake gave conflicting accounts of how absolute judgments represent information transmission. Further, “channel capacity” is an illusion caused by sampling bias and wishful thinking; information transmitted actually peaks and then declines, the peak coinciding with memory capacity. Absolute judgments themselves have numerous idiosyncracies that are incompatible with a Shannon general communication system but which clearly imply memory dependence.Research limitations/implicationsMemory capacity limits the correctness of absolute judgments. Memory capacity is already well measured by other means, making redundant the informational analysis of absolute judgments.Originality/valueThis paper presents a long‐overdue comprehensive critical review of the established interpretation of absolute judgments in terms of “information transmitted”. An inevitable conclusion is reached: that published measurements of information transmitted actually measure memory capacity. A new, qualitative model is offered for the role of memory in absolute judgments. The model is well supported by recently revealed empirical properties of absolute judgments.
Aspects of a cybernetic theory of tacit knowledge and innovation
Authors: Johannessen Jon‐Arild , Olsen Bjørn 
Published: May 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to facilitate understanding of the interaction between tacit knowledge and innovation.Design/methodology/approachThe paper addresses the puzzle related to the impact tacit knowledge has on innovation. It appears that tacit knowledge has both negative and positive effects on innovation. The authors argue that solving this puzzle might find its solution in moving away from a one‐dimensional view of both tacit knowledge and innovation. Hence, they develop a typology of tacit knowledge to facilitate our understanding of the interaction between different types of tacit knowledge and different types of innovation. In conducting an aspect of a cybernetic theory of tacit knowledge and innovation, the authors develop a number of propositions for the influence different types of tacit knowledge have on different types of innovation.FindingsThe authors' argument is that different types of tacit knowledge hold different potential abilities for different types of innovation. The negative effect (a decrease in number of innovations) found in the tacit knowledge's conservative element might be explained in that the lower level of experience are more tied up in rule, procedures and analysis, than is the case for higher levels of experience.Originality/valueIn developing a typology of tacit knowledge and relating it to different types of innovation, the paper contributes to a new understanding of the complexity between tacit knowledge and innovation.
The indirect effects of intranet functionalities on middle managers' performance
Authors: Daud Norzaidi Mohd , Choy Chong Siong , Intan Salwani Mohamed , Lin Binshan 
Published: May 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate whether intranet functionalities predict perceived usefulness, which in turn influences intranet usage and whether such usage affects job performance of managers.Design/methodology/approachAbout 150 of 357 managers engaged by numerous organizations in the port industry in Malaysia, namely port authority, terminal operator, marine department, immigration department, and royal customs and excise department which utilized intranet were sampled using a set of self‐reporting questionnaires.FindingsThe results of structural equation modeling indicate that intranet functionalities influence perceived usefulness, usage, and indirectly predict port managers' performance.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper focuses only on the perspective of intranet usage among middle managers working in the port industry in Malaysia.Practical implicationsSuggestions are provided on how the maritime industry in particular and other industries in general can improve their intranet adoption to achieve organizational goals.Originality/valueThis paper draws attention to the imperative of having proper intranet functionalities in place in light of its indirect impact on job performance improvements.
A mixture model to estimate customer value for e‐services
Authors: Chang Wei‐Lun , Hong Yu‐Ting 
Published: May 2011

PurposeCompanies have changed their focus from product oriented within marketing (1960s) to demand oriented within quality improvement (1980s) and, today, to an emphasis on customer service, customer loyalty, and customer profitability. Although the significance of customer‐centric services is well established, much of the research that has investigated the effect of customer lifetime value (CLV) has focused on the lifetime value of existing customers only. The purpose of this paper is to devise a novel customer value model (the CV model) to predict internet‐based customers' value by utilizing historical financial data to predict future value.Design/methodology/approachThis research utilizes the concept of operation research, which deploys scientific methods to solve problems and assists in generating strategies in terms of model construction. The authors construct a prediction model for short‐term CV that is also a type of deterministic model and define e‐services as the coverage of free or charged services over the internet environment.FindingsThe simulated results reveal that, over the long‐term, CV decreases as the predictive time moves away from the present because of deviations in perception and expectation. The new CV model complements the existing CLV model by addressing CV from a different perspective and provides clues to CV for e‐service industries.Practical implicationsThe proposed CV model and the CLV model both come from the customer perspective, but CLV measures CLV without prediction while the CV model provides an avenue by which to consider customer and enterprise perspective simultaneously. Thus, the CV model not only complements the CLV but also assists enterprises in identifying CV and generating superior benefits.Originality/valueThe proposed model makes three contributions: it constructs an equation to measure CV for internet‐based services; it considers the customer and enterprise perspectives simultaneously; and it observes changes in the CV of any specific internet user.
1. Conservation law of information and its application in evaluation and estimation of complex systems
Authors: Duan Xiaojun , Lin Yi 
Published: May 2011

PurposeModel description, observations, and prior knowledge are the three main sources of information that are used for the evaluation and estimation of complex systems. Here, model description is given based on the physical mechanism and dynamics of the system. Observational data represent a very important method of verification and can be applied to validate the model. Prior knowledge can help to provide additional information when observation data are not sufficient. On the basis of clearly carding the relationship between a system's observational quantities and the ultimate indices of the observation, the purpose of this paper is to establish the systemic yoyo model for systems evaluation.Design/methodology/approachRecent advances in systems science in general and the systemic yoyo model in particular are employed in this research as the fundamental logic of reasoning and thread of thinking.FindingsAfter analyzing the characteristics and connections between the three main sources of information – model description, prior knowledge, and observational data – used in system evaluation and estimation, the authors derive the conservation law of information for system evaluation and estimation and analyze the transitional direction of the process of system evaluation and estimation.Practical implicationsThis work lays down the theoretical basis for why certain procedures widely applied in system evaluations and estimations are correct and sound, on which reliable scientific conclusions can be drawn.Originality/valueThis work is the first of its kind that investigates the systemic foundation underlying the commonly applied procedures of system evaluations and estimations.
Algorithms of optimal control methods for solving game theory problems
Authors: Jadlovská Anna , Hrubina Kamil 
Published: May 2011

PurposeThe aim of the paper is to present the theory and algorithms based on the methods of systems optimal control for a numerical solution of a defined mathematical model of a system as well as that of a mathematical model of game theory.Design/methodology/approachThe paper brings a formulation of the mathematical model of a problem of systems optimal control with distributed parameters in Hilbert space. The mathematical model of the optimal control problem includes equations that also occur in the defined mathematical model of the theory of a two player zero‐sum game. Optimization problems of game theory have been defined for the purpose of finding a saddle point of a functional satisfying task constraints ε>0.FindingsIn order to find a saddle point of a functional and that one of a functional with a limitation, a designed algorithm of an iterative gradient method is presented. Furthermore, the paper contains a concept of algorithms designing that can be applied to a numerical solution of the defined problem of game theory. These algorithms can be realized on the basis of the methods of systems optimal control. After an adjoint state of the system is defined, a saddle point of a functional will be characterized by equations and inequalities.Originality/valueThe contribution of the paper lies in the formulation of the theorems which express the necessary and sufficient conditions of optimality for saddle points of a functional. Furthermore, it has been proved that algorithms of methods of systems optimal control with distributed parameters can be used for the solution of a mathematical model of game theory. The paper contains original results achieved by the authors within scientific projects.
Visibility and impact of Iranian research institutions on the web
Authors: Erfanmanesh Mohammadamin , Didegah Fereshteh 
Published: May 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the web site performances of 18 Iranian Research Institutions based on the following factors: web impact factor (WIF), connectivity, visibility and traffic rank.Design/methodology/approachIn this research, AltaVista search engine was used to calculate the number of total links and WIF; and data for traffic rank, number of pages viewed and percentage of foreign and Iranian visitors were extracted from the Alexa data bank. Also correspondence analysis is employed to analyze the data using John's Macintosh Project software.FindingsThe results revealed that SANJESH Organization and Iranian Scientific Information and Documentation Center web sites have performed fairly well in most factors. These two web sites have the best ranking in traffic and attracted a large number of total links compared with the other web sites. The results of the correspondence analysis of these 18 web sites can be divided into three groups consisting of one, five and 12 web sites, respectively.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors' knowledge, the evaluation and ranking of Iranian research institutions' web sites were not discussed in any other studies. With web technologies playing such an important role in the areas of science and research today, the functions and performances of research and academic institutions' web sites on the world wide web should be assessed to identify their weaknesses.
The use of online newspapers among librarians in India
Authors: Sivankutty V.S. , Sudhakaran Jinu 
Published: May 2011

PurposeLibrarians need to educate users about online newspapers available in the library. The purpose of this paper is to survey the attitude of librarians towards online newspapers.Design/methodology/approachA questionnaire on the various aspects of online newspaper usage was prepared and was circulated to librarians working in various parts of the country through e‐mail.FindingsIt was found that librarians are making use of many features in the newspaper sites while offering library services.Research limitations/implicationsSince the questionnaire was circulated online an interaction with the librarians was not possible. Partial responses were eliminated from the study.Social implicationsNewspapers are a preferred source of information. Online newspapers from different parts of the world open a new window of knowledge to all. Librarians and administrators should engage in promoting online newspapers so that they will reach a wider array of users.Originality/valueThe attitude of librarians in India towards online newspapers has not received much attention up to now; such a study would help various firms, library science educators and organizations to rethink their usage of online newspapers.
The Wellcome Digital Library: building a sustainable infrastructure
Authors: Henshaw Christy 
Published: May 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the Wellcome Digital Library infrastructure project.Design/methodology/approachThe Wellcome Library is using existing systems together with the procurement of new systems to build a sustainable infrastructure that will enable the management and delivery of tens of millions of images.FindingsThe project is in its beginning stages, and this paper outlines how the Library will proceed, and the founding principles on which the development will take place.Research limitations/implicationsThe project is in the early stages, so this paper sets out the current plans, which will be realised during 2010‐2012 and beyond.Practical implicationsThe goal of the project described in this paper is to make the Library's holdings more accessible not only to the core research audience for history of medicine, but for learning and discovery across a broader range of users.Originality/valueThis project represents a new direction for the Wellcome Library, and although tailored to the Wellcome Library's environment, goals and working practices, it aims to demonstrate good practice in the development of a digital library infrastructure.
How to create new services between library resources, museum exhibitions and virtual collections
Authors: Vandi Claudio , Djebbari Elhadi 
Published: May 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to discuss the main opportunities and challenges related to the introduction of mobile technologies.Design/methodology/approachThe authors present an ongoing project in which they are connecting these materials in new services and open ways. The authors outline two paradigms for using mobile technologies as information tools and discuss the main opportunities and challenges related to the introduction of mobile technologies in the library, as well as the likely usage scenarios.FindingsThe authors found that the mobile as storage paradigm is the one presenting more opportunities to explore. This paradigm can be used to turn any passive document into an interactive object and provide the user with enriched documents and collections.Originality/valueThe paper is the result of a collaboration between library experts and a cognitive science research laboratory. The opportunities and limits of using mobile technologies to create new services in libraries is discussed both from the point of view of library services and from the point of view of users, cognitive abilities.
Implementing service recovery through customer relationship management: identifying the antecedents
Authors: Robinson Leroy , Neeley Sue E. , Williamson Kathleen 
Published: May 2011

PurposeThis study seeks to combine components of service failure recovery and customer relationship management. It aims to develop a model of the antecedents of successful service recovery that proposes relationships between employee empowerment, job satisfaction, self‐efficacy, employee ratings of the service firm's service recovery practices, and service technology usage.Design/methodology/approachAn online survey tool was used to collect data. The hypothesized model was tested utilizing structural equation modeling.FindingsResults support the hypothesized relationships between the empowerment of employees and their job satisfaction and perceived self‐efficacy, as well as the relationships between job satisfaction and self‐efficacy and service recovery.Practical implicationsManagers may improve the implementation of service technology and service recovery strategies by increasing employee empowerment.Originality/valueThe paper addresses a significant gap in the current literature by linking the well‐established constructs of employee empowerment, job‐satisfaction, self‐efficacy and adaptability with measures of service failure recovery and service technology usage.