bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The role of high‐technology services in the knowledge economy
Authors: Matoušková Zdeňka , Czesaná Věra 
Published: September 2011

PurposeThe main aim of this paper is to test the ways in which the role of high‐technology services (HTS) in the economy of European Union (EU) member countries changes and the extent to which the development of HTS depends on the quality of human resources.Design/methodology/approachThe paper adopts comparative and cluster analysis of statistical data published by Eurostat.FindingsThe empirical analysis approved the growing proportion of HTS in both employment and gross value added in the EU as a whole. However, there are great differences among individual member states that can be grouped into four clusters. HTS have a significantly higher proportion of tertiary educated employees, belong to young sectors and show a higher rate of participation in continuing education. HTS development is closely related to information communications technology (ICT) literacy of the population of the country, on the one hand, and on its economic standards, on the other.Research limitations/implicationsThe major findings constitute a starting‐point for more thorough national analysis and for setting measures supporting HTS development, especially through the availability of an appropriately educated labour force.Practical implicationsThe growing proportion of HTS in the economy is an important feature of knowledge economies; therefore it is necessary for politicians to have information about the development of this sector.Originality/valueHTS has been little researched in a detailed way to date. This paper tries to indicate all the important features that should be further and more deeply analysed.
From abstract to actual: art and designer‐like enquiries into data visualisation
Authors: Hohl Michael 
Published: September 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to suggest that physiological experience can contribute to the comprehension of visualisation of scientific data, especially artistic approaches.Design/methodology/approachA number of relevant case studies are used to establish the rationale.Findings“Objective” or neutral data visualisation does not exist. Every visualisation process relies on human definitions or mediation. Based on this premise, interdisciplinary collaborators can use methods from design and art to actively design the usability of data visualisation together with their perceived aesthetic, ambiguous and imaginative dimensions in order to create a multi‐layered human experience of data.Research limitations/implicationsPhysiological engagement in combination with rich, ambiguous experiences are no substitute for scientific data visualisation but an evocative medium for the public communication of science, such as at science centres or science museums.Practical implicationsClear support of interdisciplinary collaborations and systematic application of methods to create aesthetic experiences from scientific data.Social implicationsPotentially novel, engaging and evocative sensual experiences with data visualisations around themes, such as climate change, sustainability and ecology.Originality/valueThe paper suggests that systematically complementing methods from art and design in order to emotionalise intellectual experiences could be considered an unorthodox yet highly effective novel approach.
Research rules for library ethnography
Authors: Seadle Michael 
Published: September 2011

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to introduce the second part of the theme issue on “user research and technology” and to discuss testing online digital library resources using methods from ethnography and cultural anthropology.Design/methodology/approachThis editorial reviews the literature and research design methods.FindingsLibrary and information science as a field is changing and the requirements for top quality research are growing more stringent. This is typical of the experience of other professional fields as they have moved from practitioners advising practitioners to researchers building on past results.Originality/valueThe results of current research need not merely be interesting, but in so far as possible, testable and reproducible.
Correlation analysis between users' educational level and mobile reading behavior
Authors: Zhang Liyi , Ma Wei 
Published: September 2011

PurposeThis paper aims to investigate the use of mobile reading among Chinese college students and to provide a statistical analysis of correlation between the users' educational level and their mobile reading behavior. The result can be used as a reference for the differentiated marketing of the mobile reading service provider.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is based on an online questionnaire oriented to Chinese college students, including undergraduate and graduate students. The questionnaire includes questions related to the profiles and mobile reading behaviors of the respondents. The survey lasted from 15 April to 15 June 2010 and 479 responses were received.FindingsMobile reading is in its early stages of development and has huge market potential in China. The pay‐reading service only makes up a small, slowly growing share. Well educated users are more inclined to pay for academic papers while other users prefer online literature. In general, mobile reading services have yet to become more and more popular by improving user segmentation, expanding the scope of service and conducting precise price marketing in China.Practical implicationsThis study can help mobile reading service providers to gather information on user behavior and launch better mobile reading services.Originality/valueThe paper is one of the first to investigate the market of mobile reading in China. The paper provides suggestions for further improvement of the mobile reading service and help service providers better understand users' demands. Also it may provide some useful information for further research in mobile reading.
Using screen capture to study user research behavior
Authors: Imler Bonnie , Eichelberger Michelle 
Published: September 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to report on how researchers at Penn State University used video screen capture technology to learn more about student usage of the library's databases.Design/methodology/approachThe process of identifying and implementing a novel way to capture and analyze the human‐computer interaction is outlined and discussed.FindingsBecause of the drawbacks associated with both formal, direct physical observation of research participants and videotaping participants, video screen capture technology is chosen as a better way to track human‐computer interaction.Practical implicationsVideo screen capture technology is an inexpensive, user‐friendly way to enhance electronic resource usability studies in any library. Research files can be easily exported into coding software for data analysis.Originality/valueThe paper examines a new, non‐invasive way to capture student research behavior. It shows how any library could use this same technology to conduct research on how their resources are being used by their user population.
Use of web technology in providing information services by south Indian technological universities as displayed on library websites
Authors: Balaji B. Preedip , Kumar Vinit 
Published: September 2011

PurposeThis paper aims to discuss the present status of using new generation web technology, social media and Web 2.0 features among the technological university library websites in south India. It seeks to assess the library websites as a primary platform and one‐stop portal for information services and to examine how much library websites are effective in providing web‐based information services.Design/methodology/approachThe library websites of the technological universities in south India were evaluated on the basis of a relative weight checklist. The criteria for the checklist were drawn on the basis of availability of websites for library, resource discovery tools, access to scholarly content and Web 2.0 tools. The various issues and challenges in adapting new web technologies in the academic environment are discussed.FindingsUsing the current web development technologies and deploying for mainstream web information services is not widespread as web information services are yet to take off widely in academic libraries. The majority of university libraries are found to be working in the conventional library settings and the diffusion rate of web information services is relatively low.Originality/valueAs this is an assessment of the existing online information infrastructure facilities of the engineering universities in south India, the awareness of web‐based information services, their viability, and service values can be enhanced. More emphasis to improve upon the current learning, online educational facilities and benchmarking electronic information services for sustainability is highlighted.
Human capital planning in higher education institutions
Authors: Khasawneh Samer 
Published: September 2011

PurposeThe primary purpose of this study is to determine the status of human capital planning in higher education institutions in Jordan.Design/methodology/approachA random sample of 120 faculty members (in administrative positions) responded to a human capital planning (HCP) survey. The survey consisted of a pool of 38 items distributed over five dimensions (i.e. planning, analyzing, organizing, directing, and monitoring).FindingsThe results of the study indicate that based on participants' perceptions, the higher education institutions under study have a strong level of HCP. Examples of HCP include identifying sources of relevant employment and workforce data, establishing competency models, training internal talent, updating and ensuring the accuracy of all job descriptions, and establishing organizational learning practices that encourage employees to engage in lifelong learning. The results also indicate that there are no significant differences in assessing the status of human capital planning based on the gender of participants and their university affiliation. However, significant differences were detected based on type of position only on the planning and monitoring dimensions in favor of department chairs.Originality/valueA number of theoretical and practical recommendations are suggested for the field of study.
Enhancing university business curriculum using an importance‐performance approach
Authors: Daud Salina , Abidin Nurazariah , Mazuin Sapuan Noraina , Rajadurai Jegatheesan 
Published: September 2011

PurposeThis study seeks to investigate the potential gap between important dimensions of business graduates' attributes and the actual performance of these graduates in their post‐graduate employment. These graduates have completed a business‐related degree from the business management faculty of a higher education institution (HEI) located in Peninsular Malaysia. The dimensions of attributes and the performance of these graduates are considered in four broad areas, namely, knowledge, skills, abilities, and personality.Design/methodology/approachA questionnaire seeking responses from managers reflecting their importance ratings of essential attributes for business graduates, and the corresponding performance ratings of the graduates in these attributes, was distributed to managers of all companies employing the graduates from the business school. Importance‐performance analysis was used to evaluate the managers' perceptions of these graduates and to determine their actual performance. The graduates' information was obtained from the records of the HEI's alumni.FindingsThe results of this study reveal that managers attach different weights to different aspects of graduates' performance. Therefore, curriculum development should be directed towards attributes that are expected of these graduates and are relevant to the needs of the market and industry. This will allow for corrective action to take place to improve perceived problem areas.Research limitations/implicationsSince this research is a case study of business management faculty graduates, future nationwide research could be carried out on graduates from all HEIs employed in different industries and involving different levels of management and employment to determine whether a consistent pattern is discernable.Originality/valueThere are only a few studies that have included employer research surveys with the intention of evaluating factors contributing to graduate performance and improving the business management curriculum of HEIs in Malaysia.
Does market context impact payoffs to internationalization?
Authors: Elango B. 
Published: September 2011

PurposeInternational strategy literature has shown that market context varies in terms of importance to international operations and competition. The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of market context in influencing the relationship between internationalization and performance.Design/methodology/approachUsing cluster analysis, this study categorizes market context into two distinct groups: global and multidomestic. Later, it investigates the internationalization‐performance relationship for 263 firms distributed across two market contexts.FindingsSupport for an inverted U‐shaped relationship was found in the case of market contexts which have global characteristics, while a U‐shaped relationship was found in the market contexts which have multidomestic characteristics. Additionally, findings indicate that the moderating influence of diversification on the internationalization‐performance relationship varies by the market context of the firm.Originality/valueThe paper seeks to contribute to one of the most critical issues in the international strategy literature, namely, the linkage between internationalization and firm performance. While many studies have been conducted on the topic of internationalization and performance, specific research linking market context and the internationalization‐performance relationship has been lacking. The paper's findings offer strong support to the notion that the nature of the relationship between internationalization and performance varies by market context. Implications for managerial and researchers are presented.
The impact of online shopping demand on physical distribution networks: a simulation approach
Authors: Lim Hyunwoo , Shiode Narushige 
Published: September 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to study how cost efficiency and the reliability of a physical distribution network are affected by changes in online shopping demand and to suggest how logistics service providers can respond to such changes.Design/methodology/approachBased on a discrete event simulation approach, possible adaptive measures to online shopping demand increase are tested at three levels of decision making in parcel distribution network: priority assignment in the main hub (operational), introduction of sub‐hubs (tactical), and increase in the hub‐terminal capacity (strategic). The feasibility of the simulation is tested with parameters adopted from the logistics service data of an existing major parcel carrier in South Korea.FindingsFindings from the simulation model suggest that the existing physical distribution network can improve its cost efficiency and service reliability by evolving into a more centralized network structure with increased capacity of transshipment facilities if the online shopping demand is expected to increase consistently over the long run.Practical implicationsThis research will help logistics service providers to have good insights into performances of their distribution networks at different levels of demand and to devise a plan for adaptation to meet future demand.Originality/valueThis paper provides a framework to understand the complex relationship between network configurations, service levels, costs, and other decision‐making processes with respect to changes in online shopping demand based on a simulation approach.
Analysis of the bullwhip effect with order batching in multi‐echelon supply chains
Authors: Hussain Matloub , Drake Paul R. 
Published: September 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyze the effect of batching on bullwhip effect in a model of multi‐echelon supply chain with information sharing.Design/methodology/approachThe model uses the system dynamics and control theoretic concepts of variables, flows, and feedback processes and is implemented using iThink® software.FindingsIt has been seen that the relationship between batch size and demand amplification is non‐monotonic. Large batch sizes, when combined in integer multiples, can produce order rates that are close to the actual demand and produce little demand amplification, i.e. it is the size of the remainder of the quotient that is the determinant. It is further noted that the value of information sharing is greatest for smaller batch sizes, for which there is a much greater improvement in the amplification ratio.Research limitations/implicationsBatching is associated with the inventory holding and backlog cost. Therefore, future work should investigate the cost implications of order batching in multi‐echelon supply chains.Practical implicationsThis is a contribution to the continuing research into the bullwhip effect, giving supply chain operations managers and designers a practical way into controlling the bullwhip produced by batching across multi‐echelon supply chains. Economies of scale processes usually favor large batch sizes. Reducing batch size in order to reduce the demand amplification is not a good solution.Originality/valuePrevious similar studies have used control theoretic techniques and it has been pointed out that control theorists are unable to solve the lot sizing problem. Therefore, system dynamic simulation is then applied to investigate the impact of various batch sizes on bullwhip effect.
Improving low‐income parents' fruit and vegetable intake and their potential to impact children's nutrition
Authors: Prelip Michael , Le Thai Chan , Toller Erausquin Jennifer , Slusser Wendy 
Published: September 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this research is to test a comprehensive nutrition program developed specifically to target low‐income parents of young school‐aged children and determine whether the programme‐resulted in changes in parents' knowledge, attitude, self‐confidence, and behaviours related to both their and their child's nutrition in relation to fruit and vegetable intake.Design/methodology/approachThis study used a quasi‐experimental pre‐test/post‐test design in which parent centers were selected to participate as either intervention or control sites. The primary method of data collection was self‐administered questionnaires.FindingsThe results show significant positive changes in parent knowledge, food behaviors, and home environment. No changes were observed in parents' attitudes; however, parent attitudes were high at baseline.Practical implicationsThis work reinforces the importance of developing well designed interventions that specifically target the intended audience and intended outcomes.Originality/valueThis is one of the few studies that have examined the potential and value of nutrition‐focused intervention targeting low‐income and predominantly Hispanic populations with the potential goal of impacting children.
Understanding the risks in China's PPP projects: ranking of their probability and consequence
Authors: Ke Yongjian , Wang ShouQing , Chan Albert P.C. , Cheung Esther 
Published: September 2011

PurposeBased on the Chinese government's increased public‐private partnership (PPP) experience in the last decade, they have made a lot of efforts to improve the investment environment. This paper hence aims to conduct a more up‐to‐date evaluation of the potential risks in China's PPP projects.Design/methodology/approachAs part of a comprehensive research looking at implementing PPP, a two‐round Delphi survey was conducted with experienced practitioners to identify the key risks that could be encountered in China's PPP projects. The probability of occurrence and severity of the consequence for the selected risks were derived from the surveys and used to calculate their relative risk significance index score.FindingsThe results showed that the top ten risks identified according to their risk significance index score are: government's intervention; poor political decision making; financial risk; government's reliability; market demand change; corruption; subjective evaluation; interest rate change; immature juristic system; and inflation. Further analysis was conducted on these risks so that the possible consequence, the most impacted parties, and the preferred allocation are discussed. Recommendations on commercial principles or contract terms between the Chinese government and private consortium are also provided.Originality/valueThese up‐to‐date findings concerning the probability and consequence of key risks would provide a valuable reference for private investors who are planning to invest in infrastructure projects in China.
Ethics management for the construction industry
Authors: Man‐Fong Ho Christabel 
Published: September 2011

PurposeManaging ethics has come to be considered a management discipline, especially since the birth of business ethics and social responsibility movements in the 1960s. However, there seems to be no comprehensive review and synthesis of ethics management literature in construction. This research aims to address the theory‐practice gap by providing a critical review of the ethics decision‐making literature.Design/methodology/approachThe study examines critically the ethics decision‐making literature from the 1980s to 2008.FindingsThree research focuses, relating to the construction industry in ethical decision making, are identified: empirical studies on examining the associations between variables (individuals, situational/organisational, moral intensity) and employees' ethical behaviour in construction organisational contexts; continuous application of behavioural science theories to develop an appropriate ethical decision‐making model for the industry; and research on group and/or organisational level behaviour ethics.Research limitations/implicationsThe study identifies, draws together, and integrates existing theories and research, with a particular emphasis on ethical decision‐making models, to present the key contributions in the realm of ethics decision making.Practical implicationsThe paper highlights the role of management (both as an academic discipline and from a practitioner perspective) in bridging this gap.Originality/valueThe research adds value to the literature on ethics management, where limited knowledge exists in the construction industry.