bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Student volunteering in England: a critical moment
Authors: Darwen Jamie , Grace Rannard Andrea 
Published: May 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present the current state of student volunteering in English universities, and show how it contributes to some of the core activities of higher education, including teaching and learning, employability, and public engagement. The paper goes on to describe challenges currently faced by student volunteering, and opportunities for its future development.Design/methodology/approachThis viewpoint article utilises the experiences and observations of two former higher education community engagement practitioners who are now working at a national level to raise the profile of student volunteering, and reviews recent policy and practice related to this subject area.FindingsAlthough student volunteering has a long tradition in English universities and there has been investment in the provision over the last decade, student volunteering is currently at a critical point. Without stronger evidence of impact, continued funding and an integrated approach to its development, student volunteering will not meet its full potential for higher education.Practical implicationsThe paper has implications for higher education senior management, employers, community and employer engagement practitioners within higher education, and students. It advocates that integrated approaches are needed at national and institutional level to support the development of student volunteering.Originality/valueThe paper utilises the unique experience of former practitioners who now work in national roles, exploring a wide range of contemporary sources.
Transformative learning through service‐learning: no passport required
Authors: Bamber Phil , Hankin Les 
Published: May 2011

PurposeThis paper aims to explore student learning within a local service‐learning initiative that forms part of an Education Studies undergraduate programme at an HEI in the UK with a history of international service‐learning programmes.Design/methodology/approachThis paper outlines the context for this form of community engagement in the UK and reflects on the experiences of student participants and the nature of their learning. Ethnographic research into the student experience of international service‐learning (ISL) provides a useful framework for this study.FindingsThis research draws on transformational learning theory to describe how students experience a shifting of their world‐view through service‐learning locally. It reveals that challenges to stereotypes and personal values, as well as other previously accepted presuppositions, in a domestic context, are not dissimilar from those experienced by students involved in international service‐learning initiatives.Research limitations/implicationsThe framework presented here is used to explore the dynamic relationship between local and international volunteering and student learning. This particular case study has the potential to add to our understanding of critical pedagogy theory in practice.Originality/valueThis article presents evidence of the complexity of identifying transformative learning. In order to elevate the outcomes of service‐learning towards their transformative potential, the opportunities for learning that are afforded by such ventures must be pursued with vigour. The authors advocate a model of community engagement that embeds local service‐learning within the curriculum.
Now for the science bit: implementing community‐based learning in chemistry
Authors: McDonnell Claire , Ennis Patricia , Shoemaker Leslie 
Published: May 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to contribute to the understanding of student learning from community engagement by critically assessing the implementation of this pedagogical approach in the context of teaching and learning chemistry and also evaluating the role of personal development in student‐community engagement.Design/methodology/approachA case study on the implementation since 2007 of community‐based learning (also called service‐learning) projects in an academic department in Ireland is presented. Analysis of assessment grades, student reflective accounts and evaluation questionnaires informs this work, as does a recently completed self‐assessment of our activities using Shumer's Self‐Assessment for Service‐Learning.FindingsA marked improvement in student engagement and confidence, and their appreciation of how their subject is applied in real‐world situations, is reported. Some difficulties arise however, in relation to the level of critical thinking and self‐awareness evident in reflective writing assignments, as the students were generally not experienced in reflection on personal experiences. The extent to which it has been demonstrated that genuine community needs are being met is also an issue in some instances.Originality/valueThe paper describes some innovative practices, as CBL is not well established in the discipline concerned, chemistry, and it has also not often been applied to the benefit of small local businesses. A critical analysis of the process followed when CBL activities were implemented in an institution without an existing, well‐established culture of applying this pedagogical approach is provided, as this is a perspective not often explored in the literature.
High commitment performance management: the roles of justice and trust
Authors: Farndale Elaine , Hope‐Hailey Veronica , Kelliher Clare 
Published: May 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between employees' perceptions of a particular subsystem of HRM practices (performance management) and their commitment to the organisation. In addition, the study seeks to examine the mechanisms by which these perceptions translate into employee attitudes and behaviours.Design/methodology/approachA total of 524 questionnaire responses were collected from four organisations in the UK.FindingsThe findings show that the link between employee experiences of high commitment performance management (HCPM) practices and their level of commitment is strongly mediated by related perceptions of organisational justice. In addition, the level of employee trust in the organisation is a significant moderator.Research limitations/implicationsThis is a cross‐sectional study based on self‐report data, which limits the reliability of the findings. The findings may also be specific to a particular context. However, the results by company support their generalisability.Practical implicationsThe findings lead one to believe that it is essential to observe the actual experiences of HCPM practices and outcomes at employee level, and to consider the broader organisational context, if one is to understand their effects on performance.Originality/valueWhen exploring the impact of high commitment work practices on firm performance, little attention has been paid to the employee perspective: employees ultimately are the recipients of an organisation's HRM practices, and as such their perceptions of these practices affect their attitudes and behaviour in the workplace.
Perceptions of the presence and effectiveness of high involvement work systems and their relationship to employee attitudes
Authors: Mendelson Morris B. , Turner Nick , Barling Julian 
Published: May 2011

PurposePrior research has demonstrated the positive effects of high involvement work systems on various outcomes but none to date has conducted a comparative test of alternative, plausible models of these systems. This paper aims to address this issue.Design/methodology/approachA test of five high involvement work system models was conducted. The models were tested using employee perceptions of the presence and effectiveness of the organizational practices included in these systems, whereas a majority of prior studies have measured high involvement work practices based on managers' perceptions only. Measures of eight high involvement work practices (i.e. employment security, selective hiring, extensive training, contingent compensation, teams and decentralized decision making, information sharing, reduced status distinctions, transformational leadership) were used to compare the fit of these five models using confirmatory factor analysis. 317 non‐management employees from five Canadian organizations participated. Participants rated both the extent to which they perceived their organizations to have implemented each of the practices and the perceived effectiveness of these practices. Participants' work attitudes (i.e. affective commitment, continuance commitment, job satisfaction) were used to assess the concurrent validity of the tested models.FindingsFor both the perceived presence and effectiveness models, confirmatory factor analyses suggested the superiority of a second‐order model, demonstrating concurrent validity with participants' positive (i.e. affective commitment, job satisfaction) and negative (i.e. continuance commitment) attitudes.Originality/valueThis is the first study to conduct a comparative test of five alternative models of high involvement work systems and one of the few studies to address employee perception of these practices.
Justice and trust as antecedents of careerist orientation
Authors: Crawshaw Jonathan , Brodbeck Felix 
Published: May 2011

PurposeThis paper aims to explore the antecedents of careerist orientations to work. Hypotheses are drawn from referent cognitions theory. First, it is proposed that trust mediates the relationship between an individual's perceptions of procedural justice and their careerist orientations to work. Second, perceptions of distributive justice, regarding the allocation of career development opportunities, will moderate the relationship between trust and careerist orientations to work.Design/methodology/approachA total of 325 employees of a large UK financial institution completed a structured questionnaire. Regression analysis (using SPSS version 11) was used to test the presented hypotheses.FindingsAll hypotheses were confirmed. However, the interaction effect observed was different from that hypothesised. It appears that trust only matters, in terms of the development of careerist orientations to work, when individuals feel that they are receiving equitable career development opportunities.Research limitations/implicationsMuch more research is required in different organisational contexts if one is to fully confirm and understand these relationships. However, these findings suggest that employers will only reduce the development of careerist attitudes in their workforce if they ensure the fair distribution of career development opportunities and engender trusting relations through the implementation of fair decision‐making procedures.Originality/valueThis paper adds much needed empirical research to the literature on new career realities and careerist orientations to work. Moreover, referent cognitions theory is presented as a new theoretical framework for understanding the cognitive processes involved in an individual's development of careerist attitudes.
Virtual question changes: reference in evolving environments
Authors: Arendt Julie , Graves Stephanie J. 
Published: May 2011

PurposeAs virtual reference and online discovery tools evolve, so do interactions with patrons. This study aims to describe how synchronous virtual reference transactions changed over a six‐year period at a university library.Design/methodology/approachTranscripts from October and February from October 2004 to February 2010 were coded for question type, interlibrary loan discussions, and referrals. Subcategories for holding types and referrals were also recorded.FindingsThe number and types of questions changed with the virtual reference platform used, both increasing and decreasing. The number of questions more than doubled from the beginning to the end of the six‐year study period. The number of holdings questions at the end of the study period was six times higher than the number at the beginning. Patterns relating to interlibrary loan discussions and referrals were noted.Research limitations/implicationsThe study examined transcripts from one university library. Findings cannot be generalized but provide examples that may be similar in other libraries.Practical implicationsThe number and type of online reference questions that a library receives can change dramatically in a short time. Libraries should monitor question transactions, especially after software changes. Libraries also should consider how the placement of chat widgets changes the quantity and nature of questions and train staff appropriately.Originality/valueThis study examines transcripts across a longer time span than previous studies. It is unique in its examination of virtual reference widgets embedded in proprietary databases and link resolvers.
Closing the assessment loop using pre‐ and post‐assessment
Authors: Swoger Bonnie J.M. 
Published: May 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to determine what skills students already possessed as entering first‐year students, in order to define appropriate goals and objectives for library instruction sessions occurring in the first‐year writing and critical thinking course.Design/methodology/approachA pre‐test was administered during the first two weeks of the fall 2008 semester. After one‐shot library instruction, students took a post‐test during the final exam period of the fall 2008 semester. Librarians worked collaboratively to evaluate the results of the assessment and determine the implications for the session goals and objectives.FindingsThe original goals and objectives for the library instruction sessions were out of sync with student skills. Assessment also revealed that the original goals and objectives were out of sync with librarian priorities. The results of the assessment were used to refine the goals and objectives through a collaborative process.Practical implicationsInstruction librarians need to evaluate their course goals and objectives as one part of the assessment cycle. Assessment can be a useful tool for aligning librarian priorities and pre‐existing student skills.Originality/valueThis study explains how the results of assessment can be used to close the assessment loop, concentrating on parts of the assessment cycle seldom discussed in the literature.
Best practices for serving students with disabilities
Authors: Samson Sue 
Published: May 2011

PurposeThis study aims to establish a set of best practices that reflect the spirit of the 1990Americans with Disabilities Act(ADA) and comply with the new 2010 Department of Justice regulations.Design/methodology/approachAt each of eight academic libraries in four Rocky Mountain states, the librarian most directly responsible for library services to students with disabilities was interviewed, comprehensive criteria to physical facilities, services, management practices, and investments were used, access leading to and within the library was considered, and data and observations to place each library in the framework of the diametrically opposed reactive or universal access service models were analyzed.FindingsSelf‐reporting students with disabilities were the largest minority group at three campuses and the second largest minority group at another three campuses. Five libraries based their services primarily on reaction to complaints, and three libraries incorporated most elements of universal access. No consistent approach or set of best practices to serve students with disabilities existed across the eight participating libraries.Practical implicationsThe best practices identified in this research provide academic libraries the resources to meet the spirit of theADAand comply with the new Department of Justice regulations to be implemented in 2012.Originality/valueNo other recent study documents the broad spectrum of service needs that can be proactively addressed by academic libraries for students and faculty with disabilities. This study underscores the value of universal access to information as a civil right of this user group while also improving services for all.
Library support of bibliographic management tools: a review
Authors: Stephen McMinn H. 
Published: May 2011

PurposeThis study aims to review the current level of service and support provided for the bibliographic management applications, EndNote and RefWorks providing research libraries with a baseline for benchmarking their support of these tools.Design/methodology/approachThe 111 web sites of the Association for Research Libraries (ARL) academic libraries were systematically reviewed in 2009 for any information provided on the support for bibliographic management applications. This information was recorded and examined by type of library, US publicly supported college or university, US private college or university, or Canadian college or university.FindingsThe majority of ARL libraries provide support for one or more of these applications with the largest percentage, 42 percent, providing support for both applications. The US privately supported colleges and universities were more likely to have licensed an application and to provide support for both applications. A large percentage of libraries provide instruction on the supported application and instructional materials. The libraries supporting RefWorks were more likely to use the instructional materials provided by RefWorks where more libraries produced supporting materials for EndNote in‐house.Practical implicationsExamples of extemporary libraries supporting EndNote, RefWorks and both applications are provided along with other information to aid in the design and or development of support for bibliographic management applications.Originality/valueThis is the first large academic library study examining the overall support provided for these important and widely supported applications designed to work with library resources to aid in the research process.
The Animal Welfare Actand why it matters to librarians
Authors: Osinski John E. 
Published: May 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide a brief history of theAnimal Welfare Actand suggest that librarians and other information professionals can play an active role in helping researchers to comply with the Act.Design/methodology/approachThe author attended workshops directed towards Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees (IACUC) and Biomedical Researchers. As a result of attending these workshops, the author recognized the potential for librarians and information specialists to assist researchers in performing literature searches, a required component of research protocols. The purpose of the literature search is to seek alternatives to the use of animals in experiments and to ensure that the researchers are not unnecessarily duplicating previous experiments. A research guide consisting of proprietary databases, free databases, books, web sites, and tutorials facilitates the literature review mandated by the Act.FindingsWhile serving on his institution's Animal Care and Use Committee, the author was charged with reviewing research protocols involving the use of live, vertebrate animals. These protocols call for a literature review to determine if there are acceptable alternatives to the use of animals, or to methods that cause pain and distress to the animals. The author found that the majority of the searches that were performed needed improvement, with many failing to meet the minimum requirements of theAnimal Welfare Act. Through his participation in relevant workshops, the author also found that many researchers were unaware of the requirements of this search for alternatives, and that they lacked familiarity with the resources available to them.Originality/valueThe author performed a search in Library and Information Science Abstracts and Library/Information Sciences & Technology Abstracts using the keywords “alternatives” and “animals” and received only four relevant results, dated 1990, 2001, 2004, and 2007.
The introduction of broker anonymity on the New Zealand Exchange
Authors: Poskitt Russel , Marsden Alastair , Nguyen Nhut , Shen Jingfei 
Published: May 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of the introduction of anonymous trading on the liquidity of New Zealand Stock Exchange (NZX)‐listed stocks.Design/methodology/approachThe paper examines the impact of the switch to anonymous trading on effective spreads and adverse selection costs using both univariate and multivariate approaches and data spanning a 240‐day event window period. The paper also compares the NZX's share of trading in cross‐listed stocks before and after the switch to anonymous trading to determine if the change in market architecture improved the NZX's competitiveness vis‐à‐vis the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX).FindingsThe paper finds that effective spreads and adverse selection costs increased following the switch to anonymous trading across the broad range of NZX50 stocks, consistent with an increase in information risk in the post‐event period. However, the paper also finds that the switch to anonymous trading improved the NZX's market share in trading in cross‐listed stocks vis‐à‐vis the ASX.Originality/valueThe results show that market liquidity deteriorates in a more opaque environment due to the greater information risk facing investors. This is in sharp contrast to prior research, which reports that similar changes in pre‐trade transparency on other exchanges have improved market liquidity. The results suggest that although institutional investors and the NZX itself might well have benefited from the switch to anonymous trading, liquidity demanders face higher transaction costs as a result.
Relationship between quality management information and operational performance
Authors: Chi Anh Phan , Matsui Yoshiki 
Published: May 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine whether quality management information (QMI) can be a source of competitive advantage and should be managed strategically.Design/methodology/approachAnalysis of variance and regression techniques were applied to the database of the high‐performance manufacturing (HPM) project to analyze the differences and similarities existing across the countries on the degree of implementation of QMI practices and their contribution to operational performance of manufacturing plants.FindingsThe results of statistical analysis indicate significant differences in the implementation of QMI practices across the countries. This study highlights the important role of QMI in Japanese plants where shop‐floor and cross‐functional communication and information sharing practices significantly impact on different dimensions of operational performance.Practical implicationsThis study suggests that HPM could be achieved by the implementation of a set of communication and information sharing practices in shop‐floor and cross‐functional levels of manufacturing plants.Originality/valueAlthough scholars considered information as one dimension of quality management, existing quality management literature provides little empirical evidence on the relationship of QMI and operational performance of manufacturing plants. This paper fills the gap by introducing a comprehensive research framework to analyze the communication and information sharing practices in the shop‐floor and cross‐functional levels.