bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Challenges of successful reform: an international perspective
Authors: Analoui Farhad 
Published: June 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to review a collection of research papers concerned with challenges commonly faced when initiating, implementing and evaluating the results of reform in an international context.Design/methodology/approachA review of the literature on reform, mainly in the public sector, was undertaken.FindingsReform, in particular within the public sector, has been undertaken in many countries and has proved to be challenging and difficult to manage. The challenges involved in managing reform, as experienced by Western as well as developing economies, have many aspects in common. These include the need to pay attention to appropriate structure, relevant skills and competencies, legislative support, appropriate behaviour and attitudes, and most importantly a visionary leadership.Originality/valueThe reform experiences and concepts documented and reviewed in these papers are original in nature and offer value to scholars, researchers and students of public administration, government, as well as reform policy makers and practitioners.
Renewing the Holy Grail of human motivation in the delivery of public service
Authors: Barima Antwi Kwabena 
Published: June 2009

PurposeThis paper draws on a recent case study in Ghana that explored the human resource development (HRD) challenges facing local government in a reforming public sector. It aims to investigate how public sector reform (PSR) has affected worker motivation and effectiveness among civil servants (bureaucrats) serving local government at all levels of operation.Design/methodology/approachBased on an exploratory case study design, the work triangulates both secondary and primary sources of data. Primary data were generated from self‐completing questionnaire and interview schedule tools covering 105 local government employees from national, regional and district levels. Key person interviews also solicited views from 16 senior public officers and managers in nine public and quasi‐public organisations. These primary sources are complemented with relevant secondary documents from the organisations investigated.FindingsThe main finding of the study is that while the new public management reform expects public sector leadership to behave and act as private sector entrepreneurs, it is difficult to pursue a worker motivation agenda based on a “private sector management model”, since the public and private sectors have different policy goals and business objectives to accomplish.Originality/valueThe value of this paper lies in its ability to argue that although the managerial assumptions of new public management reform seem to be realistic for public sector actors, they are more often than not challenged to be innovative and adaptive, unlike their private sector counterparts, on the question of worker motivation.
A troubled relationship: corruption and reform of the public sector in development
Authors: Fitzsimons Vincent G. 
Published: June 2009

PurposeThis paper aims to present an analysis of the nature and determinants of corruption, using recent data to clarify the nature of the corruption phenomenon and answer the question of whether corruption can categorically be said to be a problem requiring public sector reform, or is a consequence of it.Design/methodology/approachThe paper analyses data on corruption in relation to the timing of the introduction of public sector reform in recent economic transitions, and examines the persistence of increased corruption following the introduction of reforms.FindingsThe theoretical model suggests that events that negatively affect administrators in positions of trust create some reactive tendency towards corruption, and this is supported by the evidence from transition economies. There is a significant increase in corruption following transitional economies' public sector reform, and this demonstrates an unusual degree of persistence even after general institutional reforms have been completed.Research limitations/implicationsFurther research could try alternative measures of corruption, instead of “perceptions” data analysed here, and examine the strength of persistence across a larger set of countries to test the confounding effect of other institutional reforms in the transition countries examined.Practical implicationsThe costs of new public management reform programmes are broader than is currently suggested, and significant short‐ to medium‐term deterioration might be expected in the aftermath of reform.Originality/valueThe paper provides a new approach to corruption research examining the importance of the corruption “tipping points” of individual administrators and how these are significant in modelling corruption.
Public sector managers and entrepreneurship in Islamic Republic of Iran
Authors: Analoui Farhad , Mohmmad Moghimi Seyed , Khanifar Hossein 
Published: June 2009

PurposeIn Iran the role of entrepreneurs in developing communities is considered to be a special issue by planners and policy‐makers; thus the aim of this paper is to explore and examine some of the main structural, behavioural and environmental barriers faced by entrepreneurs in Iranian public industrial corporations.Design/methodology/approachA survey (questionnaires and interviews), observation and available documentation formed the main methods (triangulation) for the generation of relevant data. Thirteen public organisations responsible for social affairs in the country's budget document were involved. Using an unlimited sampling formula and a categorised random sampling method 220 organisations were accessed, from which 169 questionnaires were received and analysed.FindingsThere is a direct relationship between managerial characteristics and organisational entrepreneurship. Also, there is a significant correlation between employees' characteristics and organisational entrepreneurship in public social cultural organisations. However, a host of constraints such as low income and a lack of research have caused a decrease in organisational entrepreneurship.Research limitations/implicationsThe survey is concerned with managers in public organisations. Future studies should include private‐sector organisations, which ought to provide a basis for comparative analysis.Practical implicationsThere is a need for sustained structural and managerial reform. To achieve this, realistic human resource development policies should be formulated which lead to changes of attitude and behaviour in managers.Originality/valueThis is a first attempt to study managers and their entrepreneurial tendencies in public sector organisations. It has policy implications for future development of the sector.
Convergence in ICT use expectations between the public and private sectors
Authors: Mitra Amit 
Published: June 2009

PurposeExamination of the challenges of dependence on the private sector of public‐sector projects is the central concern of the paper. With ongoing research suggesting that dependence on the private sector is inevitable, this paper tries to assess whether the dependence is an imperative or a yardstick for gauging efficiency.Design/methodology/approachA literature review, consideration of flagship projects as well as trends in implementation of ICTs in government have been central to the development of analysis for the paper.FindingsThe research found that when the public sector is interested in developing applications that require acceptance among citizens, then initial support of the private sector is a necessity. Countries that have depended on strict government control on delivery of internet‐based services are finding out that a degree of independence at the point of delivery tends to be more effective. It is only after a passage of time post rolling out of web‐based delivery of services that measurement of service quality can be deemed to be a measure of efficiency.Research limitations/implicationsThis research was desk‐based and reliant on international flagship initiatives. There is a wide range of resource endowments between developed and developing nations. This research showed that developed nations are more appropriate for study of efficiency through private‐sector involvement, and private‐sector engagement in web‐based government initiatives is an imperative in the case of developing nations.Practical implicationsGovernment agencies ought to be able to think more expansively when they are developing applications for citizens, as there are a variety of private sector solutions that can be used.Originality/valueThe theme itself is new in a context where new ways of running government projects are constantly being revisited.
Managers of small and medium enterprises: mission statement and enhanced organisational performance
Authors: Taghi Alavi Mohammad , Karami Azhdar 
Published: June 2009

PurposeThe main purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between mission statements and firm performance in the small to medium‐sized enterprise (SME) sector.Design/methodology/approachThis research is based on an empirical survey of small and medium‐sized enterprises located in science parks in the UK. A postal questionnaire was the main data collection instrument for this research. A combination of qualitative and quantitative approaches is employed for data analysis.FindingsThe important conclusions reached are that the existence of mission statements in the studied firms was associated with firm performance. It is also found that organisational performance is significantly associated with the degree of non‐managerial employees' involvement in the process of mission statement development. Finally, the presence of financial goals in the studied firms' mission statements were negatively associated with firm performance.Research limitations/implicationsThe present study is concerned with the relationship between mission statement and organisational performance in SMEs. A further study is recommended to investigate the impact of involvement and engagement with both mission statement formulation and evolution and the strategic decision‐making process, specifically decision‐making processes in SMEs.Practical implicationsIn order to increase firm performance, it is recommended that practitioners develop a meaningful mission statement and increase the involvement of their non‐managerial employees in the development of the mission statement.Originality/valueThe principal contribution of this first study is the attempt to explore the nature and role of the mission statement in enhancing organisational performance.
Preconditions for the economic mobility of immigrants working in the countryside
Authors: Labrianidis Lois , Sykas Theodosis 
Published: June 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify the preconditions for an upward economic mobility in time of immigrants working in agriculture. It argues this through an analysis of immigrants in the Greek countryside and a comparison of their performance to immigrants working in rural areas of other major host countries, for which the research has shown stagnant or even deteriorating economic conditions over time.Design/methodology/approachField research in two Northern Greek rural prefectures between May 2007 and January 2008. Use of questionnaires addressed to 165 immigrants and 40 key‐informants.FindingsThe immigrants' ability to improve their economic conditions stems mainly from three labour market characteristics which differentiate the Greek countryside from other major host countries' rural areas. The first is the interpersonal relation of mutual trust that is built between immigrants and farmers. This relationship provides immigrants with a steady employment and allows them to develop strategies to increase their income by either working within or outside agriculture. The second is the lack of intermediaries in the labour market which allows immigrants to freely negotiate their wages, to move from agriculture to non‐agricultural jobs, and thus to achieve upward occupational mobility. The third is the lack of competition between old and new immigrants, which does not negatively affect their day wages. Therefore, we conclude that the structural differences in the agricultural labour markets of different countries lead to different opportunities of immigrants' economic improvement.Originality/valueFills the major gap in the European and Greek literature of immigrants in the countryside and especially their socioeconomic mobility over time.
Measuring and ranking of economic, environmental and social efficiency of countries
Authors: Malul Miki , Hadad Yossi , Ben‐Yair Avner 
Published: June 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to measure and rank nation‐states' governance effectiveness and quality on a quantifying scientific basis, by means of data envelopment analysis.Design/methodology/approachThe principles are first analyzed from a theoretical and normative standpoint, linking to earlier literature. One dimension of the approach is adding the equality in income distribution as an output. Another dimension boils down to environmental performance.FindingsThe addition of the Gini index affects the ranking of the developing countries in a more significant manner. Similar results are obtained when the authors add the environmental performance as an input. Another interesting result suggests that conventional ranking methods (i.e gross domestic product per capita or human development index) could be used for representing the country's efficiency only for developed countries.Research limitations/implicationsFuture research may be aimed at applying the developed methodology to more countries, both developed and developing, as well as considering inclusion of additional ranking parameters.Practical implicationsThe obtained procedure may be regarded as a comprehensive, holistic, mostly objective, and quantifiable method of ranking countries according to their governmental performance accomplishments. The addition of the Gini index and the environmental performance influences the ranking and is a significant improvement as compared to contemporary procedures.Originality/valueThe innovation in this paper is that the authors suggest to measure efficiency of countries not only by their income, but also, looking on wider aspects of efficiency as equity and environmental performance.
Social capital and subjective happiness in Taiwan
Authors: Chang Wen‐Chun 
Published: June 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to test the theoretical predictions of the social capital investment model and examine the relationships between different forms of social capital and subjective happiness in Taiwan.Design/methodology/approachThis paper uses the data from theSurvey of Social Development Trends in Taiwan 2003for empirical investigations with ordinary least squares and ordered probit estimations.FindingsThe findings are mostly consistent with the characteristics implied by the social capital investment model. Moreover, to some extent, the individual impacts of different measures of social capital – including contributions to non‐profit organizations, volunteering, social and community involvement, and trust – on subjective happiness are identified.Practical implicationsThe results from this paper provide valuable policy implications for researchers and policymakers who are concerned about the impacts of changes of social structures and political institutions on people's well‐being during democratic developments.Originality/valueStudies on the relationship between social capital and subjective happiness for the new democratic Asian societies have received much less attention. Since the late 1980s, Taiwan has experienced a political transition from an authoritarian to a democratic regime along with rapid economic development and further opening of society toward different individual beliefs, cultures, and global views. During this process, there have been various changes in the socio‐cultural context of society that is critical for the formation of social capital. This paper is considered as one of very few studies on the linkage between social capital and subjective happiness for a new democratic society.
Editorial. Virtual research environments
Authors: Wusteman Judith 
Published: June 2009

PurposeThis editorial aims to introduce a special issue of Library Hi Tech on “Virtual research environments: issues and opportunities for librarians”. It defines the concept of the virtual research environment (VRE), describes its relationship both to the virtual learning environment and to Web 2.0, and proposes that librarians play a central role in VRE development and use.FindingsThe VRE is likely to have a huge impact on many aspects of research and, thus, on the role of the academic and the research librarian. If VREs are to fulfill their potential as useful and usable artifacts, librarians need to have a central role in their development and application.Practical implicationsLibrarians need to be proactive in identifying and advocating for their potential roles in VRE development and use. These roles need to be taken into account in the curricula of schools of library and information studies.Originality/valueThis is an ideal time for librarians to explore the potential of VREs because there is still time to influence their eventual form.
Virtual research environments in scholarly work and communications
Authors: Voss Alexander , Procter Rob 
Published: June 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the implications of the emergence of virtual research environments (VREs) and related e‐research tools for scholarly work and communications processes.Design/methodology/approachThe concepts of VREs and of e‐research more generally are introduced and relevant literature is reviewed. On this basis, the authors discuss the developing role they play in research practices across a number of disciplines and how scholarly communication is beginning to evolve in response to the opportunities these new tools open up and the challenges they raise.FindingsVirtual research environments are beginning to change the ways in which researchers go about their work and how they communicate with each other and with other stakeholders such as publishers and service providers. The changes are driven by the changing landscape of data production, curation and (re‐)use, by new scientific methods, by changes in technology supply and the increasingly interdisciplinary nature of research in many domains.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper is based on observations drawn from a number of projects in which the authors are investigating the uptake of advanced ICT in research. The paper describes the role of VREs as enablers of changing research practices and the ways in which they engender changes in scholarly work and communications.Practical implicationsLibrarians and other information professionals need to be aware of how advanced ICTs are being used by researchers to change the ways they work and communicate. Through their experiences with the integration of virtual learning environments within library information services, they are well placed to inform developments that may well change scholarly communications fundamentally.Originality/valueThe paper contributes to emerging discussions about the likely trajectory and impact of advanced ICTs on research and their implications for those, such as librarians and other information professionals, who occupy important support roles.
Dealing with the complexity deluge
Authors: Dunn Stuart 
Published: June 2009

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to review the concept of the virtual research environment (VRE) in the light of its development over the past five years, and assess its applicability to the arts and humanities disciplines.Design/methodology/approachEvidence from a number of case studies exemplifying the VRE approach is reviewed, and the case of a VRE in archaeology, the Silchester Roman Town project, is discussed in detail. The interpretive implications of using computers as a means of dealing with artistic and humanistic data, are highlighted.FindingsThere is a critical comparison to be drawn between VREs in the sciences and the humanities/arts. This is caused by the “fuzzy” nature of data and workflows in the latter, as compared with the more formal and definable research practice in the former. It is proposed that, to deal with this, the plan of any project which seeks to set up a VRE in the humanities should consider the research process under three headings: processes which the VRE seeks to introduce, existing processes which it seeks to undertake digitally, and processes which will be unaffected by the VRE.Originality/valueIn order to progress “the VRE” from being an artificial construct, driven by dedicated project funding, towards being an embedded part of research practice, those concerned with developing VREs need to consider the nuances of those research practices. This paper seeks to review those nuances by synthesizing data and experience from existing projects, thereby facilitating that embedding process.
Virtual research environments – a Web 2.0 cookbook?
Authors: Myhill Martin , Shoebridge Michele , Snook Lee 
Published: June 2009

PurposeThis paper aims to consider the potential use of Web 2.0 tools as the basis for the creation of a virtual research environment. Specific features of the Web 2.0 world are explored because of their suitability for this purpose.Design/methdology/approachThe concepts of virtual research environment and Web 2.0 are defined and the theoretical merits of using Web 2.0 tools are considered against the key components required for the successful implementation and operation of a VRE in the context of the UK academic sector. The most relevant Web 2.0 tools are considered on a brief, individual basis before being mixed together to construct a desktop‐based VRE based on a web browser. Final sections explore the role for the librarian in this user‐led environment and whether the approach described has global application.FindingsA VRE based on Web 2.0 technology is not only viable but a certainty. However, some desirable features of a VRE may have to wait until Web 3.0 tools become available.Research limitations/implicationsThere is very limited literature describing operational applications of a Web 2.0 approach to the development of a VRE. This study is therefore conceptual.Practical implicationsThe concepts considered are capable of easy implementation by academic researchers.Originality/valueA major impact of the “credit‐crunch” will be that research funds become harder to obtain. Systems which enhance the quality of research – as a VRE undoubtedly does – will become even more important. The paper concludes that a VRE based on Web 2.0 tools is totally viable.
From OPAC to CMS
Authors: Garza Alejandro 
Published: June 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to document how the library at Tecnológico de Monterrey, Monterrey Campus came to use the open source Drupal with other freely available tools as the basis for an extensible platform for current and future information discovery gateways.Design/methodology/approachAfter informal gathering of user opinions, formal usability testing of the current OPAC and Digital Library, and an evaluation of available options, Tecnológico de Monterrey's Library decided in October 2007 to build and test a prototype version of a new portal in April 2008, which after usability testing and interviews was improved and released for its users in June 2008.FindingsThe development team found out that Drupal, despite its steep learning curve, was a solid development platform which could achieve all the functionality the library set out to achieve through its freely available modules or custom, locally‐developed modules.Originality/valueThis paper documents the steps required to build an information discovery tool using Drupal and other freely available tools, thus demonstrating that Drupal is a viable and extensible development platform for libraries.