bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cities as long tails of the physical world: a challenge for public libraries
Authors: Galluzzi Anna 
Published: May 2011

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to study if a link can be established between the role of new public libraries in contemporary society and the application of the long tail paradigm to the physical world (according to Chris Anderson's analysis in his 2006 book entitled The Long Tail: Why the Future of Business is Selling Less of More), and in particular if these new libraries can learn new, useful lessons for their collection and service planning starting from this point.Design/methodology/approachThe analysis will be carried out through theoretical means and the proposal of some case studies of newly built public libraries in Europe. In particular, an Italian public library, the Sala Borsa Library in Bologna, an English one, the Whitechapel Idea Store, and one in Spain, the Jaume Fuster Library. Each of these libraries will offer a different point of view and a different answer for strengthening the relationship between public libraries and citizens' needs.FindingsThe proposed theoretical analysis and the case studies raise the need to evaluate the existing public libraries and to plan the new ones in relation to the following issues: the long tail paradigm, together with other trends characterising the contemporary urban lifestyles, put the survival of public libraries under threat, because a generic offer with limited choice finds no place in today's cultural and economic landscape anymore; central public libraries need to rely upon large and functional buildings, comprehensive collections encompassing hits and niches, extensive opening hours, a broad variety of services and edutainment activities and an aptitude to embody a social role; local/branch libraries cannot survive below certain sizes, unless they bet on very specific niches of the public, for example either people who are less willing or unable to move around the city very much (elderly people, children, disabled people and so on) or topics and subjects which are only superficially covered by other libraries and suppliers on the territory; and in general, public libraries should emphasise their role as service desks functioning as a go‐between for other – more specialised – bibliographic services and for other learning, informative, entertaining and cultural opportunities inside and outside the metropolitan area.Originality/valueAn analysis of the consequences the long tail has on the future development of libraries has already been started in library science. However, no specific considerations have been taken on how the application of this paradigm could (and should) change the relations in the urban library networks and help big and small public libraries in finding new balance and complementary roles in satisfying citizens' needs.
Using online advertising to increase the impact of a library Facebook page
Authors: Chan Christopher 
Published: May 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the effectiveness of using online advertising on the social networking site Facebook in encouraging university students to connect with their library's Facebook page.Design/methodology/approachA two‐month paid Facebook advertising campaign was conducted. Using the tools provided by Facebook Adverts, the campaign was targeted only at current students at the university who were not already connected with the library's Facebook page. At the conclusion of the campaign, the statistics recorded by Facebook Adverts were used to assess how effective the advertisement had been in attracting new connections.FindingsThe campaign statistics showed that the advertisement was shown frequently to the targeted user group, and that the click through rate for the advertisement was high. Furthermore, the advertisement accounted for over half of the new connections made to the library's Facebook page during the campaign period.Research limitations/implicationsAs the findings are based on the results of one campaign at a single institution, they cannot be used to make generalizations. However, the results may prompt further inquiry into the use of social network advertising in marketing academic libraries.Originality/valueWhile previous studies have examined using Facebook as a free tool for marketing libraries, this paper explores the potentials of paid advertising on social networks. Given the finding that such advertising can have a significant positive impact for a relatively small financial outlay, practitioners could consider this as another means to build their own library's brand in a cost‐effective manner.
The gender pay gap in top corporate jobs in Denmark
Authors: Smith Nina , Smith Valdemar , Verne Mette 
Published: May 2011

PurposeThis study aims to analyse the gender pay gap among CEOs, VPs and potential top executives. The authors seek to analyse how much of the gap is explained by differences in individual characteristics and how much is explained by firm characteristics and discriminatory processes.Design/methodology/approachThe paper estimates compensation functions based on a panel of employer‐employee data set covering all Danish companies in the private sector with more than 50 employees during the period 1996‐2005.FindingsThe authors document that when controlling for a large number of observable characteristics and time‐invariant characteristics, there still exists a large gender compensation gap among top executives in Denmark. For VP and potential top executives, the estimated gap increased during the period 1996‐2005 while for the small and selected group of CEOs, the corrected gender gap decreased slightly.Research limitations/implicationsThe study does not claim to identify causal links between top executive compensation and individual or firm specific background characteristics.Practical implicationsThe extension of the family‐friendly schemes may have had negative boomerang effects on the compensation and careers of all women, irrespective of whether they become mothers or not. Especially for those women aiming to reach the top of the organisation, these effects may be important because potential career interruptions are expected to be more severe for this group.Originality/valueThis study adds to the limited empirical literature on the gender pay gap among the narrow group of top executives using a large panel employer‐employee data set of all Danish companies.
Mirror, mirror: preferred leadership characteristics of South African managers
Authors: Lee Gregory John 
Published: May 2011

PurposeThis paper aims to investigate desired leadership characteristics of South African managers, and link differences in desired traits to contextually crucial demographic group differences and managerial advancement.Design/methodology/approachSouth African managers (n=205) ranked ten items of the characteristics of admired leadership scale. Aggregate rank analysis and nonparametric ANOVAs reveal significant preference differences in the sample and demographic sub‐groups. The research compares traits across managerial advancement and age, providing an implicit success test.FindingsManagers most highly ranked the three “credibility” characteristics (competence, honesty and inspiration) prevalent in comparative worldwide studies. Key differences exist between managers and employees, many contextually crucial demographic sub‐groups, and higher and lower‐level managers of younger and older ages.Practical implicationsThis research provides potentially important information for leadership identification, selection and development, in that it may identify characteristics that current leaders associate with contextual success. The research also identifies discrepancies between employees and managers and demographic groups, which may be sources of dissatisfaction or misunderstanding, and which organizations should address to better align expectations of subordinates and actions of leaders. Individuals might also use the information in self‐development, comparing their own views to successful leaders.Originality/valueSignificant informational and statistical advantages exist over prior studies. This research provides individual‐level analyses, and an explicit test of association with objective success that previous studies have not provided. It includes top management, whereas prior studies have limited samples to subordinates or middle managers. Greater demographic differentiation is provided, allowing for more contextually relevant understanding.
Work‐family conflict and job satisfaction in stressful working environments
Authors: Ru Hsu Yu 
Published: May 2011

PurposeThis study aims to examine the moderating effects of perceived supervisor support (work environment variable) and internal locus of control (personality variable) on the relationship of work‐family conflict with job satisfaction.Design/methodology/approachQuestionnaire surveys were administered. Data were collected from correctional officers in Taiwan. Hierarchical regression analysis was used to test the hypotheses.FindingsResults show that work‐family conflict has a negative effect on job satisfaction. Perceived supervisor support and internal locus of control not only have direct effects on job satisfaction but also significantly moderate the relationship between work‐family conflict and job satisfaction.Practical implicationsThis study suggests that a supportive leadership style, and a mentoring and training program, among others, may help reduce work‐family conflict and increase the job satisfaction of Taiwanese correctional officers.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the extant work‐family conflict and correctional literature. The moderating effects of perceived supervisor support and internal locus of control are explored to further elaborate on the relationship between work‐family conflict and job satisfaction.
Organizational climate and performance in retail pharmacies
Authors: Feng Jing Fenwick , Avery Gayle C. , Bergsteiner Harald 
Published: May 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to address an important gap in the literature by investigating the relationship between organizational climate and performance in small businesses.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from 100 retail pharmacies in Sydney, Australia where a manager and up to three staff members and three buying customers were interviewed in each pharmacy.FindingsSupportive climates tend to be associated with higher organizational performance (i.e. financial performance, staff satisfaction, customer satisfaction) in small retail pharmacies, and may reduce staff turnover.Practical implicationsThe results suggest that managers should consider creating warm and supportive organizational climates to enhance business performance, employee job satisfaction and organizational commitment, and increase employee tenure.Originality/valueThis paper is among the first to empirically establish a direct link between organizational climate and the performance of small businesses, in particular in retail pharmacies. Both financial and non‐financial measures of performance confirm reports based on larger firms that performance is enhanced in the presence of more supportive organizational climates. A further benefit of supportive climates, namely lower staff turnover in small businesses, was also evident.
Emotional intelligence and leader member exchange
Authors: Jordan Peter J. , Troth Ashlea 
Published: May 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the mediating effect of leader member exchange (LMX) on the relationship between followers' emotional intelligence and the outcomes of turnover intention and job satisfaction.Design/methodology/approachUsing a longitudinal design, survey data were collected from 579 employees within a private pathology company. Measures of emotional intelligence and LMX were collected at Time 1 and employee turnover intentions and job satisfaction were collected at Time 2.FindingsThe results show the quality of LMX mediates the relationship between follower emotional intelligence and both turnover intention and job satisfaction.Research limitations/implicationsA limitation is the use of a self‐report measure of emotional intelligence. While this published measure has been shown to be valid and reliable, there are debates over the validity of self‐report measures of emotional intelligence.Practical implicationsThe authors contend that encouraging more emotionally intelligent responses in employees may enhance the quality of LMXs and improve employee attitudes.Originality/valueAlthough the relationship between emotional intelligence and LMX has been theorized, the study described in the paper is the first to use a workplace sample to empirically test the relationship between emotional intelligence and measures of turnover intention and job satisfaction with LMX from a follower's perspective as a mediating variable. As such, this study enables us to explore the tension between an organization's interest in the efficient use of time to focus on core activities and the followers' desire to maintain high‐quality relationships with their leaders (a time consuming process).
Leadership vision, organizational culture, and support for innovation in not‐for‐profit and for‐profit organizations
Authors: Sarros James C. , Cooper Brian K. , Santora Joseph C. 
Published: May 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationships among leadership vision, organizational culture, and support for innovation in not‐for‐profit (NFP) and FP organizations. It hypothesizes that in NFPs, a socially responsible cultural orientation mediates the relationship between leadership vision and organizational support for innovation, whereas in FPs, a competitive cultural orientation mediates this relationship.Design/methodology/approachThis is an empirical study that draws upon a large survey of 1,448 managers and senior executives who are members of the Australian Institute of Management.FindingsPath analytic modelling provides partial support for the hypotheses. Although the predicted mediation effects occurred in NFPs and FPs, the strength of relationship between leadership vision and the two dimensions of organizational culture did not differ between the sectors. This was despite the observation that NFPs scored higher on a socially responsible cultural orientation than FPs, whereas FPs scored higher on a competitive cultural orientation.Practical implicationsStrategies for building innovative and sustainable organizations in the NFP sector are discussed on the basis of these findings.Originality/valueThe paper describes the first study in Australia that compares the responses of NFP and FP managers on leadership and related constructs, and provides evidence of the impact of organizational culture on leadership and innovation in these two sectors.
Robots in healthcare
Authors: Bogue Robert 
Published: May 2011

PurposeThis paper aims to review of the use of robots in two healthcare applications: surgery and prosthetics.Design/methodology/approachFollowing a brief introduction, this paper first considers robotic surgery and discusses a selection of commercial products, applications and recent technological advances. It then considers recent developments in robotic prosthetics.FindingsIt is shown that surgical robots are being employed in an ever‐growing range of clinical procedures. Systems employing tactile feedback are under development. Improved robotic prosthetics are the topic of a major research effort and recent developments include hands and grippers, walking aids and novel control techniques, including thought‐activated systems which exploit advances in brain‐computer interface technology.Originality/valueThis paper provides details of recent developments and applications of robotic surgery and prosthetics.
Robotic applications continue to expand at the latest IMTS show
Authors: Bloss Richard 
Published: May 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to review the International Manufacturing Technology Show in Chicago with emphasis on new innovative robot applications on display.Design/methodology/approachIn‐depth interviews with exhibitors of robots as well as system integrators who apply robots to specific categories of applications.FindingsRobots are becoming smarter with more integrated capabilities such as vision and autonomous part picking from random bin locations. They are becoming more economical, faster and more application specific. Robot system integrators are creating more efficient solutions for customers to consider.Originality/valueThe paper suggests that users who investigated robot solutions in the past and found they did not meet applications requirements may want to revisit robotics and see what is new. Robot makers are making them faster, smarter and more adaptable than ever before. Today's robotic solutions can better address application needs in a more cost‐effective manner than ever before.
Cy‐mag3D: a simple and miniature climbing robot with advance mobility in ferromagnetic environment
Authors: Rochat Frederic , Schoeneich Patrick , Lüthi Barthelemy , Bleuler Hannes , Moser Roland , Mondada Francesco 
Published: May 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present a novel miniature magnetic climbing robot for industrial inspection. The robot has high mobility with low complexity.Design/methodology/approachThe robot has a miniature cylindrical shape with 28 mm of diameter and 62 mm of width. The robot has two wheels. The adhesion is achieved with an advanced magnetic circuit fixed on the frame of the robot.FindingsFrom an horizontal sheet, the robot can make transition to almost any intersecting sheet from 10 to 360°. The robot passes inner and outer straight corners in almost any inclination of the gravity.Originality/valueThe novel robot opens new possibilities to use mobile robots in ferromagnetic environments with stringent size limitations, as found in power plants. The new mechanism increases mobility and opens a new avenue for inspection robotics. A patent is pending on this system.
A fuzzy logic‐based formation controller for wheeled mobile robots
Authors: Hadi Amoozgar Mohammad , Alipour Khalil , Hossein Sadati Seyed 
Published: May 2011

PurposeThis paper seeks to present a novel approach for formation control of non‐holonomic wheeled mobile robots (WMRs). The use of a general geometrical structure has led the considered robotic team form any desired configuration. Although various methodologies have been suggested for solving such formation control problem in the literature, the proposed kinematical method of the present investigation has several advantages in terms of its robustness, tracking performance, and superior energy consumption due to the fuzzy logic scheme developed.Design/methodology/approachIn an attempt to make the follower robot to assume the proper orientation, a new concept is presented which defines an appropriate heading angle. This concept is based on the natural human behavior as corresponds to situations of tracking a certain trajectory. The proposed heading angle planner is based on a two‐stage fuzzy logic system, providing appropriate heading angles for the mobile robot at each instant. In order to adjust the linear/angular velocity of the robots then, two further fuzzy controllers are devised.FindingsThe results obtained from the computer simulation studies reveal the merits as well as effectiveness of the proposed method for formation control of a group of WMRs in the presence of usual control input constraints, noisy sensor data, and external disturbances.Originality/valueA novel method based on a fuzzy leader‐follower method is presented for the formation control of a group of robots.
Changing governance, changing needs interpretations: implications for universalism
Authors: Vabø Mia 
Published: May 2011

PurposeThe paper seeks to explore how universal welfare arrangements based on needs testing may change and assume different institutional forms. Drawing attention to Norwegian home care, the paper explores how established interpretations of needs and associated notions of equity among needs have been challenged by shifting modes of governance.Design/methodology/approachThe study draws on policy documents, interviews and observation from three different case studies undertaken at different points in time representing different eras of governance. From this perspective, the study examines the role of professionals taking part in needs assessment.FindingsThe studies indicate that routines for needs assessment in home care are contingent on shifting logics of governance. A shift in policy of needs testing may be described as a shift from a personal situated approach encouraging “creative justice” towards a detached and impartial approach better equipped to ensure “proportional justice”. The latter approach has become more dominant as heightened attention has been paid to citizens' rights. It is, however, questionable to what extent it will improve the preconditions for treating citizens with equal concern and respect.Research limitations/implicationsThe case study approach underlying the study is incapable of providing generalised conclusions about the development in all Norwegian municipalities.Originality/valueUniversalism is often talked about as a stable feature of the Nordic welfare system. Drawing attention to the underlying and elusive notions of needs, the study makes explicit some unstable aspects of universalism.
Local welfare governance structuring informal carers' dual position
Authors: Häikiö Liisa , Anttonen Anneli 
Published: May 2011

PurposeLocal welfare governance is approached from the vantage point of informal carers caring for older people. A bottom‐up perspective is used to construct a critical view on welfare provision and governance practices at the local level. The paper aims to discuss the issues.Design/methodology/approachThe data consist of 23 in‐depth interviews with informal carers. Universal access to services and equal treatment of citizens is discussed.FindingsThe analysis illustrates how informal carers share care responsibilities with the municipality and gain access to services both as service providers and service users. Informal care comprises a complex mixture of public and private responsibilities that poses a challenge to universalism. There are new inequalities emerging among informal carers, while access to public resources is easier for resource‐rich carers positioned as service providers. Resource‐poor carers identify themselves often as service users in relation to municipality.Originality/valueThe use of original data provides important knowledge on informal carers' dual position in the local welfare governance and contributes to both theoretical and empirical understanding on shifts within Nordic welfare governance. Informal carers' dual position reflects the essence of mixed governance and represents future social policies.