bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The essential role of music interlending: how it supports music making in the UK
Authors: Hart Liz , Muncy Graham 
Published: May 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to review the development and current state of music interlending in UK libraries, examining the materials themselves, their management challenges, range of users, cultural value, and scope for impact. It choses to highlight the interlending of performance materials (vocal scores and orchestral sets) as having particular cultural significance, being at the heart of music making in schools and the wider community and providing an element of value in people's lives through performance‐related activity.Design/methodology/approachFrom modest beginnings and tentative steps in library cooperation, the paper considers the development of regional and national catalogues culminating in the launch of the “Encore!” database, together with a brief discussion of other relevant topics such as copyright, the role of publishers and the physical constraints of the materials themselves.FindingsIn an attempt to quantify the growth and current level of music interlending traffic, the paper concludes that there has been considerable increase and that, if standard calculations are applied, music sets now account for perhaps the largest “volume” element of interlending for UK (public) libraries, contributing the sole area of growth in a largely declining field.Originality/valueMusic set interlending has a direct outcome in cultural fulfilment for thousands, perhaps millions, throughout the UK and is a rare area of growth, encouraging library use. Library managers would be wise to acknowledge this high level of activity, provision and value and give further financial and political support to music services as a vital weapon in the struggle to maintain quality library services in the UK.
Research support through resource sharing: challenges and opportunities for Irish academic libraries
Authors: Patterson Avril 
Published: May 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper it to outline current resource‐sharing initiatives in Irish academic libraries that support increased research activity in line with national policy. This paper aims to point to the challenges and opportunities such initiatives present.Design/methodology/approachThe approach takes the form of a review paper based on practice.FindingsIt has been suggested that the greatest obstacle to finding library research is that librarians do not publish their research. As financial constraints impact on all publicly funded organisations it is not unreasonable to suggest that decision making will become more dependent on research evidence than previously. Economies of scale cannot justify the development of a research body such as the Research Information Network (RIN) in the UK and, while its output is relevant to higher education in Ireland, it is important to remember that its findings must be adapted and scaled to the Irish environment, and that partnerships and collaboration may result in different dynamics from those in a larger polity. It is therefore important that Irish research is documented and published, so that it helps map the information landscape which supports the research agenda and the national interest.Originality/valueThe paper presents a synthesis of current practice, outlining current shortcomings and challenges. It will be of interest to all librarians concerned to learn more about resource sharing in the British Isles and in particular in the Republic of Ireland.
Marketing in non‐profit organizations: an international perspective
Authors: Dolnicar Sara , Lazarevski Katie 
Published: May 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to tests three hypotheses: non‐profit organizations follow a customer‐centered approach to marketing; marketing is run by marketing‐trained staff; and cross‐continental differences in the adoption of marketing in the UK, the USA, and Australia exist due to differences in the operating environment.Design/methodology/approachA survey study was conducted with non‐profit managers. The sample contains 136 respondents; 36 from the UK, 33 from the USA and 67 from Australia.FindingsNon‐profit managers indicated that the most important marketing activities are promotional in nature. The importance of market research and strategic marketing was acknowledged only by a small proportion of non‐profits, supporting Andreasen and Kotler's assertion that non‐profit organizations have an “organization‐centered” mindset. Only one fifth of marketing staff are trained in marketing. Non‐profit organizations in the UK, the USA, and Australia did not differ in their use of marketing and marketing operations, suggesting that the similarity of market pressures may be more influential than the differences in operating environments.Practical implicationsShifting from an “organization‐centered” to a “customer‐centered” approach to marketing represents a key opportunity for non‐profit organizations to increase their competitive advantage and improve their outcomes in terms of the organizational mission. The primary strategy to achieve this aim is to make increased use of formally trained marketing staff.Originality/valueTo the authors' knowledge, this is the first study to assess the state of marketing practise in non‐profit organizations since Kotler, the first to test the organization‐centered hypothesis and the first to test differences across countries.
Overcoming skepticism towards cause related claims: the case of Norway
Authors: Singh Sangeeta , Kristensen Lene , Villaseñor Erika 
Published: May 2009

PurposeThis study, conducted in Norway, aims to investigate whether increasing consumers' familiarity by repeating cause related marketing (CRM) claims helps in reducing their skepticism towards CRM campaigns. It also seeks to test whether the relationship between familiarity and skepticism may be moderated by skepticism towards advertising in general.Design/methodology/approachA single factor experimental design with four levels of claim repetition was utilized to test the hypothesized effects between claim repetition, familiarity, skepticism towards advertising and skepticism towards CRM claim.FindingsThe findings support the hypothesized effects. Repeating claims helps in overcoming skepticism towards CRM claims and also reduces the adverse effects of skepticism towards advertising.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper does not measure the kind of thoughts that result from the repetitions nor does it account for the effect of using a variety of sources for providing the information instead of just one.Practical implicationsThe study demonstrates that marketers can overcome skepticism towards CRM with repetitions of claims, that awareness and credibility can be created by familiarizing the market with the campaign. This is especially beneficial for a lesser known company that can use repeated CRM claims to gain familiarity and create positive attitudes.Originality/valueThis paper draws a parallel between general advertising and CRM communications to show that important findings from advertising are not only applicable to CRM campaigns but also critical to its success.
International integration: a hope for a greener China?
Authors: Yin Haitao , Ma Chunbo 
Published: May 2009

PurposeIn recent years, “trade up” argument has gained momentum. It argues that international integration can benefit developing countries' environments by fostering the adoption of voluntary environmental standards, such as International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 14001 certification. Based on this argument, a social marketing program that encourages greenness among buyers, especially downstream industrial buyers (for example, auto industry) in developed countries could motivate firms in developing countries go green. The purpose of this paper is to provide an investigation on whether “trade up” is a real hope, and what is required to make it real.Design/methodology/approachTheoretical modeling and case studies.FindingsThis paper finds that international trade does gear up the adoption of ISO 14001 standards in China through increasing pressures from international green customers. However, our analyses suggest that the adoption of ISO 14001 certification does not necessarily improve firms' compliance with existing environmental regulations in China. The actual impact depends on how stringently environmental agency carries out inspections. We also find that in China, ISO 14001 certification motivates little, if any, environmental performance improvement beyond bottom‐line environmental regulations.Research limitations/implicationsThis finding suggests that the “trade up” argument as well as a social marketing strategy targeting international buyers (including downstream industries) need to be scrutinized carefully before being used to guide practice.Originality/valueFew efforts have been made to explore the actual impacts of ISO 14001 certification in developing countries. This paper fills this gap. It provides empirical support for Andreasen's argument that social marketing should be applied more broadly to achieve the desired impacts.
Fostering organizational performance
Authors: Molina Carlos , Callahan Jamie L. 
Published: May 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the connections between individual learning, intrapreneurship, and organizational learning to create an alternative model of how learning facilitates performance in organizations.Design/methodology/approachThis is a conceptual paper selecting targeted scholarly works that provide support for the proposed model.FindingsThe paper presents a model of intrapreneurial learning and performance in which the constructs of environment, individual learning, intrapreneurship, and organizational learning influence organizational performance. Intrapreneurship is a relatively recent area of exploration in which scholarly efforts have primarily focused on identifying the construct and distinguishing it from entrepreneurship. The proposed model of intrapreneurial learning and performance joins a growing number of works that explore how intrapreneurship contributes to organizational performance. It is suggested that the framework may help scholars identify potential strategies of learning that could help organizations position intrapreneurship as a vehicle for improving organizational performance.Originality/valueThe paper postulates an original relationship among individual learning, intrapreneurship, organizational learning, environment, and organizational performance. In this framework, individual and organizational learning combine to offer a unique perspective on the link between intrapreneurship and organizational performance.
A review of HR practices in knowledge‐intensive firms and MNEs: 2000‐2006
Authors: Majeed Zahid 
Published: May 2009

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to show the association which exists among the wide range of knowledge management, knowledge sharing and HRM practices in the knowledge‐intensive firms.Design/methodology/approachThe proposed literature review includes the systematic process of research in the following manner; after identifying the main area of interest, key concepts and words were selected, parameters were set to ensure selection of good quality journals, and availability of articles in full text was also considered.FindingsThe study finds that one must keep in view the variable personnel demands and extensive training and development needs of knowledge workers, and highlights the need for attention to be paid to unique scientific practices for managing gold‐collar workers in knowledge‐intensive firms.Research limitations/implicationsThe need for further empirical, cross‐case, cross‐cultural and longitudinal studies is highlighted to explore the dimensions of HR practices for managing gold‐collar workers in KIFs.Originality/valuePerception of gold‐collar workers with reference to the relationship with top managers is discussed through the 30 articles published over the period 2000 to 2006. To manage KIFs, the creation of an original focus on people issues is highlighted. With the help of Chenail's qualitative matrix, the study thematically analyzes the HR antecedents that emerged into four distinctive categories.
Creating the social foundations for apprenticeship in Ireland
Authors: Nyhan Barry 
Published: May 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to discuss Ireland's national apprenticeship programme, introduced in 1993, in the context of the country's evolving economic and social policies.Design/methodology/approachA critical analysis is undertaken of the industrial climate in Ireland, which prevented the introduction of a national apprenticeship programme, until 1993.FindingsThe paper argues that the main factor for the successful implementation of this programme in 1993 was the emergence of a new climate of cooperation among the social partners providing the institutional foundations for the programme. This cooperation was a result of the 1991 ground‐breaking “social partnership” agreement between employers, trade unions and government, in signing up to a joint national framework programme.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper only briefly looks at earlier efforts – from the 1960s onwards – to introduce a well‐functioning programme, which are seen as a learning period, underpinning the breakthrough of the 1990s.Practical implicationsIn acknowledging the success of the programme, the paper asks whether this success can be built on further. This could be achieved through increasing the number of apprenticeships, through enlarging the apprenticeship regulatory framework. This could then have a knock‐on effect on employment generation and skill development as, for example, has happened in Australia.Originality/valueThe paper shows that, despite comments about Ireland being institutionally unsuited for apprenticeship – owing to the lack of an industrial cultural tradition of cooperation, it did, in fact, create an industrial cultural climate to provide the social foundations for a well‐functioning programme.
Improved grey‐Markov chain algorithm for forecasting
Authors: Zhijun Li , Weiwei Wang , Mian‐yun Chen 
Published: May 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present a method to accurately forecast the tendency of the gross amount of energy sources consumption of the country and construct a new kind of algorithm for forecasting that synthesizes the advantages of the grey model, Markov chains, and least square method.Design/methodology/approachWith the application of this new algorithm, this paper have forecasted the trend of the gross amount of energy sources consumption of the country and come to the conclusions that the new algorithm is more precise than the grey model. It is proved that the improved grey‐Markov chain algorithm is effective and can be used by authorities to make decision.FindingsIt was found that combining the grey model, Markov chains, and least square method, can be a new algorithm for forecasting the trendency of the gross amount of energy sources consumption.Research limitations/implicationsThe new algorithm is only suitable for the short‐term forecast.Originality/valueThe grey forecasting method reflects the overall tendency of primitive data sequence of the gross amount of energy source, and the Markov chain forecasting method reflects the effect of the random fluctuation. The least square method reflects the tendency of increase. The new algorithm is more precise than the grey model.
A computational method of system reliability of a successful product based on a simulated test
Authors: Liu Dongqing , Zheng Bo , Yan Pengcheng 
Published: May 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to put forward a method which uses a computer to make a large number of simulated tests and determine the reference value of a system reliability index according to a unit reliability index.Design/methodology/approachAt the beginning of conducting an index demonstration and development on a new system, its unit reliability index can already reflect the unit reliability level accurately. Based on this characteristic, this index is used as the confidence lower limit of single side estimated in the unit reliability interval to find the failure distribution law of the unit. On this basis, a great number of simulated tests are made by a computer to calculate the unit failure number and reliability point estimated value every test.FindingsThe confidence lower limit of single side estimated in the system reliability interval is found by counting up the simulated test data of these units.Research limitations/implicationsAvailability of data is the main limitation regarding which model will be applied.Practical implicationsA useful advice for system reliability analysis and calculation.Originality/valueThis paper presents a new approach of system reliability analysis.
An interactive algorithm for deciding multi‐criteria weights in incomplete information environment
Authors: Guo‐shan Liu , Yu‐hong He 
Published: May 2009

PurposeMulti‐criteria decision making exists in the daily lives with broad application backgrounds. Sometimes because of incomplete information, the weights can only be estimated subjectively, which leads to an unsatisfactory result. The purpose of this paper is to describe an interactive technique to decide multi‐criteria weights by multiple decision makers in the condition of incomplete information by means of virtual environment.Design/methodology/approachThe procedure assumed a problem with n criteria and r decision makers. The algorithms employed are presented.FindingsIt was found that the proposed framework is an effective weight‐deciding tool; the procedure quickly locates excellent compromise weights in a series of test problems.Originality/valueThe methodology helps decision makers determine a most preferred final solution by the virtual environment especially when there is incomplete information. The procedures provide a mechanism to guide the decision makers towards an acceptable compromise solution, without requiring excessive decision maker input. Studies show that the procedure performs well in terms of solution quality, simplicity, computational requirements, convergence and flexibility.
Prediction of the concentration and diameter distribution of indoor suspended particulate matter
Authors: Liu Hongli , Li Changxi , Li Li 
Published: May 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to establish mass balance model and predict the concentration and diameter distribution of indoor suspended particulate matters (SPM).Design/methodology/approachTaking the small offices and residences for a research objective, this paper analyzes the major factors to affect the concentration and diameter distribution of indoor SPM, founds the deposition ratio model, the penetration factor model and the mass balance model to predict the concentration and diameter distribution of indoor SPM. According to the real‐time measuring data, the feature of building defence structure and the concentration and diameter distribution of outdoor SPM, the deposition model, the penetration model and indoor air capacity are used as input parameter of the mass balance model.FindingsThe size of defence in natural ventilation, the pressure difference of both sides and the friction velocity have less influence on the concentration and diameter distribution of indoor SPM, but the concentration and diameter distribution of outdoor SPM mainly affects that of indoor SPM. Indoor particle concentration change with outdoor particle concentration, and less than later because of indoor particle deposition. The prediction results are basically in agreement with the measuring data.Research limitations/implicationsReal‐time and accuracy of measuring data of outdoor SPM are the main limitations which the prediction model are simulated.Practical implicationsThe prediction results can provide scientific theory basis for making environmental standards of particulate matter and the control of indoor air quality.Originality/valueA new method to predict the concentration and diameter distribution of indoor SPM.
China's population projections based on GM(1,1) metabolic model
Authors: Caimei Lu , Yonghong Hao , Xuemeng Wang 
Published: May 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to apply grey system theory to population system and project China's population.Design/methodology/approachThe paper applies the GM(1,1) model to China's population projections. Two key aspects of the method are crucial for obtaining best accuracy of prediction. They are the choice of the length for the original data to be used in the model and the adoption of the GM(1,1) metabolic model in prediction. The former determines what initial data to be used while the latter describes an iteration process on how to proceed to predict.FindingsThe results show that in 2015 China's population will reach 1.37 billion and in 2050 it will be between 1.42 and 1.48 billion, which is in accordance with the latest projections from the UN. The findings show the GM(1,1) metabolic model is an effective mathematical means in population projections.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper suggests that GM(1,1) metabolic model can provide an effective simulation model for complicated systems with uncertainty and can be used in many fields.Practical implicationsThe paper provides useful advice for the department of population.Originality/valueMost population projections have been based on assumptions about fertility, mortality, and migration. The paper considers the population system as a grey system and introduces the GM(1,1) metabolic model to population projections.
Sliding mode control for uncertain neutral system with time‐delays
Authors: Shao‐cheng Qu , mei‐jing Gong , yong‐ji Wang 
Published: May 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to find an appropriate sliding mode control strategy for neutral systems with time‐delays in the presence of unmatched parameter uncertainties and external disturbance.Design/methodology/approachOwing to the complexity of uncertain neutral time‐delay systems, some conclusions for system stability and stabilization are complicated non‐linear matrix inequality (NLMI). Through virtual state feedback control, a sliding mode controller is designed to guarantee state trajectories from any initial condition are attracted to the sliding mode plane in a finite time and remain there for all subsequent time, which can avoid the complicated NLMI. Furthermore, a delay‐independent sufficient condition for the design of robust stable sliding mode plane is obtained in term of LMI.FindingsThe sliding mode controller for uncertain neutral time‐delay systems is designed and a delay‐independent sufficient condition for the design of robust stable sliding mode plane is obtained.Research limitations/implicationsThe main limitations are that external disturbance must meet matched condition.Practical implicationsA useful control strategy for uncertain neutral systems with time‐delays.Originality/valueThe virtual state feedback control is designed so to avoid the complicated NLMI.