bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Supporting the information needs of entrepreneurs in South Africa
Authors: Underwood Peter 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe Library Business Corners (LBC) service for entrepreneurs in the Western Cape of South Africa uses public libraries as a channel for information and expertise. It is a “grass roots”, community‐driven, approach which has been adopted elsewhere in South Africa. Similar services have appeared addressing the same, or similar, groups of users, often concentrating on the use of information and communication technology.Design/methodology/approachDeveloping an effective service for entrepreneurs depends critically on the quality of staff and their contacts. The opportunities and problems of the LBCs’ approach are identified and a response to the emergence of similar services is considered. The “balanced score card” model is used to explore the vision and strategy of the present services and the potential contribution of information literacy.FindingsFinancial support for LBC work is scarce and unlikely to increase. The challenge is to create a sustainable service by the LBC team as points of presence, using the existing or reduced financial base. Concentration on increasing capacity at the point of delivery of information through knowledge of the business environment and information literacy is essential.Originality/valueThe paper describes the first application of the “balanced score card” technique to a public library business information service in South Africa.
From conceptual to perceptual reality: trust in digital repositories
Authors: Prieto Adolfo G. 
Published: October 2009

PurposeDigital repositories offer a great benefit to people in a variety of settings, especially since an ever‐increasing amount of information is being gathered, transmitted, and preserved through various technologies. The purpose of this paper is to underscore trust as a critical element in the infrastructure of digital repositories and to look more closely at trusted digital repositories from the perspective of the user communities for which they are designed.Design/methodology/approachThe paper looks to the literature in reviewing the concept of trust and its role in an online environment. Attention is then paid to trusted digital repositories, with close examination of the user communities’ perceptions of trust and the impact of these perceptions. Special attention is given to users within the academic community.FindingsWhile digital repositories may be trustworthy because of adherence to technological standards, accepted practices, and mechanisms for authenticating the authorship and accuracy of their content, it is ultimately their respective stakeholders – both those who deposit and use content – whose perceptions play a central role in ensuring a digital repository's trustworthiness.Research limitations/implicationsA future empirical study would be beneficial in order to measure perceptions of trust as contributing factors to the trustworthiness of digital repositories.Practical implicationsThis paper provides a useful resource for persons wishing to review the topic of trusted digital repositories or increase their awareness in this area.Originality/valueThis paper offers a focused look at various levels of trust as they relate to the dissemination of scholarly communication in the academic world, particularly through institutional repositories.
Evaluating the usability and usefulness of a digital library
Authors: Buchanan Steven , Salako Adeola 
Published: October 2009

PurposeSystem usability and system usefulness are interdependent properties of system interaction, which in combination, determine system satisfaction and usage. Often approached separately, or in the case of digital libraries, often focused upon usability, there is emerging consensus among the research community for their unified treatment and research attention. However, a key challenge is to identify, both respectively and relatively, what to measure and how, compounded by concerns regarding common understanding of usability measures, and associated calls for more valid and complete measures within integrated and comprehensive models. The purpose of this paper is to address this challenge.Design/methodology/approachIdentified key usability and usefulness attributes and associated measures, compiled an integrated measurement framework, identified a suitable methodological approach for application of the framework, and conducted a pilot study on an interactive search system developed by a Health Service as part of their e‐library service.FindingsEffectiveness, efficiency, aesthetic appearance, terminology, navigation, and learnability are key attributes of system usability; and relevance, reliability, and currency key attributes of system usefulness. There are shared aspects to several of these attributes, but each is also sufficiently unique to preserve its respective validity. They can be combined as part of a multi‐method approach to system evaluation.Research limitations/implicationsPilot study has demonstrated that usability and usefulness can be readily combined, and that questionnaire and observation are valid multi‐method approaches, but further research is called for under a variety of conditions, with further combinations of methods, and larger samples.Originality/valueThis paper provides an integrated measurement framework, derived from the goal, question, metric paradigm, which provides a relatively comprehensive and representative set of system usability and system usefulness attributes and associated measures, which could be adapted and further refined on a case‐by‐case basis.
Open access initiatives adoption by Nigerian academics
Authors: Avemaria Utulu Samuel C. , Bolarinwa Omolara 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine Nigerian academics' adoption of open access initiatives as authors and readers of scholarly resources. The study was necessitated by the growing need to have the number of Nigerian scholarly publications increased on the internet and accessible to scholars around the world through the use of open access initiatives.Design/methodology/approachAcademics of two first generation Nigerian universities selected using convenient sampling technique were surveyed using the questionnaire to find out the extent of their awareness and use of open access initiatives as authors and readers of scholarly works. Two hundred and fifty questionnaire copies were distributed in the two universities out of which 189 copies were returned, while 180 copies were found to be useable for the study.FindingsIt was revealed that the respondents were aware of the pre‐print and open access journal initiatives than the post‐print initiative. In terms of the use of open access initiatives, although the study revealed insignificant use among the academics, academics in sciences showed more promise of adopting open access initiative as authors and readers of scholarly resources than their counterparts in the humanities.Research limitations/implicationsUnlike studies that assessed specific subject based and institutional repositories that allowed for the search and extraction of depositors' names and characteristics, this particular study relied on respondents' responses as a source of their actual use of open access repositories.Originality/valueThis paper reveals that academics' perception and publishing culture, and not awareness, determines the extent of their use of open access initiatives in Nigeria.
Contextualising library and information policies for health‐care delivery in Zambia
Authors: Wamunyima Kanyengo Christine 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe paper highlights the need for grounding library and information policies within the environment they operate. The purpose of this paper is to argue for the grounding of health library and information policies within the health sector context.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is an opinion piece which discusses the importance of grounding library and information policies in the national health sector strategic plans.FindingsA comprehensive and structural approach to improving access to health information as part of the overall priorities in the health sector requires concrete policies, strategies and services to be put in place at all levels of the national health system.Practical implicationsThe paper offers insights into how to influence the formulation and eventual implementation of a national policy for library and information services in the health sector.Originality/valueIt describes the areas in which library and information policies can be used to fulfill the critical roles of supporting the mission of health‐care delivery in the country.
Why do internet users play massively multiplayer online role‐playing games?
Authors: Fang Kwoting , Lin Yu‐Chih , Chuang Tung‐Lin 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is threefold. First, this study seeks to provide a framework for, and endeavor to gain, an in‐depth understanding of the decision‐making process in relation to playing or not playing massively multiplayer online role‐playing games (MMORPGs) by using qualitative data from interviewing both players and non‐players. Second, it seeks to establish a better measure and model using an ethnographic decision tree model that describes the decision‐making process of internet users. Finally, for cross‐validity purposes, it aims to verify the model using quantitative data from face‐to‐face surveys of players/non‐players in an online gaming context.Design/methodology/approachA two‐phase mixed method is adopted here. During the first phase, the decision tree development phase, to capture the concerns of internet users who are facing the choice of playing MMORPGs or not, qualitative‐based procedures are used to identify decision factors and organize them into a decision tree for better understanding a research problem. In the second phase, the decision tree verification phase, to test the predictive capability of the composite model, a quantitative‐based survey instrument, which represents the decision criteria identified in the first phase, is adopted for data collection and analysis.FindingsThe results revealed that 14 criteria, formulated as a decision tree, were identified in the model‐building phase. In the model‐testing phase, 137 decision processes were successfully predicted and 17 predictive pathways led to a decision against the factual, giving a predictive rate of 89 per cent.Originality/valueThe study bridges the gap between the research in online games and in decision making. At the theoretical level, the decision tree model can provide a more comprehensive and in‐depth explanation of the online games‐playing phenomenon. In practice, marketers can easily become aware of the user considerations and identify exactly what needs to be done to fulfil users' criteria for playing MMORPGs. And, from a methodological standpoint, a mixed method can help researchers improve techniques used in study for building more predictive models.
What matters to managers?
Authors: Rahbek Pedersen Esben , Neergaard Peter 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyse how managers in a multinational corporation (MNC) experience corporate social responsibility (CSR); the concept, the reasons for dealing with it, and its integration in everyday practices. Moreover, the paper aims to discuss how the alignment and misalignment of managerial perceptions are likely to affect corporate social performance.Design/methodology/approachThe analysis is based on a case study that includes interviews with ten managers and survey data from 149 manager respondents.FindingsThe paper concludes that managerial perceptions of CSR are characterised by a great deal of heterogeneity. It shows that, even in an organisation with a long CSR tradition and formalised CSR policies, standards and procedures, managers hold different, and not necessarily convergent, views of CSR.Originality/valueThe results indicate that simple categorisations of firms' CSR activities fail to encompass the multitude of perceptions and viewpoints that actually exist in modern organisations. Moreover, the paper questions whether managerial alignment on CSR issues is a precondition for high corporate social performance.
Strategic choices, export orientation and export performance of SMEs in Nigeria
Authors: Okpara John O. 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of entrepreneurial export orientation on the performance of SMEs in Nigeria.Design/methodology/approachThe study follows a quantitative research design using survey methods with statistical treatment. Severalt‐tests and correlation tests were used to ascertain whether differences exist between proactive export orientation and conservative export orientation and performance.FindingsThe findings indicate that proactive entrepreneurs were more engaged in the export market than conservatives. The findings also suggest that firms that adopted proactive orientation achieved higher performance, profitability, and growth compared with those that adopted a conservative orientation. It was also found that proactive entrepreneurs allocated more financial resources for export activities than conservative entrepreneurs.Research limitations/implicationsThe research was limited to four cities; a broader geographic sampling to include larger urban and rural areas would better reflect the national profile. The study is limited to four industrial sectors; thus the results cannot be applied to other sectors that were not part of this study.Practical implicationsThe study offers practical suggestions on how SMEs can improve growth, performance, and profitability by engaging in proactive export orientation behaviors. The paper also stresses the importance of developing export markets because it enhances growth, performance, and profitability.Originality/valueThe study draws owners'/managers' attention to the fact that proactive export behavior enhances performance, growth, and productivity. It also provides insight into the export orientation and performance issue, which should contribute to the future development of this line of research, particularly in developing countries such as Nigeria. Therefore, the study is of significant value to practitioners and scholars alike.
Lessons from a case study for Greek banking M&A negotiations
Authors: Konstantopoulos Nikolaos , Sakas Damianos , Triantafyllopoulos Yiannis 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the factor “Staff's beliefs, attitudes and social representations” vis‐à‐vis the part it plays during the negotiation process in the effort of the two leaders of the Greek banking branch to merge.Design/methodology/approachThe codification is attempted by means of software, so as to clarify the trends for negotiations in win‐win conditions. Data were collected by the negotiation process of two large banking companies.FindingsThe paper concludes that the private or public character of each banking organization involved in the negotiation process of aiming at a merger will affect its strategic choices in relation to the role played by human beliefs and professional attitudes during the negotiations. Additionally, the research has pointed out some elements that are explained and justified by the existing circumstances in the particular banking area. The fear of change, the stress, the insecurity and the loss of morale are also pointed out as being significant factors.Originality/valueThe paper is based on research of two different sectors – private and public – and how the employees of two organizations belonging to these sectors react and affect the result of the merger.
Exploring the growing phenomenon of university‐corporate education partnerships
Authors: Ryan Lindsay 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore why corporations are forming corporate education partnerships with universities and the role of corporate education programmes.Design/methodology/approachThe paper presents the findings from quantitative research involving 79 senior managers from North America, the UK, and Australia responsible for the management of their university‐corporate education partnerships.FindingsThe research finds that the primary reason for establishing university‐corporate education partnerships is to provide a recognised university award programme to complement an organisation's in‐house education programmes. Also, by aligning with a university an organisation is able to add strength and credibility to its in‐house corporate education programmes.Originality/valueThe research provides an insight into the growing role of university‐corporate education partnerships and helps to quantify some emerging aspects of these partnerships.
Exploring virtual worlds: success factors in virtual world marketing
Authors: Tikkanen Henrikki , Hietanen Joel , Henttonen Tuomas , Rokka Joonas 
Published: October 2009

PurposeDrawing from recent work on online social networking and communities of consumption, the purpose of this paper is to explore, identify, and postulate key factors facilitating the growth and success of marketing in virtual worlds.Design/methodology/approachAn empirical study was conducted employing netnographic evidence from three different virtual worlds and related user‐generated blog discussions.FindingsThe findings suggest mechanisms which enable virtual worlds to gain and maintain the interest of their users and therefore underlie successful marketer practices.Research limitations/implicationsThis is an exploratory study based on qualitative and ethnographic online research methods, and therefore the results are of a descriptive nature. The study was conducted to initiate the academic discourse about marketing in virtual worlds. As such, the paper believes that it can act as a reasonable starting‐point for future discussion.Practical implicationsThe study suggests that traditional advertising has not proven to be a very effective way to exploit the special characteristics of virtual worlds. There is substantial potential in virtual worlds for new and innovative marketing methods that are highly engaging and take advantage of users' active role in virtual worlds. From the marketing point of view, virtual worlds can be especially used for connecting with customers, contributing to customer learning, and getting customer input.Originality/valueThe paper illustrates that virtual worlds have come to offer marketers new opportunities for engaging their customers into interactive and co‐productive marketplace exchanges. They uncover untapped potential, resources and creative means for building customer relationships.
Dietary habits of pregnant and non‐pregnant adolescents
Authors: Derbyshire E. 
Published: October 2009

PurposePregnancy is a time of great physiological change. For this reason, the diet of the mother needs to be tailored and carefully managed. For teenagers, the physiologic adjustments are two‐fold; adolescent growth and physiological changes of pregnancy both need to be taken into consideration. The purpose of this paper is to establish whether pregnant teenagers change their diet after conception and which nutritional adjustments are most likely to be made.Design/methodology/approachIn total, 40 closely‐matched Caucasian participants (20 pregnant and 20 non‐pregnant) were recruited from Wythenshawe Hospital, south Manchester and a local high school within the same district. Each participant was asked to complete a background information questionnaire and four‐day food record diary.FindingsStudy findings indicate that the diet of pregnant teenagers are substantially better than that of non‐pregnant adolescents. With the exception of vitamin D, intakes of all nutrients are higher in pregnant adolescents compared to non‐pregnant teenagers (p < 0.05), particularly calcium and iron (p < 0.01). Although under‐reporting must be taken into consideration, the diets of both pregnant and non‐pregnant teenagers appear to be deficient in folate and iron. Nutrition interventions are required to improve the diet of adolescents and reinforce the diet of pregnant teenagers.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough care is taken to exclude incomplete food diaries, a degree of under‐reporting must be taken into consideration when interpreting these findings.Originality/valueThis appears to be the first UK study to compare the dietary habits of pregnant and non‐pregnant adolescents.
Performance and anti‐wear mechanism of Cu nanoparticles as lubricating oil additives
Authors: Zhang Ming , Wang Xiaobo , Liu Weimin , Fu Xisheng 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to study the tribological performance and anti‐wear mechanism of Cu nanoparticles as lubricating oil additives.Design/methodology/approachAn end‐face wear testing apparatus is used to measure the tribological properties of Cu nanoparticles as lubricating oil additives and using a commercial SJ 15W/40 gasoline engine oil for comparison. Electrical contact resistance (ECR) is measured on a universal nano and micro tester‐2 tribometer to detect the formation of tribo‐film generated by Cu nanoparticulate additive. The worn steel surfaces are investigated by scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive spectra (EDS) and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).FindingsThe results show that Cu nanoparticles used as an oil additive can improve the anti‐wear and friction‐reduction performance of SJ 15W/40 gasoline engine oil remarkably. The results of SEM, EDS and XPS show that a deposit film containing metallic copper can form on the worn surface, which has a film thickness of about 120 nm.Originality/valueThis investigation establishes a baseline of Cu nanoparticles used as lubricating oil additives under face‐to‐face contact work conditions. Thus, the results are reliable and can be very useful for further applications of Cu nanoparticle additives in industry.