bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparative evaluation of web search engines in health information retrieval
Authors: Teixeira Lopes Carla , Ribeiro Cristina 
Published: November 2011

PurposeThe intent of this work is to evaluate several generalist and health‐specific search engines for retrieval of health information by consumers: to compare the retrieval effectiveness of these engines for different types of clinical queries, medical specialties and condition severity; and to compare the use of evaluation metrics for binary relevance scales and for graded ones.Design/methodology/approachThe authors conducted a study in which users evaluated the relevance of documents retrieved by four search engines for two different health information needs. Users could choose between generalist (Bing, Google, Sapo and Yahoo!) and health‐specific (MedlinePlus, SapoSaúde and WebMD) search engines. The authors then analysed the differences between search engines and groups of information needs with six different measures: graded average precision (gap), average precision (ap), gap@5, gap@10, ap@5 and ap@10.FindingsThe results show that generalist web search engines surpass the precision of health‐specific engines. Google has the best performance, mainly in the top ten results. It was found that information needs associated with severe conditions are associated with higher precision, as are overview and psychiatry questions.Originality/valueThe study is one of the first to use a recently proposed measure to evaluate the effectiveness of retrieval systems with graded relevance scales. It includes tasks from several medical specialties, types of clinical questions and different levels of severity which, to the best of the authors' knowledge, has not been done before. Moreover, users have considerable involvement in the experiment. The results help in understanding how search engines differ in their responses to health information needs, what types of online health information are more common on the web and how to improve this type of search.
Discovering geographic web services in search engines
Authors: Lopez‐Pellicer Francisco J. , Florczyk Aneta J. , Béjar Rubén , Muro‐Medrano Pedro R. , Zarazaga‐Soria F. Javier 
Published: November 2011

PurposeThere is an open discussion in the geographic information community about the use of digital libraries or search engines for the discovery of resources. Some researchers suggest that search engines are a feasible alternative for searching geographic web services based on anecdotal evidence. The purpose of this study is to measure the performance of Bing (formerly Microsoft Live Search), Google and Yahoo! in searching standardised XML documents that describe, identify and locate geographic web services.Design/methodology/approachThe study performed an automated evaluation of three search engines using their application programming interfaces. The queries asked for XML documents describing geographic web services, and documents containing links to those documents. Relevant XML documents linked from the documents found in the search results were also included in the evaluation.FindingsThe study reveals that the discovery of geographic web services in search engines does not require the use of advanced search operators. Data collected suggest that a resource‐oriented search should combine simple queries to search engines with the exploration of the pages linked from the search results. Finally the study identifies Yahoo! as the best performer.Originality/valueThis is the first study that measures and compares the performance of major search engines in the discovery of geographic web services. Previous studies were focused on demonstrating the technical feasibility of the approach. The paper also reveals that some technical advances in search engines could harm resource‐oriented queries.
Automatic performance evaluation of web search engines using judgments of metasearch engines
Authors: Sadeghi Hamid 
Published: November 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to introduce two new automatic methods for evaluating the performance of search engines. The reported study uses the methods to experimentally investigate which search engine among three popular search engines (Ask.com, Bing and Google) gives the best performance.Design/methodology/approachThe study assesses the performance of three search engines. For each one the weighted average of similarity degrees between its ranked result list and those of its metasearch engines is measured. Next these measures are compared to establish which search engine gives the best performance. To compute the similarity degree between the lists two measures called the “tendency degree” and “coverage degree” are introduced; the former assesses a search engine in terms of results presentation and the latter evaluates it in terms of retrieval effectiveness. The performance of the search engines is experimentally assessed based on the 50 topics of the 2002 TREC web track. The effectiveness of the methods is also compared with human‐based ones.FindingsGoogle outperformed the others, followed by Bing and Ask.com. Moreover significant degrees of consistency – 92.87 percent and 91.93 percent – were found between automatic and human‐based approaches.Practical implicationsThe findings of this work could help users to select a truly effective search engine. The results also provide motivation for the vendors of web search engines to improve their technology.Originality/valueThe paper focuses on two novel automatic methods to evaluate the performance of search engines and provides valuable experimental results on three popular ones.
Preparing our leaders for the future
Authors: Newhall Steve 
Published: November 2011

PurposeRecent research released by global talent management company, DDI, shows that over the last decade, there seems to be little real improvement in leadership quality. In the most recent Global Leadership Forecast, only one in three leaders reported that their quality of leadership was high and only 18 percent of HR professionals reported strong bench strength to meet future business needs. Clearly a significant shift is required in developing our leaders if this trend is to change, so the aim of this article is to ask: what can DDI's 6th Global Leadership Forecast tell us about leadership effectiveness and development?Design/methodology/approachThe Global Leadership Forecast is a comprehensive survey of the attitudes of leaders in relation to talent management practices, encompassing the views of more than 12,000 organizational leaders and 1,800 HR professionals from across 74 countries.FindingsLeaders rate themselves poorly, do not possess the skills necessary for future business success and do not have a sufficient pipeline of talent within their organization. Leadership development, processes and practices require significant transformation if organizations are to meet the increasingly rapid pace of business change.Originality/valueThis article provides useful and current data on the attitudes of leaders to development and talent management as well as providing senior leaders and HR practitioners with a useful reference for planning an effective talent management strategy.
Igniting business performance through transformational coaching
Authors: Gaskell Carole , Logan Janet , Nicholls Lyn 
Published: November 2011

PurposeThis case study aims to explore how coaching capability and leadership behaviors were developed at Ageas UK in order to improve business performance and create a cultural change at all levels of the organization.Design/methodology/approachFollowing its introduction in early 2010, the Full Potential Group “High performance through coaching” program continues to deliver highly‐pragmatic, experiential and business focused workshops across the Ageas UK management teams. The workshops incorporate a two‐day session together with a one‐day follow‐up six to eight weeks later.FindingsWith close to 150 of its management community having taken part in the program to date and receiving ongoing support from L&D to cascade and sustain the key principles, the return on investment at Ageas UK has been significant. Business performance gains from both a sales revenue and customer “upgrade” perspective have been considerable and managers are feeling more empowered and better able to lead, guide and support their teams.Originality/valueThe article shows that the key success factors for embedding coaching into Ageas' company culture and making it stick long‐term are: pro‐active support from the board and senior management teams; fully aligning the coaching program to the Ageas UK business strategy; creating a “full potential” transformational attitude and mindset of continual development and improvement; and executing a comprehensive sustainability plan.
Seniors extend understanding of what constitutes universal values
Authors: Burmeister Oliver K. , Weckert John , Williamson Kirsty 
Published: November 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to add one further value to the previously articulated “universal values” and to describe the constituent components of three universal values.Design/methodology/approachThis interpretive/constructivist study of Australia's largest online community of seniors involved a 30‐month ethnographic investigation. After an initial period of 11 months of observing social interaction on the entire site, in‐depth, semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 30 participants, selected according to criterion sampling, a form of purposive sampling.FindingsFour key moral values were identified: equality, freedom, respect and trust. All of them had been found in other studies, with equality and respect (as human dignity) identified as universal values. The findings from this study suggest that freedom is another universal value.Originality/valueThis study extends the understanding of universal values to include freedom. Further, it demonstrates the constituent components for freedom, and those of two other universal values previously identified in the literature, equality and human dignity, as well as revealing linkages between these three values.
Mechanisms for stakeholder co‐ordination in ICT and ageing
Authors: Finn Rachel L. , Wright David 
Published: November 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to discuss whether existing organisations that seek to integrate a range of stakeholders (i.e. senior citizens, industry, academics, public authorities, civil society organisations and the media) in the field of information and communication technology (ICT) and ageing are adequately meeting the needs of each of these stakeholder groups, and to determine whether a new, or re‐organised, mechanism is needed to better meet the needs of stakeholders.Design/methodology/approachThe authors identify, describe, assess and compare the adequacy of various candidate multi‐stakeholder mechanisms in order to improve stakeholder co‐operation.FindingsThe authors' principal finding is that the stakeholder co‐ordination mechanisms discussed in this paper are not adequate to foster e‐inclusion co‐operation, co‐ordination and collaboration among all different types of stakeholders.Practical implicationsThis analysis offers direction in how a new organisation, or the expansion of an existing mechanism, could ensure that currently un‐met needs are addressed. The strengths and weaknesses of the stakeholder co‐ordination mechanisms discussed here demonstrate that some organisational types are better for performing certain tasks and for integrating particular types of stakeholder. Thus, a federated, multi‐dimensional organisation offers one possibility for addressing the needs of all different types of stakeholders.Originality/valueThis paper provides an avenue of response to various calls for closer stakeholder collaboration by the European Commission and other stakeholders, in order to improve the quality of life for older persons and to meet European social objectives.
How to make Quality Circle a success in manufacturing industries
Authors: Prakas Majumdar Jyoti , Murali Manohar B. 
Published: November 2011

PurposeQuality Circle is a very effective program and low‐cost tool for implementing total quality management (TQM) in industry. A good number of manufacturing industries have so far adopted the Quality Circle program successfully, however the Quality Circle concept has failed in many other cases. To make successful use of the Quality Circle tool in manufacturing industries, knowledge and awareness of the probable reasons behind the failures of the Quality Circle is essential.Design/methodology/approachIn this general review paper, after thoroughly reviewing literatures, the authors consolidate and highlight the probable reasons behind the failures of the Quality Circle, especially in manufacturing industries.FindingsThis study reveals that organizational Issues at the background stage; circle‐formation Issues at the implementation stage; and operational Issues at the operating/running stage of Quality Circle implementation, are the three main key areas of the problems which generally limit the success of the Quality Circle.Originality/valueIf the management is aware of and takes care of such anticipated problems, it is more likely that the Quality Circle programme will definitely be a success, leading to the effective implementation of TQM in the organization.
A QFD strategy for improving customer satisfaction: case study of telecom companies of Pakistan
Authors: Hussain Matloub , Tsironis Loukas , Ajmal Mian M. 
Published: November 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to argue that the quality function deployment (QFD) matrix that has been successfully used for developing products from customer needs can also be applied to improve the service quality of telecommunication companies.Design/methodology/approachThe paper presents a case study of the two big telecom companies (Ufone and Mobilink) of Pakistan. Data have been collected by a cross‐sectional field study of users, frontline employees and management of telecom companies. The QFD matrix has been applied to identify customer needs, to do comparative analysis of the prepaid services of these companies and to recommend the suitable measure for incorporating these requirements into their services.FindingsIt has been found that through emphasizing two technical descriptors (Antennas and Base Station Controller System), a company will not only be in a competitive position to meet the customer's demand but will also gain an advantage over its competitor.Research limitations/implicationsResearch findings are limited to telecom companies. Further research can be carried out in other service providing companies.Practical implicationsResearch outcomes also imply that if managers want to listen to the voice of their customers and update their products and services accordingly, the proposed methodology of QFD is much more effective than the traditional approaches, in which decisions regarding the product or services are prioritized based on the manager's point of view.Originality/valueMost of the previous research has applied QFD for developing products from customer needs. This is one of the few studies which have successfully applied the QFD Matrix in service providing companies.
Conceptualizing service quality in higher education
Authors: Jain Rajani , Sinha Gautam , Sahney Sangeeta 
Published: November 2011

PurposeIn a pursuit of excellence, it is increasingly important to identify customer values and demands. Service quality has been identified as one such demand. The purpose of this paper is to develop the model for service quality in higher education.Design/methodology/approachThe proposed model is based on a current conceptualization of service quality, which suggests that service quality is a multidimensional and hierarchical construct.FindingsIn the proposed model, service quality consists of two primary dimensions which are defined by several corresponding sub‐dimensions: program quality: curriculum, industry interaction, input quality, academic facilities; and quality of life: non‐academic processes, support facilities, campus and interaction quality.Originality/valueThe paper has value for the institutes seeking to improve the quality of services they provide.
Global corporate social responsibility standard, ISO 26000 and its effect on the society
Authors: Young Park Ji , Wook Kim Soo 
Published: November 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify the effect of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and ISO 26000 on a company’s reputation and loyalty. After reviewing the related articles on CSR and ISO 26000, which is considered the global CSR standard, the authors aim to suggest the available empirical models and research questions to assess the effect of ISO 26000 on business management.Design/methodology/approachThe authors examine the CSR and ISO 26000 related papers and find out the specific aspects of ISO 26000. Also the authors show all ISO 26000 contents and analyze them in order to understand the effects. Finally, the authors provide the whole empirical model and research questions for future studies.FindingsThe paper provides the research model and several hypotheses about whether ISO 26000 has had an effect on company reputation. Also a research model is suggested with proper research methodology.Research limitations/implicationsDue to the research purpose, the paper ends with the suggestion of an empirical model. Panel data need to be applied to verify the suggested model.Originality/valueThere are various papers regarding the effect of CSR. However, few papers exist about the causal relationship between ISO 26000, which is the global standard of CSR, and company reputation.
Board composition and CVB effectiveness: engaging stakeholders that can matter
Authors: Ford Robert C. , Gresock Amy R. , Peeper William C. 
Published: November 2011

PurposeIdentifying, attracting, and maintaining the engagement of the right composition of people for a non‐profit Board is a major challenge. Executives should ensure that their Boards accurately represent the stakeholders that matter, both from industry and the community. The purpose of this paper is to describe ways and offer propositions for effective non‐profit executives to identify, recruit, and motivate the continuing engagement of the members needed on their Boards in order to acquire resources critical to their sustained success.Design/methodology/approachThe Convention and Visitors Bureaus (CVBs) are used as an example, since at least 93 percent of CVBs have a governance structure that includes a Board of Directors. Successfully attracting the right mix of stakeholders is a result of an extensive recruitment effort by the CVB executive. Prior research reports that successful executives take great care in making selection decisions that reflect the interests of the community in the Board's composition. Based on the literature on Boards and governance, the authors develop propositions regarding the composition of CVB Boards.FindingsWhile the research is exploratory, it is found that CVBs with more diverse Boards are more successful than those with less diverse Boards. It is argued that effective CVBs use a thoughtful process for heterogeneous Board selection. It is also suggested that Board performance should be evaluated on an annual basis to recognize the need for active involvement in the Board selection process.Originality/valueThe successful selection of Board members is important because of the implications for Board effectiveness. While there is a large body of literature offering advice on Board selection, there is little on recruitment. Moreover, there is little discussion of Board composition strategy based on balancing access to critical resources of stakeholders.
Price determinants of individual hotels: evidence from Milan
Authors: Sainaghi Ruggero 
Published: November 2011

PurposeThis article aims to identify average room rate (ARR) determinants of individual firms located in a destination.Design/methodology/approachThe sample is composed of 72 individual firms, operating in the 3‐5 star category; data were collected using financial statements and questionnaires. Independent variables are searched along “what” (product) and “where” (location) dimensions.FindingsThe empirical findings identify four main significant and relevant determinants related to the “what” positioning – number of rooms, number of employees, number of employees per room, years since the last refurbishment – and confirm the relevance of location, and especially the centrality inside the destination.Practical implicationsEmpirical findings show the relevance of strong advantage (disadvantage) of location (where) that might compensate disadvantage (advantage) in the strategic positioning (what). Inside the determinants, the results suggest the importance of a broad commercial policy, able to differentiate the served targets, in order to optimise occupancy and, if possible, prices.Originality/valueThe paper suggests the usefulness of taking into greater account the link between destination and local firms as an important determinant of performance and explores what are key success factors for individual (not affiliated) firms.
MWSMF: a mediation framework for mobile hosts and enterprise on cloud
Authors: Narayana Srirama Satish 
Published: November 2011

PurposeWeb services are going mobile. A mobile enterprise can be established in a cellular network by participating mobile hosts, which act as web service providers, and their clients. Mobile hosts enable seamless integration of user‐specific services to the enterprise, by following web service standards, also on the radio link and via resource constrained smart phones. However, establishing such a mobile enterprise poses several technical challenges, such as the quality of service (QoS), discovery aspects and proper integration solutions, for the network as well as for the mobile phone users. The purpose of this paper is to summarize the challenges and research associated with this domain and with establishing the mobile enterprise.Design/methodology/approachThe paper summarizes the challenges and research in the mobile web services domain, along with a detailed discussion of the developed mobile web service mediation framework (MWSMF). MWSMF is realized based on the enterprise service bus (ESB) technology, as an intermediary between mobile hosts and web service clients. Moreover, to scale the mobile enterprise to the loads possible in cellular networks, some of the components of MWSMF are shifted to the new utility computing paradigm, cloud computing.FindingsFrom the study it was found that ESB provides a good integration solution for the mobile enterprise research challenges. The detailed analysis of the MWSMF concludes that the mediation framework and its components are horizontally scalable, thus allowing to utilize elasticity of cloud platform to meet load requirements of mobile enterprise in an easy and quick manner.Originality/valueThe study addresses the research with providing services from smart phones and establishing mobile enterprise. The QoS challenges are addressed and the study introduces an integration framework using ESB technology. The porting of MWSMF onto the cloud is also addressed. As an added value, the research serves as a case study for porting enterprise applications to the cloud.