bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A framework for XML‐based multi‐channel contact point integration
Authors: Pant Vikramaditya , Wagner William P. 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThis paper explains the concept of how XML can be used to tie together the many different communication channels into a single contact point system. The purpose is to propose a contact point framework that utilizes XML technologies to integrate multiple communication channels.Design/methodology/approachThis is a conceptual paper where two general approaches to channel integration are described and critiqued and a third one proposed.FindingsThis paper has suggested that contact point channel integration products based on XML technology can be used to lower the design, development, management and maintenance costs. The proposed framework can be an initiative in the open source community where software developers can contribute towards the modular development of such software. The use of XML as the primary data interchange language promises to add value to the contact points of a business at a relatively low cost.Research limitations/implicationsFurther research is necessary to evaluate and perfect the use of XML in this context.Practical implicationsThis research suggests a roadmap for how systems integrators can use XML technology to integrate multiple communication channels in a Customer relationship management (CRM) environment.Originality/valueThis is the first research to examine the different approaches to CRM channel integration and propose an XML‐based framework for accomplishing this.
Potential pitfalls of process modeling: part B
Authors: Rosemann Michael 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThis second part of the paper summarizes typical pitfalls as they can be observed in larger process modeling projects.Design/methodology/approachThe identified pitfalls have been derived from a series of focus groups and semi‐structured interviews with business process analysts and managers of process management and modeling projects.FindingsThe article continues the discussion of the first part. It covers issues related to tools and related requirements (7‐10), the practice of modeling (11‐16), the way we design to‐be models (17‐19), and how we deal with success of modeling and maintenance issues (19‐21). Potential pitfalls related to strategy and governance (1‐3) and the involved stakeholders (4‐6) were discussed in the first part of this paper.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper is a personal viewpoint, and does not report on the outcomes of a structured qualitative research project.Practical implicationsThe provided list of intotal 22 pitfalls increases the awareness for the main challenges related to process modeling and helps to identify common mistakes.Originality/valueThis paper is one of the very few contributions in the area of challenges related to process modeling.
Measuring and evaluating the library's contribution to organisational success
Authors: Henczel Susan 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThis paper seeks to examine three types of measurement and evaluation currently used in the special library environment and to identify the relationships that must exist between the individual measurement processes to enable holistic and strategic evaluations of special libraries to take place.Design/methodology/approachLooks at how responsible measurement and evaluation within the context of the special (corporate, government, hospital, etc.) library must reflect the ways in which the library uses its resources (budget, staff, buildings, collections, technology, equipment), how well it delivers its services and how well it satisfies its clients now and into the future.FindingsIf these measurements and evaluations are to be understood, respected, supported and valued by management, it is also necessary to take it one step further and include the ways in which the information provided through the library services supports the achievement of organisational objectives. One needs to measure how well the services are seamlessly integrated into workflows, how they are prioritised according to their importance and how closely aligned they are with the strategic goals and objectives of the organisation.Originality/valueMay mean a change of mindset on the part of the library managers to enable them to let go of the traditional services and resources and to approach service development and improvement with a strategic view.
Functionality, usability, and accessibility
Authors: Carlo Bertot John , Snead John T. , Jaeger Paul T. , McClure Charles R. 
Published: July 2006

PurposeUsability, functionality, and accessibility testing of digital library information services and products is essential for providing high quality services to users. This paper aims to detail a long‐term, evolving effort to develop meaningful evaluations for assessing digital libraries.Design/methodology/approachA multi‐year study to determine appropriate evaluation techniques, tools, and methodologies for the Florida Electronic Library (FEL) and other digital library efforts. The evaluation protocols and approaches were designed iteratively over time through assessment efforts with other digital library initiatives and with multiple versions of the FEL. The research described in this paper relies on a combination of functionality, usability, and accessibility evaluation strategies applied iteratively to assess libraries from the perspective of patron needs.FindingsBy combining these three methodologies, the researchers found that they were able to create a rich and robust evaluation of digital libraries, accounting for needs of diverse user populations. These methodologies can provide detailed evaluations of the extent to which information and services are comprehensible for all users, the extent to which the features and functions necessary to provide library functions operate properly, and the extent to which the digital library meets the needs of a diverse population of users.Originality/valueThis paper aims to demonstrate the potential roles of multiple, iterative evaluation strategies in the development and refinement of digital libraries; details the methodologies that focus on how the services meet the needs of users; and encourages further discussion of the uses of these multiple evaluation approaches in assessing these libraries.
The performance measurement of public libraries in Japan and the UK
Authors: Parker Sandra 
Published: July 2006

PurposeTo present the results of a study of the public library system in Japan and contrast it with that of the UK and the other G8 countries.Design/methodology/approachMakes comparisons under the headings: libraries per head of population; library use; reference and enquiry services; funding; social capital and social inclusion.FindingsPerformance measurement is by its nature culturally dependent, with societies measuring what is important to them at any one time. Social cohesion and inclusion issues are not the same in Japan as in the UK; therefore the services needed from the public library systems are different. The statistics prove that Japan has the busiest public libraries of the G8 countries, but far fewer of them. It is a very densely populated country, with more than 50 per cent of the population concentrated in only 2 per cent of the land mass. Book borrowing in the UK overall is much higher than in other G8 countries, but has fallen in recent years. The culture of public library management is very different in Japan from that of the UK and each has many lessons to learn from the other.Originality/valueBecause of the differences in the two cultures, public libraries fulfil differing needs. Thus the systems used to measure and improve performance will differ. As measuring performance informs strategic development, both countries need to be aware of the wider issues and have much to learn from each other.
Building on sand?
Authors: Conyers Angela 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThis paper sets out to consider the importance of statistical measures for any study of the impact of electronic services and to describe how relevant statistics can be collected and analysed.Design/methodology/approachIt is based on the results of two complementary research projects at evidence base, the first, the e‐measures project, working with UK higher education libraries on establishing a set of national and local measures for electronic services, and the second, a study and analysis of usage statistics for four publisher deals within the NESLi2 initiative.FindingsThe e‐measures project has demonstrated some of the issues involved in the collection of reliable usage statistics, while the NESLi2 study has developed a framework for analysis which can be applied more widely. The successful introduction of COUNTER compliance has created a more reliable statistical basis for this analysis.Research limitations/implicationsThe NESLi2 study covered only a limited time period (January 2003‐June 2004) and its findings remain confidential. The study is now being extended to cover the whole of 2004 and it is hoped that agreement will then be obtained to publish some of the major findings.Practical implicationsThe NESLi2 report contains a number of recommendations that are designed to help higher education libraries with the management and analysis of statistical measures. These, and other initiatives, are discussed.Originality/valueThe paper is of interest particularly to higher education libraries that wish to gain a more accurate picture of their use of electronic services. The methods of analysis described will also be relevant to other types of library.
Giving way to Google
Authors: Gorman G.E. 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThis paper aims to look into why there is an increasing number of library clients that are deserting their traditional knowledge store for something that is much more user‐friendly – Google.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is based on the author's own knowledge and expertise.FindingsOpines that there is no contest in the head‐to‐head battle for information services supremacy and that Google Scholar, with its information “now” and “fast” beats others hands down.Originality/valueThis paper will be of interest to researchers and academics and those in the information field.
E‐business and small Ghanaian exporters
Authors: Hinson Robert , Sorensen Olav 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe digital divide is supposed to place disadvantaged economies like Ghana in a position where using information and communication technology for development might not be an immediate reality. The purpose of this current study is to argue that the adoption of e‐business practices has benefit for small Ghanaian exporters' organizational improvement, and begin a first‐level investigation in that regard.Design/methodology/approachThis study was exploratory and focused on a sample of active, non‐traditional exporters in Accra. This sample represented the best typology of small export firms in Ghana that had been regular exporters from 2000‐2004. In all, 60 firms responded to questionnaires on e‐business and exporting. Analysis of the data was mainly by means of descriptive statistics.FindingsOne‐way ANOVA analysis revealed that the export firm internationalization (measured by export intensity) has no bearing on the level of e‐business involvement or perceptions of the strategic value of e‐business. However, export firms who were more involved in e‐business had a higher perception of the usefulness of e‐business to their export operation. One‐way ANOVA analysis also revealed that for the export firms involved in some e‐business activity, the more internationalized they were, the more importance they attached to e‐business as providing some sort of organizational improvement leverage.Practical implicationsGiven the exploratory nature of this study, more research is needed to study internal and external barriers to e‐business adoption by these firms, as well as the relationship between e‐business adoption and performance.Originality/valueOne of the first e‐business studies focusing on export firms on the disadvantaged end of the digital divide.
The impact of metadata in web resources discovering
Authors: Mohamed Khaled A.F. 
Published: July 2006

PurposeTo explore the impact of using metadata in finding and ranking web pages through search engines.Design/methodology/approachThe study has been divided into two phases. In phase one, the use of metadata schemes and the impact of overlapped documents have been examined by employing the usability technique. Phase two examined the impact of adding metadata elements to web pages in their original rank order, using the experimental method. This study focuses on indexing web pages using metadata and its impact on search engine's rankings.FindingsMeta tags are more widely used than Dublin Core. The overlapped pages tend to include metadata. The second phase shows that by adding metadata elements to web pages, it raises its rank order. However, this depends on the quality of the description and the metadata schemes. The study shows no great difference in page ranking between adding meta tags and Dublin Core.Practical implicationsTo maximize the impact of metadata, more attention should be given to keyword and descriptive fields.Originality/valueThe hypothetical relationship between overlapped pages and the inclusion of metadata and indexing by search engines had not been previously examined.
An approach to the quality and reusability of metadata specifications for e‐learning objects
Authors: Plodzien Jacek , Stemposz Ewa , Stasiecka Alina 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to discuss research that leads to identifying new metadata for learning objects and extending the SCORM standard.Design/methodology/approachThe research involves a questionnaire to collect data from users of e‐learning resources and a statistical analysis of that data. The discussion employs concepts from such areas as e‐learning, didactics, and statistics.FindingsThe main finding is the identification of several learning objects metadata, including those that are not defined in current e‐learning standards. Some of the new metadata could be introduced to the existing standard metadata categories; the others could be used to form completely new categories.Research limitations/implicationsThe general solution has been developed but more work is still necessary.Practical implicationsThe ideas discussed in the paper, especially the identified metadata, could be used to extend the standard metadata (e.g. in the SCORM standard).Originality/valueThe paper presents both a method for identifying learning objects metadata and conclusions that, after further development, could be applied to extend the metadata parts of e‐learning standards. Both new categories and modification to some existing ones could offer additional support for users who need to choose a suitable resource.
Gathering meta‐data and instances from object referral lists on the web
Authors: Vadrevu Srinivas , Gelgi Fatih , Nagarajan Saravanakumar , Davulcu Hasan 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this research is to automatically separate and extract meta‐data and instance information from various link pages in the web, by utilizing presentation and linkage regularities on the web.Design/methodology/approachResearch objectives have been achieved through an information extraction system called semantic partitioner that automatically organizes the content in each web page into a hierarchical structure, and an algorithm that interprets and translates these hierarchical structures into logical statements by distinguishing and representing the meta‐data and their individual data instances.FindingsExperimental results for the university domain with 12 computer science department web sites, comprising 361 individual faculty and course home pages indicate that the performance of the meta‐data and instance extraction averages 85, 88 percent F‐measure, respectively. Our METEOR system achieves this performance without any domain specific engineering requirement.Originality/valueImportant contributions of the METEOR system presented in this paper are: it performs extraction without the assumption that the object instance pages are template‐driven; it is domain independent and does not require any previously engineered domain ontology; and by interpreting the link pages, it can extract both meta‐data, such as concept and attribute names and their relationships, as well as their instances with high accuracy.
Intellectual capital: disentangling an enigmatic concept
Authors: Swart Juani 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to review current literature on intellectual capital and its second‐tier sub‐components with a view to developing an improved research framework and a foundation for measures.Design/methodology/approachRefereed journal articles were selected from social sciences citations index (SSCI) and business source premier with a time limit of ten years.FindingsClear definitions are developed for each sub‐component of intellectual capital. This was done after identifying, for each sub‐component, the dimensions along which current definitions and research differ. A research framework is developed, which emphasizes the interaction between sub‐components of intellectual capital.Originality/valueThe paper provides a clear integrated framework and measures of forms of intellectual capital to guide and inform future research.
The relation between intellectual capital and intangible assets of pharmaceutical companies
Authors: Boekestein Bram 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this research is to assess the visibility of intangible assets on the balance‐sheet of pharmaceutical companies. Further, how these assets overlap with intellectual capital and whether a relation can be established between intangible assets and company performance.Design/methodology/approachIntangible assets reporting practices of a group of 52 globally operating pharmaceutical companies are analysed. These assets are related to intellectual capital definitions and company performance.FindingsResults indicate that the majority of companies are specifying intangible assets and that a considerable overlap occurs with intellectual capital. Intangible assets may constitute substantially to the companies' assets. However, clear relations of intangible assets with company performance could not be established.Practical implicationsImperfections in the reporting of intangible assets are observed. These are the non‐uniformity of generally agreed accounting principles and practice around the world, the specification of goodwill and the position of R&D. A number of proposals are put forward to improve the visibility of intangible assets and to bring these in line with intellectual capital definitions.Originality/valueThe value of the paper can be found in the approach to fulfil the ideal of intellectual capital valuation through the more practical way of intangible asset specification on the balance‐sheet. For the group of companies studied, this paper assesses the situation in 2003 and the way ahead to further improvement.
The voluntary reporting of intellectual capital
Authors: Guthrie James , Petty Richard , Ricceri Federica 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the voluntary reporting of intellectual capital (IC) by listed companies in Australia and Hong Kong and to evaluate size, industry and time effects on IC disclosure levels.Design/methodology/approachThe study is an empirical one conducted in two stages. Stage one is an exploratory study of voluntary IC disclosure for the 20 largest listed Australian companies in 1998. Stage two, using 2002 data, examines voluntary disclosure of IC attributes for 50 listed entities in Australia and 100 in Hong Kong. Content analysis is used to collect data.FindingsLevels of voluntary IC disclosure are found to be low and in qualitative rather than quantitative form in both locations. Disclosure level is positively related to company size, a finding that is consistent with the previous literature on voluntary reporting.Research limitations/implicationsExternal validity may be compromised somewhat by the relatively small sample size. Managers are not observed in the process of making decisions, so management intent is inferred.Practical implicationsDocumenting variations in types of reporting and in reporting frequency enables a greater understanding of why some companies voluntarily report whilst others do not. Such an understanding holds the potential to guide policy‐makers, creditors and investors in giving prescriptions to firms over whom they have control or with whom they have dealings.Originality/valueThis study is the first to comparatively examine the voluntary reporting of IC in a longitudinal setting using Australasian data.
The 1st World Conference on Intellectual Capital for Communities in the Knowledge Economy
Authors: Chatzkel Jay 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to discuss issues raised at The 1st World Conference on Intellectual Capital for Communities in the Knowledge Economy: Nations, Regions and Cities, which took place in Paris, June 20, 2005.Design/methodology/approachThe conference was structured into four sessions: intellectual capital and the knowledge economy; intellectual capital for nations; intellectual capital for regions; and looking at the future.FindingsFinds that there is a gap that must be addressed. There are very few actual case studies that articulate how a knowledge economy is nurtured and operates on a regional and local basis.Originality/valueThis article is based on the first conference, which was a remarkable convocation and springboard event and will be of interest to those in the field of intellectual capital.
High performance facility synchronization
Authors: Mirrielees Bruce F. 
Published: July 2006

PurposeA research‐based overview of high performance facility synchronization (HPFS), this paper aims to help facility managers understand trends and performance criteria as well as the financial and qualitative benefits that can result from implementing HPFS within their facilities.Design/methodology/approachTo derive the statistical findings in this paper, empirical data were used. This data were compiled based on typical industry data for costs as well as observation of actual client findings.FindingsBy gaining improved performance capability, flexibility, and tax benefits, facilities that implement HPFS can achieve long‐term quantitative improvements. In addition, substantial qualitative improvements – from air quality to lighting – can also result.Research limitations/implicationsData inputs used in the calculations such as costs, room sizes and other factors are based on a typical US‐based facility and may differ for other markets.Practical implicationsThis paper will be of use for those considering HPFS who have little exposure to the concept and/or who were not certain what benefits can be achieved by implementing it within their facilities.Originality/valueWith its in‐depth look at HPFS, this paper will be useful for anyone wishing to understand the concept and the financial justification for deploying it within their facility.