bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Enriching e‐learning metadata through digital library usage analysis
Authors: Ferran Núria , Casadesús Jaume , Krakowska Monika , Minguillón Julià 
Published: April 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this research is to propose an evaluation framework for analyzing learning objects usage, with the aim of extracting useful information for improving the quality of the metadata used to describe the learning objects, but also for personalization purposes, including user models and adaptive itineraries.Design/methodology/approachThe paper presents experimental results from the log usage analysis during one academic semester of two different subjects, 350 students. The experiment examines raw server log data generated from the interactions of the students with the classroom learning objects, in order to find relevant information that can be used to improve the metadata used for describing both the learning objects and the learning process.FindingsPreliminary studies have been carried out in order to obtain an initial picture of the interactions between learners and the virtual campus, including both services and resources usage. These studies try to establish relationships between user profiles and their information and navigational behavior in the virtual campus, with the aim of promoting personalization and improving the understanding of what learning in virtual environments means.Research limitations/implicationsDuring the formal learning process, students use learning resources from the virtual classroom provided by the academic library, but they also seek information outside the virtual campus. All these usage data are not considered in the model proposed here. Further research is needed in order to obtain a complete view of the seeking information behavior of students for improving the users' profile and creating better personalized services.Practical implicationsThis paper suggests how a selection of fields used in the LOM standard could be used for enriching the description of learning objects, automatically in some cases, from the learning objects usage performed by an academic community.Originality/valueFrom libraries beginnings, they have been a “quiet storage place”. With the development of digital libraries, they become a meeting place where explicit and implicit recommendations about information sources can be shared among users. Social and learning process interactions, therefore, can be considered another knowledge source.
Putting it right: service failure and customer loyalty in UK banks
Authors: Jones Henry , Dawes Farquhar Jillian 
Published: April 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine minor service failures in UK banking and consider the impact that satisfaction with service recovery has on customer intentions to continue their custom and make recommendations, used as measures of loyalty behaviours.Design/methodology/approachData were gathered on customer satisfaction with service recovery attempts, intended loyalty behaviours and the sources of service failures were gathered by means of an on‐line survey from approximately 2,000 respondents.FindingsFew customers who complained about minor service failures report that they were very satisfied with the service recovery. Weak service recovery influenced customer intentions about continued custom and recommendation. Minor failures in account management and bank charges are shown to have a marked effect on intended loyalty behaviours.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper reports the work of a short, e‐mail survey, gathering frequency data from customers of UK banks and reports the impact of service recovery on customer intentions rather than their actions. Further investigation is needed using more a more sophisticated instrument.Practical implicationsIn this paper low levels of satisfaction with managing service recoveries are reported, no matter which channel the customer used, no matter how the service failure is managed.Originality/valueThe preliminary work in this paper demonstrates the impact that weak service recovery of minor complaints has on customers' intended loyalty behaviours in UK banking.
A new universal method for solving all problems of operational research
Authors: Mazza J.C. , Cherruault Y. , Mora G. , Konfé B. , Benneouala T. 
Published: April 2007

PurposeTo use a new method based on α‐dense curved for solving problems of operational research.Design/methodology/approachThe method of global optimization (called Alienor) is used for solving problems involving integer or mixed variables. A reducing transformation using α‐dense curves allows to transforms a n‐variables problem into a problem of a single variable.FindingsExtends the basic method valid for continuous variables to problems involving integer, Boolean or mixed variables. All problems of operational research, linear or nonlinear, may be easily solved by or technique based on α‐dense curves (filling a n‐dimensional space). Industrial problems can be quickly solved by this technique obtaining the best solutions.Originality/valueThis method is deduced from the original works of Y. Cherruault and colleagues about global optimization and α‐dense curves. It proposes new techniques for solving operational research problems.
Blazing the Tech Trail: Tips for Implementing New Technologies in a Risk‐Adverse Environment
Authors: Fifarek Aimee 
Published: April 2007

PurposeProvides good suggestions about how to introduce new and emerging technologies in public library environments that may not initially welcome change or new methods of doing things or utilizing technology more effectively.Design/methodology/approach – The article is in the form of suggestion for actions.FindingsTrying different things is the key here and overcoming excuses about why it is not right or the timing is not there to do something different. There are human as well as environmental reasons why technology is not embraced when it can make a real impact in how things are done.Originality valueDemonstrates how change is good and what it takes to exercise risk in public libraries and try something new and powerful. That empowerment technology allows can be introduced in different ways and this piece introduces different approaches to test, pilot and launch new technologies and how to evaluate the experience.
The impact of participation in the Rock Eisteddfod Challenge on adolescent resiliency and health behaviours
Authors: Grunstein Rose , Nutbeam Don 
Published: April 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine characteristics of resilience among Australian adolescents, the extent to which resilience might be strengthened through participation in a dance/drama competition, the Rock Eisteddfod Challenge (REC), and the impact participation may have on health related behaviour.Design/methodology/approachStudents completed questionnaires at the commencement of the REC planning and rehearsals in schools. The survey was repeated immediately after completion of the competition. Three groups of students were compared comprised students engaged in the REC (participants), students from Rock Eisteddfod schools who did not participate in the Rock Eisteddfod Challenge (REC school non‐participants) and students from schools that did not participate in the Rock Eisteddfod Challenge (control school students). The questionnaire was designed to measure changes to key modifiable elements of resiliency and selected health behaviours.FindingsThe majority of participants in the REC were girls, and the analysis of results was restricted to a matched group of girls from Year 9 (age 13‐14) and above. Girls in this group from REC schools scored significantly higher in measures of overall resiliency during the rehearsal period than students from control schools. Within REC schools, participants scored higher for a combined measure of resiliency than non‐participants. High scores for resiliency were consistently associated with lower prevalence of reported substance misuse across the whole sample. In general, increases in substance use observed over the time period from baseline to follow up was less in the REC group than the control group.Research limitations/implicationsSeveral methodological problems were encountered in this study, including identification of adequate measures of personal skills and characteristics, difficulty in obtaining a true pre‐intervention point to commence the study; and in identifying a large balanced sample of students that would allow for meaningful analysis of results; as well as the normal difficulties of identifying and maintaining contact with a large cohort of students in many different sites. For these reasons, the results need to be treated cautiously, and “causal” conclusions about the intervention could only be preliminary.Practical implicationsThe study indicates the potential benefits of participation in programmes like the REC, and the results are consistent with other studies indicating positive associations between participation in the REC and a range of positive personal, social and behavioural outcomes.Originality/valueThe paper highlights some of the methodological challenges in conducting a prospective assessment of the effects of participation in a health oriented dance/drama event. It indicates the potential of this type of activity as a vehicle for the communication of health messages, and the possibility of a more direct influence on personal skills and health related behaviour.
The utility of a board game for dengue haemorrhagic fever health education
Authors: Lennon Jeffrey L. , Coombs David W. 
Published: April 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to test the effectiveness of an educational board game for increasing knowledge, positive attitudes‐beliefs, and self‐efficacy for dengue prevention in a sample of Philippine school children and adolescents. Effective board games are more advantageous than lectures because they are adaptable, inexpensive and foster learning independently of teachers or lecturers. Also tested were relationships between perceived fun by students playing the game and outcomes.Design/methodology/approachA school‐based pre‐test/post‐test experimentally controlled design was employed in a Filipino primary and secondary school population.FindingsThe lecture was more effective in increasing knowledge. But neither was more effective than the other in increasing positive attitudes‐beliefs and self‐efficacy. Both modes produced specifically significant increases in knowledge and self‐efficacy; only the lecture produced significant increases in attitudes‐beliefs. Also, there was a significant relationship between fun and self‐efficacy in the game group at the reduced regression model level but not in the presence of all study variables.Research limitations/implicationsNo long term outcomes or behavioral change outcomes were measured. However, an educational game may increase knowledge and self‐efficacy about the dengue fever without the assistance of a teacher or other pre‐game instructional aids. In addition, the board game technique is flexible and easily adapted to other community or school health issues.Originality/valueThis was the first experimentally controlled study on the use of a game with the topic of dengue. The study on the use of a game was the first to demonstrate a significant increase in self‐efficacy as a result of the play of a board game. Original instruments measured self‐efficacy related to dengue control and also the variable of fun.
An exploration of the relationship between learning organisations and the retention of knowledge workers
Authors: Lee‐Kelley Liz , Blackman Deborah A. , Hurst Jeffrey Peter 
Published: April 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to demonstrate a relationship between learning organisation theory and the potential to retain knowledge workers. It emphasises that human resource (HR) managers must recognise specific relationships between learning organisation elements, job satisfaction facets and turnover intent as they emerge for their knowledge workers.Design/methodology/approachA survey was undertaken sampling knowledge workers in the information technology (IT) industry. Measured on a Likert scale, the instrument was designed to explore the impact of learning organisation disciplines upon job satisfaction and the importance of job satisfaction in determining turnover intent.FindingsAnalysis of the survey showed evidence of a relationship between learning organisation disciplines and turnover intent. All the learning organisation disciplines discussed in the paper correlated to at least one of the six job satisfaction dimensions, of which reward and challenge exerted the most significant influence upon turnover intent.Practical implicationsThe results suggest that three initial strategies should be implemented by HR managers in order to reduce possible staff turnover. The strategies identified are first, linking shared vision, challenge and systems thinking together via personal mastery; second, being more critical of which mental models are developed and shared within the organisation; and finally, developing team learning systems throughout the organisation.Originality/valueThis study emphasises that HR managers should recognise specific career needs for their knowledge workers and that adopting appropriate strategies will increase retention.
Discovering and articulating what is not yet known
Authors: Pauleen David J. , Corbitt Brian , Yoong Pak 
Published: April 2007

PurposeTo provide a conceptual model for the discovery and articulation of emergent organizational knowledge, particularly knowledge that develops when people work with new technologies.Design/methodology/approachThe model is based on two widely accepted research methods – action learning and grounded theory – and is illustrated using a case study of virtual team leadership, which investigated how virtual team leaders developed relationships with their virtual team members.FindingsThe article demonstrates how action learning and grounded theory – two widely accepted research methods – can be used to discover and articulate new organizational knowledge.Practical implicationsThe model allows organizations to gain practical and highly current experiential knowledge from employees working in novel situations, including those using new organizational processes and technologies. Such knowledge can provide competitive advantage.Originality/valueThe article contributes to the areas of knowledge management and particularly organizational learning by providing a method that maps how organizations can learn from novel situations involving people and technology
Evaluation of participants' contributions in knowledge creation based on semantic authoring
Authors: Kamimaeda Naoki , Izumi Noriaki , Hasida Kôiti 
Published: April 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to evaluate participants' contributions to the development of discussion and knowledge creation as organizational knowledge management, and thereby help them better develop the discussion.Design/methodology/approachTo evaluate participants' contributions more accurately, a method which analyzes discussion structures by Discourse Semantic Authoring was employed, which represents discussion structures explicitly in terms of discourse and dialogue relations.FindingsThe method successfully evaluates participants based on the content of their comments rather than their number. More fine‐grain semantic structure should be considered in order to improve the accuracy of this evaluation.Originality/valueThis paper presents a first attempt to analyze discussion structures to evaluate participants' contributions.
What if? Alternative histories and their future implications
Authors: Richardson Jacques 
Published: April 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe and explains the development of the evolving mental phenomenon of alternative history.Design/methodology/approachThe article analyzes the role of the fiction known as the “What if?” school of speculation about the past, some of its conspicuous exemplars, and how its adaptation might affect attitudes and even prejudices about how to view life.FindingsPresent and future are not always what one thought they could become. “What if?” also gives rise to endeavours in “science” fiction and structured projections today dealing with circumstances of tomorrow and after.Originality/valueBesides providing diversion, the approach serves to illustrate foresight's conception of “retrostrategy”.
Stakeholder involvement in the development and maintenance of web sites for children
Authors: Coomes Christopher , Li Liew Chern 
Published: April 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to investigate how public and state libraries are responding to research recommendations that the usability of a web site for children is improved by involving a wide range of stakeholders and particularly the end‐users, in its creation.Design/methodology/approachThe study employs a self‐administered, structured e‐mail questionnaire.FindingsThe development of children's web pages is usually the responsibility of teams of internal stakeholders, with the librarians responsible overall for the library web site being involved most, followed by children's librarians. Other library staff, information technology staff from the parent organisation and external experts made smaller contributions. The target group of children were less involved and took informal, indirect roles, rather than the direct, formal roles recommended by research.Research limitations/implicationsThe sample size is small and includes only children's web pages in Australia and New Zealand.Originality/valueThe paper presents a valuable analysis of stakeholder involvement in the development and maintenance of web sites for children among state and public libraries in Australia and New Zealand.
The implementation of faceted classification in web site searching and browsing
Authors: Nasir Uddin Mohammad , Janecek Paul 
Published: April 2007

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to develop and implement a multidimensional classification system in the web that can provide an alternative but convenient structure for organising and finding information content.Design/methodology/approachA prototype system is developed following the views of Ranganathan's faceted classification, which is to provide multiple classifications of the web documents through content oriented metadata organised under different facets (orthogonal groups of categories).FindingsBased on an architectural framework this study demonstrates a prototype faceted classification system (FCS) that is integrated into a general open‐source content management system and populated with a sample collection of institutional web pages/documents.Originality/valueThe study provides significant grounds for the IR community to improve interface structure for easy access, management, and retrieval of web information. In addition, the integration of content management tools with multidimensional taxonomies can be a new instance of a corporate web system for easy content creation, organisation, and navigation.
On prefabrication implementation for different project types and procurement methods in Hong Kong
Authors: Tam Vivian W.Y. , Tam C.M. , Ng William C.Y. 
Published: April 2007

PurposeThe use of prefabrication has been considered as one of the most effective waste minimization methods in the construction context; however, the industry has found difficulties to implement it. Contractors lack experience in using prefabrication and they do not know how to implement prefabrication to their projects effectively. The purpose of this paper is to present the findings of a study on the implementation of prefabrication in the context of different project types and procurement approaches.Design/methodology/approachThis paper examines possible project types and procurement methods to maximally gain benefits of using prefabricated building components. A questionnaire survey and structured interviews have been conducted.FindingsFrom the results, it should be noted that residential projects and design and build procurement methods are the most effective project types and procurement methods, respectively, in using prefabrication. In the interview discussion, one of the governmental employees highlighted that about 65 percent of projects are residential projects. The high supply of residential housing suits fast population growth in Hong Kong. The interviewee also explained that shortening construction period is one of the main goals in their projects. Furthermore, an interviewed main contractor highlighted that the involvement of contractors at the early design stage in a project can bring advantages in considering construction methods before project commencement on site and to improve project constructability. An interviewed subcontractor also explained that the involvement of construction organizations in the design stage can effectively improve the use of prefabrication in major activities including concreting, plastering and formworking, rather than wet‐trade construction activities. Therefore, the use of standardized designs and prefabricated building components are highly encouraged.Originality/valueThis brings early considerations and suggestions to project parties to improve prefabrication implementation. The effects of prefabrication implementation are also considered.
Factors influencing water consumption in South African schools
Authors: Oliver Neil N. , Gerhardus Brümmer Diederick 
Published: April 2007

PurposeSchools throughout South Africa, as with many other institutional facilities, are becoming increasingly pressured to reduce operating costs. Utility costs are often overlooked as opportunities to reduce school operating costs. Whilst environmental management is the responsibility of every school governing body, and should be addressed in a holistic and responsible manner, the reduction of water consumption may provide not only environmental benefits, but also cost savings to the institution. The purpose of this study, whilst reinforcing the need for water use management within schools, is to provide a structured approach to identify opportunities for water use reduction within these facilities.Design/methodology/approachPractical interventions, available to school management, are illustrated relating water conservation to cost savings and the preservation of water as a scarce national resource, assisting non‐technical school managers to identify possible applications.FindingsWater conservation in the form of reduced consumption will have varied impacts. These include environmental benefits and direct and indirect cost savings.Originality/valueThe paper offers recommendations regarding the installation of pressure reducing devices, water strainers, and non‐return equipment, use of irrigation of sports fields and gardens, and regular and consistent monitoring.