bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A framework for designing sustainable urban communities
Authors: Turnbull Shann 
Published: November 2007

PurposeThe purpose of the paper is to show how the sustainability of urban settlements can be improved by treating as a variable the design of property rights: to realty, corporations, and currencies, and the communication and control architecture of communities.Design/methodology/approachSystem science shows how the resulting increases in the richness and variety of communication and control channels improve the governance of urban precincts. The new variables also provide a way to integrate the design of the built environment into the design of its governance architecture. The scope of orthodox economic analysis is extended to include the value of assets and liabilities to provide additional feedback signals. This more holistic economic framework increases the richness of the “semiotic” channel of social communication and control that complements those based on senses, words and prices.FindingsThe analysis reveals self‐reinforcing feed‐forward and feedback channels between the use and maintenance of the built environment and its governance architecture not available in less holistic design frameworks.Practical implicationsThe paper identifies the need for urban planners to extend their discipline to become governance architects and how the knowledge of system scientists can be applied to improve the design of capitalism.Originality/valueA new design paradigm is identified that allows improvements to be introduced in the ability of towns or suburbs, to become self‐financing, self‐governing political units. The paradigm identifies how capitalism can be designed to become more efficient, equitable, responsive, and democratic.
Rethinking the cybernetic basis of design: the concepts of control and organization
Authors: Zamenopoulos Theodore , Alexiou Katerina 
Published: November 2007

PurposeEven though design as a purposeful activity naturally fits into the realm of cybernetics, the emphasis on control has limited the scope of using cybernetic principles in design. The idea of organization, another fundamental concept in cybernetics, has received less attention in design research and seems worthy of further exploration. The purpose of the paper is to review the two concepts and clarify their role and meaning in design. Overall, using insights from complex systems science, the paper attempts to recast the relationship between cybernetics and design.Design/methodology/approachThe treatment uses category theory as a language and methodological approach in order to formally express the concepts of “organization” “control” and “design” and then study the relations between them.FindingsOrganization is defined using the mathematical concept of sketch, i.e. as a characterization of the complementary relation between theories and models. The paper demonstrates that the peculiarity of design rests on the fact that the distinction between theories and models is an anticipated but emergent state. In contrast, control‐based representations assume that the theory‐model distinction is given in advance, as an intrinsic characteristic. The paper demonstrates that design is a distinct paradigm in relation to control, yet it falls within the domain of cybernetic and complex systems enquiry.Originality/valueThe paper contributes to the understanding of design as a distinct type of problem in cybernetics by exposing differences between control and design problems. The paper also further lays the foundations for developing a cybernetic theory of design based on the concept of organization.
Imperfect reflections
Authors: Nash White Larry 
Published: November 2007

PurposeThis is the second of two papers on the benefits and challenges of human capital assessment. The purpose of this paper is to review the most common challenges that library administrators may encounter when developing and implementing a human capital assessment process in their libraries and offer suggested counter‐responses to reduce implementation challenges.Design/methodology/approachThis paper uses a literature review to identify potential challenges and resolutions for library administrators who are developing and implementing human capital assessment. In reviewing human capital assessment from the literature from both outside and within the library profession, it is hoped that the most common challenges can be identified to allow library administrators an effective opportunity to plan and account for these challenges during development and implementation.FindingsHuman capital assessment is an increasingly essential element of organizational performance assessment for library administrators. There are several types of common challenges in developing and implementing human capital assessment processes: a lack of consensual operational definitions and assessment values for human capital valuation and assessment, complexity of process, subjectivity in application, and misaligned information needs of mid‐level administrators. However, if these development and implementation challenges can be reduced or eliminated through prior planning and aligning the valuation and assessment processes to the organization and its assessment information needs, there are multiple potential benefits for library administrators who wish to assess the human capital of their library.Originality/valueIdentifying the implementation challenges of human capital assessment for library administrators could reduce the initial challenges of in assessing the human component of the library's performance in meeting stakeholder's needs and accountability concerns.
Digitized books
Authors: Maxymuk John 
Published: November 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to discuss how some companies are scanning books to make the text fully searchable.Design/methodology/approachDiscusses several cases of scanning books and fully searchable text.FindingsBy making so much forgotten text searchable, accessible and potentially relevant again, digitalization allows us to be full‐fledged players in the contemporary information arena.Originality/valueProvides examples of fully searchable texts.
It's not the dollars, it's the politics
Authors: Marcum James W. 
Published: November 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to discuss library budgets.Design/methodology/approachProvides a viewpoint on library budgets.FindingsLibrarians must accept much of the burden for our condition. We have not been politically effective; we have not adequately made our case; we have not proposed the new program or project that will open the door to a brighter future. We can do better; it is time to get about it.Originality/valueProvides a viewpoint on library budgets.
The information supermarket
Authors: Steele Kirstin 
Published: November 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine how finances in an academic library might differ from household finances; in particular, how a library budget might be unbalanced throughout a fiscal year.Design/methodology/approachThe author compares typical library resources to representative groceries purchased for a home and assess the relative nutritional value of each.FindingsThe author concludes that using a library‐style budget is likely to result in a less interesting diet, but such a budget is, with planning, adequate to sustain a minimum level of health. In future columns the author plans to examine ways a library budget might be altered in order to move beyond adequacy to higher performance levels.Originality/valueThe approach should be worthy of note for administrators who struggle with the “use it or lose it” philosophy common in libraries.
Library leadership
Authors: Fitsimmons Gary 
Published: November 2007

PurposeThis paper aims to introduce the column and the idea of library leadership as it relates to library finances. It distinguishes between good leadership (dynamic) and good management (static), and sets forth the subject of subsequent installments of the column that will focus on attributes of good library administrative leadership.Design/methodology/approachThe approach taken is to introduce the column, define what it will cover and set up subsequent columns which will each expound upon one “leadership performance standard.”FindingsThis paper shows that although leadership has been extensively studied, it is still not readily understood. As a quality that should be modeled and taught it first requires definition.Originality/valueLearning the differences between good administrative leadership and good management as well as the fact that there are specific attributes to good administrative leadership lays the groundwork for subsequent discussion of those attributes for library administrators at all levels.
People matters
Authors: Kieserman Bob 
Published: November 2007

PurposeThis paper aims to present several common scenarios that occur in most libraries regarding interpersonal conflict between employee and employee and/or employee and library director. The paper then offers several proven practical conflict resolution strategies that any library can use to either avoid conflict or to mediate it when it occurs.Design/methodology/approachThis paper used a literature search as well as the personal experience of the author, a library consultant who has worked with over 40 different libraries including academic, public, and special libraries.FindingsThis paper focuses on the concepts of collegiality and positive interpersonal communications as well as the team approach to accomplishing goals. Among the strategies this paper discusses are the adherence to mandatory policies and procedures, peer mediation, open communication, and sensitivity training. Strategies for coping with internal jealousies between and among staff members as well as fair hiring practices are also discussed.Originality/valueThis paper helps the library director, the library department manager, and the staff librarian better understand and appreciate the importance of conflict resolution for the good of the organization.
Sales and operations planning: an exploratory study and framework
Authors: Grimson J. Andrew , Pyke David F. 
Published: November 2007

PurposeThe paper seeks to develop a framework for sales and operations planning (S&OP) that is based on previous literature and company interviews. It is designed to help managers understand how effective their S&OP processes are and how to progress to advanced stages.Design/methodology/approachThe S&OP literature, is reviewed and the results of a number of company interviews are presented. These lead to a new framework, with descriptions of each stage, and to implementation insights for managers.FindingsAfter highlighting key dimensions for establishing a firm's S&OP maturity on a five‐stage framework and, with the use of this framework, exploring in a preliminary way the relationship between firm size or process type (job shop, batch flow, continuous flow, etc.) and its degree of S&OP plan integration, little apparent relationship was found. However, the data suggest that business processes are enablers of S&OP plan integration, but that information technology is not clearly so.Research limitations/implicationsThe results are based on a thorough review of the literature and on 15 in‐depth company interviews. Because the sample size is small, the results should be considered to provide only preliminary insights.Practical implicationsManagers can use the framework to assess their S&OP process maturity. To advance to higher S&OP integration, managers should focus on leadership of business processes that can enable effective S&OP plan integration. These processes include organizational structure, meetings and collaboration across functional areas, and performance measurements. Information technology tools may also be enablers, but they do not appear to be the primary drivers.Originality/valueThe framework separates business processes from information processes. It is quite extensive and therefore provides managers with an indication of the maturity of their S&OP processes. Also presented are insights into an intuitive, albeit challenging, process for advancing through the stages of maturity. Finally, a perspective on the future of S&OP integration is suggested that is focused on optimizing profits rather than myopically maximizing revenues or minimizing costs.
Mexican maquiladoras: helping or hurting the US/Mexico cross‐border supply chain?
Authors: Haytko Diana L. , Kent John L. , Hausman Angela 
Published: November 2007

PurposeThis study aims to report on the current issues facing the maquiladora industry in Mexico and the cross‐border supply chain and to present suggestions for improving the situation in the future.Design/methodology/approachPhenomenological interviews were conducted with managers overseeing various aspects of the cross‐border supply chain. The resulting data were analyzed using a grounded theory methodology to uncover theoretical linkages.FindingsThe results of this study show that maquiladoras experience many of the same problems as other companies in terms of managing the cross‐border supply chain. Key factors such as distance, comparative advantage, and integration of the workforce cause problems everyday for the managers involved.Research limitations/implicationsThis was an exploratory investigation of the issues with a small number of informants and future research needs to be done to gain additional insights. As North American Free Trade Agreement enters its second decade, and the focus on global supply chain efficiency becomes primary for all manufacturers, solving the problems discussed in this paper becomes even more paramount.Practical implicationsIn addition to low‐cost manufacturing, distance and integration are critical issues for companies to understand in their pursuit of a low‐cost strategy for competitive advantage.Originality/valueThe major contribution of this paper has been an improved understanding of the impediments to success in the Mexican maquiladoras. Many of the issues discussed in this paper would also apply to other global supply chains and numerous other countries.
Evaluating alternative supply chain structures for perishable products
Authors: Thron Thomas , Nagy Gábor , Wassan Niaz 
Published: November 2007

PurposeThis paper sets out to investigate the impact of various supply chain advancements within a perishable goods environment.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses discrete event simulation to evaluate diverse adjustments within the distribution framework of a food manufacturer and their major customers. Analysed aspects include level of safety inventory held, inventory issuing, replenishment and through‐put policies and increased demand transparency due to collaboration between manufacturer and various retailers. The importance and the impact of these factors are investigated using a wide variety of performance measures.FindingsSeveral promising practice designs are generated and recommended for implementation to improve the experienced shortcomings. Engaging in collaborative replenishment is emphasized in particular even in cases of limited scope. The analysis further reveals the importance of advanced inventory dispatch policies.Research limitations/implicationsThe research focused on the delivery framework of a particular manufacturer and the chosen products. Hence, research findings may differ and need to be modified before drawing conclusions for different products, companies or industries.Originality/valueEvaluating the impact of various stages of collaboration within a perishable product supply chain environment has not been addressed much within prior SCM research. The analysis tackles a variety of issues that specifically arise within a perishable goods framework and aims to support practitioners by identifying possible pitfalls and areas of improvement.
A taxonomy of highly interdependent, supply chain relationships
Authors: Humphries Andrew S. , Towriss John , Wilding Richard 
Published: November 2007

PurposeCluster analysis provides a statistical method whereby unknown groupings of similar attributes can be identified from a mass of data and is well‐known within marketing and a wide range of other disciplines. This paper seeks to describe the use of cluster analysis in an unusual setting to classify a large sample of dyadic, highly interdependent, supply chain relationships based upon the quality of their interactions. This paper aims to show how careful attention to the detail of research design and the use of combined methods leads to results that both are useful to managers and make a contribution to knowledge.Design/methodology/approachData relating to 55 monopolistic relationships in the UK defence procurement sector were collected. Hierarchical cluster analysis using Wards method was undertaken on scores from five dimensions measuring relationship satisfaction. The resulting clusters are described in terms of the scores on the dimensions and also in terms of their relationships with data, quantitative and qualitative, exogenous to the clusters.FindingsThe analysis reveals five distinct clusters of relationships. Statistically significant differences are evident in the scores on the five dimensions of satisfaction with respect to these clusters. These scores lead to the labels “Poor 1” “Moderate 2” “Moderate 3” and “Good 4” being assigned to the clusters. The clusters display statistically significant relationships with a number of the exogenous variables including the value of the contract and the age of the technology involved. Relationships with the exogenous qualitative data are indicative of the validity of the clusters.Originality/valueThis paper takes a novel approach to gaining an understanding of relationships through the use of hierarchical cluster analysis. This provides an elegant way of exposing the influences on relationship satisfaction at a disaggregate level which are not possible by taking an aggregate approach. This will be of particular interest to researchers who are seeking patterns in large data sets and practitioners who can identify better practice guidelines when working within supply chain relationships. The disaggregate approach using cluster analysis provides extraordinarily detailed insights into relationship patterns.
Using e‐business to enable customised logistics sustainability
Authors: Wang Yingli , Lalwani Chandra S. 
Published: November 2007

PurposeThis paper seeks to analyse and propose how e‐business can be coupled with different logistics strategies to achieve customized logistics sustainability (CLS).Design/methodology/approachIn this paper, a conceptual model for CLS has been developed and, using four cases from industry, the model is further enhanced and validated.FindingsThree main streams in supply chains, namely collaboration, dissolution, and innovation, are identified in a customised logistics domain. In each of the three streams, e‐business and relationship configurations are discussed in detail. Using four case examples, the research presented in this paper demonstrates how e‐business performance has hindered or improved the performance of customised logistics provision. A performance measurement (PM) system (efficacy, effectiveness and efficiency (E3) to evaluate the CLS has been proposed.Research limitations/implicationsThe E3 PM system development in this paper is based on current research on performance in the literature. Using the case examples, the application of E3 has been explored. Further research on testing E3 as a good PM system in supply chains using empirical data is desirable.Practical implicationsThe paper attempts to provide a guiding framework for practitioners on how to align and design different e‐business linkages with different customers.Originality/valueThere has been considerable research on how e‐business can be deployed by a focal company in supply chains in order to support its B2B collaboration with key customers and suppliers. There is little research on e‐business's potential in dealing with dynamic, unpredictable and sometimes sporadic customer demands. The research presented in this paper attempts to fill this gap by proposing a structured model incorporating different logistics streams, and a PM system for CLS.
The great legitimizer
Authors: Noir Charles , Walsham Geoff 
Published: November 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore how and why information and communication technologies (ICT) are enrolled in the Indian healthcare sector for reasons over and above perceived efficiency gains.Design/methodology/approachThe paper explores qualitative field data collected in the Indian states of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, and the city of New Delhi from an epistemological perspective of interpretivism. New institutional theory is employed to illustrate the mythical and ceremonial roles that ICT for development play in legitimizing development initiatives.FindingsThe analysis challenges the simplistic view that implementing health management information systems will translate directly to efficiency gains.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper furthers the theoretical understanding of how ICT, as social and material phenomena, function empirically beyond instruments of technical rationality. One limitation of the research is the relatively short duration of the fieldwork. A wider scope in the metrics used to evaluate success in development initiatives that implement ICT is called for.Practical implicationsPractical implications of this paper focus on the need to move away from simple deterministic visions of ICT for development towards an approach based on acknowledging outcome indeterminacy with regard to the consequences of ICT implementation in the Indian healthcare sector, and thus the need for genuine feedback loops.Originality/valueThis paper will be valuable to institutional and information systems theorists, and development practitioners. A framework is provided to unpack the institutional context that drives some of the inefficiency in the Indian healthcare sector.
The effects of gender and age on new technology implementation in a developing country
Authors: White Baker Elizabeth , Al‐Gahtani Said S. , Hubona Geoffrey S. 
Published: November 2007

PurposeThis paper aims to investigate the effects of gender, age and education on new technology implementation in Saudi Arabia, a technologically developing country, using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB).Design/methodology/approachThe research was an empirical investigation based on surveys completed by 1,088 Saudi knowledge workers.FindingsThe TPB model performs well in Saudi Arabia. This validation accounts for 37 percent of the variance in behavioral intention among Saudi knowledge workers. For the moderator variables, there were no statistically significant interactions, with the exception of the moderation of perceived behavioral control on behavioral intention by level of education.Research limitations/implicationsSaudi Arabia is an exemplar for many developing nations characterized by distinct intellectual and cultural traditions that differ from Western cultures. Demographic variables (e.g. gender and age) that have been reported to be significant moderators of the influences of attitude, subjective norm and perceived behavioral control on behavioral intention in other cultural samples were found to be non‐significant in this Saudi Arabian sample.Practical implicationsSystem developers using user‐centered design approaches have different design criteria for the successful workforce adoption of information technology (IT) systems in a technologically developing nation, as compared to the workforce of a technologically developed nation.Originality/valueThis paper validates TPB as a multi‐cultural model for investigating the impact of attitudes, beliefs, and subjective norms on technology adoption, and, in contrast to previous studies, indicates the (non)effects of select demographic moderators on the model using a non‐Western sample.