bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Familiarity and purchasing intention of Belgian consumers for fresh and processed tropical fruit products
Authors: Sabbe Sara , Verbeke Wim , Van Damme Patrick 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to focus on tropical fruits, both in fresh and processed form, and on the influence of socio‐demographic, psychosocial and socio‐environmental factors on their consumption and purchasing intention.Design/methodology/approachA questionnaire‐based survey (n=290) was used to gain insight in the perceived importance of different food choice determinants (i.e. familiarity with tropical fruits, attitude and beliefs towards this food category, influence of social norm and socio‐demographic characteristics), and their role on the intention to purchase tropical fruits. Data analysis consisted of descriptive analyses and statistical validation.FindingsFamiliarity with tropical fruits differs and depends on consumers' product‐related experiences. Tropical fruits are perceived as nutritious, healthy, good in taste, attractive and special. Socio‐demographic characteristics, such as gender, place of living and travel experience outside Europe, associate with product familiarity, consumers' general attitude and beliefs, and the purchasing intention of tropical fruits.Originality/valueThis paper covers a previously rather unexplored, even neglected research topic, namely consumers' attitude and behavioural intention towards fresh and processed tropical fruits.
Training Generation N: how educators should approach the Net Generation
Authors: Feiertag Jeff , Berge Zane L. 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore generational differences between Generation N (persons born 1980 and after) and previous generations with regard to teaching and learning.Design/methodology/approachThis viewpoint article reviews selected literature, synthesizing those articles with opinions on how to approach Generation N for education and training.FindingsGeneration N students and employees possess certain key traits that translate into learning in school and the business world. Generation N employees are often not as independent as their predecessor generations requiring more structure, guidance and regular feedback. They prefer working collaboratively, do not respond well to the lecture, often do not communicate effectively by traditional standards, require information individually tailored to them, and require technology that is available to use. These characteristics of Gen Ns indicate that instructional designers in schools or the workplace should make appropriate adjustments when facilitating the new generation's learning.Originality/valueWith a rather widespread concern by educators and managers that today's graduates do not possess the critical thinking and other skills needed for the business world, this article lends a perspective on how to approach Generation N learners.
Entrepreneurship education in Hong Kong's secondary curriculum
Authors: Cheung Chi‐Kim 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThis paper aims to give a picture of the entrepreneurship education programs currently provided in Hong Kong secondary schools, to present teachers' evaluations of the effectiveness of the programs offered, and to point out the factors that hinder the development of entrepreneurship education in Hong Kong secondary schools.Design/methodology/approachA questionnaire about entrepreneurship education was designed and piloted and then faxed to all Hong Kong secondary schools, inviting teachers teaching business related subjects and those in charge of extra‐curricular activities to complete it. One hundred and twenty‐eight usable questionnaires were received, which gave a valid response rate of 31 percent. Close‐ended and multiple‐choice questions were adopted to maintain readability of the questionnaire and encourage participation. As the participants of the quantitative research did not have the opportunity to elaborate their responses, in‐depth phone interviews were conducted.FindingsHalf of all respondents reported the presence of entrepreneurship education in one form or another at their schools. Of the remaining respondents, nearly 80 percent said their schools were not planning to implement entrepreneurship programs. Around 70 percent of the schools running entrepreneurship programs had more than three years' experience in entrepreneurship education, and forty‐three percent had even been running these programs for more than 5 years. The survey revealed that schools tended to take a comprehensive approach in delivering entrepreneurship education.Originality/valueThis study shows that entrepreneurship programs in Hong Kong are largely similar to those in the West in terms of objectives of provision, content and teaching strategies.
Case study: meeting the demand for skilled precision engineers
Authors: Sansom Chris , Shore Paul 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThis paper aims to demonstrate how science and engineering graduates can be recruited and trained to Masters level in precision engineering as an aid to reducing the skills shortage of mechanical engineers in UK industry.Design/methodology/approachThe paper describes a partnership between three UK academic institutions and industry, creating an Integrated Knowledge Centre (IKC) in Ultra Precision Structured Surfaces. Within this project sits a Knowledge Transfer activity that seeks to channel graduate scientists and engineers through an MSc in “Ultra Precision Technologies” into the UK engineering industry. The creation and implementation of this pipeline, its systems and its processes, is the subject of this paper and its case study.FindingsIn order to retain competitive advantage, the UK precision engineering industry requires a regular supply of technically proficient and organizationally prepared graduates. This paper has explained the approach taken at Cranfield University to increase the size of the pool of postgraduate precision engineers. The approach involves the design of a multi‐level system, which draws on increased connectivity between the University, UK engineering companies, and the student. Academic institutions need to exhibit the appropriate flexibility to meet the demands of industry and the aspirations of the student.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper describes only the early stages of implementation, and further work is necessary.Practical implicationsThe systems model and case studies provide a framework and detail that is of immediate benefit to manufacturing industries and higher education establishments.Originality/valueThe originality of the approach lies in the level of integration between the sub‐systems that comprise the Open system, within which students and skills are forged together in a programme to produce employable engineering postgraduates.
Library value (return on investment, ROI) and the challenge of placing a value on public services
Authors: Kaufman Paula , Barbara Watstein Sarah 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to interview Paula Kaufman, Dean of Libraries, to help better understand return on investment (ROI) and the increasing importance of demonstrating our value, as libraries, as librarians, indeed, as public service librarians.Design/methodology/approachDuring 2007, a small project team was assembled to develop a model that would calculate a return on investment to an institution for its library. The team consisted of Chrysanne Lowe and Kira Cooper from Elsevier, Paula Kaufman from UIUC, Judy Luther of Informed Strategies, and Dr Carol Tenopir from the Center for Information and Communication Studies at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.FindingsThe results of this groundbreaking study were reported early this year in a white paper entitled, “University investment in the library: what's the return? A case study at the University of Illinois at Urbana‐Champaign” by Judy Luther. The model the team developed showed a 4‐to‐1 return.Originality/valueThis study seeks to determine the value of ROI and in library terms ROI refers to the return on an organization's investment in its library. ROI would therefore answer the question of how much quantifiable value the University received for every dollar it invested in its library.
Emily Dickinson: a research guide
Authors: Bluemle Stefanie R. 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThis paper aims to provide a guide to significant primary and secondary resources relevant to the study of Emily Dickinson and her poetry.Design/methodology/approachOnline catalogs, bibliographies, and the worldwide web were searched to identify relevant items. In some cases, citation analysis and other bibliometric measures were used to determine the highest‐impact sources. Items were annotated after personal examination by the author. The paper is divided into two main sections: primary sources (anthologies, databases and web resources) and secondary sources (bibliographies, databases, biographical resources, reference resources, monographs, journals and web resources).FindingsThe paper introduces each resource, indicating its scope and contribution to the study of Dickinson. It acknowledges in particular the developments in recent Dickinson scholarship.Originality/valueDickinson remains popular among both scholars and laypeople, but the most recent bibliographies of Dickinson scholarship date to the late 1980s. This guide provides a late twentieth‐ to early twenty‐first‐century update to those earlier works.
Reference service in Second Life: an overview
Authors: Luo Lili 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of how reference service is provided in the 3D virtual world, Second Life (SL), and to further the professional understanding of the newest reference “frontier” and its impact on the library reference world.Design/methodology/approachA survey study was conducted to examine the nature and practice of reference service provided by volunteer reference practitioners in SL. Different aspects of SL reference were studied, including types of reference questions, types of reference sources, communication methods, reference competencies and differences between SL reference and real life reference.FindingsThe paper reveals that, as an independent service point, the SL reference desk serves mostly SL‐related information needs and reference librarians rely heavily on their personal knowledge to answer users' questions. One distinct feature of the SL reference desk is its social nature. It functions both as a place for social gathering and a place for information and reference service.Practical implicationsThis study investigates various aspects of SL reference service and introduces the new reference development to a larger audience. Findings from this study will help practitioners who are interested in adopting new technologies in reference work obtain a thorough understanding of SL reference and its value to their respective communities, and hence, design better virtual services for users.Originality/valueThis study is the first study to systematically examine reference activities in SL and present in‐depth views on the nature and practice of SL reference.
Perceptions and usage of library instructional podcasts by staff and students at New Zealand's Universal College of Learning (UCOL)
Authors: Jowitt Angela 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThis concurrent mixed methods study aims to collect quantitative data indicating current levels of podcast usage, demographics of those using podcasts, technologies used and perceptions of the podcasts. It also aims to collect qualitative data providing an expanded understanding on perceptions of the podcasts and suggestions for future enhancements.Design/methodology/approachSix sample podcasts were recorded and made available via New Zealand's UCOL – Universal College of Learning – web site in MP3 format. The target population was staff and students of UCOL. A web‐based survey instrument was used to collect quantitative and qualitative data with 86 complete responses received.FindingsResults showed that there were differences found between the groups surveyed in perceptions and use of the library instructional podcasts. The majority of respondents thought the podcasts were “very good” with 71.1 per cent in favour of them. The most helpful podcast topics were identified, suggestions for future podcast topics were made, device ownership and required technologies were investigated, preferred times and places for listening to podcasts was ascertained and advantages and disadvantages were determined. The conclusion reached was that podcasting for library instruction does provide benefits and should be pursued.Research limitations/implicationsParticipants were self‐selected on a non‐random basis. For these reasons and also due to the low response rate it was not possible to stratify the sample set or generalise results. This method of selection may also have caused a bias in answers towards those already interested in podcasting technology.Originality/valueAs podcasting is a new phenomenon for libraries, little is known about its usage and perceived benefits especially in New Zealand. This research offered an opportunity to fill a small gap in the knowledge of the usage and perceptions of podcasting and future potential as a medium for library instruction. This study was intended as an intermediary step and further research is therefore needed to gain a full picture.
Understanding the small business owner: what they really aim at and how this relates to firm performance
Authors: Reijonen Helen 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine how business owners in microbusinesses perceive success and how that perception may influence the growth of their enterprise.Design/methodology/approachThe results of three separate studies were analysed. The data were collected with questionnaires and interviews among microbusinesses in the industries of craft and rural tourism in the area of North Karelia, Eastern Finland. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were used in the analysis.FindingsThe paper found that the motives and goals of the small business owners were not oriented towards growth, but to quality of life, job satisfaction and satisfied clientele. Consequently, business success was measured by the respect and satisfaction of the customers, job satisfaction and the quality of product. From an economic perspective, making a reasonable living, not growth, constituted a measure of success.Research limitations/implicationsGeneralisation is affected by the fact that the study concerns two individual industries in a small geographical area.Practical implicationsFor policy makers, the study offers insight into the factors that affect the behaviour and decision‐making of the microbusiness entrepreneurs and, thus, the performance of their enterprise.Originality/valueThe study contributes to theory development by examining the little studied possible conflicts between financial and personal measures of success.
Convergent interviewing: a qualitative diagnostic technique for researchers
Authors: Jepsen Denise M. , Rodwell John J. 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThis paper aims to widen knowledge of and explore how convergent interviewing can be used to identify key issues within an organization.Design/methodology/approachThis paper introduces the convergent interviewing technique and describes the method of selecting the interview subjects. The construction of a round of interviews is explained. The content of the interviews is described and the particular probing nature of the questions demanded by the convergent interview process is explained. The ways to analyze the full set of interviews for groupings or categories is also described. The case study example of a broad research question about influences on work behaviors in a local government council is used to illustrate the convergent interviewing technique.FindingsThe key issues revealed by using the technique can be subsequently used for a variety of research and consulting purposes and settings. Convergent interviewing is an effective research method, which conserves resources.Originality/valueConvergent interviewing enables researchers to determine the most important and/or key issues within a population rather than a full list of issues in an organization or barriers to change in a particular organizational context.
The union catalogue of academic libraries in India: an initiative by INFLIBNET
Authors: Chand Prem , Chauhan Suresh K. 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to describe the union databases maintained by the INFLIBNET for university libraries in India. INFLIBNET maintains union databases of serials, books, theses and an “experts” database. Efforts to collect the raw data, maintain it and make it available to the end user via the internet are also discussed.Design/methodology/approachThe article describes the workflow of maintaining union databases and the steps involved are discussed. Various software are being used to provide a systematic approach to these databases and to ensure that the searching for needed documents is user friendly; the user should be able to go automatically to the document supply system with a single click of the mouse button.FindingsIf the library system is large, it becomes most important to know the location of documents. The Indian educational system is one of the largest in the world. INFLIBNET maintains union databases of various types of documents for more than 150 university libraries and membership is growing rapidly to accommodate all university and college libraries. Many best procedures on bibliographic standards and guidelines have been adopted and are updated regularly. UniCat, an in house software package has been used to process bibliographic raw data which is then hosted on the website for access by users.Originality/valueThis article is significant to researchers and librarians in India and also more widely.
Interlending and document supply: a review of the recent literature: 64
Authors: McGrath Mike 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThis paper aims to provide a review of the most recent literature concerning document supply and related matters.Design/methodology/approachThis paper is based on the reading of over 150 journals as well as monographs, reports and websites.FindingsThat the fundamental debate on the direction of scholarly publishing continues intensely. Electronic books remain a minority market but the literature at least remains optimistic. Open Access continues to grow but with continuing and widely differing views on its impact. Recent mandating decisions will mean a step change in the both the creation and the growth of institutional and subject repositories. Publisher pay per view is developing after a slow start.Originality/valueThe paper presents useful source of information for librarians and others interested in document supply and related matters.
NILDE: developing a new generation tool for document delivery in Italy
Authors: Mangiaracina Silvana , Zaetta Marta , De Matteis Daniele , Tugnoli Alessandro , Beghelli Enrico , Tenaglia Giacomo 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThis paper presents the most recent progress and implementation of the Network Inter‐Library Document Exchange (NILDE) system, a web based document delivery (DD) software for libraries and end‐users. NILDE allows libraries to manage the entire workflow of DD activities, both borrowing and lending, through the provision of synthetic and analytical statistics, DD performance indicators such as “fill‐rate” and “turn‐around time”, and support for secure electronic delivery. New technologies, referred to as Web 2.0, have been incorporated into NILDE, making it an even more user‐oriented and friendly tool for document delivery and scholar work.Design/methodology/approachThe paper presents the key factors that have made NILDE a successful tool and a “de facto” standard for document delivery among Italian libraries: the policies, i.e. the rules the community has imposed on itself, and the processes, i.e. the procedures through which the libraries provide DD services using NILDE.FindingsThe rise in NILDE users has allowed the building of a cooperative network to promote resource sharing based on a degree of standard quality of service and fair behaviour. It was found how, by adhering to these principles, libraries start up a virtuous cycle within the NILDE network, increasing its own value.Originality/valueThe paper will be of interest to librarians wanting to start a successful cooperative network and all those with an interest in developments in resource sharing in Italy.
Do consumers discern innovations in service elements?
Authors: Zolfagharian Mohammadali , Paswan Audhesh 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThe success of service innovation programs rests on whether consumers discern the novelties built into service offerings. Hence, service firms must base the evaluation of innovation programs on customer attitude in addition to internal measures. The study examines whether consumers are capable of discerning the novelties built into service elements, and explores the underlying dimensions therein.Design/methodology/approachResearch contexts include fitness centers and auto repair shops in the USA. A list of tangible and intangible service elements was developed based on a literature review. This list was improved through interviews with service managers and a focus group using frequent customers of each service. A total of 34 items emerged, comprising seven dimensions. These items were administered to 120 students who used each service frequently. Factor analysis supported the seven‐dimension model. Finally, a confirmatory study using 527 professional adults supported these findings.FindingsRespondents were capable of discerning the novelties built into the elements of service offerings. The 32‐item scale included seven dimensions: administration, interior facilities, exterior facilities, employees, service core, technology, and responsiveness.Research limitations/implicationsThe representativeness of the samples and the two service contexts, and a sole focus on customers' (versus the firm's) subjective perception are the primary limitations.Practical implicationsOne reason behind new product failures is the mismatch between the service provider's and the consumers' views of innovativeness. The scale provided here can help tap consumer perspective throughout the new product development process.Originality/valueThis study can help bridge the gap between service development processes.
Customer satisfaction, perceived risk and affective commitment: an investigation of directions of influence
Authors: Johnson Mark S. , Sivadas Eugene , Garbarino Ellen 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThis paper aims to examine competing models of the directionality of influences between customer satisfaction, affective commitment, and the customer's perceptions of risk associated with a service organization. It also aims to include the effects of a customer's prior experience with the organization and experience with other organizations in the service category in the models.Design/methodology/approachStructural equation models of data from a survey to customers of a performing arts organization (sample size=401) are used to test the hypotheses.FindingsThe study suggests that commitment has a positive influence on customer satisfaction and diminishes risk perceptions. There is less support for a model in which satisfaction increases commitment and reduces perceived risk.Originality/valueThere has been recent controversy as to whether customer satisfaction leads to customer loyalty. This study provides a different perspective by suggesting that customers with high commitment to an organization use satisfaction surveys to express their loyalty.