bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nothing to lose: “fluency” in information literacy theory and practice
Authors: Harris Benjamin R. , Millet Michelle S. 
Published: January 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to critique the current wave of naming cultures in information literacy practice, the relationship between information literacy, literacy theory, and fluency theory, and suggests alternative conceptualizations for information seeking behavior.Design/methodology/approachAfter conducting literature and website reviews, a survey was posted on the Survey Monkey commercial site and librarians were invited to participate. The resulting analysis offers a synthesis of the literature and survey statistics.FindingsFewer programs than expected use “information fluency” as the defining factor in their library instruction programs. However, responses to the survey were useful in thinking about ways to retain a focus on information literacy theory in light of alternate naming conventions.Research limitations/implicationsWith over 200 respondents, the quantitative research component is healthy though clearly not exhaustive. Future researchers may wish to focus their quantitative research on specific locations or types of libraries.Originality/valueWhile a number of writers have presented practical and theoretical work related to information fluency, few authors chose to question the existence of fluency standards or the assessment of these standards. In addition, the researchers respond to concerns about linear and hierarchical constructions of literacy by offering an alternate model.
Collaborating to connect global citizenship, information literacy, and lifelong learning in the global studies classroom
Authors: Stevens Christy R. , Campbell Patricia J. 
Published: January 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to critically examine the concepts of lifelong learning, information literacy, and global citizenship, making explicit connections among them via theories of social capital. It then presents a model of librarian‐faculty collaboration that relies upon information literacy as a framework for fostering lifelong learning and global citizenship.Design/methodology/approachThe paper begins with a theoretical analysis of lifelong learning, information literacy, global citizenship, and social capital in order to provide a conceptual framework for the case study that follows. The case study describes the librarian‐faculty collaboration, which included the development of course goals, the syllabus, learning outcomes and objectives, assignments, course‐integrated library instruction sessions, and assessment tools.FindingsSocial capital is a useful theoretical tool for conceptualizing pedagogical strategies for promoting information literacy and global citizenship. Pre‐ and post‐tests, questionnaires, assignments, and student reflections indicate that the three primary goals of the collaboration were met. By the end of the course, students' IL competencies improved, students had developed a better understanding of their roles as global citizens, and students were more aware of the connections among global citizenship, lifelong learning, and information literacy.Practical implicationsThe paper provides practical ideas for librarian‐faculty collaboration and for integrating information literacy competencies into assignment sequences.Originality/valueThe paper uses social capital theory to make connections among lifelong learning, information literacy, and global citizenship as well as to argue for the value and import of librarian‐faculty collaborations. It also describes a successful librarian‐faculty collaboration in the context of a Global Studies course.
Teaching with Tiffany's
Authors: Gust Kara J. 
Published: January 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present the lessons learned and alternative methods used in teaching library and internet searching skills to adult learners, especially senior citizens, in a non‐credit course offered by the Michigan State University Evening College.Design/methodology/approachThe paper sets out the specific considerations taken in designing and executing an information literacy course for adult learners, along with observations and reflections, are described in detail and supported with evidence from research on adult learning theory and pedagogy. Preliminary sections describe the background and initial planning of the course, while additional sections describe each lesson learned in detail, including alternative teaching methods used and evaluation and assessment techniques.FindingsThe paper provides essential tips and suggestions to consider when teaching library and internet‐searching skills to adult learners, such as “keeping it simple”, establishing a slower‐paced learning environment, and providing unique and engaging class exercises. Also reports on successful alternative and unique approaches used when teaching adult learners.Research limitations/implicationsMost of the evidence provided is from general observations by the librarian/instructor over three years. More formalized testing needs to be applied to better assess student learning, along with comparison of results over several more years.Practical implicationsThe paper is a highly useful source of practical information for librarians looking to teach unique user groups (adult learners, non‐traditional students, or senior citizens) information literacy skills, in a university setting and using new and engaging teaching techniques.Originality/valueThis paper offers innovative ideas and practical techniques using Breakfast at Tiffany's to use when teaching adult learners, especially senior citizens, information literacy skills.
Letting the grass grow: grassroots information on blogs and wikis
Authors: Ramos Miguel , Piper Paul S. 
Published: January 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to illustrate some of the major uses and limiting factors of blogs and wikis, as well as the ways that these resources can be used by librarians and educators.Design/methodology/approachThis paper analyses blog and wiki use from set‐up to practice in real‐world events including citizen journalism, disaster response and education.FindingsThe paper highlights the many ways that socially mediated, group‐edited web pages add value to research, information sharing, and collaborative, asynchronous modes of education.Originality/valueThis paper provides insights for educators and librarians about the ways that blogs and wikis can be used in classrooms and as primary sources of information.
‘Ike loa: a list of influential books shaping the instruction librarian's teaching and learning philosophy
Authors: Brier David J. , Kaye Lebbin Vickery 
Published: January 2007

PurposeThe paper sets out to provide a selected bibliography of books influential to the librarian's teaching and learning philosophy.Design/methodology/approachThe paper introduces and annotates books identified by LOEX‐of‐the‐West 2006 attendees as influential to their instruction activities, teaching philosophy, or meaning of education.FindingsThe paper provides information about each source, including an introductory discussion on the classification of the titles into six major genres of instruction inspiration and four major (generic) philosophies of education and learning.Originality/valueThe information presented in the paper may be used by librarians and interested parties to solidify and broaden their own thoughts and values on who they are as an instructor.
Project management elements as strategic assets: preliminary findings
Authors: Jugdev Kam , Mathur Gita 
Published: January 2007

PurposeTo examine project management assets and to explore the link between these and the achievement of competitive advantage from the project management process through it being valuable, rare, inimitable, and having organizational support.Design/methodology/approachAn online survey with North American Project Management Institute®members was conducted. Exploratory factor analysis was used to identify tangible and intangible elements of project management and the achievement of competitive characteristics of the project management process.FindingsSix factors were extracted that comprised project management assets and three factors that comprised the competitive characteristics of the project management process.Research limitations/implicationsThis was an exploratory study. It is expected to further develop the instrument, refine the model and constructs, and test it with a larger sample.Practical implicationsThis study highlights the importance of developing intangible project management assets to achieve competitive advantage from the process.Originality/valueFew papers have used the resource based view lens and applied it to project management. This paper contributes to the literature on the resource based view of the firm and to an improved understanding of project management as a source of competitive advantage.
Team‐managed growing SMEs: a distinct species?
Authors: Pasanen Mika , Laukkanen Tommi 
Published: January 2007

PurposeThe aim of this article is to identify strategic factors differentiating team‐managed growing small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and individually managed growing SMEs.Design/methodology/approachThe study took a holistic and wide‐ranging approach to factors affecting SME growth and performance, and analyzed the data of 63 team‐managed SMEs and 45 individually managed SMEs.FindingsThe main finding was that there are few differences between team‐managed growing SMEs and individually managed growing SMEs. Moreover, the variables differing between the two groups of SMEs were not related to firm performance outcomes or strategic choices made by the firms. In addition, the effect of team for strategic choices is not associated with the size of an SME.Research limitations/implicationsThe study focused on growing established SMEs. The findings question the impact of team for firm performance and strategies in the context of growing SMEs. This suggests that the role of team management in the context of growing SMEs can be different from the role in other contexts. However, the study has several limitations which may affect the results.Practical implicationsThe strategies employed by growing SMEs are not dependent on whether the firm is managed by a team or by a solo entrepreneur.Originality/valueThe findings suggest that team‐managed growing SMEs are not a distinct species among growth SMEs. There are no differences in firm performance or strategic choices between team‐managed growing SMEs and individually managed growing SMEs.
Impact of organisational justice in an expatriate work environment
Authors: Fernandes Cedwyn 
Published: January 2007

PurposeThis study analyses the impact of organisational justice as encompassed by three components, distributive justice, procedural justice and interactional justice on self assessed performance and job satisfaction of employees in an expatriate environment. The study investigates the impact of these justice measures on expatriates and United Arab Emirates (UAE) nationals.Design/methodology/approachThe organisational justice measures developed by Niehoff and Moorman were used to test their impact on employee performance and job satisfaction amongst the two groups; expatriates who work in the UAE, and UAE nationals. Data were collected from employees working in the UAE. Descriptive statistics, inter correlations and regression analyses was used to examine the data.FindingsFor the UAE nationals group, distributive and interactional justice has a significant impact on both satisfaction and performance. All justice constructs had an impact on satisfaction for the expatriate group, but surprisingly none of these components of organizational justice had an impact on self‐perceived performance of expatriates. The effects of gender, age and salary levels were also explored.Research limitations/implicationsSelf‐perceived performance is used to measure performance which is a limitation and it would be of value to try to independently measure performance.Practical implicationsGiven the large expatriate workforce in the UAE, the study highlights the need for companies to train and educate their managers as to the impact of the perceived lack of justice on the motivation and commitment of their employees.Originality/valueThis study is the first of its kind in the UAE and was conducted in a highly diverse work environment.
Creating a knowledge transfer environment
Authors: Mets To˜nis 
Published: January 2007

PurposeTo evaluate the science and technology (S&T) development framework within Estonia, a small transition country, and its biotechnology sector.Design/methodology/approachIn the general overview the main concepts, actors and environment of S&T system in the triple helix context are analyzed. The empirical study explores the general research and development (R&D) environment of Estonia and particularly the biotechnology sector by mapping the actors, strategy of companies (all small and medium‐sized enterprises – SMEs), innovation processes and related expenditures of the public sector and private businesses.FindingsThe study results indicate the ratio of basic and applied research, and product/service development in the gross R&D funding structure in Estonia to be 3:3:4; in the biotechnology sector this ratio is 11:5:1. The structure of research expenditure in the public sector mostly reflects the success of Estonian biosciences rather than the success of biotech as a business sector.Practical implicationsWays for improving the S&T system are suggested.Originality/valueMapping the actors, and measurement of the structure of the R&D expenses in the Estonian biotech sector and in SMEs in particular.
Returns in process industries: a managerial perspective
Authors: French Monique L. , Discenza Richard 
Published: January 2007

PurposeThe key objective of the paper is to present the results of a survey that captured a wide‐ranging view of reuse practices in process industries with the intent of determining current practice and the key managerial issues for reuse in process industries. The paper discusses the sources of products and material for which re‐use decisions must be made in process industry environments. It offers managerial insights for companies that seek opportunities to reduce their operating costs by reusing products, cleaning agents, and ingredients that can become available through a reverse supply chain analysis.Design/methodology/approachThe authors used an exploratory survey methodology with manufacturing plants randomly drawn from a professional organization where the members stated in their profiles that they were employed at a facility that was primarily involved with process manufacturing. Both internal and external returns were analyzed using descriptive statistics techniques.FindingsThe results indicate that reverse networks for external returns must consider storage conditions and timing due to degradability. Also, tracking systems are necessary to monitor the product once it has left the facility due to contamination potential. Additionally, managers could benefit from development of a decision model to facilitate re‐use decision‐making.Originality/valueThe emphasis is on exploring the nature of re‐use in process industry plants and on bringing managerial issues to the attention of companies that are handling these returns and seeking to improve their performance on returns.
Using simulation to increase efficiency in blood supply chains
Authors: Rytilä Jyrki S. , Spens Karen M. 
Published: January 2007

PurposeThe overall aim of the research presented is to improve blood supply chain management in order to use the scarce resource of blood more efficiently. Computer simulation is used as a tool for increasing efficiency in blood supply chains.Design/methodology/approachAn application of discrete event simulation modeling in the health‐care sector, more specifically in the area of blood transfusion services. The model has been refined in cooperation with medical expertise as it is vital that practitioners are closely involved so that the model can be tested against their understanding as it develops.FindingsDecision makers can make better and less risky decisions regarding changes in the blood supply chain based on the knowledge created by simulation experiments. Simulation modeling can be used to make complex and chaotic systems comprehensible and more efficient. In health care, this means that scarce resources can be allocated better, and thereby simulation can aid in increasing the overall quality of health care.Research limitations/implicationsModels are simplifications and there is no guarantee that they will be valid, however, when used sensibly, simulation models and modeling approaches provide an important tool to managing risk and uncertainty in health care supply chains.Practical implicationsEarlier calculations and improvement efforts of blood supply chain in focus were based on “gut feeling”. Through applying simulation to this complex system, the dynamics of blood supply chain was more easily understood by the medical expertise.Originality/valueThere is a lack of work on computer simulations of blood supply chains, a challenge which this work has taken up on.
Enterprise resource planning survey of Korean manufacturing firms
Authors: Katerattanakul Pairin , Hong Soongoo , Lee Jinyoul 
Published: January 2007

PurposeTo report a recently completed study on enterprise resource planning (ERP) implementation in Korean manufacturing firms.Design/methodology/approach – An online survey was conducted (with e‐mail invitation and telephone call reminder) to collect data from 306 Korean manufacturing firms.Findings – This study presents the issues related to ERP implementation in Korean manufacturing firms, including pre‐implementation activities, implementation experiences, ERP system configuration, benefits, and future direction. Additionally, the results are compared to those results from previous studies on US and Swedish manufacturing firms.Research limitations/implications – The study focused on one industry in one Asian country which perhaps limits the application of its generalized results to other industries or other Asian countries.Practical implications – The results of this study present and discuss both similarities and differences in ERP implementation issues among Korean, US, and Swedish manufacturing firms.Originality/value – This research is the first empirical study on the issues related to ERP implementation in manufacturing firms in the Asia/Pacific region. It is also the first study providing comparison results regarding ERP implementation in manufacturing firms in Asian, North American, and European countries.
Antecedents and consequences of organisational silence: an empirical investigation
Authors: Vakola Maria , Bouradas Dimitris 
Published: January 2007

PurposeAlthough the phenomenon of organisational silence is widely seen in organisations, there is little empirical evidence regarding its nature and main components. This paper aims at investigating the dimensions of silence climate as they are perceived by individuals and exploring the effects of these dimensions on job attitudes.Design/methodology/approachIn a sample of 677 employees, three dimensions of silence climate are constructed and measured in order to examine their effects on employee silence behaviour, organisational commitment and job satisfaction.FindingsResults indicate that supervisors’ attitudes to silence, top management attitudes to silence and communication opportunities are associated and predict employees’ silence behaviour. These three dimensions are also associated with organisational commitment and job satisfaction.Originality/valueAlthough the phenomenon of organisational silence is expected in organisations, there is little empirical evidence in the literature aimed at defining it, analysing it and coping with it. Silence climate has an impact on organizations’ ability to detect errors and learn and, therefore, organizational effectiveness is negatively affected. This exploratory study aims to measure organisational silence as a continuum between silence and voice explain silence behaviour through organisational climate dimensions. Based on the findings of this study, there are some important implications that are discussed.
Forcing German managers to focus on productivity
Authors: Klikauer Thomas 
Published: January 2007

PurposeAims to test Walton and McKersie’s theory on labour negotiations, specifically in the case of German car manufacturers.Design/methodology/approachThe research is based on interviews with industrial actors in Germany’s car industry – an empirical case study.FindingsThe article explains the structural force behind the managerial drive towards production. While German managers act at an enterprise level, a structural force has been responsible for the success of Germany’s post‐WW II manufacturing. Germany’s collective bargaining structure removed wage and working‐time bargaining from local management and opened four managerial options: production, productivity, innovation, and quality. This structure forced management to focus on these four options because they lie within the realm of management prerogative. The article explains how structural divisions betweenintra‐enterprise level arrangements andextra‐enterprise level collective bargaining at a conceptual level can best be understood.Originality/valueArgues that a regional and industry collective bargaining structure has supported the success of a competitive car industry in Germany.
Norwegian and Nordic trade union support and solidarity for trade unions in eastern and central Europe
Authors: Erik Thoresen Finn 
Published: January 2007

PurposeThis paper aims to provide a Norwegian perspective of how trade unions in the former Soviet block countries have dealt with the challenges of the post‐communist period and how the European trade union movement has attempted to assist them as they have adjusted to representing and protecting the interests of workers in a market economy.Design/methodology/approachThis paper considers the point that the experiences of trade union development in the former communist countries of Central and Eastern Europe should not be assumed to have followed some monolithic pattern.FindingsEach of the individual states experienced challenges that were unique to them and which reflected the economic, geographical and social situation they found themselves in when they took the “leap in the dark” at the end of the 1990s. The speed at which they made the transition to a market economy was also quite diverse with some countries such a Czech Republic and Hungary making progress quickly whilst others, for understandable reasons, were much slower off the mark.Research limitations/implicationsOne of the main thrusts of this paper is the diversity of experience amongst the former Soviet block countries both prior to and after the 1989 changes. The paper invites researchers to explore this diversity further in terms of causality and the impact of this diversity on the democratisation process of Central and Eastern European Countries.Originality/valueProvides a timely reminder of the dangers of perceiving trade unions in the former communist countries of Central and Eastern Europe as replicas of their counterparts in the West. The picture he paints of the diversity of the region, the weakness of national trade union headquarters starved of funds to pursue industrial objectives by local trade union organisations who have a “holiday club” mentality and retain the bulk of the income for social and welfare benefits reminds us of the extreme difficulties that face trade unions in CEE countries as the strive to build strong and effective organisations capable of challenging multinational conglomerates.