bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Exploring the wiki world: the new face of collaboration
Authors: Long Sarah Ann 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to examine a new collaborative electronic platform available to libraries of all types.Design/methodology/approachIntroduces potential application of wikis discussed by academics and librarians, along with personal viewpoint.FindingsA wiki is a very good example of the best of democracy in which self‐organizing behavior enforces community norms. Typically, wikis are open to everyone and erroneous information could easily be entered, but they are monitored by dedicated members and information is corrected quickly. While viewed as a platform with many advantages for timely and efficient collaborative efforts, there is still a sense of lack of accountability and cumbersome technological hurdles.Originality/valueWikis offer the opportunity for wide project collaboration and the possibility of a better product in the end.
Assessing library performance with GIS and building evaluation methods
Authors: Preiser Wolfgang F.E. , Wang Xinhao 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to report on the methodological approach taken in a project which was to create a Facilities Master Plan for the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County in the United States. Libraries are changing drastically: they function as community centers, where programs and classes are held; they provide access to the internet to socio‐economically weaker groups; and they accommodate the needs of different age groups, such as children, teens, adults and seniors.Design/methodology/approachInnovative in the approach to the project is the combination of geographic information system (GIS) and building performance evaluation (BPE) methods. This project assigned comprehensive scores for each of the libraries and grouped them into groups of high, medium and low performing libraries. The rankings are based on composite scores made up of eight weighted performance indicators: staff survey, facility evaluation, service area, usage, building, site, staffing output, and capacity. Project data are benchmarked and compared with those of library systems around the USA in similarly sized cities.FindingsThe outcomes of the project are recommendations, as well as medium‐ to long‐term projections, with primary emphasis on branch libraries. Specific recommendations for each branch focused on: needed improvements; closure and/or consolidation with other branch libraries; and the creation of new full‐service “hub” libraries.Practical implicationsPractical implications of this project include a rational decision making tool for library facility master planning in the future.Originality/valueThe data gathering and analysis approach applied in this project shows promise as an innovative way of combining quantitative and qualitative methods in evaluation research measuring library performance.
Employability skills: are UK LIM departments meeting employment needs?
Authors: Stephens Derek , Hamblin Yvonne 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThis research paper describes the results of a survey of specialist UK library and information sector (LIS) employment agencies concerning employability of library and information management (LIM) graduates and introduces the follow‐up actions that are being undertaken to create new teaching materials that address their concerns.Design/methodology/approachA survey of four UK specialist employment agencies was undertaken in 2005 using semi‐structured interview schedules. The aim was to identify the various specific employability areas that recruiters felt were needed for 11 LIM sectors. Quantitative research of individual employers has been undertaken previously, but it was felt that agencies had a unique perspective of sector requirements. This was followed by visits to LIM academic departments to discuss whether the results matched the perceptions of academic staff.FindingsIt was clear that different LIM sectors had different emphasises in terms of the employability skills required. Second, the LIM departments visited also identified the desire to address gaps in provision of employability skills within curricula.Research limitations/implicationsThe survey was a snapshot of perceptions in early 2005. The employment market is a fast‐changing environment and further follow‐up surveys annually might be valuable to establish trend lines. The research is qualitative and subjective in nature.Originality/valueThe paper describes how funding has been provided to empower LIM academics to create new teaching materials by buying their time out to address the gaps in available materials. In addition, these materials will be made freely available to the whole UK LIS sector and networks established to maintain them. Such co‐operation is unusual and could result in significant time savings in the preparation of teaching material and enhancement of graduates' readiness for employment.
SwissInfoDesk: the Virtual Reference Desk Project of the Swiss National Library
Authors: Accart Jean‐Philippe 
Published: July 2006

PurposeLibraries and librarians must adapt their services and products to the evolutions of the information society, and more precisely to users' needs. Virtual reference desks are new online services developed by libraries, and this paper aims to give the example of SwissInfoDesk, the VRD of the Swiss National Library, launched in 2003.Design/methodology/approachAfter a short introduction on differences between virtual reference desks in North America and in Europe, the main approach is a focus on how SwissInfoDesk is built and developed, considering users' interests with a proposed list of topics on Switzerland.FindingsThe most significant differences between SwissInfoDesk and other VRDs are the multilingual aspects (four languages are represented) and the link between a directory of selected Swiss official websites and the reference desk itself.Originality/valueSwissInfoDesk illustrates the ongoing changes in reference work and the new dimension of communication between information specialists and information‐seekers.
Meeting the challenges of expansion and renovation in an academic medical library
Authors: Lam Louisa M.C. 
Published: July 2006

PurposeTo analyze the challenges encountered in the expansion and renovation of an academic medical library sited in an old teaching hospital administered by a government body, and the lessons learned for improving the future planning of renovation projects of medical libraries.Design/methodology/approachThe experience of the Li Ping Medical Library of The Chinese University of Hong Kong is used as a case study to illustrate the challenges encountered in various stages from planning to implementation.FindingsThe challenges included funding constraints, space limitations, abbreviated planning time, stakeholder agreements, structural problems of an old building with dated infrastructure and construction restrictions of a hospital environment. Seven tips to improve future planning of renovation are provided.Originality/valueWhile many of the challenges are typical in any renovations project, they are only discussed piecemeal in the literature. This article deals with this topic extensively and will interest other medical librarians planning renovations in future.
The effectiveness of labour law: reflections based on the German experience
Authors: Weiss Manfred 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to reflect on the effectiveness of labour law based on the experience of Germany.Design/methodology/approachThe article provides an analysis of the factual impact of labour law in Germany.FindingsDifferent subsystems – as are labour administration, labour court system, works council system, collective bargaining system and individual labour law protection – show deficiencies of factual implementation which are inherent to the structure of these subsystems and not easily to be changed. The most problematic area are small and medium‐sized enterprises where to a great extent works councils as internal monitors do not exist.Originality/valueThe paper offers some randomly selected examples to illustrate the problems at stake.
Regular rate of pay and the FLSA: why the determination of exempt status is not enough
Authors: Honorée André L. , Wyld David C. , Juban Rusty L. 
Published: July 2006

PurposeAs some time has passed since the enactment of the fairpay overtime initiative of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), confusion still persists regarding the overtime benefits of employees. This is evidenced by the increased level of litigation and class action lawsuits regarding overtime violations. This article attempts to help clarify for employers a number of key issues to consider in the proper classification of employees and calculation of overtime benefits.Design/methodology/approachThrough analysis of the law and its ramifications, the authors expound upon their previous FLSA Compliance Model and detail the ramifications of numerous opinion letters from the US Department of Labor.FindingsThe specific impact of issues such as the use of non‐discretionary bonuses, stock options, and short call premiums are described to assist employers in the retroactive calculation of the overtime benefits for non‐exempt employees who receive non‐discretionary bonuses. The apparent contradictory positions regarding bonuses and stock options are highlighted, the proper manner to account for short call is addressed, and future directions for research are suggested.Practical implicationsThis paper highlights the importance for employers to consider far more than just their non‐exempt employees’ hourly wage rate in the calculation of employees’ regular rate of pay in order to ensure proactive FLSA compliance.Orginality/valueThe value of this paper is that it highlights potential pitfalls for FLSA compliance to practicing managers and yields areas for further consideration by academics in the human resources field.
Network‐based strategy making for events tourism
Authors: Stokes Robyn 
Published: July 2006

PurposeSeeks to understand the inter‐organisational networks that influence events tourism strategy making by public‐sector event development agencies in Australia.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative methodology of convergent interviews, followed by multiple case research across six Australian states and territories, was employed. The inter‐organisational relationships and networks of events agencies that impact on their strategy processes for events tourism were the “cases” in focus.FindingsStrategies of a reactive‐proactive nature mostly guide events tourism development by Australia's corporatised event development agencies. These agencies maintain “soft”, loosely formed networks that consist of relatively stable clusters of intra‐governmental and corporate membership with a peripheral,ad hocmembership of other stakeholders.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough the paper studies perceptions of strategy making at a single point in time, it provides valuable insights into the public sector environment, institutional settings and key relationships that impact on events tourism strategies.Practical implicationsEvent development agencies should consider how the unique requirements of event bidding, event development and expansion might facilitate different types of stakeholder engagement and network formation. Integration of regional, metropolitan and state strategies for events tourism may also widen the network of influence on strategies.Originality/valueThe paper informs public sector operatives establishing or managing event development agencies, where tourist generation is a primary marketing goal. It contributes new knowledge in a tourism field that is under‐researched.
Evaluating training courses: an exercise in social desirability?
Authors: Darby Jenny A. 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine factors which influence responses on open‐ended evaluations of training courses.Design/methodology/approachCourse participants completed open‐ended evaluation forms about their experience on a course. These consisted of 377 senior teachers attending a training programme dealing with child abuse. The course was repeated 17 times. The second training programme concerned teaching skills. This was attended by 231 postgraduates. The course was repeated 25 times.FindingsResponses on open‐ended evaluation forms tended to be favourable with reference to “human related factors” and unfavourable when referring to “hygiene factors”.Practical implicationsIt is suggested the way people complete evaluation forms is partly a reflection of their desire to see themselves as acting in a socially desirable manner. Interpretations made from such forms about the effectiveness or merits of any course should take this into account.Originality/valueProvides a lot more information about open‐ended evaluations than is provided in the research methods texts. It is suggested that those who use open‐ended evaluations need to be particularly careful when they interpret them.
Acting on frictions: learning blocks and flows in knowledge intensive organizations
Authors: Bijlsma‐Frankema Katinka , Rosendaal Bastiaan , Taminiau Yvette 
Published: July 2006

PurposeIt is argued in this paper that opportunities for learning manifest themselves in the form of frictions between the structure‐as‐experienced by actors and the structure‐as‐preferred. These frictions are considered as potential triggers of learning processes. The concept of friction promises to contribute to our understanding of factors that trigger learning processes to develop, a matter that is scantly addressed so far in literature on organizational learning.Design/methodology/approachFrictions are distinguished and analyzed in three case studies of learning processes within departments of knowledge‐intensive organizations. Six enabling conditions for organizational learning, proposed by Nonaka and Takeuchi are confronted with the findings in a comparison of the three cases.FindingsThe cases show that despite the eagerness to learn found within all three departments, learning processes varied from hardly developed to well developed. By tracing what happens with frictions found, insights are gained in organizational factors that enable or constrain specific (sequences of) learning activities to develop.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings may be context‐bound, because all three cases are embedded within the same nationwide institutional environment thus drawing on the same set of cultural rules. More research is needed, including cross‐cultural studies, to be able to generalize confidently on the findings presented in this paper.Practical implicationsBy means of a clear vision top management can convince not only organizational members, but also middle managers of shared goals, a sense of urgency and of the actions that need to be taken including participation in learning processes across departments. Vision, hierarchy and rules and procedures should signal a consistent message to employees and managers alike.Originality/valueThis paper proposes a fresh approach to research on organizational learning processes by introducing the concept of frictions and by relating the analysis of frictions and learning processes to conditions that are proposed to enable or constrain these processes within organizations. This approach may therefore prove beneficial to practitioners as well.
The motivation of nurses to participate in continuing professional education in Ireland
Authors: Murphy Claire , Cross Christine , McGuire David 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to review the extant literature on CPE amongst nurses and concentrate on discovering the factors that motivate and inhibit participation in CPE for nurses in Ireland.Design/methodology/approachA review of the literature was carried out on continuing professional development amongst nurses in Ireland, the UK, the USA and Australia. From this, research hypotheses were developed. The primary research concentrated on a cohort of practicing registered nurses participating in a CPE course at a third‐level institution in Ireland. A questionnaire was used that contained both open and closed‐ended questions.FindingsThe main barriers to participation in CPE were lack of employer support and the difficulty of balancing home‐life, work and study. The main motivators for participation in CPE were improving self‐esteem and confidence and the expectation of increased opportunities for promotion for those with higher educational qualifications.Research limitations/implicationsA relatively small non‐random sample was used. Therefore, the results may be generalized only with caution.Practical implicationsA number of implications for HRD practitioner emerged. These included overt recognition of prior ward‐based learning, increased financial support, increased study leave and the need for the HRD practitioner to champion the cause of CPE.Originality/valueIn order to ensure a highly efficient workforce, providing the highest possible standards of care to patients, the health sector needs its workforce to constantly update their knowledge and skills. Therefore it is an important time to consider the factors that aid and inhibit participation in CPE, a common method utilized to achieve this aim.
Application of circuit and field‐circuit methods in designing process of small induction motors with stator cores made from amorphous iron
Authors: Dems M. , Komeza K. , Wiak S. , Stec T. , Kikosicki M. 
Published: July 2006

PurposeTo investigate the use of amorphous iron as the stator core material to increase the efficiency of electric machines in serialised production.Design/methodology/approachIn the design process of a new structure for the induction motor with a stator core made from amorphous iron it is necessary to apply the circuit method and the field‐circuit method. The use of the circuit method allows quick calculations of many versions of the designed motor, but the use of the field‐circuit method is necessary for verification of the maximal value of the flux density in the entire area of the cross‐sections of the motor core.FindingsA new construction for the small induction motor with the stator core made from amorphous iron was designed based on the classical structure of the four‐pole induction motor. In the designed motor a decrease of the electric energy costs was observed, which is much bigger than the material costs, and in effect lower total costs for the designed motor were obtained.Practical implicationsAccording to necessary changes in the motor construction, due to lower saturation limit for this material, the authors obtained a significant increase in the motor efficiency and a decrease in the total cost of the motor. The development of a new technology allows the cutting of amorphous magnetic materials and the production of electric motors from them.Originality/valueThis paper shows the possibility of using amorphous magnetic materials for stator core of small induction machines and the advantages of such construction for obtaining more efficient motor construction.
Accuracy analysis of the thrust force in 2D‐3D finite element models
Authors: Deliége G. , Henrotte F. , Hameyer K. 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyse the accuracy of the thrust force of a linear actuator computed with different finite elements models.Design/methodology/approachA series of 2D and 3D models corresponding to different levels of approximation of the original problem are considered. A reliable error estimator based on dual magnetostatic formulations is used.FindingsA 3D model does not necessarily ensure more accurate results than a 2D model. Because of limitations on the number of mesh elements, the discretisation error in 3D can be of the same order of magnitude as the error introduced by the 2D approximation.Originality/valueThe results emphasise the need to consider errors arising from different simplifications with respect to one another, in order to avoid improvements of the model increasing the complexity but not improving the accuracy of the results.
Extraction of circuit parameters from time stepping FEM computation for coupled field‐circuit simulation
Authors: Kanerva S. , Arkkio A. 
Published: July 2006

PurposeTo provide a general method for coupled simulation of electrical machines and circuits, using finite element analysis and a circuit/system simulator.Design/methodology/approachThe electrical machine is modelled by dynamic inductance and electromotive force (EMF), which are determined by finite element analysis and updated in time‐stepping procedure. Calculation of these parameters is based on current perturbations that are applied on linearized field equations after determining the operating point by nonlinear analysis.FindingsBased on the case studies, the presented method can be utilized in coupled field‐circuit simulation and the results correlate with those obtained by other known methods. The results were also validated according to experimental data.Research limitations/implicationsCalculation of the EMF and the presented implementation for SIMULINK have some limitations regarding the accuracy and stability of the numerical integration. In the future, the numerical methods could be still improved and the implementations could be extended to other simulators.Practical implicationsSince the presented methodology is of a general type, the research provides means to include field‐circuit coupling into a variety of different simulation software.Originality/valueDefinitions of the circuit parameters differ from the conventional ones, as a result of which the parameter extraction can be performed in computation‐effective way. The benefits of the research are met widely, since the general‐purpose methodology is not limited to any single software.
Coupled field, circuit and mechanical modelling of wind‐turbine
Authors: Haniotis A. , Kladas A. , Tegopoulos J. 
Published: July 2006

PurposeTo identify interactions existing between electromagnetic, electric and mechanical phenomena in variable speed permanent generator wind‐turbines and propose a methodology enabling oscillations analysis.Design/methodology/approachEvaluation of the accuracy of alternative approaches such as traditional fundamental and higher harmonic representation as well as coupled field, circuit and mechanical techniques based on the finite element method to represent such phenomena.FindingsLow frequency oscillations observed experimentally necessitate strong coupling between electromagnetic, electrical and mechanical phenomena.Research limitations/implicationsThe techniques adopted are limited to two‐dimensional configurations, while possible three‐dimensional air‐gap eccentricity is not considered.Practical implicationsSpecial consideration should be paid by the wind turbine controller to attenuate the studied oscillations.Originality/valueDevelopment of an adequate modelling methodology enabling consideration of low frequency oscillations.