bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The federal alternative minimum tax and the library director's salary in New Jersey
Authors: Priestly Beatrice 
Published: March 2007

PurposeThe federal alternative minimum tax (AMT) portion of the annual federal income tax filing procedures is destined to have severe effects on the compensation and take home pay of senior management librarians. By examining the history of the AMT and typical principal librarian or director's salaries in New Jersey one can see the need to change the salary. The purpose of this article is to offer two additional proposed salaries for the director. One salary serves as an incremental improvement, the other serves as a step up to the executive status requisite for a position of such responsibility and effort.Design/methodology/approachThis article discusses the AMT and typical principal librarian or director's salaries in New Jersey.FindingsLittle difference is seen among the salary levels regarding typical monthly expenses after payroll deductions are made as a result of the effects of the AMT. If salaries are not changed to reflect an increase in discretionary funds commensurate with the position, the AMT formula will need to change.Originality/valueRecommendations are provided for salary and AMT changes based on an analysis of expenses and tax code.
Budget systems used in allocating resources to libraries
Authors: Linn Mott 
Published: March 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to provide information about many different budgeting systems that are used to allocate resources to libraries.Design/methodology/approachA number of methods of resource allocation are reviewed. The types of budgeting covered are incremental line‐item, formula, mathematical, zero‐based, program (including planning, programming, and budgeting systems), performance‐based, responsibility center, block‐incremental, and initiative‐based.FindingsThere are numerous types of budgeting systems and each of them functions differently.Research limitations/implicationsThere are many variations of each of these basic types of budgeting systems. As a result, this article reviews the most prominent ones.Practical implicationsThis is a very useful source of finding out the fundamentals of each of the basic kinds of budgeting systems. In addition, the article gives many references for finding out more about each of these methods.Originality/valueThis paper covers the various types of budgeting systems. This allows librarians to better understand the budgeting system they deal with so that they might better work with it to maximize their library's funding.
Economic realities in optimizing library materials access
Authors: Holt Glen E. 
Published: March 2007

PurposeThis paper sets out to provide an overview of the economic realities in optimizing library materials access.Design/methodology/approachUses a discussion and examples to illustrate the difficulties in optimizing library materials access.FindingsProvides a catalyst for librarians to consider their collections' optimality.Originality/valueHopefully, the example will spark still more attention to how public, university, special and school libraries, along with local, state and federal governments, can cooperate to optimize access both to books and to ubiquitous information and knowledge in a time of falling communication prices.
Online communities
Authors: Maxymuk John 
Published: March 2007

PurposeThis paper seeks to explore how new communication technologies could be used in a library.Design/methodology/approachDiscusses the implications of using podcasts, blogs, and wikis in a library environment.FindingsWhile the author remains skeptical of the widespread application of podcasts and vodcasts for most libraries due to the dry nature of the content generally on offer, there are exceptions with special collections, music and art libraries especially. Blogs and wikis present more potential to most libraries in disseminating the type of information and assistance that libraries tend to provide.Originality/valueThe article looks at how libraries could implement the use of podcasts, blogs, and wikis.
How important is the role of the chancellor in the appointment of Australian vice‐chancellors and university governance?
Authors: O'Meara Bernard , Petzall Stanley 
Published: March 2007

PurposeThis paper seeks to investigate the role of the university chancellor in the appointment of Australian vice‐chancellors.Design/methodology/approachPrior to this research it was evident that little research had been undertaken on the role of the chancellor. While the chancellor chairs Council, the incumbent also presides over quite a complex selection process, including chairing the selection Panel, when the need to appoint a new VC arises. Research into the recruitment and selection practices used to appoint vice‐chancellors in Australia, undertaken as part of a PhD, yielded a wide range of useful material. The research also exposed some unexpected surprises, one of which was the role of the chancellor in the appointment process.FindingsThe chancellor not only appeared to lead these processes, as would be expected, but was viewed as the key, if not sole, person who determined the successful candidate. It was found that the relationship between the chancellor and vice‐chancellor was crucial and this was evident both in determining successful candidates and the decision for incumbents to seek a role elsewhere. However, in almost all cases the chancellor made the final decision when appointing a new VC. In some cases it appeared that selection panels considered their role as being simply to assist the chancellor to make a decision. This contrasted with the expectation that the panel as a whole would make a decision and recommend it to Council.Originality/valueThus understanding the role of the chancellor is important when considering university governance and VC succession. This paper provides the findings of the research highlighting the significance of the chancellor's role in the context of appointing a new VC.
Continuous quality improvement: integrating best practice into teacher education
Authors: Edmonds Carole 
Published: March 2007

PurposeThis paper aims to provide a framework for continuous, quality, low cost professional development opportunities at the university level to improve the quality of the instructional practices and/or curriculum used in the teacher education program.Design/methodology/approachBackground of the design, needs assessment and implementation of professional development (best practice seminars) based upon the established best practices principles is described.FindingsProvides information about the various seminars that were held each year based upon the faculty needs assessment which is administered biennially. This needs assessment is developed based upon input from the yearly Beginning Teacher Assistance Program survey, P‐12 Regional Professional Development Center Advisory Group, current research and yearly goals set by university departments.Practical implicationsA useful framework for other colleges and universities to provide continuous, quality, low cost professional development opportunities. At the very least, these seminars will raise awareness of current instructional practices and curriculum that is currently being used in P‐12 schools to raise student achievement. Hopefully, these “best practice” seminars will change instructional practice and curriculum at the university level to improve teacher education programs.Originality/valueThis paper fulfills an identified need in the field of continuous quality improvement in the field of teacher education and offers a very useful framework for establishing a design to complete professional development at the university level.
The bubble strategy
Authors: Kawalek Peter 
Published: March 2007

PurposeThis paper seeks to describe a “bubble strategy” to public sector change, based on the principles that a change initiative must be defensible and supportive of an alternative, entrepreneurial culture.Design/methodology/approachThe research is developed through an action research case in Salford City Council, through which theory from technology innovation, change management and other sources is explored.FindingsThe paper finds that the managers developed a dynamic process wherein their ability to defend the new change initiative was primary. This required “under‐the‐radar” tactics that allowed different elements of the change initiative to grow before they were assessed or adopted by the wider organisation.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper speculates on the ways in which the characteristics of the “bubble” could be adopted elsewhere. However, as an action research case, restrictions on the generalisability of the evidence are noted.Practical implicationsThe “bubble” strategy is set out in its constituent parts and is thereby available for adoption elsewhere.Originality/valueThe strategy employed in the case is not documented elsewhere. The paper utilizes technology innovation theory and related literature like “skunk works”, outside their intended private sector context.
A choice of terminals: spatial patterning in computer laboratories
Authors: Spennemann Dirk , Cornforth David , Atkinson John 
Published: March 2007

PurposeThis paper seeks to examine the spatial patterns of student use of machines in each laboratory to whether there are underlying commonalities.Design/methodology/approachThe research was carried out by assessing the user behaviour in 16 computer laboratories at a regional university in Australia.FindingsThe study found that computers within easy access to doors are disproportionately more used than computer that are further away, irrespective of other “incentive” such as windows, wall anchoring or security camera positioning.Practical implicationsThis paper has implications for any division within a university environment responsible for the spatial positioning of computer in a student laboratory.Originality/valuePrevious research of the use of computer laboratories in schools and universities has focussed on educational issues. None of the studies so far have considered matters of situational territoriality and spatial patterning that govern human behaviour.
MLearning: pedagogical, technical and organisational hypes and realities
Authors: Muyinda Paul B. 
Published: March 2007

PurposeThere are two purposes to this article. First, to explore the hypes and realities around theoretical, technical and organisational aspects of the fast evolving field of MLearning as a complementary paradigm to online and classroom learning. Second, to review challenges and the future of MLearning.Design/methodology/approachThe paper reviews literature related to: the mobile phone and learning with a view of bringing out its capabilities and capacities for use in learning; theories and pedagogies of learning with the view of imbuing them for MLearning; applications; and challenges of MLearning with a view of gauging its acceptability.FindingsThe development of successful MLearning solutions requires a better understanding of its pedagogical, technical and organizational setting in order to contextualise it for learner‐centeredness. Literature reveals that MLearning is taking root in all aspects of learning.Practical implicationsIt is not only the rapid developments in mobile device technologies that will propel MLearning to maturity. Similar developments should take place in its theoretical, pedagogical and philosophical underpinnings.Originality/valueThis paper integrates different theoretical, technical and organizational requirements for understanding hypes and realities surrounding MLearning.
Access to reality: observations on observational methods
Authors: Gummesson Evert 
Published: March 2007

PurposeTo bring to the fore, the importance of observational methods in research in marketing.Design/methodology/approachA synthesis and reflective comments based on experience of the use of qualitative methods.FindingsResearch in marketing tends to stick to mainstream, verbal methods (words and numbers) which do not give deep enough access to marketing reality. As the bulk of communication is non‐verbal more use of observation, researcher involvement and direct experience is called for.Research limitations/implicationsRecommended use of more observational methods among researchers in marketing.Practical implicationsCloser access to marketing reality provided by observational methods can offer practitioners better market data and better marketing models and theory and thus an improved base for decisions and action.Originality/valueEspecially, to put demand on academic researchers and market research institutes to offer insights that go beyond mere words and numbers.
Mapping the mind for the modern market researcher
Authors: Senior Carl , Smyth Hannah , Cooke Richard , Shaw Rachel L. , Peel Elizabeth 
Published: March 2007

PurposeTo describe the utility of three of the main cognitive neuroscientific techniques currently in use within the neuroscience community, and how they can be applied to the emerging field of neuromarket research.Design/methodology/approachA brief development of functional magnetic resonance imaging, magnetoencephalography and transcranial magnetic stimulation are described, as the core principles are behind their respective use. Examples of actual data from each of the brain imaging techniques are provided to assist the neuromarketer with subsequent data for interpretation. Finally, to ensure the neuromarketer has an understanding of the experience of neuroimaging, qualitative data from a questionnaire exploring attitudes about neuroimaging techniques are included which summarize participants' experiences of having a brain scan.FindingsCognitive neuroscientific techniques have great utility in market research and can provide more “honest” indicators of consumer preference where traditional methods such as focus groups can be unreliable. These techniques come with complementary strengths which allow the market researcher to converge onto a specific research question. In general, participants considered brain imaging techniques to be relatively safe. However, care is urged to ensure that participants are positioned correctly in the scanner as incorrect positioning is a stressful factor during an imaging procedure that can impact data quality.Originality/valueThis paper is an important and comprehensive resource to the market researcher who wishes to use cognitive neuroscientific techniques.
Can managers use handheld technologies to support salespeople?
Authors: Schlosser Francine K. 
Published: March 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to propose that sales managers use mobile technologies in the working environment to communicate and supportively monitor sales person performance.Design/methodology/approachA model of supervisor monitoring using mobile technologies is conceptualized that specifies the types of behaviours that promote high‐quality working relationships, how mobile technologies increase the likelihood of work‐to‐nonwork role spill‐over that may damage the relationship and why perceptions of supervisor fairness are critical. The paper concludes by presenting strategies for testing hypotheses and for researching mobile technology use by sales managers using qualitative and quantitative methods.FindingsMobile technology use, supervisory monitoring, and relationship development co‐exist in the current workplace. This research heightens awareness of how work‐to‐nonwork spillover may influence important outcomes of mobile technology usage. Perceptions of quality supervisor‐employee relationships are important to retaining and motivating employees. As the workforce ages and skilled workers become more scarce, it is expected that this theoretical examination and ensuing future research will be interesting and important to the twenty‐first century manager.Originality/valueThis paper aligns research in the areas of leadership, monitoring and ubiquitous or mobile technologies. Previous leadership researches have questioned whether or not the use of different electronic monitoring tools affects the leader's ability to influence others. However, few researchers have examined performance‐based monitoring using mobile technologies, although mobile technologies make it easier for sales managers to monitor non‐traditional work arrangements (i.e. off‐site or contracted work). Furthermore, past research has been inconsistent in explaining how employees view information‐gathering or monitoring by their managers.
Genetic algorithms for total weighted expected tardiness integrated preventive maintenance planning and production scheduling for a single machine
Authors: Sortrakul Navadon , Cassady C. Richard 
Published: March 2007

PurposeThis paper seeks to improve solution procedures for solving a larger version of the integrated preventive maintenance planning and production scheduling model with a total weighted expected tardiness objective function introduced in a 2003 paper by Cassady and Kutanoglu using a genetic algorithm heuristic procedure.Design/methodology/approachIn this paper, heuristics based on genetic algorithms are developed to solve the integrated model.FindingsThe performance of the proposed genetic algorithm heuristics are evaluated using multiple instances of several problem sizes. The results indicate that the proposed genetic algorithms can effectively be used to solve the integrated problem.Practical implicationsThe heuristics presented in this paper significantly improve the ability of the decision‐maker to consider larger instances of the integrated model. One may ask, “how significant is that improvement?” The answer depends on the specific industrial context under consideration and the definition of a “job”.Originality/valueTypically, production scheduling and preventive maintenance planning is planned and executed independently in spite of the inter‐dependent relationship between them. However, the 2003 paper by Cassady and Kutanoglu demonstrates the benefit of using the integrated model to solve these two problems simultaneously. However, their solution procedure is limited to small problems (6‐jobs or less). Therefore, this study intends to improve the solution procedure to solve larger instances of the problem.
Improving the corrective maintenance of an electronic system for trains
Authors: Viles E. , Puente D. , Alvarez M.J. , Alonso F. 
Published: March 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to improve the availability of the trains managed by an electronic communications system. This is an important point because for a train controlled by a system like this, a failure in a critical component can cause the train to become inoperable.Design/methodology/approachA functional network was developed for the communication systems of trains. The network makes it clear how the product works and it helps to easily track a failure in the system. A functional study was also carried out. Finally, based on the functional network and the functional study a tool was built for the improvement of the corrective maintenance.FindingsA new tool has been developed for communications systems for trains which simplifies and optimizes the corrective maintenance. It could also be used with other systems or equipment. It is especially useful for complex products where preventive maintenance is difficult to apply.Practical implicationsThe availability of trains in service should be as close to 100 per cent as possible. Manufacturers of these systems are required to establish adequate maintenance criteria in order to care for the financial health of railway companies. FAM has been designed to help the maintenance team carry out the corrective maintenance of a communications system for trains, however it is a common tool that could be useful for the maintenance of other complex systems.Originality/valueThe developed tool makes repairs easier and speeds the maintenance process improving the availability and savings costs. In addition it could be used as a generator of information and be useful for the development of new designs.
State probabilities of a float system
Authors: Lopes I.S. , Leitão A.L.F. , Pereira G.A.B. 
Published: March 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to determine the state probabilities for a float system when overhauls are performed periodically.Design/methodology/approachFirst, a model is developed to express the relationship between the rate of occurrence of failure and time interval between overhauls. Then, a methodology is defined to develop differential equations for each system state in order to calculate corresponding system state probabilities.FindingsSince it is considered that units requiring an overhaul stay in operation until replacement, the possibility of failure of those units has to be included. Then, the determination of system state probabilities has to be done iteratively.Practical implicationsThe methodology proposed in this paper enables comparison of different designs for a float system submitted to periodic overhauls through some different performance measures. System state probabilities can also be used to determine the idle time of units, which is essential to obtain the cost of production loss and, therefore, the system maintenance cost.Originality/valueThis paper considers simultaneously three different factors that influence maintenance float system performance: the number of spare units and the number of maintenance crews (which mean minimising the downtime effect) and the overhaul frequency (which means decreasing the number of failures).
Organizational culture and knowledge sharing: critical success factors
Authors: Ismail Al‐Alawi Adel , Yousif Al‐Marzooqi Nayla , Fraidoon Mohammed Yasmeen 
Published: March 2007

PurposeThis research aims at investigating the role of certain factors in organizational culture in the success of knowledge sharing. Such factors as interpersonal trust, communication between staff, information systems, rewards and organization structure play an important role in defining the relationships between staff and in turn, providing possibilities to break obstacles to knowledge sharing. This research is intended to contribute in helping businesses understand the essential role of organizational culture in nourishing knowledge and spreading it in order to become leaders in utilizing their know‐how and enjoying prosperity thereafter.Design/methodology/approachThe conclusions of this study are based on interpreting the results of a survey and a number of interviews with staff from various organizations in Bahrain from the public and private sectors.FindingsThe research findings indicate that trust, communication, information systems, rewards and organization structure are positively related to knowledge sharing in organizations.Research limitations/implicationsThe authors believe that further research is required to address governmental sector institutions, where organizational politics dominate a role in hoarding knowledge, through such methods as case studies and observation.Originality/valuePrevious research indicated that the Bahraini society is influenced by traditions of household, tribe, and especially religion of the Arab and Islamic world. These factors define people's beliefs and behaviours, and thus exercise strong influence in the performance of business organizations. This study is motivated by the desire to explore the role of the national organizational culture on knowledge sharing, which may be different from previous studies conducted abroad.