bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
E‐readiness and trust: macro and micro dualities for e‐commerce in a global environment
Authors: Berthon Pierre , Pitt Leyland , Cyr Dianne , Campbell Colin 
Published: November 2008

PurposeThe paper's aim is to create a framework for national readiness and receptivity to e‐commerce at both the business to business (B2B) as well as business to consumer (B2C) levels.Design/methodology/approachRelevant literature on e‐readiness is discussed in light of research on corruption and national values. A model is formulated at the macro level in which e‐readiness is predicted to be related to national culture values and corruption. Analysis at the micro level rests on existing literature related to trust and web site usability.FindingsAt the macro level of analysis, levels of perceived corruption within a country, and overarching national values are identified as significant contributors to e‐readiness especially in the B2B realm. At a more micro level, it is proposed that individual expectations regarding ability to trust an online vendor, and the suitability of usability characteristics of web site design contribute to e‐readiness at the B2C level. Taken together, macro and macro factors jointly contribute to a nation's readiness and receptivity to e‐commerce.Research limitations/implicationsThe empirical work presented is based on aggregate level data from only one point in time. Results only provide generalized trends that may not be representative of all firms in a country or still applicable in the present time.Practical implicationsPractitioners are challenged to think beyond technological readiness and address factors such as corruption, national culture, and web design before entering new markets.Originality/valueThis paper identifies aspects of e‐readiness beyond purely technical infrastructure and provides a fresh empirical model. This study uniquely considers both micro and macro level characteristics that contribute to e‐readiness.
Rural library services: historical development and modern‐day examples from West Africa
Authors: Dent Goodman Valeda F. 
Published: November 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the historical development of the rural library services in Africa, and highlight modern rural village libraries in Ghana and Burkina Faso within this context.Design/methodology/approachThe information in the article comes from a number of different impact studies, including one research study of the rural village libraries in Ghana and one research study of the rural village libraries in Burkina Faso. In particular, the studies examined the impact and role of the libraries on the communities they serve, and enquiries included library use by students, reading habits, leisure reading, attitudes of community members towards the library, and the library's role in academic support. The methodology included focus groups, interviews, questionnaires, examination of library circulation information, and many hours of observation. A review of the professional literature is also provided to contextualize the historical review and the findings from the studies.FindingsFindings indicate the rural village libraries in Ghana and Burkina Faso are successful village/community libraries that are of great benefit to their users. The models for development of these libraries might be used in other similar rural villages to serve both schools and the community.Research limitations/implicationsFuture research might include the review and evaluation of other rural libraries in Asia, the Caribbean, and South America, and an analysis of their impact and sustainability.Practical implicationsThe information presented in this paper offers some basic considerations in terms of the implementation of rural library services, which have great potential to bridge information gaps in rural areas. Provision of such services is becoming increasingly important as more and more of the world's population desires to become literate. At the same time, efforts to provide access to information must integrate cultural practices, local languages and traditions, and operate from a place of respect and understanding by involving those who will be served in outreach efforts.Originality/valueThe paper builds on previous studies of rural village libraries in Uganda, and provides more support for the village/community library concept as being a potentially powerful solution for provision of reading materials in rural areas. Literacy continues to be a major factor in terms of economic and personal development in underdeveloped nations, and all libraries, but perhaps these small village libraries even more so, have the potential to play an important role in the eradication of illiteracy, development of a reading culture, and provision of services for the “newly literate”.
Patrons with developmental disabilities: a needs assessment survey
Authors: Holmes Jennifer L. 
Published: November 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to determine the library usage, attitudes, and needs of an underserved population – persons with developmental disabilities – and to offer insights to librarians as to how to serve this population better.Design/methodology/approachAfter examining demographic information and national and state statistics, two surveys were conducted with adults with developmental disabilities as the sample population. These surveys included a variety of questions involving library usage and information needs.FindingsAdults with developmental disabilities do go to public libraries and are entitled to the same quality services provided to all patrons. The surveys show that the primary materials sought by persons with developmental disabilities are books; 78 percent of the clients surveyed go for books compared with 55 percent of the general public. Thirty‐five percent of the clients did not know that libraries offer music and movies to check out, and 96 percent said they did not use the computers.Research limitations/implicationsThese surveys were by nature limited by geographical scope and the intellectual capabilities of those surveyed. Similar surveys in other regions could expand the possibilities of future research.Practical implicationsInformation gathered from this survey can aid librarians in assisting patrons with developmental disabilities. Suggestions for possible actions are given. These results can also help open a dialogue between librarians and professionals in social services who may not see the library as the valuable resource it is.Originality/valueAccording to a literature review included in this article, there has been little research on serving this population. These surveys are the first of their scope, and can lead to better service through better understanding.
Strategic planning for municipal libraries in Greece
Authors: Kostagiolas Petros A. , Korkidi Maria 
Published: November 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore issues related to the development of long‐term planning for the municipal/public libraries in Greece. In Greece, municipal libraries constitute the largest category of public libraries. Although over the last decade efforts have been made to enhance their services, municipal/public libraries appear to be still in search of a purpose and are at a crossroad.Design/methodology/approachAn empirical qualitative research study was conducted in order to examine the efforts made so far to develop long‐term plans and to study the attitudes and views of Greek municipal libraries' heads concerning the development of long term plans. The empirical research was carried out early in the second half of 2007, utilizing a specifically developed questionnaire distributed to 194 municipal library representatives, 100 of which agreed to participate in the study.FindingsA number of current issues facing Greek municipal libraries are studied along with an overview of the strategic plans already developed. The perceptions of 100 municipal library directors in regard to developing strategic plans are recorded and the results overall suggest the need for formal long‐term planning in the municipal/public libraries in Greece.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to the discussion on the development of long‐term planning aimed at municipal libraries in Greece. It is one of the very few studies providing empirical evidence based on the views of municipal/public library directors in Greece.
LILAC 2008 in Liverpool, European Capital of Culture
Authors: Glass Bob 
Published: November 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide a flavour of the content of the LILAC conference held in Liverpool, UK in March 2008.Design/methodology/approachAn outline of the issues, content, keynote speakers and delegates is provided.FindingsThis conference covered the themes of supporting researchers, diversity and social justice, practical approaches to information literacy, the Net generation, ethical information, staff development and information literacy and marketing information literacy.Originality/valueA conference report of value to library and information professionals regarding various information literacy themes, with a link to web site information.
A new approach to controlling the viscosity of a coating with a blend of particles with significantly different shapes
Authors: Sudduth Richard D. 
Published: November 2008

PurposeThis study aims to introduce a new theoretical approach to blend spherical and non‐spherical particles in a coating to improve its viscosity characteristics.Design/methodology/approachTheoretical analysis has been used to modify an existing model developed by this author to apply to a broad range of particle configurations.FindingsNon‐spherical particles like fibres or discs in a suspension or coating have been found to have three different viscosity response regions. Consequently, the viscosity of suspensions or coatings with these types of particles appears to have two apparent maximums as a function of concentration. Improved viscosity control of coatings have been found to be directly achievable by blending particles with different shapes based on the concentration relative to this first maximum. This optimisation process has been found to be better understood using a new variable which has been described as the “sphericity”, s. The “sphericity”, s, as described in this study has been defined as the relative ratio of the surface to volume fraction for a non‐spherical particle to that of a sphere of equivalent volume.Research limitations/implicationsExperimental data involving monodisperse particles of different configurations is often extremely difficult to obtain. However, the theoretical general concepts can still be applicable.Practical implicationsThe model presented in this paper provides practical guidelines to blending pigments with different particle shapes to control the viscosity of coatings and suspensions.Originality/valueThe model presented in this paper provides the first apparent guidelines to control the blending of pigments in coatings and composites with different particle shapes using the “sphericity” of the pigment particle.
Synthesis of a new series of polyfunctionally substituted thiazole azo dye systems for dyeing of synthetic fibres
Authors: Helal M.H. , Elgemeie G.H. , Masoud D.M. 
Published: November 2008

PurposeThis paper's aim is to evaluate the dyeing performance of newly designed azo dye system based on thiazole substituted for improved dyeing when applied to synthetic fibres.Design/methodology/approachFor improved dyeing qualities, various azo dye systems were synthesised based on polyfunctionally substituted thiazole as the coupling component. The heterocyclic moiety was coupled with diazotised aromatic amines to afford the respective azo or hydrazono systems. The structure of the novel systems was elucidated based on elemental analysis and spectral data. Dyeing performance, electronic spectra and optical properties were characterised based on UV and K/S measurements. Fastness properties were evaluated.FindingsThe novel systems were designed so that the functionalities located on the heterocyclic ring afforded structure modification that led not only to good dispersion but also to improved adherence on the fibre. The location of the sites led to constructing a resonating system with higher electron mobility and higher absorption maxima.Research limitations/implicationsThe azo dyes, used in the present context were synthesised via a step‐wise pathway leading to new dyes. In addition, the variations in substituents and location of sites on the heterocyclic core could also be studied.Practical implicationsThe novel azo dye systems based on polyfunctionally substituted thiazole provided a simple practical access to a series of azo dyes with improved dyeing properties. The availability of starting materials, the simplicity and efficiency to production in good yields and high purity lead to valuable achievements for commercial production.Originality/valueThe designed azo dye systems could find numerous applications as disperse dyes in the fields of dyeing, printing and surface coating. Moreover, the systems can find applications as reactive dyes for wool, silk and cellulosic fibres.
On‐shelf availability: the case of a UK grocery retailer
Authors: Fernie John , Grant David B. 
Published: November 2008

PurposeOn‐shelf availability (OSA) has been a major cause of concern to UK grocery retailers over the last five years and the topic has been the focus of commissioned research reports by various trade associations. The purpose of this paper is to present a case study of how one major grocery retailer tackled the OSA issue that had been exacerbated by management focus on new technology and distribution facilities.Design/methodology/approachThe purpose of the research was to determine if any relationship existed between OSA and store picking for home shoppers, OSA and promotions and OSA and store size. This paper discusses the academic and practitioner literature on OSA and out‐of‐stocks (OOS) and then presents a single company, in‐depth case study of one multiple grocery retailer. Primary research was undertaken with senior managers of the company but also at regional distribution centre (RDC) and store level to chart how new logistics strategies were implemented at an operational level in Scottish stores.FindingsIt was noted that the advent of home shopping has aggravated the “last 50 yards” and a company can experience acute OSA difficulties. Network changes involving a mixture of old and new systems create short‐term pressures and profitability shortfalls. The new high‐tech networks push products out to stores but overstocks occur in backrooms of stores and do not reach the shelves. Demand and supply may not synchronised.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough there is primary empirical research related to the case study the major output is a framework presented for future investigation, thus there is no expansive empirical study in this paper.Practical implicationsWith the exception of smaller stores where OSA remains a problem, the company has succeeded in improving OSA levels in the other areas.Originality/valueThis paper adds to our knowledge of OSA and OOS by investigating the flow of goods from the RDC to the store shelf and presenting various critical points in the process flow that have received scant attention from academics and practitioners.
Reverse logistics strategies for end‐of‐life products
Authors: Hanafi Jessica , Kara Sami , Kaebernick Hartmut 
Published: November 2008

PurposeEnd‐of‐life (EOL) products have become a major environmental issue among countries and manufacturers. This is due to the growing number of EOL products and their hazardous contents. Many collection strategies and pilot projects have been conducted to manage EOL products, especially Waste Electrical and Electronics equipments (WEEEs). However, as characteristics of a population are different to one another, a customized collection strategy is required. The purpose of this paper is to find an effective collection strategy which considers cost and environmental impact simultaneously.Design/methodology/approachThis paper presents an integrated collection strategy which combines a Fuzzy Colored Petri Net forecasting method and collection network model to collect EOL products. Colored Petri Net is used in modeling the integrated collection strategy. To test the collection strategy, a case study on mobile phone collection in Australia is presented.FindingsThe integrated collection strategy developed in this paper finds that by providing demographic data and historical sales of a relevant product in a certain location, the best strategy to collect EOL products in that location can be determined. This paper finds that the best strategy that suits one location might be different to other locations.Originality/valueThis paper presents a model which provides a customized collection strategy that follows the characteristics of a population. This strategy allows government organizations or manufacturers to simulate the strategies to collect EOL products in different locations.
Customer relationship management as advertised
Authors: Wang Ping , Burton Swanson E. 
Published: November 2008

PurposeThe paper aims to raise the question: how can a new information technology's (IT's) early momentum toward widespread adoption and eventual institutionalization be sustained? The purpose of the paper is to examine sustaining technological momentum as a form of institutional work and entrepreneurship not widely recognized as such.Design/methodology/approachThe paper reports a case study of Business Week's special advertising section used in 2000‐2004 to both exploit and help sustain the momentum of customer relationship management (CRM).FindingsThe study finds that the advertisement section's producers employed it over several years to recurrently produce and disseminate credible discourse advancing CRM, incorporating models for action, and providing fresh meanings to the organizing vision for this technology so as to accentuate its progress and keep it worthy of continued attention. Most significantly, acquired momentum, while problematic to sustain, can nevertheless serve as its own resource, to be continuously reinvested in the form of public discourse which must itself be kept “lively” so that momentum may be extended.Originality/valueThe paper contributes to the institutional explanation of IT diffusion by theorizing the process of sustaining technological momentum as an important institution‐building task. In particular, it illuminates the contribution of entrepreneurially produced and disseminated discourse to this process and provides an illustration and analysis of specific forms of institutional work, strategies, and tactics employed in the process. Additionally, the paper suggests that institutional work for sustaining technological momentum differs in certain respects from that needed to launch a technology so as to acquire momentum in the first place.
Do virtual communities matter for the social support of patients?
Authors: Marco Leimeister Jan , Schweizer Karin , Leimeister Stefanie , Krcmar Helmut 
Published: November 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore whether online communities meet their potential of providing environments in which social relationships can be readily established to help patients cope with their disease through social support. The paper aims to develop and test a model to examine antecedents of the formation of virtual relationships of cancer patients within virtual communities (VCs) as well as their effects in the form of social assistance.Design/methodology/researchData were collected from members of virtual patient communities in the German‐speaking internet through an online survey to which 301 cancer patients responded. The data were analyzed with partial least square (PLS) structural equation modeling.FindingsVirtual relationships for patients are established in VCs and play an important role in meeting patients' social needs. Important determinants for the formation of virtual relationships within virtual communities for patients are general internet usage intensity (active posting vs lurking) and the perceived disadvantages of CMC. The paper also found that virtual relationships have a strong effect on virtual support of patients; more than 61 per cent of the variance of perceived social assistance of cancer patients was explained by cancer‐related VCs. Emotional support and information exchange delivered through these virtual relationships may help patients to better cope with their illness.Research limitations/implicationsIn contrast to prior research, known determinants for the formation of virtual relationships (i.e. marital status, educational status, gender, and disease‐related factors such as the type of cancer as control variables, as well as general internet usage motives, and perceived advantages of CMC as direct determinants) played a weak role in this study of German cancer patients. Studies on other patient populations (i.e. patients with other acute illnesses in other cultures) are needed to see if results remain consistent.Practical implicationsParticipants and administrators of patient VCs have different design criteria for the improvement of VCs for patients (e.g. concerning community management, personal behaviour and the usage of information in online communities). Once the social mechanisms taking place in online communities are better understood, the systematic redesign of online communities according to the needs of their users should be given priority.Originality/valueLittle research has been conducted examining the role of VCs for social relationships and social networks in general and for patients in particular. Antecedents and effects of virtual social relationships of patients have not been sufficiently theoretically or empirically researched to be better understood. This research combines various determinants and effects of virtual relationships from prior related research. These are integrated into a conceptual model and applied empirically to a new target group, i.e. VCs for patients.
Enterprise resource planning and the post bureaucratic organization
Authors: Lowe Alan , Locke Joanne 
Published: November 2008

PurposeThe purpose of the paper is to use a case study setting involving the implementation of an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system to expose and analyze the conflicts in the characterizations of the post bureaucratic organisation (PBO) in the literature. ERP implementations are often accompanied by increasing levels of stress in organizations that place pressures on organizational relationships and structures. Additionally, ERPs are regarded as introducing their own techno‐logic of centralization, standardization and formalization that provides an apparent contrast to the exhortations about employee empowerment.Design/methodology/approachA case study of ERP implementation in a medium‐sized entity is presented. The paper explores aspects of ERP and PBO from the context of postmodern organization theory.FindingsSome concerns about PBO identified in the literature are reflected in the case situation. For example, there is a commitment to give up private time and work flexibly by some employees. The paper also provides evidence of the way the management team substitute their reliance on a key individual knowledge worker for that of an ERP system and external vendor support. Paradoxically, trust in that same knowledge worker and between core users of the system is essential to enable the implementation of the system.Originality/valueThis paper adds empirical insight to a predominantly theoretical literature. The case evidence indicates some conflicting implications in the concurrent adoption of PBO and ERP.