bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Librarians' opinions about library software: a survey of libraries in Lahore
Authors: Shafique Farzana , Mahmood Khalid 
Published: November 2007

PurposeThe paper seeks to reveal the current status of software used in the libraries of Lahore, to explore the satisfaction level of the software users, and to find out their problems and suggestions.Design/methodology/approachThe paper reports a survey of automated libraries of Lahore comprising academic (university, college, and school libraries), public and special libraries. Opinions were acquired from the whole population. The data collected were analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively, and conclusions were drawn along with recommendations.FindingsMost libraries purchased or developed software without any exchange of experience with each other. A variety of software was being used by the libraries of Lahore. No standard tool or directory was available for the selection and evaluation of software, nor was comprehensive literature written and published in a Pakistani scenario discussing the technical and practical aspects of library software. The Pakistani literature available on the topic is not up to date.Research limitations/implicationsThe research is limited to the automated libraries of Lahore and focuses on the comparison of software and determining librarians' opinions.Practical implicationsThe comparative analysis of software used in various libraries of Lahore made in this study and the opinions of the software users studied will be helpful for foreign and local vendors of library software. It will also provide guidelines for libraries in developing countries, which are planning to automate their services, in selecting and maintaining software that is most suitable to their needs.Originality/valueNo comprehensive survey has been conducted at national or local level to reveal the current status of the software and related problems faced by Pakistani libraries. The current study, although focussing only on libraries in the city of Lahore, can be extrapolated to the country as a whole and should prove useful as an indication of how issues with library software can arise and be handled.
Factors affecting auditors' utilization of evidential cues
Authors: El‐Masry El‐Hussein E. , Hansen Kathryn A. 
Published: November 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to develop a taxonomy of the major factors that influence auditors' selection and assessment of evidential cues. A discussion of how future research can help extend the taxonomy is also offered.Design/methodology/approachA literature review of prior research on auditors' utilization of evidential cues is introduced, followed by a summary taxonomy of the variables influencing this decision. Then, an exploration of future research directions is introduced.FindingsA four‐category taxonomy is designed. Auditors' decision to incorporate a certain piece of evidence is a function of one or more categories of factors: individual, environmental, task related, or related to the nature of the cues. With its emphasis on audit quality, and thus on enhanced evidence gathering, the Sarbanes‐Oxley Act (SOX) has the potential to alter and/or expand the structure of the proposed taxonomy.Research limitations/implicationsThe taxonomy is based mainly on prior research in accounting and auditing. Incorporating other research on evidence selection and utilization from human behavior and human psychology may enhance the model.Originality/valueThe paper integrates into a model a large body of research on evidential cue selection and use in auditing. The taxonomy is a convenient starting point for researchers attempting to locate prior research in this area. Additionally, the taxonomy is an important guideline for audit partners and managers when planning an audit for two reasons. First, it sheds the light on many variables audit partners and managers need to consider when assigning audit tasks to audit team members with various levels of expertise. Second, it explores the impact of the SOX on current evidence collection practices in auditing.
Financial reporting by New Zealand charities: finding a way forward
Authors: Hooper Keith , Sinclair Rowena , Hui Doris , Mataira Kelvin 
Published: November 2007

PurposeCharities are becoming recognised as playing an important part in communities by furthering government's social objectives through increasing support to disadvantaged members of society. As charities multiply in number, it becomes increasingly difficult for fund providers and contributors to determine which charity to support. In New Zealand there is a move towards providing public access to the financial accounts of charities to assist stakeholders in their decision making and to enhance transparency in charities. However, this assumes that these financial accounts are understandable by all stakeholders. This paper aims to identify four problems that limit the way forward for financial reporting by New Zealand charities.Design/methodology/approachThe first section of the paper comprises a review of the literature on charities' financial accounts with a particular focus on the four problems identified above. The paper then reports the results of eight interviews with charitable organisations, auditors and academics that have expertise in charity financial reporting, with a particular emphasis on the four identified problems.FindingsThere was agreement that unresolved, these four problems could limit the way forward in financial reporting by New Zealand charities. Some recommendations are proposed that suggest a way forward with regard to these problems, so that the users of the financial reports of charities may benefit.Research limitations/implicationsHighlights a need for further research into these problems to identify the feasibility of the proposed recommendations.Originality/valueThe enactment of the Charities Act 2005 in New Zealand and its requirement to include financial accounts on a publicly available register has raised the profile of the financial reports of charities. However, there has been limited research into the financial reporting by New Zealand charities, so this paper is a timely evaluation of four specific problems that could limit the way forward of financial reporting by New Zealand charities.
The effect of qualified auditors' opinions on share prices: evidence from Jordan
Authors: Al‐Thuneibat Ali A. , Khamees Basheer Ahmad , Al‐Fayoumi Nedal A. 
Published: November 2007

PurposeThis study aims at investigating the effect of the qualified audit reports on shares prices and returns in Jordan.Design/methodology/approachA market‐based study conducted on the qualified audit reports of the shareholding companies in Jordan during the period 2000‐2005.FindingsThe conclusions of the study showed that there is no clear or significant effect of a qualified audit opinion on share prices and returns.Practical implicationsBased on the conclusions of the study, the researchers recommend there is a need for further educating users of the role of the audit report and the need for extending this study to investigate the effect of the qualified audit reports on share prices and returns during other periods and using different test periods other than the announcement date.Originality/valueThis study is original because it provides us with new evidence about the effect of qualified audit reports on shares prices and returns in a developing country.
Library consortia and digital services
Authors: Rogani Joseph Frank 
Published: November 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to focus on the new digital services to improve information access and, in particular, on the findings of a user satisfaction survey, at the University of Calabria, with the digital collection service (Emeroteca Virtuale) provided by CIBER[1], a national consortium of university libraries.Design/methodology/approachAfter a literature review, a questionnaire was carefully prepared and submitted to a sample of 1,350 patrons, 20 of whom were also interviewed. Quotes from users are reported, showing feelings and observations. Additionally, a usability test was performed in order to assess the usability and usefulness of Emeroteca Virtuale. Frequency of use, as well as reasons for use and non‐use of the service were investigated and results are reported in this paper, using graphs and citing quotes from interviewed users, adding a qualitative perspective to the research.FindingsFindings have enabled the defining of the level of users' satisfaction and also evaluating the impact on users of this digital service.Research limitations/implicationsThe limitations of this research are discussed and some recommendations about new activities to plan for service improvement are also defined.Originality/valueAs there was no previous study of this kind at the University of Calabria, this work can be considered useful in order to fill the gap and is a good starting point for further improvements.
Word‐of‐mouth marketing: abandoning the academic library ivory tower
Authors: Alire Camila A. 
Published: November 2007

PurposeThis article aims to dispel the perception that academic libraries do not need to market their services and resources; to acquaint academic librarians to the concept of word‐of‐mouth marketing and its potential for academic libraries; and to share a word‐of‐mouth marketing academic library success story.Design/methodology/approachIncludes an introduction to the concept of word‐of‐mouth marketing and its application to academic libraries. Also includes how one academic library successfully employed this marketing technique.FindingsProvides an introduction to the word‐of‐mouth marketing strategy and its usefulness for academic libraries. Shares a real‐life success story of academic library word‐of‐mouth marketing.Practical implicationsUseful as an introduction for academic librarians to a specific type of marketing strategy that works well in a college/university setting and provides some successful techniques of word‐of‐mouth marketing for academic libraries.Originality/valueHelps fill a void relative to using marketing strategies in an academic library setting and offers suggestions on how to do this successfully.
Creation‐driven marketing: integrating metadata into the production process
Authors: Kircz Joost 
Published: November 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to defend the vision that the creator of an electronic product has an essential capability to position the product in the market by clever integration of metadata in the creation process itself.Design/methodology/approachThe paper starts with a description of the landscape, followed by an analysis of the notion metadata. Subsequently, the production of metadata and the role of the creator are discussed. The paper concludes that by cleverly coding the semantic information during the creation process, the creator will be able to play a much larger role in targeting the ultimate consumer market now and in the future.FindingsThe unique force of electronic products is in the coding. On the one hand, we have the electronic object as such. It can be a plain text document, a photo, a full colour flyer, a video, a software program, a game, or even a PDF version of an old‐fashioned book. The electronic object contains a great deal of coding. At present, this coding mainly describes the layout and structure of the electronic file and added information on rightsOriginality/valueWhen the electronic object has to find its way to a consumer and becomes a product in a commercial chain, normally, and very traditionally, only the metadata added after the creation are used. The coding added in the creation of the electronic product, is hardly used and can become an important ingredient for finding information in the right context.
LILAC Conference 2007
Authors: Glass Bob 
Published: November 2007

PurposeTo provide a flavour of the content of the third Librarians Information Literacy Conference (LILAC) held in Manchester, UK in March 2007.Design/methodology/approachAn outline description of the issues, content, keynote speakers and participants of this conference is described.FindingsThis conference covered the themes of recognising the need, advocacy, marketing and promotion, practical approaches to information literacy, information literacy and citizenship, new areas for practice and research, and ethical use of information.Originality/valueA conference report of value to library and information professionals regarding various information literacy themes, with links to two web site launches.
Strategies for developing third stream activity in new university business schools
Authors: Prince Christopher 
Published: November 2007

PurposeDeveloping third stream activity is becoming increasingly important for business schools as they come under increasing financial pressure. The purpose of this paper is to highlight the strategies adopted by new university business schools and highlight the resources, capabilities and constraints under which they are operating.Design/methodology/approachThe research conducted for this paper is based upon Yin's multiple case design methodology using replication logic. Six new university business schools were identified, where two cases would be literal replications (large schools with a large portfolio of third stream activity) and four cases designed to pursue different patterns of theoretical replication (large schools with small levels of third stream activity, and two small schools). In total 14 senior staff were interviewed in the six schools.FindingsThe overall picture that emerges from the research is of a complex market that is for the most part local and regional in nature, where the ability of individual schools to develop a coherent strategy towards growing third stream activity in a range of sub‐markets is constrained by their resources, capabilities and organisational arrangements, as well as market opportunities in their region. From the analysis it is possible to identify two distinct development paths. One where schools focus on delivering funded activity (funded for example by EU, regional development agencies, learning and skills councils and SSP's) and one where schools focus on more “commercially” based activity (in‐company programmes, accreditation, contract research for public and private sector organisations).Practical implicationsThe paper is one of the first to highlight the resources and capabilities necessary to compete in this increasingly important market.Originality/valueThere is little hard evidence available highlighting the development of third stream activity in new university business schools.
Will you miss me when I'm gone?
Authors: McQuade Eamonn , Sjoer Ellen , Fabian Peter , Carlos Nascimento José , Schroeder Sanaz 
Published: November 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to report on a research project, the aim of which was to identify the potential loss of company knowledge and expertise as experienced and expert employees retire.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology used in this research was based on interviewing experienced and expert people who had retired or were approaching retirement: An application of expert interviewing. The interviews were conducted in five countries, across a number of sectors and involving a range of company sizes. The work of the research team was guided by an advisory panel of people with significant, senior level industrial experience.FindingsIn addition to the potential loss of technical product and process knowledge and expertise, there is a loss of expertise in interpersonal communication skill both in the company and in communication with companies and people who are suppliers and customers, in knowing the company culture and the way things are done and in the loss of maturity and stabilising influence.Research limitations/implicationsThe number of people interviewed was relatively small. However, the research pointed out the need for companies, both large and small, to put in place succession planning, talent management and knowledge management processes as well as training in transferable skills or soft skills.Practical implicationsManagement training programmes and courses need to include aspects of succession planning, talent management and knowledge management processes as well as training in transferable skills or soft skills.Originality/valueThe research team and the advisory panel involved participants from five EU countries large and small, east and west, north and south, developed and developing, EU founder members and newer accession states. It involved working in five languages and cultures. Despite this diversity there was great agreement on the findings and implications.
Introduction: special double issue of Kybernetes on cybernetics and design
Authors: Glanville Ranulph 
Published: November 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this editorial is to reach out to an audience that Kybernetes has not previously tried to reach – designers – in an effort to build a bridge connecting cybernetics and design.Design/methodology/approachProvides a brief review of the papers within the issue.FindingsThe collection of papers may provoke wonder, enquiry, and a wish not only to respect each field, but also to open up, to find out more and, perhaps, to enter into a symbiotic bridge building operation that might bring valuable theoretical illumination and realm of practice to both fields.Originality/valueThis editorial introduces an exploration that begins to develop any relationships that might exist between the two fields of design and cybernetics.
Try again. Fail again. Fail better: the cybernetics in design and the design in cybernetics
Authors: Glanville Ranulph 
Published: November 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the two subjects, cybernetics and design, in order to establish and demonstrate a relationship between them. It is held that the two subjects can be considered complementary arms of each other.Design/methodology/approachThe two subjects are each characterised so that the author's interpretation is explicit and those who know one subject but not the other are briefed. Cybernetics is examined in terms of both classical (first‐order) cybernetics, and the more consistent second‐order cybernetics, which is the cybernetics used in this argument. The paper develops by a comparative analysis of the two subjects, and exploring analogies between the two at several levels.FindingsA design approach is characterised and validated, and contrasted with a scientific approach. The analogies that are proposed are shown to hold. Cybernetics is presented as theory for design, design as cybernetics in practice. Consequent findings, for instance that both cybernetics and design imply the same ethical qualities, are presented.Research limitations/implicationsThe research implications of the paper are that, where research involves design, the criteria against which it can be judged are far more Popperian than might be imagined. Such research will satisfy the condition of adequacy, rather than correctness. A secondary outcome concerning research is that, whereas science is concerned with what is (characterised through the development of knowledge of (what is)), design (and by implication other subjects primarily concerned with action) is concerned with knowledge for acting.Practical implicationsThe theoretical validity of second‐order cybernetics is used to justify and give proper place to design as an activity. Thus, the approach designers use is validated as complementary to, and placed on an equal par with, other approaches. This brings design, as an approach, into the realm of the acceptable. The criteria for the assessment of design work are shown to be different from those appropriate in other, more traditionally acceptable approaches.Originality/valueFor approximately 40 years, there have been claims that cybernetics and design share much in common. This was originally expressed through communication criteria, and by the use of classical cybernetic approaches as methods for use in designing. This paper argues a much closer relationship between cybernetics and design, through consideration of developments in cybernetics not available 40 years ago (second‐order cybernetics) and through examining the activity at the heart of the design act, whereas many earlier attempts have been concerned with research that is much more about assessment, prescription and proscription.
Cybernetic embodiment and the role of autonomy in the design process
Authors: Arnellos Argyris , Spyrou Thomas , Darzentas John 
Published: November 2007

PurposeThis paper aims to develop the role of autonomy in the emergence of the design process. It shows how the design process is facilitated by autonomy, how autonomy is enhanced through the design process and how the emergence of anticipatory and future‐oriented representational content in an autonomous cognitive system provides the functionality needed for the strengthening of both its autonomy and the design process, in which the autonomous cognitive system purposefully engages.Design/methodology/approachInitially, the essential characteristics of the design process and of the cognitive systems participating in it will be identified. Then, an attempt to demonstrate the ability of an enhanced second‐order cybernetic framework to satisfy these characteristics will be made. Next, an analytic description of the design process under this framework is presented and the respective implications are critically discussed.FindingsThe role of autonomy is crucial for the design process, as it seems that autonomy is both the primary motive and the goal for a cognitive system to engage in a design process. A second‐order cybernetic framework is suitable for the analysis of such a complex process, as long as both the constructive and the interactive aspects of a self‐organising system are taken under consideration.Practical implicationsThe modelling of the complex design process under the framework of second‐order cybernetics and the indication of the fundamental characteristics of an autonomous cognitive system as well as their interrelations may provide useful insights in multiple levels, from the purely theoretical (i.e. better understanding of the design process and the conditions for each creative fostering), to the purely technical (i.e. the design of artificial agents with design capabilities).Originality/valueThe innovative aspect of the paper is that it attempts an analysis of the design process under a framework of second‐order cybernetics, by attempting to analyse and explain the emergence of such a process from the point of view of an autonomous cognitive system. This results in some interesting implications regarding the nature of the design process, as well as regarding its “mechanisms” of emergence and evolution, with respect to the characteristics of the participating autonomous systems.