bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Developing public library managers as leaders
Authors: Wilson Kerry , Corrall Sheila 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThe paper's aim is to present findings of the recent evaluation of the Leading Modern Public Libraries development programme with reference to the management versus leadership dynamic. The programme provided a strategic intervention to address a perceived weakness in leadership development within the public library sector in England.Design/methodology/approachDrawing on recent examples from the literature, the theoretical differences between the concepts of management and leadership are discussed and used to inform consideration of the programme's effectiveness. Evaluation methods included participant observation, interviews, focus groups and a questionnaire survey, each administered at various stages of the programme with a representative sample of programme participants. Verbatim quotations from evaluation respondents are included in the analysis.FindingsThe research reveals that the programme has had a positive impact in enabling and developing leadership capacity within the sector, particularly in terms of developing participants' confidence and other interpersonal traits associated with effective leadership, including creativity and risk taking. Perceived benefits and limitations of the public library context in which the course was delivered have also been identified.Practical implicationsImportant considerations on the transition from effective management to leadership, and the identification, support and development of future leaders within organisations are presented, with implications for current public library leaders, trainers and facilitators within the field.Originality/valueThe paper shows that the programme and its evaluation represent a strategic development initiative on an unprecedented scale in the public library sector.
Towards effective development of electronic information resources in Nigerian university libraries
Authors: Ani Okon E. , Ahiauzu Blessing 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThis study aims to provide the framework for effective development of electronic information resources (EIRs) in Nigeria; it seeks to explore the levels of developing electronic information resources in university libraries in Nigeria.Design/methodology/approachThe study adopted the survey method in the collection of research data. Validated questionnaires were administered to participants at a national workshop on Electronic Information for Libraries Network (eIFL.net) held at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile‐Ife, Nigeria, from 17‐20 October, 2007.FindingsThe findings show that the internet has been the major source of developing EIRs in Nigerian university libraries as 17 (89.5 per cent) of the surveyed libraries have internet connectivity. This is followed by subscription to electronic databases, online databases 13 (68.4 per cent) and CD‐ROMs 11 (57.9 per cent); electronic journals ten (52.6 per cent) and library computerization ten (52.6 per cent) while digitization of library materials received the least responses of three (15.8 per cent). From the survey findings, there is a high level of developing EIRs in Nigerian university libraries through direct subscription for electronic information (online databases, CD‐ROMs etc.) than conversion of information into electronic form in the library through computerization and digitization.Research limitations/implicationsThere is a need to encourage local research in Nigeria by improving on the current level of conversion of local information for national and international access by users. Mass computerisation of library services and digitization of relevant library materials should be encouraged in university libraries in the country.Originality/valueThe paper provides insight into the level of development and utilization of EIRs in Nigerian universities
Service quality at University of Tehran Central Library
Authors: Nejati Mehran , Nejati Mostafa 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the importance of service quality aspects from the perspective of University of Tehran Central Library users. It also aims to measure how successful the library has been in meeting users' needs by providing good and reliable services.Design/methodology/approachThe research was conducted among library users. In order to meet the objectives of the study, SERVPERF methodology was used. Information was gathered via questionnaires which consisted of structured questions. All the closed ended questions were designed to elicit responses on a five‐point Likert scale to measure both respondent satisfaction and perception of service quality.FindingsThe results show that, although University of Tehran Central Library has conducted several programs for improving its services, because of the lack of identifying the most important aspects of service quality in their customers' ideas, the efforts for providing customer satisfaction has failed to a great extent.Practical implicationsThis paper will be helpful to libraries planning to implement a quality management system to improve their quality service and increase customer satisfaction through continuous improvement.Originality/valueThe concept of service quality assessment through SERVPERF is relatively a new concept among Iranian libraries and there is a lack of previous studies using this methodology in assessing perceived quality of academic libraries. Thus, this paper can be used as a guide for academic libraries that are interested in measuring customer satisfaction in order to excel in offering high quality services.
Issues and perceptions for ISO 9000 implementation in Greek academic libraries
Authors: Kostagiolas Petros A. , Kitsiou Maria B. 
Published: August 2008

PurposeQuality has been defined in many different ways and it forms a complex and subjective concept, incorporating at any given time the true (expressed and implied) needs of all those involved. A possible approach in the context of library and information services is the implementation of a well‐known quality management system such as the ISO 9001:2000. This paper aims to investigate and empirically assess the current issues and the perceptions for quality management systems implementation in Greek academic libraries.Design/methodology/approachAn empirical qualitative survey based on the development of a questionnaire for semi‐structured interviews with the directors of Greek academic libraries. The study was conducted during the third quarter of 2007 in regard to the effects of quality management system implementation.FindingsThe comparisons between approaches to, and perceptions of, quality management need to be balanced. An interest for ISO 9000:2000/ISO 9001:2000 has been observed in academic libraries in Greece.Practical implicationsThe study of the current attempts for implementing quality management systems as well as evidence about perceptions regarding ISO 9000:2000 of libraries directors may aid in the development of policies for quality management in academic libraries in Greece.Originality/valueThis paper provides information for ISO 9001:2000 implementation in Greek academic libraries and empirical results about the perceptions of Greek academic library directors based on semi‐structured interviews.
Are there common academic library customer values?
Authors: McKnight Susan 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThis paper endeavours to provide answers to the following questions: Is there a correlation between what library customers value and the questions asked in benchmarking satisfaction surveys? Is there a core set of academic library customer values? Are there differences between what academic library customers value in Australia when compared to their counterparts in England? Do library customer values change over time?Design/methodology/approachThe results of two similar university libraries' customer value discovery research are compared with each other, and also with the question set in the LibQUAL+™ survey. As the customer value discovery research was undertaken six years apart, the results are compared to see if there has been change over time.FindingsAcademic library customers identified a core set of values, and these values mapped reasonably well to the LibQUAL+™ instrument. However, there were unique value factors identified by the various customer segments that did not map. Some questions in LibQUAL+™ were more detailed in their exploration of library staff attributes than customers identified in their value proposition. Customers identify their values +without reference to library jargon.Originality/valueThe paper shows that customer value discovery and LibQUAL+™ are both valuable management tools that identify services and resources of importance to library customers.
Estimating replacement demand: lessons from Ireland
Authors: Fox Roger , Comerford Barry 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThis paper seeks to examine the use of the cohort component method as a method of deriving replacement demand for manpower forecasting.Design/methodology/approachThe paper explains the principal concepts of replacement demand and how replacement demand has been estimated in two alternative ways: the cohort component method and using longitudinal data on individuals. The paper focuses on one of these ways, the cohort component method, and illustrates how this method can fail to capture all the relevant flows driving replacement demand. It also compares the method to the alternative approach based on individual data and discusses US and Irish results using both methods.FindingsThe cohort component method is found to underestimate replacement demand significantly in many occupations.Research limitations/implicationsResearch estimates of replacement demand should be based on individual longitudinal data rather than the cohort component method.Originality/valueMany countries undertake some form of occupational employment forecasting including, in many cases, making estimates of replacement demand. This paper should help to clarify the appropriate choice of methodology for estimating replacement demand.
The adoption of Japanese recruitment practices in Malaysia
Authors: Wan Hooi Lai 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThe objective of this research is to examine to what extent Japanese recruitment practices are introduced and practiced in the auto manufacturing companies in Malaysia, since the implementation of the Look East Policy.Design/methodology/approachThe process involves the gathering of both primary and secondary data, but the main method is a primary data survey. The approach is to target local enterprises as much as possible in the collection of primary data through a set of questionnaires, as well as in‐depth interviews with the human resource (HR) directors and some employees of each company.FindingsIt appears that the Malaysian manufacturing companies have not designed their recruitment practices after those of the Japanese. There is no one single model of recruitment practices operating in Malaysia, either among Japanese joint ventures or local enterprises. However, the findings do suggest the existence of some consistent sets of recruitment behavior among the companies, though it cannot be said with much confidence that these patterns are indeed representative of Malaysian recruitment behavior.Research limitations/implicationsResearch has been limited to the manufacturing industry only.Practical implicationsHR practitioners can use the outcome of the study to gauge the adaptability of certain elements of Japanese recruitment practices to the Malaysian workplace.Originality/valueThis paper offers an insight into the applicability of Japanese recruitment practices and offers practical help to HR practitioners embarking on new recruitment policies.
Looking at leaders: a conjoint analysis
Authors: Soutar Geoffrey N. , Ridley Shaun 
Published: August 2008

PurposeConjoint analysis is a useful research technique, but has not been used in the leadership area. This study aims to examine its relevance in exploring the trade‐offs followers make about leaders and the value of the leadership attributes examined.Design/methodology/approachEight leader attributes were obtained from three focus groups. Past research and a sample of followers indicated their preferences for a number of leader profiles developed from the attributes, as well as assessing their present leaders on the same attributes. This enabled an estimation of the trade‐offs followers made in assessing leaders and the computation of a value “score” for their leader.FindingsThe study finds that participants traded off leader attributes sensibly, providing useful information about the attributes' value. Inspiration, trust and communication were the most valued leader attributes. However, most leaders were not viewed positively.Research limitations/implicationsRespondents were participants in development programmes, which may have impacted on the responses, but the results suggested the approach had merit. Research with more general samples of followers and a wider range of leadership topics is needed.Practical implicationsFuture development programmes should focus on the “valuable” attributes and organisations also need to consider such attributes when selecting and evaluating leaders.Originality/valueThis paper uses a conjoint approach that has not been used in the leadership area. The results provide additional insights into the way followers view leaders and enabled a leader “score” to be computed, giving insights into the state of leadership within the group from which responses were obtained.
Subjectivity and social structure
Authors: Irwin Sarah 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to foreground social relations and inter‐connections as important components in a conceptualisation of social structure. The paper argues that the seeming disconnection between the normative and the social structural is a problem of explanation rather than a novel feature of contemporary social life.Design/methodology/approachData are used from extended interviews conducted on two areas, concerning ethnicity and belonging, and gender, work and care, generated during the ESRC funded “CAVA” project (Research Group for the Study of Care, Values and the Future of Welfare).FindingsIt is argued that more productive analyses of social diversity and social change ensue from better delineating the mutuality of normative and social processes.Originality/valueThrough its cultural turn, sociological research has reaffirmed the importance of normative and evaluative processes in shaping human experience and social life. However, new accounts have faced difficulties in connecting the normative and subjective with social structural processes. This paper confronts that challenge.
Family migration and social stratification
Authors: Gayle Vernon , Boyle Paul , Cullis Andrew 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between family migration (i.e. couples with or without children moving home) and social stratification in Britain. The purpose of this paper is to explore the effects of family migration on social stratification using contemporary large‐scale nationally representative data.Design/methodology/approachThe paper investigates data from the British Household Panel Survey (BHPS). This is a nationally representative large‐scale longitudinal dataset which tracks a panel of British households and collects interview data annually.FindingsThe paper found a weak relationship between moving house and employment status. Long‐distance migration had a different effect for males and females when prior employment was considered. There was not relationship between migration and female occupational position, but a small effect for men when the move was for reasons related to their own employment. Generally, migration had a positive effect on the family's social class position.Practical implicationsThe paper illustrates that longitudinal data are highly beneficial for analyses of family migration as they provide a temporal location for the move.Originality/valueThis is an original set of analyses of contemporary large‐scale nationally representative longitudinal data.
E‐procurement in the United Nations: influences, issues and impact
Authors: Walker Helen , Harland Christine 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the factors influencing e‐procurement adoption in the United Nations (UN) system of organizations are examined.Design/methodology/approachThis paper reports on an extended multi‐method case study of e‐procurement in the UN. A three stage methodology is adopted – a questionnaire survey of UN organizations, case studies of e‐procurement issues in three UN organizations, and an interactive workshop with the heads of purchasing of UN organizations.FindingsThe paper finds that e‐procurement is being used in the UN for transactions of routine, non‐strategic purchases. UN development agencies are more likely to adopt e‐procurement than humanitarian aid agencies as their operations are more predictable. The intention of the majority of UN organizations to adopt e‐procurement within three years has been reversed following the workshop, which revealed that adoption of e‐procurement would run counter to UN policies of supporting less developed nations, regions and organizations. A more cautious, “wait and see” approach has been taken rather than to unilaterally promote e‐procurement across the UN system.Research limitations/implicationsThis research focuses on the UN, yet could have implications for other complex systems of organizations such as the public sector, or multinational companies considering implementing e‐procurement with suppliers in developing countries.Practical implicationsE‐procurement needs to be considered in the context of other procurement policy objectives. What may be good e‐procurement practice in a profit‐making firm may be viewed as competing with broader policy objectives of not‐for‐profit organizations. The digital divide is a salient contextual factor for the UN, and brings about unforeseen issues regarding e‐procurement adoption which may have resonance for other organisations.Originality/valueMuch research on e‐procurement has been conducted in the private sector and this paper contributes to the small but growing number of studies of e‐procurement in the context of the public and not‐for‐profit sectors by studying e‐procurement in the UN.
The long‐run and dynamic behaviors of wages, productivity and employment in Malaysia
Authors: Abdullah Yusof Selamah 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThis paper aims to examine the long‐run and dynamic behaviors of real wage‐employment‐productivity relationship, using Malaysian manufacturing data, and to determine which related labor theories are supported.Design/methodology/approachTime‐series econometric techniques, which include stationarity and cointegration tests, vector error correction model, impulse response function and variance decomposition, are applied to analyze the relationships of real wages, employment and productivity.FindingsA long run relationship exists between real wages, employment and real productivity, with real wages being the main variable that adjusts to maintain cointegration. The theory that real wages inversely affect employment is not supported, while the performance‐based pay scheme theory, and not the efficiency wage theory, is validated.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough the data used to measure wages and employment account for most of the production in the various manufacturing sectors, they do not include all the manufacturing industries. The analysis is also limited in time span since data for earlier periods are not available.Practical implicationsThe findings can provide assistance to policy makers in their implementation and evaluation of labor policies.Originality/valueThe real wage‐employment‐productivity relationship is examined in the framework of the Malaysian manufacturing sector, and the study includes both the long‐term and short‐run behaviors of the variables.
Evolvability and the intangibles
Authors: Hanisch Christoph , Munz Gebhard 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to look at production and the installation of production lines, and question how to reduce investment for installation and how to organize the structure of such a line in order to use and reuse it for as many different or new types of products as possible.Design/methodology/approachThe paper looks at some basic technological interdependencies.FindingsThe paper finds that the know‐how, the long‐term capabilities and creativity make man a very important asset in terms of economical factory operation. Evolvable production systems may in the near future turn out to be the bridging link between what one might call “the cost‐driven operation reducing the workforce” and an answer to how factory operation could be sustainable for a society and be highly profitable at the same time.Originality/valueEvolvable assembly systems are a technological task requiring profound theoretical research and solutions. The paper is of value in listing some requirements for evolvable systems.
Electroacoustic music: updating the library collection
Authors: Dubnjakovic Ana 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present a variety of current resources associated with electroacoustic music suitable for updating academic and large public library collections.Design/methodology/approachThe approach taken in the paper is to identify resources meant to provide guidance in locating appropriate resources and to identify specific resources regarding electroacoustic collections that are grouped in several categories for ease of reading.FindingsThe complexity of definition of electroacoustic music and its interdisciplinary nature has had a negative impact on availability of collection development guides for electroacoustic music. Furthermore, resource formats associated with this type of music are heavily dependent on technology and change with great frequency which makes them challenging to keep up with.Originality/valueThe paper offers practical advice about updating electroacoustic music collections.
ACLS Humanities E‐book: an examination
Authors: Berger‐Barrera Jocelyn 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to inform the reader about the collection development principles, the use of technology, the history, and usefulness of ACLS Humanities E‐book.Design/methodology/approachThe approach adopted is a brief history, overview, and review of ACLS Humanities E‐book.FindingsACLS Humanities E‐book combines a carefully selected collection of academic monographs related to the humanities with a straightforward user‐interface.Originality/valueThe paper offers information about the collection, most important, its collection development model and the considerable value and utility of ACLS Humanities E‐book for researchers and libraries.
Sensing with neutrons: an overview
Authors: Bogue Robert 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide a brief review of sensing with neutrons.Design/methodology/approachThe paper discusses neutron sources, sensing techniques and a number of established and emerging applications.FindingsThe paper shows that neutron‐based sensing is used to determine a range of physical and chemical variables in the process, minerals, chemicals, security and military industries.Originality/valueThe paper provides a concise overview of the technology and uses of neutron‐based sensing.