bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Special libraries in India: some current trends
Authors: Singh S.P. 
Published: September 2006

PurposePoor infrastructure facilities, outdated mindsets and lack of exposure among professionals to the latest developments have been bottlenecks against progress in Indian libraries for a long time. Today, with the advent of both information and communication technologies and global competition, the scenario for special libraries in India is changing fast. This paper aims to outline the emerging trends and developments taking place in special libraries in India: it aims to provide an overview of how special libraries in India function, particularly as a younger generation of library professionals is now actively becoming involved in developing new skills and competencies in order to become more customer‐sensitive and customer‐centered.Design/methodology/approachThis is a general review and survey of current development areas in special librarianship.FindingsIn most Indian special libraries, features such as Internet resources and other electronic/digital resources, subject gateways and networks and consortia, are fast gaining acceptance. New trends include the development of libraries’ own web sites, the sophisticated application of digital technology, more professional marketing of information products and services, outsourcing, flexi‐workforce, knowledge management and participative management, which are becoming the order of the day.Originality/valueThe paper clearly presents the changes coming in special libraries in India.
Crisis management or crisis response system?
Authors: Paraskevas Alexandros 
Published: September 2006

PurposeTo offer a complexity‐informed framework for the design of an effective organizational crisis response system.Design/methodology/approachA narrative analysis of the crisis response in a hotel chain facing a major food poisoning outbreak, seen from a complexity theory perspective. Data were collected through 17 in‐depth interviews of persons involved in the crisis response and through analysis of secondary data.FindingsThe analysis identified weaknesses in the chain's crisis response and complexity theory provided a good theoretical foundation of the proposals to overcome them.Practical implicationsOrganizations should redefine the role of crisis management plans and crisis management teams. An effective crisis response should be viewed as a living (co‐evolving) system within the organization. By adopting complexity principles the organization can make this system far more effective.Originality/valueThe paper is among the very few that deal with crisis management from a complexity perspective.
Complexity and variety in mass customization systems: analysis and recommendations
Authors: Blecker Thorsten , Abdelkafi Nizar 
Published: September 2006

PurposeTo identify and examine the origins of complexity in a mass customization system and to propose an effective application sequence of variety management strategies in order to cope with this complexity.Design/methodology/approachThrough the application of Suh's complexity theory an understanding of the causes of complexity in the specific context of a mass customization environment is developed. This facilitates the identification of the strategies that are adequate to tackle the problems induced by complexity.FindingsThe mass customization system is a coupled system that cannot be mastered simply. It is definitely impossible to transform it to an uncoupled system with a low complexity level. However, the effective and targeted implementation of variety management strategies at the product and process levels enables the management of this complexity by making the system more decoupled.Practical implicationsComplexity can be decreased if managers ensure less dependency between the satisfaction of customer requirements and position of the decoupling point. It is also advantageous to reduce the coupling level between fast delivery requirement in mass customization and the decoupling point placement. Furthermore, an effective variety management calls for the implementation of the identified strategies in an ascending order of complexity reduction potential.Originality/valueThe article relates the complexity theory of Suh to mass customization system, provides a framework for the classification of variety management strategies and derives managerial recommendations so as to reduce the complexity in a mass customization environment.
Spotlight on Richard T. Pascale
Authors: Powell Sarah 
Published: September 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to record an interview with Richard T. Pascale, an international business consultant.Design/methodology/approachThe paper uses an interview technique to reveal Richard T. Pascale's views on the relevance of complexity science to management.FindingsThe paper reveals that Pascale believes that there are some common properties to all living things that have great relevance to business. These are: prolonged equilibrium is a precursor to death; innovation occurs near the edge of chaos; all living things exhibit the capacity for self‐organisation and emergence (most recently popularised by the idea of the tipping point); and when you tamper with living things, you confront the law of unintended consequences. All four of these ideas have begun to penetrate managerial consciousness.Originality/valueThis paper provides some usual views on the relevance of complexity science to management from a well‐known international business consultant.
Managing change within IBM's complex supply chain
Authors: McLaughlin Stephen , Paton Robert A. , Macbeth Douglas K. 
Published: September 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this research is to report on research to date concerning the creation of a hybrid model for managing performance and decision making with elements of an IBM supply chain.Design/methodology/approachAs part of a wider research programme this paper utilises survey, focus group and case analysis techniques to examine the supply chain interactions.FindingsA cross‐functional process‐orientated team was assembled to look at the end‐to‐end process logic, skills alignment, effective codified knowledge systems, and the prioritisation of change to overcome inhibitors of change originating from functional/IT‐focused processes/solutions.Research limitations/implicationsThe results of this paper have, as yet, not been validated beyond the process performance targets set by IBM. Validation across and within industry boundaries, based on survey and case analysis, is about to commence.Practical implicationsToo often “management” play too active a role in the operational aspects of team‐based solution methodologies – and can potentially reinforce the functional inhibitors of change. This paper suggests that management sets the scene and prioritises process outcomes – allowing non‐managerial professionals the scope to reach optimal outcomes.Originality/valueThis research draws upon a number of inter‐disciplinary fields in an effort to better understand how knowledge is created, managed and exploited within complex solutions.
Project management and development of human capital in the Caribbean: three case studies
Authors: Banik Arindam , Bhaumik Pradip K. 
Published: September 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this research is to demonstrate the primacy of adequate human capital for successful completion of infrastructure projects in developing countries.Design/methodology/approachA case study approach is used and three Caribbean infrastructure projects analyzed using a common framework to identify links between project success and availability of adequate human capital.FindingsExplains how the scarcity of human capital at executive and managerial levels may have disastrous consequences for successful project completion, particularly in developing countries.Research limitations/implicationsDeveloping countries like those of the Caribbean that have done well in human development rankings can still suffer from scarcity of human capital.Practical implicationsThe funding agencies need to emphasize the estimation, provisioning and development of human capital for funded projects and ensure the continued availability of the same until project completion as much as they do for physical and economic capital.Originality/valueThe paper brings out the critical role of human capital, which is quite often scarce in developing countries but is needed to use the Project Management body of knowledge for successful completion of projects.
Gaps in the awareness of current nutrition issues as dependent on age
Authors: Adams Melanie S. 
Published: September 2006

PurposeThe goal of this study is to identify important current topics in nutrition that may be poorly understood by the public.Design/methodology/approachA questionnaire was designed to assess public awareness of a range of important findings uncovered by recent scientific research on nutrition. Responses were collected in December 2005 from 171 well‐educated male and female respondents ranging from 18–70 years of age.FindingsThe highly educated group of respondents surveyed with respect to their awareness of nutrition was well informed on the importance of a balanced diet, the recommendations concerning saturated fat and olive oil, the calcium content of dairy products, and the effect of diet on diabetes and cancer. Important gaps in their knowledge included a low level of awareness of the health effects of canola and corn oil, the high calcium content of several vegetables, the effect of diet on mental processes and the power of the Mediterranean diet in preventing heart attacks. In several of these latter cases, it was the group of younger participants who had the lowest level of awareness. Only about one‐third of the 18–30 years old participants were well informed about canola/corn oil and the calcium content of green vegetables, respectively, vs about two‐thirds in the 31–70 years old age group. Likewise, the participants of ages 18–30 were significantly less well informed about the effect of diet on cancer, intelligence and disruptive behavior than the older participants. In addition, women were found to be better informed than men on the issue of vegetables with high calcium content.Research limitations/implicationsThe number of male respondents was lower than that of female respondents and this may have limited the identification of additional cases where gender‐related differences in awareness exist.Originality/valueThis study provides new information about current, important issues in nutrition that are poorly understood even by an educated sample audience, particularly by younger participants. This information should be used as the basis for an education program to improve public health and that should target younger people.
Aqueous dispersions of gelled collagen particles. Part 1: experimental characterization of stiffness and rheological properties
Authors: Ferrari A. , Stefani F. , Beruto D.T. 
Published: September 2006

PurposeTo study the rheological behavior of aqueous dispersions of collagen gelled media and to bring it into relation with the gel stiffness and microstructure.Design/methodology/approachCollagen gelled media were prepared at different concentrations and their stiffness was measured with dynamic elastic modulus (DEM) technique. The gelled media were reduced into dispersions of micelles and gel liquid phase and the apparent viscosity of these systems was investigated as a function of the gap thickness, the shear rate and the collagen concentration. The gap thickness was varied between 20 and 200 μm. The microstructure of the broken gelled media was finally explored with optical microscopy.FindingsDEM analysis has given values of the collagen gel stiffness ranging between 3 × 10−4 and 3.3 × 10−3 MPa. It has been shown that apparent viscosity grows with the increase of the gap thickness from 2 to 5 Pa s at constant collagen concentration and applied shear rate (4 percent, 100 s−1). A rise in the collagen concentration has produced an increase in the apparent viscosity of gelled media dispersions. Nevertheless, the phenomenological law does not obey previously proposed equations but follows a sigmoid modal. Shear‐thinning phenomenon has been observed when the shear rate is varied between 10 and 2,000 s−1.Research limitations/implicationsThe gel breaking process, which may cause changes in the microstructure of the micelles and hence in the rheological behavior of the dispersions, should be characterized measuring the forces acting on the samples during the rupture.Originality/valueThe paper provides useful information on the rheological behavior of aqueous dispersions of collagen gelled media.
The influence of precarious employment on career development
Authors: Connell Julia , Burgess John 
Published: September 2006

PurposeThe aim of this article is to explore the influence of precarious (temporary) employment on employability and career development.Design/methodology/approachThe article draws together primary and secondary research material.FindingsFindings indicate that there are both positive and negative perspectives with regard to temporary employment and career development for both the workers themselves and the user firms.Research limitations/implicationsImplications arising are that policy development/research is required to investigate potential interventions that could be introduced.Practical implicationsThese are in line with the article's suggestion of adopting transitional labour market strategies. These major transitions are between education and employment; (unpaid) caring and employment; unemployment and employment; retirement and employment; “precarious” and permanent employment.Originality/valueThe article outlines two facets of precariousness associated with temporary work in relation to the worker and the user firm. It also presents a newly devised three‐stage typology of skill and skill acquisition that is relevant to the topic.
Developing employability skills: peer assessment in higher education
Authors: Cassidy Simon 
Published: September 2006

PurposeReports examining graduate employment issues suggest that employers are concerned by the lack of employability skills exhibited by entry‐level job applications. It is also suggested that employers consider it the responsibility of educational institutions to develop such skills. The current study seeks to identify peer assessment as a potential strategy for developing employability skills and aims to examine – from a students' perspective – the process of introducing peer assessment into higher education teaching programmes.Design/methodology/approachThe focus of the study was on the assessment of students' attitudes towards both being assessed by and assessing other students' work. Data were gathered from a sample of undergraduate students following a structured peer assessment exercise.FindingsIn line with previous work, the study found that students expressed a positive attitude towards peer assessment but had concerns relating to their capability to assess peers and to the responsibility associated with assessing peers.Practical implicationsResults suggest that, whilst students would accept peer assessment as an element of their course, its introduction at least should focus on the development of evaluative skills (i.e. emphasising learning rather than assessment) and provide support to alleviate an onerous sense of responsibility. It is concluded that, if the value of peer assessment – in terms of employability skill development – is accepted, then it should be adopted as regular practice on undergraduate programmes wishing to equip students with a complete repertoire of employment‐relevant skills.Originality/valeThe paper provides useful information on developing employability skills among students in higher education through peer assessment.
Trust, conflict and cooperative behaviour
Authors: Sanders Karin , Schyns Birgit 
Published: September 2006

PurposeIn this introduction of the special issue “Trust, conflict and cooperative behaviour” the focus of the special issue is introduced: because al lot of attitudinal and behavioural employees' outcomes are based on reciprocity, they should be examined as a characteristic of relationships instead of a characteristic of employees.Design/methodology approachOn a theoretical level reciprocity within organizations is considered by means of the social embeddedness approach and by means of leader member exchange.FindingsAlthough reciprocity in relationships is well recognised in the academic literature seemingly little empirical work has been conducted on reciprocity in manager‐subordinate and subordinate‐subordinate relationships.Originality/valueIn this special issue, we try to fill in this gap and focus on the reciprocity within relationships to explain trust, conflict and cooperative behaviour within organisations.
The influence of organizational power on conflict dynamics
Authors: de Reuver Renee 
Published: September 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to gain more insight in how line managers react to power use of superiors and subordinates in conflict situations.Design/methodology/approachThe data was collected from 488 line managers; the majority of these managers worked in business services and non‐profit organizations. To measure the reaction of the line manager, the “Test for handling common organizational conflicts” was used, which incorporates a response factor (conflict style) and a situation factor (a combination of the opponent's behaviour and the organizational position).FindingsThe results showed, as expected, that managers' dominant or submissive reactions to opponents' dominant or submissive behaviour depend on opponents' power positions. The predicted directions of these relationships were that managers would react more complementarily to their superiors and would react more reciprocally to their subordinates. The hypotheses on the complementary reaction to superiors were supported. Managers submissiveness was more and dominance less with dominant superiors than with submissive superiors, and vice versa. Managers' reciprocal reaction in conflicts with subordinates was found for managers' submissiveness, but not for their dominant behaviour. The results showed complementary interactions, namely, managers dominate more with submissive subordinates than with dominant subordinates.Originality/valueThis study shows the structuring role of the hierarchal relationship in conflict interactions, and the prevailing position of complementary conflict patterns between managers and their superiors. The results supported the theoretical propositions in most cases, and they provide a better understanding of the use of dominance and submissiveness by managers.
If we change it – will they come?
Authors: Strong Gary E. 
Published: September 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to raise issues about how libraries interact with users in the twenty‐first century, and design and deliver services that make a difference, using evolving digital reference services as one model.Design/methodology/approachThe author raises questions relating to a conference theme, “Recognizing the success of reference”, and provides examples from the UCLA Library to illustrate customer‐centered service.FindingsWhile there are no easy answers to the provocative questions, they must be asked in order to improve library services.Practical implicationsStimulates thinking and discussion about reference and other users' services in libraries.Originality/valueAsks important questions about the status of reference services in today's libraries, and challenges numerous core assumptions about the design and delivery of such services.
Research guides as library instruction tools
Authors: Brazzeal Bradley 
Published: September 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine how guidelines for information literacy and library instruction can be incorporated into online research guides and provide examples from guides that have done this.Design/methodology/approachOnline research guides in forestry were identified and examined using the ACRL's “Information literacy competency standards for higher education” and guidelines for library instruction set forth in LaGuardia and Oka's Becoming a Library Teacher.FindingsWhile some research guides simply provide unannotated links to online resources, others seek to engage the user by incorporating features that correspond directly to elements of a library instruction session.Originality/valueThe study presents practical ways in which online research guides can serve as library instruction tools.
From failure to success: working with under‐prepared transfer students
Authors: Tipton Roberta L. , Bender Patricia 
Published: September 2006

PurposeTo present a successful collaboration between an instruction librarian and the director of a campus‐writing center for the benefit of some under prepared transfer students in an urban setting at a research university.Design/methodology/approachQualitative. Librarian and writing instructor reflect on the pedagogy used and their collaboration.FindingsIntensive librarian‐faculty collaboration using theoretical concepts and models from general education, writing pedagogy, and librarianship can create a successful learning space for under prepared students.Originality/valueThe actual voice of the teaching faculty is rarely heard in the library literature, but it is an integral part of this article.
Brand development: institutional constraints on Chinese businesses
Authors: Hollows Judith , Clegg Stewart R. 
Published: September 2006

PurposeThis paper addresses the reasons why Chinese businesses have long been identified as subordinate to world‐class brand owners; why “global” own brand developments are considered to be beyond their competence.Design/methodology/approachIn this paper, we use an institutional perspective to examine the difficulties faced by Chinese firms in own brand development, using empirical data derived from a research project into the business strategies of Hong Kong firms, and contrasting these with the case of what is one of China's most successful foreign ventures, Haier.FindingsThe familial form appears to be transforming, due to the employment of a growing stratum of professional middle managers and Chinese family business firms appear to be developing into fully functionally integrated hierarchies capable of product and market development of own branded products. Three institutional supports make this possible. First, the development of parts of the People's Republic of China (PRC) into a quasi‐market economy created a regionally close and large market. Second, technology transfers from leading overseas consumer product brand owners’ supported the development of more sophisticated products and firm capabilities. Third, a steady supply of skilled graduates from Hong Kong and the mainland enabled firms to move further up the value chain and exert more control over their manufacturing and related activities. To go truly global, however, more is required: social capital that connects the firm to the local and national party elites, something that mainland firms may find easier than those from Hong Kong.Research limitations/implicationsGaining the data meant negotiating access through young professional managers now emerging from Hong Kong universities and was achieved through personal contacts; thus the sample is a small four‐case study. The counterfactual case of Haier is derived not from original research but from website material.Practical implicationsSuccessful original equipment manufacturing business that goes global will, in addition to the institutional supports identified in the Hong Kong cases, also require elite patronage, social capital and political support.Originality/valueThe paper is of value to managers and consultants interested in international business in China.