bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
ResDesk
Authors: Arant‐Kaspar Wendi , Carter Henry , Desai Sheetal , Byrd John , Hahn Douglas 
Published: June 2007

PurposeThis article seeks to look at the need for a library request system that can provide improved relationship management and personalized services, and meets public expectations about advances in technology and self‐service applications. In this case, a homegrown solution fills a need in an efficient, cost‐effective and gratifying manner.Design/methodology/approachAfter investigating established reserves systems and finding them lacking in relationship and process management features, the libraries got to the point where library staff started looking for internal solutions to request tracking and workflow issues when a homegrown automated solution was discovered; Library Systems, the libraries' internal technical support unit, had developed a very versatile “Helpdesk” system that tracked the status of computer work and problem requests. This system had been adapted by other libraries and organizations around the country for a similar purpose and provided a simple yet versatile interface that would lend itself well to developing a system for reserve request tracking and process management.FindingsAfter making use of this system over three terms including a busy Fall 2006, ResDesk has made a huge positive impact on workflow and communication. Instructors can, and do, check the status of their requests at their own discretion resulting in fewer visits from stressed out instructors. The system itself has been phenomenal in managing the request, allowing reserves processing, even though there are more requests than ever, to be more efficient than ever. For comparison, even though the number of requests has steadily increased, the amount of processing time, with the implementation of ResDesk, has steadily decreased.Originality/valueWhile there have been many articles published on customer‐relationship management systems, they are firmly entrenched in the business sector and there has been little discussion in library literature about a system that would automate all communications and workflows surrounding interaction with patrons, from request to completion.
Griffin search: how Westminster College implemented WebFeat
Authors: Hollandsworth Bobby L. , Foy Jennifer 
Published: June 2007

PurposeThis paper aims to shed light on federated search engine solutions by documenting how Westminster College implemented a new system after a failed attempt.Design/methodology/approachThe librarians became interested in a new federated search solution after a previous vendor was unable to provide a satisfactory product. After seeing demonstrations from several vendors, the librarians decided on WebFeat. This paper chronicles that decision and its implementation, which surprisingly took less than three months.FindingsThe librarians found WebFeat to be a superior product in comparison with the first federated search engine. WebFeat made an immediate impact on how the students and faculty searched for information. The seamless integration into the library web page made it easier for users to search databases and the library catalog without confusion and frustration.Originality/valueThe value of this paper comes from the fact that the library became a “federated search casualty” after adopting a system in 2003 that did not live up to expectation and eventually had to be terminated. WebFeat was the next choice, and it has performed above expectations. The librarians witnessed the failure of one federated search engine solution and the success of another over the past three years.
ICT skills readiness for the emerging global digital economy among small businesses in developing countries
Authors: Mutula Stephen M. , Van Brakel P. 
Published: June 2007

PurposeThe paper aims to present the findings of an empirical study carried out as part of an ICT (Information and Communications Technology) data‐gathering exercise that would culminate in the promulgation of a national ICT policy for Botswana. The purpose of the study is to characterize the ICT sector in terms of, among other things, the skills needs in the sector for the purpose of powering the emerging digital economy. Moreover, the study – through review of literature – extends, to cover the status of ICT skills for the digital economy both in developed and developing countries.Design/methodology/approachThe study used qualitative design. Focus group discussions were used to collect data from key stakeholders in the ICT sector. The stakeholders included: ICT enterprises, Citizen Owned IT companies lobby group (CORBIT), Botswana Telecommunication Corporation, Botswana Power Corporation, business community, academia, and legal experts. Data collected were analyzed using thematic categorization. Results were presented using descriptive and narrative form.FindingsThe findings generally suggest that there is an acute global shortage of high skilled and hands‐on personnel necessary for steering the emerging digital economy in both developed and developing countries including Botswana. In addition, there is a serious skills gap for certified specialists to help develop the sophisticated applications necessary to power the digital economy and more so the applications that depend on it.Research limitations/implicationsThe empirical part of the study was limited to the ICT sector of the economy in Botswana. A similar study covering all sectors of the national economy will provide a complete picture of ICT skills needs for the nation and its preparedness to partake in the emerging digital economy.Practical implicationsICT, particularly the internet, is having a significant impact on the operations of business enterprises and is claimed to be essential for the survival and growth of nations' economies. Botswana Government has realized the folly of depending largely on diamond mining for long‐term economic development. Consequently, it is encouraging the development of the ICT sector as a way to diversify its economy and position itself to play a leading role in the global emerging digital economy.Originality/valueThis study provides a framework for ICT skills development strategies that can enable countries to participate competitively in the emerging digital economy.
Taking the information to the public through Library 2.0
Authors: Curran Kevin , Murray Michelle , Christian Martin 
Published: June 2007

PurposeLibraries as they are known today can be defined by the term Library 1.0. This defines the way resources are kept on shelves or at a computer behind a login. These resources can be taken from a shelf, checked out to the librarian, taken home for a certain length of time and absorbed, and then taken back to the library for someone else to use. Library 1.0 is a one‐directional service that takes people to the information that they require. Library 2.0 – or L2 as it is now more commonly addressed as – aims to take the information to the people by bringing the library service to the internet and getting the users more involved by encouraging feedback participation. This paper seeks to present an overview of Library 2.0.Design/methodology/approachThis paper presents an overview of Web 2.0 including definitions, technologies involved and sites currently advocated as examples of Web 2.0.FindingsThe major difference between Library 1.0 and L2 is that Library 1.0 only allows for a one‐way flow of information while L2 is a read‐write library that gives library users the power to decide the service that they get. L2 reinforces the role libraries play in the community by building on today's best and continually improving the service. L2 can be summarized as being user‐driven and aiming to save each library user time in retrieving information.Originality/valueLibraries have been around for centuries and are considered places in which books, journals, CDs, etc. are kept for reference or for borrowing by the public. The term L2 was believed to have been first made by Michael Casey in his blog LibraryCrunch. Chad and Paul Miller describe Library 2.0 (L2) as a concept, very different from the service one knows today, that operates according to the expectations of today's users. They state that with this concept the library will make information available wherever and whenever the user requires it. One point to note here is that this concept is not about replacing the 1.0 technology already being used but rather about adding additional functionality.
Text and Image: From Book History to “The Book is History”
Authors: Gelfand Julia 
Published: June 2007

PurposeAcademic viewpoints about the evolution of the book over time incorporating historical purposes and contemporary approaches to issuing new forms of scholarship.Design/methodology/approachOutunes the themes of the conference.FindingsTechnology allows for so much today and the intersection of text and image is just one way to interpret the potential for new practices and information products.Practical implicationsDifferent forms of scholarship emphasize media and implications for new information products suggest new roles for creators, readers, preservationists, librarians, and technologists.Originality/valueProvides a useful summary of a conference of interest of information professionals.
The Nigerian Communications Commission and the Digital Bridge Institute: First South–South Zonal Advanced Digital Appreciation Workshop For Tertiary Institutions
Authors: Okiy Rose B. , Tiemo P.A. 
Published: June 2007

PurposeThe article aims to focus on the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and Digital Bridge Institute (DBI), Abuja, first zonal workshop on Advanced Digital Appreciation for lecturers from Universities, Polytechnics and Colleges of Education in Nigeria. A total of 89 lecturers from nine tertiary institutions from the south–south zone of Nigeria participated in the workshop. The workshop took place in October 2006.Design/methodology/approachThe paper gives an outline of the event.FindingsThe broad business and purpose of the NCC as derived from the enabling Decree 75 of 1992 is to facilitate private sector participation in telecommunications service delivery, coordinate and regulate the activities of all the operators to ensure consistency in availability and survey of service delivery and fair pricing.The DBI is an international Centre for Communications Studies which is affiliated with the NCC. The workshop comprised five modules: Introduction to Computers, Introduction to Microsoft Word 2003, Introduction to Microsoft Power Point 2003, Introduction to Microsoft Excel 2003, and Introduction to the Internet.Originality/valueThe article details how the workshop was a train‐the‐trainer initiative for lecturers in higher institutions with a view to equipping them with knowledge and skills of Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) which would facilitate the research and teaching activities in their respective institutions.
The AAAS 2007 Annual Meeting: Science and Technology for Sustainable Well Being
Authors: Mihram Danielle , Arthur Mihram G. 
Published: June 2007

PurposeTo provide coverage and insights about the annual meeting of the AAAS where this year's theme was “Science and Technology for Sustainable Well‐Being.”Design/methodology/approachEnvironmental scan of annual national meeting. Of particular interest due to the range of backgrounds different attendees from all avenues of the scientific community.FindingsSustainable well being has wide applications in different arenas but the informatics component was not as strong as at past conferences.Practical ImplicationsMuch of the conference focused on intersections of theory and application and new ways of responding to sustainability. Particularly strong in the physical sciences.Originality valueProvides information of value to information professionals.
Shared Catalogues and Cataloguing Tools: Information and Communication Technology as Catalyst
Authors: Omekwu Charles O. , Egberongbe H.S. 
Published: June 2007

PurposeTo provide coverage and insights about the annual meeting of the AAAS where this year's theme was “Science and Technology for Sustainable Well‐Being.”Design/methodology/approachEnvironmental scan of annual national meeting. Of particular interest due to the range of backgrounds different attendees from all avenues of the scientific community.FindingsSustainable well being has wide applications in different arenas but the informatics component was not as strong as at past conferences.Practical ImplicationsMuch of the conference focused on intersections of theory and application and new ways of responding to sustainability. Particularly strong in the physical sciences.Originality valueProvides information of value to information professionals.
Economics for true human development – future directions
Authors: Sivakumar N. 
Published: June 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to show the limitations and inadequacies of the “Homo Economicus” model of human behaviour in terms of promoting human development and to outline directions for economics to promote “true human development”.Design/methodology/approachThe paper first discusses the concept of “Homo Economicus” and the criticisms of this model. It then explains the ladder of human development as propounded by Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. The paper compares the “Homo Economicus” model with this ladder of human development. The economic philosophy of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba is then explained to show the proper way ahead. Finally the paper gives future directions for economics to aid in “true human development”.FindingsThe paper finds that the “Homo Economicus” model of human behaviour is inadequate and needs to be substituted with a broader framework. The economic philosophy of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba gives clear directions to develop this broader framework.Practical implicationsThe paper has practical implications in terms of understanding human development in the proper perspective and the steps that must be taken to move in this direction.Originality/valueThe paper compares the “Homo Economicus” model with the ladder of human development as outlined by Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. The paper is also original because it gives future directions based on the economic philosophy of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba.
Resolving geo‐spatial semantic conflicts – an interoperability issue
Authors: Shahadat Hossain Mohammad , Mustafa Rashed 
Published: June 2007

PurposeMany organizations in the local community environment use and produce geo‐spatial data, so the need for integration of geo‐data is increasing rapidly. Different user groups have different views of the world and information is available in a heterogeneous format. This paper seeks to discuss the need for interoperability in local communities taking Chittagong city of Bangladesh as an example.Design/methodology/approachThese communities use geo‐spatial data in their own format. This results in semantic conflicts, arising when there is a need for integration of the geo‐spatial data. Consequently, the interaction among the aforesaid organizations in terms of data is difficult to achieve and therefore, it is difficult to share the benefit of the recently evolving Information Technology. Taking the above viewpoint into account, this paper presents a framework to address such semantic data conflicts, considered as an issue of interoperability, using ontology.FindingsThis paper presented an ontology‐based architecture which can be used in resolving semantic conflicts, enabling the tackling of the interoperability issue, faced by the various local communities. The proposed architecture will reduce the computational time significantly because it does not require processing each query every timeResearch limitations/implications– The architecture presented needs to test with real data in the near future.Practical implicationsIn order to share the geo‐data available in different formats, there is a need for developing a global community, consisting of an integrator, global schema and common ontology.Originality/valueIt has been shown that the architecture allows the sharing of geo‐data by resolving geo‐semantic conflicts of the local communities. This will in turn play an important role in addressing the interoperability problem, faced by these communities.
Scanning for market threats
Authors: Meredith Lindsay 
Published: June 2007

PurposeThis paper seeks to focus more attention on market threat variables, their role in contributing to market risk and how to anticipate them.Design/methodology/approachSelected marketing and economics variables are considered in the context of their potentially dangerous or destructive impacts on business markets. Numerous “real world” examples are used to demonstrate the negative effects of these variables.FindingsA matrix based on market information levels and lead times is introduced to demonstrate how the threat variables can be classified in terms of their potential risk to the business marketer. The threat variables can then be located on the risk matrix and the degree of their potential danger can be defined.Originality/valueThe discussion should hopefully be of use to both students and practitioners. An “early warning” template is provided to help identify specific variables and their risk potential so that scanning efforts can be prioritized according to the most likely sources of market threats.
The role of information technology adoption in the globalization of business buying behavior: a conceptual model and research propositions
Authors: Roy Subroto , Sivakumar K. 
Published: June 2007

PurposeAdvances in information technology (IT) and the globalization of business are both realities and opportunities of the twenty‐first century. This article aims to examine the role of information technology in the globalization of business buying behavior.Design/methodology/approachLiterature and theory are used to develop a conceptual model of adoption of information technology (IT) and globalization of business buying behavior. Firm‐level and global moderating factors are also examined.FindingsIT adoption includes IT adoption by buyer and by seller and the compatibility of both IT systems. Globalizations of buying behavior is moderated by firm‐level factors like perceived risk, digitizability and by task and global moderating factors like availability of alternative suppliers in buyer country, cultural distance and the political stability in the supplier country.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper provides a number of propositions that can be tested empirically, and also extensions for training and skills for business buyers.Practical implicationsThe correct choice of IT systems for compatibility with buyers and sellers can mitigate the negative effects of moderating factors.Originality/valueThe paper sets out the impact of IT adoption by buyer and seller firms and its impact on globalization of business buying behavior in the twenty‐first century.
Forecasting sales for a B2B product category: case of auto component product
Authors: Lackman Conway L. 
Published: June 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to improve the capability of managers to forecast revenues and develop marketing plans for B2B component products.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology used is a dynamic market simulation at the product level. A previously developed consumer goods speciality product forecasting model is extensively modified to capture the different parameters (i.e. direct selling) relevant to a business‐to‐business (B2B) component goods product category. A dynamic simulation is developed using a set of equations developed to capture the marketing mix. Using just the demand equation (total supply exogenous) and employing the entire model (supply endogenous), sales are predicted.FindingsThe key findings are that the simulation produced more accurate (lower error) forecasts. The dynamic simulation for total demand for B2B auto components produced a mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) of 8.5 percent, comparing favorably with the average MAPEs of 30 percent achieved by 168 companies forecasting B2B products.Research limitations/implicationsThe main research limitation is that the model is limited to B2B component products.Practical implicationsThe practical implication of the model is that it improves the ability of marketing managers to successfully reach revenue targets.Originality/valueThis improved ability adds value to the B2B component marketing manager's planning process by providing a method of specifying a marketing plan that is likely to result in revenue that achieves or exceeds the target revenue and knowledge of what marketing mix levels would move present sales to meet or exceed target.
The protection of the trustor through the use of control mechanisms and its performance implications
Authors: Kabadayi Sertan , Ryu Sungmin 
Published: June 2007

PurposeThe article seeks to explain the impact of the adoption of control mechanisms by a manufacturer as a safeguard against the betrayal of trust, which could consequently have performance implications for its relationship with its supplier.Design/methodology/approachThis study was conducted within the context of the relationship between a manufacturer and its major supplier and the framework was tested by survey data collected from 174 manufacturers. LISREL was used in the testing of the hypotheses.FindingsThis study reflects that a manufacturer may reduce the risk associated with trusting its suppliers by either monitoring them directly or adopting the norm of information sharing. Alternatively, it could seek to reduce risk by adopting both types of control mechanism simultaneously. Conversely, the results of this study indicate that control mechanisms, when used individually, are not effective in increasing supplier performance. However, when used in combination as plural control mechanisms, increased supplier performance can be attained.Practical implicationsA high level of trust placed in an exchange partner does not necessarily ensure greater success of the relationship. What this means is that firms cannot take performance for granted where trust plays a key role within the professional relationship. Therefore, firms still need to put mechanisms in place to ensure that, in the event of betrayal, their assets are protected. Among the different types of control mechanisms, the plural control mechanism results in enhanced supplier performance.Research limitations/implicationsThis study uses factual performance data but does not use perceptual performance measures. The ideal way to measure channel performance is to measure both perceptual and factual performance data to increase reliability.Originality/valueThere has been little research on control mechanisms that guarantee the protection of the trustor. This study clarifies which control mechanisms manufacturers rely on to protect themselves from breach of trust, and investigates the effects of control mechanisms on supplier performance when used as a safeguard against the betrayal of trust.