bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Collaborative working for large digitisation projects
Authors: Yeates Robin , Guy Damon 
Published: July 2006

PurposeTo explore the effectiveness of large‐scale consortia for disseminating local heritage via the web. To describe the creation of a large geographically based cultural heritage consortium in the South East of England and management lessons resulting from a major web site digitisation project. To encourage the improved sharing of experience amongst similar projects in the future.Design/methodology/approachA selective literature review seeking lessons on sustainable cultural heritage collaboration is presented. The composition of a consortium set‐up with public lottery funding to build a cross‐domain collaborative public web site containing cultural heritage materials from many local authorities and local partners is described. Practical experiences from the first three years of collaboration are presented in a manner loosely based on the European Union Digitisation Policies Benchmarking Model.FindingsStaff in local government libraries, archives and museums have, until recently, lacked experience in major web site publishing and even in the basic digitisation of locally held heritage materials. Local governments in England have traditionally co‐operated within the library or museum sectors, but not across the whole domain. New communication methods and a formally structured consortium have so far enabled the collaborative publication of a major web site allowing cross‐searching of partner materials as well as access to individual sites. More importantly, staff have begun to understand how to proceed in a sustainable way to support the future development of more sophisticated digital primary and learning resources that are preserved for the future and yet accessible to many more people.Practical implicationsThe paper notes the importance of shared values, common objectives and a practical approach to collaborative service delivery. It also highlights the challenges in situations where operational staff have multiple responsibilities and project staff may be available only while external short‐term funding lasts. It is suggested that encouraging the documentation of operational experiences and sharing skills through a large‐scale formal consortium can support sustainable development.Originality/valueThe consortium described hopes to form a major part of the future framework for digital cultural heritage services in the South East of England. This paper offers a rare, reflective contribution from experienced, operational service practitioners who have completed a three‐five year digitisation programme offering free public access to materials that serve to support and disseminate local and regional identity.
An assessment of potential efficiency gains through online content use
Authors: Creaser Claire , Hamblin Yvonne , Eric Davies J. 
Published: July 2006

PurposeOnline content has largely replaced traditional print‐based resources as the primary tool for literature searching throughout much of the academic and research community. This paper presents the results of a small‐scale study, commissioned by the JISC in 2004, to assess the potential efficiency gains that may be achieved through the use of online content by researchers.Design/methodology/approachInformation gleaned from an extensive literature review was combined with recent usage data to calculate broad estimates of the efficiency gains which are being made by the research community through using online searching strategies as opposed to print resources.FindingsThe estimated staff costs in UK universities of literature searching are some £7 million per annum. Manual literature searching can take around five times as long as using relevant electronic resources. The consequent savings from the availability of electronic bibliographic databases are estimated in the region of £25 million per annum.Originality/valueThis paper brings together findings from a number of distinct studies and extrapolates these to the current situation in the UK. It demonstrates the value of investment in electronic bibliographic databases to the funding bodies which provide these to researchers.
Development and quality evaluation of non‐alcoholic beverages from maize based products
Authors: Ade‐Omowaye B.I.O. , Olaniyan S.A. , Adeyemi I.A. , Isola O.O. 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThis paper sets out to focus on the utilization of the locally available raw material to develop an acceptable and high quality non‐alcoholic beverage in Nigeria.Design/methodology/approachMaize‐based non‐alcoholic beverages were produced from either plain maize powder or combinations of maize powder and mango or soybean flour. Plain and fruit or soy‐ fortified maize powders were analyzed using standard methods for chemical composition, while total solid, sediment height, pH, titratable acidity, storage stability and microbial load were determined on the formulated beverage products. Taste panel evaluation was conducted to evaluate the acceptability of the products.FindingsWhile the protein, fat and ash contents of plain maize powder were 5.69, 5.95 and 0.35 per cent respectively, there was minimal enhancement with fruit addition. However, with 10 per cent soybean addition significant improvement over the unfortified sample in protein (14.62 per cent), fat (10.64 per cent) and ash (0.96 per cent) was obtained. Sediment height was found to be higher for beverage with sour water and least for soy‐fortified beverage. Titratable acidity of beverage samples was found to be 0.022, 0.018, 0.054 and 0.306 per cent (per cent lactic acid) for plain, fruit‐flavoured, soy‐fortified and soured beverages respectively. Variation in titratable acidity was observed depending on the product and storage condition. Sensory evaluation result for beverage prepared with sour water (0–100 per cent) revealed preference for soured beverage with 80 per cent sour water. Also, fruit‐flavoured sample ranked highest in preference followed closely by the plain beverage, while soy‐fortified sample was the least acceptable.Originality/valueThe paper has demonstrated the feasibility of developing acceptable beverage samples from sour water (a by‐product of Ogi usually regarded as waste) and combinations of either maize powder and mango or soybean flour.
Tribological characteristics of di(iso‐butyl) polysulfide as extreme pressure additive in some mineral base oils
Authors: Fu Xisheng , Shao Heyang , Ren Tianhui , Liu Weimin , Xue Qunji 
Published: July 2006

PurposeIn order to develop novel high EP S‐containing additives and to meet the need of formulating GL‐5 gear oil or other high EP lubricating oils, aims to investigate the tribological behaviors and mechanism of a di(iso‐butyl)polysulfide (DIBPS), which was synthesized from some cheap materials at low temperature and under normal atmospheric pressure, as an additive in some mineral base oils compared with the traditional sulfurized olefin (SO) additive.Design/methodology/approachThe DIBPS additive was designed and synthesized, of which the main composition is the di(iso‐butyl)trisulfide. Its load‐carrying capacity, anti‐wear and friction reduction properties as additive in some mineral base oils, compared with the traditional SO additive, were investigated using a four‐ball machine and a Timken tester according to relative testing standards. The tribological mechanism was discussed according to the SEM and XPS analytical data.FindingsThe results indicate that the four‐ball PD value and the Timken OK value of the prepared DIBPS in VHVIS500 is clearly better than that of the traditional SO; the anti‐wear property of DIBPS is equivalent to the traditional SO and the friction reduction effect of DIBPS is better than that of the traditional SO. The SEM and XPS data show that the DIBPS additive experiences different tribochemical reaction during tribological process compared with the traditional SO. The S active element of DIBPS reacted with surface metal mainly to form FeSO4 and/or Fe2(SO4)3 inorganic film, but the S active element of the traditional SO reacted with the surface metal mainly to form FeS inorganic film. This may be the chief reason why the prepared DIBPS possesses better EP properties than the SO.Research limitations/implicationsThe results show that the polysulfide additive (DIBPS) possesses better extreme pressure property than the traditional SO. However, more experimental study such as the synergic effect with other additives must be performed, from which it will be clearly shown whether the novel polysulfide can be applied in industrial oils.Practical implicationsThese results may be useful for the researchers to formulate some high EP industrial oils.Originality/valueThis paper proves that the designed polysulfide additive, of which the main composition is the trisulfide, possesses better extreme pressure property than the traditional SO, and its tribological mechanicsm is also different with that of SO. It is noticed that the preparative method of this novel polysulfide additive has some superiorities, such as: low‐experimental temperature, low‐experimental pressure and cheap materials.
Structure‐energy criterion of the wear resistance of metals and alloys with allowance for the stiffness of the stressed‐strained state of the surface
Authors: Kaczyński Roman , Pogodaev Leongard I. 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyse the phenomenon of wear resistance of some metals and alloys with allowance for the stiffness of their stressed‐strained state of the surface.Design/methodology/approachAn original criterion (in the form of limiting deformation power density) of wear resistance on the basis of structure‐energy theory of friction is proposed. Experimental data on the wear resistance are generalized using the criterion for the conditions of hydroabrasive, impact‐abrasive and cavitational erosion.FindingsThe dependence of the criterion on stiffness coefficient of the stressed‐strained state of the surface of materials is demonstrated. It has been found that an increase of the stiffness results in the reduction in the energy capacity and wear resistance of both metals and alloys investigated.Practical implicationsThe structure‐energy criterion can be used for choosing suitable frictional materials and to compare and estimate the theoretical considerations with experimental data.Originality/valueThe proposed structure‐energy approach allows systemizing the results of our analyses and the experimental data.
Learning styles in education and training: problems, politicisation and potential
Authors: Evans Carol , Sadler‐Smith Eugene 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to introduce a selection of papers from the 10th Annual European Learning Styles Information Network Conference.Design/methodology/approachThe paper looks at problems, developments in the application of style and potential styles for practice in the area of cognitive and learning styles in education and training practice, with a brief look at the papers within this issue.FindingsThe paper finds that each of the papers presented here raises a number of pertinent issues which are significant in the ongoing debate regarding the value of cognitive and learning styles in education and training practice. These are presented in the form of ten key messages.Originality/valueThe paper presents a useful insight into the problems, politicisation and potential of learning styles in education and training.
Course experience, approaches to learning and academic achievement
Authors: Diseth Åge , Pallesen Ståle , Hovland Anders , Larsen Svein 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe present study seeks to compare scores on factors from the Course Experience Questionnaire (CEQ) with scores on an abbreviated version of the Approaches and Study Skills Inventory for Students (ASSIST) and examination grade among undergraduate psychology students. The purpose is to investigate the relationship between course experience and approaches to learning, and to examine their relative importance as predictors of academic achievement.Design/methodology/approachConfirmatory factor analyses and structural equation modelling were utilised in order to find measurement models for each of the constructs and to test hypothesised structural relations between these constructs.FindingsThe original CEQ and ASSIST factors were reproduced. A model in which course experience factors predicted SAL was supported, but the same model did not provide evidence for any indirect or mediator effect between course experience, approaches to learning and academic achievement. Indirect empirical support for a hypothesised causal link between course experience and approaches to learning was found.Research limitations/implicationsWeak relations between the predictor variables (course experience/approaches to learning) and academic achievement limited the possibility of identifying mediator effects, and future research should address this issue.Practical implicationsLecturers and course designers should take into account that students' approaches to learning are influenced by course experience, especially with respect to the adoption of a surface approach to learning.Originality/valueThis paper included a comparison between course experience, approaches to learning, and academic achievement, whereas most previous research has not included academic achievement. The utilisation of confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling gave a stronger test of construct validity than exploratory analyses, and it facilitated the testing of hypothesised structural models.
The marriage breaking aspect: experiences of the MBA
Authors: Berman Brown Reva 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe paper aims to investigate an aspect of undertaking a part‐time Masters of Business Administration (MBA) that has been discussed informally but has not been researched – that a proportion of MBA students who start their studies within a marriage are likely to end up with the qualification, but without the spouse.Design/methodology/approachThe site of the research was a part‐time MBA programme delivered by a university in the south‐east of England. It was a degree lasting two calendar years, designed for practising middle and senior managers, and was run for five years before being disbanded in the late 1990s. The population was made up of three cohorts of students – there were ten graduates from the first intake, 11 from second; and nine from the third and last group. The research approach was qualitative, relying on conversations, interviews, and documents.FindingsThe study finds that in each cohort, marriages came under severe strain and a number of these ended very painfully. The paper is anecdotal and puts forward no solutions. Instead, it attempts to shed some light on a phenomenon that proved, for the MBA students involved, to be destructive in the short term, but constructive in the long term.Practical implicationsThe paper examines the marriage breaking aspect of the MBA, and attempts to find some explanation for what happened, by examining the inter‐relationship between home, work and study, and between husbands and wives. Their experiences may be of use to designers of MBA programmes and those who lecture on them.Originality/valueThe paper deals with an aspect of the MBA which is generally absent from the literature and which reveals an unexpected downside to what is supposed to be a productive and rewarding educational experience.
Student and tutor perspectives of on‐line moderation
Authors: Packham Gary , Jones Paul , Thomas Brychan , Miller Christopher 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe on‐line tutor or e‐moderator faces a diversity of new challenges, including instructional design, organisation, direct instruction and facilitating discourse. This study aims to contrast the views of students and tutors regarding what factors constitute effective e‐moderation in order to identify key attributes of an on‐line tutor.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative methodology was adopted. The research utilised a semi‐structured interview technique to collect data contrasting and comparing the views of 35 students and 35 tutors on the constituents of effective e‐moderation.FindingsThe paper finds that from a student perspective the quality of feedback, student support and module management were key attributes of an effective e‐moderator. In contrast tutors argued that motivating students, including the provision of constructive feedback and developing an engaging on‐line persona were critical to successful e‐moderation. Comparison revealed that students and tutors have a broadly similar view to what constitutes effective on‐line moderation and any disparities related to how these groups tended to interact with the learning environment. Students were concerned primarily with how moderation enabled them to engage with the learning environment whereas tutors tended to discuss effective moderation in terms of factors that facilitated the learning process.Originality/valueThe study recognises the key attributes of an effective e‐moderator that should inform course design and tutor training.
Teaching pigeons to dance: sense and meaning in entrepreneurship education
Authors: Hannon Paul D. 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThis paper aims to explore the philosophical and conceptual understanding of entrepreneurship education through borrowing and applying conceptualisations of education from education theory to bring deeper meaning to approaches to entrepreneurship education in UK higher education institutions (HEIs).Design/methodology/approachThis paper identifies existing theoretical and conceptual frameworks from adult education and applies these to the phenomenon of entrepreneurship education as a sense‐making tool from which deeper insights and understanding are gained.FindingsAs a conceptual paper the “findings” relate to the unearthing of the inherent drivers and values to the design and delivery of entrepreneurship education in UK HEIs. Applying education theoretical frameworks enables presentation of a purposeful and guiding framework for effective curricula design in entrepreneurship thereby enabling coherence and cohesion of approach and achievable outcomes. Furthermore, the paper maps the purpose and role of educators against a segmented framework to draw out distinctions across contexts and to present the need for a clarification of the role of the educator in the entrepreneurial learning process. This enables a discussion of the development needs of entrepreneurship educators for the UK.Practical implicationsOverall, the paper presents implications for HEIs in how they conceive of and introduce entrepreneurship education; educators and the role they perform in effective entrepreneurship education and curricula designers in developing meaningful “fit for purpose” offerings across the diversity of the entrepreneurial opportunity environment.Originality/valueThis paper further builds on a significant gap in the extant knowledge and literature for enhancing understanding in the development of the field of entrepreneurship education within higher education in the UK.
Exploring career transitions: accounting for structure and agency
Authors: Duberley Joanne , Mallon Mary , Cohen Laurie 
Published: July 2006

PurposeTo apply and develop Stephen Barley's model of career structuration to offer insights into the transition into portfolio working.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative case study methodology is used. Interviews were conducted with managers who had left the National Health Service to develop portfolio careers.FindingsThe adoption of the Barley model of career structuration as a sensitising device has made it possible to show how individuals have drawn from existing scripts embedded in institutional forms but have also contributed to developing new career scripts, such as portfolio working. Their enactment of career scripts is a dynamic process whereby they impact back on those scripts in both intentional and unintentional ways. Thus the transformative capacity of individual career actions is asserted but, critically, alongside awareness of constraints as bound up in structures which have salience for individuals and for collectives.Research limitations/implicationsThis is a study based in one large public sector organisation. Further exploration of the potential role of career as a way of understanding socially embedded action and its capacity for change is required, which takes account of different occupational settings.Practical implicationsThe study outlines some of the frustrations experienced by portfolio workers and has practical implications for the ways in which they should be managed.Originality/valueThe paper contributes to the debate concerning structure and agency in career theory.
Human resource information systems: a review and empirical analysis
Authors: Ngai E.W.T. , Wat F.K.T. 
Published: July 2006

PurposeTo present a comprehensive literature review of human resource information systems (HRIS) and to report the results of a survey on the implementation of HRIS in Hong Kong.Design/methodology/approachA structured questionnaire was designed, pre‐tested, modified, and used to capture data on a cross‐section of HRIS users in Hong Kong. The questionnaire was pilot‐tested by practicing HRIS consultants and by HR and MIS managers. Based on the feedback from the pilot‐test, the questionnaire was modified and a final questionnaire was developed and mailed to companies in Hong Kong.FindingsMost Hong Kong industries perceived that the greatest benefits to the implementation of HRIS were the quick response and access to information that it brought, and the greatest barrier was insufficient financial support. Moreover, there was a statistically significant difference between HRIS adopters and non‐adopters, and between small, medium, and large companies, regarding some potential benefits and barriers to the implementation of HRIS.Research limitations/implicationsFurther research should address the status of internet/intranet‐based HRIS. An internet/intranet‐based HRIS will undoubtedly be of much more benefit than the traditional HRIS, but its adoption will pose some challenges to practitioners.Practical implicationsProvides some insights into the implementation of HRIS by Hong Kong companies, which should help HR practitioners acquire a better understanding of the current status, benefits, and barriers to the implementation of HRIS.Originality/valueLittle research has been done to address the perceived benefits and potential barriers to the implementation of HRIS. This study is timely and important in that it examines the current status of HRIS in Hong Kong. It also compares differences in perception between HRIS adopters and non‐adopters as well as in the size of organizations in relation to the adoption of HRIS.
The discourse of diversity in unionised contexts: views from trade union equality officers
Authors: Kirton Gill , Greene Anne‐marie 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to address the little researched question of how trade unions have interpreted and engaged with the discourse of diversity adopted by many organisations to replace the traditional “equal opportunities” discourse.Design/methodology/approachDrawing on interviews with national trade union equality officers, the paper presents a discourse‐based analysis, exploring what the shift towards a diversity discourse means for trade unions.FindingsThe paper identifies three main features of the diversity discourse, which cause concern from the trade union perspective: its business‐driven nature, its focus on the individual and its positioning as a top‐down managerial activity. The main concern expressed was that the upbeat rhetoric of the diversity discourse diverts attention from the realities of discrimination and disadvantage. However, the discussion concludes that unions believe it is possible to work critically with diversity in order to pursue equality objectives.Originality/valueThe paper offers an original perspective on the diversity discourse, and within the field of employment relations, an unusual analytical approach.