bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of information technology in academia
Authors: Ranjan Jayanthi 
Published: June 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to study the provisions of information technology (IT) for development of academic resources and examines the effect of IT in academic institutions for sharing information.Design/methodology/approachThe paper examines the role of IT in sharing information in academic institutions and explores the IT effectiveness in an academic context that is used to improve efficiency and effectiveness of creation and sharing of information among people.FindingsThe paper finds that the rapid pace of change in IT is increasingly influencing the creation, publication and dissemination of educational materials and sharing information. IT facilitates connections across disciplinary, institutional, geographical, and cultural boundaries. Taken together, the computational and communication capabilities in IT offer great promise for supporting continual improvements in academia. They also underscore the need for credible research into the practical benefits and limitations of teaching and learning in settings enchanced by IT.Originality/valueThe paper provides useful suggestions for colleges and universities, which must recognize that, increasingly, the influence and demands of their respective IT ventures extend beyond physical locations that include remote or distance learners, part‐time students, collaborations with industry and consortia of other institutions. The construction of a unified IT infrastructure should be responsive to the needs of all its users in academia. IT development and implementation must demonstrate definable benefits to academia.
Death sticks and taxes: RFID tagging of cigarettes
Authors: Wyld David C. 
Published: June 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper it to examine the potential for radio frequency identification (RFID) to be used to tag packs, cartons and cases of cigarettes, both to combat the fast‐growing, global problem of cigarette smuggling and to provide tobacco companies and retailers with better inventory control and business intelligence.Design/methodology/approachThe paper begins with an overview of RFID technology and its applicability to product identification. It then looks at the issues involved with contraband cigarettes, both in the USA and on a global scale, examining the impact of smuggled cigarettes on both tax revenues and public health. With the growth of online cigarette sales and sales by Native American tribes, the problem continues to escalate in scope. The paper then examines the technological and political issues involved – and potential benefits of – using RFID track and trace capabilities with cigarettes, looking at early efforts to accomplish just that goal.FindingsIt was found that RFID is an appropriate technological answer for the seemingly intractable problem of contraband cigarettes.Practical implicationsThe paper highlights the importance of implementing a technological solution to the problem of cigarette smuggling. It provides a framework for the cost‐effective use of RFID in this area and the potential for reducing contraband cigarettes, increasing tax revenues, and decreasing youth smoking.Originality/valueThe paper is original in that it lays out a market‐based case for the use of RFID to combat cigarette smuggling, giving credence to the calls of governments around the world and the WHO to better use technology to reduce the smuggling problem.
Establishing a transport operation focused uncertainty model for the supply chain
Authors: Sanchez Rodrigues Vasco , Stantchev Damian , Potter Andrew , Naim Mohamed , Whiteing Anthony 
Published: June 2008

PurposeMuch of the recent research on supply chain uncertainty has focused on relationships between manufacturers and suppliers and existing models have therefore been based on this dyadic structure. The aim is to establish a supply chain uncertainty model that explicitly incorporates transport operations and hence the logistics triad; supplier, customer and transport carrier.Design/methodology/approachThis is a literature‐based activity that synthesises and extends existing models of supply chain uncertainty.FindingsThe paper develops a new model to reflect the nature of transport operations. Consequently, it identifies five main categories of uncertainty, namely from the points of view of the supplier, the customer and the carrier, respectively, the control systems used in the supply chain and external factors. The interfaces between the uncertainty categories involving all three parties of the logistics triad are identified, so as to develop a more holistic perspective on supply chain uncertainty and how it can be reduced.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper is conceptual in nature and empirical research into the area of transport uncertainty will be required to validate its findings. Following this, the model can be used to investigate and evaluate improvements in the economic and/or environmental performance of freight transport within supply chains.Practical implicationsThe model is intended to provide a framework within which organisations, including logistics providers, can develop a supply chain strategy to mitigate the effects of uncertainty. By categorising uncertainty into the types described, organisations may determine where the greatest uncertainties lie and hence develop a prioritised plan for supply chain re‐engineering by initially targeting those uncertainties with the most significant implications for supply chain efficiency.Originality/valueLittle research has been undertaken on the impact of uncertainties on transport in the context of collaborative supply chain management. The model rationalises uncertainties into various types taking into account the nature of the logistics triad.
Logistics capability, logistics outsourcing and firm performance in an e‐commerce market
Authors: Joong‐Kun Cho Jay , Ozment John , Sink Harry 
Published: June 2008

PurposeEffective and efficient supply chain management is critical to the success of firms engaging in e‐commerce. The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of logistics capability and logistics outsourcing on firm performance in an e‐commerce market environment.Design/methodology/approachThis research examines the relationship between firm's logistics capability, logistics outsourcing and its performance. Multiple‐item constructs are used to measure the strength of logistics capability and firm performance. The use of logistics outsourcing is represented by a dichotomous variable. Data obtained via a survey were analyzed to investigate relationships among constructs and various hypotheses were tested.FindingsStudy results revealed logistics capability to be positively related to firm performance in the e‐commerce market. However, counter‐intuitively, logistics outsourcing and firm performance were not found to be positively linked. Further, the association between logistics capability and outsourcing was not supported. Finally, the interactive effect of logistics outsourcing on the relationship between logistics capability and firm performance was not sustained.Research limitations/implicationsResearch findings are constrained, as the study was limited to the computer and consumer electronics retailing industry. However, the importance of logistics capability was confirmed in the e‐commerce supply chain for this segment. And the benefit of using third‐party logistics (3PL) to enhance firm performance was not fully established.Practical implicationsLogistics capability is critical for superior firm performance in e‐commerce. However, study findings lead to the presumption that firms should avoid logistics outsourcing if performance is predicated on competitive advantage due to internally strong logistics capability and competencies.Originality/valueThis research contributes to the study of logistics capability and 3PL in e‐commerce. The development of a logistics capability measurement construct in e‐commerce originated with this research. Also the impact of logistics outsourcing on firm performance is tested for the first time in an e‐commerce market environment.
Greening public health conferences: educating ourselves
Authors: Mohindra K.S. 
Published: June 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to reflect critically on environmentally friendly (“green”) practices at public health conferences.Design/methodology/approachThe paper reviews key best practices and draws upon personal experience of attending conferences.FindingsAlthough there have been efforts of integrating green practices at conferences, there is a greater range of practices that could be pursued. There is also a need to ensure that practices are the right ones: the case of reusable plastic water bottles is a case in point.Originality/valueThe paper clarifies best practices and encourages the promotion of further greening of public health conferences.
Supporting children's emotional wellbeing and mental health in England: a review
Authors: Maxwell Claire , Aggleton Peter , Warwick Ian , Yankah Ekua , Hill Vivian , Mehmedbegović Dina 
Published: June 2008

PurposeThis paper aims to inform the development of policies and programmes to support children and young people's emotional wellbeing and mental health. It seeks to bring together findings both from recent systematic reviews, and from individual evaluation studies which have adopted a relatively rigorous methodology but whose findings have not to date been included in such analyses. Research undertaken in England is to be prioritised, to complement an existing evidence base comprised largely of findings from US‐based research.Design/methodology/approachUsing five key search strategies, studies were categorised into three main categories – “demonstrably effective approaches”, “promising approaches” and “approaches for which there is little or no supporting evidence” – according to robustness of evidence. Overall, 171 potentially relevant studies were identified, with 20 of these being robust enough for inclusion in the final review.FindingsIn schools, sustained broad‐based mental health promotion programmes combined with more targeted behavioural and cognitive‐behavioural therapy (CBT) for those children with identifiable emotional wellbeing and mental health needs, offer evidence of a demonstrably effective approach. Early and brief intervention programmes which reduce waiting times for services appear promising approaches and seem to reduce the number of sessions a family require. There is a reasonably strong evidence base to support targeted work with both parents and children.Practical implicationsBy providing a detailed description of the successful initiatives reviewed, this paper should help policy‐makers and practitioners to develop their work.Originality/valueBy complementing the relatively narrow evidence base offered by systematic reviews, this more broadly based review offers policy‐makers and practitioners in England an up‐to‐date, context‐relevant guide for programme development within this field.
Symptom awareness and cancer prevention: exploratory findings from an at‐risk population
Authors: Eadie Douglas , MacAskill Susan 
Published: June 2008

PurposeSecondary prevention programmes have traditionally employed mass screening approaches to assess for asymptomatic signs of cancer. It has been suggested that early detection strategies involving public education and self‐referral may prove more cost‐effective with low risk populations for cancers with symptomatic presentation. This study, which was commissioned to inform the development of a cancer awareness campaign, aims to examine public perceptions of the early detection of cancer, the psycho‐social barriers to self‐referral amongst a key at‐risk population and the implications for patient education.Design/methodology/approachAn exploratory study using qualitative focus groups with an at‐risk population of older people living in deprived communities in west‐central Scotland.FindingsThe findings reveal broad support for initiatives designed to raise symptom awareness. However, fear of cancer can lead to apparently irrational responses to symptoms and subsequent delay, particularly amongst men who are less likely to seek support from lay networks.Originality/valueEarly detection messages need to take account tone and symptom description to allay fears and ensure appropriate presentation. Consideration also needs to be given to the role played by lay and professional opinion formers to informing and supporting patients' decision to present with suspicious symptoms, particularly when targeting harder to reach patients of men, older people, and people living in deprived communities.
An exploratory study on systems development methodologies for web‐based applications
Authors: Noorman Masrek Mohamad , Hussin Norhayati , Tarmuchi Norashimawati 
Published: June 2008

PurposeThe purpose of the paper is to investigate the status of systems development methodologies (SDM) usage for developing web‐based application in Malaysian organizations. In addition, it also seeks to investigate the use of techniques and tools for web‐based application development.Design/methodology/approachThe study employed the use of a cross‐sectional survey method with 200 questionnaires sent to information systems managers. A total of 66 usable questionnaires were returned.FindingsThe use of SDM that are meant for web‐based applications is still very low among Malaysian organizations. The majority of respondents indicated that the SDM being used were adapted on a project basis. Malaysian systems developers were more inclined to use techniques that were much suited for traditional applications. Nevertheless, the use of systems development tools was quite overwhelming. Despite acknowledging the merits of using SDM, respondents also indicated problems associated with their usage.Research limitations/implicationsThe number of respondents participated in the study was low and furthermore data were collected employing a cross‐sectional design instead of longitudinal design.Originality/valueThe paper provides empirical evidence regarding the use of SDM, techniques and tools for developing web‐based applications.
Supporting decision making in risk management through an evidence‐based information systems project risk checklist
Authors: Zhou Lihong , Vasconcelos Ana , Nunes Miguel 
Published: June 2008

PurposeThis paper aims to present a study of Information Systems project risk management aimed at identifying a risk ontology and checklist that will enable decision making and mitigation strategy planning in information system (IS) development in the public sector. This sector is an ideal research field in risk management practices, due to the visibility that failure of IS/IT projects has acquired as a consequence of the duty of accountability that characterises it.Design/methodology/approachThe study is based on a qualitative approach anchored on a critical literature review, leading to the development of an analytical framework, followed by a thorough case‐study survey.FindingsA project risk ontology was derived from the analysis of ten case‐studies in the UK, USA and New Zealand and was divided into five main categories: pre‐project, customer, project management, technological issues, and development methodology. The analysis found that a considerable number of risk factors are incurred before the start of the formal project and pre‐determine the future of the project and create predictable risks that can be avoided.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper has focused on the pre‐implementation and implementation phases of IT/IS projects and further research into IS post‐implementation is required.Originality/valueThe proposed ontology is designed to fit in real life systems development cycles and is aimed at supporting risk assessment and control. The findings suggest that risk thinking should start early in the project and not, as many modern design and development methodologies propose, solely as part of the development process itself.
Management versus security specialists: an empirical study on security related perceptions
Authors: Mouratidis H. , Jahankhani H. , Nkhoma M.Z. 
Published: June 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to explore the rationale that governs implementation of information systems and network security expenditures through a case study approach.Design/methodology/approachThe research method took the form of a mixed‐method assessment of the perceptions of persons of authority in the management and the network security areas of an organization that has implemented network security protocols. Two stages of the research process were completed in order to gather the necessary data for the study. The first stage of the study was the administration of a Likert‐type questionnaire in which respondents answered 30 unique items on network security. In the second phase of the study, a number of responders were contacted to further expand upon the themes presented in the Likert‐type questionnaire.FindingsEmpirical evidence gathered justifies theoretical claims that personnel from general management have different perspectives towards network security than personnel from the network security management. In particular, the study indicates that such differences are demonstrated on a number of areas such as the effectiveness and the efficiency of the networked system; control of network security; security‐related decision‐making processes; and users of the network. The latter being the most controversial issue with one side indicating that users should be allowed to use the network in an efficient manner, and the other side emphasizing that users pose one of the greatest security risks to the system.Research limitations/implicationsThe limitations of the study are found in its focus on a specific company and on its perception‐centred nature of risk and risk analysis. No two persons identify and frame risk in an identical manner. This creates potential conflict of interest when the participants within a risk assessment process approach the issues and present their arguments as to how to best identify and respond to risks.Practical implicationsThrough comparing and contrasting the perspectives of the two sample populations, the research assists in demonstrating how, why, and to what extent specific problems are recognized by those within management and those within network security. This allowed the analysis of how these problems are defined and what steps can be taken that would help to reduce or eliminate its impact in the organization used in our case study.Originality/valueIt has been argued in the literature that there is lack of empirically based research to explore and effectively analyze the perceptions held by management and by security specialists within organizations with respect to security. This paper presents the results of the application of a novel two‐stage framework on an empirical case study focused on a large national bank. The work allowed the identification of the various perceptions held by management and by security specialists, and the degree to which these perceptions are similar.
User profiles in organizational environments
Authors: Teixeira Claudio , Sousa Pinto Joaquim , Arnaldo Martins Joaquim 
Published: June 2008

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to describe a project to provide an online web portal that can be used as a front‐end for all university users – students, teachers, staff – and services, library, administration, e‐learning, and e‐mail.Design/methodology/approachThe profile model proposed is mainly inheritable, defined by profile components with transactional templates, security rules and layout templates. This approach is being tested on a campus prototype portal. The prototype is an underway project in development at our university.FindingsThis paper explains that, even though different from the overall approaches, the basic profile and the profile management system proposed are solid alternatives when addressing personalization of organization users.Originality/valueThis new approach explains how user modelling applications can be integrated into any organization without the cost of reengineering the entire information system already in place.
Information technology governance, funding and structure
Authors: Azizi Ismail Noor 
Published: June 2008

PurposeThe paper's purpose is to investigate the issues of IT governance, funding and structure of a public university in Malaysia.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses a case study approach, i.e. a series of interviews with users and information services provider of campus information system.FindingsThe university lacks a common approach to decision making or forum for making comprehensive assessments of IT planning and funding strategy. The campus information system was developed in an uncoordinated manner, reflecting interests of different departmental units, and a decision support system is almost non‐existent. A new IT planning structure with clear roles and responsibilities is proposed to overcome existing barriers to effective campus information system.Originality/valueThis is the first study to investigate the issue of IT governance, funding and structure in Malaysian universities using a case study approach.
Comparison of TAPS packages for engineering
Authors: Manjit Sidhu S. 
Published: June 2008

PurposeThis paper aims to present the development of technology‐assisted problem solving (TAPS) packages at University Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN). The project is the further work of the development of interactive multimedia based packages targeted for students having problems in understanding the subject of engineering mechanics dynamics.Design/methodology/approachIn this study TAPS packages are compared with other selected engineering computer packages.FindingsThe differences found were indicative of better presentation and clarity, step‐by‐step approach to solve engineering problems, user‐friendly environment, unbiased assessment of performance and flexibility to incorporate 3‐D geometric models in the TAPS packages.Originality/valueThis paper provides a brief account of the differences between the TAPS packages approach used in this research with that of commercial simulation packages accompanying the engineering mechanics dynamics textbook and will be of interest to those in the field of engineering.
Evaluation of ICT literacy differences in trainee student teachers from the view of sexuality
Authors: Moradi Rekabdarkolaei Saeid , Amuei Fattane 
Published: June 2008

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to evaluate ICT literacy differences in trainee student teachers from the view of sexuality.Design/methodology/approachIn the research, sender differences in self‐reported ICT experience and ICT literacy among first year graduate trainee teachers were investigated. The questionnaires were made available in two forms: printed and online. Also, dynamic model of ICT literacy was employed. Three main components of aspiring teachers' ICT literacy were covered: present general problem‐solving and technical ICT capabilities; situational and longitudinal sustainability; and transferability of ICT capabilities into future professional domain.FindingsResults show no significant differences were found between females' and males' previous experience with ICT. However, males on average worked with computers significantly more hours per week than females. Significant differences between males' and females' technical ICT capabilities and situational and longitudinal sustainability were observed. Males' scores were higher. In the regression analysis, when the impact of the background and ICT experience variables was controlled, gender failed to be a significant predictor of the sustainability scores. However, it remained a significant predictor of some trainee teachers' scores, related to their technical ICT capabilities.Originality/valueThis paper adds to the literature on the evaluation of ICT literacy differences in trainee student teachers from the view of sexuality and will be of interest to those in the field.