bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The shifting landscape of e‐books
Authors: Soules Aline 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to review the current state of e‐books, describing their potential scope, highlighting information from recent ebrary surveys in connection with the author's on‐the‐ground experience with students, and discussing the challenges of these evolving works.Design/methodology/approachThe paper describes the need to broaden perceptions of e‐books in light of their extensive potential and scope. It highlights significant points in the ebrary surveys and compares them with the author's on‐the‐ground experience in a medium‐sized university with students who are less advantaged. It also presents the challenges librarians face, both currently and in the future, illustrating progress in some areas and emphasizing the growing complexity in managing these works.FindingsEven as librarians cope with what can now be considered “traditional” e‐books, little attention is paid to the potential breadth and diversity of e‐books. The surveys show that librarians are only partially aware of students' perceptions about e‐books and that there are conflicting priorities among students, faculty, and librarians. Conclusions are that: even as librarians cope with the current state of e‐books, they must also plan for future types of e‐books; and there is a strong need for greater communication in the increasingly complex e‐book arena of selection, acquisition, collection integration, and instruction.Originality/valueMuch of the literature about e‐books deals with the pros and cons, either of e‐books or of e‐book readers. The paper lays out e‐book issues to foster further in‐depth discussion.
We got the building … now what?
Authors: Harada Glenda , Taylor Donna , Collier Aaron 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe the process by which a library task force investigated and recommended services, best practices and technology prior to moving into a vastly larger and more modern building than its previous facility.Design/methodology/approachA 12‐member team was appointed to study a wide range of practices and services in libraries and other public institutions with similar missions and to issue a report on its findings and recommendations. The team included faculty, staff and students with backgrounds including public service, technology, human resources and space design.FindingsThe make‐up of the team, as well as the methods of study, provided for a wide range of possible recommendations and had a significant impact on the final report. A link to the full report is provided (wiki).Research limitations/implicationsOther libraries, whether planning a new building or new services, may utilize a similar team research method to develop an action plan.Originality/valueThe paper describes one successful method of developing a strategic plan to enhance services to patrons and employee performance and satisfaction.
Doctoral students' information behaviour: an exploratory study at the University of Parma (Italy)
Authors: Vezzosi Monica 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this exploratory study is to investigate the information behaviour of a group of doctoral students in the field of biology with the aim of understanding their needs and obtaining suggestions for an improved library service.Design/methodology/approachIn‐depth semi‐structured interviews explore which information sources students use, research strategies they adopt, the role people adopt in their information seeking process and the attitude students have towards library services.FindingsDoctoral students rely heavily on the internet for their research work. They appreciate simple and easy research tools and their use of the library is limited to a few services, such as document delivery and interlibrary loan. People play a crucial role in doctoral students' information behaviour mainly in terms of suggesting relevant documents. Students demonstrate progress throughout the years of their doctorate course in terms of awareness and information competence.Practical implicationsThe paper presents a perspective on the information needs of doctoral students in the biology field and provides some insights into students' priorities in terms of information tools and library services.Originality/valueThe paper can represent a starting‐point for further investigation into the information‐seeking patterns and needs of doctoral students in Italian universities.
Promoting a comprehensive view of library resources in a course management system
Authors: Solis Jacqueline , Hampton Ellen M. 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the way the University of North Carolina Libraries have begun to incorporate library resources into their university course management system.Design/methodology/approachThe paper presents a case study of course‐specific web pages that have been incorporated into BlackBoard sites as a way to facilitate the use of the library and to promote a comprehensive view of library services and resources at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.FindingsStudents and professors appreciate course‐specific web pages that provide access to library resources that relate directly to class assignments. Web page usage statistics show that students are using librarian‐created course pages to access library materials.Originality/valueThe paper describes a way for librarians to bring library resources into a course management system that may be beneficial for other academic libraries.
IFLA WLIC 2008 Quebec City, Canada
Authors: Madge Bruce 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide a flavour of the World Library and Information Congress: 74th IFLA General Conference and Council.Design/methodology/approachThe paper gives an outline of the issues, content, speakers, participants, social networking and location of this conference.FindingsThe conference was informative, useful and provided wonderful international networking opportunities.Originality/valueThe paper provides a report of a major annual international conference of value to international information and library professionals.
Reviewing the relationship between human resource practices and psychological contract and their impact on employee attitude and behaviours
Authors: Aggarwal Upasana , Bhargava Shivganesh 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to review and synthesise literature on the role of human resource practices (HRP) in shaping employee psychological contract (PC). Based on this review, a conceptual framework for examining the relationship between HRP and PC and their impact on employee attitudes as well as behaviour has been put forward for further examination.Design/methodological/approachAn extensive review of the literature, examining the role of HRP in influencing PC of employees, between the periods 1972 to 2007 has been conducted. Adopting the multi‐level approach, the paper discusses the role of individual variable (PC) and organisational variable (HRP) on employee attitudes and behaviours.FindingsThe review brings to fore the following: the role of business and employment relationship strategy on HRP; the relationship between HRP and organisation culture as well as employees attitudes and behaviours; the relationship between HRP on and employee's psychological contract; and the moderating effect of those conceptions on employee attitudes and behaviours relationship.Practical implicationsHRP and PC influence employee attitudes and behaviours as well as have a bearing on organisational effectiveness. Suggestively, as a policy implication, firms need to craft and effectively communicate their HR toolkit based on their employment relationship and business strategies.Originality/valueThe main contribution of this paper is that it synthesises the research examining the impact of HRP on PC. Adopting a meso theory, the paper integrates both organisational and individual level variables and proposes a conceptual model.
Determining the relationship among organizational learning dimensions of a small‐size business enterprise
Authors: Nafukho Fredrick M. , Graham Carroll M. , Muyia Machuma H. 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThe primary purpose of the study was to determine the type of relationships that existed among organizational learning dimensions studied. In addition, the study sought to establish whether the correlations were statistically significant at 0.05 and 0.01 levels.Design/methodology/approachThis study adopted a correlational quantitative research design. It has been established that quantitative methods enable researchers to conduct comparisons across individuals. The correlational research design was found appropriate since it enabled the researchers to determine if statistically significant correlations existed among the learning dimensions studied.FindingsThe results of the correlation analysis showed that the learning organization dimensions leadership and culture had the highest level of association, followed by correlations between rewards and recognition and culture. The correlations were statistically significant at 0.01. Meaning that for the small business unit studied to be successful in promoting organizational learning practices, leadership must assume the primary responsibility.Research limitations/implicationsFurther research should include comparisons of organizational learning dimensions within small, medium and large business firms. Generality of this study's results will be limited due to the investigation of a single small‐size manufacturing enterprise. Qualitative research techniques could have been used to supplement the findings.Originality/valueThere are limited studies that focus on the issue of organizational learning within small‐size business enterprises.
Transfer as a two‐way process: testing a model
Authors: Vermeulen Rita , Admiraal Wilfried 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this exploratory research is to test the model of training transfer as a two‐way process.Design/methodology/approachBased on self‐report data gathered from 58 to 44 respondents in a field experiment, it is argued that there is not just learning in the context of training and not just application in the context of work. For training design may ask for performance during training, and data show significant further learning of skills in the context of work.FindingsThe overall results of the data analysis suggest support for transfer as a two‐way process. Data show a dip in transfer in the first interval, three weeks after training. In the longer term (one year), transfer restored significantly.Practical implicationsDiscusses how to combine learning and performance, in the training context and the work context.Originality/valueThe usual view of transfer is one‐way (from training to work; from learning to application), while transfer may be a two‐way process. A presented model is put to the test.
Managerial competencies for middle managers: some empirical findings from China
Authors: Xuejun Qiao June , Wang Wei 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThis study aims to identify managerial competencies required for successful middle managers in China.Design/methodology/approachFirst a questionnaire survey was distributed among MBA and EMBA students at a major university in China, and then two case studies were conducted to collect more in‐depth data.FindingsThe findings of this study suggest that team building, communication, coordination, execution and continual learning are critical competencies for the success of middle managers in China. Implications for future research and practices are also discussed.Originality/valueThe literature review shows that although previous leadership competency studies are extensive, little research has been conducted to explore the competencies required for middle managers. This study would contribute to fill the gap in the literature.
Engaging the small firm in learning
Authors: Higgins David 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThe paper sets out to suggest that knowledge in the SME enterprise is embodied as evident in such notions as tacit knowing and learning, and embedded grounded in the situated social historic contexts of individual lives and work. This supports the view that the nature of knowledge is inherently indeterminate and continually evolving.Design/methodology/approachA practice‐based approach focuses towards, the point of action, enabling the researcher to observe knowing as an intimate recursive feature of organisational life, the local in which traditional dualisms lose their meaning, in the specific context of real time practices, in that the knowing subject and the known objects cannot be treated in isolation and opposed to one another, the given and the emergent co‐exist and presuppose one another.FindingsThe paper offers the suggestion that a social process perspective offers a means of engaging the SME enterprise in more effective knowledge creating activities, and fostering innovation, which is both relevant and useful to them.Practical implicationsThe paper offers the suggestion that a social process perspective offers a means of engaging the SME enterprise in more effective knowledge creating activities, and fostering innovation, which is both relevant and useful to them.Originality/valueThe paper seeks to extend the current conceptualisations of organisational learning developing the view that learning is no longer associated with the diffusions of pieces of knowledge, but rather it is viewed as the process of developing of situated identities based on participation in a process of social engagement and interaction.
DSC characterisation of urea‐formaldehyde (UF) resin curing
Authors: Gao Z. , Wang X‐M. , Wan H. , Liu Zhi‐Ming 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of various catalyst contents, resin solid contents, catalyst species and wood extract on urea‐formaldehyde (UF) curing by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) technique. The finding obtained would benefit the manufacturers of UF‐bonded composite panels.Design/methodology/approachThe UF curing rate under each condition in terms of DSC peak temperature was measured by high‐pressure DSC at a heating rate of 15°C/min; the correlations of peak temperature with catalyst content, resin solid content, catalyst species and wood extract, respectively, were regressed via a model equation, which described the curing characteristics of the UF bonding system.FindingsA model equation, Tp=A · EXP(−B · CC per cent)+D, was proposed to characterise the DSC peak temperatures or the rate of UF curing with regressing coefficients greater than 0.97 (commonly greater than 0.99). The constants A and B in the model equation were found to correspond to kinetic characteristics of UF resin curing reaction. The constant D in the model equation is believed to be associated with the utmost peak temperature, which implies that the DSC peak temperature will finally reach a maximum with catalyst content increasing. It was also found that the wood extracts having higher pH value and base buffer capacity had stronger catalyses on UF curing.Research limitations/implicationsThe catalysts commonly used in medium density fibreboard plants or particleboard plants are those having the utmost peak temperature of about 90‐95°C; the catalyses of wood extracts were much weaker than that of catalyst NH4Cl.Practical implicationsThe model equation could be used to predict the peak temperature or the curing rate of UF resin, and to quantify the effects of wood extracts on UF curing.Originality/valueThe study developed a model equation that can well characterise the UF curing, and quantified the effects of wood extracts on UF curing.
Investigation of fundamental parameters affecting electrospun PVA/CuS composite nanofibres
Authors: Wang C. , Yuan J. , Niu H. , Yan E. , Zhao H. 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to study the preparation of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/CuS composite nanofibres, and the effects of solution and process parameters on the resulting nanofibres.Design/methodology/approachA facile method coupling self‐assembly and electrospinning technology was used to prepare PVA/CuS nanofibres from PVA/CuCl2 · 2H2O solution.FindingsCuS nanoparticles were well dispersed in the composite nanofibres, the dimension of which was in the range of 4‐9 nm. Low amount of salt in electrospinning solutions and high‐applied voltage were beneficial for forming smooth and small sized nanofibres. The tip‐to‐collector distance has not affected the morphology of resulting nanofibres.Research limitations/implicationsThe orientation of the composite nanofibres was hardly controlled and the diameter distribution of nanofibres was not uniform enough.Practical implicationsThe method combining electrospinning and self‐assembly provided an effective strategy for preparing nanoparticles doped composite nanofibres.Originality/valueThe morphology of composite nanofibres was well controlled via adjusting the solution and process parameters, therefore, the fibres obtained will have potential applications as controllable nano‐optoelectronic materials.
Inhibition of corrosion of mild steel in sulphuric acid medium by Calotropis procera
Authors: Raja P.B. , Sethuraman M.G. 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to evaluate the corrosion inhibition potential of Calotropis procera in sulphuric acid medium on mild steel with a view to developing green corrosion inhibitors.Design/methodology/approachExtract of the C. procera was studied for its corrosion inhibitive effect by weight loss, electrochemical, SEM and UV methods. Using weight loss measurement data, mechanism of inhibitive action is probed by fitting in adsorption isotherm.FindingsC. procera has been found to show significant corrosion inhibitive effect in sulphuric acid medium on mild steel. Inhibition is through adsorption of the phytoconstituents on mild steel following Tempkin adsorption isotherm. The results of ac impedance and polarization studies correlate well with the weight loss studies.Originality/valueThe plant has been investigated for the first time for its corrosion inhibitive effect. The effect has been studied by proven methods. This green inhibitor can find use in the inhibition of corrosion in industries where mild steel is used as a material of choice for the fabrication of machinery.
Sonicator dyeing of cotton fabric and chemical characterization of the colorant from Melastoma malabathricum
Authors: Vankar P.S. , Tiwari V. , Singh L.W. , Potsangbam L. 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to evaluate the dyeing potentials of Melastoma malabathricum whose fruit pulp showed high dye contents. It is an abundantly available shrub in the north eastern forests of India.Design/methodology/approachDye extraction was carried out by conventional heating and sonicator. The dyebility of the aqueous extract of melastoma was evaluated for dyeing cotton fabric by two methods – sonication and conventional heating. The purpose of using sonication was for betterment of dye uptake, improved dye adherence and good wash and light fastnesses.FindingsThe test results showed that choosing this dyeing method produced improved results. The superiority of sonicator dyeing over conventional dyeing in terms of enhanced resource productivity and as a result, reduced wastes, makes it the established best available technique in the natural dyeing industry. Use of sonicator shows marked enhancement for cotton dyed fabric. Typical bath liquor to fabric ratio for conventional dyeing varies from 20:1 to 15:1 and for sonicator dyeing from only 12:1 to 10:1 thereby reducing specific water and energy consumption by, respectively, 30 and 50 percent.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough natural dyeing has its limitations of fastness, we have tried to overcome this limitation by using sonicator.Practical implicationsThe method developed for natural dyeing of cotton fabric using sonication in conjunction with metal mordanting has shown marked improvement.Originality/valueThe method developed for natural dyeing of cotton fabric using fruit pulp of Melastoma malabathricum under sonication in conjunction with metal mordanting using has shown marked improvement in terms of dye adherence and fastness properties and can thus be recommended for industrial application.
Marketing medical implants: new challenges and concerns
Authors: Mackert Michael , Harrison Tracie 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThe paper seeks to raise awareness of the issues surrounding marketing of medically implanted devices, a logical extension of issues now debated on direct‐to‐consumer pharmaceutical advertising.Design/methodology/approachParallels from the direct‐to‐consumer marketing of pharmaceuticals provide a context for discussion of the marketing efforts of a specific medically implanted device: cochlear implants for children.FindingsSince CI implantation is controversial among some members of the deaf community, the marketing of the product for children raises additional issues beyond those of many other devices or drugs. The omission of this concern in the marketing materials targeting parents overlooks a significant cultural risk that could derail desirable marketing efforts.Research limitations/implicationsResearchers should initiate investigation of consumer perceptions of surgically implanted medical devices and related issues, to provide guidance for health professionals, marketers, and policymakers.Practical implicationsIn the interest of designing ethical messages, engendering consumer trust, and improving sales, health marketing should consider the full array of issues surrounding surgically implanted devices and design promotional messages accordingly.Originality/valueRaising important issues regarding the marketing of a surgically implanted medical device can encourage future responsible marketing of the technology.