bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Synthesizing e‐government stage models – a meta‐synthesis based on meta‐ethnography approach
Authors: Siau Keng , Long Yuan 
Published: May 2005

PurposeThe growing interest in e‐government raises the question of stages in e‐government development. A few stage models for e‐government have been proposed. Without a common e‐government stage model, different research in e‐government may be based on different stage models. This presents a difficulty in comparing and understanding different research results. In this research, we synthesize the existing e‐government stage models so that there is a common frame of reference for researchers and practitioners in the area.Design/methodology/approachThis research utilizes a qualitative meta‐synthesis methodology to synthesize different e‐government stage models. The meta‐synthesis follows the steps used in meta‐ethnography.FindingsFive different e‐government stage models were used in this research. We translated the stages within different models into one another and developed a new e‐government stage model. The new e‐government stage model has the following five stages: web presence, interaction, transaction, transformation, and e‐democracy.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper contributes to e‐government theory development. The new five‐stage model provides a synthesized conceptual framework for researchers to evaluate and understand e‐government development.Practical implicationsThe synthesized e‐government stage model presents a road map for practitioners to follow in their e‐government projects.Originality/valueThe research uses an innovative and new research methodology to synthesize the existing research. It is one of the first research in the information systems area to make use of meta‐synthesis approach to consolidate the existing qualitative research. This paper is also one of the one papers to systematically come up with an e‐government stage model.
Marketing aspects of knowledge‐based management in groups of companies: case of Poland
Authors: Chadam Jan , Pastuszak Zbigniew 
Published: May 2005

PurposeThis paper focuses on identifying key factors which condition the occurrence of synergies in multi‐entity companies in relation to the application of knowledge management procedures in the marketing and development function.Design/methodology/approachThe factors have been identified as selected knowledge management subsystems and subsequently validated empirically in the groups of companies under review. The questionnaire used as a research tool included 27 questions on the organisation of the key management processes in the area of marketing and development in terms of knowledge management. The research results are described by means of the correlation and median analysis.FindingsOur observations and research findings appear to support a claim that the management of a multiple organisation that allows identification, selection, organisation, dissemination, and transfer of important information between group members is a crucial determinant of synergies and financial performance of a group of companies.Originality/valueThe enterprises in the former Comecon countries had a relatively little time to make important changes in the organisation and management, to improve their effectiveness and competitiveness. In the Polish economic realities, as the privatisation and restructuring processes of the former state‐owned enterprises got under way, one of the ways in which businesses sought to improve performance was to establish groups of companies. We described the hidden effects of this process, which primary was not included to the direct goals of the group establishing process. However, is one of the most important effects of this activity.
Internet and e‐commerce adoption by the Taiwan semiconductor industry
Authors: Peng Yung‐Chuan , Trappey Charles V. , Liu Nai‐Yu 
Published: May 2005

PurposeTo determine the status of internet and e‐commerce adoption by the Taiwan semiconductor industry, the research is designed to help government and enterprise in formulating strategic plans and making resource allocation decisions.Design/methodology/approachUsing the three‐level model of internet commerce adoption (MICA), a survey of 287 companies and web sites was designed. Semiconductor firms were placed into five categories: integrated circuit (IC) design, manufacturing, packaging, IC testing, and peripheral device manufacturing.FindingsThe MICA model shows the internet adoption ratio for semiconductor firms as 82.6 percent, significantly higher than the electronics and electrical machinery industry sector (56.5 percent). The IC manufacturing and packaging segment are in the processing stage, the final stage of development for the MICA model. One‐third of the IC testing industry segment falls into the provision stage, and 36.1 percent web sites are in the processing stage. The IC design and peripherals industrial segments are located in the provision stage.Practical implicationsThe IC manufacturing segment is conducting more financial transactions than the other segments – a result that matches earlier research showing that larger companies are most likely to implement e‐business applications. Many enterprises in the industry are lagging with the adoption of the internet indicating a need for education and training.Originality/valueThis benchmark study provides a framework for evaluating the internet adoption status of semiconductor and other high technology firms. The MICA model is demonstrated to be suitable for evaluating the different stages of internet adoption.
Understanding and using the capabilities of finite scheduling
Authors: Dumond Ellen J. 
Published: May 2005

PurposePresents a microcomputer‐based finite scheduling approach to effective planning and execution of make‐to‐order production. Going beyond the traditional application of scheduling algorithms to prioritize jobs through work centers, the finite scheduling approach can be used to establish “smart” promise dates, manage the jobs through the work centers and enable supervisors to meet these due dates in the dynamic MTO environment.Design/methodology/approachUsing data from an operational jobshop and a simulation‐based finite scheduling algorithm linked to pre‐ and post‐processing capabilities developed in Access, this research provides specific examples of establishing smart due dates and managing resources to meet those dates. We provide some what‐ifs in order to more fully explore the benefits of a finite scheduling system.FindingsThrough use of actual jobshop data, the paper demonstrates that finite scheduling can be effectively performed on standard computing equipment. It also provides an understanding of finite scheduling and demonstrates that such a system can be of significant value in a MTO environment.Research limitations/implicationsFuture research could review/compare various ERP packages and their scheduling components to provide guidance on selection and implementation.Practical implicationsThe paper clearly indicates that managers, even of smaller companies, should be considering the use of finite scheduling.Originality/valueThe paper provides a new approach to finite scheduling using a combination of simulation and Microsoft Access on a personal computer. Additionally, it provides a very useful presentation for practitioners who want an understanding of finite scheduling and why they need to implement it.
Family size, economics and child gender preference: a case study in the Nyeri district of Kenya
Authors: Kiriti Tabitha W. , Tisdell Clem 
Published: May 2005

PurposeThe objective is to determine the influence of economic and social/cultural factors on family size and child gender preferences in rural Kenya and to draw public policy implications from the results. This is an important matter because the fertility rate in Kenya is high; higher than in most developing countries. It is especially high in rural areas. This may be an impediment to Kenya's development.Design/methodology/approachFirst relevant economic literature is reviewed to identify factors that economists and others claim are important influences on family size. Then follows a case study of families in the Nyeri district of Kenya. Data are obtained from a random sample of households in this district using a semi‐structured questionnaire in direct interviews. The survey results are summarised and then analysed using Tobit analysis and least squares regression.FindingsBoth economic and social/cultural factors are found to be important influences on family size. For example, preference for male children has an important positive influence on family size in the Nyeri district. Women are found to prefer male offspring to daughters, possibly because they are afraid of being disinherited if they do not produce a male heir for their husbands.Research limitations/implicationsSupport for the conclusions reached could be strengthened or further assessed by increasing the sample size in the Nyeri district and be conducting similar surveys in other rural districts of Kenya.Practical implicationsIntroducing social security systems in Kenya to assist the elderly and the infirm would reduce the need for Kenyan women to have many children as security and women should be granted greater inheritance rights, especially to land. Furthermore, education of women should be promoted as a way to reduce family size.Originality/valueThis paper reinforces the view that both economic and social/cultural factors must be considered simultaneously when examining determinants of the number of children in a family and child gender preference.
John Paul II's vision of the social economy
Authors: O'Boyle Edward J. 
Published: May 2005

PurposeJohn Paul II's views on economic systems have been construed differently by some commentators who have been seeking approval for their own views rather than searching for the meaning that he himself intends to convey. John Paul is labeled by many as favoring capitalism, and by others as supporting socialism. A few have been scrutinizing his statements in hopes of finding support for a “third‐way.” In this paper, John Paul is quoted at length to represent his views more accurately.Design/methodology/approachThis paper originated in a collection of essays on the theme of John Paul II's vision of the social economy that was published by the International Journal of Social Economics in fall 1998. This author is indebted to the contributors to that collection for many insights into John Paul's vision. Eight topics are covered: consumption, distribution, capital investment, work as such, leisure, labor, development, and market economy versus command economy. This paper uses many more direct quotes than is customary in scholarly work, but there is no other way to proceed and remain faithful to John Paul's vision of the social economy.FindingsJohn Paul's writings on economic affairs are significant for what they teach about the premises employed in economics. His own philosophy of the human person reinforces the four premises of personalist economics more so than the premises of the mainstream and challenges the mainstream at its foundations in the philosophy of individualism.Research limitations/implicationsJohn Paul speaks to a wide range of issues and questions central to economics and economic affairs. It would be presumptuous to represent this paper as a thorough examination of everything that John Paul has said, written, and means in this regard.Practical implicationsThis paper attempts to highlight some of the key arguments that John Paul II has set forth on eight centrally important economic topics, comparing and contrasting his pronouncements with the views of mainstream economists on the same topics.Originality/valueThis paper draws on the insights of 20 professional colleagues specialized in range of subdisciplines in economics, holding faculty positions at major universities in the USA, Italy, and Canada, and with a strong interest in understanding the social economy. The concluding section states John Paul's vision of the social economy in terms of 13 most important arguments.
Electronic resource management systems: the need and the realization
Authors: Sadeh Tamar , Ellingsen Mark 
Published: May 2005

PurposeThis paper aims to provide an overview of the trends and standards in electronic‐resource management (ERM).Design/methodology/approachThis paper examines the challenges that rapid growth in the number of electronic resources and in the complexity of managing e‐collections has posed for libraries, and traces the progress in developing tools and setting standards to address such challenges. Particular emphasis is given to the work of the Digital Library Federation Electronic Resource Management Initiative (DLF ERMI) to develop ERM systems not only for managing e‐collections throughout their life cycle but also for aiding collection‐development decision making. The integration of such systems in existing library environments and the mechanisms that make such integration possible are highlighted. Finally, the paper describes the collaborative process through which one vendor, Ex Libris, designed its ERM system, Verde.FindingsCollaboration between vendors and customers – in this example, Ex Libris and its users – combined with attentiveness to industry initiatives and standards can lead to a system design that responds to the demanding and rapidly changing requirements of the e‐resource world and builds on the software infrastructure already available at libraries.Originality/valueThis discussion will help librarians who struggle with the challenge of e‐resource management to set their expectations about the potential of future tools to assist them in their tasks.
Visualizing occupancy of library study space with GIS maps
Authors: Xia Jingfeng 
Published: May 2005

PurposeThis research seeks to observe the occupancy of study areas in a university library over a period of several months with the aim of evaluating the efficiency of library resources usage.Design/methodology/approachIn undertaking the research, study facilities of a library, such as chairs, sofas, carrels, and tables, were first drawn as features on maps using a GIS application. Geospatial databases were then created to store data of occupancy of the facilities by library users, which were observed by the author. On connecting records in the databases to features on the maps, GIS functions were explored to analyze observed data and exhibit the analytical results on the maps.FindingsThe findings of this research challenge the predominant opinion that insists that academic library users have a preference of study carrels over tables for studying. Instead, the research reveals that student users tend to select tables to study, especially tables equipped with electrical and internet connections. At the same time, group study rooms are overwhelmingly welcomed.Practical implicationsThis research demonstrates the potential of GIS technology for assisting library operations with regard to study space management. With GIS, libraries can have an automation tool to record their daily activities, analyze the data, and exhibit the analysis on maps for better understanding.Originality/valueThis is an experimental work. Librarians may find it useful in managing the activities of their library and helpful in providing information for space rearrangement and service enhancement.
Ethical leadership: professional challenges and the role of LIS education
Authors: Winston Mark 
Published: May 2005

PurposeThis article seeks to address the need for ethical and informed leadership in professions in general and library and information science in particular, and the challenges of professional education in library and information science in providing a theoretical basis for professional work that incorporates an understanding of ethical principles.Design/methodology/approachThe article provides an overview and analysis of ethical leadership issues in a range of international, organizational and individual circumstances. While the private and public sectors provide a frame of reference for considering library and information science education, the nature of the professional values in library and information services is also presented. In addition, the research related to limitations in ethical decision‐making ability among individuals is presented, in highlighting the need for educational approaches that support conscious consideration of biases and application of ethical principles.FindingsThere are significant challenges associated with educating future leaders about the importance of ethics, based on the competing motivations of professionals and managers, the complexity associated with ethical decision making, and the limitations of the knowledge base associated with ethical decision making. The published research suggests that a thoughtful and informed approach is needed in order to prepare graduates for their roles as ethical leaders in library and information services organizations.Practical implicationsIn addition to the many incentives to make unethical choices in the face of competition and demands for performance and success, there is the need for decision makers to be conscious of the pitfalls associated with ethical decision making. Such an awareness is enhanced by educational programs that emphasize the nature of ethical principles and the importance of an informed approach to leadership and decision making.Originality/valueThis article addresses the ethical leadership challenges facing individuals and organizations in the public and private sectors, higher education and libraries and identifies the legislative, regulatory, and organizational approaches that have been undertaken to encourage ethical decision making. The challenges and responses provide a framework for considering ethical leadership and decision making in library and information services and in library and information science education.
Literacy, aliteracy, and lifelong learning
Authors: Agee Jim 
Published: May 2005

PurposeThis conceptual paper aims to discuss a few concerns in the title categories of literacy, aliteracy, and lifelong learning and illuminates the scholarly concern about a global population increase of people who either are unable to read or are uninterested in reading.Design/methodology/approachThe juxtaposition of discussion about the three title categories and conclusions excerpted from the literature about these categories shows the predicament of the person today who is ill‐prepared in basic literacy. The predicament includes the individual's lack of ability to read, write, or reason; but also their limited capacity for successfully engaging technology or future lifelong learning. A discussion of marginalized populations relates how marginalized groups are unable to participate fully in their societies. Regardless of economic, gender, religious, or other reasons for group marginalization, members of these groups often suffer from illiteracy as well.FindingsIt is concluded that librarians who encourage development of reading and writing can make significant contributions to the profession, local cultures, and the global community.Originality/valueThis paper focuses on the immediate and long‐term problem of illiteracy. It is intended to motivate librarians across the globe by providing information about the effects of illiteracy on individuals or marginalized groups.
Diffusion of community information networks inNew Zealand public libraries
Authors: Anh Tran Lan 
Published: May 2005

PurposeThis research seeks to extend our understanding of how community information networks (CINs) are used by public libraries in New Zealand, and to assess key factors in adoption of the internet for CINs. It also aims to explore the application of a particular theory to the diffusion of CINs in one particular library through internet connectivity and, through this theory (diffusion of innovation), to assess the conditions which make these networks feasible.Design/methodology/approachFace‐to‐face interviews were conducted with five key CIN staff of one NZ public library as a means of gathering data on the perceptions, motivation and attitudes of those directly involved in developing and managing the CIN. From the data gathered, the research has analysed the potential influences on the adoption of CINs, including the attributes of innovation in public libraries. This is based on the attributes of an innovation in Rogers’ theory of diffusion of innovation.FindingsThe research findings are summarised from staff discussions during the interviews, including research propositions related to the first research question, i.e. “can Rogers' diffusion of innovation model be applied to the diffusion of CINs in public libraries”, and findings from staff interviews related to the second research question – “What are major attributes that have affected CIN adoption in the case study library?”Research limitations/implicationsSome attributes based on Rogers' theory were positive, while a few others were not clearly perceived by practitioners, and this needs to be addressed by more careful distinctions being made between the categories in any future research.Originality/valueThis research provides knowledge in developing community information services for librarians, students, and researchers, and anyone else interested in this issue. Additionally, it can serve as a model of using the theory of diffusion of innovation.
Fluxless plasma bumping of lead‐free solders and the reliability effects of under bump metallization thickness
Authors: Kwon Moon Joon , Zhou Y. , Pil Jung Jae 
Published: May 2005

PurposeTo investigate fluxless plasma ball bumping and effect of under bump metallization (UBM) thickness on joint properties using lead‐free solders.Design/methodology/approachA fluxless soldering process was investigated in this study using Ar‐10 percent H2 plasma reflow. Balls made from two lead‐free solders (Sn‐3.5 weight percent Ag and Sn‐3.5 weight percent Ag‐0.7 weight percent Cu) were reflowed and, also Sn‐37 weight percent Pb as a reference. In particular, the effects of the UBM thickness on the interfacial metallurgical bonding and joint strength were studied. The UBM (Au/Cu/Ni/Al layers) thicknesses were 20 nm/0.3 μm/0.4 μm/0.4 μm and 20 nm/4 μm/4 μm/0.4 μm, respectively.FindingsThe experimental results showed that in the case of a thin UBM the shear strengths of the soldered joints were relatively low (about 19‐27 MPa) due to cracks observed along the bond interfaces. The thick UBM improved joint strength to 32‐42 MPa as the consumption of the Cu and Ni layers by reaction with the solder was reduced and hence the interfacial cracks were avoided. To provide a benchmark, reflow of the solders in air using flux was also carried out.Originality/valueThis paper provides information about the effect of UBM thickness on joint strength for plasma fluxless soldering to researchers and engineers.