title: Computational sense: the role of technology in the education of digital librarians

authors: Twidale, Michael B.

abstract: The rapid progress of digital library technology from research to implementation has created a force for change in the curricula of library schools. The education of future librarians has always had to adapt to new technologies but the pace, complexity and implications of digital libraries pose considerable challenges. In this article we explore how we might successfully blend elements of computer science and library science to produce effective educational experiences for the digital librarians of tomorrow. We first outline the background to current digital librarian education and then propose the concept of computational sense as an appropriate meeting point for these two disciplines.

text: Computational sense: the role of technology in the education of digital librarians The rapid progress of digital library technology from research to implementation has created a force for change in the curricula of library schools. The education of future librarians has always had to adapt to new technologies but the pace, complexity and implications of digital libraries pose considerable challenges. In this article we explore how we might successfully blend elements of computer science and library science to produce effective educational experiences for the digital librarians of tomorrow. We first outline the background to current digital librarian education and then propose the concept of computational sense as an appropriate meeting point for these two disciplines.

year: 2006-10-01

title: Corporate governance and financial performance of Sri Lankan listed companies 2006-2010

authors: Hewa Wellalage, Nirosha

subjects: corporate governance

abstract: This thesis investigates the effect of corporate governance practices have on the financial performance and agency costs of multinational subsidiaries and local public companies in Sri Lanka. In particular, this study examines (i) the relationship between corporate governance mechanisms of Sri Lankan listed companies, financial performance, principal-agent and principal-principal agency costs  (ii) corporate governance practices and compliance differences of multinational company subsidiaries (MNCs) and local public companies (LPCs) in Sri Lanka, (iii) whether voluntary compliance with the new corporate code had an effect on firm financial performance and agency costs and (iv) corporate governance and firm financial performance differences across quantiles of performance proxies in MNCs and LPCs.
Corporate governance has become a major issue since the collapse of major companies around the world.  Additionally, the Asian financial crisis in 1997 showed the need for legislative reforms to strengthen corporate governance practices in that region. Now, it is widely believed that good corporate governance is an important factor in improving firm financial performance in both developed and developing financial markets.   Until the mid-1990s, corporate governance was popularly known in Sri Lanka as, the systems used to control and direct companies.  A real effort to codify the principle of corporate governance in a structured manner in Sri Lanka was made in 1996.  Since the financial year commencing April 2008, Sri Lankan listed firms have been subject to mandated rules on corporate governance by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka.  The main purpose of this new mandatory corporate governance rule is promoting accountability, transparency and overall efficiency in corporate governance best practice.
This thesis makes a number of contributions to corporate governance and firm financial performance knowledge in several ways.  First, it provides evidence of the relationship between corporate governance practices and firm financial performance and agency costs.  Second, in contrast to most existing studies that use data from developed countries, this research considers how differences in institutional and governance systems between countries may impact firm financial performance, agency costs and corporate governance relationships. Third, this research is the first direct study of firm financial performance, agency costs and corporate governance practices for listed Sri Lankan companies. 
Data needed to test various hypotheses are sourced from the Handbook of Listed Companies - 2007, Fact Book - 2008 and Data library CD issued by the Colombo Stock Exchange  (CSE).  Further data have been collected from companies listed on the (CSE) during 2006-2010 that published audited annual reports. For the LPCs and MNC subsidiary companies, the sampling period is 2006 through 2010.   The focus of this thesis is on the governance variables that have been highlighted by the Sri Lankan Corporate governance best practice code (2008) and also other governance variables that are supported in the literature as providing an appropriate structure for the institutions in the environment in which they operate. 
Statistical issues such as controlling the endogenity effect and reverse causality effect of corporate governance variables indicate is appropriate to employ dynamic panel generalised method of moment estimators to explore the relationship between corporate governance variables, financial performance and agency costs.   Various other statistical techniques including as ANOVA test, panel tobit regression, difference-in-difference method, quantile regression are used to check hypotheses relevant in this study. 
The findings indicate that there is positive relationship between corporate governance and firm financial performance and a negative relationship between corporate governance and firm agency costs.  However, the process by which the firm financial performance and agency costs affect MNC subsidiaries and LPCs is different.  These results also support the central argument in corporate governance that the institutional and cultural differences determine the effect of complying corporate governance and financial performance and agency costs.   
Although Sri Lanka basically follows an Anglo-American model of corporate governance, country institutional and cultural differences create a unique corporate governance environment in Sri Lanka.  It is important to further develop the corporate governance code incorporating country specific characteristics rather than inherit bundles of corporate governance mechanisms from other developed countries. However, as this study shows, some mandatory corporate governance mechanisms have negative impacts on firm financial performance and/or increase company agency conflicts. A corporate governance framework appropriate for each organisation structure as “one size does not fit all” seems preferable.   Guidelines encompassing an “or explain” exemption clause may be particularly beneficial in emerging economies.

text: Corporate governance and financial performance of Sri Lankan listed companies 2006-2010 This thesis investigates the effect of corporate governance practices have on the financial performance and agency costs of multinational subsidiaries and local public companies in Sri Lanka. In particular, this study examines (i) the relationship between corporate governance mechanisms of Sri Lankan listed companies, financial performance, principal-agent and principal-principal agency costs  (ii) corporate governance practices and compliance differences of multinational company subsidiaries (MNCs) and local public companies (LPCs) in Sri Lanka, (iii) whether voluntary compliance with the new corporate code had an effect on firm financial performance and agency costs and (iv) corporate governance and firm financial performance differences across quantiles of performance proxies in MNCs and LPCs.
Corporate governance has become a major issue since the collapse of major companies around the world.  Additionally, the Asian financial crisis in 1997 showed the need for legislative reforms to strengthen corporate governance practices in that region. Now, it is widely believed that good corporate governance is an important factor in improving firm financial performance in both developed and developing financial markets.   Until the mid-1990s, corporate governance was popularly known in Sri Lanka as, the systems used to control and direct companies.  A real effort to codify the principle of corporate governance in a structured manner in Sri Lanka was made in 1996.  Since the financial year commencing April 2008, Sri Lankan listed firms have been subject to mandated rules on corporate governance by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka.  The main purpose of this new mandatory corporate governance rule is promoting accountability, transparency and overall efficiency in corporate governance best practice.
This thesis makes a number of contributions to corporate governance and firm financial performance knowledge in several ways.  First, it provides evidence of the relationship between corporate governance practices and firm financial performance and agency costs.  Second, in contrast to most existing studies that use data from developed countries, this research considers how differences in institutional and governance systems between countries may impact firm financial performance, agency costs and corporate governance relationships. Third, this research is the first direct study of firm financial performance, agency costs and corporate governance practices for listed Sri Lankan companies. 
Data needed to test various hypotheses are sourced from the Handbook of Listed Companies - 2007, Fact Book - 2008 and Data library CD issued by the Colombo Stock Exchange  (CSE).  Further data have been collected from companies listed on the (CSE) during 2006-2010 that published audited annual reports. For the LPCs and MNC subsidiary companies, the sampling period is 2006 through 2010.   The focus of this thesis is on the governance variables that have been highlighted by the Sri Lankan Corporate governance best practice code (2008) and also other governance variables that are supported in the literature as providing an appropriate structure for the institutions in the environment in which they operate. 
Statistical issues such as controlling the endogenity effect and reverse causality effect of corporate governance variables indicate is appropriate to employ dynamic panel generalised method of moment estimators to explore the relationship between corporate governance variables, financial performance and agency costs.   Various other statistical techniques including as ANOVA test, panel tobit regression, difference-in-difference method, quantile regression are used to check hypotheses relevant in this study. 
The findings indicate that there is positive relationship between corporate governance and firm financial performance and a negative relationship between corporate governance and firm agency costs.  However, the process by which the firm financial performance and agency costs affect MNC subsidiaries and LPCs is different.  These results also support the central argument in corporate governance that the institutional and cultural differences determine the effect of complying corporate governance and financial performance and agency costs.   
Although Sri Lanka basically follows an Anglo-American model of corporate governance, country institutional and cultural differences create a unique corporate governance environment in Sri Lanka.  It is important to further develop the corporate governance code incorporating country specific characteristics rather than inherit bundles of corporate governance mechanisms from other developed countries. However, as this study shows, some mandatory corporate governance mechanisms have negative impacts on firm financial performance and/or increase company agency conflicts. A corporate governance framework appropriate for each organisation structure as “one size does not fit all” seems preferable.   Guidelines encompassing an “or explain” exemption clause may be particularly beneficial in emerging economies.

year: 2012

title: Significance of an early date from an adzed tree stump in Northland

authors: Higham, Thomas F.G.

abstract: Ogle, Jones, Sutton and Wallace (1998) have recently investigated the radiocarbon dating of a tree stump ('Ogle's stump’) which had evidence of adze marks, near the site of Taumatawhana pa, Houhora, Northland. The conventional radiocarbon age of 938 ± 31 BP was obtained at the Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences Ltd (formerly INS) laboratory in 1971. Ogle et al.(1998) considered the 'inbuilt age' of the wood (see McFadgen, 1982) and assessed its contribution to the radiocarbon determination. In this brief paper we re-evaluate that methodology and question the conclusion of Ogle et al. (1998) that the date is reliable. We are particularly concerned with the comparison of the date with an associated radiocarbon result obtained by Elliot et al. (1995) from a nearby site at Lake Taumatawhana, which we think is misleading.

text: Significance of an early date from an adzed tree stump in Northland Ogle, Jones, Sutton and Wallace (1998) have recently investigated the radiocarbon dating of a tree stump ('Ogle's stump’) which had evidence of adze marks, near the site of Taumatawhana pa, Houhora, Northland. The conventional radiocarbon age of 938 ± 31 BP was obtained at the Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences Ltd (formerly INS) laboratory in 1971. Ogle et al.(1998) considered the 'inbuilt age' of the wood (see McFadgen, 1982) and assessed its contribution to the radiocarbon determination. In this brief paper we re-evaluate that methodology and question the conclusion of Ogle et al. (1998) that the date is reliable. We are particularly concerned with the comparison of the date with an associated radiocarbon result obtained by Elliot et al. (1995) from a nearby site at Lake Taumatawhana, which we think is misleading.

year: 1998