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Article
Publication date: 1 August 1997

V.H. Spingies and Adeline S.A. du Toit

Contends that the management of information services should consider the pricing of information products as a challenge which demands an understanding of economic principles…

1541

Abstract

Contends that the management of information services should consider the pricing of information products as a challenge which demands an understanding of economic principles. Illustrates the range of ideas and tools economists offer for the practical development of a price strategy for information products. Uses three scenarios to demonstrate the formulation of different pricing strategies for different information products. The information products used as examples in these scenarios are a CD‐ROM database, a training programme and a report on the involvement of mechanical engineers with the Reconstruction and Development Programme in South Africa.

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Library Management, vol. 18 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-5124

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Article
Publication date: 1 June 1999

Gerrida J. Oosthuizen and Adeline S.A. du Toit

Participative management is based on the assumption that empowering people throughout the enterprise will result in a more responsive, more flexible, and ultimately more…

2308

Abstract

Participative management is based on the assumption that empowering people throughout the enterprise will result in a more responsive, more flexible, and ultimately more successful enterprise. Participative management is more than a willingness to share influence ‐ formal patterns of participation need to be truly implemented where employees have a right to contribute on all levels of decision‐making. The empirical survey showed that participative management is applied at academic information services in the Gauteng province of South Africa, but more so in low‐level decisions. This indicates that participation is still limited and controlled by management and is not yet experienced as a right by employees.

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Library Management, vol. 20 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-5124

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Article
Publication date: 1 March 2000

Adeline du Toit

A university course in infopreneurship could contribute to bridging the gap between the so‐called security of full‐time employment and the imagined insecurity of an own…

1086

Abstract

A university course in infopreneurship could contribute to bridging the gap between the so‐called security of full‐time employment and the imagined insecurity of an own information business. At present the Rand Afrikaans University in South Africa offers infopreneurship courses to Information Science and Computer Science students. The course content and presentation methods of the courses are similar in nature, but the same cannot be said about the two groups of students. It was therefore decided to conduct a questionnaire‐based survey of the two groups of students and to compare their responses. The exploratory investigation reported here scrutinises the status quo of infopreneurship education at universities. The perceptions of the two groups of students with regard to the objectives of an infopreneurship course at the university, course contents and presentation methods are compared. In conclusion possible adaptions and improvements to the course are considered.

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Aslib Proceedings, vol. 52 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0001-253X

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Article
Publication date: 1 August 2000

San‐Daleen de Wet and Adeline du Toit

This article concentrates on the implementation of an electronic records system at a statutory body in South Africa. Problems with the current records system as well as the…

1632

Abstract

This article concentrates on the implementation of an electronic records system at a statutory body in South Africa. Problems with the current records system as well as the criteria used to choose a new system to manage the records are discussed. It is concluded that South African enterprises should integrate records management more effectively with other information management functions in the enterprise so that records management becomes a strategic management function towards reaching a competitive advantage.

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Records Management Journal, vol. 10 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0956-5698

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Article
Publication date: 1 January 1998

Diane Doyle and Adeline du Toit

This article concentrates on the use of intranet technology to further the goals and ideals of knowledge management in a law firm. The need for research on the implementation of…

156

Abstract

This article concentrates on the use of intranet technology to further the goals and ideals of knowledge management in a law firm. The need for research on the implementation of corporate intranets is emphasised and concepts commonly used when dealing with knowledge management and collaborative technology are defined. The benefits and disadvantages of proprietary collaborative technology are discussed as well as intranet technology and its potential to enable enterprise‐wide transformation.

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Aslib Proceedings, vol. 50 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0001-253X

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Article
Publication date: 1 August 2003

Olwyn Garratt and Adeline du Toit

The value of library and information services in the incorporated South African law firm was investigated with regard to accountability to corporate management. A cost accounting…

949

Abstract

The value of library and information services in the incorporated South African law firm was investigated with regard to accountability to corporate management. A cost accounting exercise was developed and tested in seven South African law firms of varying size. Cost per practitioner was calculated in order to correlate data from the participating organisations so that average relative spending might be determined. Attempts to relate the unit cost of library and information services to use and usefulness were inconclusive and these efforts were unable to demonstrate the value of the corporate investment. Recognised business practices relating to corporate accountability were considered with regard to the relevance to corporate support services. These included ISO 9000 and the practice of internal auditing. An information services audit was proposed in accordance with a recognised management process.

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Aslib Proceedings, vol. 55 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0001-253X

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Article
Publication date: 1 August 2001

Marinus Swanepoel, Adeline Du Toit and Pieter A. Van Brakel

The dependency of academic information services on information technology is growing, particularly as information technology is the primary infrastructure of a digital library…

2896

Abstract

The dependency of academic information services on information technology is growing, particularly as information technology is the primary infrastructure of a digital library. This is compound by the fast changing/developing nature of information technology and the trend towards digitisation. The changing nature of information technology contributes to the need to manage it. The focus of this article is on the management of information technology with specific reference to the changing nature of this resource. To find a suitable model with which to manage information technology the management of change as well the management of technology was studied. In doing so 11 variables (which should be included in a management model) were distilled for literature. Directors of academic information services in the South African territory sector were approached to rank the variables. Of these 11 variables, the first six were identified as key criteria. When existing information technology models were evaluated, these key criteria were used as the most important measured of effectiveness. However, attempts to find suitable existing model that accommodates all six key criteria were unsuccessful. Ultimately, a new model was designed which could be implemented by academic information services (i.e. university libraries).

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Aslib Proceedings, vol. 53 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0001-253X

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Article
Publication date: 16 January 2009

David Heppes and Adeline du Toit

While competitive intelligence (CI) is a relatively new business discipline, it is evolving in complexity and importance, to maintain pace with rapid business development. It is…

2123

Abstract

Purpose

While competitive intelligence (CI) is a relatively new business discipline, it is evolving in complexity and importance, to maintain pace with rapid business development. It is the aim of this paper to establish the level of maturity of the CI function within a South African retail bank based on key characteristics for different levels of maturity.

Design/methodology/approach

The research for the paper is based on an extensive review of literature and application of the grounded theory research approach. Grounded theory is more interested in theory building than theory testing, which makes it eminently suitable for areas of research to which little attention had been paid and in which little exploration had taken place. For the empirical evidence, a survey was conducted among a pre‐selected group of respondents of a South African retail bank by means of a questionnaire and personal interviews.

Findings

The results of the survey indicated that the CI function was at a mid‐level of maturity, after the underlying elements of the CI functions had been surveyed. While there is significant opportunity for the function to develop to a world‐class level, such growth is limited by respondents' requirements. The CI function is used in support of various levels of decision makers for various levels of decision making. There appears to be a lack of, and great requirement for, the provision of analytical products. Respondents indicated that the CI function should move towards being a key component of company strategy.

Research limitations/implications

The research was built around the various elements of the CI function, namely the key information needs of CI users, CI deliverables and capabilities, analytical products, relationship with management, sources of information, level of staffing of the CI function as well as the period of time the CI function has been operational. Some of the key findings were that the CI function should assist senior management in developing and reviewing a set of Key Intelligence Needs (KINs); that the CI function should be appropriately resourced; that the CI function should develop and deliver information on trends and implications in respect of the KINs through application of resources and analytical skills; that the CI function should develop and deliver early warning signals.

Originality/value

No research has been done on the level of maturity of the CI function in South African companies. The paper provides recommendations on ways for the CI function at the retail bank to evolve from a mid‐level of maturity to a world‐class level.

Details

Aslib Proceedings, vol. 61 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0001-253X

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Article
Publication date: 12 March 2018

S. Sarkar

Consumer inclination towards probiotic foods has been stimulated due to well-documented evidence of health benefits of probiotic-containing products and consumer demand for…

522

Abstract

Purpose

Consumer inclination towards probiotic foods has been stimulated due to well-documented evidence of health benefits of probiotic-containing products and consumer demand for natural products. It is assumed that the viability and metabolic activities of probiotics are essential for extending health benefits and for successful marketing of probiotics as a functional food. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate that even dead or inactivated probiotic cells could extend health benefits, indicating that probiotic viability is not always necessary for exhibiting health benefits.

Design/methodology/approach

Attempt has been made to review the literature on the status of probiotic foods available in the world market, their impact on the gut flora and the various factors affecting their viability. Both review and research papers related to efficacy of inactivated, killed or dead probiotic cells towards health benefits have been considered. Keywords used for data search included efficacy of viable or killed, inactivated probiotic cells.

Findings

The reviewed literature indicated that inactivated, killed or dead probiotic cells also possess functional properties but live cells are more efficacious. All live probiotic cultures are not equally efficacious, and accordingly, dead or inactivated cells did not demonstrate functional properties to extend health benefits to all diseases.

Originality/value

Capability of non-viable microorganisms to confer health benefits may attract food manufacturers owing to certain advantages over live probiotics such as longer shelf-life, handling and transportation and reduced requirements for refrigerated storage and inclusion of non-bacterial, biologically active metabolites present in fermented milks’ fraction as dried powders to food matrixes may result in the development of new functional foods.

Details

Nutrition & Food Science, vol. 48 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0034-6659

Keywords

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