Bernadette Welch and Janet Murray
Documenting some of the developments in libraries, and LIS education in Vietnam, this paper aims to suggest directions for achieving goals of education, collaboration, policy…
Abstract
Purpose
Documenting some of the developments in libraries, and LIS education in Vietnam, this paper aims to suggest directions for achieving goals of education, collaboration, policy development, and access to resources in this rapidly developing country.
Design/methodology/approach
The report is based on an extensive literature review of available English language material together with information obtained from structured interviews with a group of LIS professionals in Vietnam. These data support an analysis of current initiatives, programs and developments taking place in the different library sectors in Vietnam.
Findings
Significant developments have occurred in Vietnam in terms of national policy agendas and development of the internet backbone. The pace of change, particularly in the national and university sectors, has been dramatic but the pace of change at other levels is somewhat slower. Community development, access to electronic resources, and education of information professionals are identified as areas for development. In particular, the paper focuses on the emergence of improved professional communication, which is facilitated by an improved ICT infrastructure within Vietnam, which allows managers to cooperate and share experiences more effectively.
Research limitations/implications
The major limitation to the research is the fact that much of the literature about this topic is only available in the Vietnamese language. This research was conducted using the available English language material, and the interview responses of the LIS professionals in Vietnam. Further research is needed by Vietnamese library professionals on the state of the industry, and the directions being taken at the different levels.
Practical implications
The study identifies a number of strategies, and areas for development, which could have an impact on training of library staff, and moving towards more collaborative approaches at all levels of library resourcing.
Originality/value
This paper brings together information published in a variety of sources, not always readily available to give a more detailed view of library development in Vietnam for the international community.
Details
Keywords
Sedef Akgungor, Kamiar Alaei, Weng-Fong Chao, Alexandra Harrington and Arash Alaei
The purpose of this paper is to explore the correlation among health outcomes, and civil and political rights (CPR) and also economic, social and cultural rights.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the correlation among health outcomes, and civil and political rights (CPR) and also economic, social and cultural rights.
Design/methodology/approach
The study uses cross-sectional data from 161 countries. The authors use health outcomes and human rights variables in the model. In order to combine dimensions of human rights, this paper uses factor analysis and obtains proxy variables that measure economic, social and cultural rights and CPR. The two proxy variables are used as independent variables to explain variations in health in a regression model. The paper then classifies countries by cluster analysis and explores the patterns of different components of human rights and health outcomes across country clusters.
Findings
The regression model demonstrates that the economic, social and cultural rights variables explain variations in all health outcomes. The relationship between CPR and health is weaker than that of the economic, social and cultural rights. Cluster analysis further reveals that despite the country’s commitment to CPR, those that highly respect economic, social and cultural rights lead to superior health outcomes. The more respect a country has for economic, social and cultural rights, the better the health outcomes for the citizens of that country.
Practical implications
National policies should consider equal emphasis on all dimensions of human rights for further improvements in health.
Originality/value
The sole promotion of CPR such as democracy and empowerment, absence of adequate support of economic, social and cultural rights such as rights to housing, education, food and work can only contribute partially to health.