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OCLC Cataloging Micro Enhancer (CatME) has remained a powerful cataloging tool for many years. This article introduces the history of CatME and demonstrates its efficient, easy‐to‐use, and economical features. Applying Randall Library’s experience, the authors discuss cataloging workflow, batch searching, batch transactions and exporting, batch label printing, off‐line editing and other efficiency capabilities.

Blockchain-driven supply chain finance (BCT-SCF) has recently been receiving increased global attention. A number of business programmes have been carried out using this approach, but existing research has rarely focussed on this novel SCF model. This paper aims to fill this gap by proposing a mathematical model to analyse the value of BCT-SCF.

First, this paper considers a multi-period two-echelon supply chain consisting of a capital-constrained supplier and a newsvendor-like retailer. Then, two financing channels are proposed. The supply chain actors can either factor accounts receivable (AR) from a bank or obtain financing through a BCT-SCF platform by which AR can be converted into a bill receivable and used to make payment. Further, to investigate the preferences of all actors between the two financing channels, this paper compares the two channels and examines how the degree of financial constraints and the cost of implementing the BCT-SCF model impact the financing preferences of all actors.

BCT-SCF model can help a supply chain realise its optimisation both in production and financing efficiency, the preference for the BCT-SCF model increases as the initial capital of supplier and the BCT-SCF platform usage fee rate decrease.

This research bridges the gap between theoretical analysis of BCT-SCF and its realistic application. The results demonstrate that with the BCT-SCF model, a win-win situation among supply chain actors is possible, which is helpful for the supply chain to choose a more efficient financing channel.

This research introduces a mathematical model based on the “receivable chain” of CZBank and the model is set in a multi-period supply chain, which is the first time BCT-SCF has been considered as part of a more complex but realistic background setting.

Amidst the backlash against gay rights in the U.S., a rapidly expanding number of companies are instituting inclusive policies. While in 1990 no major corporations provided health insurance for the partners of lesbian and gay employees, by early 2004, over 200 companies on the Fortune 500 list (approximately 40%) had adopted domestic partner benefits. This study of Fortune 1000 corporations reveals that the majority of adopters instituted the policy change only after facing pressure from groups of lesbian, gay, and bisexual employees. Despite such remarkable success, scholars have yet to study the workplace movement, as it is typically called by activists. Combining social movement theory and new institutional approaches to organizational analysis, I provide an “institutional opportunity” framework to explain the rise and trajectory of the movement over the past 25 years. I discuss the patterned emergence and diffusion of gay employee networks among Fortune 1000 companies in relation to shifting opportunities and constraints in four main areas: the wider sociopolitical context, the broader gay and lesbian movement, the media, and the workplace. Next, using the same wide-angle lens, I explain the apparent decline in corporate organizing since 1995. My multimethod approach utilizes surveys of 94 companies with and without gay networks, intensive interviews with 69 networks and 10 corporate executives, 3 case studies, field data, and print and virtual media on gay-related workplace topics. By focusing on not simply political but also broader institutional opportunities, I provide a framework for understanding the emergence and development of movements that target institutions beyond the state.

Development of theory remains an essential step in the evolution of supply chain management as an integrative business discipline. Supply chain research often involves phenomena possessing complex behavioral dimensions at both the individual and organizational levels. Such complexity can require the utilization of holistic and inductive approaches in order to more fully understand the behaviors associated with the phenomena. This paper aims to provide a step‐by‐step guide intended to increase researchers' understanding of the use of grounded theory (GT) methodology in supply chain contexts.

The paper argues for GT as an appropriate method for studying emerging supply chain phenomena using an inductive, holistic approach.

GT is positioned in a holistic framework of research methodologies. Next a step‐by‐step explanation of the grounded theory process is offered, illustrated by examples from the authors' own research.

This paper links the complex “system of systems” nature characteristic of supply chains to the need for a holistic research approach such as grounded theory. It also provides a guide for researchers, reviewers, and editors to judge sound GT. Moreover, from a practical perspective, the in‐vivo nature of GT provides recognizable solutions to managerial problems.

Lean six sigma (LSS) has attained a prominent position in mature organizations but small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are struggling in the proper implementation of LSS in their core business. This study aims to make a comprehensive analysis of LSS implementation barriers in SMEs so that LSS execution can be much fluent in SMEs.

This research work is carried out based on investigation of LSS barriers through extensive literature review. For validating the identified barriers, a questionnaire survey was conducted, and out of 400 samples, 260 responses received back. The collected responses are analyzed statistically and found 16 significant barriers. The finalized barriers are modeled using interpretive structural modeling (ISM) and clustered them through matrice d’impacts croisés-multiplication appliquée a un classement (MICMAC) analysis. Furthermore, to check the consistency of results, ISM-MICMAC outcomes are validated through structural equation modeling (SEM).

The result reveals that 16 LSS implementation barriers are finalized through expert’s opinion and validated through statistical reliability test with Cronbach’s alpha value of 0.820. The ISM model reveals that the management relevant barriers are exhibiting the leading role to influence the implementation of LSS in SMEs. Moreover, the obtained results validated through SEM are found in good agreement.

During pairwise comparisons, there may be some prejudice and subjectivity as human judgments are engaged.

This study provides impetus to practitioners and consultant for the initiation of LSS in the business organization through tackling the LSS barriers as per their driving and dependence power.

In the past, limited studies had explored the LSS barriers, but a few studies analyzed the mutual relationship between barriers. No such study is reported in literature that validates the mutual interaction model of LSS barriers. Hence, this paper presents the original research work of identification and modeling of barriers associated with LSS implementation in SMEs through hybrid ISM-SEM approach.

This paper aims to explore to what extent senior executives, particularly within the German machinery and equipment small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), gather and apply knowledge pertaining strategic management (SM) tools. Furthermore, the study aims to provide research evidence as to whether or not the companies derive any performance enhancing benefit from the appliance of said with the knowledge.

The research relied on a self-administered questionnaire mailed or posted to the entire population of about 6,000 enterprises. The resulting data were analyzed with the statistical package for social science (SPSS) statistical software package.

Executives within the sector, especially those with a predominantly engineering background, lack both knowledge and understanding of SM in general and strategic tool-kits in particular. Interestingly, educational background, in association with toolkit usage, appears to enhance organizational performance.

The German educational system, in conjunction with the associated professional development infrastructures, may impact the generalizability of the research findings.

The results from this study can be used for lobbying policy-makers and shapers, e.g. government, higher education, industry and professional bodies, to improve and expand engineering management education so that practitioners have the knowledge of and competency in SM.

The study provides an insight look of how executives in one of Germany’s most successful industries deal with the knowledge and application of SM tools and their impact on performance. Extant research has not dealt with Germany or this sector in relation to the appliance of strategy-related knowledge and performance.

As academic fields increasingly turn to social action and seek partnerships with groups beyond the academy, so too are we looking for guidance. Rural sociology developed out of applying research to social action and within this field was a unique unit. The purpose of this paper is to present a history of the Division of Farm Population and Rural Life, which was part of the US Department of Agriculture from 1919 to 1953 was a pioneer in applying sociological knowledge to policy and action.

This article looks back to the history of this unit to examine the lessons to be learned.

Placing these lessons within the context of contemporary issues underscores the continuing relevance of this historical experience.

The issues surrounding engaging external partners are both particularistic and universal. However, without an historical sense of the challenges, each time we encounter them, the challenges feel new and somehow unique. This article looks back to history to examine lessons that can be learned. Placing these lessons within the context of contemporary issues underscores relevance of the historical experience from events and people that occurred several generations of professionals ago.