Libraries and other public access points need technologies to enable people to effectively find information, communicate with it and conduct transactions (particularly on a local…
Abstract
Libraries and other public access points need technologies to enable people to effectively find information, communicate with it and conduct transactions (particularly on a local level) as well as create ways to generate new revenues to offset the costs of serving the public electronically. In the province of Ontario, Canada the Network 2000 Virtual Library Project is working to achieve this. It enables libraries and their patrons to communicate with each other using a simple, standard interface. It also gives libraries the opportunity to offer any number of community services via the Internet, including services that will bring in revenue using e‐commerce payment methods.
Tracy Flanagan, Russell Ashmore, David Banks and Doug MacInnes
– The purpose of this paper is to describe how the classic Delphi method can be adapted and structured to ensure that specific research questions are clearly addressed.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to describe how the classic Delphi method can be adapted and structured to ensure that specific research questions are clearly addressed.
Design/methodology/approach
As part of a larger mixed method project, a modified Delphi study was undertaken to explore factors influencing publication and non-publication of mental health nursing research.
Findings
This paper reports brief findings from the Delphi study. However, its main focus is the methodological issues arising from the Delphi method.
Research limitations/implications
The paper argues that the classic Delphi method can be adapted and structured to ensure that specific research questions are able to be clearly answered. The adaptations are pragmatic in approach and in keeping with the general principles underpinning the Delphi method, while successfully addressing the problems of attrition and previous criticism of homogenous panels.
Originality/value
This paper offers some practical solutions to issue arising from undertaking research using the Delphi method.
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We have before us the recently‐issued Annual Report of the Local Government Board on the work done by the Local Authorities under the Sale of Food and Drugs Acts. While preserving…
Abstract
We have before us the recently‐issued Annual Report of the Local Government Board on the work done by the Local Authorities under the Sale of Food and Drugs Acts. While preserving the general form and arrangement of its predecessors, it shows that not only the Board itself, but the local authorities also, are coming to an increasing realisation of the importance of the subject. Six years ago we had occasion to point out some of the defects attaching to these reports, and to suggest various improvements that might be made in them. We felt, and expressed at the time our belief, that the Board was much handicapped by the form of quarterly reports imposed on the Public Analyst by the Food and Drugs Acts, and by the non‐existence of any machinery by which it could get together and collate the vast amount of information which those reports ought to, but do not, yield. Until the law is altered the present system must continue, but it is striking evidence of the lack of serious study spent on the matter that for want of effective coordination and control more than one‐half of what may be considered the real and permanent value of the Public Analyst's work goes into the waste‐paper basket. The work done by most Public Analysts as individuals is limited to some few hundreds of samples of any one article of food, but the combined expeperience of them all would in most cases — assuming it could be accurately ascertained—go far towards settling in a single year many of the thorny questions relative to standards and limits which are fought out at such great length and still greater cost to the community in the courts of law.
In the mature stage of product and technology life cycles, major breakthroughs in performance are difficult to achieve. However, a series of small incremental improvements may…
Abstract
In the mature stage of product and technology life cycles, major breakthroughs in performance are difficult to achieve. However, a series of small incremental improvements may cumulatively make a significant difference. At this stage, execution of the best organizational practices becomes even more important. Uses team New Zealand’s extremely successful 1995 America’s Cup program to illustrate how these practices and success factors can be brought together in an effective high technology product design process. Identifies these factors and practices as high quality human assets, participatory leadership, sufficient resources, a climate of innovation, external scanning, interactive involvement with sophisticated users, and technology strategy and competitive strategy match.
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This paper sets out to draw on the insights of “Stafford Beer, the whole man” as portrayed within the Stafford Beer Archive at Liverpool John Moores University.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper sets out to draw on the insights of “Stafford Beer, the whole man” as portrayed within the Stafford Beer Archive at Liverpool John Moores University.
Design/methodology/approach
After reviewing these seminal contributions, the authors seek to use evidence from published texts, restricted documents, and from personal conversations to present how he operated as a practitioner, reflecting on the craft of how he explored the nature of novel situations, performing the simultaneous roles of guide, philosopher and friend.
Findings
The authors attempt to present a perspective of Stafford Beer's (SB) particular contributions to the discipline of management science as an opportunity to the profession for renewal and development, in particular, around managerial cybernetics.
Practical implications
The final section presents the passion of the authors that the archive should be dedicated to a “living connection” as Stafford had wished.
Originality/value
This study articulately flags up SB's contribution to management science.
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Clive Bingley, Elaine Kempson and Peter Labdon
THE HARDCORE staff establishment at the Library Association has been in a positive tizzy of excitement since somebody ‘leaked’ to them a couple of months ago the news that NEW…
Abstract
THE HARDCORE staff establishment at the Library Association has been in a positive tizzy of excitement since somebody ‘leaked’ to them a couple of months ago the news that NEW LIBRARY WORLD is to have a new Editor.
Pawan Budhwar, Andy Crane, Annette Davies, Rick Delbridge, Tim Edwards, Mahmoud Ezzamel, Lloyd Harris, Emmanuel Ogbonna and Robyn Thomas
Wonders whether companies actually have employees best interests at heart across physical, mental and spiritual spheres. Posits that most organizations ignore their workforce �…
Abstract
Wonders whether companies actually have employees best interests at heart across physical, mental and spiritual spheres. Posits that most organizations ignore their workforce – not even, in many cases, describing workers as assets! Describes many studies to back up this claim in theis work based on the 2002 Employment Research Unit Annual Conference, in Cardiff, Wales.
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Two major approaches to organizational transformation (OT) are identified as “Drive” and “Grow” theories. Each has a serious flaw but they can be combined to form a stronger…
Abstract
Two major approaches to organizational transformation (OT) are identified as “Drive” and “Grow” theories. Each has a serious flaw but they can be combined to form a stronger approach. However, managing the hybrid presents special challenges, including an acceptance of paradox. Five case studies are used to gain insight into OT at a process level, into the cross-conflicts and environmental reactions, including “the organizational immune reaction”. Two propositions are formulated: the bi-focal formula (regarding the agreement between an OT initiative and its host organizational unit) and the partnership proposition (regarding shared leadership of OT initiatives).