Kevin Herrera and Gail Herrera
A brief review of recent and upcoming technology initiatives at the University of Mississippi Libraries with a dash of southern hospitality.
Abstract
Purpose
A brief review of recent and upcoming technology initiatives at the University of Mississippi Libraries with a dash of southern hospitality.
Design/methodology/approach
This is an introduction to a well‐established, academic library remaking itself in the age of bookstore cafes, Google, and heightened user expectations.
Findings
In an age of budgetary constraints and small staffs, the patron experience is reinvented through library technology and creature comforts.
Practical implications
Libraries have to evolve in terms of both space and technology in order to meet the expectations of 21st century users.
Originality/value
Provides a profile of the University of Mississippi Libraries.
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The purpose of this paper is to examine the implementation of Microsoft SharePoint Services at the University of Mississippi Libraries with particular emphasis on the use of this…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the implementation of Microsoft SharePoint Services at the University of Mississippi Libraries with particular emphasis on the use of this technology in library departments. It aims to describe major components of the software, and to discuss examples of library use. This paper also seeks to explore some unanticipated benefits derived from using this software.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper covers key points from the preparation, setup, and training phases of this implementation.
Practical implications
Most twenty‐first century organizations need to collaborate electronically on a variety of projects. The suite of tools available in SharePoint offers one approach to electronic collaboration.
Originality/value
The University of Mississippi Libraries has been using SharePoint very successfully as a means of fostering online collaboration and communication. Other libraries could use this software in much the same way that University of Mississippi is using it. The discussion of specific library uses may help others identify potential uses in their libraries.
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The purpose of this article is to present a series of reflections on future scenarios distributed to Taiga Forum participants in March 2006.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this article is to present a series of reflections on future scenarios distributed to Taiga Forum participants in March 2006.
Design/methodology approach
Permission was obtained to reprint the scenarios, and select national library leaders, seasoned professionals and mid‐career librarians were invited to respond to these scenarios.
Findings
Taiga scenarios focus on broad areas – internal organizational structures, advances in information technology, changing user expectations. Local engagement with these scenarios will help staff prepare for the future. Scenarios lend themselves to a variety of uses, including in‐service training, staff development, team building. Scenario planning can easily be tailored to the specific needs of an institution.
Originality/value
The Taiga Forum was an invitation‐only event. Broader dissemination of the scenarios provides others not only with the opportunity to move beyond their borders in technical services, public services, collection development, or information technology, and transcend the traditional library organization, but also with the opportunity to develop new solutions.
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Seeks to address issues associated with lifelong learning from the perspective of teaching and curriculum practice in the areas of mathematics and technology in an Australian…
Abstract
Seeks to address issues associated with lifelong learning from the perspective of teaching and curriculum practice in the areas of mathematics and technology in an Australian pharmaceutical manufacturing enterprise. Its aim is to reflect on research‐based innovative course delivery in the field specified to indicate possibilities in education for lifelong learning. Following discussion of lifelong learning, issues important to the industry will be outlined. A brief description is given of some nationally accredited curricular modules for operators in this industry. In particular, the mathematics modules were perceived by operators as discouraging and even threatening. However, it was, and is, possible to work around atomised modules such as these to operate more holistically to integrate workers’ breadth and depth of prior experience across a broadened view of curriculum in a manner that enhances rather than hinders lifelong learning.
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Cathy Treadaway and Gail Kenning
The purpose of this paper is to present design research investigating the development of sensory textiles with embedded electronics to support the wellbeing of people with late…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present design research investigating the development of sensory textiles with embedded electronics to support the wellbeing of people with late stage dementia in residential care.
Design/methodology/approach
The research presented is qualitative and uses a mixed method approach informed by grounded practical theory and positive design methodologies. It uses an inclusive and participatory co-design process involving people with dementia and their families with an interdisciplinary team of experts.
Findings
Both the co-design process and the artefacts developed have been beneficial in supporting wellbeing. The textile artefacts have been found to soothe, distract and comfort people with dementia. They have also been shown to facilitate in the moment conversational bridges between family members and carers with persons with dementia.
Research limitations/implications
The findings are based on a small cohort of participants, observational reports and descriptive accounts from family members and carers.
Practical implications
The paper proposes ways in which simple hand-crafted textiles can be used beneficially to support the wellbeing of people with late stage dementia. It provides examples of how technology can be used to personalise and extend the sensory properties of the artefacts created.
Social implications
It promotes an inclusive co-design methodology involving care professionals, carers and people with dementia with designers and technologists.
Originality/value
The paper describes new ways of extending sensory properties of textiles through the integration of technology.
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Gail Gilchrist, Sandra Davidson, Aves Middleton, Helen Herrman, Kelsey Hegarty and Jane Gunn
People with a history of depression are more likely to smoke and less likely to achieve abstinence from smoking long term. The purpose of this paper is to understand the factors…
Abstract
Purpose
People with a history of depression are more likely to smoke and less likely to achieve abstinence from smoking long term. The purpose of this paper is to understand the factors associated with smoking and smoking cessation among patients with depression.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper reports on smoking prevalence and cessation in a cohort of 789 primary care attendees with depressive symptoms (Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale score of=16) recruited from 30 randomly selected Primary Care Practices in Victoria, Australia in 2005.
Findings
At baseline, 32 per cent of participants smoked. Smokers were more likely to be male, unmarried, receive government benefits, have difficulty managing on available income, have emphysema, a chronic illness, poor self-rated health, to have more severe depressive and anxiety symptoms, to be taking anti-depressants, to be hazardous drinkers, to report suicidal ideation and to have experienced childhood physical or sexual abuse. At 12 months, 20 participants reported quitting. Females and people with good or better self-rated health were significantly more likely to have quit, while people with a chronic illness or suicidal ideation were less likely to quit. Smoking cessation was not associated with increases in depression or anxiety symptoms. Only six participants remained quit over four years.
Practical implications
Rates of smoking were high, and long-term cessation was low among primary care patients with depressive symptoms. Primary care physicians should provide additional monitoring and support to assist smokers with depression quit and remain quit.
Originality/value
This is the first naturalistic study of smoking patterns among primary care attendees with depressive symptoms.
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Rajan Kumar Gangadhari, Vivek Khanzode, Shankar Murthy and Denis Dennehy
This paper aims to identify, prioritise and explore the relationships between the various barriers that are hindering the machine learning (ML) adaptation for analysing accident…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to identify, prioritise and explore the relationships between the various barriers that are hindering the machine learning (ML) adaptation for analysing accident data information in the Indian petroleum industry.
Design/methodology/approach
The preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis (PRISMA) is initially used to identify key barriers as reported in extant literature. The decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) technique is then used to discover the interrelationships between the barriers, which are then prioritised, based on three criteria (time, cost and relative importance) using complex proportional assessment (COPRAS) and multi-objective optimisation method by ratio analysis (MOORA). The Delphi method is used to obtain and analyse data from 10 petroleum experts who work at various petroleum facilities in India.
Findings
The findings provide practical insights for management and accident data analysts to use ML techniques when analysing large amounts of data. The analysis of barriers will help organisations focus resources on the most significant obstacles to overcome barriers to adopt ML as the primary tool for accident data analysis, which can save time, money and enable the exploration of valuable insights from the data.
Originality/value
This is the first study to use a hybrid three-phase methodology and consult with domain experts in the petroleum industry to rank and analyse the relationship between these barriers.
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Paula Görgen Radici Fraga, Maurício Moreira e Silva Bernardes, Julio Carlos de Souza van der Linden, Darli Rodrigues Vieira and Milena Chang Chain
This study aimed to discuss issues related to the process for validating a performance management system for design (PMSD) in three product development companies.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aimed to discuss issues related to the process for validating a performance management system for design (PMSD) in three product development companies.
Design/methodology/approach
The use of multifunctional groups becomes important because it favors viewing the organization as a whole, thereby reducing existing gaps between segments of the company. To support this study, focus group research was used.
Findings
Viewing design as a resource that contributes to increased competitiveness offers companies benefits, such as improved performance measurement. This measurement is based on indicators and, to be useful, an indicator system should stimulate the company's interest. In addition, the present study made it possible to conclude that the validation process is essential in preimplementation stages because validation allows the PMSD to be adapted to bring it closer to the reality of companies, thus increasing the chances of success during the implementation stage.
Originality/value
Validation of the metrics from the perspective of senior management enabled critical analyses of the applicability of the PMSD, as well as its suitability and approximation to the reality of businesses, by selecting the most relevant data.