C. Clissman, R. Murray, E. Davidson, J. Hands, O. Sijtsma, A. Noordzij, R. Moulton, S. Shanawa, J. Darzentas and I. Pettman
Provides a brief introduction to the UNIverse Project and its major objectives. Continues the overview of the international standards, softwares and systems which will enable…
Abstract
Provides a brief introduction to the UNIverse Project and its major objectives. Continues the overview of the international standards, softwares and systems which will enable bibliographic searching of multiple distributed library catalogues. Part 2 reviews three further areas: record syntax conversion which covers UNIMARC, SGML and Dublin Core; result set de‐duplication, covering International Standard Book Number (ISBN), International Standard Serial Number (ISSN), the Universal Standard Bibliographic Code (USBC), Serial Item and Contribution Identifier (SICI), Digital Object Identifiers (DOI) and Uniform Resource Names (URN); and multi‐lingual thesauri.
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C. Clissman, R. Murray, E. Davidson, J. Hands, O. Sijtsma, A. Noordzij, R. Moulton, S. Shanawa, J. Darzentas and I. Pettman
Provides a brief introduction to the UNIverse Project and its major objectives. Continues and completes the overview of the international standards, softwares and systems which…
Abstract
Provides a brief introduction to the UNIverse Project and its major objectives. Continues and completes the overview of the international standards, softwares and systems which will enable bibliographic searching of multiple distributed library catalogues. Part 3 reviews three further areas: ‐ inter library loans protocols; multimedia document delivery and authentication and directory services.
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Selvalakshmi M., Vidya Suresh and Mythili Kolluru
This paper aims to develop a pedagogy combining analytic reasoning with a more exploratory skill set that style practitioners have embraced and business schools have traditionally…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to develop a pedagogy combining analytic reasoning with a more exploratory skill set that style practitioners have embraced and business schools have traditionally neglected. It proposes a viable business which will be converted into market opportunities. The study aims to expand the domain of design thinking (DT) by applying the concept in the higher education sector with special reference to management education.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper emerged out of an application of one of the models of DT in the field of higher education. While several models of DT are deployed by various sectors, the 3I model developed by IDEO in 2001 was chosen as appropriate to design a pedagogy for MBA students. The data were complemented by classroom teaching experiments, evaluation and student performance.
Findings
This paper provides empirical insights about how a change is brought about during implementing a new pedagogy in the system. This innovative pedagogy was named as “Integrative and Interactive Approach.” It was offered to first-year postgraduate students of management.
Research limitations/implications
Because of the chosen approach, the research results may lack generalizability. Researchers are encouraged to test the model in a smaller group before implementing.
Practical implications
The paper focuses on the testing and implementation of DT in innovating a pedagogy with reference to one chosen institute. The cost, benefits and challenges may differ when applied to other institutes of same kind.
Originality/value
This paper fulfills an identified need to have an integrated approach of teaching in management education using case study approach.
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C. Clissman, R. Murray, E. Davidson, J. Hands, O. Sijtsma, A. Noordzij, R. Moulton, S. Shanawa, J. Darzentas and I. Pettman
Provides a brief introduction to the UNIverse Project and its major objectives. Gives an overview of the international standards, softwares and systems which will enable…
Abstract
Provides a brief introduction to the UNIverse Project and its major objectives. Gives an overview of the international standards, softwares and systems which will enable bibliographic searching of multiple distributed library catalogues including the Z39.50 standard, WWW gateways, the EUROPAGATE project, the Java programming language and the Unicode World‐wide Character Encoding Standard.
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Bilal El Itani, Fouad Ben Abdelaziz and Hatem Masri
Ambulance response time is an important factor in saving lives and is highly linked with the ambulance location problem. The Maximum Expected Covering Location Problem (MEXCLP)…
Abstract
Purpose
Ambulance response time is an important factor in saving lives and is highly linked with the ambulance location problem. The Maximum Expected Covering Location Problem (MEXCLP), introduced by Daskin (1983), is one of the most used ambulance location models that maximize the probability of stratifying demands for emergency medical service (EMS) centers. Due to huge increase in the operational costs of EMS centers, ambulance location models must consider the cost of coverage and the opportunity to use other companies’ private ambulances to answer emergency calls. The paper aims to discuss these issues.
Design/methodology/approach
In this paper, the authors propose to extend the MEXCLP to a bi-objective optimization problem where the cost of satisfying emergency calls is minimized.
Findings
The proposed model is tested using data retrieved from the Lebanese Red Cross (LRC) in Beirut capital of Lebanon. The reported findings show significant enhancements in the results where the LRC can fully satisfy the perceived demands from all areas in Beirut within 9 min with an affordable cost.
Originality/value
The model is a first attempt to reduce operational costs of EMS centers while constraining the response time to satisfy emergency calls at an acceptable rate.
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Argyris Arnellos, Thomas Spyrou and John Darzentas
This paper aims to develop the role of autonomy in the emergence of the design process. It shows how the design process is facilitated by autonomy, how autonomy is enhanced…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to develop the role of autonomy in the emergence of the design process. It shows how the design process is facilitated by autonomy, how autonomy is enhanced through the design process and how the emergence of anticipatory and future‐oriented representational content in an autonomous cognitive system provides the functionality needed for the strengthening of both its autonomy and the design process, in which the autonomous cognitive system purposefully engages.
Design/methodology/approach
Initially, the essential characteristics of the design process and of the cognitive systems participating in it will be identified. Then, an attempt to demonstrate the ability of an enhanced second‐order cybernetic framework to satisfy these characteristics will be made. Next, an analytic description of the design process under this framework is presented and the respective implications are critically discussed.
Findings
The role of autonomy is crucial for the design process, as it seems that autonomy is both the primary motive and the goal for a cognitive system to engage in a design process. A second‐order cybernetic framework is suitable for the analysis of such a complex process, as long as both the constructive and the interactive aspects of a self‐organising system are taken under consideration.
Practical implications
The modelling of the complex design process under the framework of second‐order cybernetics and the indication of the fundamental characteristics of an autonomous cognitive system as well as their interrelations may provide useful insights in multiple levels, from the purely theoretical (i.e. better understanding of the design process and the conditions for each creative fostering), to the purely technical (i.e. the design of artificial agents with design capabilities).
Originality/value
The innovative aspect of the paper is that it attempts an analysis of the design process under a framework of second‐order cybernetics, by attempting to analyse and explain the emergence of such a process from the point of view of an autonomous cognitive system. This results in some interesting implications regarding the nature of the design process, as well as regarding its “mechanisms” of emergence and evolution, with respect to the characteristics of the participating autonomous systems.
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Min Zhang, Lu Wang, Ran Wang and Jingjing Xiong
In the mobile internet era, the path and mechanism of hospital patient-perceived quality have been changed radically. The purpose of this study is to develop a scale that…
Abstract
Purpose
In the mobile internet era, the path and mechanism of hospital patient-perceived quality have been changed radically. The purpose of this study is to develop a scale that adequately captures the characteristics of hospital service quality from the patient’s perspective under the background of the mobile internet.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on previous related research and interviews with focus groups, this paper conceptualized, constructed, refined and tested a multiple-item scale that examined key dimensions of hospital process service quality in the mobile context. To validate this scale, data were collected through two formal surveys in Chinese hospitals and were used to test the reliability and validity of the instrument.
Findings
The final measurement scale contains three dimensions, that is, environment conditions, attitude and behavior and technical convenience. With the help of this quality scale, hospital managers could have a better understanding of patients’ expectations under the new condition and pinpoint appropriate initiatives to fill the service gap.
Originality/value
This study focuses on service quality measurement issues related to the application of mobile internet technology in traditional clinical settings, such as hospitals. This paper develops an original and specific service quality scale that catches the online and offline characteristics of the hospital process in the mobile setting and considers both human-technology interaction and human-human interaction.
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Sidse Grangaard and Stefan Christoffer Gottlieb
The purpose of this paper is to open the black box of prescriptive requirements by analysing their role in shaping interests and decisions on accessibility, and discuss the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to open the black box of prescriptive requirements by analysing their role in shaping interests and decisions on accessibility, and discuss the consequences hereof for a future move to a performance-based accessibility model based on Universal Design principles.
Design/Methodology/Approach
A single case study based on 15 qualitative interviews with clients about their approach to accessibility and Universal Design is analysed by using actor-network theory (ANT) as the theoretical framework.
Findings
It is shown that the prescriptive requirements in the Danish building regulations constitute a black box, which is decisive in defining the clients’ perception of the users and their level of ambition for accessibility by inscribing specific expectations, actions and ways of knowing about accessibility.
Research Limitations/Implications
The study is based on a qualitative single case study. We argue that analytical generalisations nevertheless can be drawn.
Practical Implications
Performance-based regulations can be a source of innovation but also entail negative consequences for the quality of the built environment if treated in an isolated manner alone.
Originality/Value
The paper contributes to the discussions on Universal Design and the implementation of performance-based accessibility regulation by illustrating how current prescriptive requirements are not mere “matters of fact” but play an active role in mobilising and shaping a network of users, technologies, norms and practices, which the introduction of performance-based requirements will radically alter.
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Sunčica Hadžidedić Baždarević and Alexandra Ioana Cristea
The purpose of this paper is to explore the type of personalisation services satisfying the needs of cancer websites’ target users, and the influence of their emotional states on…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the type of personalisation services satisfying the needs of cancer websites’ target users, and the influence of their emotional states on website usage intentions.
Design/methodology/approach
Three data collection methods were employed. Survey questionnaires were distributed to online health users. Interviews with representatives of the cancer-affected population further explored emotions as stimuli for online cancer-related activities. Finally, availability of personalisation features was evaluated on existing health websites in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the UK.
Findings
A clear preference emerged for personalisation on cancer-related websites. There are specific personalisation features the cancer-affected population desires. Interestingly, certain emotions were found to stimulate visits to health websites.
Research limitations/implications
Fighting cancer implies constant support, including from cancer-related websites. It is thus vital to understand the required personalisation, stemming from target users’ actual needs, including the neglected user characteristics, as are emotions for cancer-affected people. This supports emotion-based personalisation.
Originality/value
The paper focusses on the cancer-affected population, and developing a comprehensive understanding of their personalisation needs in online health services. It further shows which emotions influence intentions to use cancer websites. The three concepts combined have not yet been studied, to the best of the authors’ knowledge.
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Robin Murray, Neil Smith and Ian Pettman
Reviews the progress of the UNIverse Project, a large‐scale open distributed libraries demonstration project supported by the European Commission’s Telematics for Libraries…
Abstract
Reviews the progress of the UNIverse Project, a large‐scale open distributed libraries demonstration project supported by the European Commission’s Telematics for Libraries Programme. Concentrates on the technical achievements of the first two phases of the contract and indicates some technical problems encountered. Describes the development of the special interest groups and the plans for the final stage (the demonstration and evaluation phase) including progress to January 1999. Outlines the work remaining in the demonstration phase including the evaluation and proposed exploitation plans as well as a new task focussing on business and economic issues.