Mark Finn and Leslie J. Porter
There is currently little published information about the use of totalquality (TQ)‐based self‐assessment in the UK despite the increasinginterest in the subject. Discusses the…
Abstract
There is currently little published information about the use of total quality (TQ)‐based self‐assessment in the UK despite the increasing interest in the subject. Discusses the findings of a survey into the practice and benefits of self‐assessment to recognized models such as the European model for Total Quality Management and the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award model. Survey findings indicate that companies are increasingly using self‐assessment and that benefits from this approach are quickly realized.
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Carol Ann Hughes and Nancy L. Buchanan
This article provides preliminary information about patterns of access and use of a collection of 35,000 electronic scholarly monographs in the humanities and social sciences…
Abstract
This article provides preliminary information about patterns of access and use of a collection of 35,000 electronic scholarly monographs in the humanities and social sciences provided by a commercial online library collection, QuestiaSM. Search logs and page view logs were analyzed as to the characteristics of the search queries and browsing within titles. Major findings include patterns of simple search queries and significant access to a surprising breadth of titles.
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STIMULATING the interest of the employee in his job has become one of the most challenging problems facing management today. Daily repetition of tasks seemingly unrelated to the…
Abstract
STIMULATING the interest of the employee in his job has become one of the most challenging problems facing management today. Daily repetition of tasks seemingly unrelated to the end product can very quickly cause boredom and fatigue, reducing individual efficiency and lowering productivity.
The purpose of this paper is to discuss the nature of the debate in terms of a recent consultation in England on guidance for public libraries in selection of controversial…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to discuss the nature of the debate in terms of a recent consultation in England on guidance for public libraries in selection of controversial materials. Also discussed is the issue of censorship in terms of how it relates to the practice of librarianship.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper provides a reflective and critical overview.
Findings
The laws that limit thought are potentially dangerous and to criminalise ideas is a notion that is anti‐democratic. Librarians must always be wary of censorship from the state and any self‐censorship they feel obliged to undertake through fear of unclear laws.
Practical implications
The paper discusses a pertinent topic in current library practice and should be of interest to practitioners who are debating the issues on the front line.
Originality/value
The paper concentrates on a current issue of practice in the UK, and also wider issues facing professional librarians throughout the world.
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The purpose of this study is to present, in the introductory part, the main project phases and the translation of classical literature masterpieces in the public domain from…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to present, in the introductory part, the main project phases and the translation of classical literature masterpieces in the public domain from English or French languages to Bosnian, Serbian and Croatian; digital formatting to make the contents as usable and attractive for students and teachers as possible; Web presentation and digital library application; and marketing of the project and the materials published. Additionally, extensive descriptions of all project activities and elaboration on the financial constraints are given together with the observations related to the proposed self-sustainability by using the cross-platform free cloud software. Another challenge originating in a unique political context was presented with an explanation of the necessity to create digital content in three domestic languages. The central part provides a wider context by discussing the potentials of similar digital practices to be applied elsewhere based on the lessons learned. Finally, in conclusion, the short recapitulation and the final assessment of the project are given.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper presents the project Digital Library of Required Classic World Literature for Elementary and Secondary School Curricula in Domestic Languages of Bosnia and Herzegovina (in Bosnian: Digitalna biblioteka lektira). The descriptive methodology has been used to present the project to the scientific community and get constructive feedback.
Findings
This study aims to be the first significant school digital library initiative in Bosnia and Herzegovina. However, because of zero funding and plans directed to self-sustainability through the use of free cloud software solutions, its viability will be tested over time.
Research limitations/implications
The limitations are concerned with paper length and formal limitations. A longer study should be written to present all features of this project. However, it implies possible positive developments in digital content creation and usage in schools of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Practical implications
This study was initiated to support the physical school libraries, but in the context of the coronavirus pandemic, its importance increased exponentially since the classes went online.
Originality/value
This paper is based on the original project and is written by the person who is the project leader and digital librarian. This paper aims to be the first significant school digital library initiative in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
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Arch G. Woodside, Timo Liukko and Risto Vuori
We develop a general paradigm of organizational buying and customer preferences at several authority levels within retail firms. The paradigm includes ten propositions, including…
Abstract
We develop a general paradigm of organizational buying and customer preferences at several authority levels within retail firms. The paradigm includes ten propositions, including the following three: (1) Organizational buying involving persons at several authority levels occurs for purchases judged by the customer firm to be: (a) highly important, that (b) occur infrequently; examples include capital equipment purchases. (2) The consideration sets of possible product alternatives and suppliers are narrow for organizational buying involving several authority levels. (3) Professional buyers have moderate to low authority in the choice of product design and supplier in organizational buying involving several authority levels. The efficacy of the ten propositions is examined in two phases in a field study. Implications for building theory and improving marketing and purchasing decisions of capital equipment related to retail store operations are provided.
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Mirja Iivonen and Marilyn Domas White
This paper uses a mix of qualitative and quantitative methodology to analyse differences between Finnish and American web searchers (n=27 per country) in their choice of initial…
Abstract
This paper uses a mix of qualitative and quantitative methodology to analyse differences between Finnish and American web searchers (n=27 per country) in their choice of initial search strategies (direct address, subject directory and search engines) and their reasoning underlying these choices, with data gathered via a questionnaire. The paper looks at these differences for four types of questions with two variables: closed/open and predictable/unpredictable source of answer (n=16 questions per searcher; total n=864 questions). The paper found significant differences between the two groups’ initial search strategies and for three of the four types of questions. The reasoning varied across countries and questions as well, with Finns mentioning fewer reasons although both groups mentioned in aggregate a total of 1,284 reasons in twenty‐four reason categories. The reasoning indicated that both country groups considered not only question‐related reasons but also source‐ and search‐strategy related reasons in making their decision. The research raises questions about considering cultural differences in designing web search access mechanisms.
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Alexandra L. Ferrentino, Meghan L. Maliga, Richard A. Bernardi and Susan M. Bosco
This research provides accounting-ethics authors and administrators with a benchmark for accounting-ethics research. While Bernardi and Bean (2010) considered publications in…
Abstract
This research provides accounting-ethics authors and administrators with a benchmark for accounting-ethics research. While Bernardi and Bean (2010) considered publications in business-ethics and accounting’s top-40 journals this study considers research in eight accounting-ethics and public-interest journals, as well as, 34 business-ethics journals. We analyzed the contents of our 42 journals for the 25-year period between 1991 through 2015. This research documents the continued growth (Bernardi & Bean, 2007) of accounting-ethics research in both accounting-ethics and business-ethics journals. We provide data on the top-10 ethics authors in each doctoral year group, the top-50 ethics authors over the most recent 10, 20, and 25 years, and a distribution among ethics scholars for these periods. For the 25-year timeframe, our data indicate that only 665 (274) of the 5,125 accounting PhDs/DBAs (13.0% and 5.4% respectively) in Canada and the United States had authored or co-authored one (more than one) ethics article.