This essay emerges from the author’s ongoing attempts to explore the implications of the postmodern condition on the activity called public administration. The approach is…
Abstract
This essay emerges from the author’s ongoing attempts to explore the implications of the postmodern condition on the activity called public administration. The approach is unorthodox; mixing current international events with history of science, administrative theory, and ending with an intriguing science fiction novel. The central theme of the essay is the myth of progress connected with Michael Spicer’s excellent analysis of competing theories of state. Whatever else might be said of the essay, the argument comes full circle. It begins with the idea that governing is hard work and ends on the same note.
Two years ago, in my introduction to the First Southern African Online Information Meeting, I said how thrilled I was to see so many delegates. For the Second Southern African…
Abstract
Two years ago, in my introduction to the First Southern African Online Information Meeting, I said how thrilled I was to see so many delegates. For the Second Southern African Online Information Meeting, held on 2–4 June 1993 in Pretoria, we had more delegates, more speakers and more exhibitors. Therefore I was particularly pleased again with the response to this event, especially considering the interesting and difficult times in which, as the politicians would say, we find ourselves. I would prefer to believe — and hope — that at least in our own areas of interest we can retain some influence on our current position.
In setting the scene, in my editorial for the Proceedings of the Second Southern African Online Information Meeting (The Electronic Library, 11(4/5), August/October 1993), I…
Abstract
In setting the scene, in my editorial for the Proceedings of the Second Southern African Online Information Meeting (The Electronic Library, 11(4/5), August/October 1993), I considered attendance in relation to the ‘interesting and difficult times’ in which we then found ourselves as the country teetered towards the first democratic election. Much has changed since that miracle play acted out by millions of ordinary people in April 1994, and much continues to change as the rainbow nation struggles to take again its place in the international community. In spite of — maybe even because of — the euphoria following the election, the times are no less difficult and interesting. It was against this colourful backdrop that the Third Southern African Online Information Meeting was held on 6–9 June 1995. The effect of another colourful production, the Rugby World Cup, was another unsettling factor.
The South African Online User Group was founded in April 1979, with twenty members. In December that year the International Online Information Meeting was in its third year. From…
Abstract
The South African Online User Group was founded in April 1979, with twenty members. In December that year the International Online Information Meeting was in its third year. From our geographically‐remote position at the southern tip of the African continent, attendance at the International On‐line Information Meeting in London has remained, for most members, a dream. As our membership has grown (now almost 400) and the scope and depth of the International Online Information Meeting has expanded, attendance — and even active participation — has become a desirable goal for an increasing number of our online professionals. Of the 59 papers delivered at the Fourteenth International Online Information Meeting in December 1990, five were presented by South African speakers, whilst a further nine delegates from South Africa attended the Meeting.
The CSIR's Division of Information Services has developed a sophisticated information access and retrieval system from which it will be able to provide various of its range of…
Abstract
The CSIR's Division of Information Services has developed a sophisticated information access and retrieval system from which it will be able to provide various of its range of information services. The paper describes the road which was followed in order to establish this system. A brief outline is given of the system's three main components, these being a retrieval, a client record management and a communications access component. The system is primarily mainframe‐based and runs on the ADABAS database management platform. This is followed by a description of aspects of the management of the development of this system. Mechanisms had to be put in place to ensure that the development work done was in line with the business requirements of the Division. Effective means of ensuring sufficient communication with the many different participants in the project — including line management, contractors and consultants, operators of the computing facilities and systems development staff—had to be found. Procedures were put in place to schedule and monitor the many and varied tasks involved in the project. The project also led to the development of a macro‐level model of the Division's activities. This model is being developed in increasing levels of detail to provide for the highly integrated nature of the Division's activities and hence of its systems. Lessons learnt in the project, problems experienced and achievements are described.
Welcome to the second issue of The new‐look Electronic Library! In view of its ever‐increasing popularity, the publisher has decided that it is worth putting some additional…
Abstract
Welcome to the second issue of The new‐look Electronic Library! In view of its ever‐increasing popularity, the publisher has decided that it is worth putting some additional resources into the journal and making if more magaziney — things of which I am all in favour!
Just how do Online User Groups provide continuing education in order to cope with all the new and updated information, training, hardware changes, cost and pricing issues, new…
Abstract
Just how do Online User Groups provide continuing education in order to cope with all the new and updated information, training, hardware changes, cost and pricing issues, new databases — in total, the entire rapidly escalating online world? Well cope they do indeed, and in a vast variety of ways. But rather than simply list the titles of programs held by user groups I would like to briefly explore and outline how online user groups manage to aid their members in being proficient and up‐to‐date searchers.
The Norsk Senter for Informatikk A/S (NSI) recently became a privately‐owned limited company. The main shareholders are the Bergens Tidende, Fabritius, IDA (a consortium of three…
Abstract
The Norsk Senter for Informatikk A/S (NSI) recently became a privately‐owned limited company. The main shareholders are the Bergens Tidende, Fabritius, IDA (a consortium of three banks), NTNF, Kunnskapsfor‐laget and twenty‐nine of the thirty‐four NSI staff members. Among its new projects will be a videotex network between Oslo and Bergen so that users in Oslo can use the Bergens Tidende videotex service bureau. Under the reorganisation NSI will place more emphasis on being an umbrella IP, on the establishment of closed user groups and development of hardware and software.
This chapter deals with five key themes: the objectives for companies and the attitudes and buying behaviour of consumers as concerns sustainable development, the firm’s…
Abstract
This chapter deals with five key themes: the objectives for companies and the attitudes and buying behaviour of consumers as concerns sustainable development, the firm’s strategies for reducing energy costs and waste, the challenges of bringing all actors in the supply chain into line, the firm’s supply policy in response to consumer demand and the technical, organisational and communication challenges surrounding the environmental impact of products. It then considers at the role of governments and NGOs in companies’ approaches towards sustainable development strategies before finally outlining the future prospects for these strategies.