ANNE RAMSDEN, ALAN DAY, PAT F BOOTH and WILFRED ASHWORTH
The options for library and information managers to apply IT in their libraries/information services are now wide ranging and particularly so with the arrival of the new…
Abstract
The options for library and information managers to apply IT in their libraries/information services are now wide ranging and particularly so with the arrival of the new generation of 16‐bit multi‐user micro‐computers and fully integrated library systems for small libraries. Three years ago the market for library software was comparatively small; now there are far more products and it's very competitive. Other well established options may include setting up a bibliographic database or online catalogue, using a stand alone system for handling, for example, serials control, or using a microcomputer as an online terminal. But where to begin? And, that is where the Library Technology Centre (LTC) might be a good starting point. Here, it is possible to explore the potential that microcomputers have to offer; decision‐making can be enhanced by taking advantage of demonstration facilities, to have “hand‐on” experience; and the visitor may tap the expertise and information resources of three information officers with complementary skills in the library and information fields.
Library and other information workers often have to present theircase (arguments in support of a particular proposal, seeking acceptance,permission, justification) at various…
Abstract
Library and other information workers often have to present their case (arguments in support of a particular proposal, seeking acceptance, permission, justification) at various levels and in various circumstances, for example, a plan for extending a service, requesting additional funds for a project, proposing a change in systems, explaining why a service has been discontinued, or supporting a job application. A stage‐by‐stage process of preparation, delivery and feedback is described.
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Yanik G. Harnois and Stéphane Gagnon
Taking a transdisciplinary viewpoint, the authors synthesize the literature on the theoretical, methodological, and epistemological issues in the study of corruption as a…
Abstract
Purpose
Taking a transdisciplinary viewpoint, the authors synthesize the literature on the theoretical, methodological, and epistemological issues in the study of corruption as a construct in project management (PM) as applied to IDPs. While the study of corruption has focused on “who and why” to help understand corruption's occurrence, there is a lack of analysis on “where and how” to ensure corruption's prevention and improve PM to better support delivery actors. The authors rely on four theoretical frameworks to help interpret evidence and formulate a coherent model for managing project socio-cultural context: organizational interests theory (OIT), principal-agent theory (PAT), culturalist theory (CT) and institutional theory (IT).
Design/methodology/approach
International development projects (IDPs) have become very complex with greater diversity of donor agencies and aid delivery actors. The relative lack of success of development aid has been linked in part to corruption at various levels. PM methods are essential to help prevent this behavior. To assess the complexity of this problem, the authors completed a grounded theory research based on thirty interviews with international development experts, balancing representation from donor and receiving countries, as well as project managers in public and private sectors. Data are analyzed using a qualitative sorting process using the software NVivo.
Findings
Results show that PM, beyond PM's practical nature and technical focus, can offer numerous opportunities to prevent corruption impact on project actors, even in a context where anti-corruption initiatives may be perceived as less effective. The authors present an original theoretical model that illustrates which actors, events and context are related and linked in the dynamic efforts to understand and combat corruption in international development endeavors. Context is linked to dynamics: foreign aid cycle, capture opportunities, context pressures, personal damages done, and control mechanisms exercised.
Originality/value
The outcomes and quality of IDPs remain highly controversial, especially with perception of corruption by various stakeholders. Some experts recognize the inefficacy of applying classical PM tools and processes. By contrasting findings to the literature, the authors conclude that an alternative approach to overcome the taboos and prejudices in studying corruption is to ask a different research question. A research agenda is proposed for solving this phenomenon. To guide PM research on development projects, focusing on the “where and how” of corruption requires addressing how actors build their knowledge management capabilities, and address the social and cultural challenges inherent to IDPs.
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Dielectric compositions with high dielectric constant, low electrical losses, high softening point and resistance to moisture and corrosive atmospheres are obtained by…
Abstract
Dielectric compositions with high dielectric constant, low electrical losses, high softening point and resistance to moisture and corrosive atmospheres are obtained by polymerising or copolymerising a vinyl compound containing sulphur, in a position where it is chemically and electrically stable, e.g. vinyl diphenyl sulphide, vinyl benzothiophene, vinyl oxazole, etc., or compounds in which there is oxygen present in a heterocyclic ring in which there is a vinyl substituted carbon atom, e.g. vinyl pyrane, vinyl furane, vinyl coumarone, etc. These substances are used for the production of wrapping materials, particularly for food packaging. Suitable plasticisers are given.—U.S. Pat. 2,636,022, Sprague Electric Co., L. A. Brooks, M. Markarian and M. Nazzewski.
The people of this country are frequently described, more or less correctly, as “long suffering,” and there is possibly no question in regard to which they have suffered so much…
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The people of this country are frequently described, more or less correctly, as “long suffering,” and there is possibly no question in regard to which they have suffered so much and so long as that of the national food supply. Now and again some more thoughtful member of the Legislature addresses a question on the subject to some responsible Minister of the Crown, possibly on the sufficiency, or sometimes even on the purity of some article of food, and receives an answer which, as a general rule, is a mere feeble evasion of the particular point on which information is desired.
Jane Booth and Pat Green
Humanity faces many crises – climate change, food insecurity, persistent poverty – what Brown, Harris, and Russell (2010) call wicked problems. These problems implicate us all…
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Humanity faces many crises – climate change, food insecurity, persistent poverty – what Brown, Harris, and Russell (2010) call wicked problems. These problems implicate us all, with possible solutions transcending disciplinary, organizational, and national boundaries. Therefore educators need to nurture graduates able to engage as future practitioners – and citizens – in seeking solutions which recognize “the personal, the local and the strategic, as well as specialized contributions to knowledge” (Brown et al., 2010, p. 4).
A model of service-learning which draws on the principles of social pedagogy, cultural-based learning and co-production provides the foundations for a more reflexive pedagogy, supporting the “development of student attention, emotional balance, empathetic connection, compassion and altruistic behavior” (Zajonc, 2013, p. 83). This approach advocates that community organizations play a pivotal role in co-designing knowledge. Drawing on an applied research module at University of Wolverhampton this chapter will argue that by engaging community groups as co-producers of knowledge, learning can be extended beyond students to the wider community (Murphy & Joseph, 2019). Not only will this enhance the potential of service learning to benefit the community and the students, but it has the potential to produce graduates more sensitive to the needs of communities themselves.
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- Applied learning
- community engagement
- community link
- community-based learning
- co-production
- critical reflection
- cultural-based learning
- experiential learning
- expertise/expertises
- integrated experience
- knowledge of the powerful
- powerful knowledge
- reciprocity
- reflection
- social pedagogy
- social science
- wicked problems
Briefly reviews previous literature by the author before presenting an original 12 step system integration protocol designed to ensure the success of companies or countries in…
Abstract
Briefly reviews previous literature by the author before presenting an original 12 step system integration protocol designed to ensure the success of companies or countries in their efforts to develop and market new products. Looks at the issues from different strategic levels such as corporate, international, military and economic. Presents 31 case studies, including the success of Japan in microchips to the failure of Xerox to sell its invention of the Alto personal computer 3 years before Apple: from the success in DNA and Superconductor research to the success of Sunbeam in inventing and marketing food processors: and from the daring invention and production of atomic energy for survival to the successes of sewing machine inventor Howe in co‐operating on patents to compete in markets. Includes 306 questions and answers in order to qualify concepts introduced.
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In 1899 the medical practitioners of Dublin were confronted with an outbreak of a peculiar and obscure illness, characterised by symptoms which were very unusual. For want of a…
Abstract
In 1899 the medical practitioners of Dublin were confronted with an outbreak of a peculiar and obscure illness, characterised by symptoms which were very unusual. For want of a better explanation, the disorder, which seemed to be epidemic, was explained by the simple expedient of finding a name for it. It was labelled as “beri‐beri,” a tropical disease with very much the same clinical and pathological features as those observed at Dublin. Papers were read before certain societies, and then as the cases gradually diminished in number, the subject lost interest and was dropped.
Less than half a century ago almost the entire population of the United States lived upon food that was home‐grown and home‐prepared. With the exception of a few articles…
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Less than half a century ago almost the entire population of the United States lived upon food that was home‐grown and home‐prepared. With the exception of a few articles requiring a different climate than our own for their production, such as coffee, tea, sugar, spices, and chocolate, the inhabitants of the country lived exclusively upon food of their own producing, while the dealers of the city were supplied with the products of the neighbouring farms. Provisions of all kinds were supplied in an unprepared condition, and their preservation or preparation for the table was accomplished at the home.
The findings of the Steering Group on Food Freshness in relation to the compulsory date marking of food contained in their Report, reviewed elsewhere in this issue, has brought…
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The findings of the Steering Group on Food Freshness in relation to the compulsory date marking of food contained in their Report, reviewed elsewhere in this issue, has brought within measurable distance the Regulations which were, in any case, promised for1975. The Group consider that the extension of voluntary open date marking systems will not be sufficiently rapid (or sufficiently comprehensive) to avoid the need or justify the delay in introducing legislation.