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Takes a detailed view of the scientific community in Chile regarding network implementation and use. Argues that since Chile has many characteristics in common with other nations in this regard, the methodology is replicable elsewhere. Makes generalizations based on a statistically significant sample of scientific network users, under such headings as research discipline, education level, computer access and other variables. Develops hypotheses using the literature of Computer Mediated Communication Systems (CMCS). Discusses the potential of using the current methodology as well as the insights of previous CMCS to give better information in the planning process for research networks of all kinds.

This paper investigates an important issue emerging in information systems management—the decision to proceed with an expert system (ES) application in a business setting. The focus here is on knowledge based systems at the lower end of the complexity spectrum—small, very focused systems that can be implemented by the use of shell‐based development environments. This category represents the majority of ES that are currently being implemented and has some characteristics quite different from the larger systems. A classification scheme is suggested to differentiate three levels of ES development, from multi‐million dollar life cycle cost ES environments to those that are in the low five figure range. The Low End segment of the range, emphasized in this paper, is characterized by lower unit costs, powerful development tools and a large number of small, successful applications. The important role of Low End systems is discussed, with particular emphasis on their relatively high yield in stand‐alone applications. Such systems do not meet the AI demands of moderately or very complex problems but there is a surprising breadth in their use. A group of key success factors for Low End systems is proposed, based on a synthesis of the applications literature. To operationalize these factors three actual cases using Low End technology—from marketing, government, and agribusiness—are briefly described. Low End systems are not all gain. Low unit costs here can often mask the risks of proceeding headlong into an application without careful examination of the variables that can predict successful results. An agenda for action is offered for specific management policies for the planning of knowledge‐based applications.

We have all had experience with the stress caused by an increase in library technology—CD‐ROMs with different user interfaces, online catalogs with different command structures than our CD‐ROMs, and still different protocols for accessing remote databases. Yet, can you imagine the stress that can result from a crash of a local bibliographic and circulation database? I can—because it happened to me.

Forests too thick with fuels that are too continuously spread to resist fire are common throughout the west. After a century or more of actively working to suppress fire across the landscape, we now recognize that fire is a part of our forests, shrublands, and range, and that it will come whether we wish it or not. At last, managers must realize forests cannot be fire-proofed (DellaSala, Williams, Williams, & Franklin, 2004). We must work with fire rather than against it.

In the last four years, since Volume I of this Bibliography first appeared, there has been an explosion of literature in all the main functional areas of business. This wealth of material poses problems for the researcher in management studies — and, of course, for the librarian: uncovering what has been written in any one area is not an easy task. This volume aims to help the librarian and the researcher overcome some of the immediate problems of identification of material. It is an annotated bibliography of management, drawing on the wide variety of literature produced by MCB University Press. Over the last four years, MCB University Press has produced an extensive range of books and serial publications covering most of the established and many of the developing areas of management. This volume, in conjunction with Volume I, provides a guide to all the material published so far.

Communications regarding this column should be addressed to Mrs. Cheney, Peabody Library School, Nashville, Term. 37203. Mrs. Cheney does not sell the books listed here. They are available through normal trade sources. Mrs. Cheney, being a member of the editorial board of Pierian Press, will not review Pierian Press reference books in this column. Descriptions of Pierian Press reference books will be included elsewhere in this publication.

Communications regarding this column should be addressed to Mrs. Cheney, Peabody Library School, Nashville, Tenn. 37203. Mrs. Cheney does not sell the books listed here. They are available through normal trade sources. Mrs. Cheney, being a member of the editorial board of Pierian Press, will not review Pierian Press reference books in this column. Descriptions of Pierian Press reference books will be included elsewhere in this publication.