Umut Al, Güleda Dogan, Irem Soydal and Zehra Taskin
In this paper, the Libraries for Everyone Project and the studies carried out within the scope of the project are presented; the role of libraries as learning environments is…
Abstract
Purpose
In this paper, the Libraries for Everyone Project and the studies carried out within the scope of the project are presented; the role of libraries as learning environments is discussed; and the data obtained from the library usage research/survey are shared. The paper aims to discuss these issues.
Design/methodology/approach
The research includes the findings of a questionnaire study that was applied in May, 2017 to 4,566 respondents from 147 libraries participating in the project. The population is represented with a 99% confidence level and a sampling error of 0.02. The sample size was decided based on the number of registered members in the libraries.
Findings
Municipal libraries have potential to be used as learning environments.
Originality/value
The usage survey reported in the study is the most comprehensive usage study on municipal libraries so far in terms of the number of participants. The Libraries for Everyone Project is the most extensive project implemented at municipal libraries in Turkey.
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Umut Al and Irem Soydal
A major problem in today’s scholarly publishing process is the long tails for the assignment of volume and issue numbers for approved articles. The purpose of this paper is to…
Abstract
Purpose
A major problem in today’s scholarly publishing process is the long tails for the assignment of volume and issue numbers for approved articles. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the extent to which information science journals offer early view features and the effects of these features.
Design/methodology/approach
The study addresses three basic questions: Do the articles approved for publication in information science journals appear in the online platforms of these journals before the assignment of volume and issue numbers? How long do the articles wait in the online platforms before they get the volume and issue numbers? Is there a statistically significant relationship between the online accessing numbers of the articles before they are published and bibliometric indicators?
Findings
More than half of the information science journals complete the editorial process in reasonable durations and share new articles with their readers before publishing them. In some journals, there are articles that wait for more than a year to be assigned volume and issue numbers after the completion of the editorial process. There are statistically significant differences, in terms of both their impact factor and immediacy index values, between the journals that offer early view features and those that do not. Both the impact factor and the immediacy index values of the journals that provide early view are higher than the others.
Practical implications
Adopting the early view policy may significantly help increase the impact factor and immediacy index values of the journals, as well as the visibility of their contents
Originality/value
The answers to this study’s research questions offer a new perspective to overcome the challenges in the processes through which scientific products meet with their users.
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Zehra Taskin and Umut Al
With the recent developments in information technologies, natural language processing (NLP) practices have made tasks in many areas easier and more practical. Nowadays, especially…
Abstract
Purpose
With the recent developments in information technologies, natural language processing (NLP) practices have made tasks in many areas easier and more practical. Nowadays, especially when big data are used in most research, NLP provides fast and easy methods for processing these data. The purpose of this paper is to identify subfields of library and information science (LIS) where NLP can be used and to provide a guide based on bibliometrics and social network analyses for researchers who intend to study this subject.
Design/methodology/approach
Within the scope of this study, 6,607 publications, including NLP methods published in the field of LIS, are examined and visualized by social network analysis methods.
Findings
After evaluating the obtained results, the subject categories of publications, frequently used keywords in these publications and the relationships between these words are revealed. Finally, the core journals and articles are classified thematically for researchers working in the field of LIS and planning to apply NLP in their research.
Originality/value
The results of this paper draw a general framework for LIS field and guides researchers on new techniques that may be useful in the field.
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Güleda Doğan and Umut Al
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the similarity of intra-indicators used in research-focused international university rankings (Academic Ranking of World Universities…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the similarity of intra-indicators used in research-focused international university rankings (Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU), NTU, University Ranking by Academic Performance (URAP), Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) and Round University Ranking (RUR)) over years, and show the effect of similar indicators on overall rankings for 2015. The research questions addressed in this study in accordance with these purposes are as follows: At what level are the intra-indicators used in international university rankings similar? Is it possible to group intra-indicators according to their similarities? What is the effect of similar intra-indicators on overall rankings?
Design/methodology/approach
Indicator-based scores of all universities in five research-focused international university rankings for all years they ranked form the data set of this study for the first and second research questions. The authors used a multidimensional scaling (MDS) and cosine similarity measure to analyze similarity of indicators and to answer these two research questions. Indicator-based scores and overall ranking scores for 2015 are used as data and Spearman correlation test is applied to answer the third research question.
Findings
Results of the analyses show that the intra-indicators used in ARWU, NTU and URAP are highly similar and that they can be grouped according to their similarities. The authors also examined the effect of similar indicators on 2015 overall ranking lists for these three rankings. NTU and URAP are affected least from the omitted similar indicators, which means it is possible for these two rankings to create very similar overall ranking lists to the existing overall ranking using fewer indicators.
Research limitations/implications
CWTS, Mapping Scientific Excellence, Nature Index, and SCImago Institutions Rankings (until 2015) are not included in the scope of this paper, since they do not create overall ranking lists. Likewise, Times Higher Education, CWUR and US are not included because of not presenting indicator-based scores. Required data were not accessible for QS for 2010 and 2011. Moreover, although QS ranks more than 700 universities, only first 400 universities in 2012–2015 rankings were able to be analyzed. Although QS’s and RUR’s data were analyzed in this study, it was statistically not possible to reach any conclusion for these two rankings.
Practical implications
The results of this study may be considered mainly by ranking bodies, policy- and decision-makers. The ranking bodies may use the results to review the indicators they use, to decide on which indicators to use in their rankings, and to question if it is necessary to continue overall rankings. Policy- and decision-makers may also benefit from the results of this study by thinking of giving up using overall ranking results as an important input in their decisions and policies.
Originality/value
This study is the first to use a MDS and cosine similarity measure for revealing the similarity of indicators. Ranking data is skewed that require conducting nonparametric statistical analysis; therefore, MDS is used. The study covers all ranking years and all universities in the ranking lists, and is different from the similar studies in the literature that analyze data for shorter time intervals and top-ranked universities in the ranking lists. It can be said that the similarity of intra-indicators for URAP, NTU and RUR is analyzed for the first time in this study, based on the literature review.
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David Streatfield, Richard Abisla, Umut Al, Violeta Bunescu, Yulianto Dewata, Camila Garroux, Daniela Greeb, Artiom Maister, Jeremy Paley, Shipra Sharma, Tripti Sharma, İrem Soydal and Tâm Thị Thanh Trần
The purpose of this paper is to report on recent performance measurement and impact evaluation progress made in Brazil, India, Indonesia, Moldova, Turkey and Vietnam as part of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to report on recent performance measurement and impact evaluation progress made in Brazil, India, Indonesia, Moldova, Turkey and Vietnam as part of the last phase of the Global Libraries Initiative.
Design/methodology/approach
The country reports are presented as a series of case studies, in some cases supplementing those reported earlier in this journal.
Findings
Recent country-specific survey findings are reported and some conclusions are offered.
Research limitations/implications
This paper demonstrates how the adoption of a common approach to library service evaluation across several countries can strengthen research practice at country level beyond the Global Libraries Initiative itself.
Practical implications
This paper shares Global Libraries IPA learning at country level with people in other countries who may be contemplating public library evaluation at regional, national or local levels or who are interested in performance measurement and impact evaluation.
Social implications
The paper shows how focusing on the impact of public library services on users can enhance the understanding of community requirements and inform the development of more effective services to library users and communities.
Originality/value
These case studies reflect concentrated impact evaluation and performance measurement work at country level across a range of countries over more than 18 years.
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Umut Al, Pablo Andrade Blanco, Marcel Chiranov, Lina Maria Cruz Silva, Luba Nikolaeva Devetakova, Yulianto Dewata, Ieva Dryžaite, Fiona Farquharson, Maciej Kochanowicz, Tetiana Liubyva, Andrea López Naranjo, Quynh Truc Phan, Rocky Ralebipi-Simela, Irem Soydal, David Streatfield, Resego Taolo, Tâm Thị Thanh Trần and Yuliya Tkachuk
The purpose of this paper is to report on performance measurement and impact assessment progress made in 14 countries as part of the Global Libraries initiative, starting with the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to report on performance measurement and impact assessment progress made in 14 countries as part of the Global Libraries initiative, starting with the early country grants in Mexico and Chile. For the mature grants in Bulgaria, Botswana, Poland, Romania, Ukraine and Viet Nam which were recently completed or are approaching completion, the nature of the country program is outlined, before the impact assessment work is described and some recent results and conclusions are reported. A similar approach is adopted with pilot and new grants in Colombia, Indonesia, South Africa, Turkey and Lithuania.
Design/methodology/approach
The country reports are presented as a series of case studies, in some cases supplementing those in an earlier special issue of this journal.
Findings
Where appropriate, recent country-specific survey findings are reported.
Practical implications
This paper shares Global Libraries IPA learning at country level with people in other countries who may be contemplating public library evaluation at regional, national or local level or who are interested in performance measurement and impact evaluation.
Originality/value
These cases studies reflect concentrated impact assessment and performance measurement work at country level across a range of countries over more than 12 years.
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Maryam Amini, Armin Mahmoodi, Leila Hashemi, Reza Kiani Aslani, Arash Taheri and Mohammad Kiani
The contemporary landscape of supply chains necessitates a comprehensive integration of multiple components encompassing production, distribution and customer engagement. The…
Abstract
Purpose
The contemporary landscape of supply chains necessitates a comprehensive integration of multiple components encompassing production, distribution and customer engagement. The pursuit of supply chain harmony underscores the significance of pricing strategies within the framework of dual-channel distribution, particularly when confronted with the dynamics of asymmetric demand performance.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper delves into a nuanced decision-making challenge anchored in a dual-channel distribution context featuring a retailer and two distinct products. Notably, the retailer’s decision-making process employs the computational framework of dual grey numbers, a robust tool for handling uncertainty.
Findings
This study revolves around applying game theory to manufacturers. Each manufacturer presents its aggregated price proposition to the retailer. Subsequently, the retailer identifies the optimal pricing configuration among the manufacturers' aggregate prices while adhering to constraints such as spatial classification and inventory costs. This article’s contribution extends to delineating the retailer’s capacity to discern the influence of product market potential and the aggregate product cost on the overall demand.
Originality/value
The model’s innovation lies in its harmonious fusion of spatial classification, pricing strategies and inventory control. Notably, this novel integration provides a platform for unraveling the intricate interplay between non-symmetric market potential, production costs and cross-sensitivity. The investigation is underscored by the utilization of the double interval grey numbers, a powerful computational approach that accommodates the inherent uncertainty pervasive in the domain. This study fills a gap in the existing literature by offering an integrated framework unifying spatial allocation, pricing decisions and inventory optimization.
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Irina Kuznetsova and John Round
The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the challenges of bringing postcolonial, racism and migration research into a meaningful dialogue. Based on the research examining…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the challenges of bringing postcolonial, racism and migration research into a meaningful dialogue. Based on the research examining migration from Central Asia into Russia, the paper analyses migration policy and the everyday experiences of migrants.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper is based on mixed methodologies, including narrative, semi-structured and in-depth interviews with migrants from Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan in Russian cities and those who returned to their country of origin (over 300 people), interviews with representatives of NGOs, state officials and journalists in 2013–2016 and an analysis of the legislation and mass-media regarding migration from Central Asia.
Findings
The paper demonstrates that experiencing racism is a part of everyday life for migrants from Central Asia living in Russia. Whether this is in interactions with the state, fear of persecution on the street by the police or in the workplace, it is a constant factor. It argues that the political and everyday xenophobia and racism demonstrates deeply rooted imperial views in Russia’s inner politics and shapes attitudes toward migrants.
Social implications
The paper contributes to broader debates on the linkages between migration and racism in Europe, in particularly questioning the positionality of migrants from “not-European” countries.
Originality/value
Mbembe’s approach to “let die” is pertinent in understanding postcolonial migration. Racism continually plays a role in “normalization” of abuse toward migrants and restrictive migration policy. Blaming “the migrant” for acting informally, draining healthcare resources and for posing a security risk provides a much-needed scapegoat for the state.
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Umut Unal and Mertcan Tascioglu
This paper aims to test the effect of sustainability-driven reputation on purchase intention and willingness to pay a price premium along with the mediating roles of consumer…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to test the effect of sustainability-driven reputation on purchase intention and willingness to pay a price premium along with the mediating roles of consumer trust and perceived risk.
Design/methodology/approach
A structural equation model was used on survey data collected from 660 participants to test the model and corresponding hypotheses.
Findings
The results show that sustainability has a positive effect on reputation, which in turn, while enhancing trust, decreases consumers' perceived risk. Further, trust is positively related to purchase intention and price premium, while perceived risk is negatively related to them. Finally, mediation analyses show the mediating roles of both trust and perceived risk between sustainability reputation and consumer behaviour.
Originality/value
This paper makes three major contributions: First, it takes all three dimensions of sustainability into account simultaneously in an empirical study in contrast with the disposition in the academic literature to address each dimension separately. Second, it explores the impact of reputation obtained primarily through sustainability on consumer behaviour. Third, it sheds light on the inner mechanism of the relational outcomes by testing the mediating effect of trust and perceived risk.
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This paper proposes a structural model that explores the relationship between game/esports streamers’ credibility dimensions and viewers’ willingness to spend money (WTP) on…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper proposes a structural model that explores the relationship between game/esports streamers’ credibility dimensions and viewers’ willingness to spend money (WTP) on online games. The study seeks to uncover the underlying mechanisms in this relationship by drawing on the source credibility model, social identity theory and S-O-R framework.
Design/methodology/approach
The study utilized an online survey conducted through Qualtrics survey software to validate the proposed framework. The sample (N = 612) consisted of viewers of a Turkish esports live streamer with a substantial following on both Twitch and YouTube. The main research framework was tested using AMOS 22, and the serial mediation analyses were done using Process v3.0 on SPSS.
Findings
The findings of this study are significant, revealing that streamer credibility (SC) factors – trustworthiness, attractiveness and expertise – have a profound impact on the response variables purchase intention (PI) and WTP through streamer identification (STI). Moreover, the study uncovers that the time spent watching the streamer significantly influences WTP for games, a crucial insight for the gaming industry.
Practical implications
By bridging the realms of social identity theory and the source credibility model within the context of game streaming, this study charts new territory in understanding the intricate web of factors shaping consumer behaviour in live-stream gaming environments. It highlights the multifaceted nature of viewer-streamer interactions and their implications for marketers and industry stakeholders seeking to navigate the expanding landscape of live stream commerce.
Originality/value
This paper offers a novel structural framework that synthesizes multiple perspectives to investigate the relationship between esports streamers’ credibility and viewers’ spending behaviour. By incorporating concepts from the source credibility model, social identity theory and S-O-R framework, the study not only expands upon existing theories of identity in the streaming domain but also provides a comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing consumer behaviour in online gaming environments.