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1 – 10 of 93
Article
Publication date: 6 September 2011

Andrew Coyle

Geographic information systems (GIS) are used in business and government and have potentially powerful applications to the library, specifically “interior GIS” mapping of the…

1899

Abstract

Purpose

Geographic information systems (GIS) are used in business and government and have potentially powerful applications to the library, specifically “interior GIS” mapping of the collection itself. This paper seeks to argue for the implementation of GIS software in library collection analysis.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper explains GIS history, the technology, design with spreadsheet and ILS database, statistical advancements, power of the GIS connection, and the importance of “democratizing” technology for libraries.

Findings

GIS is a powerful tool for any business or organization that keeps inventory and monitors transactional usage. GIS is going to be implemented in libraries sooner rather than later. The libraries that implement GIS early will have an intellectual advantage over those coming on‐board late. GIS should be part of collection librarian technology.

Practical implications

Librarians can benefit from visually analyzing the collection and its use trends. GIS will allow librarians to forecast demand for future allocations, uncover collection strengths and weaknesses, and monitor statistics in a way that is impossible with current spreadsheets. Managers will be able to track interlibrary loan trends, branch and neighborhood use volumes and will be able to match use maps with building layout and design for better functionality and loss prevention.

Social implications

GIS will revolutionize statistical analysis in every field it enters. It is argued in the paper to be the first modern tool for the twenty‐first century librarian, the first piece of technology to serve the librarian first, with system and user as beneficiary of the product of GIS analysis.

Originality/value

This paper introduces GIS to a new audience and to those familiar with GIS, applies GIS in a new direction, to the interior space of the library and its items as subject.

Article
Publication date: 30 May 2008

S.M. Lo, C.M. Zhao and K.K. Yuen

Traditionally, buildings are designed in accordance with prescriptive building and fire codes. Rapid urbanization causes an increase in urban population and commercial activities…

1195

Abstract

Purpose

Traditionally, buildings are designed in accordance with prescriptive building and fire codes. Rapid urbanization causes an increase in urban population and commercial activities, and an increase in demand for large and complex buildings. Buildings that have been constructed in accordance with the old prescriptive requirements may not have the same fire safety level as the standard enforced today, even if all fire safety items are maintained at the original design standard. It is the usual practice that any upgrading or alteration works to be carried out in an existing building are required to comply with the requirements currently enforced. The demand for using a performance‐based approach for designing large complex buildings as well as alteration works in existing or historical buildings is increasing. The paper aims to discuss the issues involved

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents a brief comparison of the use of performance‐based fire safety design in three locations and presents the use of a system dynamics model to examine how the technological investment will affect the use of performance‐based fire safety design.

Findings

The model predicts that increased investment by the Hong Kong authorities would see a rise in the number of building projects using a performance‐based approach within a few years.

Originality/value

The research in this paper provides guidance to the building control regime in Hong Kong on how to achieve an increase in the use of a fire‐engineered approach to enhance fire safety design in buildings.

Details

Structural Survey, vol. 26 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-080X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 10 April 2007

Mitchell Brown, Christopher Cox, Julia Gelfand and Colby Riggs

To share information and insights from the American Library Association (ALA) Midwinter Meeting. Several contributors reported on different aspects of this meeting. Design

622

Abstract

Purpose

To share information and insights from the American Library Association (ALA) Midwinter Meeting. Several contributors reported on different aspects of this meeting. Design methodology/approach –A report of the conference.

Findings

Summary of discussion forums, work of ALA's Divisions, and conference lore.

Practical Implications

A working meeting to plan for the annual conference in June 2007. This meeting attracts the current leadership of the different divisions in ALA who are holding discussion groups and committee meetings as there are no official programs at Midwinter.

Originality/value

Conference reports on many current trends in scholarly communication issues to information professionals in academia, access, and intellectual property issues related to a range of library environments and the state of the art in technology.

Details

Library Hi Tech News, vol. 24 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0741-9058

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 17 July 2006

David F. Suarez

Human rights education (HRE) is a professional field and a developing curricular movement that combines work in human rights and education. A variety of intergovernmental…

Abstract

Human rights education (HRE) is a professional field and a developing curricular movement that combines work in human rights and education. A variety of intergovernmental organizations (IGOs) endorse teaching human rights, an increasing number of national governments incorporate human rights content in formal school curriculum, and many nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) throughout the world train teachers, produce teaching manuals, and advocate for HRE in schools. While the movement dates back at least to the 1970s, in 1995 the United Nations initiated a Decade for Human Rights Education and formally defined HRE as “training, dissemination, and information efforts aimed at the building of a universal culture of human rights through the imparting of knowledge and skills and the moulding of attitudes” (United Nations, 1998, p. 3).

Details

The Impact of Comparative Education Research on Institutional Theory
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-0-76231-308-2

Book part
Publication date: 15 December 2005

Susan Blankenship

Despite the volumes that have been written on America's correctional crisis – the peerless incarceration rate, disproportionate confinement of minority group members and…

Abstract

Despite the volumes that have been written on America's correctional crisis – the peerless incarceration rate, disproportionate confinement of minority group members and democratically untenable policies of disenfranchisement of people with felony convictions – criminal justice policy has changed little within the past decade or more. An important voice has been left out of these correctional policy formulations – that of prisoners. This paper proposes convict labor unions as one way to address this issue. It utilizes the United States Supreme Court majority's arguments in Jones v. North Carolina to assess the feasibility of inmate labor unions in light of current federal, state and local institutional operations; and provides a very tentative outline of how a prisoners’ labor union could be structured and function – exploring the potential democratic ramifications of such unions for corrections and in broader social policy.

Details

Crime and Punishment: Perspectives from the Humanities
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-0-76231-245-0

Article
Publication date: 1 May 1983

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…

16279

Abstract

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.

Details

Management Decision, vol. 21 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0025-1747

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 6 March 2023

Kristina Brenisin, Mc Stephen Padilla and Kieran Breen

Transition from inpatient mental health care to community living can be very difficult, as people are at an increased risk of suicide, self-harm and ultimately readmission into…

Abstract

Purpose

Transition from inpatient mental health care to community living can be very difficult, as people are at an increased risk of suicide, self-harm and ultimately readmission into hospital. There is little research conducted exploring peer support workers’ (PSWs) lived experiences that could provide insight into the key transitions of care, particularly the support required after discharge from inpatient mental health care. The purpose of this paper is thus to provide a particular insight into what it feels like being discharged from psychiatric care from a PSW’s perspective, how may support be improved post-discharge and what factors might impact the potential for readmission into inpatient care.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative, phenomenological approach was adopted to explore and describe PSWs’ lived experiences of transitioning from psychiatric care. Four PSWs who were employed by a UK secure mental health facility were recruited. PSW is a non-clinical role with their main duty to support patients, and they were considered for this type of the study for their experience in negotiating the discharge process to better carry out their job as a PSW.

Findings

After being discharged from psychiatric care, PSWs experienced issues that had either a negative impact on their mental wellbeing or even resulted in their readmission back into inpatient psychiatric care. This study identified three inter-related recurrent themes – continuity of support, having options and realisation, all concerning difficulties in adjusting to independent community life following discharge. The findings of the study highlighted the importance of ensuring that service users should be actively involved in their discharge planning, and the use of effective post-discharge planning processes should be used as a crucial step to avoid readmission.

Research limitations/implications

A deeper insight into the factors that impact on readmission to secure care is needed. The active involvement of service users in effective pre- and post-discharge planning is crucial to avoid readmission.

Practical implications

Mental health professionals should consider developing more effective discharge interventions in collaboration with service users; inpatient services should consider creating more effective post-discharge information care and support packages. Their lived experience empowers PSWs to play a key role in guiding patients in the discharge process.

Originality/value

This is the first study, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, to explore what it feels like being discharged from inpatient mental health care by interviewing PSWs employed at a forensic mental health hospital by adopting a phenomenological approach. This paper offers a deeper insight into the transition process and explores in detail what support is needed post discharge to avoid potential readmission from PSWs’ perspectives.

Details

The Journal of Forensic Practice, vol. 25 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2050-8794

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 7 April 2015

Wendy Axelrod

The purpose of this paper is to identify an important and often overlooked approach to talent development: managers who apply everyday psychology with their people to drive…

1312

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify an important and often overlooked approach to talent development: managers who apply everyday psychology with their people to drive significant growth.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is based upon: years of consulting with managers, indentifying how to grow people in significant ways; original research of the practices of Exceptional Development Managers; and expert recommended approaches.

Findings

Companies undervalue the important role managers can play in talent development. Managers are well positioned to significantly develop people, yet most do not. This paper describes the five actions managers can take using everyday psychology to help drive employees’ development.

Practical implications

While every company strives for a fully skilled workforce, for the majority, this is far from reality. With greater investments being made to companywide talent development, it is wise to also invest in equipping managers to turn everyday work into everyday development for their employees. Because the development breakthroughs can be daunting, managers who know how to practically apply everyday psychology have a significant edge. HR departments, company leadership, and individual managers can benefit greatly from leveraging these practices.

Originality/value

Manager's involvement in employee development is not new, this just has not gone far enough. Frequently employee development is viewed as needing to be a sideline to getting results. Further, companies are often not relying on the development driven by managers to make a significant impact on their talent development objectives. Yet, managers are key to developing people, and making psychological principles readily adaptable by managers unlocks their path forward.

Details

Industrial and Commercial Training, vol. 47 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0019-7858

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 14 February 2020

Melanie Benson Marshall, Andrew Cox and Briony Birdi

Since Poland's accession to the European Union in 2004, migration from Poland to the UK has increased substantially. These migrants are generally young and highly educated, and…

Abstract

Purpose

Since Poland's accession to the European Union in 2004, migration from Poland to the UK has increased substantially. These migrants are generally young and highly educated, and are migrating for reasons of economic improvement and self-fulfilment. Many are women migrating independently, an emerging trend in migration in general. Information behaviour research around migration has tended to focus on populations such as refugees; less research has been done on the information behaviour of economic migrants. This paper, therefore, investigates the role of information in the migration experience of young Polish women in the UK.

Design/methodology/approach

This study takes an interpretivist, constructionist perspective. An exploratory study was conducted, involving expert and pilot interviews and analysis of secondary data. In the main study, 21 participants were interviewed using a semi-structured technique. Data were analysed thematically.

Findings

The paper provides insights into the information behaviour and experience of this migrant group. They were found to be confident and successful information users, partly because their migration was planned, their language skills were high and cultural differences from their host country were not substantial. Weak ties were an important source of information. The paper contextualises these findings against previous research on migration in information science, and presents a model of the underlying factors shaping the relationship between migration and information behaviour.

Originality/value

The paper examines the migration experience of a relatively understudied group, drawing attention to a broader range of experience and demonstrating that a wider conceptualisation of migration is required in information behaviour. It presents a model of key factors shaping information behaviour around migration, which is relevant not only to the information field, but also to a wider range of areas. It also delivers practical recommendations for migrants and those working with them.

Details

Journal of Documentation, vol. 76 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0022-0418

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 25 September 2020

Mark Carver

English language teacher preparation has a relatively short history in Scotland's universities. This chapter outlines some of the contributions made by Scottish institutions and…

Abstract

English language teacher preparation has a relatively short history in Scotland's universities. This chapter outlines some of the contributions made by Scottish institutions and academics to English language teaching globally, including during the very early stages of English becoming a global language. Commercial influences on English language teacher education are outlined as an explanation for why programmes diverged from Initial Teacher Education (ITE) provision from the 1960s, including pressure from short-course teacher education and rising precarity of English language teachers. This chapter concludes with some encouraging work from foreign language teaching and Gaelic-Medium instruction, showing how English language teacher education may be able to rebuild connections to ITE to engage with the contemporary linguistic diversity in Scotland's classrooms.

1 – 10 of 93