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Article
Publication date: 1 February 2016

Kalpana Chandrasekar and Nadarajah Sivathaasan

This survey research aims to investigate the level of satisfaction among children (up to 14 years) with regard to facilities and services available at the children’s section of…

1737

Abstract

Purpose

This survey research aims to investigate the level of satisfaction among children (up to 14 years) with regard to facilities and services available at the children’s section of the Jaffna Public Library (JPL, Sri Lanka).

Design/methodology/approach

A structured questionnaire was distributed among randomly selected members of the children’s section, JPL. Data collected via the structured questionnaire were analysed using SPSS 22.0. In addition to the descriptive analysis, independent samples t-test and f-test were conducted to observe the influence of personal variables on different facets of user satisfaction.

Findings

The response rate was 67 per cent. Descriptive analysis showed that the prime purpose of visiting the children’s section (JPL) is reading books and other materials. With regard to frequency of visit, 86 per cent of the respondents visit the library three to four times in a week or at least once a week. Results of the f-test indicated that there is no significant difference among different age groups for overall satisfaction of children’s section facilities and services. Results of the t-test revealed that female children are more satisfied with the library environment compared to males. Further, the level of satisfaction with shelf arrangement, library environment and children’s programmes differed significantly between children studying in the bilingual and the Tamil mediums.

Originality/value

This study reports the empirical findings of the user survey carried out at the children’s section of the JPL.

Details

Library Review, vol. 65 no. 1/2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0024-2535

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 19 May 2021

DMMI Dissanayake and WHMS Samarathunga

Wars destroy the tourism cities by causing damages to their cultural and natural attractions. However, the post-war cities have great upward potentials to develop through careful…

Abstract

Purpose

Wars destroy the tourism cities by causing damages to their cultural and natural attractions. However, the post-war cities have great upward potentials to develop through careful and integrated tourism planning. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to identify the perspectives of local stakeholders on tourism development in a post-war city.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used qualitative methods in collecting and analysing the data while closely referring to pertinent literature. Interviews, observations and focus-group discussions have been the main data collection tools and content analysis was performed with NVivo (v.12) to analyse the data.

Findings

Analysis of interviews, focus group discussion findings and observations highlighted the availability of a plethora of tourism potentials within post-war Jaffna that include, both cultural and natural attractions: Hindu Kovils and Buddhist temples, colonial heritage, traditional cuisines and way of life, beaches, flora and fauna and sceneries. The study further identified a lack of professionals, absence of a master plan, remoteness, poor infrastructure and absence of tourist activities as main obstacles for tourism development in Jaffna. Finally, implications are forwarded based on stakeholders’ perspectives to promote post-war city tourism in Jaffna.

Originality/value

Wars are not common, and post-war tourism cities are rare. The present study is focused on a destination where the war has ended, causing much damages to the destination. The study evaluates the tourism potentials and challenges based on stakeholders’ perspectives and forwards implications for city tourism development despite post-war empirical glitches, which have rarely been addressed in the tourism literature.

Article
Publication date: 10 January 2020

Min Chen and Chien-wen Shen

The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of innovative service mode of intelligent library on improving the service quality and a series of impacts on user behavior…

1275

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of innovative service mode of intelligent library on improving the service quality and a series of impacts on user behavior. With the rapid development of information technology, internet of things has become an important carrier of people’s “intelligent life”. The emergence of intelligent library will no longer be limited by space; it is affecting people’s lives and work imperceptibly. This new service mode was studied here, and the relationship between the service quality of intelligent library and users’ behavior was analyzed from the perspective of user acceptance and use behavior of intelligent library. Moreover, this study explores how to optimize the service quality to let users accept this technology and service mode and thus realize the original idea.

Design/methodology/approach

Through 800 questionnaires issued to the users in the Zhejiang Provincial AI Library, the authors obtained the study data. Among the received questionnaires, 676 copies are valid, and 124 responses are either incomplete or not answered, and so, the efficient rate is 84.5 per cent.

Findings

There is a significantly positive correlation between service innovation and service quality. There is a significantly positive correlation between service quality and behavioral intention. There is a significantly positive correlation between service innovation and behavioral intention.

Originality/value

From the point of view of innovative service, this paper analyzes the effect of innovative service mode of intelligent library on improving the service quality and a series of impacts on user behavior. This study confirms that intelligent library is a relatively new service innovation. Users’ curiosity and exploration will make them access some relevant information. As a result, a reasonably innovative service is an important factor in users’ acceptance behavior.

Article
Publication date: 28 February 2023

Navaneethakrishnan Kengatharan and Ariyaratnam Harry Gnanarajan

Drawing on Bandura's social cognitive theory, the present study examines the relationship between teacher self-efficacy and student misbehaviour, while exploring the moderating…

Abstract

Purpose

Drawing on Bandura's social cognitive theory, the present study examines the relationship between teacher self-efficacy and student misbehaviour, while exploring the moderating effects of teacher gender using gender schema theory.

Design/methodology/approach

The structural equation modelling examined the study model. Data were collected using self-report questionnaires from 464 teachers in secondary schools in Sri Lanka.

Findings

The results revealed that teachers' self-efficacy in overall teaching negatively correlated with student misbehaviour. Teacher gender had no moderating effects, implying an indistinct patriarchal influence on which the hypothesis was based.

Practical implications

The present study offers suggestions and practical recommendations in the areas of classroom management, school leadership, teacher education, and education administration on ways to enhance teachers' self-efficacy, particularly their self-efficacy in managing students' problematic behaviours. The findings of the study may also imply that the patriarchal dominance in Sri Lankan households may be waning.

Originality/value

This research is the first ever to apply gender schema theory to explore the moderating effects of gender in the self-efficacy–student misbehaviour relationship.

Details

International Journal of Educational Management, vol. 37 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0951-354X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 17 May 2021

Eswaran Velayutham and Vijayakumaran Ratnam

This paper aims to examine the relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and shareholder wealth arising from announcement returns of security issuance from a…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and shareholder wealth arising from announcement returns of security issuance from a frontier market. It also explores the role of business group affiliation (BGA) on this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses short-term scenarios to examine the link between CSR and shareholder wealth using the event study methodology which helps us mitigate the reverse causality problems related to studies of the relationship between CSR and firm value. Abnormal returns surrounding the security issue announcements were generated using the market model.

Findings

This paper finds that security issuers with high CSR scores are associated with higher shareholder value. However, this paper finds that CSR activities of security issuers with BGA are value-destroying which is consistent with the agency perspective of CSR.

Research limitations/implications

This study is limited to only one nascent market, namely the Colombo Stock Exchange.

Originality/value

This study documents that CSR and BGA are important determinants, among others, of stock price reactions to security offerings in emerging markets.

Article
Publication date: 25 October 2011

Petros Kostagiolas, Iliana Araka, Roxana Theodorou and George Bokos

Although issues on disaster prevention have extensively been studied in the literature and have been embedded in everyday library practices all over the world, the vast majority…

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Abstract

Purpose

Although issues on disaster prevention have extensively been studied in the literature and have been embedded in everyday library practices all over the world, the vast majority of Greek libraries have not developed any specific measures. This paper seeks to review several disaster management approaches for academic libraries and to make suggestions for Greek academic libraries by analyzing the results of a nationwide survey.

Design/methodology/approach

The literature regarding disaster management approaches for academic libraries is reviewed and accompanied by a survey conducted in July 2010 in order to study the level of risk and disaster preparedness in Greek academic libraries.

Findings

In Greece, disaster management within academic libraries seems to be dealt with inefficiently, if not completely neglected. The fearsome economic crisis is further degrading the level of disaster preparedness due to a number of side effects, including the lack of personnel and equipment maintenance activities, inadequate buildings and insufficient funding.

Originality/value

While the literature is flooded with risk and disaster preparedness approaches based on the work undertaken in most Western countries, this is the only study presenting evidence on the level of preparedness for Greek academic libraries.

Details

Library Management, vol. 32 no. 8/9
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-5124

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 9 October 2009

Pradeepa Wijetunge

A comprehensive analysis of the LIS education system was carried out covering the 2004‐2007 period and it was established that currently 24 LIS education programs are conducted in…

1604

Abstract

Purpose

A comprehensive analysis of the LIS education system was carried out covering the 2004‐2007 period and it was established that currently 24 LIS education programs are conducted in Sri Lanka by eight educational institutions. The purpose of this paper is to present a critical evaluation of the curriculum development strategy of the LIS education programs in Sri Lanka based on the major research.

Design/methodology/approach

The research used both quantitative as well as qualitative research methods to determine the present status of affairs and the study was based on primary and secondary data collected by means of questionnaires, semi‐structured interviews, participatory observations and review of documents. Primary data were collected from the LIS course co‐ordinators, teachers and policy makers. Researcher's own reflections were also used.

Findings

The empirical survey identified that six main subjects are taught across most of the LIS programs; that most programs provide a general knowledge in LIS but not opportunities for specialisation; appropriate levels of complexity were not evident across the different levels of programs; and there is no national core in LIS so that all programs cover a set of common subjects at appropriate depths and breadths suitable for different levels of programs. Findings with regard to the curriculum development strategies identified that most of the curricula documents are not comprehensive, and that the Sri Lankan LIS curriculum developers do not use any formal curriculum development model. Analysis of the curriculum development teams indicated that most members have no training in curriculum design, and the teams lack contributions by other stakeholders except LIS professionals. Several recommendations are presented to eliminate the weaknesses of the curriculum development strategy in the LIS programs.

Research limitations/implications

This paper is based on a broader empirical study of the LIS education system of Sri Lanka and throws some light on specific research on identifying the most appropriate curriculum development model for Sri Lanka.

Practical implications

The findings of the research are directly applicable to the tasks of the curriculum developers and the LIS education policy makers in Sri Lanka and they can use the findings for the improvement of the LIS education programs.

Originality/value

Contents or the curriculum development strategy of the current Sri Lankan LIS education programs have not been critically analysed before and this paper presents the original research findings relevant to all the programs conducted in 2007.

Details

Library Review, vol. 58 no. 9
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0024-2535

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 17 October 2023

S. Janaka Biyanwila

The Rajapaksa regime over the 2005–2022 period promoted a national-popular project based on a militarised Sinhala-Buddhist nationalism promoting a market-driven rentier economy…

Abstract

The Rajapaksa regime over the 2005–2022 period promoted a national-popular project based on a militarised Sinhala-Buddhist nationalism promoting a market-driven rentier economy. It illustrated a form of patrimonial capitalism undermining public accountability and the efficacy of the state bureaucracy. This popular-national project was dependent on strengthening ties with China while distancing relations with India and the Global North (USA and the EU). The ways in which the external relations were coordinated reinforced discrimination against Tamil and Muslim communities, while disregarding their demands for justice and reparations. The increasing integration of the economy with financial markets, driven by the Central Bank, amplified the commercialisation of the state, restraining public revenues and state oversight. Meanwhile, the militarisation of the state involved the commercialisation of the military, opaque military budgets and violent repression of protests. The Rajapaksa regime, which enabled a minority-privileged (leisure) class to culturally flourish in regulated safe spaces, also instigated multiple protests from below demanding democracy as well as justice.

Details

Debt Crisis and Popular Social Protest in Sri Lanka: Citizenship, Development and Democracy Within Global North–South Dynamics
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-83797-022-3

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 15 August 2023

Mensah Prince Osiesi, Adebolu Folajimi Adekoya, Chigozie Celestina Oke, Adenike Lucia Aruleba and Adejimi Oluwatobi Busiyi

This study assessed students' intrinsic motivation (basic psychological needs) as predictor of their usage of library facilities in the Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Nigeria.

Abstract

Purpose

This study assessed students' intrinsic motivation (basic psychological needs) as predictor of their usage of library facilities in the Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopted the quantitative case study approach. The population of this study consisted of all undergraduate students in the Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Nigeria. The systematic random sampling was used in selecting a sample of 129 students. A research question and four hypotheses were raised in the study. Two instruments were adapted and used for data collection: the “Intrinsic Motivation Inventory” (IMI) and “Students' Usage of Library Facilities Scale,” with Cronbach’s alpha reliability indexes of 0.87 and 0.78, respectively. The collected data were analysed using descriptive (frequency counts and percentages) and inferential statistics (linear regression and correlation) at 0.05 alpha level.

Findings

Findings of this study revealed that the extent of usage of library facilities in the university is low; the three basic psychological needs—perceived competence, autonomy and relatedness—significantly predict students' usage of library facilities; significant relationship exist among gender, perceived autonomy and usage of library facilities.

Research limitations/implications

This study is limited to undergraduate usage of library facilities in the Federal University Oye-Ekiti. The quantitative case study research type was adopted, with a sample of 129 students. Data were collected using adapted questionnaires and analysed quantitatively using the SPSS.

Practical implications

The results of this study have implied that the three basic psychological needs influence students' usage of library facilities. Therefore, it is paramount that management of universities and university librarians foster students' intrinsic motivational variables for their enhanced academic performances. Also, faculties and academics by the outcome of this study are to maintain and sustain a functional social network, social interactions and collaborative works among students, while inculcating and improving the levels of students' competences, autonomy and relatedness. Further, the study has hinted the need for university management, librarians and academics to be professionally trained on promoting and sustaining students' competences, autonomy and relatedness. The universities are to continuously organise orientation and enlightenment programmes for both the old and the newly admitted students on the import, impact and usage of university libraries amidst its facilities.

Originality/value

Few studies have been carried out on students' usage of academic libraries especially with regard to their attitudes; however, the challenge of underutilisation of library facilities by students are yet unresolved. There is a dearth of literature regarding the influence of intrinsic motivation (the basic psychological needs) on usage of library facilities among tertiary learners, especially in Nigeria.

Details

Library Management, vol. 44 no. 8/9
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-5124

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 23 September 2022

Aasif Mohammad Khan and Fayaz Ahmad Loan

In present networked society, almost all the entities are present on Google Maps. Google Maps has become the first preference for the users for searching and retrieving…

Abstract

Purpose

In present networked society, almost all the entities are present on Google Maps. Google Maps has become the first preference for the users for searching and retrieving information about any place. Google Maps provides an opportunity for a user to post ratings and reviews for an entity, including public libraries about their facilities and services, etc. This study explores how users of public libraries in Delhi (India) use Google Maps to share their opinions on library facilities and services and to assess whether Google Maps have the potential to act as an interactive feedback system between users and the authorities.

Design/methodology/approach

The Google Maps platform was used as a data source. To classify reviews into distinct categories, a content analysis was performed. Further Sentiment analysis of reviews was executed to highlight the positive, negative and neutral aspects of selected libraries. Moreover, reviews, endorsements and ratings of library products and services were also checked.

Findings

The research reveals that the culture of posting online reviews is increasing day by day and most of the reviews are posted in the English language, with Non Local Guides as the most prolific reviewers. In the reviews, the total number of topics discussed were 685, of which (70.51%) contained positive sentiments, (15.32%) were negative and (14.1%) were neutral reviews. The majority of the negative topics were discussed among the staff category, followed by facilities. Environment and children's areas received positive feedback with five-star ratings and most of them were marked helpful by other users. Users also loved technology, location and collection. The study concluded that Google Maps can be used as a new interactive feedback tool that library authorities can use to connect with users, replacing traditional suggestion boxes and online forms.

Research limitations/implications

The research is limited to a single platform (Google Maps) and the capital city of India (Delhi) and cannot be generalized across platforms and regions. Moreover, such libraries were taken under the scanner of this study which possessed more than 50 reviews.

Originality/value

The study will help to identify the shortcomings of the Delhi public libraries through Google Maps platform and help them to devise effective strategies to improve their management in view of suggestions and complaints.

Details

Library Management, vol. 43 no. 8-9
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-5124

Keywords

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