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1 – 10 of 145
Article
Publication date: 1 December 2002

Kim Vassiliadis and Lisa R. Stimatz

The importance of creating a usable library Web site has been well documented in the literature; however, little has been written on the role of instruction in the process of Web…

933

Abstract

The importance of creating a usable library Web site has been well documented in the literature; however, little has been written on the role of instruction in the process of Web site evaluation and design. This paper describes experience at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and highlights the significant role that instruction librarians need to play in assessing and creating usable Web sites. The authors argue that instruction librarians need to address the impact that a poorly designed Web site has on user education programs, and become actively involved in the redesign process. With their unique experience and perspective, instruction librarians have much to contribute to the process, and even more to gain. By understanding the mental model our users bring to their search for information, we can improve the instruction we offer.

Details

Reference Services Review, vol. 30 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0090-7324

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Article
Publication date: 1 December 2005

Lisa R. Norberg, Kim Vassiliadis, Jean Ferguson and Natasha Smith

To demonstrate the value in conducting a usability study and following an iterative design process to create a more user‐centered and sustainable digital library.

1777

Abstract

Purpose

To demonstrate the value in conducting a usability study and following an iterative design process to create a more user‐centered and sustainable digital library.

Design/methodology/approach

After identifying three key user groups, a series of usability tests and focus groups were conducted to assess how users interact with the site's interface. An iterative design process followed involving the development and testing of prototypes by representative users and stakeholders.

Findings

Users' interaction with a digital library is task‐oriented and context dependent. Serving the needs of multiple audiences is an iterative process and requires an ongoing dialog with users.

Research limitations/implications

Like most usability studies, the results are not generalizable.

Practical implications

It offers an example of how an informal usability study and iterative design process can be conducted to create a more user‐centered digital library.

Originality/value

This paper provides new insights into the information needs and behaviors of users of cultural heritage digital libraries and builds on the literature on usability and iterative design.

Details

OCLC Systems & Services: International digital library perspectives, vol. 21 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1065-075X

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Article
Publication date: 9 January 2009

Jacqueline Solis and Ellen M. Hampton

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the way the University of North Carolina Libraries have begun to incorporate library resources into their university course management…

1244

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the way the University of North Carolina Libraries have begun to incorporate library resources into their university course management system.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents a case study of course‐specific web pages that have been incorporated into BlackBoard sites as a way to facilitate the use of the library and to promote a comprehensive view of library services and resources at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Findings

Students and professors appreciate course‐specific web pages that provide access to library resources that relate directly to class assignments. Web page usage statistics show that students are using librarian‐created course pages to access library materials.

Originality/value

The paper describes a way for librarians to bring library resources into a course management system that may be beneficial for other academic libraries.

Details

New Library World, vol. 110 no. 1/2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0307-4803

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Article
Publication date: 10 June 2019

Giuliana Giardina

The purpose of this study is to know about the recent environmental changes that have impacted society worldwide have led to increased interest in and attention to the topic of…

2250

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to know about the recent environmental changes that have impacted society worldwide have led to increased interest in and attention to the topic of sustainability. A good example of this new trend is provided by the Expo 2020, which is focussing on sustainability as one of the key sub-themes of the event.

Design/methodology/approach

This study explores guests’ and employees’ perspectives on the deployment of sustainable practices in hotels. Particular attention is placed on the identification of challenges and drivers of sustainable practices in luxury hotel properties in Dubai.

Findings

The discoveries made during the study hold meaningful implications for industry professionals and provide insightful recommendations for the upcoming Expo 2020, which can be leveraged as a tool to increase awareness and drive education on effective sustainable practices.

Originality/value

With 35 different nationalities contributing to the data collection, the present study provides a diverse sample, enabling the researcher to shed light on the previously identified literature contradictions.

Details

Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes, vol. 11 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1755-4217

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Book part
Publication date: 26 November 2021

Fangli Hu and Han Shen

The data sample used in this study is composed of 2,638 Chinese tourists who have travel experiences to the South Pacific region. This study examines the effects of memorable…

Abstract

The data sample used in this study is composed of 2,638 Chinese tourists who have travel experiences to the South Pacific region. This study examines the effects of memorable tourism experiences, destination cognitive and affective images, and satisfaction on revisit intention and their mechanisms from a cognitive–affective perspective. Results show that destination cognitive image, destination affective image, and satisfaction, respectively, play a mediating effect on the relationship between memorable tourism experiences and revisit intention. Memorable tourism experience is the most important predictor of revisit intention, and it mainly affects the cognitive image of a destination. In line with previous studies, this research has shown that memorable tourism experiences have significant impact on the destination image and tourists' revisit intention, which can provide significant implications for tourism practitioners and destination managers in the South Pacific islands.

Book part
Publication date: 22 August 2017

Shih-Shuo Yeh, Anestis K. Fotiadis, Mei-Ling Huang and Tzung-Cheng Huan

Using the Analytical Hierarchy Process, this study aims to identify organizational and market factors that prevent hoteliers from adopting greener management systems. This study…

Abstract

Using the Analytical Hierarchy Process, this study aims to identify organizational and market factors that prevent hoteliers from adopting greener management systems. This study first constructs a list of critical factors based on expert judgments reported in the literature and the responses from a select group of experienced managers. Then, the list is further refined by six hotel managers who consolidate the factors, which results in four categories explained by 20 items. Subsequently, this study draws from surveys on an expert panel consisting of 20 study subjects who are familiar with hotel operations. The survey results show that hoteliers’ abilities to create a greener image are the most important factor influencing the managers’ decisions to adopt environmentally friendly management schemes. Nevertheless, their motivation of adopting a green strategy seems to be associated with a marketing strategy, instead of generic environmental stewardship.

Details

Advances in Hospitality and Leisure
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78743-488-2

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 28 February 2022

Minseong Kim and Sae-Mi Lee

Prior research in the human resources management fields focused primarily on one type of employees’ pro-environmental behaviors yet failed to empirically investigate…

1256

Abstract

Purpose

Prior research in the human resources management fields focused primarily on one type of employees’ pro-environmental behaviors yet failed to empirically investigate interrelationships among the distinct dimensions of their pro-environmental behaviors. To build a deeper understanding of the psychological process in becoming an environmental activist in the workplace, this study aims to examine the interrelationships among frontline employees’ green autonomous motivation, green external motivation, environmental concern, self-efficacy and three types of pro-environmental behaviors (i.e. green idea generation behavior, green idea promotion behavior and green idea activist behavior).

Design/methodology/approach

With the survey method, the data were collected from frontline employees working at hospitality enterprises in South Korea. This study analyzed the collected data, including frequency analysis, reliability analysis, correlation analysis, confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling.

Findings

The empirical results showed that autonomous motivation significantly influenced environmental concern, self-efficacy, green idea generation behavior and green idea promotion behavior. Also, external motivation significantly affected environmental concern, self-efficacy and green idea promotion behavior. Furthermore, environmental concern had significant influences on self-efficacy and green idea promotion behavior, and self-efficacy had significant effects on green idea generation behavior and green idea promotion behavior. Finally, green idea activist behavior was significantly influenced by green idea generation behavior and green idea promotion behavior only.

Practical implications

This study proposes managerial implications to hospitality organizations and public policymakers for maximizing the effectiveness and efficiency of their green initiatives via frontline employees’ green idea activist behavior.

Originality/value

Based on the empirical findings, this study proposes several theoretical and practical implications for the extant literature and the service industry in the context of frontline employees’ three types of pro-environmental behaviors from their working motivation.

Details

International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, vol. 34 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0959-6119

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Article
Publication date: 17 April 2023

Alessandro Bressan, Abel Duarte Alonso, Oanh Thi Kim Vu and Daniel Borer

The purpose of this study is to examine factors contributing to family firms’ survival in the ongoing COVID-19 crisis; in this endeavour, the study espouses the underpinnings of…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine factors contributing to family firms’ survival in the ongoing COVID-19 crisis; in this endeavour, the study espouses the underpinnings of social exchange theory and entrepreneurial resilience.

Design/methodology/approach

The views of 128 Italian family micro and small-sized firm owners/managers operating in different industries were gathered through an online questionnaire.

Findings

The analysis uncovers 12 fundamental factors contributing to firms’ survival; these are encapsulated in three dimensions and presented in two theoretical frameworks. The “beneficiary” dimension stresses the support from various internal and external stakeholders, while the “benefactor” dimension illustrates the commitment to extend the family tradition and be responsive to stakeholders. Finally, the “immersion/embeddedness” dimension denotes firms’ entrepreneurial behaviour, agility, decision-making and drive.

Originality/value

Firstly, and from a practitioner perspective, this study addresses recognised knowledge and research gaps in contemporary family business research, including how family firms are confronting the current unprecedented crisis. This response to current extant gaps provides first-hand empirical findings that could be primarily considered by industry stakeholders. Secondly, and from a theoretical angle, the aforementioned dimensions revealed through the analysis, coupled with the development of a theoretical framework, contribute to conceptual rigour and, therefore, a deeper understanding of family firms’ journey through an unprecedented event.

Details

Management Research Review, vol. 46 no. 11
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2040-8269

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Article
Publication date: 3 April 2017

Anestis K. Fotiadis and Chris Vassiliadis

The purpose of this paper is to present a comparison between the traditional methods for the calculation of customer relationship performance and the modern metrics suggested by…

2063

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a comparison between the traditional methods for the calculation of customer relationship performance and the modern metrics suggested by the current literature in business-to-business (B2B) markets using the Greek maritime shipping industry as an example.

Design/methodology/approach

The primary research was conducted in two phases: quantitative analysis of actual measurements and qualitative evaluation of the results. More specifically, in the first phase, the measures used were a collection of traditional and modern customer relationship management (CRM) metrics applied to actual historical data along with statistical data for actual customers of a company supplying services for maritime transportation of containers in the Greek international trade market. For the qualitative evaluation of these results, a semi-structured interview was carried out with seven “specialists/experts” in this business sector, who provided an assessment of the relative worth of each set of CRM measures.

Findings

The use of modern customer-centred metrics (Share and Size of Wallet, recency, frequency, monetary value) in the shipping sector of Greek industrial activity is the most profitable and efficient means of decision-making. The qualitative research showed that the customer-centred metrics were judged to be more effective and useful, as they provided a multi-dimensional and multi-layered picture of the current and future situation for the company and its customer base.

Research limitations/implications

To ensure confidentiality of personal information, the research did not use, examine or evaluate the individualized data to preserve the anonymity of the survey sponsor and their specific customers.

Originality/value

This is the first study that examines the effectiveness of different types of CRM metrics in the B2B market, which has, until now, suffered a dearth of empirical studies in the field, especially in the context of national economies that face intense international trading problems and significant reductions in activity in their maritime shipping industry due to the economic recession.

Details

Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing, vol. 32 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0885-8624

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 7 October 2015

Azizah Ahmad

The strategic management literature emphasizes the concept of business intelligence (BI) as an essential competitive tool. Yet the sustainability of the firms’ competitive…

Abstract

The strategic management literature emphasizes the concept of business intelligence (BI) as an essential competitive tool. Yet the sustainability of the firms’ competitive advantage provided by BI capability is not well researched. To fill this gap, this study attempts to develop a model for successful BI deployment and empirically examines the association between BI deployment and sustainable competitive advantage. Taking the telecommunications industry in Malaysia as a case example, the research particularly focuses on the influencing perceptions held by telecommunications decision makers and executives on factors that impact successful BI deployment. The research further investigates the relationship between successful BI deployment and sustainable competitive advantage of the telecommunications organizations. Another important aim of this study is to determine the effect of moderating factors such as organization culture, business strategy, and use of BI tools on BI deployment and the sustainability of firm’s competitive advantage.

This research uses combination of resource-based theory and diffusion of innovation (DOI) theory to examine BI success and its relationship with firm’s sustainability. The research adopts the positivist paradigm and a two-phase sequential mixed method consisting of qualitative and quantitative approaches are employed. A tentative research model is developed first based on extensive literature review. The chapter presents a qualitative field study to fine tune the initial research model. Findings from the qualitative method are also used to develop measures and instruments for the next phase of quantitative method. The study includes a survey study with sample of business analysts and decision makers in telecommunications firms and is analyzed by partial least square-based structural equation modeling.

The findings reveal that some internal resources of the organizations such as BI governance and the perceptions of BI’s characteristics influence the successful deployment of BI. Organizations that practice good BI governance with strong moral and financial support from upper management have an opportunity to realize the dream of having successful BI initiatives in place. The scope of BI governance includes providing sufficient support and commitment in BI funding and implementation, laying out proper BI infrastructure and staffing and establishing a corporate-wide policy and procedures regarding BI. The perceptions about the characteristics of BI such as its relative advantage, complexity, compatibility, and observability are also significant in ensuring BI success. The most important results of this study indicated that with BI successfully deployed, executives would use the knowledge provided for their necessary actions in sustaining the organizations’ competitive advantage in terms of economics, social, and environmental issues.

This study contributes significantly to the existing literature that will assist future BI researchers especially in achieving sustainable competitive advantage. In particular, the model will help practitioners to consider the resources that they are likely to consider when deploying BI. Finally, the applications of this study can be extended through further adaptation in other industries and various geographic contexts.

Details

Sustaining Competitive Advantage Via Business Intelligence, Knowledge Management, and System Dynamics
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78441-764-2

Keywords

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