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Article
Publication date: 1 May 1995

Anne Morris and Peter Dennison

Sick building syndrome is recognized by the World HealthOrganization. It is characterized by employees suffering from a range ofsymptoms which are associated with being in a…

1398

Abstract

Sick building syndrome is recognized by the World Health Organization. It is characterized by employees suffering from a range of symptoms which are associated with being in a particular building and are relieved by leaving it or staying away. Discusses the results of a survey which examined the extent and possible causes of sick building syndrome in libraries. Questionnaires were sent to all academic libraries in Great Britain together with a sample of public libraries. The evidence suggests that sick building syndrome exists in libraries and that air‐conditioned libraries are more likely to be affected than those which are naturally ventilated.

Details

Library Management, vol. 16 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-5124

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 December 2001

Ronald J. Burke

This study examined relationships between quality of supervision, supports and barriers to quality service, job satisfaction and quality of services and products provided by a…

3180

Abstract

This study examined relationships between quality of supervision, supports and barriers to quality service, job satisfaction and quality of services and products provided by a large professional services organization. Data were collected from 999 managers and professional field staff using anonymous questionnaires. LISREL analysis showed considerable support for the research model. Quality of supervision had direct effects on barriers to service (negative) and supports for service, job satisfaction and quality of products and services (all positive). In addition, quality of supervision had indirect effects on job satisfaction and quality of products and services through both barriers and supports for service.

Details

Measuring Business Excellence, vol. 5 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1368-3047

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Article
Publication date: 1 July 1987

As a leading company in the maufacture of paints and specialist coatings, ICI Paints World Group turnover in 1986 was more than £1260 million. To achieve and maintain its…

Abstract

As a leading company in the maufacture of paints and specialist coatings, ICI Paints World Group turnover in 1986 was more than £1260 million. To achieve and maintain its position, the company uses computer power to maximum advantage.

Details

Pigment & Resin Technology, vol. 16 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0369-9420

Abstract

Details

The Marketisation of English Higher Education
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78743-856-9

Book part
Publication date: 26 July 2016

Ana Campos-Holland, Grace Hall and Gina Pol

The No Child Left Behind Act (2002) and Race to the Top (2009) led to the highest rate of standardized-state testing in the history of the United States of America. As a result…

Abstract

Purpose

The No Child Left Behind Act (2002) and Race to the Top (2009) led to the highest rate of standardized-state testing in the history of the United States of America. As a result, the Every Student Succeeds Act (2015) aims to reevaluate standardized-state testing. Previous research has assessed its impact on schools, educators, and students; yet, youth’s voices are almost absent. Therefore, this qualitative analysis examines how youth of color perceive and experience standardized-state testing.

Design/methodology/approach

Seventy-three youth participated in a semistructured interview during the summer of 2015. The sample consists of 34 girls and 39 boys, 13–18 years of age, of African American, Latino/a, Jamaican American, multiracial/ethnic, and other descent. It includes 6–12th graders who attended 61 inter-district and intra-district schools during the 2014–2015 academic year in a Northeastern metropolitan area in the United States that is undergoing a racial/ethnic integration reform.

Findings

Youth experienced testing overload under conflicting adult authorities and within an academically stratified peer culture on an ever-shifting policy terrain. While the parent-adult authority remained in the periphery, the state-adult authority intrusively interrupted the teacher-student power dynamics and the disempowered teacher-adult authority held youth accountable through the “attentiveness” rhetoric. However, youth’s perspectives and lived experiences varied across grade levels, school modalities, and school-geographical locations.

Originality/value

In this adult-dominated society, the market approach to education reform ultimately placed the burden of teacher and school evaluation on youth. Most importantly, youth received variegated messages from their conflicting adult authorities that threatened their academic journeys.

Details

Education and Youth Today
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78635-046-6

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Article
Publication date: 26 April 2011

Genevieve Gorrell, Nigel Ford, Andrew Madden, Peter Holdridge and Barry Eaglestone

This paper seeks to discuss reliability problems associated with questionnaires, commonly employed in library and information science. It aims to focus on the effects of “common…

4828

Abstract

Purpose

This paper seeks to discuss reliability problems associated with questionnaires, commonly employed in library and information science. It aims to focus on the effects of “common method variance” (CMV), which is a form of bias, and ways of countering these effects.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper critically reviews the use of existing tools for demonstrating reliability in questionnaire‐based studies. In particular, it focuses on Cronbach's alpha, “Harman's single factor test” and Lindell and Whitney's “marker variable” approach. The paper introduces an illustrative case study based on the work on metacognition and web searching. It goes on to make recommendations for researchers considering using a questionnaire‐based approach.

Findings

CMV is a problem affecting questionnaire‐based studies in different disciplines across social and information science. Where questionnaire items are more abstract, CMV has been found to be more of a problem. The widely used Cronbach alpha measure, of the reliability of a questionnaire, may often be affected by CMV. Where method bias dominates the results, a high alpha score may do no more than indicate that the questionnaire consistently allows participants to accede to their biases. “Harman's single factor test” is criticised as lacking sufficient foundation, and it is concluded that it should not be used. The marker variable approach is a useful option but must be applied with caution.

Practical implications

A number of practical implications for researchers are drawn. Questionnaire‐based work investigating abstract constructs should be assumed to carry a high likelihood of CMV, and therefore should attempt to avoid it and demonstrate the degree of success in this regard. Otherwise, interpretation of the results should assume CMV. A number of approaches to assessing and isolating CMV are discussed.

Originality/value

The paper draws attention to a problem that is arguably often overlooked in questionnaire‐based studies, namely method bias. It discusses a number of approaches whereby it may be identified and controlled.

Details

Journal of Documentation, vol. 67 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0022-0418

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 18 May 2020

Kelly Hobson and Z.W. Taylor

No research to date has explored mentoring programs on Canadian postsecondary institution websites or the kinds of mentoring programs, if any, that are present online. This study…

Abstract

Purpose

No research to date has explored mentoring programs on Canadian postsecondary institution websites or the kinds of mentoring programs, if any, that are present online. This study examined 96 unique Canadian postsecondary institutional websites and the online presence of 420 unique postsecondary mentoring programs.

Design/methodology/approach

The researchers employed content analysis and emergent coding strategies to evaluate mentoring program information published on Canadian postsecondary websites.

Findings

The findings suggest that most mentoring programs with an online presence were peer (student-to-student or faculty-to-faculty) programs, followed by community member-to-student programs. Further, few programs (16) were student-to-faculty oriented, indicating that students could struggle to seek faculty mentorship if they desired it. However, of the 420 programs with an online presence, dozens of programs lacked enough information for the researchers to determine the stakeholders or purpose of the programs.

Originality/value

As the first study of its kind to evaluate mentoring program communication on Canadian postsecondary websites, this work informs mentoring program administrators on how to better communicate what their programs offer. Certain Canadian postsecondary institutions had an online presence for many more programs than did other institutions; for example, the University of Waterloo shared information on their website about 21 unique mentoring programs on its campus, whereas MacEwan University shared information about just two unique programs. This chasm represents a great deal of future research into the practice of how professionals communicate mentoring programs on postsecondary websites.

Details

International Journal of Mentoring and Coaching in Education, vol. 9 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2046-6854

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 29 March 2014

Anthony Molaro

Libraries have faced many periods of grim economic realities. These periods of hardship have forced libraries to strive for more efficient organizational structures. Many of these…

Abstract

Libraries have faced many periods of grim economic realities. These periods of hardship have forced libraries to strive for more efficient organizational structures. Many of these improved organizational structures have been the result of mergers and/or consolidations. This phenomenological study describes the lived experiences of the merger design team of a large and complex library organization.

Results indicated the experience of the participants touched upon each of Bolman and Deal’s (2008) four frames: political, human resources, structural, and symbolic. The merger design team’s effectiveness on task is congruent with the model of team effectiveness proposed by Hackman (2002). Lastly, the role of underlying assumptions, espoused values and beliefs, and artifacts that makes up the organization’s culture falls within the parameters set forth by Schein (2004).

Details

Advances in Library Administration and Organization
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78190-744-3

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Article
Publication date: 1 February 1986

Rick Roskin

There is a strong link between excellence — a major theme of the 1980s — and corporate culture. This article outlines the requirements of organisations striving for excellence and…

Abstract

There is a strong link between excellence — a major theme of the 1980s — and corporate culture. This article outlines the requirements of organisations striving for excellence and how management development programmes can be effective in assisting them.

Details

Journal of Managerial Psychology, vol. 1 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0268-3946

Article
Publication date: 1 August 1988

ON THE DAY that this leader was being written (for between then and publication day is quite a long time) the Bank rate went up for the fourth time in a short period. By the time…

Abstract

ON THE DAY that this leader was being written (for between then and publication day is quite a long time) the Bank rate went up for the fourth time in a short period. By the time these words are offered to the reader, the rate might go up again.

Details

Work Study, vol. 37 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0043-8022

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