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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Metacognition is linked to academic achievement and personal development, especially as it relates to leadership education. The current study investigated the impact of a course in metacognition. Two hundred and fifty one undergraduates were surveyed for metacognitive ability using the Metacognitive Awareness Inventory (MAI) and Metacognitive Rubric (MR) before and after participating in a course either involving metacognitive training or alternative coursework. While minimal demographic differences were found, results showed significant improvement among students who trained in the metacognition class. Curricular development in the area of metacognition is recommended as it relates to leadership education.

Since the first Volume of this Bibliography there has been an explosion of literature in all the main areas of business. The researcher and librarian have to be able to uncover specific articles devoted to certain topics. This Bibliography is designed to help. Volume III, in addition to the annotated list of articles as the two previous volumes, contains further features to help the reader. Each entry within has been indexed according to the Fifth Edition of the SCIMP/SCAMP Thesaurus and thus provides a full subject index to facilitate rapid information retrieval. Each article has its own unique number and this is used in both the subject and author index. The first Volume of the Bibliography covered seven journals published by MCB University Press. This Volume now indexes 25 journals, indicating the greater depth, coverage and expansion of the subject areas concerned.

This article outlines the revolution taking place in academic publishing with the rise of electronic methods of information dissemination, and examines the development of brands in journal publishing. The author considers the value added by publishers of academic journals, addressing the question of why do academics need publishers. He outlines the metamorphosis required in the age of electronic publishing, pointing to even greater significance being placed on brand identity.