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IN our last number we published contributions on this subject by Miss R. E. Baker, Miss A. S. Cooke, Mr. E. J. Coombe, Mr. G. W. Ellison, and Captain Richard Wright, from which it emerged that, in the case of county libraries, printed aids of various kinds are necessary in the interest of library service. This new series, from the town side, completes an interesting symposium.

Purpose — Describe the system set-up and processing requirements for a long-duration longitudinal Global Positioning System (GPS)/prompted-recall (PR) survey conducted in Sydney, Australia and assess reaction and cognition of participants.

Design/methodology/approach — The survey uses data collected using an in-car GPS device within a PR interface accessed over the Internet by participants. Technical requirements, interface design and survey administration of the survey are discussed. This is followed by an assessment of participant burden and cognition by analysing user activity on the PR and comparing participant responses to information inferred from the GPS data.

Findings — New technologies have allowed for increasingly sophisticated data collection efforts but they require substantial resources to translate this into a usable form. This study shows these technologies can be used to conduct long-duration travel studies in a way that is appealing and engaging to participants. However, it was found that responses to the PR are sometimes inconsistent and caution should be drawn in taking PR responses as the ‘ground truth’.

Research limitations/implications — The relatively low participant burden of this study shows long-duration studies are feasible if care is taken to limit the work required by participants. The inconsistency of the responses to the PR suggest future surveys may need to employ mechanisms that are better able to aid participants in accurately completing the survey.

Originality/value — Details the requirements of running a long-duration GPS/PR survey and assesses participant burden and cognition of the survey which are often not reported.

States that there has been a recent explosion in the publication of reference works in the field of African American studies which indicates the mature field of scholarship being achieved in this area. Provides a bibliographic guide for those wishing to identify and use research tools for studying African American literature.

To extract the secrets of the marketing of Dan Brown's world‐wide bestseller, The Da Vinci Code.

Case study research based on secondary sources and close reading of relevant texts.

The staggering success of The Da Vinci Code is contrary to conventional marketing wisdom, but conventional wisdom is increasingly inappropriate intoday's entertainment economy.

Case study research. Needs replication in additional domains. The accepted approaches to best marketing practice need re‐evaluation.

Approaches topic from unconventional direction. Tries to capture the spirit of Brown's writing.

Considers the problem of choosing between either fully air‐conditioned or naturally ventilated space. Examines the choice taken by Refuge Assurance PLC to operate its headquarters building without constant air conditioning. Describes the cooling and environmental systems of the building and energy performance. Argues that it would be a brave step to eliminate air‐conditioning altogether from any modern building.

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the salient issues relating to the employment of Purple Squirrels. As the business world begins to undergo rapid change, to remain competitive business leaders must hire and retain extraordinary people – those who are supreme innovators and who are able to conceptualize and deliver real and lasting change. We refer to these people as Purple Squirrels, very rare individuals who are extremely talented with a multifarious mix of core skills. They also have an “X” factor that allows them to look at things differently and see opportunities where others might not. To achieve this mission-critical objective, conventional recruitment methods need to change. Competency-based methods may work well for junior and middle management, but when searching for the ultimate game changer – the supreme innovator – these methods are inappropriate.

Draws on the author’s research to provide an insight into the benefits of CRM.

This paper discusses the salient issues relating to the employment of Purple Squirrels.

It will benefit business leaders, hiring managers and human resources managers by improving their understanding of the changes in recruitment methods needed to attract and employ the people who are capable of driving meaningful and sustainable change.