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Five prominent consultants look into the future, projecting technological advancements that, in some cases, will enhance current library systems, and in many cases will cause them to become obsolete. Major trends include advances in mainframe and microcomputing technology, the development of inexpensive local area networks and telecommunications gateways, and the advent of (mass) optical storage.

This paper aims to introduce a special section based on papers from Australasian Conference for Information Systems 2014.

This paper comments on key contextualisation moments in relevant history.

This paper describes the initiative in Australia to widen Information and Communication Technology ethics awareness.

This is a new attempt to bring Ethics and Information Systems academics closer together.

Presents two case studies offering alternative solutions to the automatic assembly of moulded parts, which require further subassembly activities and inspection. Each illustrates the approach that is resulting in pioneering new concepts and designs, based on sound engineering principles.

Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP) represents a new approach to understanding the process of human communication. Developed by Richard Bandler and John Grinder in the early 1970s, it is derived from linguistics, psychology, neurophysiology, kinetics, and cybernetics. NLP is designed to help its users—whether they are therapists, salespersons, or teachers—more quickly gain rapport with their subjects.

The purpose of this paper is to describe the work between statutory sector partners in Staffordshire to establish a transformational rather than transactional health and well being board and its approach to resource allocation.

The paper describes the principles and process of achieving a shared ambition for Staffordshire, and the practical and strategic considerations of taking a broader and more ambitious approach than current guidance recommends.

Supporting individual organisations to achieve their statutory requirements within the context of the shared vision, and using customer insight intelligently to influence the decision‐making process, are critical to success. The challenge of moving resources in times of financial hardship and organisational flux should not be underestimated.

The process of moving resources into prevention and early intervention cannot be done in a “one size fits all” way and has to be considered as part of a differentiated approach. In addition, organisations must be willing to cede influence and resources to support the vision, thus challenging culture and traditional organisational boundaries and structures.

The process described in the paper is designed to improve health and well being for citizens in Staffordshire, tackling inequality in an integrated, targeted and proportionate way.

This is an emerging example of “whole system” integration.

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the contribution of cooperative societies to housing finance for the urban low income group in Ogbomoso, Oyo state of Nigeria. This is with a view to determine the effectiveness of the societies' lending as a means of solving the housing problem among the low income group in Nigeria.

Questionnaires were administered to 120 members of eight societies of four cooperative unions selected through a random sampling technique. In total, 15 members who had benefited from the loan were surveyed in each of the societies. Data were analysed with the use of frequency distribution, percentage and measure of cooperators satisfaction index (CSI).

The results showed that 52 per cent of responding members had financed the development of their houses to completion stage, while 28 per cent had their houses still under construction. The index of satisfaction (CSI) on each attribute of “affordability”, “transaction cost” and “collateral” is higher than the aggregate satisfaction on the loan. In addition, the level of satisfaction on a cooperative loan with a CSI of 3.77 is far above average (2.50) and greater than the level of satisfaction on National Housing Fund (CSI of 2.07), which is far below average. It was also discovered that membership of cooperative societies cuts across all occupations and is open to all interested members of the community irrespective of sexual or academic status.

The paper concludes that, with the popularity and effectiveness of cooperative loans in the study area, the government should encourage and integrate the initiative to evolve an efficient and effective national housing policy.

This is one of the few studies on housing development finance conducted through a non‐institutional source, particularly in the Nigerian context.

Briefly outlines the recent history of the Licensed trade in the UK before considering what role marketing theory can play in the formulation of business response to competition. Considers the classic four Ps, price, product, place and promotion together with people, process and physical evidence. Gives examples of success in each area. Concludes that the nature of the pub trade has changed with jajor players dominating the market. Cites the growing use of the Internet to help the small operator to increase trade and advocates regular analysis of the small trader’s position will enhance their ability to adapt to change quickly.

The article considers the changes in the structure of the UK pub sector and the falling pattern of trade which occurred at the same time. This meant that the competition within the industry is intense. The major pub‐owning companies enjoy many economies of scale over their independent rivals. These have been considered briefly. Many of the smaller outlets have responded by adapting their pubs to meet the varying requirements of their customers. The demand for pubs with smoke‐free air and the evidence that this will increase trade have been investigated. The threat of legislation has led the industry to establish a voluntary scheme. Reports on its effectiveness have been studied, and a small local study undertaken. It appears that the big companies are swifter than their smaller rivals at taking advantage of this market demand.