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1 – 10 of over 217000Xinya Yang, Qunyi Wei and Xiaodong Peng
The purpose of this article is to present a subsection circulatory management (SCM) model of Library 2.0. The design idea of Library 2.0 system architecture is to be illustrated…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this article is to present a subsection circulatory management (SCM) model of Library 2.0. The design idea of Library 2.0 system architecture is to be illustrated and a five‐tier model of service‐oriented architecture (SOA) is to be put forward and analyzed.
Design/methodology/approach
The SOA model conforms to the desires of Library 2.0. Libraries require integration of literature resources, knowledge services and operations management and together all these integrations must be based on the user service. The realization of the concept and technology of Library 2.0 is similar with the SOA model.
Findings
Current library management systems (LMS) remain at the era of Library 1.0, which focused on literature management. The new design principles are aiming to manage library resources much better. Library 2.0 must break through the current framework, and adopt a multilayer structure, user‐centered and service‐oriented system architecture to integrate the resources, the services and managements. Amongst other things, Library 2.0 should utilize the multilayer architecture based on the module mode, improve the flexibility and adaptability of modern management systems, both in system configuration and operational management.
Originality/value
The SOA model is applied in Library 2.0 for the first time and is divided into five tiers – hardware tier, system tier, data tier, operation management tier and knowledge service tier. According to the architecture, three application systems – LMS based on librarians, knowledge service system based on patrons, and knowledge search engine, are designed.
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Lijun Zeng, Xiaoxia Yao, Juanjuan Liu and Qiang Zhu
The purpose of this paper is to provide a detailed overview of the China Academic Library and Information system (CALIS) document supply service platform (CDSSP) – its historical…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide a detailed overview of the China Academic Library and Information system (CALIS) document supply service platform (CDSSP) – its historical development, network structure and future development plans – and discuss how its members make use of and benefit from its various components.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors provide a first-person account based on their professional positions at the CALIS Administrative Center.
Findings
CDSSP comprises five application systems including a unified authentication system, Saas-based interlibrary loan (ILL) and document delivery (DD) service system, ILL central scheduling and settlement system, File Transfer Protocol (FTP) service system and a service integration interface system. These systems work together to meet the needs of member libraries, other information service institutions, and their end users. CDSSP is widely used by more than 1,100 libraries based on a cloud service strategy. Each year more than 100,000 ILL and DD transactions are processed by this platform.
Originality/value
The development of CDSSP makes it becomes true for CALIS to provide one stop information retrieval and supply service. At the same time, it promotes the resource sharing among member libraries to a great degree.
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The purpose of this paper is to find if there is an existing trade‐off between service quality and cost when strategies of low‐cost accommodation and uncompromised reduction are…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to find if there is an existing trade‐off between service quality and cost when strategies of low‐cost accommodation and uncompromised reduction are implemented.
Design/methodology/approach
The model is designed on hand system dynamics, using Vensim™ software. It consists of a situation where no side effects are interrupting the result. The modeled service system is designed as two parts: a situation where five sorts of customer variables are introduced, continued by a situation where low‐cost accommodation and uncompromised reduction change the system.
Findings
There is no typical trade‐off pattern between service quality and cost when implementing Frei's two solutions. Rather, the findings resulted in an almost conform line of quality curve so that the promotion of Frei's solutions can be interpreted as the result of cost reduction.
Research limitations/implications
Owing to the use of simulation tools, it is still critical whether the result holds in the real world where various influences to the service system can exist.
Originality/value
There are various papers regarding service quality and cost but not that much about managerial tools used in a service system. Aside from many statistically proofed papers, this paper uses system dynamics to simulate certain managerial tools for service when implemented into a system.
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Abstract
Service industry is recognized as being an important industry in Hong Kong and continues to support manufacturing bases in China and other low cost manufacturing countries. However, there is a lack of research on the modelling and analysis of service industry appropriate to Hong Kong’s environment. In this paper, the workflow of a service support department is illustrated using system dynamics modelling approach. The fundamental purpose of system dynamics (SD) is to analyze the information‐feedback of system behaviour as well as to develop mathematical models of dynamic interrelationships. A computer simulation system is used to explore the interactions making experimental system design possible. A model is proposed to simulate the behaviour of this department and to increase the efficiency. The analysis indicates that in order to decrease the turnover time of providing engineering service, it is necessary to make a strategic change to develop new culture and operation structure. The experience demonstrates that system dynamics is a practical approach to identify the relationship between the different service processes and improve the operation efficiency.
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Matt Eppinette, R. Anthony Inman and Roger Alan Pick
Argues that expert systems are a useful tool in implementing quality customer service. Examines seven steps of customer service and illustrates how expert systems can support each…
Abstract
Argues that expert systems are a useful tool in implementing quality customer service. Examines seven steps of customer service and illustrates how expert systems can support each step. Draws on the literature in the field to cite commercial installations of expert systems to support quality customer service.
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This commentary seeks to enable service researchers in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) regions and those in other regions to pursue service research that addresses the many…
Abstract
Purpose
This commentary seeks to enable service researchers in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) regions and those in other regions to pursue service research that addresses the many difficult service system problems in the MEA.
Design/methodology/approach
This commentary is based on more than 40 years of service research experience and unique insights from a service research pioneer. The commentary addresses what service systems are and why they are important to human progress.
Findings
Three service wisdoms are offered to enable service researchers. Serving Human Needs focuses on the essential role of service because all human economies exist to serve human needs. It also provides the aspirational goal of improving human well-being by transforming service systems. The topic of Designing New Service Rules urges service researchers to design new service systems based on the win-win logic of mutualism. Collaborating With Each Other is the third service wisdom. With more than 7 billion humans living today, mutually beneficial collaborations are one of the best strategies for improving human well-being and the well-being of our crowded planet.
Practical implications
Practical ideas are offered for improving the human condition through collaboratively serving each other’s needs.
Social implications
Because service systems are both nonmonetary and monetary solutions to human needs, their social implications are profound. Human life itself depends on service systems.
Originality/value
This commentary offers service researchers guidance in understanding services, in designing better services, and in pursuing collaborative solutions to service system problems.
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Index by subjects, compiled by K.G.B. Bakewell covering the following journals: Facilities Volumes 8‐17; Journal of Property Investment & Finance Volumes 8‐17; Property Management…
Abstract
Index by subjects, compiled by K.G.B. Bakewell covering the following journals: Facilities Volumes 8‐17; Journal of Property Investment & Finance Volumes 8‐17; Property Management Volumes 8‐17; Structural Survey Volumes 8‐17.
Grafton Whyte and Andy Bytheway
States that there is continuing difficulty in achieving success with information systems, particularly in the sense of meeting users’ expectations and offers a fresh examination…
Abstract
States that there is continuing difficulty in achieving success with information systems, particularly in the sense of meeting users’ expectations and offers a fresh examination of those attributes of information systems by which users perceive success and failure, and through which they establish their expectations. Reviews existing research literature and suggests that, in addition to the process and product viewpoint, an important factor in achieving success is the service management perspective. Applies repertory grid techniques to uncover a total of 43 constructs which relate to users’ perceptions of success with information systems in business. Reduces these to 21 attributes which provide the basis of a new assessment and measurement framework, incorporating and augmenting the attributes found in previous work in this area. Illustrates the practical use of these attributes using two case studies: an information service provider and a hospital equipment supplier.
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Compiled by K.G.B. Bakewell covering the following journals published by MCB University Press: Facilities Volumes 8‐18; Journal of Property Investment & Finance Volumes 8‐18;…
Abstract
Compiled by K.G.B. Bakewell covering the following journals published by MCB University Press: Facilities Volumes 8‐18; Journal of Property Investment & Finance Volumes 8‐18; Property Management Volumes 8‐18; Structural Survey Volumes 8‐18.
Not much information is broadly shared about how current system and resource library funding formulas operate. Do the formulas encourage or discourage certain programs or…
Abstract
Not much information is broadly shared about how current system and resource library funding formulas operate. Do the formulas encourage or discourage certain programs or services? How are systems and resource libraries funded across the country? These questions are vital to systems looking for fiscal models that work. Having examined the costs of basic services provided by the seven Colorado regional library service systems and the Colorado Resource Center (CRC) previously in the Bottom Line (Fall 1990, pp. 18–24), this second article reviews the current funding formulas for the systems and the CRC.