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The purpose of this paper is to describe the use of AJAX for searching the Biblioteche Oggi database of bibliographic records.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to describe the use of AJAX for searching the Biblioteche Oggi database of bibliographic records.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper is a demonstration of how bibliographic database single page interfaces allow the implementation of more user‐friendly features for social and collaborative tasks.
Findings
AJAX is an important technique in Web 2.0. It allows the development of rich internet applications that use only one web page. Using AJAX it is possible to improve a bibliographic database's user interface. Thanks to this technology, bibliographic applications will be more flexible for updating and formatting information, simpler in managing session history, and easier for saving data modified by users. Usability tests demonstrated that users have appreciated the new interface, but accessibility remains a problem.
Originality/value
The paper highlights the use of a Web 2.0 tool for a relevant application in the library/information world.
Details
Keywords
This paper aims to describe several methods to expose website information to Web crawlers for providing value-added services to patrons.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to describe several methods to expose website information to Web crawlers for providing value-added services to patrons.
Design/methodology/approach
This is a conceptual paper exploring the areas of search engine optimization (SEO) and usability in the context of search engines.
Findings
Not applicable
Originality/value
This paper explains several methods that can be used to appropriately expose website content and library services to the Web crawlers in such a way that services and content can be syndicated via those search engines.
Details
Keywords
Ruben Estevez, Sean Rankin, Ricardo Silva and
University students use web-based course registration systems to search, select, and register to courses. Despite having an important role at universities, course registration…
Abstract
Purpose
University students use web-based course registration systems to search, select, and register to courses. Despite having an important role at universities, course registration systems often pose usability problems to users. In this project, the authors assessed the usability of a web-based course registration system, proposed an improved model for such systems, and evaluated the model. The paper aims to discuss these issues.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors conducted a series of user studies to achieve the objectives. First, the authors performed a usability study to evaluate the course registration system at MacEwan University (myStudentSystem). Based on the study results, the authors designed and developed a prototype that addresses the limitations of the system. Second, the authors conducted a usability test to get feedback on the prototype and improve its design features accordingly. Finally, the authors performed a summative evaluation to assess the usability of the prototype and myStudentSystem.
Findings
The summative evaluation results showed that the design improved the overall system usability and user satisfaction. Most participants preferred the prototype to myStudentSystem.
Research limitations/implications
The authors tested the prototype in controlled experimental settings, and the participants were limited to undergraduate students at MacEwan University. These conditions may limit the generalizability of the results. Further studies that deploy and test the prototype in the real world are necessary to validate findings.
Originality/value
Based on the studies, the authors outline guidelines for designing web-based course registration systems and advocate the use of new technologies to create highly interactive web applications. The authors' model can assist software developers in designing and implementing web-based course registration systems at universities.
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Keywords
Zainab Ajab Mohideen, Arslan Sheikh and Kiran Kaur
A surge of library activities and technological advances have increased the demand for data accuracy and agility among library clientele. Therefore, novel approaches are needed to…
Abstract
Purpose
A surge of library activities and technological advances have increased the demand for data accuracy and agility among library clientele. Therefore, novel approaches are needed to extend library services. This paper aims to introduce the implementation of a prototype mobile library application (app) designed using an in-house open source system, Koha.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper presents a case study using a metamorphosis process to create mobile apps. This case study is tested based on the library services with a set of activities during the system acceptance test (SAT) and also user acceptance test (UAT). An application programming interface (API) used to support two-way communication, including system-to-component and system-to-system connectivity. The design, features and advantages of this mobile app are discussed, illustrated and analyzed. The case study reports the mobile app version development from the Koha Open Source Library Information System.
Findings
The app was tested using user acceptance test (UAT) and system acceptance test (SAT) by library staffs who found it functional, accessible, appealing and useful. Features such as Online Public Access Catalog search, library collection scanning, patron accounts, patron personal book collection, circulation, librarian chat, QR codes for borrowing books, social media integration and notifications of library activities and events were successfully tested. This process was useful for the creation of a mobile app based on the existing library System-Koha Open Source System.
Research limitations/implications
This study is limited to a case study of a national university in Malaysia.
Practical implications
This study has some practical implications for implementing library mobile applications, e.g. it will encourage librarians to implement library applications in libraries.
Originality/value
This study is useful for mobile developers and libraries that plan to offer mobile library services to their patrons. This paper presents a case study of metamorphosis existing process of library open source System-Koha Open Source System.
Details
Keywords
Ander Garcia, Maria Teresa Linaza, Aitor Gutierrez and Endika Garcia
The purpose of this paper is twofold: to present gamified mobile experiences as valid tools for DMOs to enrich the experience of tourists, and to present the benefits provided to…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is twofold: to present gamified mobile experiences as valid tools for DMOs to enrich the experience of tourists, and to present the benefits provided to DMOs by analytics tools integrated on gamified mobile experiences.
Design/methodology/approach
Staff from three DMOs have generated a gamified mobile experience using a custom authoring tool designed and developed to fulfil their requirements. This gamified experience has targeted families with children visiting Basque Country during off-peak season. The experience has been validated over a period of seven weeks within a pilot project promoted by the local tourist information offices of the DMOs. Data directly provided by tourists and data gathered from analytic tools integrated on the gamified mobile experience have been analysed to fulfil the research objectives presented on the paper.
Findings
Both DMOs and tourists can benefit from gamified mobile experiences. The integration of analytics tools to gain insights into the behaviour of tourists can be a relevant information source for DMOs.
Research limitations/implications
The pilot project has targeted a niche tourism market, families with children visiting Basque Country, and has been running during off-peak season. Further studies focusing on other tourist types and different tourism season and destination types will be required to strengthen the validation of the research objectives presented on this paper.
Practical implications
The paper promotes both the development of gamified mobile experiences and the inclusion of analytics tools for DMOs to obtain relevant information about tourists and the mobile experiences.
Originality/value
A gamified mobile experience is generated by DMOs, validated on the basis of experience of real tourists. The analytics tools inside the gamified mobile experience provide DMOs with relevant information.
Details
Keywords
Mark Turner, Stephen Dowsland, Aron Mazel and Myra Giesen
Crowdsourcing heritage information has enormous potential to help gather data needed to make decisions over the deployment of resources and heritage conservation funding. Taking…
Abstract
Purpose
Crowdsourcing heritage information has enormous potential to help gather data needed to make decisions over the deployment of resources and heritage conservation funding. Taking advantage of the rapid proliferation of mobile devices, such as phones and tablets, packed with sensors to record data about the real world, and the global growth of mobile app stores, reaching potential crowdsourcing volunteers is easier than ever before. The purpose of this paper is to describe the design of a mobile application known as Rock Art CARE (condition assessment risk evaluation) to crowdsource heritage conservation data, in the context of rock art conservation.
Design/methodology/approach
As with conservation efforts of any kind, accurate information is vital to make informed triage decisions over where to route effort, resources and funding. The Rock Art CARE application is a cross-platform mobile application for crowdsourcing information about rock art carvings, where the collated data are stored in a central location for access by different stakeholders.
Findings
The paper goes on to detail the web portal with its application programming interface and database schema, and how the collected data are passed on to policy and decision makers to aid in the identification and conservation of the carvings most at risk.
Originality/value
The paper presents a method of harnessing common technology to forge a link between the mobile devices of the general public and key stakeholders responsible for the preservation of the UK’s rock art.
Details
Keywords
Marc Walterbusch, Adrian Fietz and Frank Teuteberg
On account of its easy and intuitive usage as well as obvious advantages (e.g. access to work data from anywhere, at any time and through any means) the evolutionary cloud…
Abstract
Purpose
On account of its easy and intuitive usage as well as obvious advantages (e.g. access to work data from anywhere, at any time and through any means) the evolutionary cloud computing paradigm favors the use of shadow IT. Since many employees are not aware of the associated risks and possible legal violations, unauthorized use of cloud computing services could result in substantial risk exposure for any company. The purpose of this paper is to explore and to extend the body of knowledge concerning the topic of cloud computing with regard to shadow IT.
Design/methodology/approach
The aim of this contribution is to identify the reasons for the use of cloud computing services and the resulting shadow IT from an employee’s perspective, to demonstrate the counteractions a company may take against the unauthorized use of cloud computing services and to elaborate on the inherent opportunities and risks. We follow a mixed-methods approach consisting of a systematic literature review, a cloud computing awareness study, a vignette study and expert interviews.
Findings
Based on a triangulation of the data sets, the paper at hand proposes a morphological box as well as a two-piece belief-action-outcome model, both from an employee’s and employer’s point of view. Our findings ultimately lead to recommendations for action for employers to counteract the risk exposure. Furthermore, also employees are sensitized by means of insights into the topic of unauthorized usage of cloud computing services in everyday working life.
Research limitations/implications
The limitations of the triangulation reflect the limitations of each applied research method. These limitations justify why a mixed-methods approach is favored – rather than relying on a single source of data – because data from various sources can be triangulated.
Practical implications
The paper includes recommendations for action for the handling of the unauthorized usage of cloud computing services within a company, e.g., the set up of a company-wide cloud security strategy and the conduction of an anonymous employee survey to identify the status quo.
Originality/value
This paper fulfills an identified need to explore the usage of cloud computing services within the context of shadow IT.
Details
Keywords
Richard Bull, Joanna Romanowicz, Neil Jennings, Marina Laskari, Graeme Stuart and Dave Everitt
This paper aims to present findings from an EU-funded international student-led energy saving competition (SAVES) on a scale previously unseen. There are multiple accounts of…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to present findings from an EU-funded international student-led energy saving competition (SAVES) on a scale previously unseen. There are multiple accounts of short-term projects and energy saving competitions encouraging pro-environmental behaviour change amongst students in university dormitories, but the purpose of this research is to provide evidence of consistent and sustained energy savings from student-led energy savings competitions, underpinned by practical action.
Design/methodology/approach
A mixed-methods approach (pre- and post-intervention surveys, focus groups and analysis of energy meter data) was used to determine the level of energy savings and quantifiable behaviour change delivered by students across participating university dormitories.
Findings
This research has provided further insight into the potential for savings and behaviour change in university dormitories through relatively simple actions. Whilst other interventions have shown greater savings, this project provided consistent savings over two years of 7 per cent across a large number of university dormitories in five countries through simple behaviour changes.
Research limitations/implications
An energy dashboard displaying near a real-time leaderboard was added to the engagement in the second year of the project. Whilst students were optimistic about the role that energy dashboards could play, the evidence is not here to quantify the impact of dashboards. Further research is required to understand the potential of dashboards to contribute to behavioural change savings and in constructing competitions between people and dormitories that are known to each other.
Social implications
SAVES provided engagement with students, enabling, empowering and motivating them to save energy – focusing specifically on the last stage of the “Awareness, Interest, Desire, Action” framework. Automated meter reading data was used in the majority of participating dormitories to run near real-time energy challenges through an energy dashboard that informed students how much energy they saved compared to a target, and encouraged peer-to-peer learning and international cooperation through a virtual twinning scheme.
Originality/value
Findings from energy saving competitions in universities are typically from small-scale and short-term interventions. SAVES was an energy-saving competition in university dormitories facilitated by the UK National Union of Students in five countries reaching over 50,000 students over two academic years (incorporating dormitories at 17 universities). As such it provides clear and important evidence of the real-world long-term potential efficiency savings of such interventions.
Details
Keywords
Goce Gavrilov, Elena Vlahu- Gjorgievska and Vladimir Trajkovik
Information systems play a significant role in the improving of health and healthcare, as well as in the planning and financing of health services. Fund’s Information System is an…
Abstract
Purpose
Information systems play a significant role in the improving of health and healthcare, as well as in the planning and financing of health services. Fund’s Information System is an essential component of the information infrastructure that allows assessment of the impact of changes in health insurance and healthcare for the population. The purpose of this paper is to give a brief overview of the affection of e-services and electronic data exchange (between Fund’s information systems and other IT systems) at the quality of service for insured people and savings funds.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors opted for an exploratory study using the e-services implemented in Health Insurance Fund (HIF) of Macedonia and data which were complemented by documentary analysis, including brand documents and descriptions of internal processes. In this paper is presented an analysis of the financial aspects of some e-services in HIF of Macedonia by using computer-based information systems and calculating the financial implications on insured people, companies and healthcare providers.
Findings
The analysis conducted in this paper shows that the HIF’s e-services would have a positive impact for the insured people, healthcare providers and companies when fulfilling their administrative obligations and exercising their rights.
Originality/value
The analysis presented in this paper can serve as a valuable input for the healthcare authorities in making decisions related to introducing e-services in healthcare. These enhanced e-services will improve the quality service of the HIF.
Details