Implementing the open-source Koha-ILS at the Deutsche Schule Charlotte

2016 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 253-269 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin D. House
Keyword(s):  
Open Source ◽  
Selection Process ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Good Alternative ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Online Support ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Content Type

Purpose This study aims to present the successful implementation of the Koha-integrated library system (ILS) for libraries that seek an open-source alternative. This study is best suited for small libraries with limited collections and limited funding. The selection process between Koha and Evergreen is described, as is cataloging, patron setup and library workflow changes. Finally, lessons learned are presented. Design/methodology/approach This is a case study which describes the events as they occurred between 2013 and 2014. Findings The Koha-ILS appears to be the open-source system with the most online support, easiest to install and manage. Although the experience of libraries may vary, the Deutsche Schule Charlotte library took the pragmatic approach. Koha was chosen because it could be successfully installed, had an intuitive and web-based interface and could be easily explained to volunteers. Research limitations/implications This is a single case study at a very small library. Practical implications This study broadly demonstrates the requirements for implementing the Koha-ILS and how it can be accomplished even with library volunteers. Social implications The Koha-ILS can be a good alternative, despite limitations, for small libraries who need a robust ILS system with few bells and whistles. Originality/value This study presents a finite view of the implementation and use of the Koha-ILS. The physical setting, availability of capable volunteers and administration’s willingness to experiment with a system may not be reproducible in other locales.

Appraising clever people: lessons from introducing performance reviews for academics in a UK University

2015 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 81-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hedda Bird
Keyword(s):  
Performance Management ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Performance Review ◽  
Highly Educated ◽  
Performance Reviews ◽  
Practical Challenge ◽  
Set Up

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to build understanding of how to engage a highly educated workforce with the benefits of performance management through sharing the lessons learned from introducing performance reviews (appraisals) into an academic environment. Design/methodology/approach – The paper presents a case study of a four-year programme in a UK higher education establishment. The author was closely involved in the last two years of the programme, and completed a detailed evaluation of the programme for the client. Findings – Performance management creates significant value within a highly educated workforce through bringing together individual capability and expertise to focus on delivering the strategy. Obstacles to success such as routine complaints of “time-wasting” and “pointlessness” can be overcome by wide and deep engagement with employees throughout the design and development of the approach. Research limitations/implications – This is a single case study; however, the author has worked on many similar programmes with highly educated work forces with very similar results. Practical implications – The vast majority of staff positively want a high-quality performance review; the practical challenge is to channel this desire into shared ownership and responsibility for the success of performance review in practice. Originality/value – Literature abounds with analysis of what is wrong with performance review, this paper is a rarer piece in that it develops our understanding of how to set up performance management and review for success.

Application of Lean Six Sigma in conservative dentistry: an action research at an Indian dental college

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ajay Noronha ◽  
Shreeranga Bhat ◽  
E.V. Gijo ◽  
Jiju Antony ◽  
Suma Bhat
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Six Sigma ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Lean Six Sigma ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Healthcare Sector ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Conservative Dentistry ◽  
Tools And Techniques

PurposeThe article evaluates the obstacles, lessons learned and managerial implications of deploying Lean Six Sigma (LSS) in a dental college hospital in India.Design/methodology/approachThe work adopts the action research (AR) methodology to establish a case study, which is carried out using the LSS define–measure–analyze–improve–control (DAMIC) approach in a dental college. It uses LSS tools to enhance the productivity and performance of the Conservative Dentistry Department of a dental college and to unravel the obstacles and success factors in applying it to the education and healthcare sector together.FindingsThe root cause for high turn-around time (TAT) is ascertained using LSS tools and techniques. The effective deployment of the solutions to the root causes of variation assists the dental college to reduce the TAT of the Conservative Dentistry process from an average of 63.9 min–36.5 min (i.e. 42.9% improvement), and the process Standard Deviation (SD) was reduced from 2.63 to 2 min. This, in turn, raises the sigma level from 0.48 to 3.23, a noteworthy successful story for this dental college.Research limitations/implicationsWhile the results and recommendations of this research are focused on a single case study, it is to be noted that the case study is carried out with new users of LSS tools and techniques, especially with the assistance of interns. This indicates the applicability of LSS in dental colleges; thus, the adopted modality can be further refined to fit India's education and hospital sector together.Originality/valueThis article explains the implementation of LSS from an aspiring user viewpoint to assist dental colleges and policymakers in improving competitiveness. In addition, the medical education sector can introduce an LSS course in the existing programme to leverage the potential of this methodology to bring synergy and collaborative research between data-based thinking and the medical field based on the findings of this study. The most important contribution of this article is the illustration of the design of experiments (DOE) in the dental college process.

Collaborative purchasing of complex technologies in healthcare

2015 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 430-455 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chiara Gobbi ◽  
Juliana Hsuan
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Context ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Design Strategies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Regional Institutions ◽  
Complex Technology ◽  
Design Options ◽  
Purchasing Group

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate how buyers and the vendors pursue alignment in collaborative purchasing (CP) of complex medical technologies. Design/methodology/approach – Through a literature review in CP, the paper identify factors for shareholder alignment (i.e. aligning the needs of the buyers within the purchasing group) and customer alignment (i.e. aligning buyers’ needs with the vendors offering strategies) and investigate how they manifest in the case of CP of complex technology in the Danish National Healthcare System. Findings – Shareholder alignment requires appropriate management of the relationships, expertise and guidance in simplifying procedures and effective management of the purchasing group. Customer alignment is facilitated by buyers’ understating of the vendor’s design options, which are moderated by the vendor’s design strategies. Research limitations/implications – The findings and generalizations from a single case study are limited to the complexity of the purchased technology and the specific cultural context. However the paper represents the first explorative study that poses the attention on the relevance of shareholder and customer alignment in CP. Practical implications – The study can offer hospitals, vendors, governmental and regional institutions a better understanding about the alignment mechanisms for successful implementation of CP and how to avoid pitfalls. Originality/value – Literature on CP is scarce as there are virtually no contributions that debate the key elements and tradeoffs that need to be considered for strategic alignment. The study addresses this gap.

StatBase: library statistics made easy

2014 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 546-559 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandria Payne ◽  
John Curtis
Keyword(s):  
Open Source ◽  
Development Project ◽  
Agile Development ◽  
Practical Implementation ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Development Framework ◽  
Technology Process ◽  
Business Metrics

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to detail a Library open source software (OSS) development project resulting in the launch of StatBase, a statistical gathering and data visualization tool, so that organizations can adopt a locally managed alternative to costly data aggregation tools. Design/methodology/approach – This case study is based on a literature review, Agile development framework, and user experience modeling. The software solution features a Joomla framework with contributed modules and open source architecture. Findings – This case study demonstrates the creation and practical implementation of a scalable OSS platform for data management and analysis. Practical implications – Provides a frame of reference and methodology for libraries, both public and academic, seeking to implement a web-based resource to gather, organize, and interpret statistical metrics via a centralized, lightweight, open source architecture. Originality/value – This case study provides a detailed scope and step-by-step technology process description by which an organization can adopt or model the StatBase solution for business metrics.

Exploring family business decline with socioemotional wealth perspective

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
Orlando Antonio Llanos-Contreras ◽  
Muayyad Jabri
Keyword(s):  
Family Business ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Critical Realism ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Socioemotional Wealth ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Philosophical Orientation ◽  
Turnaround Strategies

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to determine how family and business priorities influence organisational decline and turnaround in a family business.Design/methodology/approachFollowing critical realism as philosophical orientation, this research is based on an exploratory single case study.FindingsThis research identified specific socioemotional wealth priorities driving this organisation decline and turnaround. The study also determined how the family and business dynamic leads to decisions that first trigger the organisational decline and then explain the successful implementation of turnaround strategies.Research limitation/implicationsFindings of this research provide limited and contingent theoretical generalisation. Accordingly, replication and further quantitative research is required for a better understanding of this phenomenon.Practical implicationsManagers can benefit from this paper by noting which behaviour could lead to organisational decline and which factors could lead to a turnaround. Similarly, managers can learn about the importance of the alignment of socioemotional wealth priorities as a critical response factor to determine whether to follow exit strategies or turnaround (succession) actions.Originality valueThe study contributes to the organisational decline literature and family business literature. It advances the understanding of how family businesses should balance family and business priorities to avoid organisational decline and identify strategies successfully implemented for turning around.

The Rutgers open access policy goes into effect

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (1/2) ◽  
pp. 59-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jane Johnson Otto ◽  
Laura Bowering Mullen
Keyword(s):  
Open Access ◽  
Doctoral Students ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
University Policy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Access Policy ◽  
Rutgers University ◽  
Implementation Planning

Purpose From laying the groundwork for the successful passage of a university-wide open access (OA) policy, through the development and planning that goes into a successful implementation, to “Day One” when the official university policy goes into effect, there is a long list of factors that affect faculty interest, participation and compliance. The paper aims to discuss this issue. Design/methodology/approach The authors, Mullen and Otto, having detailed earlier aspects of the Rutgers University OA policy passage and implementation planning, analyze and share the specifics that followed the rollout of the policy and that continue to affect participation. Findings This case study presents some strategies and systems used to enhance author self-archiving in the newly minted Scholarly Open Access at Rutgers (SOAR) portal of the Rutgers institutional repository, including involvement of departmental liaison librarians, effective presentation of metrics and a focus on targeted communication with faculty. Originality/value Roadblocks encountered as faculty began to deposit their scholarship and lessons learned are a focus. Early reaction from faculty and graduate students (doctoral students and postdocs) to various aspects of the policy as well as the use of SOAR for depositing their work are included.

Application of learning technologies to promote holistic thinking and consensus building in global studies

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (5) ◽  
pp. 300-314 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolin-Anna Trieb
Keyword(s):  
Single Case ◽  
Learning Technologies ◽  
Consensus Building ◽  
Practical Case ◽  
Learning Tools ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Problem Solving Skills ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Holistic Thinking

Purpose Acting in an increasingly complex and dynamic global world requires students to analyze and discuss professionally many of the international challenges that the world is facing due to globalization. The purpose of this paper is to describe and evaluate the implementation of information and learning technologies (ILTs) in the practical case of the web-based negotiation game “Surfing Global Change (SGC),” which fosters holistic thinking and consensus building. The paper analyzes the technological and social processes during the game and provides a brief overview of its content, in this case the migration and refugee crisis in Austria in 2015. Design/methodology/approach Review and evaluation of the social and technological processes connected to SGC by one participating student, in this case the author of this paper, to enhance students’ points of view on ILTs. Findings The implementation of ILTs in university learning environments enhances student motivation and optimizes learning experiences. By slipping into different roles, taking perspectives and finding a consensus, SGC fosters holistic thinking, sensitivity, negotiation and problem-solving skills, which are essential in a variety of multi-cultural settings. Research limitations/implications The results obtained are based on a single case study and a single student’s viewpoint. According to the rules of SGC, the chapter that focuses on the case study, i.e., the refugee and migration crisis in Austria, is written from the perspective of the stakeholder “concerned citizen” and does not necessarily reflect the personal opinion of the author. Originality/value Participants’ perspectives of, experiences with and evaluations of ILTs are essential to improve the quality of web-based learning tools, such as SGC.

Development of a web-based system for managing suppliers’ performance and knowledge sharing in construction project

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 117-129 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zi Qian Li ◽  
Hai Chen Tan ◽  
Chimay Anumba ◽  
Fah Choy Chia
Keyword(s):  
Performance Management ◽  
Supplier Selection ◽  
Selection Process ◽  
Communication Model ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Web Based System

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to introduce a web-based system that provides an efficient means for managing suppliers’ performance which also facilitates the leveraging of suppliers’ knowledge for the benefit of the on-going projects. Design/methodology/approach Case study approach is adopted. In total, 12 semi-structured interviews are conducted with Malaysia-based public listed construction companies to study their current practice and the requirements for the development of an information and communication technology (ICT) aided system for the purpose. Subsequently, a web-based system for managing suppliers’ performance is developed using ASP.net and MSSQL database. Findings Most of the case study companies are found to have low levels of ICT adoption and still resort to handling the majority of the tasks involved in the selection and management of suppliers’ performance manually. An ICT-based system that can improve the recording of important information about the suppliers, provide a function for supplier selection and facilitate the capture of useful reusable knowledge of the suppliers is needed. Originality/value The paper has shown empirically that a web-based suppliers’ performance management system eases the supplier selection process and the monitoring of suppliers’ performance. In addition, it demonstrates how such systems can be designed to capture and facilitate the leveraging of suppliers’ knowledge, and how suppliers’ knowledge contribution can be recognised as part of their performance. The system adopts a novel two-way communication model which provides the suppliers the access to their own performance records to identify room for improvements.

Applications of Wiki in web-based research support system

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cheuk Hang Au ◽  
Kevin K.W. Ho
Keyword(s):  
Support System ◽  
Process Model ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Single Case Study ◽  
Research Support ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Research Support System

PurposeThis paper is to address the research gaps about Research Support System (RSS) as mentioned by earlier articles, and to provide a possible solution to develop an RSS for supporting academics in conducting their research.Design/methodology/approachThis study adopts a single-case study with the application of netnography. Data were collected from an ongoing-using Wiki and the data were analysed using the theoretical lens established from earlier articles.FindingsThe result confirmed the possibilities of using Wiki to establish a system for supporting research. The authors have established a 3-stage EDM (Establishment, Development, Management) process model for illustrating the steps.Research limitations/implicationsThis single-case study revealed the possibility for using Wiki as RSS for helping academics to conduct their research through providing support in preparing literature review, conducting project management and providing an archive for research methodologies. The paper also provided suggestion for practitioners on the implementation of the RSS.Originality/valueThis paper presents one of the earliest studies for developing a model to explain how to develop an RSS that gives a more concrete definition of RSS and outline a process of using Wiki as an RSS.

Learning from interorganizational projects

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rehab Iftikhar ◽  
Tuomas Ahola ◽  
Aurangzeab Butt
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Organizational Capacity ◽  
Learning Model ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Interorganizational Learning ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Interorganizational Projects

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to consolidate the existing research on interorganizational projects and to explore how organizations learn by closely examining multilevel learning, that is, organizational and interorganizational learning.Design/methodology/approachThis article adopts a single case study approach, examining the Islamabad–Rawalpindi Metro project in Pakistan, with data consisting of interview results and archival data. An inductive approach is used for data analysis.FindingsAn empirically grounded learning model was developed based on an interorganizational project following eight lessons: capacity building, personality traits of leadership, working procedures, impeccable planning and implementation, involvement of stakeholders, design compatibility, investigation of underground services, conditions and maintenance of databases, and conceive rational timelines. These lessons learned were classified into three categories: (1) organizational capacity, (2) organizational embeddedness and (3) collective awareness.Originality/valueThis paper develops a novel learning model that can deepen our understanding of the practices and processes involved in multilevel learning. This study contributes to and extends the literature on organizational and interorganizational learning by studying an interorganizational setting.

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