scholarly journals Information and design: book symposium on Luciano Floridi’s The Logic of Information

2020 ◽  
Vol 76 (2) ◽  
pp. 586-616 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tim Gorichanaz ◽  
Jonathan Furner ◽  
Lai Ma ◽  
David Bawden ◽  
Lyn Robinson ◽  
...  

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to review and discuss Luciano Floridi’s 2019 book The Logic of Information: A Theory of Philosophy as Conceptual Design, the latest instalment in his philosophy of information (PI) tetralogy, particularly with respect to its implications for library and information studies (LIS). Design/methodology/approach Nine scholars with research interests in philosophy and LIS read and responded to the book, raising critical and heuristic questions in the spirit of scholarly dialogue. Floridi responded to these questions. Findings Floridi’s PI, including this latest publication, is of interest to LIS scholars, and much insight can be gained by exploring this connection. It seems also that LIS has the potential to contribute to PI’s further development in some respects. Research limitations/implications Floridi’s PI work is technical philosophy for which many LIS scholars do not have the training or patience to engage with, yet doing so is rewarding. This suggests a role for translational work between philosophy and LIS. Originality/value The book symposium format, not yet seen in LIS, provides forum for sustained, multifaceted and generative dialogue around ideas.

2014 ◽  
Vol 63 (8/9) ◽  
pp. 606-623 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bob Pymm ◽  
Primoz Juznic

Purpose – This paper aims to report on the outcomes of a survey of organisations in Australia and Slovenia hosting undergraduate Library and Information Studies (LIS) students on professional placement to better understand the reasons behind organisations accepting students, the workload implications and their satisfaction with the process. Design/methodology/approach – Hosting organisations were asked to complete a survey on various aspects of the placement process. Findings – For both countries, hosts reported favourably on their experience, and virtually, all felt that while it was a real commitment of time and resources on their part, it was a responsibility they were happy to take on. There was little difference between the two cohorts, suggesting that the findings from this research may be an accurate picture of the situation for LIS placements hosts more generally. The positive view of the placement and the belief in its role in LIS education is further strengthened by this study. Research limitations/implications – The research suggests that hosting students is not seen as an onerous task, but one which brings benefits to both parties. This will be useful in promoting student placements when looking for new host opportunities. Originality/value – This study has added to the limited literature in the LIS field on the experience of host organisations. Obtaining similar results across two countries added to the reliability of the findings which will help inform those planning future student placements.


2017 ◽  
Vol 73 (5) ◽  
pp. 1010-1033 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johanna Rivano Eckerdal

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to advocate and contribute to a more nuanced and discerning argument when ascribing a democratic role to libraries and activities related to information literacy. Design/methodology/approach The connections between democracy and libraries as well as between citizenship and information literacy are analysed by using Mouffe’s agonistic pluralism. One example is provided by a recent legislative change (the new Swedish Library Act) and the documents preceding it. A second, more detailed example concerns how information literacy may be conceptualised when related to young women’s sexual and reproductive health. Crucial in both examples are the suggestions of routes to travel that support equality and inclusion for all. Findings Within an agonistic approach, democracy concerns equality and interest in making efforts to include the less privileged. The inclusion of a democratic aim, directed towards everyone, for libraries in the new Library Act can be argued to emphasise the political role of libraries. A liberal and a radical understanding of information literacy is elaborated, the latter is advocated. Information literacy is also analysed in a non-essentialist manner, as a description of a learning activity, therefore always value-laden. Originality/value The agonistic reading of two central concepts in library and information studies, namely, libraries and information literacy is fruitful and shows how the discipline may contribute to strengthen democracy in society both within institutions as libraries and in other settings.


2018 ◽  
Vol 70 (2) ◽  
pp. 142-157 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Martin Cox ◽  
Winnie Wan Ting Tam

Purpose Visualisations of research and research-related activities including research data management (RDM) as a lifecycle have proliferated in the last decade. The purpose of this paper is to offer a systematic analysis and critique of such models. Design/methodology/approach A framework for analysis synthesised from the literature presented and applied to nine examples. Findings The strengths of the lifecycle representation are to clarify stages in research and to capture key features of project-based research. Nevertheless, their weakness is that they typically mask various aspects of the complexity of research, constructing it as highly purposive, serial, uni-directional and occurring in a somewhat closed system. Other types of models such as spiral of knowledge creation or the data journey reveal other stories about research. It is suggested that we need to develop other metaphors and visualisations around research. Research limitations/implications The paper explores the strengths and weaknesses of the popular lifecycle model for research and RDM, and also considers alternative ways of representing them. Practical implications Librarians use lifecycle models to explain service offerings to users so the analysis will help them identify clearly the best type of representation for particular cases. The critique offered by the paper also reveals that because researchers do not necessarily identify with a lifecycle representation, alternative ways of representing research need to be developed. Originality/value The paper offers a systematic analysis of visualisations of research and RDM current in the Library and Information Studies literature revealing the strengths and weaknesses of the lifecycle metaphor.


2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 303-315 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Klute-Wenig ◽  
Robert Refflinghaus

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is the further development of an Excel-based integrated management system for the tool and cutlery industry regarding sustainability. The tool’s actual status allows integrating and implementing requirements considering work safety, environmental and quality management and a self-assessment for checking the level of requirements’ fulfilment. However, the topic of sustainability and requirements and risks going along with it are of great importance for the mostly small and medium companies of this industry. Therefore, the Excel-tool is being enhanced by integrating the requirements of risk, energy and sustainability management. The paper presents the advanced Excel-tool. Design/methodology/approach – The base for advancing the Excel-tool has been analysing the status quo of sustainability management in the companies. Moreover, a matrix for comparing the requirements has been enlarged regarding the standards for sustainability, risk and energy management and builds the base for further developing of the Excel-tool. Findings – This analysis has shown the need for action, regarding the topic of sustainability. Hence, the Excel-tool has been enlarged regarding the assessment of fulfilling the requirements of different management systems. It allows small- and medium-sized enterprises a detection of need for action to comply with the requirements of different management systems with minimal afford. By this, an easily evaluation and improvement of the companies’ management systems is enabled. Originality/value – The tool enables companies to easily evaluate the state of their integrated management system by themselves and assists when implementing additional management systems.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Noradilah Abdul Hadi ◽  
Mohd Rizal Muwazir

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine selection factors among multi-ethnic customers in Malaysian Islamic banking industry. The information is important to reinforce the argument that ethnicity could become significant factor in determining customer behaviour. Design/methodology/approach This study uses quantitative approach by using questionnaire (Likert scale) to measure respondents ranking of 25 selection factors. A total of 272 valid responses were generated from 450 questionnaires distributed, with 60.4% response rate. The methods of analysis used are descriptive analysis, factor analysis and Kruskal–Wallis test. Findings The findings revealed five selection factors (religious and ethical, services and convenience, service quality and benefit, external and operational and charges), with religious and ethical factor as the most important criteria for Malay customers. As for Chinese and Indian customers, they chose services and convenience factor. Originality/value This study is conducted to gain new insights on the perception of multi-ethnic banking customers in Malaysia towards Islamic banks and how cultural differences might affect their decisions. The findings are important for further development of the Islamic banking industry in Malaysia considering ethnicity has a major impact on the society. The acknowledgement of similarities and differences between the ethnic groups could strengthen the relationship with the Islamic banking customers. Furthermore, incorporation of ethnicity factor in bank’s marketing strategies is important to secure competitive advantage particularly in dual banking system such as in Malaysia.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
I Putu Gede Sukaatmadja

Purpose This study aims to test and explain the implementation of the green marketing mix (GMM) strategy, based on an environmental orientation (EO) in increasing the competitive advantage (CA) of the real estate developers or companies in Indonesia. Design/methodology/approach This study was conducted at real estate developer companies in several cities in Bali, i.e. Denpasar, Gianyar, Buleleng, Singaraja and Tabanan of Bali Province, Indonesia, registered as a member of Real Estate Indonesia. Bali was chosen as a province with a very rapid growth of the property sector than other provinces in Indonesia. This study is about census research. The sample unit is a real estate developer in Bali whose scope of operation project is at least 20 hectares, which means the scale of the property business is middle-class and upper-class companies. The unit of analysis was developer companies in Bali, whereas the respondents were the General Manager, CEO or owners of the company. The respondents were chosen so that each question in the questionnaire could be filled correctly and accurately. Findings EO has a positive but insignificant effect on CA. On the other hand, EO has a positive and significant influence on the GMM strategy. Furthermore, the results show that the GMM strategy has a positive and significant effect on CA. Originality/value The originality of this study is evident from the effort to deepen the analysis and the results of the hypothesis testing of previous studies; hence, this study uses a GMM strategy for real estate developers as a service company. The mapping of the previous research is done uses variables related to current research. This study seeks to develop a model from some previous studies aimed at enriching the results of research for further development.


2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 309-324 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ulf Johanson ◽  
Roland Almqvist ◽  
Matti Skoog

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to further develop a conceptual framework for analysing performance management systems (PMS). The framework aims to be useful for a rich understanding of a specific organisation’s PMS. At the same time, it should preferable be simple so that it could be used even in practice. The framework adds to earlier work by Malmi and Brown (2008), Ferreira and Otley (2009), Broadbent and Laughlin (2009), Bedford and Malmi (2015) and Johanson et al. (2001). Design/methodology/approach The paper is theoretical but has also been applied to a Swedish municipality. The purpose of the latter was to understand if the framework is feasible so far. Findings The authors hold that the framework in its present form is useful to use as an analytical tool even if it needs to be subjected to further development. Research limitations/implications The paper addresses an issue that is continuously changing. This means that the suggested framework may suffer from theoretical weaknesses in some respects. To balance between a theoretically deep and exhaustive framework and a framework that is simple enough to use is a tricky question that needs further investigation. Practical implications The ambition with the framework is that it shall be useful even in practice. Originality/value The need for further research in the PMS area has been emphasised by the above researcher but also by, e.g., Van Helden and Reichard (2016). They hold that the authors need rich European cases to improve the understanding of how PMS works. The authors hold that the present framework has the potential to meet the demands from Van Helden and Reichard.


2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 152-177 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan Bebbington ◽  
Henrik Österblom ◽  
Beatrice Crona ◽  
Jean-Baptiste Jouffray ◽  
Carlos Larrinaga ◽  
...  

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to interrogate the nature and relevance of debates around the existence of, and ramifications arising from, the Anthropocene for accounting scholarship. Design/methodology/approach The paper’s aim is achieved through an in-depth analysis of the Anthropocene, paying attention to cross-disciplinary contributions, interpretations and contestations. Possible points of connection between the Anthropocene and accounting scholarship are then proposed and illuminated through a case study drawn from the seafood sector. Findings This paper develops findings in two areas. First, possible pathways for further development of how accounting scholarship might evolve by the provocation that thinking about the Anthropocene is outlined. Second, and through engagement with the case study, the authors highlight that the concept of stewardship may re-emerge in discussions about accountability in the Anthropocene. Research limitations/implications The paper argues that accounting scholarship focused on social, environmental and sustainability concerns may be further developed by engagement with Anthropocene debates. Practical implications While accounting practice might have to change to deal with Anthropocene induced effects, this paper focuses on implications for accounting scholarship. Social implications Human well-being is likely to be impacted if environmental impacts accelerate. In addition, an Anthropocene framing alters the understanding of nature–human interactions and how this affects accounting thought. Originality/value This is the first paper in accounting to seek to establish connections between accounting, accountability and the Anthropocene.


2019 ◽  
Vol 46 (6) ◽  
pp. 761-783 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Hashemi Joo ◽  
Yuka Nishikawa ◽  
Krishnan Dandapani

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to recognize the benefits of the initial coin offering (ICO) as a way of raising funds and to present a detailed comparison between the ICO and the initial public offering to realize the future possibilities that this new funding method holds. Design/methodology/approach It is an exhaustive review of the ICO, the mechanism of crowdfunding, the blockchain technology behind it, benefits and current shortcomings of the ICO, and the potential future development of the ICO as a convenient and efficient way of raising capital. Findings ICOs have brought billions of dollars of funding to startups and projects worldwide in less than two years. Concurrently, many successful ICOs yielded extremely high returns to investors and believers of this new way of funding businesses. Research limitations/implications While the ICO is a revolutionary vehicle for business funding, it has raised concerns among users as well as potential investors about its risk and lack of regulation. The future of this innovative funding method highly depends on further development and placement of appropriate regulatory supervision, better understanding of risk and benefits and attaining the confidence of users. Originality/value This is a review of the advantages and drawbacks of the ICO. If the current fraud, market and cybersecurity risks can be mitigated and standardized regulations are developed, the ICO has a future to become an established way of capital funding or even replace the existing options, regardless of the size and age of companies.


2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (5) ◽  
pp. 815-839 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evangelos Psomas ◽  
Jiju Antony

Purpose Literature contributions to Lean manufacturing (LM) are fragmented and show some significant limitations. The purpose of this paper is to identify the existing research gaps in LM as well as to group them into respective themes. Design/methodology/approach A systematic literature review (SLR) of peer reviewed journal articles in LM was carried out by the authors, based on four major publishers, namely, Emerald Online, Science Direct, Springer Link and Taylor & Francis. In total, 120 articles published in 30 journals during 2005–2016 were collected which revealed LM research gaps. A simple affinity diagram was applied in order to group the research gaps into logical themes. Findings A large number of research gaps are identified in the LM literature and meaningful themes of these gaps are also revealed. Research limitations/implications The SLR carried out by the authors is based on only four academic journal publishers and some of other publishers might have been missed out in this search. Excluding articles focusing on an individual Lean principle or tool/technique is also a limitation of the present SLR. Practical implications Researchers and practitioners can use the LM research gaps presented in this study for further development of LM methodology. Originality/value Presenting LM research gaps analytically and grouping them into meaningful themes, significantly differentiates the present SLR study from those published so far.


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