The analytic study of librarian-user and importance-satisfaction on the use factor of complex cultural space in library

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Younghee Noh
Keyword(s):  
Supply And Demand ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Utilization Rate ◽  
Cultural Space ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Performance Space ◽  
Exhibition Space ◽  
Cultural Spaces ◽  
Level Of Importance ◽  
Community Space

PurposeThis study surveyed users and librarians who have been transforming libraries into a complex cultural space by reflecting the trends of the times, investigated and analyzed various status of complex cultural spaces, including perceptional differences among different groups and made an attempt to present a direction for the diversification of library's role.Design/methodology/approachThis study analyzes the difference between the level of importance and the level of satisfaction for the operational style and use of complex cultural spaces, current status and use of programs and services of libraries as well as the perceptual difference between librarians and users. In order to do so, opinions were collected from librarians who operate complex cultural spaces and users who use the spaces.FindingsFirst, the study compared to see if there is a difference between the preferred complex cultural space of libraries and the type of complex cultural space actually provided by libraries. Libraries do not only have data spaces but also made education space, performance space, exhibition space, rest space, community space and experience space available for users. Users were found to more frequently use exhibition space, performance space, rest space and education space among other spaces whereas the utilization rate of community space and experience space was identified to be significantly low. Second, this study also compared to see if there is a difference between users' preference for the type of programs operated by library's complex cultural spaces and the actual programs offered. The comparison of perceived differences between librarians who are the operators of the programs and users who participate in the programs is to compare and improve the consistency of supply and demand. As a result, it was found that the supply and demand for educational programs were most consistent, which would lead to higher participation rate and enhanced operational performance and satisfaction with libraries. Lastly, investigations were carried out to see whether there is a difference in the levels of importance and satisfaction for the operation of complex cultural spaces and perceptional difference between libraries and users. Comprehensively analyzing the results, in the first quadrant of “Keep the Good Work,” librarians showed a higher level of perception compared to users. In particular, librarians were found to have a different perception towards programs (contents) compared to users. Based on such results, a systematic program must be considered when planning for library programs in order to increase uses' satisfaction. In addition, in the second quadrant of “Concentrate Here,” with a high importance and low satisfaction, users showed a high level of importance for programs (contents) whereas libraries identified accessibility as a more important factor, indicating a big perceptional difference between users and librarians.Research limitations/implicationsThis study examines the differences between the opinions of operators who create complex cultural spaces and operate programs in the spaces and the opinions of users who participate in the spaces and programs, and it was found that no other studies in Korea and overseas have done the same yet. In addition, it carries a significant meaning in that it does not only investigate the perceptions towards importance and satisfaction, but also suggests improvement directions based on the perceptional differences between users and librarians. In other words, librarians who implement policies at actual sites seem to be able to reflect the results of this study and decide the operation direction of the library.Originality/valueUsers also participate in various services and programs that library's complex cultural spaces offer and enjoy their cultural life. It carries a significant meaning in that the study evaluates the importance-satisfaction of factors affecting the use of complex cultural spaces of libraries by examining perceptions of those users who actually have the experience of using library's complex cultural spaces when the number of libraries attempting to transform into a multicultural space increases. The study made an attempt to enrich the knowledge and understanding of users' visit/use of libraries, suggest improvement directions and factors to focus. Continuous efforts and additional studies must be made in order to vitalize library's complex cultural spaces and secure the position of a cultural facility as well as a communication space located at the heart of regional society.

Application of lean practices in small and medium-sized food enterprises

2013 ◽  
Vol 116 (1) ◽  
pp. 125-141 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manoj Dora ◽  
Dirk Van Goubergen ◽  
Maneesh Kumar ◽  
Adrienn Molnar ◽  
Xavier Gellynck
Keyword(s):  
Food Processing ◽  
Lean Manufacturing ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Food Sector ◽  
Statistical Process ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Lean Practices ◽  
The Status ◽  
Manufacturing Techniques

Purpose – Recent literature emphasizes the application of lean manufacturing practices to food processing industries in order to improve operational efficiency and productivity. Only a very limited number of studies have focused on the implementation of lean manufacturing practices within small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating in the food sector. The majority of these studies used the case study method and concentrated on individual lean manufacturing techniques geared towards resolving efficiency issues. This paper aims to analyze the status of the lean manufacturing practices and their benefits and barriers among European food processing SMEs. Design/methodology/approach – A structured questionnaire was developed to collect data. A total of 35 SMEs' representatives, mostly CEOs and operations managers, participated in the survey. The study investigated the role of two control variables in lean implementation: size of the company and country of origin. Findings – The findings show that lean manufacturing practice deployment in food processing SMEs is generally low and still evolving. However, some lean manufacturing practices are more prevalent than others; e.g. flow, pull and statistical process control are not widely used by the food processing SMEs, whereas total productive maintenance, employee involvement, and customer association are more widespread. The key barriers encountered by food SMEs in the implementation of lean manufacturing practices result from the special characteristics of the food sector, such as highly perishable products, complicated processing, extremely variable raw materials, recipes and unpredictable demand. In addition, lack of knowledge and resources makes it difficult for food processing SMEs to embark on the lean journey. Originality/value – The gap in the literature regarding the application of lean manufacturing in the food sector is identified and addressed in this study. The originality of this paper lies in analyzing the current status of the use of lean manufacturing practices among food SMEs in Europe and identifying potential barriers.

Measuring the service gaps in the roles of quantity surveyors in the emerging market

2016 ◽  
Vol 23 (5) ◽  
pp. 1111-1131 ◽  
Author(s):  
AbdulLateef Olanrewaju
Keyword(s):  
Emerging Markets ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Emerging Market ◽  
Supply And Demand ◽  
The Other ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Survey Questionnaires

Purpose – The opportunities that the emerging markets present to the players in the construction industry means that the players need to expand on the scope and size of their responsibilities and duties to the stakeholders. Each of the professionals now demands more specialised and sophisticated services from one another. The other players in the construction industry now require more emerging responsibilities and duties from the quantity surveyors. The purpose of this paper is to examine the roles that “modern” quantity surveyors play by measuring the gaps that exist in the services that the quantity surveyors provide. Design/methodology/approach – Primary data are collected through survey questionnaires. In total, 23 roles played by modern quantity surveyors are identified and addressed to the respondents to rank the rate at which quantity surveyors provide these “emerging” services. The collected data were analysed statistically. Findings – The results of the findings led to the conclusion that the quantity surveyors were not meeting the expectations of other players. Therefore, for competitiveness, quantity surveyors need to better meet demand expectations. Research limitations/implications – This findings of this research are constrained to the services or functions that the quantity provide in the construction industry. Practical implications – This knowledge is valuable to academic institutions that offer quantity surveying programmes, to practicing quantity surveyors, governments, and other players in the construction industry. It will allow quantity surveyors to reconcile supply and demand expectations. Originality/value – There is no known conclusive empirical study on services offered by quantity surveyors in any emerging markets. Therefore, the findings offer a fresh understanding on the services of quantity surveyors not only in Nigeria but elsewhere. While some of the services are common, others are peculiar to emerging markets.

Sport Communication Education in China: An Analysis of the Growth and Status of Academic Study Related to Sport Media

2008 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 424-433
Author(s):  
Huan Yu Xiao ◽  
Andrea N. Eagleman
Keyword(s):  
Supply And Demand ◽  
Teaching Quality ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Communication Education ◽  
Sport Communication ◽  
Qualified Teachers ◽  
Sport Media ◽  
The Reformation ◽  
Survey Results ◽  
Education In China

This commentary analyzes the growth and current status of the education, facilities, faculty, and teaching quality associated with sport communication education in China. It presents findings from a survey of Chinese sport communication students and their perceptions of the quality of education at universities offering such programs, as well as survey results from Chinese sport media professionals and their assessments of the students graduating from these programs. The results of these surveys signify problematic areas in sport communication education, such as an imbalance between the number of students in these programs and the amount of equipment and resources available, the shortage of qualified teachers, and the lack of applied sport communication opportunities available to the students. The article also details the relationship between supply and demand in academia. The commentary closes with proposed strategic solutions for the reformation and development of the academic environment related to sport communication in China.

How Snowden’s revelations have influenced youngsters’ attitude and behaviour in the PRC and Taiwan

2017 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 213-231
Author(s):  
Kiyoshi Murata ◽  
Yasunori Fukuta ◽  
Andrew A. Adams ◽  
Dang Ronghua
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Social Impact ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Republic Of China ◽  
Studying Abroad ◽  
The Social ◽  
State Surveillance ◽  
Questionnaire Surveys

Purpose This study aims to investigate how Snowden’s revelations are viewed by young people in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and Taiwan through questionnaire surveys of and follow-up interviews with university students in the two countries, taking into account the histories and current status of state surveillance in these countries and the current complicated and delicate cross-strait relationships. Design/methodology/approach Questionnaire surveys of 315 PRC and 111 Taiwanese university students (a majority studying in those places but a few studying abroad) and semi-structured follow-up interviews with 16 master’s course students from the PRC and one from Taiwan (all studying at Meiji University in Japan) were conducted, in addition to reviews of the literature on privacy and state surveillance in the PRC and Taiwan. The outcomes of the survey were statistically analysed and qualitative analyses of the interview results were also performed. Findings Youngsters living in the PRC had greater interest in and more knowledge about Snowden’s revelations than those living in Taiwan, and the revelations were positively evaluated in both countries as serving public interest. However, PRC students indicated they were less likely to emulate Snowden than those from Taiwan did. Originality/value This study is the first attempt to investigate the social impact of Snowden’s revelations on PRC and Taiwanese youngsters’ attitudes towards privacy and state surveillance as part of cross-cultural analyses between eight countries.

Creating a growth mindset

2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 155-160
Author(s):  
Ian Johnston
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Growth Mindset ◽  
Cultural Space ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Fixed Mindset ◽  
And Performance

Purpose This paper aims to show that everything a business does is fundamentally reliant on its culture. Culture determines how successful a strategy is and whether that strategy can be executed. If the culture in a business is out of alignment, it is imperative to change it. This paper examines how HR professionals can take ownership of this cultural space and help to create a growth mindset throughout the organisation. Design/methodology/approach The paper is based on experience gained through working with several large organisations to transform their people culture and performance by embracing a growth mindset and to help their HR leadership become the early champions of change, thus ensuring the process was successfully delivered. The paper includes case studies of two organisations where successful cultural shaping delivered improved results. Findings Companies with a growth mindset will outperform those with a fixed mindset. Changing mindsets is not overly complex, but it requires flawless implementation with the HR leaders at the forefront. Originality/value As Lou Gerstner, who turned around the computing giant IBM, said “I finally realised that culture is not part of the game, it is the game”. By understanding how individual mindsets impact culture, HR professionals can own and drive their organisation’s culture-shaping efforts.

State-of-the-art literature review on inventory models for perishable products

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 306-346 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vaibhav Chaudhary ◽  
Rakhee Kulshrestha ◽  
Srikanta Routroy
Keyword(s):  
Inventory Management ◽  
Systemic Review ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Inventory Models ◽  
Research Gaps ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Perishable Items ◽  
Perishable Inventory ◽  
The Future

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to review and analyze the perishable inventory models along various dimensions such as its evolution, scope, demand, shelf life, replenishment policy, modeling techniques and research gaps.Design/methodology/approachIn total, 418 relevant and scholarly articles of various researchers and practitioners during 1990-2016 were reviewed. They were critically analyzed along author profile, nature of perishability, research contributions of different countries, publication along time, research methodologies adopted, etc. to draw fruitful conclusions. The future research for perishable inventory modeling was also discussed and suggested.FindingsThere are plethora of perishable inventory studies with divergent objectives and scope. Besides demand and perishable rate in perishable inventory models, other factors such as price discount, allow shortage or not, inflation, time value of money and so on were found to be combined to make it more realistic. The modeling of inventory systems with two or more perishable items is limited. The multi-echelon inventory with centralized decision and information sharing is acquiring lot of importance because of supply chain integration in the competitive market.Research limitations/implicationsOnly peer-reviewed journals and conference papers were analyzed, whereas the manuals, reports, white papers and blood-related articles were excluded. Clustering of literature revealed that future studies should focus on stochastic modeling.Practical implicationsStress had been laid to identify future research gaps that will help in developing realistic models. The present work will form a guideline to choose the appropriate methodology(s) and mathematical technique(s) in different situations with perishable inventory.Originality/valueThe current review analyzed 419 research papers available in the literature on perishable inventory modeling to summarize its current status and identify its potential future directions. Also the future research gaps were uncovered. This systemic review is strongly felt to fill the gap in the perishable inventory literature and help in formulating effective strategies to design of an effective and efficient inventory management system for perishable items.

A conceptual framework to address barriers to knowledge management in project-based organizations

2014 ◽  
Vol 7 (2/3) ◽  
pp. 98-119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peyman Akhavan ◽  
Mohammad Reza Zahedi ◽  
Seyed Hosein Hosein
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Management ◽  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Previous Literature ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Stepping Stone ◽  
Iranian Context ◽  
Level Of Importance ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purposes of this study are to identify, classify and prioritize knowledge management (KM) barriers in an Iranian project-based organization (PBO) and to present a conceptual framework for improving attitudes to KM in the Iranian context. Design/methodology/approach – After studying previous literature on the topic, initial barriers of KM in PBOs were extracted. Then, a list of barriers of KM in the aforementioned organizations was finalized by interviewing experts in KM. After that, the barriers were prioritized using a questionnaire. Finally, a conceptual framework for successfully tackling KM barriers was presented. Findings – In this article, barriers of KM in PBOs have been divided into five categories: individual, organizational, technological, contextual, and inter-project. Then a three-layered conceptual framework has been presented which describes how the barriers of KM in PBOs may be removed progressively. Practical implications – The prepared and prioritized list of barriers of KM in PBOs is a stepping stone and a guideline for managers in PBOs which will enable them to identify barriers of KM in their own organizations and resolve them and improve KM in their organizations. It also serves as a useful base for researchers to expand further research concerning barriers of KM in PBOs. Originality/value – This article is probably the first article which has identified barriers of KM via interviews and questionnaires carried out in 50 active PBOs which had a KM section. The article also presents a three-layered framework for lowering barriers of KM, which can be applied step by step after considering the level of importance of each one identified.

From IMS and six sigma toward TQM: an empirical study from Serbia

2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 341-355 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vidosav Majstorovic ◽  
Tatjana V. Sibalija
Keyword(s):  
Quality Management ◽  
Six Sigma ◽  
Management Practice ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Quality Engineering ◽  
Manufacturing Companies ◽  
Total Quality ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Dmaic Method ◽  
Comprehensive Study

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present the current status of a quality management practice in Serbia, in terms of the development and application of integrated managements systems (IMS), and research and implementation of Six Sigma and the related techniques. Design/methodology/approach – Two main aspects of total quality management (TQM) have been considered: institutional (organisational or strategic) aspect that corresponds to standardised management systems and their integration, and technical (quality engineering) aspect whose main contributor is Six Sigma. The findings of a comprehensive study on IMS implementation in Serbia have been presented, based on the results of a questionnaire that was sent to 54 organisations during 2013. Also, the significant technical improvements and tangible benefits of a recently conducted Six Sigma project were shown, including the application of the advanced quality engineering techniques within DMAIC method. Findings – Good QM practice in Serbia is improving, both in terms of the organisational (IMS) and technical (Six Sigma) aspect, that server as a good basis for the adoption of TQM in manufacturing companies from various sectors. It could be anticipated that these results will facilitate the adoption of an overall TQM culture in Serbia and leverage its future sustainability. Originality/value – This paper offers key insights into IMS and Six Sigma implementation in Serbia. This could encourage manufacturing organisations in developing countries to adopt IMS and Six Sigma, in order to boost the overall TQM culture and gain a competitive advantage.

Supply chain practices and organizational performance

2017 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shrikant Gorane ◽  
Ravi Kant
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Customer Satisfaction ◽  
Financial Performance ◽  
Organizational Performance ◽  
Customer Value ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Manufacturing Organizations

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to empirically test a framework which identifies the relationships between various supply chain practices (SCPs) and organizational performance (operational performance (OP), customer satisfaction, and financial performance) in the context of Indian manufacturing organizations. Design/methodology/approach From the literature, ten SCPs are selected which finally influences the organizational performance. In order to understand the interactions between SCPs and organizational performance, this paper grouped the ten SCPs into four constructs namely: information and communication technology, supply chain (SC) integration, operational responsiveness, and closed loop green practices. Three levels of firm performance are also examined, including OP, customer satisfaction, and financial performance. The paper-based and web-based survey yielded 292 responses from the Indian manufacturing organizations. The data collected were put through rigorous statistical analysis to test for the content, construct, and criterion-related validity, as well as reliability analyses. Further a structural equation model was developed to test the relationships between SCPs and organizational performance. Findings The finding suggests that a successful SCPs implementation not only improves the OP, but also enhances customer satisfaction and financial performance. In addition, higher financial performance is also attributable to better customer value resulting from the achievement of better customer satisfaction. Research limitations/implications SCPs are complex constructs. While this study shows the effect of broadly accepted SCPs on organizational performance, not all possible practices are covered in this study. Again the study can be further extended to sector specific so that the results can be further refined. Practical implications This is one of the few studies which attempts to investigate whether there is any relationship exits between SCPs and organizational performance. The finding will help decision makers in the organization to know the importance of SCPs and how SCPs influence the organizational performance. Second, this study has developed and validated a multi-dimensional construct of SCPs, which can assist decision makers of Indian organizations to evaluate the competence of their current status of SCPs in the organization. Originality/value As per the knowledge of the authors, this is the first kind of study which empirically investigated the relationships between SCPs and organizational performance in the context of Indian manufacturing organizations.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document