Intangible organizational resources in Polish libraries

2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (1/2) ◽  
pp. 91-110
Author(s):  
Maja Dorota Wojciechowska
Keyword(s):  
New Technologies ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Business Strategies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Library Management ◽  
Intangible Resources ◽  
Library Resources ◽  
Trademark Protection ◽  
Knowledge Competencies ◽  
Management Staff

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present the main assumptions of the resource-based theory according to which the success of an organization is mainly dependent on the ability of capitalizing its inner capacity. The author draws attention to the measurement of intangible resources of libraries and their evaluation, crucial from the point of view of library effectiveness and the quality of its services. The author also emphasizes the specific character of intangible resources, including lack of their mobility, specialization and difficulty in their replacing, which may result in hindering management processes. Design/methodology/approach – The second part of the paper illustrates the author’s research in the field of intangible resources in Polish libraries, including human resources (knowledge, competencies, employee skills), competencies of library management staff, business strategies, organizational culture, communication skills and relations between employees, the ability to communicate and relations with the library community, in particular with its users, library reputation, brand, library innovativeness and the ability to adapt to changes and expectations of the community, the ability of the library to cooperate with other institutions, including networks and consortia, the ability to use and support new technological solutions, the ability to introduce new technologies in the library, the ability to create and acquire intellectual property (copyright, licensing, trademark protection, etc.). Findings – Research has shown that libraries pay growing attention to the relation with the community. Concentrating on library resources means concentrating on readers and providing services that would satisfy readers. However, it seems that the knowledge of library management in the field of managing of intangible resources is still insufficient. Originality/value – The paper presents the first study of this kind conducted in Poland.

Refocusing mobile makerspace outreach efforts internally as professional development

2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 130-142 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erich Purpur ◽  
Tara Radniecki ◽  
Patrick Tod Colegrove ◽  
Chrissy Klenke
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Digital Design ◽  
Anecdotal Evidence ◽  
Science And Engineering ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Library Resources ◽  
The University ◽  
Powerful Mechanism

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to uninitiate new and non-traditional library resources, such as those commonly found in a makerspace, can often seem abstract, intimidating, or even unrelated to the library mission. The University of Nevada’s DeLaMare Science and Engineering Library set out to engage its on-campus library colleagues to increase awareness and understanding of the new technologies being offered in support of active learning and discovery. Design/methodology/approach – The science and engineering library is experimenting with an ongoing series of inreach/outreach workshops that enable other library faculty and staff from across the greater library organization to experience their non-traditional services and resources. A first pop-up maker technology workshop took place in June 2015 and was composed of three sessions including an introduction to 3D printing and modeling, digital design literacies, and lendable technologies. A survey was distributed to attendees for feedback. Findings – Anecdotal evidence suggest the event was successful, offering a potentially powerful mechanism for engaging and informing library staff about non-traditional resources and technology. Originality/value – This outreach approach may prove valuable for other academic libraries to similarly create awareness of non-traditional resources and technologies among its colleagues.

Digital platforms: mapping the territory of new technologies to fight food waste

2020 ◽  
Vol 122 (5) ◽  
pp. 1647-1669 ◽  
Author(s):  
Massimo Cane ◽  
Carmen Parra
Keyword(s):  
Food Waste ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
The Other ◽  
Theoretical Point ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Digital Platforms ◽  
Other Hand ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Responsible Consumption

PurposeThe reduction of food waste is still a pending issue that governments have still not resolved. In response to this problem mobile platforms are emerging that follow food ecology and the responsible consumption of food, and self-management of their access to allow the communication between people and their use of food. In this paper, the authors will analyze the main digital platforms that deal with solving this problem, especially those that fulfill a social commitment through the distribution and reduction of waste.Design/methodology/approachTo provide solutions, the authors will address the importance of new technologies in the fight against waste, using digital platforms to manage food and to eliminate the loss in surplus products. To do this, the authors will first analyze from a theoretical point of view the concepts of “loss”, “waste” and “surplus product”, incorporating data of their impact between Spain and Italy. Next, the authors will analyze the influence of new technologies in the detection and distribution of products destined to become food waste. To carry out this qualitative research, the authors will apply the research strategy of theory building from multiple case studies (particularly 16 different digital platforms against food waste were analyzed), which is a methodological approach that uses cases as the basis to develop theory inductively.FindingsThe authors must make the public aware of the importance of being responsible consumers. To this end, the authors must disclose the problems associated with food waste and surplus product, presenting alternatives and new consumption habits. For this, it is necessary to collaborate and build synergies with organizations of different origins (consumers, producers and activists) involved in sustainable agrifood models. In this sense, digital platforms are essential tools to fight against food waste, preventing certain products from being considered unfit for human consumption. In this study, the authors suggest that, based on the review of the literature and the analysis of apps and blogs, the authors look for solutions to surplus and food waste both from the environment of the entrepreneur and the consumer and all using the new technologies.Research limitations/implicationsThe research has raised different limitations. On the one hand, it is a subject that has not been analyzed from a doctrinal point of view, so it is not easy to find bibliographic references. On the other hand, digital platforms that act on food waste are not cataloged. This has made it difficult to search for elements of analysis to obtain results in the work. Finally, the sample can vary in a short period of time since the digital platforms are in a boom, which means that they constantly change.Practical implicationsThis work allows a theoretical approach to the concepts of “loss”, “wastage” and “surplus product”, incorporating data on its impact in Spain and Italy, comparing it with the rest of Europe while providing figures and data on their impact. On the other hand, it allows us to know how new technologies can help the detection and distribution of products destined to become food waste. Finally, there are examples of platforms that are offering service in different areas, incorporating a novel classification that allows us to know the differences depending on their origin and destination.Originality/valueThe originality of the work can be summarized in the following points: There are no doctrinal works that analyze in a combined way the food waste with the new technologies; The relationship with the 2030 Agenda in which responsible consumption is one of the achievements pursued by the United Nations, and the authors position the study’s research as an evidence of platforms that are currently working in the interest of reducing food waste. Furthermore, the authors provide an early classification of platforms based on their usability and objectives of reducing, reusing and recycling food.

Development of an integrated framework regarding inter-firm collaborative business strategies

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Som Sekhar Bhattacharyya
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Theoretical Work ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Business Strategies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Integrated Framework ◽  
Holistic Understanding ◽  
Collaborative Strategies ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The author, with the help of a conceptual and integrated review of inter-firm collaborative strategies literature, developed an integrated perspective framework regarding inter-firm collaborative business strategies (IFCBS). The purpose of this study is to attain a holistic comprehension regarding IFCBS. Design/methodology/approach The author undertook a conceptual integrated literature review to arrive at the integrated framework on IFCBS. Argumentative and incremental logic was applied to develop the integrated perspective. This is as advocated by scholars (Barney, 2018; Whetten, 1989; Bacharach, 1989; Weick, 1989; Smithey Fulmer, 2012; Cornelissen, 2017, 2019). Findings This work contributed to theory by conceptualizing an integrated perspective framework. The integrated framework regarding inter-firm collaborative strategy was developed based upon the six conceptual elemental questions proposed and discussed in the papers. These were drawn from extant literature developed from the theoretical aspects regarding various aspects of participation between collaborating firms. It was also based upon the dominant and dormant roles played by the partnering firms as well as the objectives of the partnership. The six conceptual elemental questions were as follows: “Why to cooperate?”; “When to cooperate?”; “Which partners to collaborate with?”; “Where to cooperate?”; “How to cooperate?”; and “What are the benefits of collaboration?” Research limitations/implications There was contribution of this conceptual theoretical work in a couple of ways. First, IFCBS have been conceptualized with a reductionist point of view into six conceptual elemental blocks. These acted as antecedent, mediating and dependent factors. Second, an integrated framework on IFCBS was developed. Practical implications This work would help strategy managers to secure a holistic understanding regarding planning and execution of inter-firm collaborative strategies. The conceptual elements indicated in the study would help managers assess the factors regarding which managers should focus on with priority. Further, the factors that might hinder post-collaboration success have also been conceptualized in this work for easy comprehension of the managers. The framework proposed would help managers to comprehend regarding what type of inter-firm collaborative strategy their firm should embark upon so that there would be maximum post-collaboration success. The type of inter-firm collaborative strategies to be followed would be dependent upon the dominance or dormancy of the collaborating partners regarding the conceptual elements as well as the goals to be attained and secured from the inter-firm collaborative strategies. Originality/value This is one of the first theoretical works toward establishment of an integrated perspective framework on IFCBS involving antecedent, mediating and dependent factors.

scholarly journals Multidimensional research about oleotourism attraction from the demand point of view

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 114-128 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ignacio Ruiz Guerra ◽  
Valentin Molina ◽  
José Manuel Quesada
Keyword(s):  
Olive Oil ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Local Development ◽  
Opportunity To Learn ◽  
Food Product ◽  
Tourism Industry ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Experimental Point ◽  
Content Type

PurposeExperimental tourism can be understood as a new trend in tourist demand. Tourists want to experiment with lifestyles in different places. The information society shows how and where the best products are cultivated and is linked to how the quality of life should be. Nowadays, we are intended to know more and better things, both tangible and intangible, and new technologies show them to us immediately. One intends to live these opportunities as soon as they can.Design/methodology/approachFrom the experimental point of view Olive Oil Tourism (Oleotourism) emerges from the olive oil consumer’s interest in learning about the production process, so they can discover a lifestyle associated to this product. This research begins with an exploration of tourists’ motivations. Then, focusing on these consumers, this work has different targets: first, to assess how consumers perceive intangible aspects of olive oil and, second, to forecast the potential demand for oleotourism.FindingsThe development of tourism is the result of tourist entrepreneurs that react to the pre-existing demand/opportunity by identifying it in the tourist market.Research limitations/implicationsThe consumer’s experience is important, but touristic trends are changing. The importance of olive oil may grow in the future because the nutrition benefits are known by all countries. The natural experience around olive oil will drive it to other stakeholders.Practical implicationsIt is very early to recognize if the olive oil tourism industry is economically interesting, and whether innovative offers can be created based in olive oil and the lifestyle in rural areas.Social implicationsThe local development around olive oil tourism could be a potential complement with the principal activities, which are usually agricultural activities, farmer interests and local and historical heritage. This is a means to foresee the plausible impacts of the development of oleotourism on tourist destinations, for which oleotourism might become a competitive advantage based on an agri-food product with many intangible profits: olive oil.Originality/valueThis is the first opportunity to learn about the personal interest of the consumer regarding olive oil. They give us the opportunity to know if the institutional offer about new destinations based on olive oil tourism will have a chance or will it be an economic complement with the principal activities.

Innovation in procurement from rural India using enterprise mobility strategy: a case study

2014 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 143-153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mrinalini Shah ◽  
Nilanjan Chattopadhyay
Keyword(s):  
New Technologies ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Business Strategies ◽  
Rural India ◽  
Business World ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Procurement Process ◽  
Continuous Innovation ◽  
Management Concepts ◽  
Set Up

Purpose – The fundamental rule for sustenance in the business world for organizations is to explore new ways to discover themselves and to realign the business strategies with the changing environment, apply new management concepts and adopt new technologies so as to have a faster response to the changing business situation. With more than 600 million user base of mobile phones in India, it may be useful for the Indian companies to set up an enterprise mobility strategy akin to their information technology strategy and take maximum advantage of this mobile wave. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – The paper discusses methodology adopted to bring in and manage change in its process of procurement in a big organization “Marico,” one of the largest players in the Indian FMCG sector. A detailed process which “Marico” adopted to bring change in procurement process and its supply chain was studied with the help of long interviews and available secondary data. Findings – Heindl mode (2008) on the steps on continuous innovation are what Marico followed though process started in Marico much earlier. The case emphasizes how innovation models can be followed even to bring change in big corporate houses. Practical implications – Marico did formulate an enterprise mobility strategy as an innovation in its procurement process can pave the way and learning for other FMCG companies to benchmark its strategies against the one adopted by “Marico” the company of the study to find out the gaps exiting and therefore, the scope for improvement. Originality/value – “Maricio” is a unique example of continuous innovation and change in procurement from rural India which revolutionized the industry and bought bigger revenue and less hassles for the company.

Effective management of international technology transfer projects

2014 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-99 ◽  
Author(s):  
Milton Vieira Junior ◽  
Wagner Cezar Lucato ◽  
Rosangela Maria Vanalle ◽  
Kalinga Jagoda
Keyword(s):  
Technology Transfer ◽  
Textile Industry ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Far East ◽  
Business Strategies ◽  
Local Market ◽  
International Technology Transfer ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Textile Sector

Purpose – The Brazilian textile industry has been facing fierce competition from low-cost imports from China and other Far East countries. To maintain their competitiveness in the local market, Brazilian companies have been adopting the product differentiation strategy. By using new technologies, they are able to develop new products with better quality at lower costs. With regard to new technologies, companies in the Brazilian textile industry have been using get-some and buy-some strategy, and international technology transfer (TT) has become an important part of their business strategies. However, due to lack of planning, many projects failed to achieve the desired results. This paper aims to provide theoretical insights and practical guidance on how textile firms could use a stage-gate model to enhance the effectiveness of their TT projects. Design/methodology/approach – In order to investigate the TT practices in the Brazilian context, three issues are assessed. First, the paper evaluates the possibility of deploying TT practices used by firms in similar industries, to enhance the effectiveness of TT process. Second, it verifies whether it is possible for the textile firms to use a stage-gate model to manage their TT processes, using as a normative framework the stage-gate model proposed by Jagoda and Ramanathan and Jagoda et al. Finally, possible changes to the stage-gate model are evaluated to specifically fit the Brazilian textile sector. This step is accomplished through four case studies from the Brazilian textile industry. Findings – The analyses of TT projects carried out by four companies show that there are many similarities and differences among the TT practices that are employed by the four companies that were investigated. The evaluation of the TT practices of the Brazilian textile companies against the stage-gate framework allowed authors to identify the gaps between the model and the TT practices of the companies investigated. Broader guidelines in adapting the stage-gate model to improve the TT process in the textile industry are discussed in the final part of this study. Originality/value – The TT process in the Brazilian textile industry is not a widely investigated phenomenon; however, this process has been critical to enhancing Brazil's competitiveness. Thus, providing a better framework to support the TT process in the local textile sector could be relevant information for improving management action in the area.

Towards protecting organisations’ data by preventing data theft by malicious insiders

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abir Al-Harrasi ◽  
Abdul Khalique Shaikh ◽  
Ali Al-Badi
Keyword(s):  
New Technologies ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Management Tools ◽  
Holistic View ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Financial Gain ◽  
Protection Technology ◽  
Education And Awareness ◽  
Data Theft ◽  
Malicious Insiders

Purpose One of the most important Information Security (IS) concerns nowadays is data theft or data leakage. To mitigate this type of risk, organisations use a solid infrastructure and deploy multiple layers of security protection technology and protocols such as firewalls, VPNs and IPsec VPN. However, these technologies do not guarantee data protection, and especially from insiders. Insider threat is a critical risk that can cause harm to the organisation through data theft. The main purpose of this study was to investigate and identify the threats related to data theft caused by insiders in organisations and explore the efforts made by them to control data leakage. Design/methodology/approach The study proposed a conceptual model to protect organisations’ data by preventing data theft by malicious insiders. The researchers conducted a comprehensive literature review to achieve the objectives of this study. The collection of the data for this study is based on earlier studies conducted by several researchers from January 2011 to December 2020. All the selected literature is from journal articles, conference articles and conference proceedings using various databases. Findings The study revealed three main findings: first, the main risks inherent in data theft are financial fraud, intellectual property theft, and sabotage of IT infrastructure. Second, there are still some organisations that are not considering data theft by insiders as being a severe risk that should be well controlled. Lastly, the main factors motivating the insiders to perform data leakage activities are financial gain, lack of fairness and justice in the workplace, the psychology or characteristics of the insiders, new technologies, lack of education and awareness and lack of management tools for understanding insider threats. Originality/value The study provides a holistic view of data theft by insiders, focusing on the problem from an organisational point of view. Organisations can therefore take into consideration our recommendations to reduce the risks of data leakage by their employees.

How do self-initiated expatriates fit into the Japanese traditional HR system? A call for institutional change to achieve mutual understanding

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (3/4) ◽  
pp. 291-307
Author(s):  
Chie Yorozu
Keyword(s):  
Point Of View ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
System A ◽  
Japanese Firms ◽  
Expectation Gap ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Management Staff ◽  
The Relationship

PurposeJapan has recently opened its doors to welcome them in order to reduce the labour shortage in the domestic market. Peltokorpi and Froese (2009) indicated that Japan has a challenging workplace and system for foreigners. It is clear that Japanese firms have not really been ready to take on self-initiated expatriates in spite of their rapid acceptance of them. This research, therefore aims to explore how international labourers have worked in Japan and how well they have really been fitted into the unique Japanese work environment, especially its HR system.Design/methodology/approachThis research examined the issues from the both angle of Japanese firms and from the point of view of international labour through interview-based qualitative research method. The author analysed both data gained from 16 Japanese staff members including human resource management staff members of leading Japanese firms and 40 international workers. The data were analysed through ethnographical investigations of the current situation between Japanese firms and international labour. There has still been a lack of studies using interview-based qualitative method as introduced under the literature reviews.FindingsAlthough the issues occurring in the UK and US as regards pay and discrimination from local workers (e.g. Baruch et al., 2013) seem not to be shared by international workers in Japanese firms, other unique issues have arisen under the traditional HR system. There is a gap between Japanese firms' expectations and international labour' expectations; the former expects the latter to stay for the long term, while the latter prefers variety of job experiences in order to quickly develop skills. Under the traditional Japanese HR system, both sides seem to suffer if they work together for long.Originality/valueThe relationship between international labour in Japan and Japanese firms has been examined. Such both angles brought about expectation gap between both sides as mentioned above. While Japanese staff members have enjoyed the benefits of the secure HR system (Dore, 2000), self-initiated expatriates do not necessarily need these benefits.

Insights on integrated marketing communications: implementation and impact in hotel companies

2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (5) ◽  
pp. 958-979 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maja Šeric ◽  
Irene Gil-Saura ◽  
Đurđana Ozretić-Došen
Keyword(s):  
Survey Methodology ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Marketing Communications ◽  
Business Strategies ◽  
Integrated Marketing Communications ◽  
Integrated Marketing ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Content Type ◽  
High Level ◽  
Holistic Vision

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide insights on integrated marketing communications (IMC) by empirically examining the concept in a new context, that is hotel companies, and comparing its implementation and impact in Italian and Croatian hotels. Design/methodology/approach – The study uses survey methodology to assess IMC, approaching managers and guests in high-quality hotels. Findings – From the manager’s point of view, both Italian and Croatian hotels show a high level of IMC implementation and significant differences regarding some items. From the guest’s point of view, significant differences are obtained between the two hotel groups. In addition, IMC is found to influence positively and significantly customer satisfaction. Research limitations/implications – This research is limited to the Italian and Croatian hotel context. Future studies should approach a greater number of hotels to obtain more representative results. Practical implications – Managers need to adopt a holistic vision of marketing communications and regularly analyze consumers’ opinions to understand if their campaign works. Originality/value – This paper makes several original contributions, thus filling the existing gap in the literature. First, IMC is analyzed in a new environment, that is high-quality hotels. Second, the study is conducted in Italy and Croatia, where research on IMC is rather neglected. Third, in addition to managers’ opinions, guests’ perceptions are assessed, thus highlighting that consumers need to be considered as true “co-managers” of business strategies.

Conference report: innovation, interaction … and a lot of data: first time reflections on Internet Librarian International, UK 2018

2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 21-22
Author(s):  
Ray Harper
Keyword(s):  
Best Practice ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Conference Report ◽  
Library Services ◽  
New Techniques ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Making A Difference ◽  
Analyse Data ◽  
Physical Spaces ◽  
First Time

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to summarise a number of presentations at Day 1 of the Internet Librarian International conference, London, UK (16 October 2018). This was the 20th conference in the series, and the three key themes included were the next-gen library and librarian; understanding users, usage and user experience; and inclusion and inspiration: libraries making a difference. Design/methodology/approach This paper reports from the viewpoint of a first-time attendee of the conference. This summarises the main issues raised by each presentation and draws out the key learning points for practical situations. Findings The conference covered a variety of practical ways in which libraries can use technology to support users and make decisions about services. These include developing interactive physical spaces which include augmented reality; introducing “chat-bots” to support users; using new techniques to analyse data; and piloting new ways to engage users (such as coding clubs). A key theme was how we use and harness data in a way that is ethical, effective and relevant to library services. Originality/value This conference focussed on practical examples of how library and information services across sectors and countries are innovating in a period of huge change. The conference gave delegates numerous useful ideas and examples of best practice and demonstrated the strength of the profession in adapting to new technologies and developments.

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