Possibility and imagination: a personal exploration of research and librarianship

2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alex Byrne
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Information Services ◽  
Symbiotic Relationship ◽  
Systematic Relationship ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Practice Test ◽  
Research And Practice ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose Libraries and research have a symbiotic relationship. Researchers depend on libraries and the collections and information services we curate and libraries depend on researchers and writers, and their publishers, to deliver the stuff that we make available. The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between research and practice. Design/methodology/approach This paper reports the author’s perspective as a librarian with nearly four decades in practice who has undertaken a variety of research throughout his career. Findings Identifies the need for a more systematic relationship that will encourage better practice in research and lead practitioners to draw on the findings of more reliable research to inform their practice, test possibilities and stimulate imagination. Originality/value Tracing the intertwining of research and practice through one career, the paper presents a uniquely detailed perspective.

A “recursive framework” of corruption and development

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 282-298 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph Ato Forson
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Institutional Quality ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Research And Practice ◽  
Development Trajectory ◽  
Improve Theory ◽  
Theory Research ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide a conceptual framework on the relationship between corruption and development. The paper demonstrates how the impact of corruption on economic development might vary substantially from sustainable development (SD). Design/methodology/approach A combination of literature-based analysis was employed by considering concepts from corruption and development. A synthesis of these two concepts leads to the development of the conceptual framework. Findings The findings shows that corruption originates from three main sources, and that the effect of corruption on development might differ depending on how it is conceptualized, but the spate of corruption is contingent on institutional quality and gains in previous development trajectory. Originality/value Relating the concept of corruption and SD and linking it to theories of development brings a sense of novelty. This paper has in its essence contributed to the conceptualization of the relationship between corruption and development which will help deepen understanding on this contentious subject. The framework will help to improve theory, research and practice in development studies and allied fields.

scholarly journals Immersive information behaviour: using the documents of the future

2015 ◽  
Vol 116 (3/4) ◽  
pp. 112-121 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lyn Robinson
Keyword(s):  
Service Provision ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Information Service ◽  
Information Services ◽  
Sensory Interaction ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Research And Practice ◽  
Information Behaviour ◽  
Selective Analysis

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present the case for studies of information behaviour in the use of immersive documents. Immersive documents, where unreality is perceived as reality, arise from a combination of rapidly developing technologies and applications: pervasive and networked information, multi-sensory interaction and the creation of participatory texts. Design/methodology/approach – A critical and selective analysis of relevant literature is presented. Findings – Immersive documents are likely to have a significant effect on library/information service provision, as it is to expected that novel information behaviours will emerge as these documents become widely used. Studies of immersive information behaviour and practices will be valuable in planning for how library/information services can best provide access to such documents, and may also guide the development of such documents. They may also contribute to the development of information behaviour research generally, and to better interaction between research and practice. Research limitations/implications – As such documents are not yet in wide use, the conclusions are necessarily speculative. Originality/value – This is the first paper to discuss information behaviour in respect of immersive documents.

A “coalesced framework” of talent management and employee performance

2015 ◽  
Vol 64 (4) ◽  
pp. 544-566 ◽  
Author(s):  
James Kwame Mensah
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Work Performance ◽  
Employee Performance ◽  
Talent Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Research And Practice ◽  
Improve Theory ◽  
Theory Research ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide a conceptual framework that demonstrates the mechanisms through which talent management (TM) leads to the various dimensions of employee performance. Design/methodology/approach – A literature-based analysis was employed by combining concepts from TM and employee performance. The syntheses of these two concepts lead to the development of the conceptual framework. Findings – The findings show that, implementation of a TM system leads to employee performance, but a TM output mediates the relationship between TM and employee performance. Originality/value – This paper has contributed to the conceptualisation of TM and employee performance which will help to improve theory, research and practice in all fields concerned with individual work performance.

Democracy and libraries: symbol or symbiosis?

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (5) ◽  
pp. 284-294 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alex Byrne
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Democratic Society ◽  
International Federation ◽  
Intellectual Freedom ◽  
Symbiotic Relationship ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Economist Intelligence Unit ◽  
Library Associations ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose Libraries are frequently claimed to be essential to the functioning of a democratic society and to be symbols of intellectual freedom. The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between libraries, public libraries in particular, and democracy. Design/methodology/approach Data from the Democracy Index produced by the Economist Intelligence Unit and the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions World Library Map are analysed to test the claimed symbiotic relationship between libraries and democracy. Findings The findings confirm that there is an identifiable symbiotic relationship between libraries and democracy as claimed, at least for public libraries, and considers some implications of that finding. Originality/value First analysis of worldwide data to test this hypothesis.

Perceptions of time at work

2016 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aristides Isidoro Ferreira ◽  
Joana Diniz Esteves
Keyword(s):  
Gender Differences ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Phone Calls ◽  
Working Day ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose – Activities such as making personal phone calls, surfing on the internet, booking personal appointments or chatting with colleagues may or may not deviate attentions from work. With this in mind, the purpose of this paper is to examine gender differences and motivations behind personal activities employees do at work, as well as individuals’ perception of the time they spend doing these activities. Design/methodology/approach – Data were obtained from 35 individuals (M age=37.06 years; SD=7.80) from a Portuguese information technology company through an ethnographic method including a five-day non-participant direct observation (n=175 observations) and a questionnaire with open-ended questions. Findings – Results revealed that during a five-working-day period of eight hours per day, individuals spent around 58 minutes doing personal activities. During this time, individuals engaged mainly in socializing through conversation, internet use, smoking and taking coffee breaks. Results revealed that employees did not perceive the time they spent on non-work realted activities accurately, as the values of these perceptions were lower than the actual time. Moreover, through HLM, the findings showed that the time spent on conversation and internet use was moderated by the relationship between gender and the leisure vs home-related motivations associated with each personal activity developed at work. Originality/value – This study contributes to the literature on human resource management because it reveals how employees often perceive the time they spend on non-work related activities performed at work inaccurately. This study highlights the importance of including individual motivations when studying gender differences and personal activities performed at work. The current research discusses implications for practitioners and outlines suggestions for future studies.

Learning from intelligent conversation

IMP Journal ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 512-539 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luitzen De Boer ◽  
Poul Houman Andersen
Keyword(s):  
System Theory ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Historical Analysis ◽  
Research Field ◽  
Literature Study ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Narrative Literature ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Conceptual Research

Purpose The purpose of the paper is to contribute to further advancing of IMP as a research field by setting up and starting a theoretical conversation between system theory and the IMP. Design/methodology/approach The approach is based on a narrative literature study and conceptual research. Findings The authors find that system theory and cybernetics can be regarded as important sources of inspiration for early IMP research. The authors identify three specific theoretical “puzzles” in system theory that may serve as useful topics for discussion between system theorists and IMP researchers. Originality/value Only a handful of papers have touched upon the relationship between system theory and IMP before. This paper combines a narrative, historical analysis of this relationship with developing specific suggestions for using system theory as a vehicle for further advancement of IMP research.

Dynamic capabilities vs. innovation capability: are they related?

2014 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 368-384 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lidija Breznik ◽  
Robert D. Hisrich
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Dynamic Capabilities ◽  
Dynamic Capability ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Innovation Capability ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
New Research ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide insights into the relationship between dynamic capabilities and innovation capabilities. It links dynamic capability with innovation capability and indicates the ways they can be related. Design/methodology/approach – The relationships between dynamic and innovation capability were investigated through a systematic literature review. Findings – The review indicates that common characteristics exist between of the both fields, which demonstrate six relationships. Additionally, findings show some inconsistencies and even contradictions. Originality/value – In this paper, the authors have compared dynamic capabilities, a relatively new approach in the field of strategic management, with innovation capabilities, a widely recognised crucial domain for sustained competitiveness. Since both areas address issues that are essential to today's environment, future research should seek to clarify both concepts, by undertaking some new research and developing comprehensive and unambiguous framework.

Managing different forms of distances in Dutch healthcare organizations

2015 ◽  
Vol 29 (7) ◽  
pp. 1080-1097
Author(s):  
Annemiek Stoopendaal
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Healthcare Organization ◽  
Ethnographic Study ◽  
Healthcare Organizations ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Daily Work ◽  
Healthcare Executives ◽  
Governance Practices ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose – Dichotomous “gap” thinking about professionals and managers has important limits. The purpose of this paper is to study the specific ontology of “the gap” in which different forms of distances are defined. Design/methodology/approach – In order to deepen the knowledge of the actual day-to-day tasks of Dutch healthcare executives an ethnographic study of the daily work of Dutch healthcare executives and an ontological exploration of the concept “gap” was provided. The study empirically investigates the meaning given to the concept of “distance” in healthcare governance practices. Findings – The study reveals that healthcare executives have to fulfil a dual role of maintaining distance and creating proximity. Coping with different forms of distances seems to be an integral part of their work. They make use of four potential mechanisms to cope with distance in their healthcare organization practices. Originality/value – The relationship between managers and professionals is often defined as a dichotomous gap. The findings in this research suggest a more dynamic picture of the relationship between managers and professionals than is currently present in literature. This study moves “beyond” the gap and investigates processes of distancing in-depth.

scholarly journals “Happy slaves”? The adaptation problem and identity politics in the writings of Amartya Sen

2016 ◽  
Vol 43 (12) ◽  
pp. 1178-1193
Author(s):  
Tony Burns
Keyword(s):  
Identity Politics ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Conceptual Analysis ◽  
Practical Implication ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Mary Wollstonecraft ◽  
Amartya Sen ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between Amartya Sen’s notion of adaptation and his views on identity politics by focussing on the issue of slavery and, more specifically, on the example of the happy or contented slave. Design/methodology/approach The paper is text based. The methodological approach adopted is that of conceptual analysis, as is typical for work of this kind. Findings The paper concludes that the example of the happy or contented slave is indeed a fruitful one for those interested in exploring the relationship between Sen’s views on “the adaptation problem” and his views on identity politics, especially in relation to the subjection of women. Here Sen’s debt to the ideas of Mary Wollstonecraft and John Stuart Mill is particularly important. Research limitations/implications One implication of the argument of the paper is that there is a need to consider more carefully the differences that exist between the views of Wollstonecraft and Mill, so far as the example of the happy or contented slave is concerned. Practical implications One practical implication of the paper is that, hopefully, it establishes the continued relevance of the ideas of thinkers such as Wollstonecraft and Mill today, not least because of the influence that they have had on theoreticians such as Amartya Sen. Social implications The paper addresses issues which are of considerable social and political significance, especially for women in underdeveloped societies today. Originality/value The example of the happy or contented slave has not received much discussion in the literature on Sen, although Sen himself has suggested that the distinction between happiness and contentment is an important one, which does merit further discussion.

Tolstoy in a recipe

2014 ◽  
Vol 44 (4) ◽  
pp. 310-323 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Tominc
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
The Other ◽  
Food Culture ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Current Trends ◽  
New Middle Class ◽  
Cooking Shows ◽  
Local Construction ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the impact of global celebrity chefs and their discourse about food on the genre of cookbooks in Slovenia. Design/methodology/approach – Focusing this discourse study on cookbook topics only, the analysis demonstrates the relationship between the aspirations of local celebrity chefs for the food culture represented globally by global celebrity chefs, such as Oliver, and the necessity for a local construction of specific tastes. While the central genre of TV celebrity chefs remains TV cooking shows, their businesses include a number of side products, such as cookbooks, which can be seen as recontexualisations of TV food discourse. Findings – Hence, despite this study being limited to analysis of cookbooks only, it can be claimed that the findings extend to other genres. The analysis shows that local chefs aspire to follow current trends, such as an emphasis on the local and sustainable production of food as well as enjoyment and pleasure in the form of a postmodern hybrid genre, while, on the other hand, they strive to include topics that will resonate locally, as they aim to represent themselves as the “new middle class”. Originality/value – Such an analysis brings new insights into the relationship between discourse and globalisation as well as discourse and food.

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