Organization of work in Estonian university libraries: a review and survey

2014 ◽  
Vol 115 (9/10) ◽  
pp. 452-470
Author(s):  
Kate-Riin Kont ◽  
Signe Jantson
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Task Complexity ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Work Organization ◽  
Work Load ◽  
University Libraries ◽  
Job Descriptions ◽  
Organization Of Work ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Job Duties

Purpose – The aim of the current article is to investigate satisfaction of the staff of Estonian university libraries with the organization of work by analyzing characteristics, aspects and dimensions of the work, such as self-realization and skills realization opportunities, task complexity, task interdependence and fair division of tasks. Design/methodology/approach – The data used in this paper is based on a review of relevant literature to provide an overview of the concept of work organization, and the results of the original online survey created by the paper’s authors, conducted among Estonian university libraries. The results are interpreted on the basis of direction in the literature, and the authors’ opinions, based on our long-term working experience in Estonian academic libraries. Findings – Although a number of Estonian university librarians were mostly satisfied with the division of labor within their departments, the respondents feel that duties in the library as a whole should be reorganized and workloads should be divided more equally. Almost half of the respondents have performed (in addition to their main job) duties that are not included in their job descriptions. Originality/value – To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no research has been previously carried out in the Estonian library context into work organization and coordination. Based on the current study, it can be concluded that the biggest challenge for university libraries in Estonia is to fixate clearly job descriptions and work procedures, divide job duties fairly and guarantee balanced work load. Additional duties should be accompanied with additional remuneration.

Women entrepreneurs, individual and collective work–family interface strategies and emancipation

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 198-223 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louise St-Arnaud ◽  
Émilie Giguère
Keyword(s):  
Women Entrepreneurs ◽  
Work Organization ◽  
Division Of Labour ◽  
Organization Of Work ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Work Activities ◽  
Qualitative Research Design ◽  
Collective Work ◽  
The Family ◽  
Work Family

Purpose This paper aims to examine the experience of women entrepreneurs and the challenges and issues they face in reconciling the work activities of the family sphere with those of the entrepreneurial sphere. Design/methodology/approach This study is based on a materialist feminist perspective and a theory of living work that take into account the visible and invisible dimensions of the real work performed by women entrepreneurs. The methodology is based on a qualitative research design involving individual and group interviews conducted with 70 women entrepreneurs. Findings The results show the various individual and collective strategies deployed by women entrepreneurs to reconcile the work activities of the family and entrepreneurial spheres. Originality/value One of the major findings emerging from the results of this study relates to the re-appropriation of the world of work and organization of work by women entrepreneurs and its emancipatory potential for the division of labour. Through the authority and autonomy they possessed as business owners, and with their employees’ cooperation, they integrated and internalized tasks related to the work activities of the family sphere into the organization of work itself. Thus, not only new forms of work organization and cooperation at work but also new ways of conceiving of entrepreneurship as serving women’s life choices and emancipation could be seen to be emerging.

Cybersecurity behaviour of smartphone users in India: an empirical analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 293-318 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pintu Shah ◽  
Anuja Agarwal
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Mother Tongue ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Security Threats ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Computing Device ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Security Controls ◽  
The Usa ◽  
High Level

Purpose For a good number of Indians, their smartphone is their first digital computing device. They have less experience in dealing with the Internet-enabled device and hence less experience in handling security threats like malware as compared to users of other countries who have gone through the learning curve of handling such security threats using other Internet-enabled devices such as laptop and desktop. Because of this, the inexperienced Indian smartphone user may be vulnerable to Internet-related security breaches, as compared to the citizens of developed economies. Hence, it is essential to understand the attitude, behaviour and security practices of smartphone users in India. Limited research is available about the security behaviour of smartphone users in India as the majority of research in this domain is done outside India. Design/methodology/approach In this empirical study, the researchers identified 28 cybersecurity behaviours and practices through a survey of relevant literature. An online survey of identified cybersecurity behaviours and practices was administered to 300 smartphone users. Frequency analysis of the respondent data was done to understand the adoption of recommended cybersecurity behaviours and practices. Pearson’s chi-square with 5% level of significance has been used to test the hypotheses. Post hoc analysis with Bonferroni correction was conducted for statistically significant associations. Findings Overall, the respondents did not exhibit good cybersecurity behaviour. Respondents have adopted some of the most popular security features of the smartphone such as the use of screen lock. However, respondents have not adopted or are not aware of the technical security controls such as encryption and remote wipe. Statistically significant differences were found between the cybersecurity behaviour and practices and independent variables such as gender, age, mobile operating system (OS) and mother tongue. Respondents reported high level of motivation to protect their device and data, whereas they reported moderate level of threat awareness and the ability to protect to their device and data. Results of the comparative analysis with a similar study in China and the USA are also reported in this study. Research limitations/implications The main limitations of this study are as follows: the respondents' perceptions about their cybersecurity behaviours and practices were measured as opposed to their actual behaviours and practices and the generalizability of the study is limited because the sample size is small as compared to the total number of smartphone users in India. Practical implications The findings of this study may be useful for the design of effective cybersecurity prevention and intervention programs for general smartphone users of India. Originality/value This study provides an insight about cybersecurity behaviour of smartphone users in India. To the knowledge of the researchers, this is the first study to collect such quantitative data of smartphone users in India for a better understanding of the cybersecurity behaviours and practices. This study identified 28 cybersecurity behaviours and practices, which smartphone users should follow to improve cybersecurity.

How to optimize the cost and time of the acquisitions process?

2015 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 41-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kate-Riin Kont
Keyword(s):  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Optimization Methods ◽  
Activity Based Costing ◽  
University Libraries ◽  
New Developments ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cost System ◽  
Cost Behavior ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Print Format

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to focus on the history and new developments of the optimization and analysis of acquisitions costs. More specifically, the acquisition cost and time optimization methods studied concern primarily print format books. Though e-books have begun to be developed more and more, the print format books – both scientific books and textbooks – are still very important for university libraries and continue to pour into acquisition activities. Design/methodology/approach – The data used in this paper are based on a review of relevant literature to provide an overview of the different concepts of the budget allocation and cost accounting methods suitable for the optimizing cost and time of the acquisition process. Different methods are described via reviewing example studies. Findings – On the basis of the current study, it can be said that the acquisitions procedure is more labor-intensive than any other library procedure both historically and nowadays. Nonetheless, the routines of acquisitions have been fairly well fixed over the years and constantly have searched for new ways to reduce costs. The most popular methods to control the acquisitions budget have been centralized and cooperative acquisitions, using vendors for acquiring library materials, customer-based acquisitions, and price indexes. New costing methods described, like activity-based costing and time-driven activity-based costing methodologies seem both to be the best tools for understanding acquisitions cost behavior and for refining a cost system for university libraries. Originality/value – This paper raises a perspective in library acquisitions management that has not been dealt with before. Namely, it explores how the library materials selection moved from intrinsic wisdom of bookish librarians and “just in case” inventory model to “purchase by customer suggestion” model. In addition, how libraries moved from acting on the basis of guesses to examine the cost breakdown of the acquisitions-related activities in a library.

What do acquisition activities really cost? A case study in Estonian university libraries

2015 ◽  
Vol 36 (6/7) ◽  
pp. 511-534 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kate-Riin Kont
Keyword(s):  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Cost Accounting ◽  
Activity Based Costing ◽  
University Libraries ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Acquisition Process ◽  
Cost Behavior ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Acquisition Processes

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to mainly find out how well is time-driven activity-based costing (TDABC) suits for a university library setting in Estonia. For this purpose, all activities related to acquisitions process were identified and recorded in detail, and the cost of all these activities related to acquisition process in Estonian university libraries based on the example of the TDABC method were anlyzed. Design/methodology/approach – The data used in this paper is based on a review of relevant literature to provide an overview of the concept of the different cost accounting methods suitable for the measurement of the acquisition process. Through a case study, conducted among Estonian university libraries, the TDABC approach was used to analyze the acquisition process in university libraries. More specifically, the acquisition process studied concerned print format books, audiovisual documents and sheet music, and covered acquisition processes such as receipt of orders, ordering documents, communication with bookshop (if necessary), receiving documents and communication with the customer. Findings – On the basis of the current study it can be said the TDABC methodology seems to be one of the best tools for understanding cost behavior and for refining a cost system for university libraries. While analyzing the results, it appeared that the difference in time and cost for acquiring a document can be remarkable and concerns both – acquiring foreign documents (documents from other countries) and acquiring domestic documents, and between the university libraries chosen for the current study. Originality/value – The subject of cost accounting as a performance measurement method is in general an unexplored field in Estonian university libraries. Time guidelines for acquiring the documents were, however, quite common in the 1980s in the USSR, including Estonia. Soviet-wide regulatory documents were issued on all library work processes, but each library could still implement their own rules. In the 1990s, the regulations were consigned to oblivion. Very few cost surveys involving different library activities have been carried out in Estonia and none have been published. Where such studies have been conducted, the results remain for internal use only.

Mapping segments accessing user‐generated content and website applications in a joint space

2012 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 389-404 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margit Kastner ◽  
Brigitte Stangl
Keyword(s):  
Rasch Analysis ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Joint Space ◽  
Motivational Factors ◽  
User Generated Content ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Explanatory Variables ◽  
Perceived Importance ◽  
Website Content

PurposeThe relevant literature suggests that website designers should consider the needs of their target groups. This study aims to show the importance of certain website content/applications as perceived by specific user segments, and reveal a posteriori segments based on motivational factors for reading user‐generated content (UGC). The study then seeks to visualize the connections between segments, their perceived importance of website applications, and further explanatory variables, by applying correspondence analysis (CA). The authors show that creative usage of CA may give insight into the varying contributions of certain variables through the exclusion of scale categories or segments.Design/methodology/approachThe authors collected 440 completed questionnaires in an online survey. Of the 240 respondents who read UGC, the authors clustered motivational factors by applying a vector quantization method, and then used CA to give insights into the importance of website content/applications for certain segments. The paper explains how matrices can be simplified in order to facilitate interpretation, and applies Rasch analysis to ensure the accuracy of this simplification.FindingsThe results indicate that six segments exist with different motivations for accessing UGC: enthusiasts, mavericks, tips and price optimizers, safety players, uncommercials, and avoiders. For these different segments, the perceived importance of diverse website content/applications vary. The authors show that interpretation may be simplified, without the loss of substantive information, by combining scale levels and excluding neutral categories. The Rasch analysis also supports combining categories.Research limitations/implicationsThe authors also show how the demonstration of certain effects can be enhanced by animated graphics, and that these can then be embedded into PDF files. However, embedding of animations only makes sense for digital articles or media in general; in a printed version, the reader would need to be redirected to a website.Practical implicationsSocial media website providers need to be aware that diverse segments perceive the importance of content/applications differently, and designers should customize a website accordingly. Finally, and in terms of methodology, this paper highlights how CA is valuable for management presentations because it displays categorical data in an easy‐to‐read graph format.Originality/valueNo research has hitherto shed light on the connection between the perceived importance of website content/applications and the motivational factors for accessing UGC. This paper contributes to filling this gap.

The influence of showrooming on Millennial generational cohorts online shopping behaviour

2020 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-103
Author(s):  
Olivia Johnson ◽  
Stefanie Ann Ramirez
Keyword(s):  
Perceived Risk ◽  
Financial Risk ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Online Shopping ◽  
Product Information ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Generational Cohorts ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Shopping Behaviour

PurposeOmnichannel retailing has changed the behaviour of consumers by empowering activities like showrooming which is the process of collecting product information in store then making the purchase online. Since individuals, particularly Millennials, interact with multiple touchpoints throughout their shopping journey, retailers must consider how these experiences influence purchasing behaviour. Literature regarding showrooming has focussed primarily on antecedents to the phenomenon and the negative effects to brick and mortar retailers, however limited studies have investigated the quantitative influence of showrooming from the consumers' perspective. While data show that interest in online shopping is spiking, a vast majority of retail sales are made in-store suggesting barriers to online shopping still exist. Thus, the purpose of this research is to identify the role of showrooming in decreasing risk in an online shopping context. Additionally, Millennial generational cohorts (MGCs) were proposed as moderators in exploring the differences between the dimensions of perceived risk and online shopping intention.Design/methodology/approachTo explore the relationship between showrooming and MGCs online shopping behaviour an online survey was administered. Data were collected from 480 Millennial consumers at a large southwestern university. Multiple linear regression was used to determine the direction, magnitude and significance of relationships within the models.FindingsResults from the analysis revealed showrooming and MGCs influence online shopping behaviour as it relates to dimensions of risk. Moreover, showrooming increased online shopping intention specifically in relation to product and financial risk.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to the relevant literature by proposing a relationship between showrooming and online shopping behaviour. This research provides evidence that Millennials are not a monolithic generation and consume differently.

Kuwait University faculty’s use of electronic resources during the COVID-19 pandemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 429-439 ◽  
Author(s):  
Batool A. Hendal
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Critical Time ◽  
Faculty Members ◽  
University Faculty ◽  
University Libraries ◽  
Electronic Resources ◽  
Kuwait University ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Writing Research ◽  
Social Media Platforms

Purpose This paper aims to examine the extent of benefits Kuwait University faculty received from the electronic resources offered by Kuwait University Libraries Administration, specifically during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Design/methodology/approach An online survey was distributed using Google Forms via different social media platforms and official emails. The sample was Kuwait University faculty from all 16 colleges. Findings The results showed humble use of electronic resources during this critical time. The faculty mostly used the electronic resources for writing research papers, and databases and e-journals were their most preferred resources. The majority of nonusers indicated that they did not need these resources, and the rest referred to their unawareness of these resources. The results also showed that the majority of nonusers were willing to learn more about the electronic resources and how to use them. Originality/value The results and recommendations of this study are expected to be beneficial to Kuwait University and Kuwait University Libraries Administration, specifically, in terms of knowing what the faculty members use and prefer and the problems they face when searching electronic resources.

Perceptions of clinical leadership amongst West Midlands registrars

2014 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 108-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dulani Mendis ◽  
Calum Paton
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Training Programme ◽  
Service Improvement ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Clinical Leadership ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Leadership Potential ◽  
Team Working ◽  
Training Opportunities

Purpose – Previously published studies about trainee perceptions of clinical leadership, although small in number, have not assessed the opinions of senior registrars nor established their awareness of the relevant leadership frameworks. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – Survey questions and interview questions were designed and a comparison of the relevant literature was performed. An online survey was sent via e-mail to a potential of 2,126 registrar trainees within the deanery and a series of semi-structured interviews (analysed via a content analysis) were conducted amongst voluntary subjects. Findings – The response rate for the questionnaire was 247/2,126 (11.6 per cent). Respondents recognised the importance of leadership (90.4 per cent), professionalism (99.6 per cent) and promoted team-working (89.8 per cent). In total, 94.3 per cent of respondents have had ideas for improvement in their workplace; however, only 27.9 per cent have had their ideas for change implemented. Of the 85.5 per cent of trainees who are not aware of the leadership frameworks, 89.1 per cent performed leadership activities either daily or sometimes. The priorities of registrars did appear to differ between the junior and senior grades. Originality/value – Registrar trainees have a desire to engage and a perceived ability to contribute to service improvement; however, a lack of encouragement, awareness and limited training opportunities serve to hamper the development of clinical leadership potential. This study presents itself as a pilot and will hopefully prompt a larger deanery study to gain a thorough assessment of all trainee perceptions, in order to improve the training programme and ultimately create a generation of consultants equipped to engage in clinical leadership throughout their lifelong career in the National Health Service.

Consumer preferences regarding national and EU quality labels for cheese, ham and honey

2018 ◽  
Vol 120 (3) ◽  
pp. 650-664 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mira Kos Skubic ◽  
Karmen Erjavec ◽  
Marija Klopčič
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Consumer Preferences ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Food Product ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Slovenian Population ◽  
Protected Designation Of Origin ◽  
National Quality ◽  
And Gender ◽  
The Eu

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate consumer preferences in the Slovenian context with regard to cheese, ham and honey labelled with the national and EU protected designation of origin (PDO) indication and the protected geographical indication (PGI) associated with price and origin. Design/methodology/approach An online survey with a representative sample of the Slovenian population of 650 consumers was conducted. Consumer preferences were estimated using choice-based conjoint analysis. Findings The findings show that price is the most powerful driver of consumer preferences for cheese and honey, whereas it is origin for ham, which proved to be the most strongly desired “Slovenian” food product of all items analysed. Label is the least preferable attribute for all three products considered. Cheese, ham and honey bearing the national PDO and PGI labels were more desired than products carrying the EU PDO and PGI labels. The study findings also show the main statistically significant differences in the age and gender of consumers. Research limitations/implications The biggest limitation is that the study focused on certain labels only, related to quality, and origin in particular. Practical implications This result highlights the need to extend and intensify promotional and communication activities to increase consumer preferences for the national and EU PDO- and PGI-labelled cheeses, ham and honey. Originality/value This study contributes to relevant literature by presenting the results regarding consumer preferences for the EU and national quality labels for different food categories in Slovenia, which has no tradition in using the EU quality labels.

scholarly journals Responding to hate: how national and local incidents sparked action at the UNLV University Libraries

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-90
Author(s):  
Brittany Paloma Fiedler ◽  
Rosan Mitola ◽  
James Cheng
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Social Justice ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Student Activism ◽  
Cultural Humility ◽  
University Libraries ◽  
Job Descriptions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
2016 Election ◽  
Taking Action

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to describe how an academic library at one of the most diverse universities in the country responded to the 2016 election through the newly formed Inclusion and Equity Committee and through student outreach. Design/methodology/approach This paper details the context of the 2016 election and the role of social justice in librarianship. It offers ideas for how library diversity committees can address professional development, recruitment and retention efforts and cultural humility. It highlights student outreach efforts to support marginalized students, educate communities and promote student activism. Finally, it offers considerations and suggestions for librarians who want to engage in this work. Findings This paper shows that incorporating social justice, diversity, equity and inclusion requires individuals taking action. If institutions want to focus on any of these issues, they need to formally include them in their mission, vision and values as well as in department goals and individual job descriptions. The University of Nevada, Las Vegas University Libraries fully supports this work, but most of the labor is done by a small number of people. Unsustainable practices can cause employee burnout and turnover resulting in less internal and external efforts to support diversity. Originality/value Most of the previous literature focuses either on internal activities, such as professional development and committees, or on student-focused activities, such as outreach events, displays and instruction. This paper is one comprehensive review of both kinds of activities.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document