Ethics by design: a code of ethics for the digital age

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 395-414
Author(s):  
Bernice Ibiricu ◽  
Marja Leena van der Made
Keyword(s):  
Data Protection ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Code Of Ethics ◽  
Code Of Conduct ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Ethical Framework ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Protection Legislation ◽  
Decision Making Processes ◽  
User Friendly

Purpose This paper aims to provide a framework for a code of ethics related to digital and leading edge technologies. Design/methodology/approach The proposed ethical framework is anchored in data protection legislation, and results from a combination of case studies, observed user behaviour and decision-making processes. Findings A concise and user-friendly ethical framework ensures the embedded code of conduct is respected and observed by all employees concerned. Originality/value An ethical framework aligned with EU data protection legislation is required.

Can you measure IT? The UK experience of TechQual+

2014 ◽  
Vol 15 (1/2) ◽  
pp. 32-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian Hall ◽  
Jessica Stephens ◽  
Sarah Kennedy
Keyword(s):  
Data Protection ◽  
Senior Managers ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Survey Tool ◽  
Technology Services ◽  
Protection Legislation ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The University

Purpose – The University of York Library, part of its Information Directorate, has successfully run an annual user survey using LibQUAL+ since 2008. The tool has proven invaluable in understanding user needs and measuring improvements. The ability to benchmark performance has been well received by university senior managers. Following this positive experience, the Directorate piloted the TechQual+ survey to assess its technology services. TechQual+ is a total market-survey tool developed on the same principles as LibQUAL+. York was the first university in the UK to do this. The purpose of this paper is to reflect upon the experience and its relevance to information services. Design/methodology/approach – A team was established to co-ordinate the distribution of the survey, which was e-mailed to all university members. The survey was conducted over a period of three weeks in December 2011 using their web-based tool. The team worked with the survey providers to make amendments in order to comply with UK Data Protection legislation. Findings – The TechQual+ tool provided a rich set of data on the IT needs of University of York students and staff, including a wealth of comments. As the first use of the tool in the UK, a number of outcomes arose from the pilot: methods for running the survey in order to meet UK data protection requirements; feedback on the tool itself, with some questions not understood from a UK context; a rich set of results data, with some similarities (and several differences) to those available through LibQUAL+. Originality/value – The paper presents the first application of the TechQual+ survey in UK and discusses the issues faced when implementing it in a UK context. The case study will be of interest to libraries or converged services interested in assessing their IT provision.

scholarly journals Implications of divergences in adult protection legislation

2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 149-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorna Montgomery ◽  
Janet Anand ◽  
Kathryn Mackay ◽  
Brian Taylor ◽  
Katherine C. Pearson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Elder Abuse ◽  
Consensus Model ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Legal Responses ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Protection Legislation ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Adult Protection

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the similarities and differences of legal responses to older adults who may be at risk of harm or abuse in the UK, Ireland, Australia and the USA. Design/methodology/approach – The authors draw upon a review of elder abuse and adult protection undertaken on behalf of the commissioner for older people in Northern Ireland. This paper focusses on the desk top mapping of the different legal approaches and draws upon wider literature to frame the discussion of the relative strengths and weaknesses of the different legal responses. Findings – Arguments exist both for and against each legal approach. Differences in defining the scope and powers of adult protection legislation in the UK and internationally are highlighted. Research limitations/implications – This review was undertaken in late 2013; while the authors have updated the mapping to take account of subsequent changes, some statutory guidance is not yet available. While the expertise of a group of experienced professionals in the field of adult safeguarding was utilized, it was not feasible to employ a formal survey or consensus model. Practical implications – Some countries have already introduced APL and others are considering doing so. The potential advantages and challenges of introducing APL are highlighted. Social implications – The introduction of legislation may give professionals increased powers to prevent and reduce abuse of adults, but this would also change the dynamic of relationships within families and between families and professionals. Originality/value – This paper provides an accessible discussion of APL across the UK and internationally which to date has been lacking from the literature.

Hosting Inspec on Engineering Village or Web of Science

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 307-317
Author(s):  
James Thomas McAllister III ◽  
Nancy Stephanie Diaz
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Lower Cost ◽  
Web Of Science ◽  
Novice User ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Novice Users ◽  
Interface Potential ◽  
Information Professionals ◽  
User Friendly ◽  
Review Criteria

Purpose As library budgets continue to constrict, librarians will need to become more familiar with comparing database host platforms. This paper aims to compare Inspec on Elsevier’s Engineering Village (EV) and Clarivate’s Web of Science (WOS) from a novice user experience. The main objectives are to identify some R1 institutions that subscribe to Inspec and highlight some of the key differences between the two platforms. Design/methodology/approach Information on Inspec was gathered from various sources such as the home website, IET, and the host platform websites of Elsevier and Clarivate Analytics. Additional evidence was also collected from brochures and guides to help illustrate some of the main features and differences that novice users would be familiar with. Findings Most institutions subscribe to Inspec via the EV platform. Results from the study conclude that EV was the choice over WOS for hosting Inspec owing to a more user-friendly interface, potential lower cost and faster platform updates in response to meeting user needs. Research limitations/implications As database platforms change over time, feature areas such as content, interface and features remain important for information professionals and librarians to stay current with those changes. Also, this work can help librarians with understanding the planning and developing of a process for comparing identical or similar databases on different platforms. Originality/value Much of the literature focuses on the unfamiliar details and not so much on the novice user. This paper provides a unique perspective in how a novice user would prefer the attributes of one host platform over the other. Additionally, the same review criteria can be applied in other subjects and disciplines.

The use of websites by Mediterranean tourist ports

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 190-204 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clara Benevolo ◽  
Riccardo Spinelli
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Qualitative Evaluation ◽  
Evaluation Tool ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mediterranean Countries ◽  
Expected Information ◽  
User Friendly ◽  
Potential Customers

Purpose This paper aims to explore the use of websites by tourist ports to assess whether they support ports in communicating their image and provide information and services to actual and potential customers. Design/methodology/approach An analysis of 129 tourist ports websites from ten Mediterranean countries was conducted using the 2QCV3Q model, a multi-purpose qualitative evaluation tool based on experts’ judgments. Findings The findings show that tourist ports’ websites are typically beautiful and well-managed, give ports a clear image and link them with the local territory; however, sample websites are only partially user-friendly, offer limited room for interaction and fail to provide all the expected information and services to the visitors. Originality/value This research provides an unprecedented picture of the use and quality of websites by tourist ports located in the Mediterranean Sea and offers a robust and exhaustive assessment tool that might be of interest to researchers. The tool might also help managers of tourist ports to improve their websites by making them more business- and customer-oriented.

ADS tour operators’ perspective of the Chinese tourism market and sustainable strategies for developing the Auckland city destination

2015 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 254-268
Author(s):  
Claire Liu ◽  
John S. Hull
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Code Of Conduct ◽  
Exploratory Research ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Chinese Market ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sustainable Operation ◽  
Market Operation ◽  
Qualitative Responses

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to report the findings of an exploratory research paper undertaken in Auckland, New Zealand which focused on the Approved Destination Status (ADS) inbound tour operators’ understanding of the Chinese market and their strategies for developing Auckland as a sustainable destination. Design/methodology/approach – Semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten managers out of the 25 registered ADS inbound tour operators. The qualitative responses were coded and analysed using pattern identification and categorisation of emergent themes. Findings – The findings profile New Zealand ADS inbound operators, summarise their knowledge of the Chinese market in terms of visitor expectations and characteristics, present the operator’s perceptions of Qualmark quality accreditation scheme and ADS Code of Conduct, and demonstrate the quality management initiatives they have developed in addition to addressing the issues within the Chinese market operation. Originality/value – The study provides implications for destination marketers and tour operators in terms of the sustainable operation of the growing Chinese market.

How can European museums reach sustainability?

2017 ◽  
Vol 72 (3) ◽  
pp. 303-318 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nuria Recuero Virto ◽  
Maria Francisca Blasco López ◽  
Sonia San-Martín
Keyword(s):  
Market Orientation ◽  
Customer Value ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Marketing Strategies ◽  
Value For Money ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Value Perceptions ◽  
Decision Making Processes ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This research aims to provide evidence of the impacts of market orientation, customer value approach (through prestige, value for money and reputation for quality) and innovation on museum sustainability. Design/methodology/approach The model is analysed through partial least squares (PLS-SEM), using a sample of 549 European museums. Findings The results reveal that reputation for quality, prestige, innovation and value for money positively and significantly influence museum sustainability. Interestingly, the most meaningful linkage is between market orientation and innovation. Practical implications This research helps museums that need to increase their customer value and innovativeness so as to ensure museum sustainability. It proves that museum managers have to increase employees’ involvement in decision-making processes. Originality/value By using a wide sample of European museums, this study suggests that museum managers need to consider the impact of marketing strategies and customer value perceptions on the economic and social sustainability of museums.

The role of informal institutions in explaining student’s academic engagement

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 178-194
Author(s):  
Mahieddine Adnan Ghecham ◽  
Nuha Hamada
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Code Of Conduct ◽  
Interdisciplinary Approach ◽  
Cultural Background ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Equation Modelling ◽  
Assessment Techniques ◽  
Research Gap

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to focus on the role of students’ cultural background in explaining their academic performance. Design/methodology/approach The paper aims at achieving the research objective with the use of questionnaires and structural equation modelling (SEM). Findings This paper shows that students’ code of conduct, which is grounded in their cultural background, affects their level of engagement in learning process. The paper supports, on one hand, the idea of extensive use of formative assessment techniques as a way of improving students’ engagement; it argues, on the other hand, that their effectiveness could be limited because of the bad impact of the students’ norms. Originality/value The paper aims at achieving the objective of the research using an interdisciplinary approach borrowing from the field of economics while discussing a research gap that covers a region that require more attention in the field of education.

scholarly journals The moral arc of the library: what are our duties and limitations after 45?

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 219-225
Author(s):  
Kelsey Cheshire ◽  
Jennifer Stout
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
White Privilege ◽  
White Supremacy ◽  
Code Of Ethics ◽  
Past Century ◽  
Political Climate ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Critical Thought ◽  
The Past ◽  
History Of

Purpose This study aims to explore the question of whether or not librarians can ethically remain politically neutral in the wake of the 45th administration. The authors take a critical look at the American Library Association’s Code of Ethics, as well as the concept of vocational awe, and recommend challenging the “sacredness” of neutrality as a core tenet of the profession. Additionally, the authors describe the history of white privilege within libraries and argue that it is time to actively fight white supremacy and disavow the profession’s history of replicating racist social structures. Design/methodology/approach This study is a researched think piece designed to encourage critical thought about long-held idealistic beliefs in the profession. Findings This study suggests that despite the profession’s history of outwardly valuing “neutrality,” libraries are not and have never been neutral. Libraries have chosen, time and again, to value white privilege and a white frame of reference to the detriment of librarians and patrons of color. Because many librarians also see the profession as upholding “sacred” ideals like neutrality, we fall into the trap of being unable to criticize our own profession and practices and, therefore, are unable to make much needed changes. Research limitations/implications This study is based on the opinions of the authors and on the opinions of authors they have cited. It contains no original quantitative or qualitative research. Originality/value This study challenges the long-held assumptions that the profession has taken for granted over the past century. The authors argue that it is good and necessary to question the Code of Ethics, vocational awe and neutrality with the goal of improving the profession in light of the current cultural and political climate.

scholarly journals The United Nations’ (UN) decision to adopt International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS)

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 285-306 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danny Chow ◽  
Caroline Aggestam Pontoppidan
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Historical Context ◽  
Legitimacy Theory ◽  
International Organisations ◽  
Accounting Systems ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Discursive Strategies ◽  
Decision Making Processes

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyse and understand the UN System’s adoption of IPSAS from a legitimacy perspective. Design/methodology/approach A content analysis of publicly accessible documents from the UN System archives was conducted. The analysis was framed through the broader lens of legitimacy theory, drawing attention to the rationalities of decisions taken. Findings This study illustrated how the need for accounting reforms was rationalised throughout the UN System of organisations. Decision-making processes were reflective of political concerns and the accompanying need to continually demonstrate accountability. The discursive strategies observed associated the need to improve accountability with the adoption of globally recognised accounting systems. However, such logic assumed that existing accountability deficits were intrinsically linked to accounting failures, which overemphasises accounting’s role. Social implications The UN System’s decision to adopt IPSAS in 2006 has been followed by a substantial increase in the number of Member States following suit. However, governments and other organisations considering IPSAS adoption should be aware of the historical context in which the UN System’s decision was made. Originality/value This study addresses a lacuna in empirical studies providing an understanding of the role of accounting reforms within international organisations such as the UN System.

Image retrieval with SINCERITY

2015 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 204-218
Author(s):  
Elaine Ménard ◽  
Vanessa Girouard
Keyword(s):  
Image Retrieval ◽  
Search Engine ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
User Testing ◽  
Content Type ◽  
French And English ◽  
French Speaking ◽  
English Speaking ◽  
Engine Testing ◽  
User Friendly

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to develop a search engine dedicated to image retrieval in a bilingual (French and English) context. This paper presents the first phase of user testing that was carried out to validate and refine SINCERITY, the new search device. Design/methodology/approach – This first phase of the search engine testing involved a small group of image searchers (10 French-speaking and 10 English-speaking participants) who were asked to retrieve a sample of images (30) using the new tool. A questionnaire was also developed to compile the comments of the users. Findings – The results of this first phase of testing revealed that even though image indexing was sometimes problematic, the participants did not encounter major difficulties retrieving images with SINCERITY. Comments and suggestions received will be taken into consideration to improve the performance and aesthetics of the search engine. Originality/value – Once fully operational, SINCERITY will allow users to search images in an attractive and user-friendly manner. Eventually, other types of images (documentary and artistic) will be added to the image database linked to the image search engine, as well as other languages.

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