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Purpose – Libraries have a variety of computer printers, faxes, network printers and photocopiers. All these machines have an environmental impact using paper, ink and electricity. This paper aims to discuss strategies for lessening the impact of these devices. Design/methodology/approach – The paper provides a "how-to" approach for librarians to achieve greener printing and copying. Findings – Modification in library procedures can result in greener printing and copying. Originality/value – The paper reviews the research on greener printing and provides practical suggestions for achieving greener printing and copying. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to examine the cryptocurrency adoption (CA) level among Indian retail investors who use cryptocurrency as an investment and mode of transaction. Design/methodology/approach: Through self-administered survey questionnaires, data is collected from 397 retail investors of Haryana (India). This study adopted a quantitative method using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). Findings: This paper offered a robust model with a high explanatory value for CA in which four of the five proposed factors of diffusion of innovation theory (trialability, compatibility, complexity and observability) and one of the two proposed factors of consumer behavioral theory (perceived value) significantly influences CA. More specifically, the absence of regulatory support is a barrier to the broad adoption of cryptocurrencies, as its regulations are necessary to mitigate or minimize uncertain outcomes. Research limitations/implications: This research primarily focuses on CA in India. Thus, it can be extended to cover diverse other countries for more precise results. Practical implications: The results provide insights to the government to design the policies, better regulate and make investment strategies that can ultimately enhance CA. In addition, the study's results also inform financial educators, policymakers, employers and academicians about the significance of several variables affecting CA in India. Social implications: From a social standpoint, this study is an advance that directs central banks and governments to develop, regulate and manage digital currencies and implement a digital currency ecosystem. Moreover, the results assist in understanding investors' perceptions and decision-making perspectives toward cryptocurrencies through the country's digitalization. Originality/value: This paper fills the study gap to assist policymakers and cryptocurrency experts in broadening their knowledge base and recognizing prioritized intentions. Additionally, this study provides a theoretical model with the latent variable for a present and pertinent matter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this article is to encourage public librarians to reconsider the future value of their paper book collections. Design/methodology/approach – The author interacts with developing trends to make an argument for supporting paper book collections in the digital age. Findings – The liquidation of Borders Group Inc. provides the public library with an opportunity to market its paper collections to publishers and paper book buyers. Originality/value – The article offers a contrarian perspective on the enduring value physical book collections will play in the digital age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to examine the impact of extensible business reporting language (XBRL) technology and its functionality on various aspects of financial reporting and its overall quality. Design/methodology/approach: To conduct this study, data was collected from a variety of professionals, including accountants, auditors, tax advisors and others. A structured research instrument was developed, and the collected data were analysed using structural equation modelling and mediation analysis techniques. Findings: The study's results showed that XBRL technology and its functionality have a noteworthy impact on different aspects of financial reporting. Moreover, the various aspects of financial reporting positively affect the overall quality of financial reporting. Research limitations/implications: This study solely relied on the opinions of various professionals regarding the current issue under investigation and did not empirically assess the reporting practices of companies by examining their XBRL-based reports. Additionally, it concentrated solely on financial reporting aspects and did not account for non-financial aspects. The main theoretical contributions of this paper to technology in financial reporting, XBRL and accounting literature are that it sheds light on the influence of the use of technologies in the business reporting process and their influence on various aspects of business reporting, which has only received confined focus from earlier studies so far. Practical implications: This study's findings could provide valuable insights to the managerial teams of organizations seeking to digitize their business reporting practices, specifically in areas such as regulatory compliance, integrated reporting and timely dissemination of reports in a sustainable way. Furthermore, it could help these teams reap the benefits of technology for various regulatory compliance matters. Originality/value: This study could assist business organizations and regulatory authorities in adopting and implementing technology such as XBRL for accounting and business reporting. Furthermore, the study's findings can aid in enhancing financial reporting practices by considering emerging aspects such as ESG and sustainability aspects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to propose and assess a framework to analyse the institutionalization of Industry 4.0 (I4.0) through a framing analysis. Design/methodology/approach: The framework was developed by combining the institutional approach with orders of worth, drawing insights from a comprehensive literature review. To assess it, the authors conducted a qualitative analysis of annual reports from companies with the largest market capitalization over a six-year period and interviewed union representatives in Spain and Sweden. Findings: The framework comprises five dimensions (industrial, market, civic, green and connectionist). The empirical results reveal that companies consistently frame I4.0 with an emphasis on industrial and market perspectives. In contrast, unions place a stronger emphasis on civic issues, with Spanish unions holding a more negative view of I4.0, expressing concerns about working conditions and unemployment. Research limitations/implications: The proposed framework brings interesting insights into the dispute over the meaning of I4.0. Although this empirical study was limited to companies and unions in Sweden and Spain, the framework can be expanded for broader investigations, involving additional stakeholders in one or more countries. The discussion outlined using the varieties of capitalism approach is relevant for understanding the connection between the meso and macro levels of this phenomenon. Practical implications: In navigating the landscape of I4.0, managers should remain flexible, and ready to tailor their strategies and operations to align with the distinct demands and expectations of stakeholders and their specific institutional environments. Similarly, policymakers are urged to acknowledge these contextual intricacies when crafting strategies for implementing I4.0 initiatives across national settings. Social implications: Based on the empirical findings, this study underscores the importance of fostering social dialogue and involving stakeholders in the implementation of I4.0. Policymakers and other stakeholders should take proactive measures, tailored to each country's context, to mitigate potential adverse effects on labour and workers. Originality/value: The study presents a novel framework that facilitates the systematic comparison of I4.0 framing by different actors. This contribution is significant because the way actors frame I4.0 affects its interpretation and implementation. Additionally, the aggregate analysis of results enables cross-country comparisons, enhancing our understanding of regional disparities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Our understanding of the influence of institutional conditions on process innovation is still limited, despite managers' need to know which factors should be considered in decision-making and governments should be aware of how to foster process innovation through the provision of attractive institutions. Therefore, this paper aims to examine how institutional dimensions such as workforce, political instability, labor regulation, corruption, tax administration and transportation influence process innovation in smaller firms located in emerging countries other than the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa). Design/methodology/approach: A data set from the World Bank Enterprise Surveys questioning over 20,000 companies from 41 emerging countries supplemented by the gross domestic product (GDP) per capita for each country was used and analyzed by the means of general linear mixed models. The analysis emphasized small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and excluded BRICS countries. Findings: The findings demonstrate which institutional factors matter for process innovation depending on company size and GDP. Research limitations/implications: This paper advances research on the influence of institutions on firm innovation – the institution–process innovation relationship in emerging countries other than the BRICS in particular. By considering the role of company size and GDP per capita on the institution–process innovation relationship, the paper offers more nuanced insights compared with prior studies and thus makes a strong contribution to the innovation theory. The data used are not suitable for a longitudinal study the same refers to capturing the variety found in the countries even those coming from the same geographic area. Practical implications: The results provide practitioners, e.g. managers of SMEs, with concrete ideas on how to improve process innovation in their companies. Other actors such as policymakers too can benefit from the results as they will allow the design of more target group-oriented measures, aspects that can ultimately lead to more sustainable businesses. Originality/value: By focusing on process innovation and emerging countries, the paper contributes to growing research efforts in emerging countries beyond the BRICS. Thus, the results add more diversity to the study of process innovation and its influencing external (institutional) factors. The emphasis on SMEs also allows us to highlight differences between different categories of SMEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to identify leaders and trends in branding research studies, undertaken during 2000-2019. Identification was made in the following categories: most popular subjects; most productive countries; most productive institutions; most productive scholars; most productive sources; most cited publications and most cited scholars. Design/methodology/approach: Bibliometric analysis based on data from Scopus and Dimensions. Findings: The majority of branding publications belong to business and management. The interest toward this research field, however, declines mostly in favor of cultural studies, psychology, sociology, etc. The majority of publications on branding are concentrated in the USA, UK and Australia. Griffith University has become a leader in the number of branding publications within 2000-2019. T C Melewar is a leader by the number of branding publications among scholars. Journal of Brand Management has been a leader among sources. Journal of Marketing is a leader by the number of the most cited papers. Research limitations/implications: The authors analyze the automatically formed results on search query without human meddling. Originality/value: For the first time, bibliometric analysis was carried out simultaneously upon the two bases – Scopus and Dimensions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explain how ecosystems and platforms have evolved to manage customer information and to identify the management, research and teaching implications of this evolution.Design/methodology/approach This paper is based on research and industrial experience of two of the co-authors in customer relationship management, further developed with other co-authors in the field of business models, the research and teaching experience of the university authors and cross-functional literature reviews in the areas of strategy, marketing, economics, organizational behaviour and information management.Findings This paper shows that digitalization, cloud computing and new information-based platforms are beginning to change how customer information is being managed, creating new opportunities for improving marketing, customer relationship management and business strategy.Research limitations/implications The impact of platforms on the management of customer information needs to be confirmed by primary empirical research.Practical implications This paper identifies the need for senior marketing management to examine closely how internal and external/public customer information platforms may enhance their capability for managing customers and setting new strategic directions.Social implications The emergence of giant multi-sided platforms has clear implications for data protection and privacy, which need to be explored more in research.Originality/value This paper highlights the move to customer information platforms and identifies how senior managers should consider them as an option for better customer information management and as a basis for new business strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On May 5, 2023, the World Health Organization declared the end of the Public Health Emergency of the COVID-19 pandemic across the planet. The authors highlight that high work demands, the perceived workload and work-family conflicts contribute to health-care professionals' intention to leave their organisations. In the second paper, [3] investigate the effects of various work-related stress factors (e.g. polychronicity, job autonomy, perceived workload, work-family conflict, and high work demand) on health-care employees' turnover intention during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, more than encouraging people's engagement and the development of HC and organisations, we need to manage and improve this main element of the IC, working hard so that people are valued. [Extracted from the article]

Purpose: This study aims at advancing the understanding of University-Industry Collaboration (UIC) by proposing an adapted conceptual model for comprehensive contextual analysis taking industry perspective and identifying effective mechanisms for stimulating UIC in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Design/methodology/approach: This study was designed as a multicase qualitative study. Data were collected through interviews of focus groups representing 26 agro-processing companies operating in Rwanda. The process consisted of two sessions evaluating the current collaboration patterns, and two sessions identifying the desired future and the mechanisms to realize it. Data were analyzed using ATLAS.ti software with the grounded theory techniques. Findings: Findings indicate that current interactions are unidirectional and focus on educational collaboration. Results are short-term and do not yield sufficient benefit for the companies involved. Industry aspirations for future collaboration were identified, along with linkages between inputs, activities and outcomes. Research limitations/implications: This study has two noteworthy limitations. First, this study did not consider the capacity of firms to collaborate. Second, for simplification purposes, this study did not integrate other complementary sources of knowledge for firms. To overcome these omissions, a short introduction of University–Industry Collaboration (UIC) was presented to participants highlighting and justifying the scope of the study. As research implications, this paper presents a new integrated conceptual framework, which can be useful for studies focusing on a comprehensive analysis of the UIC context and identifying effective mechanisms for improvement in the future. A construct of policies that stimulate UIC is proposed, thereby facilitating further operationalization and testing of context-specific hypotheses on policy stimuli. Practical implications: In practice, the identified conceptual framework allows to holistically capture and reflect on the interrelationships between UIC factors and outcomes for a specific context, hence, informing better UIC decision-making. In this way, this paper advances the operationalization of the argument for reconciling organizational theories with their practices. Social implications: This paper presents a systemic means for organizational theories to perform their adaptive role in society. Indeed, as demonstrated by the empirical results, the proposed framework is effective not only in systematically assessing the current situation, but also in predicting the desired state in the future. In other words, the proposed framework facilitates prescience theorizing, which is a mechanism for ensuring that organizational theories adapt to future requirements of the society. Originality/value: This study develops a new integrative conceptual framework to accommodate the interaction between UIC's institutional decision-making and existing macrolevel frameworks of innovation ecosystems. In terms of methodology, the value of this study lies in its adoption of an ex ante approach to the development of mechanisms to stimulate UIC. This use of prescience theory (Corley and Gioia, 2011) constitutes an important – but long-neglected – approach to UIC and its adaptive role in society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose This paper aims to show the importance of the Master’s degree in the library and information sciences in learning the essential values of library and information science culture.Design/methodology/approach The paper is a discussion based upon the author’s decades of experience as a librarian and library science professor.Findings Cultural values help unify the diverse profession of librarianship. Librarians working in different types and sizes are able to cooperate because of these shared values.Research limitations/implications The paper does not build upon any research studies.Practical implications The paper provides ways in which library and information science schools can help students learn the important elements of library culture.Social implications Library culture helps librarians bond together and work toward common goals to benefit the profession.Originality/value The value of library culture as a unifying factor has not often been systematically investigated. This paper also integrates current trends in librarianship including the increased focus on information technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose This paper aims to provide academics and practitioners working with collaboration of technology information and innovation with a review of key interfirm-collaboration topics, such as the determinants of innovation activity, innovation, imitation, the impact of competition, collaboration versus competition and a review of game theoretic approaches.Design/methodology/approach This paper is a comprehensive review of extant literature, conducted and analyzed systematically.Findings This paper highlights that when firms absorb collaboration opportunities that involves information, there are critical elements for success, which need to be considered, including economies of scale, knowledge sharing, market size and volatility, strategic partner selection, intellectual property rights, spillover effects, collaboration costs, trust and commitment, opportunism and overall collaboration strategy.Originality/value This paper contributes to existing information literature by emphasizing various game theoretic approaches, which highlight how collaboration costs are shared when collaboration occurs. In conclusion, ten managerial implications are offered about collaboration of information technological innovation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to analyse the technological, economic and environmental impacts of disruptive innovations in the transportation mobility market. Design/methodology/approach: The paper gathered data from World Bank and 13 open sources in an exploratory, descriptive and applied investigation on potentially disruptive transport innovations outcomes in G7 and BRICS (Brazil, Russian Federation, India, China and South Africa) economies, businesses and societies. Findings: The results suggest positive implications for technological leapfrogging of electric vehicles (EV), autonomous vehicles (AVs) and electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOLs), such as gains in energy consumption, infrastructure improvement, greenhouse gas emissions reduction, economic growth and the opportunity for new disruptive technologies to improve or even revolutionize the transportation ecosystem. Research limitations/implications: This study has clear limitations as it compares G7 and BRICS hypothetical scenarios where internal combustion vehicles were replaced by new technologies, ceteris paribus. Even so, as theoretical implications, the study presents market scenarios for EVs, AVs and eVTOLs technologies, bringing benefits to the disruptive innovation theory by expanding the understanding of the subject and also opening avenues of investigation by exploring new technological, economic and environmental possibilities. Practical implications: This study emphasises potentially disruptive technologies' technological, economic and sustainable benefits to countries through technological leapfrogging. The organizations can delve into results to investigate forthcoming markets and seek advantageous positions. Economic and social gains from leapfrogging could motivate government bodies to finance research focusing on EVs, AVs and eVTOLs diffusion. Originality/value: The paper's originality resides in aggregating multiple data sources to compare technological leapfrogging in G7 and BRICS transportation. The different views allowed for exploring the potential outcomes of EVs, AVs and eVTOLs on economic, sustainability and market dimensions in developed and developing countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to review the status of literature on financial risk reporting practices (FRRP) for the purpose of synthesizing mounting literature to suggest the relevant risk reporting measure across the globe. Design/methodology/approach: Using a systematic literature review method, a total of 61 articles from 42 referred journals and international conferences published from 2000 to 2018 are reviewed. Findings: It has been found that despite the growing attention on and importance of corporate risk disclosure, academic literature on corporate risk disclosure is limited. Also, research linking risk disclosure with governance mechanisms is rare. Scrutiny of the literature on corporate risk disclosure shows that most of the researchers have focused on the limited or single period to examine the risk disclosure practices, determinants and corporate performance. The limitation of these studies is that with single period data analysis generalization of findings is limited. Findings of longitudinal studies are more reliable, and in extant literature, only a few studies have used data of more than a single period. Originality/value: This paper contains a comprehensive listing of publications on financial risk reporting and corporate disclosure and its classification according to various attributes. The paper will be useful to researchers, finance professionals and others concerned with risk reporting to understand the importance of risk disclosure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The role of metaphors in information management has generally been acknowledged owing to their ability to convey immediately huge amounts of information and richness. Their role is more and more important in the current digital context of communication and marketing activities, as the decision speed and accuracy are crucial. The purpose of this study is, thus, to analyze physical metaphors as tools for making sequential decisions to achieve effective integrated corporate communication (ICC).Design/methodology/approach The paper draws on the critical analysis of literature on corporate communication and stakeholder management as building blocks for implementing an integrated approach to corporate communications.Findings A revision of two well-known physical metaphors in the communication literature (the “wheel” and “umbrella”) has been proposed. It is argued that integrated communication within corporate communications is more complex than in marketing communications, as it involves a greater variety of elements to coordinate and harmonize. The proposed physical metaphors suggest an effective sequential decision-making as they allow a clear distinction between different decision levels.Research limitations/implications The paper adds to the debate on the link between theory and practice of ICC. From a practical standpoint, the proposed metaphors as simple and concrete tools for handling complex information and ICC problems could aid novice practitioners and students of corporate communications courses.Originality/value The paper shows that while scholars have concurred that ICC is crucial for different type of organizations, the use of physical metaphors can be beneficial for the reality-based challenge of ICC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Strategic decision importance has rarely been investigated as a decision-specific characteristic in the strategic decision-making process (SDMP) literature taking into consideration information management while taking important strategic decisions. Here, the ability of decision importance to predict decision effectiveness as an outcome of SDMPs in higher education institutions (HEIs) is examined in the context of Bahrain. Design/methodology/approach: A conceptual model is developed relating decision importance to decision effectiveness indirectly via the SDMP characteristics intuition, rationality and decentralization. Data from a cross-sectional questionnaire completed by leaders of HEIs and academics involved in strategic decision-making in Bahrain are used to test the model and hypotheses via correlation analysis. The paper also considers a literature review of the use of information management while taking a strategic decision. Findings: Decision importance is shown to positively influence decision effectiveness in Bahraini HEIs mediated by rationality and by decentralization in decision-making, although negative effects of decentralization are also demonstrated. However, decision importance does not influence decision effectiveness mediated by intuition. Research limitations/implications: Due to the small sample size, the results cannot be generalized to contexts beyond HEIs in Bahrain. Additional SDMP characteristics of significance in the context of HEIs could be future investigated, for instance, political behaviour and lateral communication, are not included in the model. Future research exploring the latter two aspects could provide deeper insight into the findings. Practical implications: The findings of this paper could be considered by HEIs senior management and members of the governing body while strategic decision-making, which could be at different levels, including strategic planning or assessing a strategic decision in terms of effectiveness. This paper will also provide insight one the use of information while considering strategic decision-making. Social implications: A model leading for effective strategic decision-making could be used by leaders of HEIs and regulators including licensing bodies and QA agencies to set standards for HEIs for sustainable performance and quality education in line with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and Initiative. Strategic decision-making will have an impact on the overall performance of HEIs and serve all relevant stakeholder's including parents, students, employers and industry. Originality/value: Little research conducted in relation to strategic decision-making in the Gulf Cooperation Council therefore, this research will add original findings and the outcome of this study will lead to future research related to SDMP and the use of information management in the overall strategic decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to present a review on the latest developments, approaches and methods in intellectual capital (IC) performance measurement. Design/methodology/approach: A total of 53 research papers from high-ranking journals concerning the advances in IC performance measurement were thoroughly reviewed and classified to identify the advanced approaches and methods that have been used to evaluate IC performance. Findings: It is clear that the current application of advanced or intelligent methods in IC performance measurement is still at the primary stage. The reviewed approaches mainly focus on two core applications. First is to assist the data collection or data handling process and second is to enhance the result computation process to obtain a more reliable and realistic value that represents the performance of IC. Research limitations/implications: This study offers a foundation and guideline for the researchers who wish to integrate advanced methods into IC performance measurement based on the reviewed advanced approaches in terms of their respective functions, strengths and limitations. It stimulates the creation of new IC performance measurement models that use advanced approaches to cope with real-life problems and dynamic conditions. Originality/value: This paper contributes to the literature on IC performance measurement, in light of advances in technology. In general, five advanced approaches were identified, analyzed and discussed. Future research directions were presented to provide new insights for researchers to apply advanced methods in IC performance measurement, together with theoretical and managerial implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to review intuition in the context of organizational change. The authors argue that intuition as a concept requires attention and its formulation is necessary prior to its application in organizations. The paper provides a critique of dual process theory and highlights shortcomings in organization theorizing of intuition.Design/methodology/approach The paper is conceptual and provides in-depth theoretical discussions by drawing from the literature on decision and intuition in the context of organizational change.Findings Investigating whether dual process theory is sufficiently clear, the authors found ambiguity. Specifically, the current definition provided by Dane and Pratt is not clear in terms of its four sections: the consciousness of non-conscious processing, involving holistic associations, that are produced rapidly, which result in affectively charged judgments. Finally, the authors note that the evolutionary perspective is missing and they provide foundational concepts for such a perspective, including the discussion of information templates, memes and genes, as argued by research, condition intuition.Originality/value The paper finds that an evolutionary perspective develops a picture of intuition as an adaptive resource. This evolutionary perspective is currently absent in research and the authors provide foundational concepts for such a perspective. They propose specific arguments to highlight the evolutionary perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to show how the business model of the information and communications technology (ICT) industry has evolved and the general differences that evolution has made to information management. Design/methodology/approach: Literature review was carried out accompanied by conceptual analysis. Findings: It shows that changes in the business model of the ICT industry have been quite dramatic and have led to significant changes in the structure of the industry. Research limitations/implications: This research is based on analysis of the ICT industry. The analysis could be broadened to include other industries. Research into business model change should consider adopting the evolutionary approach taken in this paper. Practical implications: Managers in the ICT industry should factor the likely evolution of business models in their industry into their planning. Social implications: Government policymakers considering how to stimulate the development of the ICT industry in their country should be aware of the moving nature of their target. Originality/value: This is one of the first papers to apply the evolutionary approach to business model change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to identify the antecedents' factors that positively and negatively influence the intention to use big data analytics (BDA) by future managers of companies. Design/methodology/approach: The sample comprised 364 business students from a public university in Brazil. The methodology had a quantitative approach, with the use of structural equation modeling. Findings: This paper presented a robust model with a high explanatory factor for the intention to use BDA, in which the elements of positive influence on the intention to use are expected performance, social influence and cost–benefit, and the negative influence factor is resistance to use. Research limitations/implications: Research on BDA has improved the understanding of the phenomenon, mostly emphasizing the technical dimensions of BDA and underestimating organizational and human dimensions. This research contributed to the literature by presenting new insights into these organizational and human aspects by presenting influencing factors for future managers. User resistance is a variable that can incorporate technology adoption theories in BDA. Practical implications: The results present a positive perception of future managers in the decision on financial resources in the acquisition of new technologies and enable managers to improve planning, investment and choice of technologies while presenting insights from the next generation. Issues regarding privacy, security and ethical aspects are key to minimizing user resistance. Originality/value: This paper fills a significant research gap on the adoption of BDA, presenting the perception of future managers on fundamental aspects of adoption in a developing country. In addition, the research offers a theoretical model with new latent variables for a current and relevant topic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to examine the influence of accounting information system (AIS) success on planning process effectiveness (PPE) in small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) of Yemen, a less developed nation (LDN). Design/methodology/approach: This study developed a theoretical model based on IS success model (DMISS2003). The model's components were tested using structural equation modeling via SmartPLS on a sample of 325 SMEs. Findings: The empirical results imply that AIS success positively affects PPE if SMEs focus on AIS information quality, system quality, user satisfaction and usage. Research limitations/implications: This study focused on SMEs in Yemen. Thus, it can be expanded to include different other countries. Practical implications: The results of this study could be considered by owners and managers of SMEs, policymakers and AIS designers/vendors. This study could provide them insight into the role of AIS success in promoting PPE in SMEs. This study could assist policymakers in analyzing the work of SMEs and assessing their success, referring to AIS. Moreover, knowing the most critical determinants of AIS success could direct designers'/vendors' efforts toward upgrading and improving the present AIS. Social implications: Government policymakers in LDNs considering how to motivate SME development in their nation should be aware of the significance of AIS success and implementation among SMEs and its role in the nation's economic development. Originality/value: This research is one of the first that investigates the impact of AIS success on PPE in SMEs. Current literature largely lacks the investigation of such an impact, especially among SMEs in LDNs such as Yemen. Most AIS's prior research focused on SMEs in developed nations, which may not fully apply to LDNs such as Yemen. Indeed, no existing literature is available where AIS success impacts PPE in SMEs of LDNs. In this respect, this study claims its uniqueness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to underpin the impact of cloud computing in global accounting information systems (AIS). Moreover, it investigates the key aspects that ought to be considered by the organization before choosing to pick the correct accounting system. Design/methodology/approach: The study looks at and depends on narrative investigation of previous studies. In the examination talked about the principle issues with respect to the utilization of cloud and database the executives in the AIS through developing research model. Findings: The focal point of the paper is the impact of cloud computing worldview on the business area. This paper highlights different facts of cloud accounting, published research papers and the benefits and possible risks determined by the implementation of cloud services, mostly in relation to the accounting department. Originality/value: Considering the numerous ramifications of cloud advancements on the present business process, there is a need for an examination of how these innovations will be used in AIS to improve precision, benefits and risks. At the same time, there is need to investigate the determinant elements of actualizing cloud advances in the AIS. More importantly, to the author's knowledge, this is the first study that focuses on the number of published research works to show the importance of cloud computing in accounting and information systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to review literature about the applications of artificial intelligence (AI) in strategic situations and identify the research that is needed in the area of applying AI to strategic marketing decisions. Design/methodology/approach: The approach was to carry out a literature review and to consult with marketing experts who were invited to contribute to the paper. Findings: There is little research into applying AI to strategic marketing decision-making. This research is needed, as the frontier of AI application to decision-making is moving in many management areas from operational to strategic. Given the competitive nature of such decisions and the insights from applying AI to defence and similar areas, it is time to focus on applying AI to strategic marketing decisions. Research limitations/implications: The application of AI to strategic marketing decision-making is known to be taking place, but as it is commercially sensitive, data is not available to the authors. Practical implications: There are strong implications for all businesses, particularly large businesses in competitive industries, where failure to deploy AI in the face of competition from firms, who have deployed AI to improve their decision-making could be dangerous. Social implications: The public sector is a very important marketing decision maker. Although in most cases it does not operate competitively, it must make decisions about making different services available to different citizens and identify the risks of not providing services to certain citizens; so, this paper is relevant to the public sector. Originality/value: To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is one of the first papers to probe deployment of AI in strategic marketing decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explain the rise of geospatial data, its importance for business and some of the problems associated with its development and use. Design/methodology/approach: The paper reviews a certain amount of previously published literature but is based mainly on analysis of the very large number of responses to a consultation paper on geospatial data published by the UK Government. Findings: The findings are that while there is strong appreciation of the potential benefits of using geospatial data, there are many barriers to the development, sharing and use of geospatial data, ranging from problems of incompatibility in data definitions and systems to regulatory issues. The implication for governments and for providers and users of geospatial data relates to the need to take a long-term approach to planning in resolving the issues identified. Research limitations/implications: The research findings are limited to the UK, but similar findings would be likely in any other large Western country. Practical implications: This paper confirms the need for a strong and coherent approach to the planning of geospatial data and systems for the establishment of a clear basis for the different parties to work together and the need to clearly separate the roles of the government in establishing frameworks and standards and the role of the private sector in developing applications and solutions. Social implications: Society is increasingly dependent on the use of geospatial data, in improving living standards and dealing with social problems. The recommendations identified in this paper, if followed, will facilitate these improvements. Originality/value: The value of this paper is the tight synthesis that it provides of a wide ranging and complex range of responses to the UK Government consultation and placing these responses in the wider context of the development of geospatial data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to discuss the impact the University of North Carolina at Greensboro’s (UNCG) Library and Information Studies Academic and Cultural Enrichment (ACE) Scholars Program has had on promoting diversity and adding value to the library and information studies profession.Design/methodology/approach This paper is presented as a case study in which three iterations of the ACE Scholars Program are discussed, including program design and suggested impact the program has had on educating and engaging diverse individuals for careers in the library and information studies professions.Findings Nearly 50 ACE Scholars program participants, representing ethnically, racially and socioeconomically diverse backgrounds, have graduated from UNCG with their Master of Library and Information Studies degrees since 2011. In the five years since the first ACE cohort graduated, Scholar alums continue to impact the Library and Information Studies (LIS) profession through their professional roles as well as through their community engagement, professional association memberships and leadership roles, professional presentations and numerous publications.Originality/value This paper presents a model that has helped to promote diversity in the LIS field in way that can be adapted by other graduate programs that are preparing individuals for successful and engaged careers as library and information studies professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to first bring to light the essential digital strategies to study organizations. Second, how businesses can improve their strategic capabilities by using the information gathered from internet sources or networks. Third, this study investigates how employees in an organization tend to engage in positive and/or negative gossip and how gossips affect coworker-rated informal influence in organization and supervisor-rated performance. Social network analysis is used to find the underlying relationships between gossips, coworker-rated influence and supervisor-rated performance.Design/methodology/approach This research paper is divided into two parts. The first study based on profound synthesis of literature. Major digital sources to study organizations are identified. The strategies requirement for each channel is identified. Suggestions are given to managers to improve strategic decision-making based on big data. The second study is a cross-sectional study where questionnaires (survey) are used to elicit data. Social network analysis is used to analyze the data using ucinet 6 software.Findings The findings of the study pinpoint the skills required to analyze large data, available in organizations. The second study finds out that close friends are more engaged in gossips than coworkers who have only working relationships. The friends having high structural embeddedness are more likely to be involved in negative gossips. Coworker perceives those employees who are engaged in negative gossips as having high informal influence. However, there is negative relationship between negative gossips and supervisor-rated influence.Research limitations/implications The research study is cross-sectional in design; however, longitudinal design can be used to gain more insights about negative gossips and their effects. Second, a very small sample is used in this study.Practical implications This study can be used to understand informal communication network in the organization. Managers can use this channel to pass information quickly, as informal channels are faster than formal communication channels. This research can be used to understand the underling relationships between the coworkers in organizationsOriginality/value This paper provides guidelines to organizational life and information on how the informal networks within organization can be studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose This paper aims to provide a degree of clarity on the corporate communication management (CCM) concept, by building a conceptual framework that uncovers its underlying antecedents and consequences. Although it is consolidated that corporate communication and information together play an important role in strategic management planning because of the high relevance of managing positive relationships with multiple stakeholder that have a strong impact on corporate survival, extant literature suggests that there have been few empirical studies so far assessing the contribution of CCM to organisational performance.Design/methodology/approach The paper is conceptual, and a model is developed as a result of an extensive critical multidisciplinary literature review.Findings Findings of this study identify three antecedents of CCM, namely, culture, information and communication technology innovation diffusion and corporate leadership. In addition, the study highlights a potential positive relationship between CCM, financial performance and corporate mission achievement. An integrative conceptual framework and a detailed summary table are presented in the paper.Originality/value This study provides a comprehensive critical insight into a growing body of corporate communication and information business literature that offers the basis for a thorough assessment of CCM contribution to organisational performance. By doing so, it advances the body of applicable knowledge of corporate communication meant as a strategic management lever. Moreover, the managerial and policy implications provided in this paper may help corporate communication and information practitioners to identify the key guidelines for the design and implementation of an appropriate CCM programme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of the paper is to argue that university libraries need to rethink their relationship with their parent institution. Design/methodology/approach – Personal view based on managerial experience in universities. Findings – Libraries must focus first on institutional mission and align their mission and strategy to that. Research limitations/implications – The limitations of the paper are that this paper is only based on a single point of view. Practical implications – Rethink approaches to relationships with the parent body. Originality/value – It is an original point of view which is at least worth reading to see if it has value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose With the progressive trends in Open Data, this paper aims to underscore the significance of Open Linked Statistical Data (OLSD) and identifies the trajectory of development of OLSD besides underlining the prospects and challenges underlying OLSD.Design/methodology/approach Being exploratory in nature, this viewpoint seeks to present a trajectory of OLSD which seeks to emphasize upon the futuristic trend in the development of OLSD.Findings Eight stages have been identified in the OLSD trajectory. The opening of more and more data results in new possibilities for combining data and gaining new insights. In the future, data will automatically be opened and streamed and could be used in using OLSD algorithms. Algorithms will mention the shortcomings and limitations of data and help to interpret the data in such a way that the user is in the driver’s seat.Research limitations/implications While the paper follows an exploratory approach, there are a couple of implications for the practitioners and academicians. For instance, government may become more accountable with the adoption of advanced OLSD algorithms. Further research on OLSD may be required in appreciating the impact of OLSD in different settings, and this would be helpful in providing novel insights to the concerned stakeholders.Originality/value While Big and Open Linked Data (BOLD) has gained prominence in academic research, the focus on OLSD has remained scanty. This paper seeks to underline the futuristic trends in OLSD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose This paper aims to review previous studies on how organizations, particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs), adopt digital information and technology, especially on the drivers and the outcomes of the adoption itself.Design/methodology/approach The present study follows a literature review design. Previous studies that examine SMEs’ digital information and technology adoption are taken into account in building the conclusion.Findings The review reveals that digital information and technology that is used for marketing-related position allows SMEs to be more competitive. In general, there are three main theories that have been used to understand the adoption process (i.e. diffusion of innovation theory, technology-organization-environment framework and institutional theory). These theories should be used in conjunction with each other to better explain the adoption process. Additionally, there are three characteristics (i.e. innovation, firm and environmental) that are related to the risks and barriers of the adoption process.Originality/value This theoretical review is among the few that put forward the findings reported in research articles on the digital information and technology adoption process within SMEs. Moreover, this paper summarizes the issues (i.e. drivers, outcomes, risks and barriers) related to the adoption process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose This paper aims to review the development of thinking about the information needed by companies to create an accurate picture of how well they manage their engagement with customers, taking into account the evolution of thinking and practice in this area over the past three decades towards the idea of data-driven customer engagement. It then describes the evolution and use of an assessment and benchmarking process and tool which provide the needed information.Design/methodology/approach Literature review, conceptual analysis and explanation of the management consulting process are used.Findings Companies can get an accurate picture of how well they manage customer engagement provided that a careful assessment approach is used where assessors are properly selected and trained and that there is a strong focus on compliance with requirements rather than "box-ticking" based upon managers' perceptions.Research limitations/implications The assessment and benchmarking process was developed mainly for use by larger companies, though the findings could be adapted for use by smaller companies.Practical implications Companies whose success depends upon customer engagement should consider using the assessment and benchmarking tool to guide their planning and implementation. They should heed the warnings about the risks of inaccurate assessments which may arise because of the incentives by which managers are managed.Social implications The assessment and benchmarking process has been used by the public sector and government, and given government's desire to engage citizens better, they should consider adopting the ideas in this paper to reform citizen engagement.Originality/value This is the only paper which reviews the development of the assessment process for customer engagement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to empirically verify whether the development of improved relationships between higher education institutions (HEIs) and their stakeholders based on the principles of stakeholder theory creates more value. Design/methodology/approach: The methods involve a quantitative approach, with the data collection being carried out through a survey of 88 heads of HEIs in Brazil. The paper uses the Spearman's correlation coefficient to analyze the data and test the hypotheses. Findings: The findings reinforce the arguments found in the stakeholder theory literature, in which relationships are based on the following principles: knowledge and information sharing, mutual trust, involvement in the decision-makin g process and alignment of stakeholders' interests in the strategic planning process, all of which create more value for organizations. Practical implications: This study seeks to improve the knowledge of stakeholder theory in relation to HEIs. It identifies the stakeholder relationships that create the most value and have the potential to generate a sustainable competitive advantage. The results can help managers to improve their relationships with stakeholders and may encourage the implementation of practices and policies that consider stakeholders' influence on the strategic direction of HEIs. Social implications: The studies present a social contribution by evidencing the importance of the development of best practices, processes and strategies in the management of educational institutions, which are important actors in the development of society. Originality/value: The originality of this paper is that it empirically tests the principles of stakeholder theory and their relationships with value creation for organizations in the higher education context. Whilst stakeholder theory has been explored in multiples contexts, there is a lack of studies addressing stakeholder management in HEIs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose This paper aims to examine how libraries can create relative bargaining power and presents a methodology for analyzing collections and preparing for negotiations.Design/methodology/approach A brief literature review of the current state of collection budgets and electronic resource prices is presented prior to proposing a methodology based on business analysis frameworks and techniques.Findings Electronic resource subscription prices are increasing at a rate significantly higher than inflation, while collection budgets grow slowly, remain stagnant or decrease. Academic libraries have the ability to counteract this trend by creating relative bargaining power through organizational efforts that take advantage of size and concentration (e.g. consortia), vertical integration through practices such as library publishing and open access and through individual efforts using information. This paper proposes metrics and methodologies that librarians can use to analyze their collections, set negotiation priorities and prepare for individual resource negotiations to create relative bargaining power.Practical implications The proposed methodology enables librarians and buyers of information resources to harness the information available about their electronic resource collections to better position themselves when entering negotiations with vendors.Originality/value This paper presents metrics, some not commonly used (i.e. average annual price increase/decrease), that aid in understanding price sensitivity. Pareto analysis has been traditionally used to analyze usage, but this paper suggests using it in relation to costs and budgets for setting negotiation priorities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the link between community of place and small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Lombard industrial districts in Italy.Design/methodology/approach A brief literature review of international authors from the stakeholder approach and Corporate Community Relations (CCRs) field is presented. This paper refers to a survey of Lombard industrial districts conducted by ALTIS. The data were collected via a telephone survey from 834 firms.Findings The main finding is that managing CCRs is of major importance for company success. The results of the survey show that there are some tools and actions that Italian industrial district SMEs use to interact with their particular communities of place to develop effective and coherent relationships with their stakeholder groups. Moreover, although the survey shows that though SMEs do implement different CCR activities, they are not able to communicate these effectively through systematic communication strategies. However, the narrow sample includes only a sample of some Lombard districts. Nonetheless, the findings indicate that effective CCR seems to confer competitive advantage based on stakeholder responses and rewards sought.Research limitations/implications The framework could assist in supporting CCR developments between industrial districts as various players would know how to improve CCR activities. One further suggestion is that University and Research Centers could have a role to play in creating and communicating codified knowledge concerning community relations in industrial districts, while other public players still have to develop specific tasks in improving infrastructures.Originality/value This study is in line with the main focus of CCR, which is in striving to meet stakeholder and societal needs. However, industrial district SMEs have to learn how to communicate their CCR activities from the examples set by large Italian companies. The paper links the notion of CCR with tools and actions to develop meaningful relationships with both community of place and interest. Moreover, considering the survey results, a new framework for local player roles is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The purpose of this study is to measure the Arab States? innovation and imitation levels to understand the factors affecting their diffusion processes. The authors argue that sampling Arab States provides the literature on international diffusion with the ability to contrast between developing and developed countries regarding the diffusion process and to represent a different region with different characteristics both economic and cultural. As such, the authors investigated the diffusion patterns of seven Arab States, namely, Kuwait, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, Iraq, Libya and Egypt.Design/methodology/approach The present study mapped the respective Arab States’ diffusion patterns by applying the Bass model on their mobile cellular subscriptions data.Findings The paper’s contributions include estimating the Arab States diffusion patterns and distinguishing them according to their innovation and imitation coefficients. Findings indicate Kuwait and Libya as the most innovative countries, whereas Egypt and Lebanon ranked as laggards. The present study also reviewed each Arab State’s telecommunication sector which provided a theoretical interpretation for the differences found in their diffusion patterns.Originality/value The paper extends diffusion theory to encompass a region otherwise excluded from the literature’s generalizable findings. The present study’s sampling of countries from the Middle East and North African region and subsequent findings provide a stronger basis to draw empirical generalizations about international product diffusion process than previously suggested by the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe the present interest in the current and predicted business models of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC); the business models that are being used by MOOC platforms and MOOC providers; discussion of the key issues and challenges; predictions about the future MOOC business models from the perspectives of platforms, providers and consumers. Design/methodology/approach – Review of the current literature for business models and costs for MOOCs and including the business models of higher education and possible future of the higher education system. Findings – The findings of this paper show that most MOOCs are currently based upon a “freemium” model where content is provided freely and additional services are charged for; that there are already a range of different “flavours” of MOOC and that this range is likely to further develop over time with some clear winners emerging; and that completely free and open MOOCs are not likely to be the focus of growth in the future, rather MOOCs that are sustained through charges to customers. Practical implications – To inform the debate about likely future business models and to help greater understanding of possible business models for MOOCs to inform decision-making by managers at universities. Originality/value – To inform the debate about likely future business models and to help greater understanding of possible business models for MOOCs to inform decision-making by managers at universities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between different aspects of public library use with elements of economic growth and development. Design/methodology/approach – Statistical correlations were performed to uncover statistically significant relationships. Findings – Relationships are not uniform: strongly positive relationships exist between education and visits, circulation and library programmes, savings and visits and circulation and programmes, and a strongly negative relationship exists between health and circulation. Research limitations/implications – Only one proxy variable for each of the economic development indicators was used, including the fact that others might have revealed other information. Social implications – The revealed relationships should be kept in mind by librarians and policymakers as decisions to change library services that might trickle down to citizens through economic growth and development. Originality/value – This paper brings together a variety of economic growth and development factors and several aspects of public library use in a single framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The paper aims to report on a Danish Web 2.0 user training project from 2009. Besides, reporting the main results of the project, the paper discusses some broader perspectives concerning social media in library context. Many public and academic libraries worldwide have, inspired by the American “23 Things” Web 2.0 training program, been involved in training and educating both of their internal staff and of their users. The key questions are: whether concepts like “23 Things” and the like are likely to contribute to solving the problems of the computer illiterate segments of the population and whether Web 2.0, Twitter, Facebook, Flickr and the like represent subjects which should be legitimately taught as part of professional public and academic library activities. Design/methodology/approach – Based on systematic evaluation of public library-based social media courses, inspired by the “29 Things” concept, targeted at users. Findings – The article points out that it is questionable whether the “23 Things” project, as based on principles of self-directed learning, ownership for one’s own learning and similar popular notions, which fit very well into the taste and preferences of computer literate middle-class individuals, will also work among computer illiterate citizens. Concerning the second key question, the article points out that only a few critical opinions are against social media in libraries and that the presence of social media is legitimized through different reasons, including marketing, learning and higher-order purposes. Originality/value – The findings of the Danish public library social media courses in 2009 have not been reported before. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The paper aims to set out challenges that libraries face while developing their Digital Library capabilities and capacity and propose an approach to estimating the costs for these functions. There is a skills challenge as well as an organisational challenge. The opportunities to build new teams or re-train existing staff are discussed. Design/methodology/approach – The approach builds on a 2008 paper about Digital Library economics and discusses the changes in the environment since then. A model is described in which a library takes on the full responsibility for building and operating a Digital Library function in-house. This is used to benchmark other options such as managed services, outsourced infrastructure and “cloud” services. Findings – The Open Access Publication and Research Data Management mandates present challenges to all libraries based in academic institutions in the UK. New working methods and new costs are unavoidable. There are a number of ways to deal with this depending upon the institutional circumstance. The bottom line can be increases in revenue budgets of around 10 per cent with variable requirements for capital investment. Originality/value – Libraries and librarians have different experiences in closely working with colleagues in information technology (IT). A number of propositions are presented about the value of cooperation and collaboration between library and IT and also with external partners and service providers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide insights into issues encountered in maintaining library technologies on a limited budget and with limited personnel. Design/methodology/approach – The paper uses real-world experiences and data to report on the costs associated with the provision of high-volume print capabilities in an active academic computing area in a large university library. Findings – While advances in technology have changed higher education greatly, students and instructors alike still depend heavily on the printed page. Moreover, easy access to high-volume printers seems to encourage indiscriminate printing and wasteful behavior. Originality/value – This paper offers insights and real world experiences encountered in an active computing facility. It presents data on printing and provides some suggestions for reining-in waste associated with unnecessary printing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose -- This paper aims to discuss the importance of identifying the cost associated with using social media for library marketing efforts, as well as assessing the effectiveness of social media activities. Design/methodology/approach -- This paper references articles and trends on this topic. Findings -- With an increase in use of social media activities within libraries, there is clear evidence that creating formal assessment practices and tracking expenditures provides an increase in effectiveness and efficiency of those activities. Originality/value -- This paper is written from the author's own perceptions and actions taken on this topic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to look at social networking aspects of Web 2.0 and how they might relate to libraries and library education. Design/methodology/approach - The paper looks at The 23 Things, a focus of the Public Library of Charlotte and Meckenburg County in North Carolina's (PLCMC's) learning program for librarians, which focused on two or three new things to discover and learn about each week. The paper looks at various sites that might be useful to the librarian. Findings - The paper suggests that the PLCMC's process represents a path that all librarians should follow. Originality/value - The paper presents a variety of sites that are useful tools for the librarian. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to explore the problems of managing superprojects and identifies how a different approach to controlling them can reduce the incidence of cost and time overruns and benefit shortfalls. Design/methodology/approach: Literature review accompanied by conceptual analysis. Findings: Project cost and timing overruns and benefit shortfalls are very frequent in superprojects. These problems can be ascribed partly to the way in which they are planned is not taken into account in designing and implementing control systems, particularly the governance processes and the information they have available. Practical implications: This paper has serious implications for those designing control processes, governance and information management for superprojects. It suggests that if a new approach is taken, fewer superprojects will suffer from cost overruns and benefit shortfalls because remedial actions will be taken earlier for projects, which are experiencing problems, while learning will be fed back to those planning new projects. Social implications: There will be saving of public money and reduced deferment of benefits that normally result from failed or delayed projects and reduced allocation of large incremental budgets dedicated to resolving problems. Originality/value: The taxonomy of different types of superprojects is original, as is the idea of ambidextrous control, and the diagnosis of failure reasons lying in the nature of control and governance processes, and the lack of relevant information available during the control process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to identify the main characteristics of what have come to be called information nations and to identify some of the determinants of success in becoming an information nation. Design/methodology/approach: The paper is based on a critical review of the literature and of secondary data on information technology and services from studies of the innovativeness of nations. Findings: Success in becoming an information nation is not necessarily closely connected with investments in information technology and services by firms and policies supporting these investments by governments, or with education policies designed to support the development of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Other factors, such as the vibrancy of capitalism, particularly the funding of new ventures, the culture of the nation and its focus on non-scientific determinants of innovation, such as design, are also important. Governments should be careful not to take credit for achievements when their policies are merely coincident with those achievements. Research limitations/implications: The main limitations relate to the focus of this article on two sets of nations, South East/East Asia and two Western nations. The review of their performance is relatively high level and needs to be deepened, while the number of nations included in the research needs to be increased. Practical implications: This paper has substantial practical implications for government policymakers, in terms of whether and how they should make policy at all in this area, and for companies trying to establish a long-term position in the global economy, in terms of being careful not to go against the very strong economic forces which favour certain kinds of activities in certain countries. Social implications: This paper has significant social implications, because much of the thinking about developing information societies relies on generalisations about the creation of information nations that may not hold. Governments and social commentators are encouraged to approach the idea of making "big policies" in this area with some scepticism. Originality/value: The content of this paper is not original, but the challenge to policymakers is relatively original, as too often the work of academics is sponsored by governments that are trying to legitimate the value of their own efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to find out how much the purchasing and lending of individual electronic books really cost. Additionally, this paper investigates which kind of approach would be cheaper and less time-consuming for library staff as well as library patrons – purchase or short-term loan. Design/methodology/approach: This study was conducted at the Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech) Library. This is the only university library in Estonia where the Ebook Central platform is adapted on a large scale. For background information, all statistical data of expenditures and average prices of purchases and short-term loans during April 2013 and December 2018 were calculated and analysed. Through a case study, the time-driven activity-based costing (TDABC) method was used – all activities related to acquisition and lending of eBooks were identified, recorded in detail and analysed. More specifically, the study concerned eBooks offered in the Ebook Central platform and covered purchasing and short-term loan processes, such as receipt of order request, communication with the patron (if necessary) making a purchase or short-term loan, and feedback to the patron. Findings: While analysing the results, it appeared there are many additional activities libraries can avoid during the eBook short-term loan process compared to purchasing. As a normality in TalTech library, purchase is always followed by a cataloguing process which increases the time and cost of this process in turn. On the basis of the current study, it can be said that short-term loan is a cheaper way to use eBooks; many activities related to the short-term loan of eBooks take remarkably less staff time and financial resources than eBooks acquisition/purchasing activities. When analysing the literature reviewed as well as collected statistical data, the problem may arise when the decision-maker librarian is not experienced, professional or long-sighted enough to understand the future behaviour of the patron or the usage of the specific eBook. When the usage reaches a certain point, it becomes an indicator of continuing future usage and so it makes sense to purchase the eBook, as the library pays no further charges once an eBook is owned. Originality/value: Most studies reviewed by the author are based on the statistical data collected about expenditure, costs, usage, cost-per-use, etc. of short-term loans and purchases. While acquisitions costs, average cost per acquired item per year and cost per usage are easy to identify, it has been difficult to measure associated costs of acquisition, cataloging and circulation. The TDABC methodology seems to be one of the best tools for understanding cost behaviour and refining a cost system for university libraries. Based on the information known to the author, there is no study carried out using the TDABC methodology for analysing costs of eBook programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to study the effect of knowledge management in formulating competitive strategies for knowledge-based small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Malaysia. Design/methodology/approach: A quantitative approach of a survey was carried out on 135 owners and managers of knowledge-based SMEs in Malaysia. Structural equation modeling technique was used to investigate the relationship between knowledge management and competitive strategies. SmartPLS software is used to analyze the quantitative data. Only SMEs which are involved in R&D and innovation were selected to get the right respondents who meet the objective of the study. Findings: The findings show mixed results. Most dimensions of knowledge management have significant relationships to differentiation strategy except for knowledge creation and knowledge acquisition, with only knowledge acquisition showing a significant relationship to cost leadership. Findings reveal that knowledge management has a positive effect on competitive strategies with more inclination toward differentiation strategy, compared to cost leadership strategy which does synchronize with their commitment in research and development and innovation. Research limitations/implications: This study is only focused on knowledge-based SMEs in central Malaysia. Second, the use of a survey approach minimized the flow of information. Practical implications: SMEs do have knowledge management practices but may not be exploiting it well. Mapping knowledge management practices would help SMEs identify their strengths and weaknesses to explore better business opportunities. This proves that SMEs are leveraging their resources through knowledge application, dissemination, storage and protection to be different than their competitors. However, their apparent lack of knowledge in knowledge acquisition and knowledge creation should be addressed accordingly, as it is important for their future continuous sustainability. Originality/value: This paper contributes to the literature of knowledge management relating to competitive strategies in SMEs. The study offers insights on how competitive strategies were formulated through knowledge management. The mixed results reveal a new different outlook of knowledge management relating to competitive strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to discuss the challenges that the current economic crisis has posed for Greek public and municipal libraries. Design/methodology/approach – This is a viewpoint paper discussing the past, present and future directions that Greek public and municipal libraries have adopted or should adopt in the context of the present economic crisis. Findings – Greek public and municipal libraries ought to see the economic crisis as a challenge for development, improvement and the promotion of their presence and role in the community which they serve. Originality/value – The paper discusses the factors affecting the past and present situation relating to public and municipal libraries in Greece and addresses the future challenges for promoting development and innovation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to investigate the effects of hotels' brand attributes on consumers' (patrons' and guests') by fostering brand credibility and brand attachment towards the propensity of word-of-mouth. The study uses the signaling theory to assess the relationships among the constructs. Design/methodology/approach: The study adopts partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) approach to validate the research model and the research hypotheses. To test the hypotheses, 474 travellers in Malaysia were recruited. Findings: The empirical results reveal that hotel attributes have direct influence on brand credibility and brand attachment. Similarly, brand credibility has direct influence on brand attachment, while brand attachment also has direct influence on word-of-mouth. Consumers' brand credibility partially mediates the relationship between hotel attributes and brand attachment. Likewise, consumer's brand attachment also partially mediates the relationship between hotel attributes and word-of-mouth. Last but not least, brand credibility and brand attachment sequentially mediate the relationship between hotel attributes and word-of-mouth. The theoretical and practical implications of this study are discussed together with its limitation and future research direction. Originality/value: First, in terms of measures, brand attachment construct is operationalised as a formative second-order construct, with three reflective variables (brand passion, self-brand connection and brand affection) as the first-order constructs. In addition, brand credibility is also operationalised as a formative second-order construct, with three reflective variables (expertise, trustworthiness and attractiveness) as the first-order constructs. On the other hand, hotel attributes construct is operationalised formatively as a higher-order abstraction of three categories of hotel facilities, which were also operationalised formatively (essential, culture compliant and in-room facilities). Second, this paper offers new insight into how brand credibility and brand attachment influence the relationship between hotel attributes and word-of-mouth. In a sustainability era, dissemination of complete and correct information is vital, to ensure consumers' acceptance (e.g. likelihood to recommend to others). Thus, it is suggested that hotel managers to pay close attention to the role of brand credibility and brand attachment in tourists' hotel choice, to secure sustainable brand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine the continuance intention of Alipay by proposing an integrated model. This paper highlights how the capacity of providing context-based information to the users plays significant role in determining the continuance intention of mobile payment like Alipay. Design/methodology/approach: Data are collected from 336 Alipay users from Wuhan, P.R. China. To analyze the data, the authors apply structural equation modeling approach. Also, the authors perform importance-performance map analysis (IPMA) to identify the critical factors in explaining the continuance intention of Alipay. Findings: The results of the study reveal that confirmation and perceived usefulness significantly influence the continuance intention of Alipay through satisfaction. Also, perceived usefulness, satisfaction, context and ubiquity have direct impact on the continuance intention of Alipay through attitude. According to IPMA, perceived ease of use, confirmation and context require special managerial consideration to improve their performance. Originality/value: This research has proposed and validated an integrated model by incorporating context-awareness theory and technology continuance theory. This study provides significant insights that can assist respective decision-makers to formulate/adjust their strategies related to the retention of the existing users of mobile payment like Alipay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to examine the role of knowledge management (KM) processes in enhancing competitive strategies of differentiation and cost-effectiveness and its impact on innovativeness in knowledge-intensive service organizations (KISOs) in India. Design/methodology/approach: This study collected data from 293 employees working in Indian KISOs through a questionnaire survey. After checking for reliability and validity of data, this study tested the hypotheses by structural equation modeling using AMOS 26. Findings: The results show that KM processes have a significant and positive relationship with competitive strategy and innovativeness. Competitive strategy partially mediates the relationship between KM processes and innovativeness. These KM processes promote differentiation and cost-effectiveness, which in turn enhances innovativeness. A differentiation strategy has a stronger positive relationship with KM processes and innovativeness than a cost-effective strategy. Research limitations/implications: This study's cross-sectional design limits its ability to establish a general cause–effect relationship. Even so, theoretically, the results corroborate the contingent view of KM in emerging economies such as India. The findings show the mediating role of competitive strategy on the relationship between KM and its processes with innovation and competitiveness – providing a better cost-effectiveness relationship and organizational differentiation capacity. Practical implications: This study suggests managers to adopt KM processes such as creation-sharing, acquisition and knowledge base enabling firms to be different and cost-effective than their competitors. This study provides evidence on how KISOs can leverage their innovativeness by using KM processes in congruence with its competitive strategy and gain competitive advantage. Social implications: This study emphasizes the development of KM processes in the management of KISOs, which contributes substantially to India's economic growth via Gross domestic product and employment. On the social side, this study suggests to manage cultural issues in KM processes, arising because of presence of multi-cultural workforce and a high-power distance society. Originality/value: This study bridges a research gap of previous studies providing empirical evidence regarding the mediating effect of competitive strategies in the relationship between KM processes and innovativeness. This study adds proof to the KM contingency view of firms, suggesting when KM processes are formulated to achieve competitive strategy; substantial benefits such as innovativeness can be realized. This study adds evidence from the emerging economy of India, where KISOs are increasingly creating value and employment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]