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Purpose This paper aims to propose and test a ten-factor framework of four contexts from technology-organization-environment (T-O-E) theory and unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) to provide insight(s) that complements and extends extant inquiries on technology adoption.Design/methodology/approach Survey data were collected from small service enterprises with strong operations in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, and the mode of sampling was purposive and snow ball, whereas analysis involved structural equation modeling.Findings The results show that factors in the technological, organizational and environmental contexts have direct statistically significant relationship with adoption; thus, adoption is more driven by T-O-E factors than by individual factors. For individual context, social factor equally was statistically supported, whereas hedonistic drive was not.Research limitations/implications The study is limited by its scope of data collection and phases; therefore, extended data are needed to apply the findings to other sectors/industries/countries and to factor in the implementation and post-adoption phases and business to business (B2B) adoption to forge a more holistic framework.Practical/implications Implicit is that the findings encourage vendors and policy makers to recognize the strength of interpersonal and group relationships in addition to T-O-E contexts in developing investment decisions.Originality/value The paper contributes to the growing research on innovation adoption by using factors within the T-O-E and UTAUT frameworks to explain SMEs’ adoption of technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to answer two research questions: first, to study the factors that directly and indirectly influence the intentions of job-seekers and second, to examine the moderating role of gender differences in e-recruitment adoption through the application of technology acceptance model (TAM) in India. Design/methodology/approach: A convenience sampling technique was used to collect online data via GoogleDocs through various online channels such as social media, LinkedIn and email. The final data was collected from 364 final-year graduates and postgraduate students to confirm the impact of female and male differences, measurement invariance in composite models (MICOM) and multi-group analysis (MGA). Findings: The results indicated that perceived usefulness (PU) and perceived ease of use (PEOU) have a direct impact on attitude (AT), whereas PU influenced behavioral intentions (BI) of job-seekers, but PEOU did not. AT directly leads to the BI. The outcomes of mediation analysis show that AT partially mediates the relationships between PU to BI and PEOU to BI. Further, the findings of MICOM and MGA showed that gender significantly moderates all the relationships between the constructs except for the influence of AT on BI. Research limitations/implications: This study contributes to the current literature, revealing that the original TAM model is still pertinent and effective in prevailing periods in emerging markets. The significance of PEOU and PU on AT and BI implies that job-seekers will strongly adopt e-recruitment when it is user-friendly and assist them to accomplish their tasks easily and efficiently. Moreover, gender has a vital moderating influence in e-recruitment adoption. In the case of females, the effect of PEOU is stronger, and for males, PU has a substantial impact on adoption. Practical implications: Developers and recruiters should provide significant information related to salary, location and job profile on e-recruitment to enhance the adoption rate of online recruitment. Further, the usefulness of e-recruitment systems was more significant for males compared to females, whereas female job-seekers prefer the e-recruitment system, which is easy to use and operate. Originality/value: This research fills a gap in the literature by examining the essential factors affecting the BI of job-seekers as well as empirically testing the impact of gender differences to adopt TAM for e-recruitment – an under-explored subject in developing countries like India. [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]

Purpose – This paper aims to focus on the use of a formal student volunteer program to offset budgetary shortfalls as well as provide opportunities for student learning. Design/methodology/approach – The paper builds the case by citing findings from case studies in the field. Findings – This paper concludes that a formal strategic program along with identified learning outcomes for the student volunteers will be of benefit to both parties. Originality/value – The paper is the foundation for the development of the author's own formal program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - This paper aims to highlight the need to have present-day operational efficiencies in preparing organizations for the future. Design/methodology/approach - The paper refers to some recent work published with regard to present-day reflection of practices which will impact future considerations for library organizations. Findings - Some suggested areas to consider are included, including developing operational efficiencies that are flexible enough to be modified as changes occur. Originality/value - This paper offers a point-of-view supported by related references and is the concept that the author favors for present consideration of future impact. [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: The purpose of this paper is to develop a conceptual framework to check if an organization is ready to adopt an AI-integrated CRM system. The study also analyzes different situations which can provide a comprehensive check list in the form of indicators that could provide a signal indicating whether the organization is ready to adopt an AI-integrated CRM system by capturing actionable and appropriate data. Design/methodology/approach: The paper is a general review, and appropriate literature has been used to support the conceptual framework. Findings: The key findings of this study are the different indicators that make up the conceptual framework. This framework can help organizations to check at a glance whether they are ready to adopt AI-integrated CRM system in their organizations. Specifically, it has been identified that different approaches are needed to tackle various types of customer data so that those may be made fit and actionable for appropriate utilization of AI algorithms to facilitate business success of an organization. Practical implications: The paper has elaborately discussed the different approaches to be undertaken to calibrate and reorient the various kinds of actionable data and the contemplated challenges one would face in doing so. This would help the practitioners that how the data so captured can be made fit for action and utilization toward application of AI technologies integrated with existing CRM system in an organization. Originality/value: This study is claimed to be a unique study to provide a conceptual framework which could help arranging and rearranging of captured data by an organization for making the data fit and ready for use with the help of AI technologies. This successful integration of AI with CRM system can help organizations toward taking quick and automated decision-making without much intervention of human beings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the conceptualisation of corporate communication management (CCM) and its dimensionality from the practitioners' perspectives. It proposes to validate an operational definition and dimensions of the CCM construct, which have not been identified in the literature.Design/methodology/approach The initial concepts are based on academic literature and followed by 12 face-to-face interviews with corporate communication practitioners and consultants from Malaysia to confirm the practicality of each dimension. QSR Nvivo Version 9.0 software is used to analyse the qualitative data. Then, the data are classified through deductive content analysis based on key words or themes.Findings The diverse perspectives are shown from the practitioners and consultants on the dimensionality of CCM. Most of the interviewees suggest that CCM dimensions include corporate advertising, corporate affairs, investor relations and employee communication within the corporate communication and other departments. They also found the public relations and media relations are clearly under corporate communications manager's supervision. This research confirms the concept of CCM and its dimensionality to operationalise the CCM construct. The CCM dimensions also offer opportunities for further research to develop the measurement scales.Originality/value This research contributes to the clarification on the subject matter by developing clear concepts of the CCM and by offering insights about the role of the CCM dimensions, which help managers to more successfully incorporate the CCM dimension into the corporate management strategy. This paper also examines the concept of CCM and confirms its dimensionality, which helps in developing the CCM measurement for further quantitative research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose This paper reviews the literature on information mismanagement and constructs a typology of misinformation that can be applied to analyse project planning and strategic planning processes to reduce the chances of failure that results from information mismanagement. This paper aims to summarize the research on information mismanagement and provide guidance to managers concerning how to minimize the negative consequences of information mismanagement and to academics concerning how to research and analyse case studies that might involve information mismanagement.Design/methodology/approach Literature review accompanied by conceptual analysis.Findings Information mismanagement is widespread in organizations, so all those involved in managing and researching them need to be far more aware of the damage that can be done by it.Research limitations/implications The research is based on the Western society (Europe and North America). The same research should be carried out in other parts of the world. Also, all the case studies could usefully be investigated in more depth to apply the taxonomy.Practical implications Managers should be much more aware of their own and others' tendencies to mismanage information to their own benefit.Social implications Stakeholders in public sector activities, including citizens, should be much more aware of the tendency of the government and the public sector to mismanage information to justify particular policy approaches and to disguise failure.Originality/value The taxonomy on information mismanagement is original, as is its application to project planning and strategic decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – This paper aims to discuss the importance of great mentoring to those with financial responsibilities during tough economic times. Design/methodology/approach – This paper pulls from the field literature two sets of attributes and considerations of skills needed in order to be a great mentor. Findings – It is important that persons with financial responsibilities are not overlooked in the mentoring process in order to direct their energies into positive actions. Research limitations/implications – The methods and skills discussed in this paper will need to be customized for individual emotional reactions to changing economic situations. Practical implications – This paper provides an explanation of the qualities needed by mentors to create a positive result. Social implications – This paper recognizes the importance of building social skills in order to develop good relationships. Originality/value – Readers are encouraged to expand on these concepts in order to become better mentors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to examine the alternatives to Google web searching. Design/methodology/approach - The paper discusses the alternatives to Google web searching, focusing on different approaches, specific topics and particular formats. Findings - That competition is especially fruitful for those who make our livings searching for information. Originality/value - The paper presents different approaches to searching by Google. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose — Aims to focus on the issue of value in libraries. Design/methodology/approach — Draws from research conducted to set up a conservative transportable cost-benefit analysis (CBA) methodology that could be applied to public libraries. The paper discusses the CBA-survey participant comments draws out the value themes that interviewees talked about as they answered various questions. Findings — There is a huge tendency in North America to talk about libraries as if they are secular churches and to impute spiritual values to them. This paper suggests that while library users may hold such feelings, that is not the first line of reasons for why they use their library. Originality/value — Shows how library communications needs to be framed in the practical as well as the ethereal, the practical along with the ideal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - This paper seeks to see how libraries measure up to futurists' predictions of libraries of the future. Design/methodology/approach - Compares the ten points in futurist Thomas Frey's paper, "The future of libraries" with the reality of current library services. Findings - By and large, much of what Frey predicts for future libraries is already a reality. Originality/value - Confirms that librarians and libraries are at the forefront of technology and providing information through different media and methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to apply the best practices defined by the Government Accounting Office (GAO) in its assessment of Amtrak to infrastructure improvements in electronic reserves at Columbia University Libraries. Design/methodology/approach - The paper draws on a 2004 GAO report, Intercity Passenger Rail, to set a framework for the handling of infrastructure improvement projects, and then examines a hypothetical electronic reserves project in light of that framework. Findings - This paper concludes that the best practices laid out in the GAO report, which include comprehensive planning, risk assessment, comprehensive financial management, accountability and oversight, and stakeholder involvement, are appropriate guidelines for any infrastructure improvement project. Many projects must address issues outside of infrastructure, however, and may benefit from outcomes-based goals and policy adjustments. Originality/value - The paper is of benefit in the planning of library projects that include infrastructure improvements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to analyze the influence of intellectual capital (IC) on sustainable economic and financial performance (EFP) and value creation (VC) in Brazilian companies. Design/methodology/approach: Based on finance and accounting theories, a quantitative and descriptive long-term study was carried out in the companies listed on the Brazil Stock Exchange and Over-the-Counter Market (B3), covering 20 years period. Findings: The results indicate that IC positively influences profitability, corporate return and organizational value sustainably; the most intangible-intensive Brazilian companies listed on B3 presented more robust results than the least intangible-intensive; and IC contributes to a systematic increase in EFP and VC over time. Research limitations/implications: Using a well-established metric, the IC-INDEX, the IC and its effects were measured, obtaining theoretical contributions (expanding the understanding of the IC influence in sustainable EFP and VC from a long-term perspective – one subject still unexplored in the literature); and empirical (increasing the understanding of the IC's role as a driver of competitiveness, performance and organizational value). Practical implications: This study increases the understanding of the theoretical and practical effects of IC, also providing a competitive benchmarking process to access sustainable EFP and VC of companies and their industries. Originality/value: The originally applied and validated proposal extends existing theory by offering a set of indicators to scale the contribution of IC to competitiveness from the perspective of long-term (historical) corporate outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Global digital payment transactions increase continuously. Due to the inconsistencies that occurred across the research findings, past researchers have called for further investigation to verify and empirically test the mobile payment acceptance model. The purpose of this paper is to develop an integrative model that is derived from the multiple technology acceptance models (TAM)'s a theoretical framework and past literature to understand how consumers decided to adopt mobile payment. By simultaneously testing mechanisms, namely, ease of use, usefulness and risk, the current study will be able to advance scholarly knowledge of the underlying consumer's attitude and behavior that link social influence to intention to use. Design/methodology/approach: A total of 370 valid responses were collected using self-administered questionnaires distributed via online platforms, a representative for Thai consumers. An ordinary least square regression and bootstrap analyzes were conducted through PROCESS Macro to analyze the moderated serial-multiple mediation model in the consecutive inducing of social influence, perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness and perceived risk toward the consumer's intention to use mobile payment. Findings: Within the context of consumers evaluating a mobile payment, statistics significant were found for the hypothesized direct and indirect effects of perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness on an intention to use. The results showed that Thai consumers' intention to use mobile payment was significantly affected by their attitudes in terms of usefulness and the less complication in using the applications. It is confirmed that social influence indirectly affects intention to use via the increase of perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness. The study also found a significant interaction between perceived risk and perceived usefulness toward intention to use. Practical implications: It is recommended to service providers to continue improving the user-friendliness, navigation, integrity and furnish the system with more value-added activities within the mobile payment application. It is also essential for the company to deliver tutorials and clear and easy-to-follow instructions to customers. At the same time, the marketer should develop marketing strategies to promote the usefulness and simplicity of using the applications to the consumers. When consumers experienced the easiness and usefulness of the applications, these could overcome the resistance feeling to use due to the concern on any potential risk. Originality/value: The study contributes to the existing body of knowledge on consumer usage behavior and TAM by integrating all important variables and developed a parsimony framework to explain consumers' usage adoption on mobile payment. Moreover, the current study was the very first that proposed and tested a serial of multiple mediations of perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness, moderated by perceived risk, in the relationship between social influence and consumers' intention to use mobile payment and discovered a moderating role of perceived risk toward the relationship between perceived usefulness and mobile payment usage intention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the bibliometric study of journal articles in Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI) related to outsourcing library functions, including publication trends from 1994 to 2015, core journals, authorship and citing articles used for librarians and researchers to have a basic reference of relevant resources.Design/methodology/approach The methodology consisted of journal article searches in SSCI with 1994-2015 as the date limiter. The search terms came from the topic of outsourcing to the topic of library by using the Boolean operator; and results were used in the Web of Science (WOS) database based on pre-determined categories and were evaluated based on the five research questions about core journals, authorship and citing articles.Findings The findings were based on the five research questions evaluated in the bibliometric study. There were 55 articles published on the topics of outsourcing and library authored by 80 individuals between 1994 and 2015. In the 55 articles analyzed, there were 24 different journals represented with 150 times cited.Originality/value This study takes the bibliometric analysis approach, which has rarely been used on the topics of outsourcing and library articles with the specific focus on library finance issues. It provides a foundation for further research on the topic as well as resources to be used by librarians and researchers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose This paper aims to examine the teaching of library graduate students in an introductory course on the foundations of librarianship. To examine the specific skill of developing an ethical foundation in their future profession of librarianship, an examination is offered here using a multiple-step teaching strategy, introducing specific instructional materials, including a model of assessing ethics and a proposed integration of research skills with problem-based learning (PBL) as the suggested teaching delivery. As the experience proved to provide positive outcomes for student learning, the paper provides not only this operational examination but also the theoretical justification for further adaptation and usage of PBL as a teaching method in library and information science (LIS) education. Described are details LIS faculty should consider in implementing the method in teaching, especially on the topic of professional ethics.Methodology/approach This research project focused on exploring a new way of exploring the teaching of ethical behaviors in the library profession by examining real-world examples of ethics in trade news sources. It was therefore determined that the best strategy was to design a teaching activity that assists students in learning two sets of skills: information-seeking behavior and developing ethical boundaries and standards that a librarian would use in professional practice.Findings The process is often taught in a linear manner, but in practice, ethical situations are found and expressed in non-linear ways. In practice, the profession is rife with ethics, non-rules, non-lists and no checklists upon how to behave. Ethical dilemmas are extemporaneous, and yet decisions regarding them can be made from the guidance of professional associations and combined with thoughtful analysis.Originality/value Redefining any pedagogical activity in graduate teaching is, at times, more herculean than it seems at the start, yet with distilling the process into workable steps with appropriate protocols, we can successfully teach ethics in new ways. More integration of PBL is hereby advocated throughout LIS curriculum in a variety of contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to examine possible reasons behind apparent absurdities in the library. Design/methodology/approach - The paper looks at a renovation project at Daniel Library, Charleston, South Carolina and the problems encountered because of its previous history. Findings - The paper finds that some changes are unavoidable as cost-saving measures; some might be due to the sort of person who enters library work. Research limitations/implications - The paper highlights personality types in library work and the history of library security systems. Practical implications - The paper reveals that not all planning decisions are as stupid as they look. Originality/value - The paper encourages readers to think about why they make the decisions they do. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to highlight current awareness web sites. Design/methodology/approach - The paper presents a general review. Findings - Staying current is essential today more than ever. Originality/value - The sites reviewed in this paper are useful tools to that purpose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When academic journals in electronic format were introduced, librarians eagerly anticipated a drop in wildly escalating journal prices. After all, publishers incur no paper costs, no mailing costs, and no significant additional production costs in distributing an electronic equivalent to their paper journals. However, to date, the crisis in rising serial costs has not been alleviated by the availability of electronic journals. Seven years after his first column discussing libraries' struggles with serial prices, the author revisits the topic of electronic journals and summarizes what we have learned about using journals in this format. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide insight into the impact that library interior design can have on patron satisfaction with library service offering, in light of cost concerns from both patrons and library managers alike. Design/methodology/approach – This paper provides insight from library design researchers and the authors’ experiences with how to simultaneously design effective spaces and advocate for funding for construction and remodeling. Findings – There are at least three major categories for the fiscal impact of design projects: large, medium and small scale. Research on design projects, however, ranges from the low 6 figures to over $50 million. This situation creates a case-by-case environment for library administrators looking for best practices. Originality/value – No library is exactly like another, and no library’s patrons have similar fiscal tolerance for interior design proposals and build-out projects. This paper provides guidance for library administrator searching for more information on how to advocate for and begin the process of library interior design with an aim of increasing utility and functionality of spaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to understand the scholarly contributions to the field of marketing by analyzing top ten journals of marketing.Design/methodology/approach The marketing journals were selected using SciMago marketing journal list, and SCOPUS database was used to identify the publications of the journals. A total of 9,190 articles were analyzed having 562,322 citation references. Methodologies like Wordle and Gephi were used to understand the most researched keywords and co-citation analysis among top five researchers. This paper also captured the information on most cited article along with author, most published author, most publishing country, most publishing university, the year with maximum publications and most used keywords.Findings The analysis indicates that “Kumar, V.” is most published author, that is, 68 publications, the most cited article is “On the evaluation of structural equation models” by Bagozzi and Yi (1988) with 6989 citations. The USA contributed the highest 6,720 publications, while University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School topped the list with 235 articles. In 2009, highest publication work was done by publishing 382 articles. “Game theory”, “Pricing” and “Advertising” are most used keywords which have been discussed in the literature.Research limitations/implications This analysis will help researchers in understanding the growth in the field of the marketing in recent years and possible direction it could take in future. However, this paper considered only top ten marketing journals as listed in SciMago marketing journal list; therefore, future researchers may incorporate more research journals to get a clearer picture of the field of marketing.Originality/value This paper is one of the first attempts in recent time to understand the research work in the field of marketing considering top ten journals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore very recent data about how large organizations are dealing with a shortage of information and communications technology (ICT) specialists, in terms of its implications for information management.Design/methodology/approach This paper is based on qualitative interview-based research with 11 large European companies, with an estimated ICT workforce of around 400,000 (about 14 per cent of ICT professionals in Europe), covering hiring, retention and upskilling of ICT staff, and expectations concerning graduates from European universities. These data are combined with International Data Corporation (IDC) analyst reports on the demand for different categories of ICT products and services, and data from the authors’ consulting work.Findings Larger organizations expect hiring to be a challenge, with strong competition for talent, whether from existing users or from the many rapidly digitalizing companies – digitalizing their organizations; their products and services; and their relationships with customer, suppliers and business partners. Upskilling and retraining workforces is seen by large organizations as a better approach than hiring, allowing them to create the right skills balance and retain their workers better. However, softer skills, such as communication and problem solving, are seen as just as important. ICT workers will benefit from a lifelong approach to learning, acquiring new skills and adapting existing skills. Many ICT companies have created academies for developing employee skills and certifications related to their own technologies, while the education sector has been working on creating curricula (alone or sometimes in partnerships with vendors) to improve graduate employability.Research limitations/implications The research is based on a small sample of large companies. The situation may be different in other companies and smaller organizations.Practical implications Organizations can cope with the skills shortage by anticipating and working with the market forces rather than trying to oppose them.Social implications ICT employees will show the way for employees in other sectors where skills are scarce, by demonstrating how to reinvent themselves as the skills needed change.Originality/value This paper demonstrates that employers have changed their expectations of universities. They expect less that graduates will be ICT-employment ready, and more that they will have the skills to make and keep themselves employment ready. This has significant implications for university course design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate information management in a smart city. It identifies the main trends in progress and how innovation in information technology is helping all those in the smart city ecosystem in terms of generating new sources of data and connecting them. It investigates how information management in the smart city may go through several phases, but contests the notion that the co-ordinated information management that is the dream of many city managers is an appropriate vision, given the tendency in the private sector for competing information platforms to develop, giving value in different ways.Design/methodology/approach This paper has been written by using a combination of academic insight and literature, extensive research of relevant grey literature (e.g. blogs and industry press) and interviews and interaction with some of the organisations involved in developing and implementing the smart city concept, including public transport organisations, other data providers, analysts and systems and sensor suppliers.Findings Smart city concepts are evolving in different ways, with divergence of views which involves centralisation and control of information by city authorities and a more democratic view in which the information is managed on different platforms between which smart city stakeholders can choose.Research limitations/implications The research method is exploratory. Validating the findings would require a more structured approach in which stakeholders of all kinds are consulted.Practical implications All organisational stakeholders in the idea and delivery of smart cities need to consider how their interests in smart city information and those of other stakeholders are evolving and to what extent they should be in partnership with other members of the ecosystem in generating and using the information.Social implications Individuals, whether workers, commuters, shoppers, tourists or others, will be greatly affected by the evolution of smart city information, and their choices about whether to be smart themselves will have an important effect on the benefits they receive from city smartening and on the viability of the smart cities.Originality/value Little research has been carried out into the different choices organisations and individuals have in terms of how they will relate to smart city information and how they can manage it. This research makes a start on this task. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The purpose of this study is to help gain an accurate and distinct understanding of information-based business concepts and critical steps in designing an appropriate business model, by providing a framework for designing an innovative information-based business to help fledgling businesses development in the information and communication technology (ICT) industry of Iran. What is a business model framework with the strategic innovation approach in the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) of ICT industry? What are the components of this model and the relations between them? Business model is a logical response to how a business can create value. Changing business environment means that business models are rapidly growing; accordingly, innovation is no longer optional. However, innovation is important in general, but the kind of innovation that is widely and directly dependent on business model will be quite critical for all parts of the organization. In fact, business model innovation is an exquisite technic to create, deliver and earn value by changing one or more components of a typical business model. Business model innovation needs information and form business environment based on dynamic information system.Design/methodology/approach The present paper focuses upon SMEs in ICT. Grounded theory has been used for this purpose, with 15 interviews conducted.Findings An emerging market is one in which commercial exchanges of a particular industry between the countries are relatively new but possess great investment attractiveness and a high potential to grow (such as Iran).As the ICT industry of Iran is a leading industry, and the country itself is an emerging market, the main purpose of this study is to provide a framework for designing an innovative information-based business to help fledgling businesses development in the ICT industry of Iran.Originality/value The purpose of this paper is to help accurate and distinct understanding of the business model concept and critical steps in designing an appropriate business model. Studies conducted to simultaneously deal with the business model and strategic innovations are few, and by the time the proposal was written, there was no research observed from Persian sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide insights and commentary into issues encountered in maintaining library technologies and electronic resources on a limited budget and with limited personnel. Design/methodology/approach – Uses real-world experiences and data to report on collection development decisions as they relate to e-books, specifically demand-driven acquisition (DDA) models, in an era of shrinking budgets and changing user expectations. Findings – Efficient and ubiquitous access to information has altered user expectations and needs. Many libraries have greatly expanded their holdings of e-books in an effort to address these changes. Some have investigated DDA models to place more control in the hands of the library users, despite an aversion on the part of some librarians. Originality/value – This paper examines the changing nature of study habits among college students and intimates that some of the decreases in average time spent studying outside of the classroom can be attributed to increased efficiencies in locating and acquiring information and knowledge. The paper suggests DDA as a logical next step in the continued evolution of the modern library. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the elements of a library’s daily operations that contribute to the overall experience visitors to the library hopefully enjoy. Beyond the much discussed element of customer service, there are many other factors that either enhance the experience or detract from it. Design/methodology/approach – This paper used the author’s personal experience as an observer of library organizations from his perspective of a consultant and a workshop presenter. Findings – This paper focuses on the importance of ensuring that every aspect of the library operation functions properly to guarantee pleasant experiences for all visitors. Originality/value – The paper helps the library director, the department manager and the staff librarian to better appreciate the importance of being aware of how the visitor perceives the library experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Unlike the previous studies that examined the direct relationship between media attention on entrepreneurship (MAE) and entrepreneurship participation, this paper aims to examine the mediated link through entrepreneurial intention. Design/methodology/approach: The cognitive theory of media provides the foundation for predictions that primary outcome of MAE is the entrepreneurial intention which in turn affects the different types of entrepreneurship participation (early-stage startup activities, new product development [NPD] activities and informal investment activities). The test of the hypothesized model relies on panel data for 2010–2015 on 40 developing and developed countries taken from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor report of 2015. Findings: MAE has an indirect effect on two types of entrepreneurship participation (early-stage startup activities and informal investment activities) via entrepreneurial intention, whereas there is no direct or indirect effect of MAE on NPD activities. The findings also suggest when the entrepreneurial intention is added as a mediator in the model; the direct effect of MAE on early-stage entrepreneurial activities becomes insignificant. Originality/value: To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first study in its nature which established the relationship between MAE and entrepreneurial intention. In addition, this study also explained the mediation mechanism between the relationship of MAE and entrepreneurship participation by using the panel data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to investigate the nature of the inequalities in the usage of the internet and inequalities in the growth rate in the usage of the internet, and thus ascertain the possibility of convergence of the digital divide between the major regions of the world. Design/methodology/approach: The design was a longitudinal study of the usage of internet and growth rate in the usage of the internet in the different regions of the world for the period 2009–2019. The quantitative research method was used. Simple percentages and F-test were used in data analysis. Findings: The usage of internet in Asia and Europe is higher than all the other regions in the world but there is no significant difference in usage between the other regions. The results further showed that some of the digitally disadvantaged regions had higher growth rates in the usage of the internet and these digitally disadvantage states are not disadvantaged in access to smartphones and the emerging 5G technology, thus suggesting the possibility of imminent convergence in access to the internet given the increasing usage of smartphones for the internet subscription. Research limitations/implications: The focus on internet usage in the major regions of the world without recourse to the variability of the usage and growth rate of internet usage within the regions. The dearth of the empirical literature on quantitative research on the research problem was another constraint. Finally, restriction in available statistics on digital divide constrained the use of 2009–2019 as the periodic scope of the study. Practical implications: Inclusion of ICT in the school curricula of the component states to acquaint them with information and communication technology (ICT) usage at an early stage, as well as provision of the enabling environment for business to thrive and through a national culture that will encourage businesses to be vibrant, and thus lay a foundation for future convergence. Social implications: Enhancement in employment opportunities through the increased investment in the ICT facilities and the subsequent reduction in social vices. Originality/value: Use of secondary data through a longitudinal design to categorically indicate the differences between the different regions of the world in terms of internet usage, as well as the empirical determination of the discrepancies between the growth rates in the access to internet and usage of internet by different regions of the world, especially as regard some of the digitally disadvantaged regions having higher growth rates in the usage of the internet than the perceived digitally advantaged regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Mentorship is crucial to the success and accomplishment of librarianship in the contemporary era. This paper aims to investigate the need for mentorship and challenges besetting mentorship in librarianship with specific focus on academic libraries. Design/methodology/approach: Descriptive survey research design was used for the study. The population of the study was 1,214 librarians in 102 academic libraries in Southern Nigeria. Total enumeration sampling technique was adopted for the study. Findings: It was reflected that mentorship, though beset by a number of challenges, is a necessity in librarianship. The hypotheses tested revealed that there is significant relationship between the need for mentorship and the types of mentorship adopted in academic libraries, and that there is no significant difference between the need for mentorship by male and female librarians. Practical implications: This study affirmed that it is through mentorship that librarians can meet their job demands. Mentorship should therefore be stimulated to bolster the professional and intellectual development of the librarians. The mentees should be carried along in mentorship partnership selection process, and training should be organized for mentors and mentees on mentorship. Social implications: The interaction of librarians in the course of mentoring can facilitate work cohesion and enhanced job performance. Originality/value: The needs for and challenges besetting mentorship in librarianship have been explored by collecting data directly from the librarians. The cloistered nature of librarianship, given the changing nature of the profession owing to massive deployment of Information and Communication Technology in the performance of library operations, means that mentorship should be encouraged in the profession. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to review the information management aspects of the early months of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) coronavirus 19 outbreak. It shows that the transition from epidemic to the pandemic was caused partly by poor management of information that was publicly available in January 2020. Design/methodology/approach: The approach combines public domain epidemic data with economic, demographic, health, social and political data and investigates how information was managed by governments. It includes case studies of early-stage information management, from countries with high and low coronavirus disease 2019 impacts (as measured by deaths per million). Findings: The reasons why the information was not acted upon appropriately include "dark side" information behaviours (Stone et al., 2019). Many errors and misjudgements could have been avoided by using learnings from previous epidemics, particularly the 1918-1919 flu epidemic when international travel (mainly of troops in First World War) was a prime mode of spreading. It concludes that if similar outbreaks are not to turn into pandemics, much earlier action is needed, mainly closing borders and locking-down. Research limitations/implications: The research is based on what was known at the time of writing, when the pandemic's exact origin was uncertain, when some statistics about actions and results were unavailable and when final results were unknown. Practical implications: Governments faced with early warning signs or pandemics must act much faster. Social implications: If the next virus is as infectious as SARS-CoV-2 but much more fatal, the world faces disastrous consequences if most governments act as slowly as this time. Originality/value: This is one of the first analyses of information management practices relating to the pandemic's early stages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the factors which influence mobile government (m-government) services adoption in India.Design/methodology/approach Adoption behavior of m-government services by 311 respondents is probed by using a multiple set of constructs drawn from technology acceptance model (TAM), unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT), theory of planned behavior (TPB) and hierarchical regression analysis. Specifically, eight hypotheses were tested around constructs like Perceived Usefulness (PU), Perceived Ease of Use (EOU), Compatibility (COM), Trust (T), Influence (I), Self-Efficacy (SE), Facilitating Conditions (FC), Attitude (ATT) and Behavioral Intention to Adopt m-government services (BI).Findings Results show that PU, EOU, T and ATT were found to have significant influence on the adoption of m-government services. Furthermore, demographic variables (age, marital status, occupation, educational qualification and frequency of using m-government services) were not found to be significant predictors for the adoption of m-government services in India.Originality/value While most of the technology adoption studies are focused on commercial activities, studies on internet interfaces vis-à-vis the public services are limited to investigation of e-government services. Besides, there are more studies contextualized in the developed countries as compared to developing countries. Academic research on m-government adoption is scant and the present paper is a significant contribution in the Indian context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose-The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of analysts in providing information to support business model innovation. Design/methodology/approach - This paper is based on initial research by two of the co-authors on business models (Stott et al., 2016), to which is added the experience of members of the team in working in strategic analyst firms or inworking closely with clients of business analyst firms and further secondary data. Findings - The findings of this paper show that analysts could do more to help their clients capture the opportunities and meet the threats of business model innovation, but this may require business leaders and analyst firms to think differently about their mutual relationship, particularly the briefs that clients provide analysts and how analysts aggregate information to provide a clearer picture of business model choices and their likely consequences. Research limitations/implications - This paper needs confirmation of views by primary empirical research. Practical implications - This study identifies the need for firms to brief their analysts to provide much enhanced information concerning business model opportunities and threats, and for teachers and researchers in marketing to becomemore closely acquaintedwith the business model literature and analyst reports and processes. Social implications - As the idea of business model change becomes a more acceptable part of the strategic armoury of firms, the understanding of the information requirements to support such change to become more widely understood, and business model change to be consequently more common can be expected. This paper contributes to the understanding of the information requirements involved in such changes. Originality/value - This study highlights the gap in the discussion of information provision to business leaders concerning business model innovation requirements and threats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose-This paper aims to evaluate the performance of a chat reference service implemented at an academic library in a private liberal arts college by gauging its impact on other forms of reference service in terms of usage volume, with a focus on research-related face-to-face reference questions. Design/methodology/approach - Two statistical methods are used, namely, the difference-indifferences method and a simple moving average time series analysis, to analyze both the short-term and long-term impact brought by chat reference. Findings - This study finds that the usage volume of the traditional face-to-face reference is significantly affected by chat reference in its first service year. The long-term analysis suggests that chat reference volume displays a significant declining trend (-2.06 per cent academic month) since its implementation. Yet, its usage volume relative to other reference services remains stable over time. Originality/value - The findings in this case study will be of value to libraries with similar scale and institutional features that are also interested in assessing their chat reference service. In addition, this paper is the first to apply the difference-in-differences approach in the field of library science, and the two statistical methods adopted in this case study can be readily adapted and applied to other similar volume-based library assessment projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – This paper seeks to explore attitudes of staff librarians who see themselves separate and apart from their supervisors in terms of their agendas and their roles. The paper offers why this may be occurring, and what library managers can do to effectively bridge the relational gap between management and staff. Design/methodology/approach – This paper used the author's personal experience as an observer of library organizations from his perspective of a consultant and a workshop presenter. Findings – This paper focuses on the importance of open communication, the willingness of a staff member to participate in decision making, and the importance of a library manager to encourage discussion and idea creation among the staff. Originality/value – The paper helps the library director, the department manager, and the staff librarian to better appreciate the role that each person plays in the overall library organization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The need to cull collections comes from a variety of concerns. Space, budgets and relevancy are the primary sources of exploration into the weeding of a collection. The purpose of this paper is to provide current commentary on the potential reactions to and unexpected consequences of weeding from the fiscal perspective of community stakeholders. Design/methodology/approach – This paper provides insight gathered from a recent emergency library board meeting on weeding, and expands the debate to provide recommendations for future course of action. Findings – Communication before, during and after a weeding project in light of informed and emotional community fiscal and material interest in a collection, above board and/or executive interest, is the recommended path to smooth weeding activities. Originality/value – This paper reveals a new reality for library leaders previously accustomed to a less informed user understanding of the impact of weeding. It explains the effect of the global recession on the increased financial astuteness of patrons scrutinizing library expenditures in the twenty-first century. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to discuss the importance of having a chain of command strategy, in particular with staff repurposing activities. Design/methodology/approach – This paper refers to field literature to support this concept. Findings – The literature and readings cited demonstrate need and consideration. Originality/value – The paper highlights considerations needed for present decision making that will have future impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to describe the fundraising activities carried out by two libraries at the University of Bologna (Italy), which could be adopted by other libraries. Design/methodology/approach - The paper discusses the approach adopted and gives examples. Findings - The crisis can be an opportunity to identify weaknesses and strengths and then to study the market and find economic support, but also to improve services in order to meet different needs. Originality/value - The originality of the paper relies on the interpretation of the crisis as a challenge to build a network of library supporters and new interests in library services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to suggest that leaders use staff retreats as a time for budget and planning, more than as a time for working on the prototypical subjects of group cohesion, personality pairing/profiling and teamwork exercises. Design/methodology/approach – Analysis from the perspective of staff retention frames the explanation of staff retreats used primarily as budget exercises, to educate and spark informed debate leading to increased employee satisfaction. Findings – Open and honest budgetary disclosure is the fundamental desire of employees concerned about macroeconomic issues affecting organizations going forward. Placing these matters first during staff retreats will create the desired group cohesion and retention effects sought through embarking on staff retreat activities. Originality/value – Staff retreats are very popular, and literature on this topic is plentiful. Positive retention outcomes attained from staff retreats because of a focus on a shared understanding of budget and planning is not, however, a popular idea. This paper suggests that the common retreat goal of group cohesion can be a direct product derived from carefully planned and explained budget disclosure, instead of crafty psychological and team exercises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to discuss the process and options available to conduct a staff realignment exercise. By approaching financial changes to the organization strategically, staff can be repurposed instead of being made redundant. Design/methodology/approach – The paper offers several options on how to integrate changes in staffing to meet emerging trends and future anticipation of needs. Findings – This point of view is based on an unnamed case study that has proven to be successful. Research limitations/implications – The practices discussed are commonly used in a business environment that undergoes consistence assessment of its operation. Practical implications – These actions can set a precedent for changing an organizational culture toward self-assessment. Originality/value – The author played a major part in the case study at his home institution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to offer advice, in the interest of preventing expensive mistakes, about certain aspects of library building projects. Design/methodology/approach – The paper presents a list of avoidable errors made during real library construction or renovation projects. Findings – The paper finds that a little common sense is a good thing to use in tandem with grand designs. Practical implications – Hopefully, the practical implications of the paper will be cost savings for libraries and their parent organizations. Librarians, project managers, or architects might enjoy compiling photographs of similar mistakes and comparing them with sensible alternatives. Originality/value – The paper presents a useful list for project managers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to provide suggestions for communicating library needs and opportunities to prospective donors. Design/methodology/approach - The paper discusses and gives examples of outreach communications that can inspire support. Findings - The paper proposes that fundraising opportunities can be communicated and enhanced through a variety of methods. Originality/value - The value of the paper is in its suggestions for promoting the library's needs and opportunities through external communication means. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to provide suggestions for sustaining effective marketing and fundraising in challenging economic times. Design/methodology/approach - This paper discusses and gives examples of marketing and promotion strategies to sustain fundraising. Findings - This paper proposes that, in an economic downturn, donors and stakeholders will respond to positive messages rather than tales of woe. Originality/value - The value of this paper is in its suggestions for telling the library's story in ways that encourage financial support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to discuss how text messaging offers a variety of ways to stay vital and visible to younger patrons with whom libraries most need to establish a relationship to ensure their future. Design/methodology/approach - The paper discusses narrowcasting, one-to-one communication and reference queries, all methods of text messaging Findings - Even with the inherent drawbacks of message length and the incurring of charges by library users, there seems to be a place for text messaging services within the library framework. Because of the portability, popularity and pervasiveness of cell phones among our users, particularly our younger ones, this service is a way for us to stay current. Originality/value - The paper provides an original viewpoint on how text messaging could be used in libraries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of the paper is to consider the importance of librarians and library budgets, specifically, what a hierarchy of library needs might look like. Design/methodology/approach - The paper adopts a viewpoint approach. Findings - The budget serves other, ongoing purposes, of course, but the very presence of a budget indicates that the vision is important, worth whatever mulch and compost and labor we can devote to it. Originality/value - The paper presents an original viewpoint of budgeting for libraries in "dark times". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to provide a discussion of the benefits of succession planning and open communication between administration and staff when an employee leaves their employment at the library. Design/methodology/approach - This paper used the personal expertise of the author who has been a professor of human resources management as well as a library consultant to all types of libraries for over 15 years. Findings - This paper proposes that every library organization should follow a five-step succession planning strategy to guarantee a smooth transition when an employee leaves for whatever reason. The paper also proposes an open and honest communication policy when an employee is terminated to ease the anxiety of the rest of the staff. Originality/value - This paper helps the library director and the library department manager more intelligently handle the necessary transitions when an employee leaves their employment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to conclude the discussion of the leadership quality of good time management by presenting thoughts on implementing an action plan based on work goals. Design/methodology/approach - The paper establishes the need for good plan implementation and then lays out a way of dealing with problems as they arise. Finally it discusses plan assessment in general terms as either the final step in the implementation, or part of a cycle of assessment and reimplementation. Findings - The findings are that a good leader and manager must be able to carry a plan from planning through implementation and to know when and how to sustain a cycle of assessment and reimplementation. Originality/value - The value of this paper is in its suggestions for smoothing the way through plan implementation when things go awry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to continue the discussion of planning as an essential part of the leadership quality of good time management by presenting a step-by-step procedure for working out an action plan based on work goals. Design/methodology/approach - The paper discusses the importance of having an action plan to guide staff members in accomplishing work goals, sets forth the 5 key elements in an action plan, and then shows how to develop each of those elements. Findings - The paper finds that an action plan is a helpful tool to ensure continuing progress toward work goals and that there are five key elements to be developed for every action plan in pursuit of a goal. Originality/value - The value of developing an action plan is that it helps avoid many problems with projects and provides the mechanism for solving many others, so that projects designed to pursue work goals do not stall out indefinitely. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]