One tool to rule? – A field experimental longitudinal study on the costs and benefits of mobile device usage in public agencies

With the rising number of mobile technologies used in work- and private-life domains, opportunities, and challenges of mobile device usage in daily lives arise. Against this background, we strive to investigate how corporately provided mobile devices, i.e., tablets, affect work-life conflict and innovation behavior of public sector employees over time. We analyze employees in German public agencies due to their high intrinsic motivation goals alongside strict working schedules, regulations, and payments in contrast to the employees of the private sector. Our research pursues a sequential explorative multi-method approach of conducting a field experiment with qualitative and quantitative data. Twenty employees were divided into two equal groups: 1.) employees with tablets, 2.) employees without tablets. After analyzing the interviews and survey data using methods from grounded theory, we found that a) digital competences can create a bottleneck for employees' innovation behavior, b) corporately provided mobile devices (COPE) decrease employees work-life conflict despite increasing their workload, and c) COPE-IT can support innovation behavior of employees in public agencies, assisting them in keeping up their efficient work when work demands are high. All these effects can be mediated by the development of employee's ownership towards their COPE-IT.     

Understanding librarians’ knowledge sharing behavior: The role of organizational climate,motivational drives and leadership empowerment

Library managers in Iran have always been concerned with a low level of knowledge sharing among librarians. Identifying effective factors on librarians' knowledge sharing behavior helps us to understand and improve the situation. Organizational factors are one group of these factors. The effect of organizational climate, employees' motivational drives, and leadership empowerment on the subjective norms, attitude, intention, and knowledge sharing behavior among librarians in public libraries in Iran was studied. A conceptual model was designed in light of the Theory of Reasoned Action. Ten hypotheses were formulated. Data were collected by using a questionnaire and were analyzed using structural equations models. The findings showed that constructive organizational climate and positive motivational drives in public libraries, as well as personal and organizational knowledge sources strengthened by the librarians' ability of leadership have a positive and significant effect on subjective norms, attitude, intention, and knowledge sharing behavior. Such conditions facilitate the process of knowledge sharing in public library environments. Moreover, the study highlights the effect of the librarians' leadership empowerment on their attitude to knowledge sharing behavior by motivational drives.     

Finding their way: How public library users wayfind

A multi-method case study research design, guided by Passini's conceptual framework of wayfinding, was employed to investigate library user wayfinding behavior within the entry area of a medium-sized public library facility. The case study research design included document review of the library's wayfinding information system; unobtrusive observation of library user wayfinding behavior; intensive interviews with library users to discuss their views on wayfinding in the library; and an expert review with library staff and a library wayfinding and signage expert to validate research findings. Overall, the study found library users' wayfinding behavior to be generally inconsistent over time, but that there are users who stick to predominant segments (those segments used heavily to connect two particular nodes, or stops). Those segments tend to be the straightest or most direct segments connecting two given nodes. Also, users appear to employ Passini's wayfinding styles more often than his wayfinding strategies, but additional research is needed that delves more deeply into these cognitive processes.     

A Close Encounter Model for Reference Services to Adult Learners: The Value of Flexibility and Variance

Summary

Every reference encounter is an instructional encounter. Reference services to adult learners must be as flexible as the learners' technological savvy and learning styles. Furthermore, a variety of instructional methods must be used. This study presents survey results of a sample graduate student population which is outside the mainstream of traditional college students. We present a Close Encounter Model of reference services to meet this population.     

科研人员参与科普活动的实施效果研究——以“与科学家面对面”活动为例

科研人员是从事科普活动的重要力量,然而目前国内鲜有研究聚焦科研人员参与科普活动的实施效果。本研究以上海自然博物馆“与科学家面对面”科普活动的效果评估为案例,通过对参与活动的观众进行无干扰跟踪观察和活动后的访谈,以探究科研人员在科普活动中对观众体验的直接价值与潜在影响。结果表明,科研人员介入科普活动,不仅对观众认知能力及其对科研工作的认同感有积极影响,而且科研人员面对公众的交流能力也有显著提升。但是,科研人员在科普经验上的欠缺也成为制约活动效果的潜在因素。研究结果将为科研人员参与的科普教育活动的策划和实施提供参考。     

O.K. for Information:

The DaDer reDorts a studv of the information seeking behavior of membek bf 52 'c~mmunityr~anizations in a suburbai communirv in Svdnev, Australia. It considers the significance of the findings fbr public library information services tosuch organiza- tions, with particular reference lo differences between librarians' and organization members' perceptions of "information"; the irn- portance of networks and mutuality in organizations' information seeking; and the desirability and feasibility of public libraries inter- vening to improve the information processes of community organi- zations.     

Epistemological beliefs and the information-seeking behavior of undergraduates

This study explores the relationship between undergraduates' epistemological beliefs and their information-seeking behavior. Kuhlthau's (1993) information search process (ISP) model and four models of epistemological development from educational psychology formed the theoretical foundation of this investigation. Twenty undergraduates attending an Ivy League university were interviewed about their search process as they completed a major research paper during their senior year. Epistemological beliefs affected topic, the use of mediators, search techniques, the evaluation of information, and the ability to recognize authority. Epistemological beliefs also affected several stages of the ISP model: topic selection, prefocus formulation, focus formulation, and collection. These findings provide a rich theoretical foundation for future information-seeking behavior research and will assist academic reference librarians by providing insights into the impact of undergraduates' epistemological beliefs on their information-seeking behavior.     

Assessing behavioral data science privacy issues in government artificial intelligence deployment

In today's global culture where the Internet has established itself as the main tool for communication and commerce, the capability to massively analyze and predict citizens' behavior has become a priority for governments in terms of collective intelligence and security. At the same time, in the context of novel possibilities that artificial intelligence (AI) brings to governments in terms of understanding and developing collective behavior analysis, important concerns related to citizens' privacy have emerged. In order to identify the main uses that governments make of AI and to define citizens' concerns about their privacy, in the present study, we undertook a systematic review of the literature, conducted in-depth interviews, and applied data-mining techniques. Based on our results, we classified and discussed the risks to citizens' privacy according to the types of AI strategies used by governments that may affect collective behavior and cause massive behavior modification. Our results revealed 11 uses of AI strategies used by the government to improve their interaction with citizens, organizations in cities, services provided by public institutions or the economy, among other areas. In relation to citizens' privacy when AI is used by governments, we identified 8 topics related to human behavior predictions, intelligence decision making, decision automation, digital surveillance, data privacy law and regulation, and the risk of behavior modification. The paper concludes with a discussion of the development of regulations focused on the ethical design of citizen data collection, where implications for governments are presented aimed at regulating security, ethics, and data privacy. Additionally, we propose a research agenda composed by 16 research questions to be investigated in further research.     

Factors affecting users' intention to use mobile health services of public libraries

Mobile health services are a new direction for public libraries development. However, it is unclear which factors affect users' intention to use the mobile health services of public libraries (MHSPL). Integrating the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology theory along with trust and privacy concerns. This study proposes a conceptual model to investigate factors that affect users' intention to use MHSPL. The conceptual model is empirically examined, and the hypotheses are tested using a survey sample (N = 415). The findings indicate that users' intention to use MHSPL is directly influenced by performance expectancy, effort expectancy, and trust. Trust also mediated users' intention to use MHSPL, leading to an indirect effect of social influence and privacy concerns. Additionally, people with different experiences using MHSPL have significant differences in their intention to use MHSPL. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of users' behavior of MHSPL and can help facilitate and improve health services provided by public libraries.     

Impact of National Aquarium in Baltimore on Visitors' Conservation Attitudes,Behavior, and Knowledge

This study at the National Aquarium in Baltimore (NAIB) was conducted to assess four key aspects of the visitor experience: (1) incoming conservation knowledge, attitudes, and behavior of NAIB visitors; (2) patterns of use and interaction with exhibition components throughout the NAIB; (3) exiting conservation knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of visitors; and (4) over time, how the NAIB experience altered or affected individuals' conservation knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. Three hundred six visitors participated in the study, which was conducted from March through July, 1999. The study utilized four data‐collection techniques: (1) face‐to‐face interviews, (2) Personal Meaning Mapping (PMM), (3) tracking, and (4) follow‐up telephone interviews. Participants were a self‐selected population and were generally more knowledgeable about, more concerned about, and more involved in conservation‐related issues than the general public. However, they were far from conservationists. Visitors in this study clearly absorbed the fundamental conservation message at the NAIB. In fact, the NAIB visit appeared to focus visitors' conservation‐related thoughts, while also broadening their understanding of conservation. Changes in visitors' conservation knowledge, understanding, and interests by and large persisted over six to eight weeks after visiting NAIB. The NAIB experience also connected to visitors' lives in a variety of ways following their visit. However, these personal experiences rarely resulted in new conservation actions. In fact, their enthusiasm and emotional commitment to conservation (inspired during the NAIB visit) generally fell back to original levels, presumably in the absence of reinforcing experiences. The findings of this study are guiding subsequent investigations at the NAIB. More generally, the results suggest strategies to enhance current understanding of the impact free‐choice learning institutions have on their visiting public.     

Defining digital transformation: Results from expert interviews

Digital transformation approaches outside the public sector are changing citizens' expectations of governments' ability to deliver high-value, real-time digital services. In response to the changing expectations and triggered by supranational agreements, governments are changing their mode of operation to improve public service delivery, be more efficient and effective in their designs, and achieve objectives such as increased transparency, interoperability, or citizen satisfaction. However, beyond the availability of consultancy reports, there is little systematic insight into the way that public administrators themselves are currently defining digital transformation in their own day-to-day practices, how they are approaching digital transformation projects, and what their expected outcomes are. We provide an empirically-based definition of digital transformation derived from expert interviews and develop a conceptual framework with reasons for, processes to, and expected outcomes of digital transformation in the public sector.     

Cooperative Reference Service

Cooperative reference service provides libraries with resources beyond their own collections and staff to provide answers to patrons' questions. The current state of service is examined through the literature and interviews with networkers. Factors to consider in planning cooperative reference service are suggested.     

Between the prescriptive and descriptive roles: A comparison of international trade news in China and Taiwan

This article presents a comparison of two journalism models: development journalism and public journalism. The experience of development journalism in the Philippines is critiqued in order to inform and make predictions about public journalism, which is swiftly evolving in the United States. The paper traces the history and efficacy of both models, and highlights the resistance by journalists towards either system.

Also presented is the summary of a series of interviews conducted with Filipino journalists on their attitudes towards development journalism, conducted at a time when the practise of this model was at its height.     

Differentiating telephone surveys from telemarketing to increase response rates

The purpose of this study is to test whether including “I'm not selling anything” in telephone survey introductions reduces refusals and increases response rates. Experiences with and attitudes toward telemarketing also are assessed. Based on telephone interviews with an RDD sample of 655 in the Seattle metropolitan area, including the statement “I'm not selling anything” in the introduction does not significantly affect response rates. Only an introduction with a university reference significantly increases response rates. Also, respondents in the condition with no survey legitimization have a significantly more favorable attitude toward telemarketing than respondents in the condition with survey legitimization.     

A Quantitative Survey on the Influence of Students' Epistemic Beliefs on Their General Information Seeking Behavior

This exploratory survey aimed to investigate the possible influence of students' epistemic beliefs (EBs) on their general information seeking behavior (GISB). The study sample consisted of 290 undergraduate students majoring in different disciplines in some centers and units of Payame Noor University (distance education) in northern Iran in the academic year of 2012–2013. They completed a 28-itemed Epistemic Beliefs Inventory and a researcher-made 25-itemed General Information Seeking Behavior Questionnaire. By using SPSS 19 software, collected data was analyzed. The findings showed that students' EBs positively affected their GISB. Students with sophisticated EBs had elaborate GISB in comparison with those having naïve EBs. It can be concluded that the consideration of epistemic beliefs is relevant for research on information seeking behavior. This necessitates us to revise our approaches to reference services, information consulting and information literacy. This study and further related studies can lead to better performance in information environments from the user's side and guide academic librarians to integrate epistemic beliefs in library instruction.     

THE COMMUNICATIVE ACTION OF JOURNALISTS AND PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICERS

Public information officers (PIOs) represent a type of communications professional distinct from public relations practitioners (PRPs). From a structural functionalist viewpoint, journalists and PIOs share goals: both see themselves as facilitating the information flow into the public sphere. Habermas' communicative action models defining journalists as committed to revealing the “whole truth” to the public, but PRPs as enmeshed in advocating private interests, do not adequately describe PIOs. Although journalists' and PIOs' goals are similar, barriers exist to inhibit their cooperation in achieving those mutual goals. Such barriers arise from academic ideal types fostering inaccurate perceptions of each other, perceptions reinforced by adaptive structuration within their respective organizations' cultures. Empirical data support that PIOs' and journalists' divergent attitudes about their professional praxis combine with ideal-type constructions and organizational cultures to produce communication disconnects between the two.     

Investigation of tenured and tenure-track academic librarians' service satisfaction at public Association of Research Libraries' (ARL) institutions

Service is required for academic faculty life; however, service is less studied than teaching and research. Previous literature shows that service differs based upon faculty rank, gender, race, and discipline. The purpose of this study was to determine whether tenured and tenure-track librarians at public research libraries feel satisfied with their service roles and responsibilities. A service satisfaction questionnaire was emailed directly to 1253 librarians employed at public Association of Research Libraries (ARL) institutions. The authors received 297 survey responses. Follow-up qualitative interviews were conducted with twelve participants to obtain additional depth and clarity of service roles and responsibilities. Quantitative findings indicated that overall service satisfaction varied by gender identity and librarian rank. Due to sample size limitations, future research is needed to evaluate whether service satisfaction also varies by racial and ethnic identity. Qualitative findings indicated participants' understanding of fairness in service is nuanced and that the line between what participants volunteered for versus what tasks they were assigned was complicated.     

Media Consumption and Public Connection: Toward a Typology of the Dispersed Citizen

This paper explores the nature and extent of citizens’ connection to public space through media consumption. It reports on a study of data from two qualitative sources: panel responses and individual in-depth interviews. The authors’ findings are, first, that people's media consumption and forms of public connection may be significantly constrained by limitations on their time—not just objectively, but also subjectively (their sense of lacking time to use media or pursue information). Second, such is the complexity of how people think about their public connection that research methodologies must be sensitive to the details of people's reflexivity, while enabling effective typologies of the positions people take up in thought and practice. Third, such research may reveal not a consensus, but instead a range of incompatible framings of whether public connection matters and how it can be achieved. Research should aim, therefore, not at a redefinition of something as unified as “civic culture,” but rather at tracking the hetereogeneity of the “dispersed citizen.”