Realizing joined-up government — Dynamic capabilities and stage models for transformation

Joining up remains a high priority on the e-government agenda and requires extensive transformation. Stage models are predictable patterns which exist in the growth of organizations and unfold as discrete time periods that result in discontinuity and can help e-government development towards joined-up government. Although stage models may be conceptually appealing, these models are often not empirically validated, do not transcend the level of individual organizations, and provide little practical support to policymakers. Furthermore, they do not include the dynamic capabilities needed by organizations to transform from one stage to the next stage.     

Videocassettes and I & R:

As urban communities have expanded and changed over the years, so too have the services of public libraries evolved to reflect the needs of their constituencies. The last fifteen years have given rise to library-based community information and referral (I & R) services whose purpose is to direct the patron to resources and/or organizations which might help answer his/her questions or solve higher problems. Well-developed listening skills are essential for the delivery of I & R service, and providers might benefit from viewing various videocassettes concerned with this subject. For library I & R providers, these videos are often available in the film department where they work.     

Benchmarking reference services: an introduction

Benchmarking is based on the common sense idea that someone else, either inside or outside of libraries, has found a better way of doing certain things and that your own library's performance can be improved by finding out how others do things and adopting the best practices you find. Benchmarking is one of the tools used for achieving continuous improvement in Total Quality Management (TQM) programs. Although benchmarking can be done on an informal basis, TQM puts considerable emphasis on formal data collection and performance measurement. Used to its full potential, benchmarking can provide a common measuring stick to evaluate process performance. This article introduces the general concept of benchmarking, linking it whenever possible to reference services in health sciences libraries. Data collection instruments that have potential application in benchmarking studies are discussed and the need to develop common measurement tools to facilitate benchmarking is emphasized.     

Reconceptualizing measuring,benchmarking for improving interoperability in smart ecosystems: The effect of ubiquitous data and crowdsourcing

There is a fundamental shift in measuring and benchmarking due to the ability to use a large variety of data sources and virtually anybody can be involved. Interoperability is the ability of entities to work together covering aspects ranging from the technical to the organizational level. In smarter government, interoperability becomes increasingly important as relationships are subject to continuous changes and organizations operate within organizational ecosystems. In this paper interoperability measurement, benchmarking and improvement are reconceptualized in the light of the effects of big and open data and crowdsourcing in smarter government. Organizational and technical interoperability is decomposed into measurement constructs. A case study is presented showing the applicability and usefulness of the model. Using data sources inside and outside the organization the level of interoperability was measured and suggestions for improvements were identified by making use of experts and the crowd.     

The Contextual Benchmark Method: Benchmarking e-Government services

This paper offers a new method for benchmarking e-Government services. Government organizations no longer doubt the need to deliver their services on line. Instead, the question that is more relevant is how well the electronic services offered by a particular organization perform in comparison with those offered by others. Benchmarking is currently a popular means of answering that question. The benchmarking of e-Government services has reached a critical stage where, as we argue, simply measuring the number of electronic services is not enough and a more sophisticated approach is needed. This paper details the development of a Contextual Benchmark Method (CBM). The value of CBM is that it is both benchmark- and context-driven.     

Detecting emerging technologies and their evolution using deep learning and weak signal analysis

Emerging technologies can have major economic impacts and affect strategic stability. Yet, early identification of emerging technologies remains challenging. In order to identify emerging technologies in a timely and reliable manner, a comprehensive examination of relevant scientific and technological (S&T) trends and their related references is required. This examination is generally done by domain experts and requires significant amounts of time and effort to gain insights. The use of domain experts to identify emerging technologies from S&T trends may limit the capacity to analyse large volumes of information and introduce subjectivity in the assessments. Decision support systems are required to provide accurate and reliable evidence-based indicators through constant and continuous monitoring of the environment and help identify signals of emerging technologies that could alter security and economic prosperity. For example, the research field of hypersonics has recently witnessed several advancements having profound technological, commercial, and national security implications. In this work, we present a multi-layer quantitative approach able to identify future signs from scientific publications on hypersonics by leveraging deep learning and weak signal analysis. The proposed framework can help strategic planners and domain experts better identify and monitor emerging technology trends.     

Effective Communication to Aid Collaboration for Digital Collections: A Case Study at Florida Gulf Coast University Library

ABSTRACT

Effective communication is one of the most important resources for successful outreach efforts. This article addresses the benefits that can emerge from successful communication as well as the negative effects that may stem from ineffective communication. A case study of Florida Gulf Coast University Archives, Special Collections, & Digital Initiatives' outreach efforts among local cultural heritage organizations will demonstrate methods used to approach these organizations and subsequent results. After attempting to provide several organizations with professional assistance regarding digitization and digital preservation of historic records, Archives, Special Collections, & Digital Initiatives sought to establish a formalized outreach approach. While there is a large amount of literature discussing broad outreach efforts, few articles delve into specific communication methods, potential benefits, and possible drawbacks. This article will show that with specific methods of communication, outreach can prove advantageous for both the community organization in need and the library institution providing the service.     

In support of innovation management and Roger's Innovation Diffusion theory

This paper makes a case for the practicality of Roger's Innovation Diffusion theory. [Rogers, E. (1962). Diffusion of innovations. New York: The Free Press; Rogers, E. (1995). Diffusion of innovations. New York: The Free Press] By using Roger's Innovation Diffusion theory, the paper explores the innovation process from the development stage towards the diffusion stage (the stage of commercialization) of the two major research funding organizations in Thailand: the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) and the Thailand Research Fund (TRF). Theoretical and empirical analysis are attempted, focusing on the relation between the management of research and development (R&D) projects and the level of innovation diffusion. The empirical results can help R&D managers manage the projects to contribute to technological development in industry.     

A Longitudinal Analysis of Mergers and Acquisitions Patterns of Radio Companies in the U.S.

This study examined the trends of M&As (mergers and acquisitions) in the radio industry from 1981 through 2002. In terms of method, the study investigated both MUS by radio firms and M&As targeting radio firms, and compared M&A frequency and M&A transaction values. The result showed that (1) although M&A activities have consistently increased, they have recently begun to decrease, (2) the loosening of ownership regulations prompted more M&A activities, and (3) the passage of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 encouraged interindustry M&As by radio firms, while the flow of investments from other industries into the radio industry was not changed by the Act.     

Benchmarking local public libraries using non-parametric frontier methods: A case study of Flanders

Being faced with significant budget cuts and continual pressure to do more with less, issues of efficiency and effectiveness became a priority for local governments in most countries. In this context, benchmarking is widely acknowledged as a powerful tool for local performance management and for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of local service delivery. Performance benchmarking exercises are regularly carried out using ratio analysis, by comparing single indicators. Since this approach offers only limited assessments in absolute terms, it is difficult for decision-makers to track and improve overall performance. Therefore, the use of non-parametric frontier methods, namely free disposal hull (FDH) and data envelopment analysis (DEA) is presented as an alternative technique for benchmarking the performance of organizations in relative terms. The potential applications and strengths of these non-parametric frontier methods for benchmarking the efficiency of local public services are highlighted by applying FDH and DEA techniques to the local public libraries in Flanders. Incorporating all possible paths of expansion – both in space and in time – enables a focus on sustainability within efficiency benchmarking.     

Open data policies,their implementation and impact: A framework for comparison

In developing open data policies, governments aim to stimulate and guide the publication of government data and to gain advantages from its use. Currently there is a multiplicity of open data policies at various levels of government, whereas very little systematic and structured research has been done on the issues that are covered by open data policies, their intent and actual impact. Furthermore, no suitable framework for comparing open data policies is available, as open data is a recent phenomenon and is thus in an early stage of development. In order to help bring about a better understanding of the common and differentiating elements in the policies and to identify the factors affecting the variation in policies, this paper develops a framework for comparing open data policies. The framework includes the factors of environment and context, policy content, performance indicators and public values. Using this framework, seven Dutch governmental policies at different government levels are compared. The comparison shows both similarities and differences among open data policies, providing opportunities to learn from each other's policies. The findings suggest that current policies are rather inward looking, open data policies can be improved by collaborating with other organizations, focusing on the impact of the policy, stimulating the use of open data and looking at the need to create a culture in which publicizing data is incorporated in daily working processes. The findings could contribute to the development of new open data policies and the improvement of existing open data policies.     

“I still go ask someone I enjoy talking to”: The use of digital and human sources by educational stage and context

How does educational stage affect the way people find information? In previous research using the Digital Visitors & Residents (V&R) framework for semi-structured interviews, context was a factor in how individuals behaved. This study of 145 online, open-ended surveys examines the impact that one's V&R educational stage has on the likelihood of attending to digital and human sources across four contexts. These contexts vary according to whether the search was professional or personal and successful or struggled. The impact of educational stage differs based on context. In some contexts, people at higher educational stages are more likely to attend to digital sources and less likely to attend to human sources. In other contexts, there is no statistically significant difference (p < 0.10) among educational stages. These findings provide support for previous V&R research, while also demonstrating that online surveys can be used to supplement and balance the data collected from semi-structured interviews.     

Information and Referral in the Academic Library:

Information and referral (I & R), since its introduction as a concept of library service in the late 1960s, has received wthied eim apttoerntatinocne Ionf tIh e& pRu balisc a l ivbiraab ? e' sceotnticnegp.t Soifm aiclaard ermeciocg rneifteiorenn coef service has not occurred. Reasons for this may be linked to an attitude that "the public library serves and the academic library instructs." As the complexity of new information technologies engulfs the academic library, primary reliance on an instructional attitudc toward reference service is no longer adequate. The experience of I & R in the public library offers a more appropriate reference service model based on the direct provision of information that is often "value-added" to meet specific information needs of the user. Such lessons from the successful practice of I & R in the public library can provide a framework for academic library reference services as librarians reevaluate themselves in a changing academic library context.     

Deep Participation in Underserved Communities: A Quantitative Analysis of Hearken’s Model for Engagement Journalism

ABSTRACT

Hearken is a proprietary news engagement platform growing in popularity. Under the Hearken approach, audience members are invited to participate in the newsmaking process. Hearken strives to assist news organizations in providing local and hyperlocal content that meets audience needs and demands while preserving elements of the journalist’s role as gatekeeper. Hearken has also worked to help news organizations reach underrepresented populations with mixed results per its own anecdotal analyses. This study employs a quantitative content analysis comparing one year’s worth of coverage at four different local NPR affiliates in the United States to provide a breakdown of Hearken content versus traditional reporter-driven content in the following four categories: emphasis on hyperlocal coverage, story topic prevalence within local and hyperlocal coverage, emphasis on coverage of underrepresented communities, and story topic prevalence within coverage of underrepresented communities. Findings reveal listener-driven Hearken content favors hyperlocal news on lifestyle issues while reporter-driven stories emphasize state-level governance and politics as well as local crime. These indicate a stark contrast between the content audiences want and that which journalists tend to report. The nuanced normative implications, possibilities and limitations of Hearken’s model of “deep participation” are addressed in some detail.     

高校图书馆开展学科竞争力分析的流程与方法——以《北京大学学科竞争力分析报告》为例

[目的/意义] 学科竞争力是高校竞争力的核心体现，高校的发展态势、竞争优势、声誉形象，根本体现来源于学科的发展水平。摸清学科现状、明确方向、找出差距、制定对策，是学校管理层考虑的重要问题。图书馆作为文献信息服务中心，可以基于丰富的信息资源和情报分析人才为决策者提供学科竞争力方面的决策支持服务。[方法/过程] 科学合理的学科竞争力分析指标体系和研究方法能够为科学决策打下良好基石。学科竞争力分析体系包括构建总体框架、筛选指标体系、明确对标院校，并注重数据来源的可获得性和分析方法的丰富性。以北京大学图书馆完成的学科竞争力分析报告为例进行全方位阐释。[结果/结论] 基于用户需求调研，采取全面客观的指标体系，对多模态的来源数据进行深度处理和规范化操作，并通过多种分析数据库、数据分析软件、可视化分析工具等对数据进行多维度分析，形成一套科学有效的高校学科竞争力分析流程和方法，操作性强，可以为校领导、科研团队、师生及学校相关机构提供深度的学科情报咨询决策服务，也可为更多高校图书馆开展此类服务提供借鉴。     

国际大都市图书馆评估研究

在探讨历史上图书馆绩效评估及其局限性的基础上,引入标杆分析法作为工具,根据不同规模的图书馆及其标杆目标,将其演绎成为价值链比照、关键成功因素比照以及核心竞争力比照等三种评估模式,建立起针对国际大都市图书馆的指标体系框架。     

Kept at arm's length: questioning the organizational desirability of member identification

Current managerial practices such as downsizing and the use of temporary labor require scholars to reconsider the organizational desirability of member identification. Maintaining an identified workforce takes time, energy, and resources that organizations may not always be willing to provide. This study examines the temporary help industry in order to analyze the ways in which contemporary labor strategies might complicate our existing theories of organizational identification. Drawing upon interview data from 39 temps and their supervisors, this study highlights communicative strategies that prevent rather than promote member identification with organizations.     

Benchmarking reference services: step by step

This article is a companion to an introductory article on benchmarking published in an earlier issue of Medical Reference Services Quarterly. Librarians interested in benchmarking often ask the following questions: How do I determine what to benchmark; how do I form a benchmarking team; how do I identify benchmarking partners; what's the best way to collect and analyze benchmarking information; and what will I do with the data? Careful planning is a critical success factor of any benchmarking project, and these questions must be answered before embarking on a benchmarking study. This article summarizes the steps necessary to conduct benchmarking research. Relevant examples of each benchmarking step are provided.     

Completion or Abandonment of Mergers and Acquisitions: Evidence from the Newspaper Industry, 1981–2000

Regulatory and technological changes have resulted in a surge in merger and acquisition (M&A) activity in the newspaper industry since the 1980s. This study investigates the “success” of these activities focusing on a particular facet of acquisition performance. We study the completion likelihood of an announced transaction, using a sample of M&A announcements from the newspaper industry (1981–2000). Results show that although firm-level characteristics are relevant, transaction-specific and regulatory factors are even more important. Not surprisingly, the attitude of the transaction—whether hostile or friendly—is a key factor, as are the method of payment and the percentage of control sought by the acquirer. The latter in particular reaffirms the prevailing view on the importance of regulatory influences on media M&As.     

数据故事化的评价与改进

[目的/意义]数据故事化评价是监控数据故事化过程、衡量其效果、保障和提升其质量的关键目前,国内外关于数据故事化评价的研究较少,本研究可为今后相关研究提供参考。[方法/过程]本文的评价方法分为基于过程的评价和基于结果的评价。其中基于过程的评价采用软件能力成熟度模型,将数据故事化划分为数据准备、数据分析、故事建模、故事描述和故事呈现五个阶段,并根据具体实施需要定义了过程评价的阶段参考特征和改进方向;基于结果的评价,则是以本文提出的基于结果的评价模型为基础,从受众和使用者视角对个人的接受度和持续接受度进行评价,最后以评价结果为依据提出了改进流程[结果/结论]本文提出的评价方法能够在一定程度上帮助组织在开发过程中把握产品痛点,提升开发能力。同时也可以解释和预测个人的接受意向,为下一步的营销推广活动提供依据。