Information adequacy,job satisfaction and organizational culture in a dispersed‐network organization

This investigation examined the relationship of information adequacy to job satisfaction and organizational culture in a healthcare organization with both office and field personnel. Information adequacy was assessed in four areas: personal performance, organizational policies, organizational performance, and organizational objectives. Comparisons of field and office personnel indicated that they did not differ on information adequacy or job satisfaction; they did, however, differ on several dimensions of organizational culture. Also, the relationship of information inadequacy to job satisfaction and organizational culture differed for employees depending on whether they worked primarily in the field or primarily in the office. Implications of the findings are drawn for organizations with a dispersed‐network structure.     

The Impact of Internet Information Resources on Research Strategies

ABSTRACT

In 1996 a team of researchers at the Alcohol Research Group (ARG) in Berkeley and the Addiction Research Foundation (ARF) in Toronto began a three year study of U.S. federal alcohol control policy. This paper draws on anecdotal evidence from the Policy Project to make a case study of the impact of Internet information resources on the development and adaptation of research strategies. We consider how Internet access affects utilization of information services within an organization; prospects and pitfalls in adapting research strategies to Internet resource availability; critical Internet resources for substance abuse policy analysis; and measures of utilization and effectiveness applicable to assessing the impact of Internet resources.     

The ERIC Database

Abstract

The ERIC database is available in many free Internet versions, mainly from ERIC clearinghouses. Paying for access to ERIC through a commercial vendor is a decision that needs to be justified by all libraries with finite budgets. This case study attempts to determine the relative merits of the features and functionality of the various free versions of the ERIC database in comparison with one commercial version. Conclusions are shared about decisions reached at one academic library. The conclusion centers on whether libraries can forgo a commercial version of the ERIC database.     

Are Information Seekers and Users Among the General Public at a Crossroads?

Abstract

Presently, eating disorders affect millions of people. Today, the media and the Internet are major publishing channels for consumer health information. Much research has found that the media may offer insufficient information on eating disorders. This research examines the quantity of adult consumer health publications on eating disorders in magazine articles and on the Internet in 1998 and investigates the effectiveness of Internet search engines. The results indicate that the resources found in popular magazines and on the Internet are not adequate, and that the Internet search engines are not effective in searching for information.     

Virtuality,Technology Use,and Engagement Within Organizations

Multinational organizations are turning to collaborative technology to enable virtual organizational structures. While collaborative technology provides distributed workers with new affordances to form relationships and share knowledge, collaborative technology also has complex, interwoven implications for virtual organizing. To disentangle these concerns, this study considers four key dimensions of virtuality—spatial dispersion, temporal dispersion, dynamic structure, and functional diversity—in relation to technology use and engagement with peers within an organization. Survey data were collected in a multinational organization that facilitates work through extensive use of collaborative technology. The results of structural equation modeling reveal connections between two dimensions of virtuality, use of collaborative technology and peer engagement in the organization. Findings suggest that understanding interactions in virtual organizations requires a more nuanced approach to virtuality and active management of technology implementation. Moreover, the findings demonstrate that managers need to actively manage the deployment of new collaborative technology by focusing on specific characteristics of work groups.     

Net Neutrality and Libraries: Conflicts of Access

The United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit recently heard a suit brought against the Federal Communications Commission by Verizon concerning the 2010 Open Internet Rules. These rules were meant to protect consumers and ensure net neutrality by Internet service providers (ISPs). The Court struck down these rules, and now ISPs will have more power about how content is delivered to users. Librarians should be knowledgeable of net neutrality and this ruling, as it potentially affects abilities of users to exercise intellectual freedoms and could impact the library’s ability to provide services to its users.     

FROM THE LITERATURE: Terry Henner,Column Editor

This article explores automated task services, a type of website that allows users to create rules that are triggered by activity on one website and perform a task on another site. The most well-known automated task service is If This Then That (IFTTT), but recently a large number of these services have sprung up. These services can be used to connect websites, apps, business services, and even devices such as phones and home automation equipment. This allows for millions of possible combinations of rules, triggers, and actions. Librarians can put these services to use in many ways, from automating social media postings to remembering to bring their umbrella when rain is in the forecast. A list of popular automated task services is included, as well as a number of ideas for using these services in libraries.     

移动网络团购APP信息采纳行为影响因素研究——基于信息生态视角的分析

[目的/意义]移动互联网环境下的网络团购是电子商务发展中出现的新的产业形态,研究移动网络团购APP信息采纳行为对推动移动信息消费具有积极的作用.[方法/过程]基于信息生态视角建立移动网络团购APP信息采纳行为概念模型,运用问卷调查和结构方程的实证研究方法对模型的适用性进行检验.[结果/结论]数据结果表明,信息人是移动网络团购APP信息采纳行为模型中的关键影响因素,信息、信息技术、信息环境对移动团购APP信息采纳态度均产生正向影响,信息采纳态度对信息采纳行为产生正向影响.本研究对更好地了解移动环境下用户信息消费行为并有针对性地开发APP软件具有一定的参考价值.     

Muslim Women’s Use of Internet Media in the Process of Acculturation in the United States

This study examines how Muslim women use Internet-based media in the process of acculturation in the United States. Grounded theory methodology (Glaser, 1992) and Sam and Berry’s (2006) model of acculturation were used as theoretical and analytical frameworks. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 Muslim women to learn about their media use and experiences in forming and maintaining relationships in the United States. Educational opportunities were an emerging theme in the determining factors of immigrating to the United States. The data indicated that Muslim women use a variety of Internet-based media such as Facebook, Skype, WhatsApp, Instagram, and Viber for communicating with family and friends locally and abroad. A majority of the participants reported that social media allowed them to express a part of their identities. The data suggests that the participants attained the level of acculturation defined as integration. The participants use these media to build and create relationships in their new communities. The combined relationships the participants maintain both locally and abroad seem to play a role in the creation of balance in their lives, which allows them to thrive in their new communities, at school, and at work.     

“互联网+”环境中的科技期刊编辑素质

“互联网+”为科技期刊出版行业提供了重大发展机遇,也对科技期刊编辑提出了新的要求.本文探讨科技期刊实施“互联网+”行动的必要性和可行性,认为要有效实施“互联网+”科技期刊行动,编辑须转变工作思维方式,增强互联网意识,强化“把关人”作用,做到全流程和全媒体把关,提高会写、能编、能说、善干等综合能力,才能有效提高科技期刊的国际竞争力.