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Recent syntheses of empirical studies have clearly demonstrated a consistently positive relationship between income and happiness. Research is needed to reduce uncertainty and disentangle such relationships, which have been found to be quite modest, but significant in the aggregate. The present study contributes to this end, in that it investigates the moderating effect of income on the relationship between beliefs that serve as internal buffers and happiness. We go beyond simple associations of income and happiness to examine relationships between income and self-esteem and between income and optimism. Finally, causal modeling is employed to demonstrate that, under varying income levels, these beliefs affect happiness by the same process — with distinct yet predictable outcomes.

This study investigates the influence of role conflict, role ambiguity, and role strain on job performance, job satisfaction, and life satisfaction among field sales and company sales support employees in a single pharmaceutical company. Because this study is based on data from a single company, these results may not necessarily be generalized to all companies in the industry. In the present research, a path model of the process reveals important variations in response to role conflict, role ambiguity, and role strain between the two classes of employees. For both classes, the influence of decreased role ambiguity is generally positive for measured outcomes. However, reductions in role conflict, while lessening role strain, are likely to result in lower job performance for field sales employees. Decreases in role strain, while improving life satisfaction, may lead to lower job satisfaction for sales support employees. © 2003, Informa UK Ltd All rights reserved: reproduction in whole or part not permitted. All rights reserved.

Sensory attributes, such as sound quality ascertained by listening to a stereo, are often ambiguous and therefore difficult to encode and retrieve. Despite this, consumers often place more weight on these attributes compared to verbally described market information when making brand choice decisions. Results from two studies demonstrate that providing criteria to evaluate the sound quality of competing brands of stereos facilitates the encoding, retrieval, and alignment of the sensory attribute in a brand choice task. Study 1 shows that without criteria to evaluate sound quality during trial, memory for this attribute is poor. Further, perceptions of sound quality assimilate to conflicting market information, which adversely affects decision performance. The reverse is true when evaluative criteria and a scheme to rate the criteria are provided: memory for sound quality improves, perceptions of sound quality contrast with conflicting market information, more weight is placed on sound quality when decision making, and better choices are made. Study 2 shows that providing evaluative criteria during product trial enhances performance through improvement in the encoding process.

Traditional focus group methodology involves an individual trained moderator who manages the whole process from writing the focus group guide that directs the topics pursued, the interaction with participants, to interpretation, reporting and client feedback. Since their training, personality and orientation can vary differentially, this may lead to moderator bias. Proposes a new method that involves a series of complementary moderators that target specific areas of the guide that allows them to specialise in their particular experiences and orientations. These moderators are used sequentially on the same groups that offer the potential to avoid many of the problems associated with single-moderator discussion groups. Moreover, the chance to moderate the moderator keeps a check on how the sessions of each focus group develops, building in feedback between moderators, and reduces the prospects of misinterpretation and side-tracking by a single moderator. © 2001, MCB UP Limited

This article presents a systems dynamics model to illustrate some of the aspects of Deming's System of Profound Knowledge. As a pedagogical tool, it would serve as a useful introduction for those new to Deming's ideas. It not only introduces the main parts of his system, but also highlights their interconnectedness. The model environment, an interactive management flight simulator, and the model content combine to provide several learning opportunities. The model uses the assumptions of regression to the mean, the 80:20 Rule, random walks, and learned helplessness to present a theory of how, managers learn to reduce quality in organizations. Those interested in exploring or teaching Deming's System can use the model as a launching point from which to explore the system further. Running the simulation provides an opportunity to identify and challenge assumptions, explore the harmful effects of tampering, examine the fundamental attribution error, develop control charts, and challenge the application of behaviourism in management.

This paper discusses the six core business processes and supporting technology that are impacted by an enterprise resource planning (ERP) implementation. It begins with a brief history of the evolution of ERP and the information systems technology that enabled its development. A discussion of project implementation team preparations is followed by a description of process mapping and its significance to the success of an ERP implementation. Highlights of “As-Is” and “To-Be” process mapping and change management conclude the paper. © 2004, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Traditionally, the concept of entrepreneurship included a for-profit bottom line. Recently, however, researchers have begun to explore an adaptation of this model called “social entrepreneurship”; that is, creating organizations for the greater good of a community, region, nation, or the world. These entrepreneurs use money that they made or inherited to establish organizations from a missionary and visionary posture. This is an arena where women have had significant impact, yet little has been written to celebrate their contributions. The purpose of this paper is to explore the concept of such philanthropy, to suggest where this social ethic might have had its origins, and to provide samples of women who have been entrepreneurial in their social commitment. Suggestions for future research on women's entrepreneurial philanthropy will also be made. © 2004, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Leadership theory has little value if it cannot be applied to real world situations. A summary review of the literature on leadership theory is provided here first. A disguised real case concerning Ted Shade, a Vice-President at Galactic Chips, Inc. is then provided which describes a manager who is extremely task-oriented. The case analysis follows. It includes questions and answers which connect leadership theory to case specifics and requires learners to analyze the case using differing leadership models. © 2003, MCB UP Limited

An attitude survey was conducted with 72 management majors attending a prestigious business university in Beijing, China. The results indicate that there is still a significant “glass ceiling” effect to accepting women as they climb up the management hierarchy. The group estimated that it would take at least 32 years before equality would be reached. Women were less likely to prefer to work for a woman than for male subjects. Women were described as more incompetent, slower, weaker, more a follower-than-a-leader, more lenient, more democratic, less active, and more friendly than male managers. Women were significantly more in agreement with the idea of being both a professional and a wife. The results reflect a similar attitudinal position to US women. The conclusion is that it will not be easier for Chinese women to succeed than it is for women in theUSA. © 2001, MCB UP Limited

Despite persistent claims regarding the ability of text-based computer-mediated communication to neutralize gender identities, few researchers have worked on the problem of gender distinctiveness in textual production and interpretation, gender judgments, and more importantly, the role of gender in the process of impression formation in electronic communication. Against this background, the author addresses the theoretical aspects of gender in textual communication and places the problem of gender distinctiveness and gender judgments in CIVIC in the context of Hymes' model of communicative competence. He also isolates several variables worthy of investigation, namely, the provision of gender judgments, accuracy, and certainty. He then reconceptualizes the problem of gender distinctiveness and impression formation in CIVIC by bridging the gap between textual markedness and expectations. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Purpose - The purpose of this case study is to explore the construction pattern and issues involved with the development of the National Science and Technology Library (NSTL) in China. Design/methodology/approach - This study was conducted through an analytical evaluation of the historical development of scientific and technological information sharing among libraries and information centers and issues around construction of the NSTL. Findings - Since the establishment of its network service system at the end of 2000, the NSTL has made rapid progress in constructing a sci-tech information resource sharing system and offering web-based information services to the patrons of scientific and technical communities all over China. Originality/value - This paper is the first exploration that brings to the forefront the foundational background of the NSTL, the characteristics of its organizational structure, the functions of its service, and the tentative plan to increase its accessibility and usability. Symptomatic of the function of the NSTL constructing pattern will hopefully shed light not only to the reformation of the Chinese sci-tech information management system, but also to the development of scientific digital libraries in the world. © Emerald Group Publishing Limited.

The paper discusses the state of library preservation as the main problem of library management in Russia during the times of transition to digital environments. Today, Russia's extensive library system is undergoing a paradigm change toward the implementation of information technology (IT) to develop public access to information, that is perceived to be vital for the growth of the country. The first principal projects to elevate Russia to the ranks of the technologically advanced started as recently as 1990s, and, although having had some success, the country's digital resources remain grossly inadequate to support the growing public demand for information and education. Despite its state of retardation, the problems of preserving digital sources in Russia are evident to concerned specialists in the fields of informational science and archive work. Although these and other related problems are not addressed widely enough, they have gradually surfaced as an undeniable priority for the international preservation community. There is a promise to continue the necessary training and education that will link the national Russian library system with more collaborative projects and with leading international organizations. © 2004, Emerald Group Publishing Limited. All rights reserved.

This article seeks to promote a critical perspective on the present conceptualization of library management and the problems posed by technology. More specifically, it addresses the challenges faced by library administrators in relation to computing technologies. Through the adoption of Ursula Franklin's view of technology as “practice”, the article contrasts the practice of holistic and prescriptive technologies in library contexts. It also addresses the transformations of librarianship and the increasing adoption of prescriptive technological models. To exemplify the ongoing destruction of traditional librarianship, the three practices that comprise the fundamentals of librarianship are analyzed, namely, cataloging, collection development, and reference work. © 2004, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

This study investigates current practice in digitizing library materials in the USA. Building a good digital collection has been a common task, pervasive in all types of libraries. Digitization becomes more and more crucial, affecting libraries while they work towards becoming digital. Researchers and practitioners would like to know what practices have been developed to deal with the challenges that pose the most significant problems or concerns for libraries in digitization. Through probing some widespread issues on what materials to digitize, and the associated standards and technologies in digitization in US libraries, this survey of current literature reveals a number of prominent library digitization practices, methods and challenges, and highlights the best practices, trends and interests in library digitization pertaining to both policy and technology marketplace issues.

This study investigates the state of education for digital libraries. For this study, a Web survey was conducted of syllabi of courses on the subject of digital libraries (DL). Similarities and differences on such subjects as teaching emphases, course outlines, textbooks and assignments were compared. The majority of classes now contain a “hands-on” element, a practical component of the course that requires that the students interact with digital libraries. Not all of the course contents are up-to-date in the field of library and information technology. While the quality of DL education seems to have advanced at those schools and institutions that offer classes with “hands-on” requirements, the educational approach at many of the “hands-off” universities seems somewhat technophobic and overly dependent on outdated pedagogical methods. Those students who have received practical experience with digital libraries, like those provided in the “hands-on” courses, appear to be best served for future practice in the field of librarianship. © 2004, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

We report sol-gel process of Pb5Ge3O11 (PGO) as well as the microstructure and physical properties of ferroelectric PGO films for memory applications. The PGO sol was prepared from lead acetate hydrate, germanium isopropoxide, and di(ethylene glycol) ethyl ether. The reactions taking place during the sol-gel process were examined in detail, Diethanolamine (DEA) was added to help maintain the desired species ratio and prevent germanium oxide precipitation. The preferred orientation of the PGO thin films was well controlled by the heating and reflux procedures in the sol-gel preparation process. Additionally, to examine the impact of post-deposition processing, selected samples were oxygen annealed at temperatures ranging from 450-650°C. The samples were characterized with X-ray diffraction (XRD), non-contact (planview) atomic force microscopy (NC-AFM). The resulting data indicate that the microstructure and physical properties of PGO films depend strongly on the precursor preparation as well as the post deposition annealing temperature.

This study investigates the state of school education for digital libraries. For this study, a web survey was conducted of syllabi of courses on the subject of digital libraries. Similarities and differences on such subjects as teaching emphases, course outlines, textbooks and assignments were compared. The majority of classes now contain a "hands-on" element, a practical component of the course that requires that the students interact with digital libraries. Those students who have received practical experience with digital libraries, like those provided in the "hands-on" courses, are best served for future practice in the field of librarianship. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2003.

Librarians have been involved in collecting and disseminating statistics for many years. Utilising statistics to describe and assess the operation of library activities as a part of library tradition has received growing attention from researchers, policymakers, library managers, and professionals. However, few studies have investigated how statistics are used in libraries. This report compares directors’ uses of statistics provided by national agencies in the USA and China to highlight the differences and similarities between the ways in which the two groups of directors make use of statistics, and the statistical information that directors find particularly useful. The results are intended to provide library administrators with an insight of how library statistics are used in the managerial process, and may also help the national statistical providers to obtain an understanding of the characteristics and pattern of use of their products. © 2001, MCB UP Limited