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Given a convex polyhedron with n vertices and F faces, what is the fewest number of pieces, each of which unfolds to a simple polygon, into which it may be cut by slices along edges? Shephard's conjecture says that this number is always 1, but it's still open. The fewest nets problem asks to provide upper bounds for the number of pieces in terms of n and/or F. We improve the previous best known bound of F/2 by proving that every convex polyhedron can be unfolded into no more than 3F/8 non-overlapping nets. If the polyhedron is triangulated, the upper bound we obtain is 4F/11.

Core constructs are necessary as a basis for scale development in brand prestige research. This study examines the theoretical rationale for two such concepts - brand excellence and status conferral - and uses latent class scaling in an empirical test as to whether they are both important independent dimensions of prestige brands. Based on the analysis, these concepts are shown to be consistently present for two brands in two diverse product categories. The research calls into question earlier work on the measurement of brand prestige that was premised on a one-dimensional concept of prestige. Further studies are needed to explore the dimensionality and substantive structure of the brand prestige concept, to confirm or disconfirm findings from this research. © 2009 IOS Press. All rights reserved.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to provide a methodology by which qualitative analyses serve as rich source materials for discovery of theoretically cogent interrelations between latent variables. Design/methodology/approach: In an illustrative case, qualitative data are collected from US franchisee managers from a single branded franchise of automotive repair outlets. Qualitative analysis of franchisee experiences and attitudes is critical for construction of a causal model used to predict conflict intensity between franchisee managers and franchisors. Findings: The model is based on franchisees' normative expectations for resource allocation within the franchise; and their perceptions of franchisor normative violations, which are determinative of grievances, distrust, and hostility. This theoretical orientation serves to generate a system of interrelated empirically testable propositions. Research limitations/implications: In principle, the primary limitation of using qualitative analysis for the construction of causal models is the fruitfulness of the theoretical orientation shared by the qualitative analyst and the causal modeler. Practical implications: The methodological approach advanced in this paper advances qualitative research and causal modeling beyond the individual contributions. Qualitative analysis infuses variables and process imagery into causal modeling. In turn, causal modeling elaborates the qualitative analysis and makes explicit logical connections between variables. Originality/value: This paper advances a methodology by which qualitative analysis and causal model construction may be usefully integrated. Theory-based qualitative analysis may be formalized to map latent concepts and their interrelations. Further, operational measures of these concepts may be adduced from the analysis of textual data. © Emerald Group Publishing Limited.

This research examines the four culture dimensions developed by Hofstede's 1980 and 1983 studies exploring the potential of management-employee conflict. In the present study, employee responses to Hofstede's national culture survey were performed in Belarus, formerly of the Soviet Union, in order to establish a culture score for each of Hofstede's four culture dimensions in a centrally planned economy. The results of the research run counter to some of the stereotypic cultural characteristic expectations, and support others of the cultural values attributable to the Republic of Belarus, an autocratic political and economic state in Eastern Europe. Copyright © by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved.

Professors in management and business are encouraged to incorporate critical thinking as an objective in their courses. "The Lobster Tale" provides an opportunity to engage students in various levels of critical thinking, ranging from a relatively superficial reading to an examination of the deeper, often hidden issues. Using the foundations of critical theory and systems theory, the story draws on economics, social theory, philosophy, and other disciplines to present a simplified version of the complexities found in our global environment. It can be used to supplement a variety of courses in the business curriculum and to encourage students to challenge not only assumptions but also conventional wisdom and, perhaps, knowledge itself. © 2009 The Author(s).

This article presents a pedagogical model that utilizes students as primary researchers in the identification, interviewing, and then reporting on women entrepreneurs as a major component of a multidisciplinary entrepreneurship course. The purpose of the course is to attract students who may not be familiar with the entrepreneurship concept itself, the role of women in such economic ventures, or the possibilities for people like themselves in such a career avenue. Students are exposed to the accomplishments of women entrepreneurs throughout U.S. history in the broad categories of agriculture and mining; construction; communication; manufacturing; service (both for profit and not-for-profit); transportation; and wholesale and retail trade. This content experience is then enhanced by the studentsʼ own direct interaction with and interviewing of women entrepreneurs. The implementation, potential outcomes, and possible adaptations of the course are described, and this transformational learning process model is illustrated. © Published by DigitalCommons©SHU, 2006.

In April 2006, Alliance Library System and Online Programming for All Libraries partnered to start the Second Life Library 2.0 in the online world Second Life and in August 2006 purchased an island on the Teen grid of Teen Second Life. Second Life is a virtual world, a descendant of multiplayer online games. Educational institutions have recently been drawn into Second Life's robust economy and vibrant cultural life. The Second Life Library 2.0 works with librarians from around the world and with other educational partners such as TechSoup, WorldBridges, and the New Media Consortium. Second Life Library 2.0 provides traditional library services such as ready reference, book discussions, and search assistance, but, at heart, it explores what it means to be a virtual library in a virtual world.

Today, access to digital information is essential to patrons using public libraries, whether they have contact with computers at home, work or school or whether the public library is their only contact. In order to evaluate and ultimately enhance public library digital resources and services, it is critical for administrators, librarians and digital information architects to recognize the impact their current digital offerings have on users. This study utilizes a survey to gauge the perceptions of patrons who use digital resources and services in six urban New England public libraries as part of ongoing research into digital information access in public libraries in the United States from the perspective of users.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to discover whether the social styles of patrons affects their perception (and librarians' perception) of the quality of the reference interview. Also, whether learning to assess social styles of patrons improves perception of the quality of the reference interview. Design/methodology/approach: The researcher observed 24 reference interviews, assessed the social style of each patron using a checklist of behavioral characteristics; both patrons and librarians confidentially filled out a survey to assess the outcome of the reference interview. Findings: It appears that the social style of patrons has some effect on how both librarians and patrons perceive the outcome of the reference interview. There also appears to be a correlation between the librarians' awareness of the social styles of people and the outcome of the reference interview. Practical implications: Literature has not provided any data on how social style theory on the four social styles (analytical, expressive, driver, amiable) could be used to improve the reference interview. Originality/value: Social style theory has been explored in academic settings and in the areas of marketing and sales, but not yet in public libraries. © Emerald Group Publishing Limited.

Purpose To explore the impact of public digital library resources on urban residents, to elucidate the current usage patterns of public digital library resources/services and levels of satisfaction with the resources/content in urban digital libraries and make recommendations as to steps that would improve service to this population. Design/Methodology/Approach We conducted an anonymous user-completed survey study of 6 urban libraries to collect demographic and information regarding satisfaction with Digital Library (DL) resource and patterns of use. Findings Our respondents represented a cross section of races, genders, ages, and educational backgrounds. Our results in this much-needed area of study demonstrate that libraries should plan to provide more access, less filtering, regular upgrades, and more training to use the resources. Practical Limitations/Implications Larger studies should be used to follow up this report, in order to be able to obtain a generalized understanding of overall patterns of urban residents using DLs in public settings. Recruitment techniques did not adequately sample potential (but not current) DL users. Originality/Value This study contributes to a scant empirical data set addressing the impact that access to public digital information and services have on urban residents. We offer new data and recommendations that will guide public library administrators in enhancing the impact, efficiency and value of public DL resources/services to improve the digital learning environment for life-long educaiton at all levels in a broad community of urban users.

Purpose - The purpose of this case study is to explore the construction pattern and issues involved in the development of an urban library service system in China. Design/methodology/approach - This study was conducted through an analytical evaluation of the development of an integrated public service system and its distribution of information among libraries and information centers in an urban community. Findings - Constructing an integrated public service system is an important trend in urban libraries in the new millennium. Drawing from the Dongguan library's integrated public service system that aims to master better various resources from whole service area, this text summarizes technology innovation and the significant results of the Dongguan library system redevelopment, providing an absorbing insight into developments in the Chinese public library service. Originality/value - While the ultimate goal of integration is to provide better services to meet the information-seeking needs of urban residents, it is necessary to meet these needs through a technological breakthrough in the administration of clustered libraries, to instill a central branch system, and to work out the advantages of group service.

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of public digital services on urban/suburban residents, to uncover the current usage of public digital services and levels of satisfaction with the digital resources/content in urban digital libraries (networked computers with specific information infrastructure designed free for public use). Design/methodology/approach - A qualitative approach is used as a main stream in the research framework as the method of inquiry. Qualitative one-to-one interviews include surveying users who use public library websites, observing the users, consulting librarians about the users, and interviewing the users. Findings - Provides demographic patterns of the patron's interaction with the digital services public libraries provide, and the satisfaction and compliances the residents have regarding information access through the digital technology in urban/suburban Connecticut. Practical implications - Because of the small number of participants, this study has limitations in being generalized to an understanding of overall patterns of urban residents using digital resources in public settings in the USA or elsewhere, however, it could be a good pilot study for a nation-wide survey with the methods tested. Originality/value - This study helps fulfill the scant empirical attention given to the impact access to public digital information or use of digital library services on the urban/suburban residents, offers new data that help public library administrators enhance the impact, efficiency and value of the public digital library services to improve the digital learning environments for life-long education at all levels in a broad community of urban-suburban users. © Emerald Group Publishing Limited.