Aslib ProceedingsTable of Contents for Aslib Proceedings. List of articles from the current issue, including Just Accepted (EarlyCite)https://www.emerald.com/insight/publication/issn/0001-253X/vol/65/iss/6?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_journalLatestAslib ProceedingsEmerald Publishing LimitedAslib ProceedingsAslib Proceedingshttps://www.emerald.com/insight/proxy/containerImg?link=/resource/publication/journal/0fd3f8dd5edc33b28db1162e15e8fcbc/UNKNOWNhttps://www.emerald.com/insight/publication/issn/0001-253X/vol/65/iss/6?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_journalLatestLinking to the past: an analysis of community digital heritage initiativeshttps://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/AP-05-2013-0039/full/html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_journalLatest– Community initiatives to collate and manage different kinds of cultural forms and resources are a popular way for local people to engage with the heritage of their area. These initiatives are often heavily dependent, however, upon short-term funding and long-term efforts of a few dedicated individuals. This paper aims to explore how community digital archives offer scope to widen participation in cultural activities and to investigate the sustainability of these initiatives. – A case study approach was taken of Hebridean Connections, which is a community managed, online historical resource. This paper is primarily based on interview data with key stakeholders, all of whom are based in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. – Participation in Hebridean Connections was reported in positive terms by respondents and many cited that it was a good way to reconnect with diasporic populations and that they believed that this would encourage tourism. It was also reported that the system of linked records added value to the collections as previously undiscovered connections could be made that would not be possible without the electronic resource. – Few studies have been undertaken examining community digital archives. The multidisciplinary nature of the study also brings together different perspectives on the area of enquiry.Linking to the past: an analysis of community digital heritage initiatives
Elizabeth Tait, Marsaili MacLeod, David Beel, Claire Wallace, Chris Mellish, Stuart Taylor
Aslib Proceedings, Vol. 65, No. 6, pp.564-580

– Community initiatives to collate and manage different kinds of cultural forms and resources are a popular way for local people to engage with the heritage of their area. These initiatives are often heavily dependent, however, upon short-term funding and long-term efforts of a few dedicated individuals. This paper aims to explore how community digital archives offer scope to widen participation in cultural activities and to investigate the sustainability of these initiatives.

– A case study approach was taken of Hebridean Connections, which is a community managed, online historical resource. This paper is primarily based on interview data with key stakeholders, all of whom are based in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland.

– Participation in Hebridean Connections was reported in positive terms by respondents and many cited that it was a good way to reconnect with diasporic populations and that they believed that this would encourage tourism. It was also reported that the system of linked records added value to the collections as previously undiscovered connections could be made that would not be possible without the electronic resource.

– Few studies have been undertaken examining community digital archives. The multidisciplinary nature of the study also brings together different perspectives on the area of enquiry.

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Linking to the past: an analysis of community digital heritage initiatives10.1108/AP-05-2013-0039Aslib Proceedings2013-11-25© 2013 Elizabeth TaitMarsaili MacLeodDavid BeelClaire WallaceChris MellishStuart TaylorAslib Proceedings6562013-11-2510.1108/AP-05-2013-0039https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/AP-05-2013-0039/full/html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_journalLatest© 2013
Supporting group collaboration in Wiki by increasing the awareness of task conflicthttps://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/AP-05-2013-0046/full/html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_journalLatest– Wiki forms a new model of virtual collaboration. The original wiki is designed to hide content authorship information. Such design may hinder users from being aware of task conflict, resulting in low-efficient conflict management and decreased group performance. This study aims at increasing users' awareness of task conflict to facilitate wiki-based collaboration. – A visual feedback dialog box is designed to increase users' awareness of task conflict. A survey-based comparative study is conducted by using original wiki and modified wiki (the new design). A total of 301 participants are invited. Structural equation model (SEM) is used to analyze survey data. – Most users are willing to solve conflict issues, and the dialog box can increase users' awareness of task conflict. Conflict awareness can promote user's participation, gain better conflict resolution and improve group performance. The dialog box can enhance the influence of conflict awareness on user participation and conflict resolution, but reduce the influence of conflict awareness on group performance. – Only undergraduate students are invited, some typical variables are not included. The design needs improvement. – A new wiki tool is designed. The influence of conflict awareness is explored while previous studies largely ignore this variable.Supporting group collaboration in Wiki by increasing the awareness of task conflict
Kewen Wu, Julita Vassileva, Qinghua Zhu, Hui Fang, Xiaojie Tan
Aslib Proceedings, Vol. 65, No. 6, pp.581-604

– Wiki forms a new model of virtual collaboration. The original wiki is designed to hide content authorship information. Such design may hinder users from being aware of task conflict, resulting in low-efficient conflict management and decreased group performance. This study aims at increasing users' awareness of task conflict to facilitate wiki-based collaboration.

– A visual feedback dialog box is designed to increase users' awareness of task conflict. A survey-based comparative study is conducted by using original wiki and modified wiki (the new design). A total of 301 participants are invited. Structural equation model (SEM) is used to analyze survey data.

– Most users are willing to solve conflict issues, and the dialog box can increase users' awareness of task conflict. Conflict awareness can promote user's participation, gain better conflict resolution and improve group performance. The dialog box can enhance the influence of conflict awareness on user participation and conflict resolution, but reduce the influence of conflict awareness on group performance.

– Only undergraduate students are invited, some typical variables are not included. The design needs improvement.

– A new wiki tool is designed. The influence of conflict awareness is explored while previous studies largely ignore this variable.

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Supporting group collaboration in Wiki by increasing the awareness of task conflict10.1108/AP-05-2013-0046Aslib Proceedings2013-11-25© 2013 Kewen WuJulita VassilevaQinghua ZhuHui FangXiaojie TanAslib Proceedings6562013-11-2510.1108/AP-05-2013-0046https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/AP-05-2013-0046/full/html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_journalLatest© 2013
A spatial exploration of factors affecting digitalization of farmers' associations in Taiwanhttps://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/AP-11-2012-0088/full/html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_journalLatest– This study aimed to examine organizational digitalization of farmers' associations (FAs) by conducting internal and external analyses of the contextual and geo-spatial attributes of the organizations, and further explored the role such associations play as key change agents in activating agricultural innovations and development in Taiwan. – Unlike previous digitalization studies, which employed user data such as attitudes and behaviors as the major determinants, the present study focused on the spatial and organizational characteristics of FAs. An exploratory spatial analysis was conducted using a geographic information system to discover whether the organizational characteristics, local agriculture development, and neighboring FAs affect the organizational decision and adaption on information services. Research data from three national surveys were analyzed with a spatial regression model. – Results showed that geographical neighborhood, in association with organizational characteristics, significantly affects the decision and level of organizational digitalization, while the development and characteristics of regional agriculture exert no significant influence. – In the development of information and communication technology (ICT) diffusion policies for promoting organizational digitalization, it is important to highlight regional initiatives and complementary public efforts to guarantee an equitable access to ICT in areas with variances in economic development. In neighborhood FAs, greater development of economic and labor scales and ICT human capital also contribute to higher levels of organizational digitalization. – Based on the study results, suggestions are provided for future research considering spatial forces in agricultural information studies and practical applications.A spatial exploration of factors affecting digitalization of farmers' associations in Taiwan
Hsiu-Ping Yueh, Tzy-Ling Chen, Chien-Tso Chen
Aslib Proceedings, Vol. 65, No. 6, pp.605-622

– This study aimed to examine organizational digitalization of farmers' associations (FAs) by conducting internal and external analyses of the contextual and geo-spatial attributes of the organizations, and further explored the role such associations play as key change agents in activating agricultural innovations and development in Taiwan.

– Unlike previous digitalization studies, which employed user data such as attitudes and behaviors as the major determinants, the present study focused on the spatial and organizational characteristics of FAs. An exploratory spatial analysis was conducted using a geographic information system to discover whether the organizational characteristics, local agriculture development, and neighboring FAs affect the organizational decision and adaption on information services. Research data from three national surveys were analyzed with a spatial regression model.

– Results showed that geographical neighborhood, in association with organizational characteristics, significantly affects the decision and level of organizational digitalization, while the development and characteristics of regional agriculture exert no significant influence.

– In the development of information and communication technology (ICT) diffusion policies for promoting organizational digitalization, it is important to highlight regional initiatives and complementary public efforts to guarantee an equitable access to ICT in areas with variances in economic development. In neighborhood FAs, greater development of economic and labor scales and ICT human capital also contribute to higher levels of organizational digitalization.

– Based on the study results, suggestions are provided for future research considering spatial forces in agricultural information studies and practical applications.

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A spatial exploration of factors affecting digitalization of farmers' associations in Taiwan10.1108/AP-11-2012-0088Aslib Proceedings2013-11-25© 2013 Hsiu-Ping YuehTzy-Ling ChenChien-Tso ChenAslib Proceedings6562013-11-2510.1108/AP-11-2012-0088https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/AP-11-2012-0088/full/html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_journalLatest© 2013
Web structure and influence of the Arab universities of the MENA zone (Middle East and North Africa)https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/AP-10-2012-0082/full/html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_journalLatest– This article aims to display the structure and reveal the web influence of institutions in the MENA zone, in geographic terms (country) and academic terms (universities), by means of their links. – Using search engines and webcrawlers designed to gather information about web links, in conjunction with visualization techniques and degree indicators based on social network analysis, the authors achieved their objective and found responses to a series of pertinent research questions. – There is no direct relationship between the number of university websites and the number of inlinks. Linking between countries in the MENA zone obeys patterns of vicinity and geopolitics. Arab universities are interlinked following trends governed by territorial proximity. There is a strong endogamic tendency, with universities from a single country citing each other, particularly in the case of Saudi Arabia. The authors present the first ranking of web influence in the MENA zone based on network indicators, namely country and university, and their order is corroborated by comparison with other rankings of a webometric or scientometric nature. – Studies of this type cannot be undertaken again, at least not from the web link perspective, as Yahoo!, Google and Bing have since blocked the webcrawlers that attempt to carry out searches of inlinking or co-inlinking between/among sites. Hence, this work can be considered both a pioneer and the last of its kind. The authors do not know if or when it will be possible to again make queries about URLs in webs or, alternatively, in titles. – This is the first visual report of the web structure underlying the countries and universities of the MENA zone. It is also the first time that a country and university ranking of this geopolitical zone has been carried out using network indicators based on web links.Web structure and influence of the Arab universities of the MENA zone (Middle East and North Africa)
Benjamin Vargas-Quesada, Khaldoon Mohammad Oglah Al-Dwairi, Cristina Faba-Perez, Felix de Moya-Anegón
Aslib Proceedings, Vol. 65, No. 6, pp.623-643

– This article aims to display the structure and reveal the web influence of institutions in the MENA zone, in geographic terms (country) and academic terms (universities), by means of their links.

– Using search engines and webcrawlers designed to gather information about web links, in conjunction with visualization techniques and degree indicators based on social network analysis, the authors achieved their objective and found responses to a series of pertinent research questions.

– There is no direct relationship between the number of university websites and the number of inlinks. Linking between countries in the MENA zone obeys patterns of vicinity and geopolitics. Arab universities are interlinked following trends governed by territorial proximity. There is a strong endogamic tendency, with universities from a single country citing each other, particularly in the case of Saudi Arabia. The authors present the first ranking of web influence in the MENA zone based on network indicators, namely country and university, and their order is corroborated by comparison with other rankings of a webometric or scientometric nature.

– Studies of this type cannot be undertaken again, at least not from the web link perspective, as Yahoo!, Google and Bing have since blocked the webcrawlers that attempt to carry out searches of inlinking or co-inlinking between/among sites. Hence, this work can be considered both a pioneer and the last of its kind. The authors do not know if or when it will be possible to again make queries about URLs in webs or, alternatively, in titles.

– This is the first visual report of the web structure underlying the countries and universities of the MENA zone. It is also the first time that a country and university ranking of this geopolitical zone has been carried out using network indicators based on web links.

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Web structure and influence of the Arab universities of the MENA zone (Middle East and North Africa)10.1108/AP-10-2012-0082Aslib Proceedings2013-11-25© 2013 Benjamin Vargas-QuesadaKhaldoon Mohammad Oglah Al-DwairiCristina Faba-PerezFelix de Moya-AnegónAslib Proceedings6562013-11-2510.1108/AP-10-2012-0082https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/AP-10-2012-0082/full/html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_journalLatest© 2013
Multilevel analysis of work context and social support climate in librarieshttps://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/AP-05-2012-0051/full/html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_journalLatest– The paper aims to clarify the relationship between organizational identification, knowledge sharing and work characteristics. It proposes hierarchical linear modeling analysis of work context and social support climate with regard to organizational identification. The study aims to understand and prescribe the cross-level effects of a supportive climate and the effect of job design on organizational identification and knowledge sharing. Librarians need to share knowledge with their colleagues to provide timely responses for readers. Through a cross-level study, the authors' findings provide insights for both practice and academia. – Analysis approach in this paper consisted of the following steps. First, this study applied confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to assess the validity and reliability of the authors' instrument. Second, this study checked the viability of aggregating the responses of the librarians to library-level constructs. Third, this study adapted hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) to examine the research hypotheses. HLM could be utilized to explain the nested data and simultaneously estimate the influence of factors from the different levels. – The paper provides empirical insights to support the relationship between task characteristics and organizational identification. Tasks with sufficient autonomy, variety, and feedback can improve the perception of organizational identification. Task characteristics and social support can reinforce knowledge sharing through shaping organizational identification. – As the sample libraries were all located in Taiwan, the research results may lack generalizability. Therefore, researchers are encouraged to further test the propositions in multiple cultures. – The paper includes implications for task characteristics and social support can reinforce knowledge sharing through shaping the organizational identification in libraries. – The results of cross-level analysis in this paper suggested that the variance of a supportive climate among libraries may exert an influence on knowledge sharing. This paper also confirmed organizational identification is also a partial meso-mediator for social support and knowledge sharing.Multilevel analysis of work context and social support climate in libraries
Chen-Chi Chang, Cheng-Chieh Wu
Aslib Proceedings, Vol. 65, No. 6, pp.644-658

– The paper aims to clarify the relationship between organizational identification, knowledge sharing and work characteristics. It proposes hierarchical linear modeling analysis of work context and social support climate with regard to organizational identification. The study aims to understand and prescribe the cross-level effects of a supportive climate and the effect of job design on organizational identification and knowledge sharing. Librarians need to share knowledge with their colleagues to provide timely responses for readers. Through a cross-level study, the authors' findings provide insights for both practice and academia.

– Analysis approach in this paper consisted of the following steps. First, this study applied confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to assess the validity and reliability of the authors' instrument. Second, this study checked the viability of aggregating the responses of the librarians to library-level constructs. Third, this study adapted hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) to examine the research hypotheses. HLM could be utilized to explain the nested data and simultaneously estimate the influence of factors from the different levels.

– The paper provides empirical insights to support the relationship between task characteristics and organizational identification. Tasks with sufficient autonomy, variety, and feedback can improve the perception of organizational identification. Task characteristics and social support can reinforce knowledge sharing through shaping organizational identification.

– As the sample libraries were all located in Taiwan, the research results may lack generalizability. Therefore, researchers are encouraged to further test the propositions in multiple cultures.

– The paper includes implications for task characteristics and social support can reinforce knowledge sharing through shaping the organizational identification in libraries.

– The results of cross-level analysis in this paper suggested that the variance of a supportive climate among libraries may exert an influence on knowledge sharing. This paper also confirmed organizational identification is also a partial meso-mediator for social support and knowledge sharing.

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Multilevel analysis of work context and social support climate in libraries10.1108/AP-05-2012-0051Aslib Proceedings2013-11-25© 2013 Chen-Chi ChangCheng-Chieh WuAslib Proceedings6562013-11-2510.1108/AP-05-2012-0051https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/AP-05-2012-0051/full/html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_journalLatest© 2013
Patterns of co-authorship and research collaboration in Malaysiahttps://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/AP-12-2012-0094/full/html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_journalLatest– By exploring the patterns of co-authorship, this paper aims to identify the degree and type of research collaboration in Malaysia. – A total of 22,244 publication records from five research universities in Malaysia were retrieved from Scopus database. Journal articles published for the period between 2008 and October 2011 were collected. Indicators such as number of authors, subject areas, number of local institutions and foreign countries, were analysed using simple statistical tools to identity the degree and type of collaboration. – The findings reveal that in Malaysia, researchers tend to work in teams but collaboration is more dominant in science-based research than social sciences. Academics published extensively with their colleagues from the same university or from other academic institutions, but there is little collaboration with researchers from public research institutes or industry. In terms of international collaboration, Iran, India, UK, Japan and the USA are the top five collaborating countries. Disciplines with significant international collaboration are physics and astronomy; chemistry; agricultural and biological sciences; engineering; health profession and computer sciences. – This paper is among the few that study the patterns of co-authorship in Malaysia and most probably the first to examine the patterns in the Malaysian research universities. The study highlights the skewed distribution of co-authorship patterns where there is limited evidence of cross sectors collaboration in journal publication. The findings call for policy makers as well as universities to look into the constraints as well as drivers that would enhance the linkage of different actors in the national research system.Patterns of co-authorship and research collaboration in Malaysia
Ming Yu Cheng, Kai Wah Hen, Hoi Piew Tan, Kuk Fai Fok
Aslib Proceedings, Vol. 65, No. 6, pp.659-674

– By exploring the patterns of co-authorship, this paper aims to identify the degree and type of research collaboration in Malaysia.

– A total of 22,244 publication records from five research universities in Malaysia were retrieved from Scopus database. Journal articles published for the period between 2008 and October 2011 were collected. Indicators such as number of authors, subject areas, number of local institutions and foreign countries, were analysed using simple statistical tools to identity the degree and type of collaboration.

– The findings reveal that in Malaysia, researchers tend to work in teams but collaboration is more dominant in science-based research than social sciences. Academics published extensively with their colleagues from the same university or from other academic institutions, but there is little collaboration with researchers from public research institutes or industry. In terms of international collaboration, Iran, India, UK, Japan and the USA are the top five collaborating countries. Disciplines with significant international collaboration are physics and astronomy; chemistry; agricultural and biological sciences; engineering; health profession and computer sciences.

– This paper is among the few that study the patterns of co-authorship in Malaysia and most probably the first to examine the patterns in the Malaysian research universities. The study highlights the skewed distribution of co-authorship patterns where there is limited evidence of cross sectors collaboration in journal publication. The findings call for policy makers as well as universities to look into the constraints as well as drivers that would enhance the linkage of different actors in the national research system.

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Patterns of co-authorship and research collaboration in Malaysia10.1108/AP-12-2012-0094Aslib Proceedings2013-11-25© 2013 Ming Yu ChengKai Wah HenHoi Piew TanKuk Fai FokAslib Proceedings6562013-11-2510.1108/AP-12-2012-0094https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/AP-12-2012-0094/full/html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_journalLatest© 2013