854 research outputs found
Factors, frameworks and theory: a review of the information systems literature on success factors in project management
Get PDFINTRODUCTION We provide a critical evaluation of the literature on success factors in information systems projects, with a particular focus on organisational information systems development. This responds to recent editorial comment on the need for literature reviews that can furnish a foundation for theory building and research landscaping. METHOD. Relevant material was found in the core fields of information management, information systems, and project management. Additional material from domains such as business management and software development were also identified. ANALYSIS. Four broad research themes emerged from the analysis of the literature: (1) the identification and exploration of project success factors and success factor lists; (2) contributions of individual/group project success factors to project success (or failure); (3) causal interactions between individual/groups of project success factors and simulations of these; and (4) project success factor frameworks. RESULTS. A high number of unique project success factors exist. Some have attracted more attention than others, there is a lack of agreement on their relative importance, and few frameworks have been proposed to model their influence. To date it has been common practice to list project success factors, whereas less attention has been paid to the question of how knowledge of the existence of these factors can be used to eliminate problems in practice. Despite the amount of research in this area, the contribution of particular success factors to project success remains unexplored, as are causal interactions between individual/groups of project success factors, and simulations of these. CONCLUSION. Through the identification and analysis of the extant literature we identify opportunities for advancing knowledge of the practical and theoretical aspects of information systems project organisation, with particular reference to success factors and project success. Contributions from those who offer expertise in the sociotechnical analysis of systems implementations would be especially welcomed
Using social media during job search: the case of 16-24 year olds in Scotland
Get PDFSocial media are powerful networking platforms that provide users with significant information opportunities. Despite this, little is known about their impact on job search behaviour. Here, interview (participants = 7), focus group (participants = 6), and survey (n=558) data supplied by young jobseekers in Scotland were analysed to investigate the role of social media in job search. The findings show that Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn are the most popular platforms for this purpose, and that the type of job sought influences the direction of user behaviour. Frequent social media use for job search is linked with interview invitations. The study also reveals that although most jobseekers use social media for job search sparingly, they are much more likely to do so if advised by a professional. Combined, the findings represent a crucial base of knowledge which can inform careers policy, and can be used as a platform for further research
Practices of community representatives in exploiting information channels for citizen democratic engagement
Get PDFThe purpose of the research was to investigate the practices of elected, yet unpaid, community councillors in Scotland as they exploit information channels for democratic engagement with citizens. Its focus is both novel and significant in that it considers the information literacy of a group that has not been studied before: volunteer representatives active in hyperlocal government. The primary means of data collection was semi-structured interviews of one hour in length with 19 community councillors. Research design and data analysis were informed by the SCONUL 7 pillar model of information literacy, and by Activity Theory. The main finding of the analysis is that community councillors engage with a range of information sources and tools in their work, the most important of which derives from local authorities. Three recommendations emerge from the analysis. These relate to (i) information literacy training; (ii) valuing information skills; and (iii) the role of the public library service in supporting community council work
The right resources to support LIS research: findings from the RiLIES2 project poll
Get PDFIn 2011 and 2012 the Library and Information Science Research Coalition supported two projects entitled Research in Librarianship Impact Evaluation Study (RiLIES1 and RiLIES2). This paper discusses the results of a survey completed in spring 2012 as part of RiLIES2. RiLIES2 was concerned with the production of a series of outputs such as training, good practice and community support materials, to support the identification, use and execution of research by librarians and information scientists. The purpose of the survey was to determine which of the existing resources purported to support librarians and information scientists use and/or conduct research were (a) well used and/or (b) respected. The survey’s main findings revealed a low level of awareness of the full range of existing resources to support LIS research, and highlighted the pressing need for a centrally-funded community-maintained directory of LIS research resources, held in a known location, with (crucially) a long-term commitment to maintenance
Selected Poems
Get PDFPublished by Ahsahta in 1980, The Selected Poems of Hazel Hall originally appeared in three published volumes: Curtains (1921), Walkers (1923), and City of Time (1928). Hall had an exceptionally short period of productivity. Born in 1886, she published her first poem at the age of thirty. Her poetry appeared in Poetry, Dial, Harper’s, Yale Review, The Nation, Literary Review, Lyric, Contemporary Verse, and Bookman before her work slipped into obscurity. Harriet Monroe, editor of Poetry, awarded Hall the Young Poet’s Prize in 1921. Hall was confined to a wheelchair from the age of twelve after a bout of scarlet fever. Although her days were spent in an upstairs room of a large house in Portland, Oregon, her poetry has a vivid richness that extends outside her room and even her own time. Her sonnets are reminiscent of Edna St. Vincent Millay’s, although more gentle in their mental and emotional lacerations. Her world is absolutely feminine—achingly interior, forgotten, small and delicate—and absolutely razor sharp, clearly making her a modern poet
Project output versus influence in practice: impact as a dimension of research quality
Get PDFIn an environment where resources are few, research funders are expected to focus on projects that demonstrate value for money. Thus, in the context of service provision, proposed research projects should actively contribute to the building of an evidence base that both supports decision-making, and is actively deployed in practice. Based on Hall's keynote presentation at EBLIP6 in June 2011, this paper explores strategies for researchers to maximise the impact of librarianship research projects. It takes into account a range of factors, for example those related to: initial project conception and implementation; the nature of research output and its dissemination; researcher profiles; and target practitioner audiences. It draws on preliminary results from the Research into Librarianship Impact Evaluation Study (RiLIES), a study sponsored by the UK Library and Information Science Research Coalition. The associated PowerPoint slides can be found at http://www.dcs.napier.ac.uk/~hazelh/esis/Hall_EBLIP6_2011.pp
Borrowed theory: applying exchange theories in information science research.
Get PDFThis article discusses the applicability of “borrowing” theory originally developed in other disciplines to information science research, and, in particular, the analytical concepts and assumptions of social exchange theory as a framework for exploring motivational factors ofknowledge sharing in large, distributed, information-intensive organizations. Social exchange theory relates to sociology, psychology, and anthropology, and the article indicates the extentto which knowledge has been regarded as an “exchange resource”. This is followed by an analysis of previous work that has tied exchange theory to areas of interest to information scientists. An ongoing research project tests the analytical concepts and assumptions of social exchange theory in a knowledge market, and the potential for such work to generate further theory
Promoting the priorities of practitioner research engagement.
Get PDFOne of the aims of the Library and Information Science Research Coalition is to promote library and information science practitioner research. Successfully meeting this aim should result in greater use of the existing knowledge base and the creation of new knowledge on LIS practice. LIS practitioner engagement in research should also be channelled to build an evidence base that demonstrates the value and impact of LIS practice. Possible means of the LIS practitioner community meeting these goals is discussed with reference to the support offered by the Library and Information Science Research Coalition
UK library and information science research matters
Get PDFThe Library and Information Science (LIS) Research Coalition was established in 2009 to address UK LIS research matters. This description of the Coalition discusses its formation, goals, work to date, and future plans
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