Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Monitoring Contracted Provider Service Delivery In The Hollow State: Understanding Barriers Preventing Proper Use Of Service Monitoring Tools, Kristina T. Lambright

Kristina Lambright

The article discusses the barriers that prevent a contracted provider from using service monitoring tool, any source of information used by a government agency to monitor service inputs, outputs, and outcomes that a contracted provider is required to give to a government agency. A motivation barrier exists when the contracted provider is unwilling to use the tool properly. In addition, an ability barrier exists when the contracted provider lacks the resources or skills to use to tool.

The Performance Puzzle: Understanding The Factors Influencing Alternative Dimensions And Views Of Performance, Anna A. Amirkhanyan, Hyun Joon Kim, Kristina T. Lambright

Kristina Lambright

There is a large literature on the determinants of organizational performance, and its multidimensional nature is well recognized. However, little research has examined how different organizational and environmental factors influence different stakeholders’ performance assessments of the same service. We address this gap by comparing the factors influencing performance evaluations by different constituencies of child care centers in Ohio. We operationalize performance using (1) regulatory violations documented during state licensing inspections, (2) satisfaction with the center’s quality reported by center directors, (3) satisfaction with the center’s quality reported by teachers, and (4) satisfaction with care quality reported by parents. Our findings …

Putting The Pieces Together: A Comprehensive Framework For Understanding The Decision To Contract Out And Contractor Performance, Anna A. Amirkhanyan, Hyun Joon Kim, Kristina T. Lambright

Kristina Lambright

Contracting out is currently one of the most prevalent mechanisms of the privatization movement. Understanding its trends and rigorously analyzing its implications is an increasingly salient issue for public management research. This article builds a multi-stage theoretical framework addressing two broad research questions. The first is to identify the array of economic, political, organizational, and institutional factors that may impact a government agency's decision to contract out. The second is to detail the various organizational and environmental factors influencing contractor performance. Particular attention is paid to effective contract monitoring and its relationship to contractor performance.

Do Relationships Matter? Assessing The Association Between Relationship Design And Contractor Performance, Anna A. Amirkhanyan, Hyun Joon Kim, Kristina T. Lambright

Kristina Lambright

Contracting relationships vary in the extent to which they are complete and involve formal contract specification as well as the extent to which they are based on strong relationships and rely on cooperation and trust. Where a contracting arrangement falls on these two continuums constitutes what this paper refers to as "relationship design" and is likely to impact contractor performance. We use data from a survey of child-care centers and Head Start agencies in Ohio to examine the association between the design of contracting relationships and contractor performance. Contractor performance is assessed in two ways: an objective measure of violations …

Closer Than “Arms Length”: Understanding The Factors Associated With Collaborative Contracting, Anna A. Amirkhanyan, Hyun Joon Kim, Kristina T. Lambright

Kristina Lambright

This article focuses on collaborative relationships between contractors and government agencies and explores which contract characteristics, contractor traits, and environmental factors are associated with the development of such relationships. The study uses data from the Partnership Impact Research Project, a three-round longitudinal survey of over one hundred child care centers and Head Start agencies in Ohio. Our findings suggest that stronger collaborative contracting relationships are associated with greater contract specificity, better contractor service quality, and contractor affiliation with a larger organization. On the other hand, a contractor’s financial autonomy and nonprofit status are negatively related to collaborative relationship strength. We …

How Valuable Are Capstone Projects For Community Organizations? Lessons From A Program Assessment, David A. Campbell, Kristina T. Lambright

Kristina Lambright

Many MPA programs use capstone courses as culminating experiences to assess students’ capacity to apply program knowledge and skills to challenges facing public or nonprofit organizations. This paper examines whether capstone projects in one university’s MPA program were beneficial to organizational partners. Using data from a survey of capstone supervisors and 10 follow-up interviews, the paper finds that supervisor engagement, project location, and faculty involvement were significant factors in determining whether projects were beneficial to host organizations. The findings indicate that closer relationships among the three primary participants in capstone projects (student, supervisor, and instructor) will lead to more successful …

Faith-Based Assumptions About Performance: Does Church Affiliation Matter For Service Quality And Access?, Anna A. Amirkhanyan, Hyun Joon Kim, Kristina T. Lambright

Kristina Lambright

To date, the common rhetoric and assumptions on the performance of faith-based organizations (FBOs), ironically, appear to be faith based rather than empirically supported: There is a paucity of research evaluating the effectiveness of FBOs that uses sufficiently rigorous methods and multiple measures of organizational performance. This study seeks to inform the debate on the relative effectiveness of FBOs by comparing religiously affiliated and secular nonprofit nursing homes using two distinct but complementary measures of organizational performance: service quality and access for impoverished clients. Using nationally representative panel data on 11,877 church-affiliated and secular nonprofit nursing homes, this study examines …

Self-Compassion And Breast Cancer In 23 Cancer Respondents: Is The Way You Relate To Yourself A Factor In Disease Onset And Progress?, Karen G. Kearnery, Richard E. Hicks

Richard Hicks

Breast Cancer has been extensively studied. However, there is limited knowledge about how psychological factors such as levels of self-compassion may be related to disease onset. This study examined whether higher levels of selfcompassion may be associated with a delayed onset of cancer and its progression and lower hyper-arousal scores in Australian women with breast cancer, using retrospective recollections as part of the study design. Participants from Australian cancer support groups were invited to complete an online survey including demographic and cancer history information, a hyper-arousal scale and a self-compassion scale (self-report scales). After data screening 23 of the 31 …

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The Impact Of School Library Services On Student Achievement And The Implications For Advocacy: A Review Of The Literature, Christopher Chan

Christopher Chan

This review critically examines the literature relating to the impact that school libraries have on student achievement, and what implications this impact has had for school library advocacy. A number of studies examining this issue, using both quantitative and qualitative methodologies, have been conducted. Almost all of the studies considered endorse the view that school library services have a positive impact on student achievement. The literature further indicates that this evidence has not had much impact on the development of school libraries, mainly because of the entrenched views of educators and administrators that see the school library as being peripheral …

Blogging Toward Information Literacy: Engaging Students And Facilitating Peer Learning, Christopher Chan, Dianne Cmor

Christopher Chan

Purpose This paper describes how a course-integrated blog was used to facilitate the learning of information literacy skills. It also reports on how the effectiveness of the blog was evaluated. Design/methodology/approach The blog was made the centerpiece of library support offered to a first-year politics course. With the support of the faculty member involved, students were required to post answers to weekly library research skills questions posted to the blog. The quality of student responses was examined using a simple assessment rubric. Also, a survey was administered to students to determine perceived usefulness. Findings The evaluation of blog posts showed …

Using Online Advertising To Increase The Impact Of A Library Facebook Page, Christopher Chan

Christopher Chan

Purpose - This paper examines the effectiveness of using online advertising on the social networking site Facebook in encouraging university students to connect with their library’s Facebook page. Design/methodology/approach - A two-month paid Facebook advertising campaign was conducted. Using the tools provided by Facebook Adverts, the campaign was targeted only at current students at the university who were not already connected with the library’s Facebook page. At the conclusion of the campaign, the statistics recorded by Facebook Adverts were used to assess how effective the advertisement had been in attracting new connections. Findings - The campaign statistics showed that the …

Do Vegetarians Smell Sexier?, Harold Herzog

Harold Herzog, PhD

Value, Creation, Distribution, And Integrated Financial Reporting, Shyam Sunder

Shyam Sunder

No abstract provided.

Impulsive-Antisocial Psychopathic Traits Linked To Increased Volume And Functional Connectivity Within Prefrontal Cortex, Cole Korponay, Maia Pujara, Philip Deming, Carissa Philippi, Jean Decety, David S. Kosson, Kent A. Kiehl, Michael Koenigs

Carissa Philippi

Improving The Discoverability Of Scholarly Content In The Twenty-First Century: Collaboration Opportunities For Librarians, Publishers, And Vendors, A Sage White Paper, Mary M. Somerville, Barbara J. Schader, John Sack

Mary M. Somerville

Discoverability is a popular buzzword—ultimately meaning the degree to which scholars can locate the content needed to advance their research and other creative activity. Improved user discovery experiences require heightened collaboration among (1) scholarly publishers and their published authors; (2) search engine developers, database providers, abstracting and indexing services, and academic publishers; (3) electronic resource management and integrated library system vendors; and (4) librarians who advance institutional discoverability. Drawing from interviews with value chain experts, results of research studies, and insights from scholarly literature, this white paper assesses the currently fragmented discovery environment and proposes cross-sector conversations to further visibility …

Collaborative Improvements In The Discoverability Of Scholarly Content: Accomplishments, Aspirations, And Opportunities, A Sage White Paper, Mary M. Somerville, Lettie Y. Conrad

Mary M. Somerville

The life cycle of academic works is supported by extensive cross-sector collaboration throughout the scholarly communications ecosystem. In recent years, traditional codes of practice have been disturbed. In response, in 2012, SAGE published a white paper that offered conversation starters for reinventing conventions and relationships among libraries, publishers, and service providers. To carry on the investigation of the first white paper, Improving Discoverability of Scholarly Content in the Twentieth Century: Collaboration Opportunities for Librarians, Publishers, and Vendors, this paper explores the latest accomplishments, aspirations, opportunities, and challenges for improved discoverability of scholarly content. As the discovery landscape is rapidly shifting, …

Participatory Action Research: Improving Professional Practices And Local Situations, Mary M. Somerville

Mary M. Somerville

Participatory Action Research employs social sciences research methods to develop actionable local knowledge. In seeking meaningful and inclusive ways of generating knowledge together in the workplace, Participatory Action Research practitioner–researchers combine action and reflection with theory and practice to improve local situations and enhance professional practices. Working with and for others, co-researchers evolve learning cycles that are practical and emergent, participatory and collaborative, emancipatory and democratic, and interpretive and local. In this case, the cyclical ‘methods in action’ orientation of Participatory Action Research is illustrated through examples from a North American academic library facility renovation initiative. Practical advice is offered …

Working Better Together: Library, Publisher, And Vendor Perspectives, M. Collins, Mary M. Somerville, N. Pelsinsky, A. Wood

Mary M. Somerville

In the rapidly evolving scholarly ecosystem, ‘working better together’ is increasingly important. This session will explore how collaborations between libraries, publishers, and vendors can produce new efficiencies in workflows for library staff and lasting improvements to discoverability for academic researchers. Cross-sector representatives will share sector perspectives and discuss interoperability issues, with a common focus on publisher content, research tools, and library systems. Panelists’ introductory remarks will explore interoperability issues and implementation implications. To set the stage for cross-sector discussion, Maria Collins (NCSU, Head, Acquisitions and Discovery) will describe NCSU’s technical services reorganization and highlight vendor collaborations. Within this framework, panelists’ …

Yo Soy Colorado: Three Collaborative Hispanic Cultural Heritage Initiatives, Beverly B. Allen, Dana Echohawk, Rhonda Gonzales, Fawn-Amber Montoya, Mary M. Somerville

Mary M. Somerville

Collaborative activities that reflect ‘ethnicity as provenance’ benefit from collaborative, interdependent relationships among archives, classroom, and community. Examples from Center for Colorado & the West at Auraria Library (University of Colorado Denver) and the Southern Colorado Ethnic Heritage and Diversity Archives and the Voices of Protest Oral History Project (Colorado State University-Pueblo) illustrate collection development practices that advance joint ownership of archival materials by the archives and the originating cultural population. Concluding reflections offer transferable principles for working collaboratively with cultural communities on creation, identification, interpretation, and preservation of photographs, videos, documents, oral histories and ephemeral material reflective of culture, …

Toward Improved Discoverability Of Scholarly Content: Cross-Sector Collaboration Essentials, Mary M. Somerville, Lettie Y. Conrad

Mary M. Somerville

By way of follow-up to earlier work in understanding and improving discoverability of scholarly content, this article reports on recent data and reflections that led to clearer definitions of discovery and discoverability, as well as deeper cross-sector collaborations on standards, transparency, metadata, and new forms of partnerships. Recent advances in discoverability are also described - from enhanced librarybased web-scale searching to serving researcher needs through the Open Researcher and Contributor ID (ORCID) registry. The article points to a 2014 SAGE white paper that presents in greater detail opportunities for wider collaboration among libraries, publishers, service providers, and researchers in the …

Supporting Informed Learners In The 21st Century, Christine S. Bruce, Hilary Hughes, Mary M. Somerville

Mary M. Somerville

This article elaborates the concept of informed learning and locates it in educational, workplace, and community settings. Drawing on existing research into people’s experience of information literacy, it identifies critical experiences of informed learners in each of these three settings. It also explores the support required in educational, community, and workplace contexts, which makes informed learning possible. Recognizing strong implications for policy makers in different sectors, the article presents a set of guiding principles for developing informed learning and learners. The idea of informed learning represents and advances understandings of information literacy that incorporate the broader concept of using information …

Sage White Paper On Discoverability In The Twenty-First Century: Collaboration Opportunities For Publishers, Vendors, And Librarians, Mary M. Somerville

Mary M. Somerville

No abstract provided.

Rethinking Libraries In Terms Of Learning And Working Collaboratively: An Interview With Mary Somerville, Mary M. Somerville, Ivan Gaetz, Janet Lee

Mary M. Somerville

No abstract provided.

Recuerdos Hablados /Memories Spoken: Toward The Co-Creation Of Digital Knowledge With Community Significance, Mary M. Somerville, Dana Echohawk

Mary M. Somerville

Collaborative relationships among libraries, archives, and museums can fruitfully engage cultural community members in collaborative construction of digital knowledge. A continuum of co-creation approaches in the Center for Colorado & the West at Auraria Library illustrates the value of working together. The most mature community-generated initiative produces digital images with contextualizing metadata of cultural "significance." Examples suggest that inclusive, community-generated digital knowledge activities can shape interpretations and narratives of the past and present, thereby influencing construction of the future, as community members express their contexts, concepts, and truths. Concluding remarks consider implications for community-generated digital knowledge activities that give "voice" …

Participatory Co-Design: A Relationship Building Approach For Co-Creating Libraries Of The Future, Mary M. Somerville

Mary M. Somerville

No abstract provided.

Organizational And Service Models, Harriette Hemmasi, Madeline Lefebvre, Joan Lippincott, Catherine Murray-Rust, Mary M. Somerville

Mary M. Somerville

How can librarians put into place the kinds of staffing and new services that will enable the realization of the promise of 21st-century libraries? How are libraries gauging what new organizational and service models are needed, and how are they working towards those changes during the planning and building phases of their projects? Four library administrators who are planning renovations or new buildings or have recently opened them will discuss these issues.

Life After The Reference Desk: Co-Creating A Digital Age Library, Mary M. Somerville, Barbara Schader

Mary M. Somerville

No abstract provided.

Informed Systems: Enabling Collaborative Evidence Based Organizational Learning, Mary M. Somerville, Niki Chatzipanagiotou

Mary M. Somerville

No abstract provided.

Informed Systems Approach: New Directions For Organizational Learning, Mary M. Somerville, Anita Mirijamdotter, Christine S. Bruce, Marical Farner

Mary M. Somerville

The Informed Systems Approach offers models for advancing workplace learning within collaboratively designed systems that promote using information to learn through collegial exchange and reflective dialogue. This systemic approach integrates theoretical antecedents and process models, including the learning theories of Peter Checkland (Soft Systems Methodology), which advance systems design and informed action, and Christine Bruce (informed learning), which generate information experiences and professional practices. Ikujiro Nonaka’s systems ideas (SECI model) and Mary Crossan’s learning framework (4i framework) further animate workplace knowledge creation through learning relationships engaging individuals with ideas.