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B2B e-marketplace: an e-marketing framework for B2B commerce
No full textPurpose - The purpose of this paper is to provide a clear understanding of the performance of business-to-business (B2B) e-marketplace in conducting e-marketing in the global business environment. The proposed framework is intended to be used as a guide for B2B firms especially small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) who wish to adopt a proactive approach in the use of information and communication technology for business efficiency and competitive advantage, and those who wish to explore the internet technologies for marketing activities.
Design/methodology/approach - Literature from the B2B e-marketplaces and operations of e-marketing fields were analysed, and the findings were synthesised to develop a preliminary conceptual model of e-marketing. The conceptual model was tested empirically through an online survey from various industries in China, Malaysia, and Singapore.
Findings - With significant online and offline publications from both academia and industry, there is a growing awareness of the contribution of the e-marketing in the global environment. This new marketing paradigm is reported to reshape the business relationships between both consumer marketers and consumers, improving business processes and enhancing the business exposure in the new markets.
Research limitations/implications - The major limitation of this paper is associated with the sample selection. Although the literature findings were international, the empirical study was restricted to China, Malaysia, and Singapore. Therefore, the generalizability of the results may not be applicable for other countries. Furthermore, the majority of the respondents participated were SMEs. Hence, the applicability of findings to large-scale organisations may be limited.
Practical implications - The framework allows B2B firms to capitalise and understand the e-marketing opportunities provided by B2B e-marketplace. The framework also offers guidance to marketing managers a most appropriate approach to adopt B2B e-marketplace to perform their e-marketing activities.
Originality/value - Based on the need for a framework for e-marketing, this study is significance to: SMEs, marketers, information technology practitioners, and all other stakeholders that adopted the internet and other electronic means for marketing purposes
The PIeR project
No full textThis poster presents on-going research of the challenges, results and evaluation faced during the pilot implementation of an ePDP approach in the School of Arts, Media and Education (SAME), at the University of Bolton (UoB). The inclusion of personal development planning (PDP) is a University requirement for all programmes and was traditionally embedded through a text based/visual journal approach in Art and Design. With the emergence of new technologies that could support PDP the school explored a more flexible approach using an open source VLE (Moodle) to implement the existing PDP framework. The experience provided the school with data to inform full implementation of ePDP and to further explore the optimum process, infrastructure and research that was needed to support future developments across the SAME more effectively.Students were willing to engage in the new platform and minor adjustments were made based on their recommendations and tutor findings. The (Interactive) Poster will describe the process using Cowans’ (2006) reflective diagram to underpin the action research approach .While Moodle resulted in a more flexible VLE for ePDP, cross platform and cross browser issues were apparent particularly the compatibility with Apple Mac’s used in Art & Design. In addition it became apparent that students and staff require more holistic support for understanding and applying PDP despite the technology and a more flexible approach to the use of the existing PDP framework to cater for the diverse range of disciplines in the SAME.The culture of ePDP is slowly changing due to the greater involvement of students and staff with technology and the challenge is to ensure that the PDP concept is fully and holistically understood and embedded within the SAME.Reference Cowan, J (2006), On Becoming and Innovative University Teacher, OU Press, U
Effect of process parameters on layer-by-layer self-assembly of polyelectrolytes on cotton substrate
No full textTo our knowledge, the present study is the first attempt to evaluate the effect of different process parameters on the amount of polyelectrolyte adsorbed on a cotton textile substrate via sequential adsorption of negatively charged poly (styrene sulphonate) (PSS) and positively charged poly (allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) using layer-by-layer (LBL) self-assembly nanocoating process. A considerably different polymer adsorption behaviour was observed from thick adsorbed layers to thin adsorbed layer with different degree of layer penetration and ionic pair formation over the pH range (2.5 - 9.0) studied. The amount of polyelectrolyte adsorption on cotton fabric was evaluated by measuring the colour value (K/S) of methylene blue absorbed cotton surface. Contact angle measurement revealed that the extent of binding of the oppositely charged polyions on the fabric depends on the pH of the polyelectrolyte solution and 'zipped-up' structure with more ion pair formation was observed at the pH range 4.5 - 6.5. At higher temperature, the amount of polyelectrolyte adsorbed within the multilayers was higher. An increased deposition of PSS and PAH was observed with increase in electrolyte (NaCl) concentration. The amount of PSS and PAH adsorption increased up to 0.03 (M) of PSS and 0.01 (M) of PAH concentrations, respectively. A dipping time of 5 min was sufficient to have a maximum deposition of the polyelectrolyte multilayers
The Routledge companion to children's literature
No full textThe Routledge Companion to Children's Literature is a vibrant and authoritative exploration of children's literature in all its manifestations. It features a series of essays written by expert contributors who provide an illuminating examination of why children's literature is the way it is.-publisher description
Coating thickness measurement
No full textEddy current techniques are favoured for measuring the properties of conductive coatings on magnetic substrates because the skin effect ensures that only the coating or region at or just below the surface of a magnetic substrate is inspected. The data acquired from eddy current sensors, however, is affected by a large number of variables, which include sample conductivity, permeability, geometry, and temperature, as well as sensor lift-off. The multivariable properties of sample coatings add an even greater level of complexity. This research project is therefore motivated by the need for a measuring instrument, which can intelligently adapt to the large number of variables that affect eddy current measurements on steel. Sensor model optimisation against experimentally generated data is undertaken, leading to the development of accurate and fast inversion models based on artificial neural networks. Neural network architecture, operation and training are discussed, which includes an algorithm for neural network normalisation and calibration. System tests are fmally undertaken on a wide range of plated samples. This research demonstrates that an intelligent measuring system incorporating a ferrite-cored sensor can provide high accuracy while operating over a wide frequency range
Leveraging organisation data through Ell, EIL and data replication: methodologies and implementation
No full textData integration technologies underwent a series of evolutions. The move started by earlier attempts of integration within databases management systems. The need for timely and accurate information to fuel the business needs has always been central to the objectives of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) investments. However, in recent years technological developments, the growth in the availability and use of hardware and software to meet every business need together with the emergence of new business models, global business and competitive strategies, and the need for collaboration and strategic alliances have led to the utilisation of a host of disparate information systems within organisations. It is common in today's organisation to find more than one form of data integration technology used together, sometimes with overlapping functionalities between these data integration tools and other Enterprise Application Integration (EAI) tools. Subsequently, it becomes more important to understand the differences and similarities between these data integration tools in order to help build a consolidated view of the corporate data. The paper will also address the impact of Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) on the future of data integration
Comparison of the main alternatives to the integration of external tools in different platforms.
No full textThe integration of third-party external tools in Virtual Learning Environments (VLEs) and social networks enhances the flexibility and the ease of customisation of successful systems such as Moodle, LAMS and Sakai. However, the integration problem entails a set of technological and political decisions that should be considered by the agents involved in this process [1]. Several authors and organisations have proposed different ways to deal with the integration problem. Some of the most representative approaches are: IMS Learning Tool Interoperability [2] (sometimes called Full LTI), a complex specification to integrate web services in VLEs; Basic LTI [3], a subset of the Full LTI specification that allows a lighter integration of web applications; the Wookie server [4] that enables the integration of W3C widgets and OpenSocial compliant tools in different platforms; and the GLUE! (Group Learning Uniform Environment) REST-based architecture, as an evolution of [5], allowing a loosely-coupled integration of tools developed with multiple technologies.This paper analyses the main features of each of these approaches with the aim of establishing a comparison that may help to decide the adoption of some of them depending on the expected requirements. This analysis includes the number and diversity of tools that can be integrated; the systems in which these tools can be integrated; the degree of coupling involved; the richness in the communication and in the data exchanged between the tool and the system; opportunities for tool configuration; the possibility of using the same groups and roles that are defined in the platform; the development effort that must be assumed by the community of developers supporting each approach; their degree of standardization; and the security issues involved
Assessing assessment at The University of Bolton
No full textAn analysis of the types of assessment within the University as recorded on the validated module database against the highest weighting level revealed a wide variety of imaginative approaches to measuring student engagement reflecting the commitment and professionalism of staff in providing an educational context that is varied and meaningful. Whilst acknowledging this strength, it is argued that further flexibility is required to more exactly measure the abilities of a diverse student body both in assessment timing and form, the emphasis presently being very much upon tutor-led modes with insufficient attention given to recognising the potential of students to contribute to the assessment process. Assessment is an integral part of the learning and teaching experience and by creating a more fluid approach it is suggested that it is possible without compromising academic rigour to more exactly celebrate and recognise achievement which will further enhance retention and HEFCE funding. It is also suggested we over assess by occasionally repeating the measurement of learning outcomes and more diagnostic initial assessment to help understand developmental needs should be applied
Objects of utility: cultural responses to industrial collections in municipal museums 1845-1914.
No full textBetween 1845 and 1914 several municipal museums in Great Britain established an industrial collection of objects relevant to local manufacture. The origins of these collections are found in the 1830s and the reform of design education. Industrial collections assigned an economic function to museums and were contested by critics who maintained that museums should be concerned primarily with fine rather than applied art. It is argued that curatorial decisions on the adoption of industrial collections can be evaluated with reference to contemporary debates on art, design education and the relative values of liberal and applied knowledge. Through case studies of the municipal museums of Birmingham and Preston, this paper assesses contrasting curatorial responses to industrial collections. Adopting Matthew Arnold's categories of Hebraism and Hellenism as an exploratory framework, it concludes that industrial collections represented materialistic values associated with Hebraism that were directly opposed to the spiritual values associated with Hellenism