scholarly journals A comparative study of marketing management in British and German university libraries (PhD Thesis)

2013 ◽  
Vol 18 (61) ◽  
pp. 29-30
Author(s):  
Antje Cockrill

Within the last decade, the environment in which university libraries operate has dramatically changed. The rise of Conservative Governments in both Britain and Germany and the resulting shifts in public policy as well as the declining economic situation have led to a drastic decrease in resources. Librarians have had to find ways to cope with fewer funds in an environment which is growing ever more competitive. A useful tool for increasing the effectiveness of a library is marketing management. Marketing management is a means to achieve effective financial management, to use existing resources more efficiently and to create new resources in a customer-centred and market-oriented way.

Author(s):  
Gordon Moore ◽  
John A. Quelch ◽  
Emily Boudreau

Choice Matters: How Healthcare Consumers Make Decisions (and Why Clinicians and Managers Should Care) is a timely and thoughtful exploration of the controversial role of consumers in the U.S. healthcare system. In most markets today, consumers have more options and autonomy than ever before. Empowered consumers easily shop around for products and services that better meet their needs, and they widely share their reviews on social media to inform and influence other consumers. Businesses have responded with better experiences and prices to compete for consumers’ business. Though healthcare has lagged behind other industries in this respect, there is a rising tide of interest in consumer choice and empowerment in healthcare markets. However, most healthcare provider organizations, individual doctors, and health insurers are unprepared to consider patients as consumers. The authors draw upon the fields of medicine, marketing, management, psychology, and public policy as they take a substantive, in-depth look at consumer choice and point out its appropriate use, as well as its limitations. This book addresses perplexing issues, such as how healthcare differs from other consumer-driven markets, how consumers make healthcare decisions, and how increased consumer choice in healthcare can not only aid and empower American consumers but also improve the overall healthcare system.


2010 ◽  
pp. 185-201
Author(s):  

Typologies have been central to the comparative turn in public policy and this paper contributes to the debate by assessing the capacity of typologies of health systems to capture the institutional context of health care and to contribute to explaining health policies across countries. Using a recent comparative study of health policy and focusing on the concept of the health care state the paper suggests three things. First, the concept of the health care state holds as a set of ideal types. Second, as such the concept of the health care state provides a useful springboard for analyzing health policy, but one which needs to be complemented by more specific institutional explanations. Third, the concept of the health care state is less applicable to increasingly important, non-medical areas of health policy. Instead, different aspects of institutional context come into play and they can be combined as part of a looser ‘‘organizing framework''.


2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (9) ◽  
pp. 16-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisha Ondieki Makori

Purpose Modern technological solutions are rapidly changing the information landscape in library and information establishments. One such innovative solution that is gaining momentum in information centers is cloud computing. The purpose of this paper is to explore and compare opportunities and challenges of “cloud computing paradigm” in handling and supporting delivery of information services in university libraries in the face of the present hard economic situation and limited financial budgets. Design/methodology/approach The study is based on current academic literature, document analysis, several editorials and articles on the potential and challenges of cloud computing paradigm in university library and information centers. Findings Cloud computing is proving as the best management practice of salvaging information services in university libraries due to numerous competing challenges and issues in institutions of higher education. University libraries in developing countries face many challenges of inadequate information infrastructure, limited financial budgets, manpower issues and rapid changes in technological systems. In the context of hard economic times, cloud computing is critical in adding value as well as advancing the goals and objectives of modern university libraries. Cloud computing is the “best technology practice” that is poised to play crucial roles in enhancing quality provision and delivery of information services in university library and information centers. There are many competing challenges and claims, but potential benefits count more. Research limitations/implications The study is based on the ideas of cloud services conceptualized from reading academic literature, document analysis, several editorials, articles and professional work experience. The paper identifies that cloud computing paradigm is useful in achieving the goals and objectives of university libraries in this hard economic situation facing institutions of higher learning. Practical implications The paper provides practical insights that cloud computing is the “must have technology” for modern university library and information centers already burdened with the demand to develop effective and efficient technological solutions due to subsequent changing needs of the digital information environment. This study is useful for university libraries, information professionals, information communication technology professionals and university management. Social implications Cloud computing paradigm provides university libraries with the business opportunity to use comprehensive technological solutions with reduced capital expenditure and safe methods of data storage. This eases the inconveniences normally caused by the need to develop and own such comprehensive technological solutions. Originality/value This research looks at the potential of the emerging trend of “cloud computing paradigm” in enhancing quality provision and delivery of information services in university library and information centers in the context of limited financial budgets. Cloud computing has been gaining momentum in Kenya, especially in business organizations as compared to library and information establishments.


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