Systems Theory

1 out of 10

Martz, B.W. (2005). A systems approach to technology transfer: contributions from reference disciplines. Comparative Technology Transfer and Society, 3(1), 60-75.

Discusses systems theory in the high-tech business environment and identifies systems characteristics in other disciplines: nature, history, linguistics, and evolutionary biology. Returns to the business model, using the identified real world systems examples to generate systems analogies applicable to technology transfer.

Web design

2 out of 10

Maloney, K., & Bracke, P.J. (2004). Beyond Information Architecture: a systems integration approach to Web-site design. Information technology and Libraries, 23 (4), 145-152.

Describes information architecture as the design of an information space through organization, navigation and labelling schemes, with an orientation towards the userand the facilitation of intutitive interface use. Extends IA to library service elements, and recommends incremental extension of the IA model to all library system functions.

3 out of 10

Shropshire, S. (2003). Beyond the design and evaluation of library web sites: an analysis and four case studies. Journal of Academic Librarianship, 29 (2), 95-101.

Focuses on ongoing management of academic library web sites. Draws from the author's experience as editor of an academic library web site and informal analysis of three other academic library web sites. Describes both problems and best practices for authorship and management of medium-sized academic library web sites.

Zhou, J. (2003). A history of web portals and their development in libraries. Information Technology and Libraries, 22 (3), 119-128.

Describes the development of web portals and analyzes reasons for infrequent adoption of web portal technology in libraries. Analyzes pioneer web portal models. Provides guidelines for the development of library web portals. Discusses vortals and their use of subject hierarchy rather than search engines.

Communication Theory

4 out of 10

Gillard, S., & Johansen, J. (2004). Project management communications: a systems approach. Journal of Information Science, 30 (1), 23-29.

Uses closed and open-loop systems and a communication flow system to develop communication structures for information resource project managers. Recommends a proactive rather than reactive stance towards the communication environment, and advocates that information project managers consciously develop communication skills.

Monahan, J.L., & Zuckerman, C.E. (1999). Intensifying the dominant response:participant-observer differences and non-conscious effects. Communication Research, 26 (1), 81-110.

Describes two studies conducted to explore the effect of non-conscious priming on participant-observer response. Examines two possible models for the results, the additive model and the attention model, and validates the attention model. Concludes that non-conscious priming focuses attention on subsequent communication, thereby intensifying normal response.

White, W.J. (2001). A communication model of conceptual innovation in science. Communication Theory, 11 (3), 290-314.

Discusses previous models for scientific innovation including Habermas' (1984). Describes a communication model for the dynamics of scientific activity and innovation. Divides the critical elements of scientific innovation into concensus, problem-shifting, branching and demarcation.

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