Library expense control: a system dynamics approach
| Published date | 03 August 2012 |
| Date | 03 August 2012 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/02640471211252201 |
| Pages | 492-506 |
| Author | Yahia Zare Mehrjerdi |
| Subject Matter | Information & knowledge management,Library & information science |
Library expense control: a system
dynamics approach
Yahia Zare Mehrjerdi
Department of Industrial Engineering, Yazd University, Yazd, Iran
Abstract
Purpose – The aim of this article is to propose a model to study the expenses of an RFID-based
library system. For this purpose risk-benefit factors using causal loop concepts are studied and
identified. Then, a flow diagram is developed and the mathematical formulation of the proposed model
is presented and used for simulation purposes.
Design/methodology/approach – This paper is written based on research and observations from
scientific journals and reports. For this purpose key elements of risks and benefits of radio frequency
identification in library services are identified. For model development purposes the concepts of
systems thinking and system dynamics are employed. The systems thinking perspective is used as a
tool to relate key factors of risks and benefits, and system dynamics are used to simulate the model of
the problem.
Findings – Systems thinking can provide an efficient way to analyze the risks, benefits, and the
risk-benefit phenomena of systems. The use of system dynamics allows us to look into the behavior of
the level variable that is of main concern to management. In the case of this article, it is library
expenses that are studied and kept under control.
Practical implications – Library managerscan benefit from this article through the developmentof
similarmodels using systems thinkingand simulating similar modelsusing system dynamics to findthe
behaviour of one or more variables of the system to analyze systemexpenses and manage costs.
Originality/value – A system with a given level of expense was employed, and then by taking key
factors into consideration a system is proposed that can provide lower expenses with the presence of
RFID technology. Due to the fact that the proposed methodology allows management to look into the
expenses of the library over coming periods and to design the system the way management feels is
possible (a new expense level in a period of nyears), this study makes a significant contribution to the
literature.
Keywords RFID-based librarysystem, Cost control, Systems thinking,System dynamics, Modelling,
Library management
Paper type Research paper
1. Introduction
Costs of services in library are getting high and as the world economic goes into a new
level of crisis then social expenses cut down and the share of library systems both
public and academic shrinkages. A responsible library manager has to go after
donations and people who are really willing to help at any level. This argument might
not be true for all libraries around the world, but, for the third world countries, it is a
fair saying. There are many expenses at the library system level where each one of
them has to be paid for. On the other hand, usually there is not a clear source of income
for the libraries except for the large and very fortunate ones.
To study costs for an RFID-based library system dynamically, we need to look into
the risks and benefits of radio frequency identification system (RFID) and the expenses
that the system has to pay for on a monthly basis to be operational. For this purpose we
would discuss the elements of risks and benefits of RFID technology for library
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available at
www.emeraldinsight.com/0264-0473.htm
EL
30,4
492
Received August 2010
Revised December 2010
Accepted January 2011
The Electronic Library
Vol. 30 No. 4, 2012
pp. 492-506
qEmerald Group Publishing Limited
0264-0473
DOI 10.1108/02640471211252201
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