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The study focuses on the issue of how much information competencies are universal in the globalized, internet-connected world, and/or to what extent their perception depends on local conditions and individual needs. The aim of the project is threefold. First, it offers a comparative analysis of the information literacy [IL] skills of Polish and Spanish students, regarding both their self-assessment and belief in the importance of information literacy. Second, it focuses on differences and unique IL needs of students of courses rooted in social sciences and/or humanities. And third, due to these differences, it discusses the role of academic librarians in profiled IL training, integrated with the specific courses. Quantitative methodology was applied. The comparative study covered subgroups of humanities and social science students from Poland and Spain. Competencies in information searching, processing, evaluation, and communication/dissemination were taken into account. The results indicate some common ways of perception of valuing information competencies and major differences in assessment of IL self-efficacy. Students' reluctance to visit libraries is another argument to enhance profiled IL training being realized in close cooperation of academic librarians and the faculty.

As sustainability in manufacturing becomes increasingly important, numerous concepts, new technologies, and use cases for improving and assessing sustainability in manufacturing environments are emerging. However, there is a lack of a framework that shows an easy way to identify relevant topics for action in the field of sustainable manufacturing. The purpose of this publication is to provide a structure for the topic of sustainable manufacturing, to contribute to the understanding and classification of ongoing activities, and to identify starting points for future research and development. Within this publication, an extensive literature review is presented. A framework for sustainable manufacturing that acts as a call for action for academia and operations management in the industry alike is derived from this literature review. The framework is intended for Western countries, as, within this framework, aspects such as the elimination of enslaved persons and child labor in production are assumed to be implemented through legal regulations already. Details of the framework are elaborated, and its application is discussed. This publication contributes to a common, clear understanding of sustainability and the different aspects of sustainability in manufacturing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The purpose of the study was to explore information behaviour and information literacy in the group of the charitable foundation beneficiaries, their attitudes, choices, and behaviour regarding particularly COVID-19 information. Methods: Two series of quantitative CAPI studies were carried out. The first consisted of basic questions about access and preferences related to information sources. The other was explicitly related to COVID-19 pandemic information. Basic statistical descriptive measures and chi-square tests of independencewere used in the analysis. Results: Poverty and the concept of small worlds seem to be a specific living context of vulnerable groups. Information flow is based mainly on personal sources. Their searches for pandemic information did not differ significantly from everyday behaviours. The respondents felt fatigued with information about the pandemic dominating the media and informal discussions. In relation to previous studies, we see similar behaviours and competencies levels indicating information poverty, although differences in source preferences are also observed. Volunteers appear to have a limited informative role concerning the COVID-19 pandemic compared to other studies of people in crisis. Originality: Information behaviour patterns of the studied group indicate new tasks for caregivers in terms of provision of information and development of information skills, in particular in health or life-threatening circumstances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. Many cancer patients use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) during or after their therapy. Because little is known about CAM in palliative care, we conducted 2 surveys among patients and professionals in the palliative setting. Participants and methods. Patients of a German Comprehensive Cancer Center were interviewed, and an independent online survey was conducted among members of the German Society for Palliative Care (DGP). Results. In all, 25 patients and 365 professional members of the DGP completed the survey (9.8% of all members); 40% of the patients, 85% of the physicians, and 99% of the nurses claimed to be interested in CAM. The most important source of information for professionals is education, whereas for patients it is radio, TV, and family and friends. Most patients are interested in biological-based methods, yet professionals prefer mind-body-based methods. Patients more often confirm scientific evidence to be important for CAM than professionals. Conclusions. To improve communication, physicians should be trained in evidence for those CAM methods in which patients are interested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]