Discusses key planning tips prior to purchasing computer-lab furniture to help ensure the furniture is stylish yet able to deliver efficient, cost-effective technology support. Discusses one school's solutions to wire management and finding furniture that was durable, easy to maintain, and competitively priced. (GR)

Most districts rely on competitive bidding for purchases, bypassing it only for low-cost items. The process involves writing specifications, sending them to (carefully selected) prospective bidders. Sealed bids are usually opened at public meetings; administrators can recommend who gets the contract, but school boards usually have final say. (MLH)

Discusses how athletic facility directors can select the right sports surface material and design for their facilities. Several flooring surface characteristics are highlighted. (GR)

The consumer spending preferences of 1,406 senior Canadians were surveyed. Age distinguished those who had product-specific preferences. Income and health status separated those interested in recreational spending from those more interested in basic needs. Diversity of health and social characteristics in this population extends to their…

Examines how San Diego State University uses computers to cut purchasing costs and boost efficiency and whether their solution can work for other business-to-business needs. How the school developed the totally self-sustaining, on-line and on-time purchasing system is discussed, including solutions to start-up problems. (GR)

Explores the purchasing trends in residence hall furniture toward more durability but with a feel for home that better satisfies students' preferences while not being overly expensive. Tips on furniture purchasing are highlighted that include warranty considerations, student input, and customizing contracts. (GR)

It is such a simple mandate: Prepare healthy, nutritious meals for the schoolchildren so they can go about the business of learning. But operating a school district food service department is anything but simple. Even in the smallest districts, food service operations are businesses that must comply with many more rules than those in the private…

Organizations have become more dependent on information technology (IT) in the 21st century. But IT implementation and use is resisted in certain sectors of Tanzania, particularly in government-run enterprises. The purpose of this study was to investigate the causes and consequences of resistance to IT development and implementation in the…

This dissertation presents new evidence on neighborhood transition and its impact on housing markets using a novel micro-level dataset on housing transactions. It focuses on three issues: the neighborhood effect, housing discrimination, and stable integration. The first essay examines the relationship between increased minority composition and…

Universities, colleges, hospitals and other institutions throughout the United States are starting to think seriously about the impact of purchasing on the environment, human health, labor, animal welfare and other concerns. It is increasingly clear that, as mission-driven organizations committed to the public good, these institutions can be…

Technology product procurement can be a daunting task for a college or university--especially a smaller institution--to accomplish alone. Perhaps this is why schools are tackling it by banding together. When it comes to purchasing technology, a little help from friends is the key to economies of scale, which frequently net schools the best…

Johns Hopkins has over 100 copying machines on its campuses. Purchasing 20 of the machines outright, instead of leasing them, offers substantial savings. (Author/MLF)

Although going barefoot is the easiest way for a vegetarian to deal with the problem of footwear, it is an impractical solution for those who are faced with harsh weather conditions. There are many nonleather, natural, and synthetic man-made material sandals, boots, and shoes. For the person who needs foot protection, there is a company that has…

This booklet on home furnishings, 1 in a series of 12, covers all the basic aspects of personal- and family-money management. Suitable for use by high school and college students as well as adults, this handbook offers guidelines for purchasing home furnishings and decorating materials. Section 1 discusses planning for home furnishings based on…

A key word in context index to the library's on-order file and payment for material by means of "blank check" are two very successful ways of cutting staff costs and increasing efficiency. (Author)