Implementing a multi-tiered framework for building NDLTD-Taiwan

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to describe the multi-tiered framework supported by the NDLTD-Taiwan systems to achieve the collaboration and cooperation with universities and colleges in building electronic theses collection in Taiwan. Design/methodology/approach - The paper describes the outcomes of multi-tiered framework, its user roles, tasks, and thesis-specific workflow, as well as the function for simulating user roles. Findings - The framework is the result of supporting both the two-tiered and the three-tiered frameworks on the NDLTD-Taiwan systems platform. The design guidelines emerged out of the outcomes of task analysis. Practical implications - The multi-tiered design not only accommodates graduation procedures for member universities and colleges, but also supports bibliographic control and collections building. Originality/value - The paper shows that the multi-tiered design, which emerged out of the existing theses processes of member institutions, is inclusive. The framework allows member universities and colleges to choose an appropriate framework, either two-tiered or three-tiered, for managing their e-theses processes. In addition, role simulation allows the NCL administrator to reproduce problems encountered by the users to help troubleshooting.