Lecturers' use of Web 2.0 in the faculty of Information Science and communications at MZUZU University, Malawi

The study reported on in this article investigated the use of Web 2.0 technologies by lecturers in the Faculty of Information Science and Communications at Mzuzu University (MZUNI), Mzuzu, Malawi. By distributing a questionnaire to 19 lecturers, conducting follow-up interviews with seven lecturers and analysing the curricula, the study showed that between 10 (58.8%) and 13 (76.5%) lecturers use Wikipedia, YouTube, blogs, Google Apps and Twitter to accomplish various academic activities, such as handing out assignments to students; receiving feedback from students; uploading lecture notes; searching for content; storing lecture notes; and carrying out collaborative educational activities. The study adopted the Decomposed Theory of Planned Behaviour (Taylor and Todd 1995) and the theory's elements that strongly affected lecturers' use of the technologies according to the results included attitude and perceived behaviour control. The study also found that poor Internet access remains the key stumbling block towards a successful adoption of Web 2.0 technologies by lecturers at MZUNI. To this end, the study recommends that the newly established Department of ICT Directorate with support from MZUNI management should install campuswide Wi-Fi and improve Internet bandwidth so that lecturers' access to the Internet is not limited to their offices but rather is available in the teaching rooms across the campus.DHE

Assessing the appropriation of social media by academic librarians in South Africa and Zimbabwe

Research into the appropriation of social media by academic libraries in countries with growing economies is scarce. There remains an empirical and theoretical gap in the literature about how librarians, particularly those in Southern Africa, are deploying social media in their work routines and in their personal lives. Based on one of the researchers' experiences at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) Library and both researchers' use of the University of the Western Cape (UWC) Library, the researchers aimed to examine the way librarians deploy and appropriate social media platforms as part of their service delivery. Using data derived from a questionnaire survey among librarians at UWC in South Africa and NUST in Zimbabwe, this study examined how librarians use social media for professional and personal purposes. The findings suggest that UWC librarians are more proficient social media users than NUST librarians. They further reveal that UWC librarians themselves are managing social media, while at NUST, the Information Technology department is directly responsible for managing the platforms. The study found that UWC Library utilises social media to promote its services more widely, whereas the NUST Library uses social media for reference services.DHE

Sociable knowledge sharing online: Philosophy, patterns and intervention

Purpose – This paper seeks to outline a social epistemological and ethical warrant for engaging in knowledge exchange on the social web, and to emphasise sociocognitive and emotional factors behind motivation and credibility in communities supported by social software. An attempt is made to identify positive and negative patterns of interaction from this perspective and to argue for more positive intervention on the part of the information profession. Design/methodology/approach – The paper outlines social epistemological and related theory, cognitive and social drivers of behaviour and then draws together evidence to justify the definition of patterns that will be important to the project. Research limitations/implications – A programme of evaluating online knowledge exchange behaviour using a social epistemological framework is needed. In order to do this, methodological development coupling formal epistemological with interpretive techniques for examining belief formation are also necessary. Practical implications – Considerations for the design and deployment of knowledge platforms and for engagement with existing communities are outlined. Social implications – The ideas presented attempt to define an important role for the information profession within a new paradigm of participation and social interaction online. Originality/value – The connection between social epistemology theory and LIS has long been appreciated, but social epistemology is rarely applied to practice or to online social platforms and communities. © 2010, Emerald Group Publishing Limite

Factors That Influence Male Millennials to Become Professional Librarians

This case study investigates what prompts male Millennials to join the historically stereotyped feminized library profession. The study addresses social, cultural, economic, and/or political factors that influence male Millennials to become professional librarians; the influence of technology on male Millennials currently enrolled in library and information science (LIS) graduate programs decisions to become professional librarians; and professional stereotypes male Millennials currently enrolled in LIS graduate programs encounter. To gather data, surveys were conducted with 231 participants enrolled in 37 LIS graduate programs across the United States, and semi-structured interviews were conducted with 21 volunteers who participated in the surveys. Findings have implications for LIS graduate program recruitment and retention practices and suggest extending the scope of literature in the areas of professional librarianship and gender roles

Strategies of Knowledge Sharing Among the Postgraduate Students of University of Science and Technology, Meghalaya: A Study

With the emergence of knowledge based society and knowledge based economy, it has become very important for the knowledge seekers to manage and utilize knowledge to achieve their goals. This research paper highlights the knowledge sharing strategies adopted by the postgraduate students of University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM). It also discusses the problems faced by the students while sharing knowledge. Survey method of research was carried out to collect the data from the post graduate students of USTM using a self-constructed questionnaire to investigate different aspect of Information Communication Technology and their effectiveness in knowledge sharing practices. Findings reveals that the post graduate students of USTM prefers web 2.0 tools such as wikis, social media, and blogs to facilitate effective knowledge sharing

Use of social media tools by library staff at the University of the Western Cape, South Africa and the National University of Science and Technology, Zimbabwe.

Magister Artium - MAAcademic libraries in the economically developed countries have taken the lead in adopting and appropriating various social media platforms to enhance services offered to their patrons. However, there are many unanswered questions on how libraries in the economically developing countries of the South, Africa in particular, are using social media in their service delivery, as well as in the personal lives of their librarians. Against this backdrop, this study investigated how librarians at the University of the Western Cape (UWC), South Africa and the National University of Science and Technology (NUST), Zimbabwe deploy and appropriate social media technologies. It examined the familiarity, benefits, challenges as well as the factors shaping and constraining the use of social media by academic librarians in the two institutions. In doing so, the study adopted the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) by Fred Davis (1989) as its conceptual framework. Methodologically, the study deployed a Web-based questionnaire (administered via e-mail) with 59 academic librarians at UWC and 40 academic librarians at NUST. To ensure the validity of the study the questionnaire was pretested among a few librarians at the NUST. The findings of the study show that UWC librarians are more adept at appropriating social media applications than NUST librarians. The study further revealed that UWC librarians are directly in charge of managing social media whereas at NUST the Information Technology (IT) department is responsible for managing the applications. Similarly, while UWC Library largely uses social media for marketing their services, NUST library uses the platforms for reference services. The study also notes that there is a thin line between personal and professional uses of social media. In particular, personal uses of the platforms have a direct influence on their use in work-related contexts. Some of the motivating factors for the use of social media by librarians across both universities are: patron demand, low cost, ease of use and functionality. The study also highlights the factors militating against the effective use social media and recommends that library management for both institutions should put in place supportive policies to encourage their effective use for the benefit of service users

Validating Technology-Organization Environment (TOE) framework in web 2.0 adoption in supply chain management

The second stage of Internet revolution has started with Web 2.0, which allows users to generate and develop the content without code. Web 2.0 not only change the way individual use internet but also tremendously transformed business activities. The primary aims of this study are (a) to validate the TOE framework in understanding Web 2.0 adoption in an organizational context, and (b) measuring the importance of each variable from the different industry perspective. This study developed a conceptual model based on the Technology-Organization-Environment (TOE) framework. A Webbased structured questionnaire was developed to collect primary data. With three months effort, this study managed to get 205 respondents from Malaysian manufacturing and service industry. Multiple regression and Dominance analysis were applied to understand the effect of the TOE framework on Web 2.0 adoption and predicting the importance of each factor form different industries perspective respectively. Multiple regression results confirmed that all the factors are important for Web 2.0 adoption, however, the technological characteristic is the most important determinant for Web 2.0 adoption. Moreover, dominance analysis showed very interesting results that relative advantage is not important for the service industry but top management support is the utmost importance. Similarly, results also indicated that top management support plays important role in Web 2.0 adoption for the fewer experience companies pertaining to internet usage. This study is one of the very few that provides insightful information regarding the effect of the TOE on Web 2.0 adoption in the supply chain management system. This study would be the guideline for the managers of both the manufacturing and service industry in order to implement the Web 2.0 in their supply chain system

INSPIRAL: investigating portals for information resources and learning. Final project report

INSPIRAL's aims were to identify and analyse, from the perspective of the UK HE learner, the nontechnical, institutional and end-user issues with regard to linking VLEs and digital libraries, and to make recommendations for JISC strategic planning and investment. INSPIRAL's objectives -To identify key stakeholders with regard to the linkage of VLEs, MLEs and digital libraries -To identify key stakeholder forum points and dissemination routes -To identify the relevant issues, according to the stakeholders and to previous research, pertaining to the interaction (both possible and potential) between VLEs/MLEs and digital libraries -To critically analyse identified issues, based on stakeholder experience and practice; output of previous and current projects; and prior and current research -To report back to JISC and to the stakeholder communities, with results situated firmly within the context of JISC's strategic aims and objectives

Taste and the algorithm

Today, a consistent part of our everyday interaction with art and aesthetic artefacts occurs through digital media, and our preferences and choices are systematically tracked and analyzed by algorithms in ways that are far from transparent. Our consumption is constantly documented, and then, we are fed back through tailored information. We are therefore witnessing the emergence of a complex interrelation between our aesthetic choices, their digital elaboration, and also the production of content and the dynamics of creative processes. All are involved in a process of mutual influences, and are partially determined by the invisible guiding hand of algorithms. With regard to this topic, this paper will introduce some key issues concerning the role of algorithms in aesthetic domains, such as taste detection and formation, cultural consumption and production, and showing how aesthetics can contribute to the ongoing debate about the impact of today’s “algorithmic culture”

Impact of Social Media on Academic Business School Libraries in India: An Empirical Study

Academic libraries are progressively using social media platform to connect users, felicitate services, promote resources, reach the outreach, and enhance visibility through online presence. This exploratory study will investigate the adoption rate of social media as an innovative medium to deliver services, explores influencing factors and examines the effectiveness of using social media tools in Indian business school libraries for the benefits of users. Findings demonstrate the approaches, strategies, and challenges of adopting social media for the benefits of library users. The present study, with its ambit, has included Academic Business School Libraries based on the National Institute Ranking Framework (NIRF) of the year 2018. The finding of the study reveals that innovation has a significant influence in library marketing in respect of adopting and implements social media among business school libraries. The outcomes suggest that libraries should follow evidence-based, innovative practices for effectively implementing social media for the more significant benefit of patrons in a collaborative online environment