Applying knowledge management in education : teaching database normalization : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Information Science at Massey University

In tertiary education, Information Science has been attracting more attention in both teaching and learning. However, along the course on the database design theory, learners always find it hard to grasp the knowledge on database normalisation and hard to apply different levels of the normal forms while designing a database. This results poor database construction and difficulties in database maintenance. In regard to this teaching and learning dilemma, academic teaching staff should, on the one hand, pay more attention to organising different teaching resources on database normalisation concepts and making the best use of the existing and newly developed resources so as to make the teaching environment more adaptive and more sharable. and on the other hand, apply different teaching methods to different students according to their knowledge levels by understanding the nature of each learner's behaviour, interests and preferences concerning the existing learning resources. However, at present there is no effective Information Technology tool to use in considering the dynamic nature of knowledge discovery, creation, transfer utilisation and reuse in this area. This provides an opportunity to examine the potentiality of applying knowledge management in education with the focus on teaching database normalisation, in terms of knowledge discovering, sharing, utilisation and reuse. This thesis contains a review of knowledge management and web mining technologies in the education environment, presents a dynamic knowledge management framework for better utilising teaching resource in the area of database normalisation and diagnoses the students' learning patterns and behaviours to assist effective teaching and learning. It is argued that knowledge management-supported education can work as a value-added process which supports the different needs of teachers and learners

INFORMATION NEEDS AND SEEKING BEHAVIOUR OF STUDENTS IN TWO UNIVERSITIES IN IMO STATE, NIGERIA

This study investigated information needs and seeking behaviour of undergraduate students in the library of Federal University of Technology and Imo State University library, Owerri using a comparative approach. The instrument used for the study was the student questionnaire. One thousand, one hundred and fifty two usable responses from each of the two institutions compared in the study were analysed by the use of frequency counts and percentages. A descriptive survey research design was adopted in the study; a purposive sampling technique was adopted. The undergraduate students in Federal University of Technology, Owerri sought for information in relation to their academic and research needs while in Imo State University sought for information resources on academic / research information, business information and industrial attachment/ employment information. The undergraduates in the Federal university of technology consulted shelves and catalogues to foster information seeking behaviour while in Imo State University, the undergraduates browse through the shelves signifying that the former utilized catalogues more significantly than the latter. Major reasons for seeking for information amongst undergraduate in FUTO include updating of knowledge and development of personal competencies, while that of IMSU include updating of knowledge, when carrying research , development of personal competencies and writing of assignment, the type of information resources mostly consulted by undergraduates in FUTO is the textbook, while that of IMSU is textbooks, periodical journals, reference books and project report. In FUTO the major militating factor affecting information needs and seeking behaviour was inadequate information resources while in IMSU inadequate information resources, inadequate qualified librarians and lack of time to access the information resources affected the information needs and seeking behaviour of students. Introduction of computerized or digital catalogues should be provided and made available to enable the students have access to information resources librarians should embrace effective management and use of ICT facilities to promote satisfaction of information needs and seeking behaviour of the students

Understanding the Knowledge Sharing Behaviors of Library Professionals in South Asia

The present study aim is to know the information professionals/library professional’s knowledge sharing behaviours and attitudes among the institutes. This study investigated six countries' library professionals: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. The study discussed knowledge sharing behaviour, technological equipment used for knowledge management and disseminating the sources of knowledge; academic social networking sites used for sharing the information and knowledge as well as challenges in knowledge management faced by the librarians examined in detail. The implication of the study highlighted the various areas of knowledge management such as training, budget, lack of staff and reward

Understanding the Knowledge Sharing Behaviors of Library Professionals in South Asia

The present study aim is to know the information professionals/library professional’s knowledge sharing behaviours and attitudes among the institutes. This study investigated six countries' library professionals: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. The study discussed knowledge sharing behaviour, technological equipment used for knowledge management and disseminating the sources of knowledge; academic social networking sites used for sharing the information and knowledge as well as challenges in knowledge management faced by the librarians examined in detail. The implication of the study highlighted the various areas of knowledge management such as training, budget, lack of staff and reward

Acute care nurses' perceptions of barriers to using research information in clinical decision-making

Aim. To examine the barriers that nurses feel prevent them from using research in the decisions they make. Background. A sizeable research literature focusing on research utilization in nursing has developed over the past 20 years. However, this literature is characterized by a number of weaknesses: self-reported utilization behaviour; poor response rates and small, nonrandom sampling strategies. Design. Cross-case analysis involving anonymised qualitative interviews, observation, documentary audit and Q methodological modelling of shared subjectivities amongst nurses. The case sites were three large acute hospitals in the north of England. One hundred and eight nurses were interviewed, 61 of whom were also observed for a total of 180 h, and 122 nurses were involved in the Q modelling exercise (response rate of 64%). Results. Four perspectives were isolated that encompassed the characteristics associated with barriers to research use. These related to the individual, organization, nature of research information itself and environment. Nurses clustered around four main perspectives on the barriers to research use: (1) Problems in interpreting and using research products, which were seen as too complex, 'academic' and overly statistical; (2) Nurses who felt confident with research-based information perceived a lack of organizational support as a significant block; (3) Many nurses felt that researchers and research products lack clinical credibility and that they fail to offer the desired level of clinical direction; (4) Some nurses lacked the skills and, to a lesser degree, the motivation to use research themselves. These individuals liked research messages passed on to them by a third party and sought to foster others' involvement in research-based practice, rather than becoming directly involved themselves. Conclusions. Rejection of research knowledge is not a barrier to its application. Rather, the presentation and management of research knowledge in the workplace represent significant challenges for clinicians, policy-makers and the research community

Co-Occurrence of Study Difficulty, Psychoactive Substance Use/Abuse and Psychiatric Morbidity among Undergraduate Students and the Organization of the Future

Management practitioners and students have always been interested and concerned about human resource behaviour in the organizations. Ideally, there should have been a positive correlation between accumulated knowledge from higher institutions and improved human resource behaviour in the organizations but this has not been so yet. Despite all the accumulated knowledge on behaviour, human problems have continued to pose a major challenge confronting organizations. Axiomatically, graduates turned out from Higher Institutions should be knowledgeable enough to carry the future organization to the next level. However, in a situation where the students have difficulty in their studies, they might turn out to be ‘half baked’ students who will not be able to have the adequate competences to give the organization of the future the competitive edge they need to succeed. The state of mental health of any student is vital in pursuance of excellent academic career. The co-occurrence of study difficulty, psychoactive substance use/abuse and psychiatric morbidity termed (‘The Triad’) in students definitely would have detrimental effects on their mental health.  The three pronged negative impact of’ “The Triad” on mental health of the university students had led to school dropouts, and extra  years of studying in the university, with  the attendant economic burden and social consequences on their families and the society at large. The objective of this study is to provide information on the extent of the co-occurrence of study difficulty, psychoactive substance use and psychiatric morbidity among students in our universities and how it might after organizational competence and competitive edge in the future. Also, the study seeks to provide insight that may be useful in enhancing students’ academic performance, reduction of psychoactive substance use/abuse among students and, the development of mental health hygiene conducive to academic work among students Key words: study difficulty, psychoactive substance use/abuse, psychiatric morbidity, organization of the future, TRIA

Knowledge sharing behavior among academic staff of Universiti Teknologi Tun Hussien Onn / Nazarudin Derasid

This study was about to identify the relationship of knowledge sharing behavior among academic staffs of Universiti Teknologi Tun Hussien Onn. The main objective of this study is four. First, the study was to examine the relationship between attitude with knowledge sharing behavior. Second, it was to determine the relationship between leadership and knowledge sharing behaviour. Third, was to find out the relationship between reward system and knowledge sharing behavior.Fourth, to determine the relationship between knowledge sharing system and knowledge sharing behaviour.A total of 250 questionnaires were distributed to academic staffs from eight (8) academic faculties which are Faculty of Civil Engineering,Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Technology Management & Business, Faculty of Computer Science & Information Technology, Faculty of Technical & Vocational Education, Faculty of Science, Technology & Human Development and Faculty of Engineering Technology. However, only 227 were returned and usable for analysis. Pearson Correlation analysis was performed to tests the relationship between the variable. The results indicated that of the four (4) components of variable were significant to the knowledge sharing behaviour. The findings were discussed and recommendations for the future research were also addressed

Analysing Green Purchasing Behaviour Inconsistency : an example from voluntary carbon offset program

This research investigates current and explores new factors contributing to green purchasing behaviour inconsistency using qualitative method and iterative grounded theory approach. Green purchasing behaviour inconsistency derived from the behaviour-attitude gap theory that occurs within different context of consumer behaviour cases, thus this research tries to answer: “What are the factors that cause green purchasing behaviour inconsistency?” using Voluntary Carbon Offset (VCO) program as an example. This research uses semi-structured interview methods on 9 interviewees in Sweden and Germany, each with different demographic background (employment, age, and location) and level of VCO program participation across different industries. The findings shows that Trust, Situational Context, Implemented Intention, Perceived Behavioural Control, Willingness to Pay, Personal Values, and Information and Knowledge have potential to narrow down or even closes the gap in green purchasing behaviour inconsistency. This research offers the possibility of new factors that can be included in the current discourse on behaviour-attitude gap and add more credibility to Implemented Intention, Situational Context, and Trust as the existing factors used in behaviour-attitude discourse. Beside academic contribution, this research also briefly highlights possible implementation within business management context on how to empower consumers to make a well-informed decision towards products and services that contributes to fighting climate crisis or opt to offer different options for the consumers

Incorporating knowledge sharing behaviour in a knowledge management system for academic institutions / Alsaleh Saad

This thesis proposed a knowledge management system framework for academic institutions based on academicians' knowledge sharing behaviour. The current knowledge management systems in higher learning institutions do not capture and represent most of the knowledge types in the academic institutions and little attention has been given to human aspects. A qualitative research approaches were employed in this research. This research was carried out in four stages which are: knowledge acquisition; data collection; data analysis and findings; and development of a knowledge management system framework. The research site was at Malaysia's largest academic institution in terms of size and population. The study discovered two types of knowledge shared among academicians; namely: corporate knowledge and social knowledge. The knowledge sharing networks among the academicians include Community of Practice network, Personal network, and Business Club network. The study also identified two main knowledge sharing methods used by academicians to share knowledge which are synchronous and asynchronous. Five knowledge sharing motivations among academicians were identified: building a reputation, acknowledgement, to be knowledgeable, vision and mission, and reciprocity. The study identified three issues that academicians recommended to be considered. These issues are: offer information about experts, manage and categorize contents, and ensure accessibility. This research contributed toward new knowledge through the development of a knowledge management system framework which drew upon qualitative findings. The administrations of universities may utilize the proposed framework as a guide for their KS activities among academicians

An Investigation of the Determinants of User Acceptance of Information Technology in a West African Nation: The Case of Nigeria

In today’s hypercompetitive business environments hardly anyone questions the important role that information technology plays. The conventional wisdom is that IT is necessary for business survival and that careful deployment and management of IT resources and capabilities leads to enhance value for the business (Ying and Ram, 2004). Despite this recognition of information technology as a key enabler of organisational strategy (Preston and Karahanna, 2004), and despite recent investment in IT in Nigerian economy (Ajayi, 2003) an increasing number of organisations in this economy have found themselves unable to apply IT effectively (Modum, 1983). For corporate IT to be meaningful to knowledge workers it must recognise there exist key factors determining user acceptance of IT applications. A lack of such recognition often results in an underutilisation or simply failure of use IT by the knowledge workers (Ditsa, 2003; Oyesanya, 2005). To address key factors determining IT acceptance by knowledge staff in this economy we use social factors, habits and facilitating condition variables from Triandis’ model (1979) to extend the Technology Acceptance Model (Davis, 1993). The model hypothesises that behaviour positively relates to habits, facilitating conditions and social factors. Although this study is on going, it is a significant contribution to management practice and academic research. The proposed model redresses the limitations of the extant research model by accounting for intrinsic motivation and other social-cultural factors relevant to users’ IT acceptance and usage