Knowledge Management System and Tools Required for Effective KM Take-up and Activities in Organisations in Nigeria

Knowledge management (KM) has become an integral and invaluable asset to organisational productivity in the 21st century. Observations have, however, shown that many organisations in Nigeria do not have knowledge management system (KMS) and do no practise KM; and in cases where KM practices exist, there seems to be indifference on the part of members in using the KMS. Perhaps, this could be due to lack of adequate awareness about the importance of KM practices and or the KM tools required for its effective take-up. This study, therefore, seeks to highlight and examine KMS and the tools required for effective KM take-up and activities in organisations in Nigeria. The methodology for the study was qualitative; relevant literature on the subject matter were reviewed. Findings from the reviewed literature showed that, despite the monolithic roles KM practices have on organisational output and productivity; developing nations like Nigeria have not adequately embraced its practices. Therefore, it is recommended that more research, writings and other fora like seminars and workshops, should be used to raise awareness about KM practices and that the formalised bureaucratic posture of organisations toward KM should be revamped to enable members up their willingness to create, share, receive and use knowledge

Knowledge Management System and Tools Required for Effective KM Take-up and Activities in Organisations in Nigeria

Knowledge management (KM) has become an integral and invaluable asset to organisational productivity in the 21st century. Observations have, however, shown that many organisations in Nigeria do not have knowledge management system (KMS) and do no practise KM; and in cases where KM practices exist, there seems to be indifference on the part of members in using the KMS. Perhaps, this could be due to lack of adequate awareness about the importance of KM practices and or the KM tools required for its effective take-up. This study, therefore, seeks to highlight and examine KMS and the tools required for effective KM take-up and activities in organisations in Nigeria. The methodology for the study was qualitative; relevant literature on the subject matter were reviewed. Findings from the reviewed literature showed that, despite the monolithic roles KM practices have on organisational output and productivity; developing nations like Nigeria have not adequately embraced its practices. Therefore, it is recommended that more research, writings and other fora like seminars and workshops, should be used to raise awareness about KM practices and that the formalised bureaucratic posture of organisations toward KM should be revamped to enable members up their willingness to create, share, receive and use knowledge

Radzenie sobie z wyzwaniem plagiatu w dobie przeładowania informacjami przez specjalistów ds. bibliotekarstwa i technologii informatycznych w nigeryjskich instytucjach akademickich

Der Fortschritt in Informations- und Kommunikationstechnologien (ICT) hat weltweit zu einer Zunahme der Informationsgenerierung und -verbreitung geführt. Dies hat zu einer bemerkenswerten Verschiebung von der früheren Informationsexplosion hin zum Konzept der Informationsüberlastung in diesem Zeitalter geführt, das sich durch die zunehmend einfache geistige Eigentumsverletzung in verschiedenen Formen auszeichnet. Untersuchungen haben gezeigt, dass die Raffinesse der Informations- und Kommunikationstechnologien sowie die überwältigende Verfügbarkeit von Informationen dazu geführt haben, dass viele wissenschaftliche Forschungsergebnisse unter dem ‚Kopieren und Einfügen‘-Syndrom und Urheberrechtsverletzungen leiden. Es scheint auch an Literatur darüber zu fehlen, welche Bemühungen von Fachleuten im Bereich Bibliotheks- und Informationswissenschaft unternommen werden, um den Herausforderungen in nigerianischen akademischen Einrichtungen gerecht zu werden. Daher versucht diese Studie, die Aufmerksamkeit auf die Art und Weise zu lenken, wie Fachleute im Bereich Bibliotheks- und Informationswissenschaft mit den Herausforderungen des Plagiats in einer Ära der Informationsüberlastung in nigerianischen akademischen Institutionen umgehen. In der Studie wurde eine phänomenologische Forschungsmethodik unter Verwendung einer qualitativen Methodologie (phenomenological research design of qualitative methodology) angewandt. Dabei wurde ein teilweise strukturierter schriftlicher Fragebogen entwickelt, der den Forschern von den Befragten elektronisch zugeschickt wurde. Die Daten wurden in Textform präsentiert, mit wörtlichen Zitaten, wo notwendig, und die Forschungsergebnisse wurden mithilfe einer thematischen Analyse ausgewertet. Die Ergebnisse der Studie zeigten ein hohes Maß an Plagiat und ein mäßiges Engagement der Fachleute im Bereich Bibliotheks- und Informationswissenschaft bei der Bekämpfung dieser Bedrohung. In der Studie wird empfohlen, Informationskompetenz und akademisches Schreiben als grundlegende Kurse in den Studiengängen der Bibliotheks- und Informationswissenschaft sowie in anderen Disziplinen zu integrieren, um Wissenschaftler mit den erforderlichen Fähigkeiten auszustatten, um qualitativ hochwertige und plagiatfreie wissenschaftliche Arbeiten zu erstellen, insbesondere in Zeiten des Informationsüberflusses.The advancement in information and communication technologies (ICTs) has increased the generation and dissemination of information. This has created a remarkable shift from the previous promulgation of information explosion to the concept of information overload in this age, which seems to be characterised by the ease of intellectual theft in various forms. The sophistication of ICTs and the overwhelming availability of information have subjected many research outputs to the affliction of ‘copy-and-paste’ syndrome and copyright abuse; and there appears to be a dearth of literature on efforts being made by LIS professionals to tackle the challenges in Nigerian academic institutions. This study, therefore, sought to draw attention to how the challenges of plagiarism are tackled by LIS professionals in the age of information overload in Nigerian academic institutions. The study adopted the phenomenological research design of qualitative methodology, using semi-structured written interview that was developed by the researchers and sent electronically to the respondents. The data were presented textually with the insertion of verbatim quotations where necessary while the research findings were analysed using thematic analysis. Findings from the 45 respondents across the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria revealed a high level of plagiarism and a moderate level of engagement in curbing the menace by LIS professionals. The study recommends a multifaceted approach to curb plagiarism; comprising information literacy instructions in academic institutions, institutionalised adoption and access to plagiarism detection software and advocacy programmes that promote ethical writing and ICT skills for LIS professionals.Postęp w technologiach informacyjno-komunikacyjnych (ICT) zwiększył generowanie i rozpowszechnianie informacji. Spowodowało to niezwykłe przejście od poprzedniego rozpowszechniania eksplozji informacyjnej do koncepcji przeciążenia informacyjnego w tym wieku, która wydaje się charakteryzować łatwością kradzieży intelektualnej w różnych formach. Wyrafinowanie technologii informacyjno-komunikacyjnych i przytłaczająca dostępność informacji sprawiły, że wiele wyników badań zostało dotkniętych syndromem kopiowania i wklejania oraz nadużywania praw autorskich; i wydaje się, że brakuje literatury na temat wysiłków podejmowanych przez specjalistów ds. bibliotekarstwa i technologii informacyjnych mających na celu sprostanie wyzwaniom w nigeryjskich instytucjach akademickich. Badanie to miało zatem na celu zwrócenie uwagi na to, w jaki sposób wyzwania związane z plagiatem są rozwiązywane przez specjalistów ds. bibliotekarstwa i technologii informacyjnych w dobie przeciążenia informacjami w nigeryjskich instytucjach akademickich. W badaniu przyjęto fenomenologiczny projekt badawczy metodologii jakościowej, wykorzystując częściowo ustrukturyzowany wywiad pisemny, który został opracowany przez naukowców i wysłany elektronicznie do respondentów. Dane zostały przedstawione tekstowo z wstawieniem dosłownych cytatów tam, gdzie to konieczne, podczas gdy wyniki badań zostały przeanalizowane za pomocą analizy tematycznej. Ustalenia 45 respondentów w sześciu strefach geopolitycznych w Nigerii ujawniły wysoki poziom plagiatu i umiarkowany poziom zaangażowania w ograniczanie zagrożenia ze strony specjalistów ds. bibliotekarstwa i technologii informacyjnych. Badanie zaleca wieloaspektowe podejście do ograniczenia plagiatu; obejmujące instrukcje dotyczące umiejętności korzystania z informacji w instytucjach akademickich, zinstytucjonalizowane przyjęcie i dostęp do oprogramowania do wykrywania plagiatów oraz programy rzecznictwa, które promują etyczne pisanie i umiejętności ICT dla specjalistów ds. bibliotekarstwa i technologii informacyjnych

Tackling the Challenges of Plagiarism in the Age of Information Overload by LIS Professionals in Nigerian Academic Institutions

The advancement in information and communication technologies (ICTs) has increased the generation and dissemination of information. This has created a remarkable shift from the previous promulgation of information explosion to the concept of information overload in this age, which seems to be characterised by the ease of intellectual theft in various forms. The sophistication of ICTs and the overwhelming availability of information have subjected many research outputs to the affliction of ‘copy-and-paste’ syndrome and copyright abuse; and there appears to be a dearth of literature on efforts being made by LIS professionals to tackle the challenges in Nigerian academic institutions. This study, therefore, sought to draw attention to how the challenges of plagiarism are tackled by LIS professionals in the age of information overload in Nigerian academic institutions. The study adopted the phenomenological research design of qualitative methodology, using semi-structured written interview that was developed by the researchers and sent electronically to the respondents. The data were presented textually with the insertion of verbatim quotations where necessary while the research findings were analysed using thematic analysis. Findings from the 45 respondents across the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria revealed a high level of plagiarism and a moderate level of engagement in curbing the menace by LIS professionals. The study recommends a multifaceted approach to curb plagiarism; comprising information literacy instructions in academic institutions, institutionalised adoption and access to plagiarism detection software and advocacy programmes that promote ethical writing and ICT skills for LIS professionals

The development of mosque library in Nigeria: the southwest perspective

Mosque library is as important as every other type of library. This is because mosque library is essential for the preservation of books and other resources on religion and facilitates learning of religious ethics, guides, practices and norms. If they are well developed and manged, they can held to prevent immoral and other social vices which Islam forbids. With the availability of a mosque library, Muslims can always go to this library to satisfy their religious and mundane information needs without being exposed to the immoral/haram activities that they are likely to encounter in other public, national, academic and some other type of library. This study aims to find out the awareness of southwestern Nigerians about mosque library, its existence in the region, level of use and challenges militating against its development