A model for enhancing digital transformation through technology‑related continuing professional development activities in academic libraries in context

This paper is based on the findings of a doctoral study that aimed to examine the role of continuing professional development (CPD) in enhancing digital transformation in selected university libraries in Uganda. One of the ways of effecting digital transformation is to continuously build the technological competencies of the librarians working in academic institutions through attending technology-related CPD. The study adopted a mixed methods approach with a convergent parallel design for collecting qualitative and quantitative data from six universities in Uganda. Quantitative data were collected from 76 librarians with a minimum degree-level qualification from the six selected universities. Qualitative data were obtained from six University Librarians working in these universities. The study findings indicated several challenges hindering librarians from participating in technology-related CPDs such as lack of management support, lack of personal interest, limited funding, and lack of opportunities, among others. The implementation of digital transformation within university libraries in Uganda was also reported to be beset by a lack of competent staff, limited management support, lack of funds, and technological gaps. Therefore, this paper presents a proposed model to address challenges hindering the digital transformation and the participation in technology-related continuing professional development activities within academic libraries. The proposed model is based on the study findings, and it draws from Watkin and Marsick’s learning organisation model, andragogy theory, the technology-organisation-environment framework, and extant literature. The model will guide academic libraries in the implementation of a conducive environment to necessitate staff development and implementation of digital transformation

The use of technology-based mechanisms and knowledge management techniques in library practices in an academic environment : a case study

In response to the knowledge-driven economy, many academic libraries have adopted knowledge management (KM) techniques in the provision of services. KM techniques have been implemented in commercial and business environments towards operational advantages and figains. However, there is uncertainty about whether the use of KM principles and technology-based mechanisms could partly solve the academic library\u27s approach to improving its quality of service and fulfi l its mandate to its community in the modern information environment. Using a case study approach, this study considered the use of technology-based mechanisms and KM techniques in library practices in order to enhance performance and improve the quality of service in the Metropolitan College of New York (MCNY) library. Data were collected with the use of a questionnaire, interviews, observation and institutional documents. The fiof this study indicate that KM concepts were not universally understood at MCNY, and that library practices were not based on KM, but that they were adopting such KM practices as using social networking media for the purpose of collaboration and sharing knowledge

Public Libraries as Conduits for Indigenous Knowledge in South Africa

The dearth of indigenous knowledge (IK) in libraries in general and in South Africa in particular is cause for concern as the situation can lead to its demise. Awareness of the usefulness of IK in various aspects of community life is well documented. It is imperative that public libraries, as gateways to information and knowledge should be at the forefront of facilitating access to all knowledge, including IK. The article explores how public libraries in South Africa can facilitate access to indigenous knowledge. Data for this multiple case study was collected through semi-structured interviews with directors of provincial library services. Thematic analysis was used to analyse data. Findings indicate that despite awareness of the value of IK, public libraries have not yet devised mechanisms to enhance its availability and access. It is recommended that partnerships with stakeholders such as communities and archives archival institutions be forged in order to define, capture and preserve indigenous knowledge in order to ensure its accessibility

Public programming skills of archivists in selected national memory institutions of east and southern Africa

The National Archives are an important part of South African society because they serve as memory institutions. Fulfilling this mandate requires archivists to encourage societal engagement with the archives. This article sought to examine the role of an archivist’s knowledge and skills in promoting public archival institutions. Therefore, the perceptions and experiences of the directors of the National Archives, archivists who work at the National Archives and Executive Board members from the East and Southern Africa Regional Branch of the International Council on Archives (ESARBICA) were explored. This was achieved through administering questionnaires to all the directors of the National Archives in the ESARBICA region, and conducting interviews with archivists from this region as well as ESARBICA Executive Board members. The intention was to identify whether archivists from the National Archives in the ESARBICA region thought that they have the relevant skills to conduct public programming initiatives; if public programming was part of the core archival curricula in the region; and furthermore, to determine the availability and awareness of public programming training and education in the region. The study provides an overview of public programming, together with a better understanding of the significance of archivists’ skills and knowledge regarding public programming in the mission of encouraging greater use of archives.n/aInformation Scienc

Mixed methods research in the South African Journal of Economic and Management Sciences: An investigation of trends in the literature

Mixed methods research (MMR), which is touted as a third methodological movement is increasingly becoming a popular approach in several fields as a result of the promise it holds to providing a better and balanced investigation of research problems in context. In spite of that, there is limited knowledge about its pervasiveness in economic and management sciences in South Africa. Based on a content analysis of 332 articles published in The South African Journal of Economic and Management Sciences from 2003 to 2011, the main purpose of this quantitative study is to explore the prevalence of MMR in SAJEMS. Although methodological advances have been made in the field of economic and management sciences as reflected in the articles in SAJEMS, the findings reveal that scholars employ quantitative and qualitative methodologies than MMR. Given the paucity of MMR in the field, this study underscores the potential benefits of embracing methodological pluralism as it offers methodological and theoretical benefits. First, the use of MMR provides the possibility for researchers to obtain a comprehensive picture of a phenomenon under investigation and achieve their research purpose effectively. Secondly, its utilisation may also contribute to theory development and the maturity of the field as reflected in SAJEMS

ENTERPRISE CONTENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IMPLEMENTATION READINESS TO IMPROVE MEDICAL RECORDS MANAGEMENT IN LIMPOPO PROVINCE, SOUTH AFRICA

This study sought to establish readiness for implementation of ECM to improve medical records management in the public hospitals of the Limpopo Province in South Africa. The use of digital systems such as enterprise content management (ECM) to manage medical records is fundamental to ensure timely access, sharing and use of the medical records by healthcare providers and hospital management. This is because timely access to medical records will result in timely healthcare service delivery to the patients. There have been many different kinds of digital systems applied in different organisations for different categories of records throughout the world. Quantitative data were collected through questionnaires directed to the Records Management Units at the public hospitals in the Limpopo Province of South Africa supported with observation and document/system analysis. The study reveals that the hospitals in the Limpopo Province had not yet implemented ECM as a system and had limited IT resources like computers, printers, servers, network points and internet access. This study appears to be the first of its nature to investigate the readiness of the hospitals in Limpopo province of South Africa for implementation of enterprise content management system. The study recommends that ECM be implemented to improve medical records management in the public hospitals of Limpopo since the hospitals had no effective systems for proper management of medical records

Using Contingency Valuation Approaches to Assess Sustainable Cultural Heritage Tourism Use and Conservation of the Outstanding Universal Values (OUV) at Great Zimbabwe World Heritage Site in Zimbabwe

AbstractSustainable cultural heritage tourism is correlated to conservation use and tourism usage. The case study examines the tourism use of Great Zimbabwe World Heritage Site (GZWHS) using the contingency valuation method. It assesses whether there is enough input from tourism use directed towards the conservation of outstanding universal values (OUV). The tourism use is unsustainable, where tourism use is less than conservation use, at the property. The findings demonstrate that the plan used to maintain a balance between conservation and use at GZWHS were inadequate and unresponsive to the micro-environment in which it exists. Recommendations for a shift in conservation strategy are made

Revitalising and preserving endangered indigenous languages in South Africa through writing and publishing

Libraries and librarians play a central role in organising and communicating knowledge. They are an important part of theknowledge production and use chain. The development and sustenance of a knowledge-based economy hinges on theirability to facilitate the accessibility, retrievability and usability of the knowledge and information that permeates theinformation society. Writers and publishers as part and parcel of the knowledge chain are central to the production anddistribution of ideas. Language is fundamental to their ability to communicate and get their literal messages, expressionsand ideas through. Their preferred language of writing and publishing may mean a difference between the growth anddemise of a language of a society and its culture and civilisation. Many indigenous languages around the globe arestruggling to survive because of various reasons including neglect by writers and publishers. Publishers and writers as majorrole players in the knowledge production and reproduction chain may assist in promoting and preserving indigenouslanguages in general and in South Africa in particular. This may ensure that South Africa’s knowledge economy developswithout sidelining or discriminating against any culture or language. There are challenges and opportunities that writersand publishers are likely to face in attempting to revitalise and empower indigenous languages in South Africa, but theyare not insurmountable. Using a theoretical approach, the purpose of this article is to highlight the role that writers andpublishers may play in revitalising and preserving endangered indigenous languages in South Africa. Recommendations aremade on how the role players may deal with the challenges that have culminated in the neglect of the endangeredindigenous languages

Knowledge Management Use of the Web 2.0-Driven SECI Model to Improve Knowledge Creation and Sharing Practices in Selected Academic Libraries in Tanzania

This research article was published by Regional Institute of Information and Knowledge ManagementRationale of Study – The evolution of academic libraries is influenced by technological developments, including Web 2.0. Based on a larger PhD project, this study evaluated how selected academic libraries in Tanzania leverage a Web 2.0-driven SECI model to enhance knowledge creation and sharing processes. Methodology – A convergent mixed methods research design was used to collect quantitative and qualitative data. The study investigated library staff (n=306) using a survey questionnaire, with a rate of return of 254 (83%). Eight library directors and sixteen heads of library departments were also interviewed to supplement data from the survey and establish convergence or divergence of the findings. Findings – Many library staff (91.7%) used Web 2.0 tools several times daily for personal and professional use. They used Web 2.0 applications for various tasks, including online communication and knowledge sharing, teaching information literacy, and marketing and promoting library services and resources. The findings also show that knowledge creation and sharing practices were performed under each SECI model process. Implications – Since its purpose is to improve the processes of creating and sharing knowledge, the Web 2.0 -driven SECI model can be utilised to integrate knowledge management practices through the creation and sharing of knowledge to support academic libraries and library professionals in managing their daily activities. Originality – A limited number of studies have used the model in such a context, especially in higher learning and research institutions

129 Transparency in the Application of Theoretical Frameworks to the Advancement of Knowledge in Selected Library and Information Science Journals: A Systematic Review1

This research article was published by African Journal of Library, Archival & Information ScienceThe purpose of this systematic review was to determine the extent of theoretical transparency in library and information science (LIS) scholarship. Many studies have looked at theorising and the use of theory in LIS. Unlike previous studies this research provides insights into transparency in the use of theoretical frameworks in the LIS field. Transparency is essential because different researchers employ the terms theory, theoretical framework, and conceptual framework in various ways.The transparent use of theory and the resultant theoretical framework enables other researchers to assess whether the theory is appropriate, consistent, and coherent with the empirical evidence. This systematic search followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines for reporting on systematic reviews supported by ADIMA®. A total number of 138 out of 2029 articles from 12 LIS-focused journals were analysed in March 2023. Most of the articles (88.6%) specified the framework they used. There was a high level of transparency in relation to the suitability of the theory to address the research problem. The degree of openness about the aim to utilise a theoretical or conceptual framework was moderate to high. The articles had a low or minimal level of transparency when it came to justifying why a certain theory was chosen for the study. Theory dropping was not apparent in the articles. The results from the articles demonstrate that LIS scholars appreciate that a theoretical framework or conceptual framework must be used in research. To ensure that readers understand the rationale behind the theories chosen for a study, it is necessary to be open about the reasons behind the selection of a particular theory. The explanation of how the theory contributed to explaining the phenomenon of interest is also essential. This article might help scholars get beyond theoretical obstacles related to the transparent use of a theoretical framework and produce theoretically sound research. It also opens discourse on “best practice” in the use of analytical tools forresearchin the advancement of knowledg