The nature and trends of agricultural research development in Africa : an informetric study

The study recognizes Agriculture as the mainstay activity of most economies in Africa and analyses research nature and trends in the discipline by using descriptive informetrics and focusing on seven indicators, by using the AGRICOLA and ISI-E databases from 1991 to 2005. We observed that research output in the discipline is much higher in South Africa and Kenya, and research collaboration is greater than non-collaborative research output and collaboration is less among African countries. The most popular research domains were found to exist in environmental science, soil science, plant/crop production and [agricultural] economics. Helpful conclusions and recommendations for an Agricultural policy, capacity and research orientation have been made

Editorial

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Editorial

No Abstract

Editorial

No Abstrac

SERVICE QUALITY GAPS AND CHALLENGES IN THE ACADEMIC LIBRARIES IN KENYA

Abstract The subject of service quality has been widely researched in various sectors and the academic libraries are no exception. University libraries in Africa, in Kenya in particular, are therefore required to re-examine and justify their very existence within the academic institutions. This study seeks to establish the level of service quality in Kenyan academic libraries by analysing, evaluating and assessing the level of service quality in the academic libraries. Applying the Gap model suggests there are gaps/shortfalls within the service delivery process thus resulting to users’ dissatisfaction. Descriptive survey research method is employed; and guided by the study’s research objectives, a combination of f qualitative and quantitative methods were employed for this study using questionnaires, interviews, and observation as data collection instruments. . From the entire list of accredited universities in Kenya as of 2015, a sample of 10 (ten) institutions was purposively selected. In each institution external (library users) and internal (librarians) users were targeted. Findings from the study revealed that academic libraries are faced by a myriad of challenges: a growing and divergent user population, limited range of information resources/services, poor infrastructure, inadequate staff working areas and tools, limited budgets, heavy bureaucratic tendencies, lack of top institutional management support, poor leadership by the departmental heads, and poor market orientation strategies; nonetheless they’re endowed with a rich pool of well-trained information professionals, large market for their services, and customer goodwill, all of which are under-exploited. In addition, the findings revealed that academic libraries are ill prepared to provide specialised services for People with Disabilities (PWDs). Recommendations include: increased budgetary allocations, acquisition of more diverse information resources, change in the management of the academic libraries (this may include, creating an enabling environment for optimal operation/functioning; improved organizational communication, effective supervision by the Commission for University Education (CUE), and introduction of a policy framework on the operations of the academic libraries

A comparison of the research and publication patterns and output of academic librarians in eastern and southern Africa from 1990-2006:a preliminary study

This paper compares the research and publication patterns of academic librarians in eastern and southern Africa. The study confined its scope to publications produced between 1990 and 2006. Bibliometric techniques through content analysis were used as a research method. Two online databases, namely LISTA and WORLDCAT were used for publication searches. Names of academic librarians were retrieved from their respective academic library websites and used as keywords for retrieving data from the two online databases. A total of 866 academic librarians, i.e. 755 from southern Africa and 111 from eastern Africa, were identified and their research publication records analysed. The results indicate that in terms of publications per librarian there was no significant difference between southern Africa and eastern Africa; South Africa was the most productive country in terms of publications; the University of Botswana Library was the most prolific library; Muswazi from the University of Witwatersrand and Pienaar from the University of Pretoria were the most productive academic librarians; academic librarians in eastern Africa preferred publishing in foreign journals while those from southern Africa published more in domestic journals led by South African Journal of Libraries and Information Science; the publication output of the two regions was inconsistent (up-down trend) during this period; the main subject area of librarians in both regions was Information Technology; most academic librarians from both regions preferred publishing individually; and the most published type of document in both regions was journal articles

Information ethics education in Library and Information Science departments and schools in South Africa

This paper investigates the nature and level of information ethics education in library and information science (LIS) departments in South Africa. The study entailed both qualitative and quantitative methodologies in that a survey and content analysis were conducted. The study involved all 12 LIS departments in South Africa. Within these departments, the heads of department, lecturers teaching the module, and the course outlines/study guides for information ethics modules formed the target population. Data was collected via questionnaires that were emailed to the heads of the various LIS departments, who were also requested to forward a separate questionnaire to the lecturers teaching an information ethics module. Responses were received from 7 of the 12 LIS departments to which questionnaires were sent. The study revealed that in most LIS departments, information ethics is incorporated into the content of other modules and is not taught as a stand-alone course. In the LIS departments that offer a stand-alone information ethics module, the module is offered for the fi rst time in second year, the rationale being that at this level students are suffi ciently mature to appreciate information ethics. With the exception of one lecturer, who had a background in both LIS and Philosophy, all the lecturers had backgrounds in LIS only. In light of the ethical dilemmas facing information professionals, it is recommended that information ethics be made a significant component of LIS education and training, in which case it would be offered as a full stand-alone module.Information Scienc

Tacit knowledge management strategies of small- and medium-sized enterprises: An overview

Background: The study argues that managing tacit knowledge (TKM) would reduce small-and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operational discontinuity and knowledge loss in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province, South Africa. Objectives: The article examined the strategies put in place by SMEs for tacit knowledge management (TKM) practices and to develop a framework that will promote TKM for SMEs. Method: The study adopted a quantitative research method and targeted 326 SMEs using Google Forms. One hundred and eighty (180; 55.2%) useful responses were obtained and analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences. Results: Most of the SME owners are aware and affirmed that there is a particular tacit knowledge that is of importance to business. The most common methods of capturing tacit knowledge among SMEs are monitoring, practical sessions, in-house training programmes, and brainstorming. Tacit knowledge is shared during meetings (such as project teams) and when dialoguing. The study also revealed that electronic files in computers are the major tools for storing the collected tacit knowledge. Conclusion: The study concluded that TKM among SMEs in KZN required improvement and recommended improving teams and informal networks and making information and communication technology tools available to preserve tacit knowledge. The SMEs that can afford it can consider employing the services of consultant knowledge management officers to conduct periodic knowledge audits to identify knowledge gaps for proactive solutions. Contribution: The study contributed to knowledge management, tacit knowledge, explicit knowledge, and TKM

Strategies for documenting and disseminating indigenous knowledge at a South African university

Background: Indigenous knowledge (IK) is specific to a community for its economic development. However, the processes involved in the documentation of IK in the university of Zululand are not readily known. Objective: The study’s aim is to find out the strategies used by the University of Zululand (UNIZULU) for documenting, disseminating and accessing IK. Method: The study adopted both interpretivist and positivist research paradigms where both qualitative and quantitative research methods were used through a case study of the University of Zululand. The study targeted both academic and non-academic staff members where 23 of them were purposely selected and interviewed. In addition, the quantitative research approach using simple bibliometrics was used to collect data from IK-related theses and dissertations from the UNIZULU Institutional Repository between 2009 and 2019. Results: The study revealed that many departments and faculties across the University of Zululand were involved in the creation of IK-related content led by the Department of African Languages. The multidisciplinarity of IK in the university was confirmed for further exploitation. The dominant challenges relate to IK sharing, limited facilities, a lack of policy and inadequate partnership among the stakeholders. The creation and documentation of IK by different departments was another challenge. Conclusion: This study recognises the existence of IK policy in the country but found minimal implementation of the policy at the university. The authors recommend the development of IK policy, increased awareness, mapping and auditing of IK research and teaching, partnership with stakeholders to be included in the university agenda. Contribution: This study contributes to the current literature and discourse on indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) and their documentation for policy and comparative studies. The appropriateness of using the socialisation, externalisation, combination and internalisation (SECI) model in similar studies is also confirmed

Assessing researchers’ performance in developing countries : is Google Scholar an alternative?

This article compares the representation of 10 purposefully selected LIS researchers in South Africa in Google Scholar (GS), Thomson Scientific’s (herein referred to as ISI – Institute for Scientific Information) citation indexes, and Elsevier’s Scopus, in order to determine whether or not Google Scholar is an alternative tool for evaluating research in developing countries, particularly those situated in Sub-Saharan Africa. Three indicators, namely the number of publications, the number of citations and the h-index, were used to measure the similarity or dissimilarity between the three databases/ services in the coverage of South Africa’s LIS documents. The data was also subjected to a Pearson correlation analysis to examine the relationship between GS and ISI, GS and Scopus and ISI and Scopus. Results show that GS covers more publications and citations than ISI and Scopus. There is a stronger correlation between GS and Scopus than there is between GS and ISI. We conclude that GS is an alternative service, but should be cautiously used when evaluating research in developing countries. Areas for further research are also recommended.Information Scienc