An Interdisciplinary Encounter Between Two Knowledge Domains: Library and Information Science vs Knowledge Management

The main purpose of this study is to develop a framework of the interdisciplinary encounter between two knowledge domains. The study adopted a case analysis of library and information science’s (LIS) encounter with knowledge management (KM). It examines the views of LIS academics and practitioners regarding their awareness of KM concepts, their responses to KM, factors influencing them to respond to KM, and issues related to the incorporation of KM into LIS. LIS has incorporated the core content of KM based on the combination of varying proportions of major perspectives and skill-sets of KM. It follows a partial adoption process through mutual borrowing of knowledge between LIS and KM. The findings suggest that LIS has encountered KM through recognizing KM, responding to it, and renovating the existing structure of LIS. Thus, the paper proposes a 3R model of the interdisciplinary encounter between two knowledge domains, where ‘R’ stands for Recognizing, Responding and Renovating. The model is original in nature broadening its scope from LIS and KM to the generalization of other disciplines. Finally, the paper provides some suggestions for the better integration of KM education and practice in LIS. Keywords: Interdisciplinary encounter, Knowledge domain, Knowledge management, Library and information scienc

The students’ career choice and job preparedness strategies: A social environmental perspective

The study aimed to investigate the factors determining the students’ career choice and find out their job preparedness strategies. Moreover, the study sought to propose a theory which could explain the students’ career choice from a social environmental perspective. Primary data for this study were collected from 120 students selected from fourteen academic departments of the Noakhali Science and Technology University (NSTU) in Bangladesh based on snow-ball sampling. The study revealed that several factors involving students’ family preferences, teachers’ advice, job prestige, job security, remunerations, scope of promotion, scope of pension, scope of professional development, personal interests, academic majors, educational attainments and career development trainings have significant association with the students’ career decision-making. However, gender and social class did not have significant effects on the students’ career choice. The study proposed a career choice theory which indicates that the students’ career choice and career preferences are not determined by their personal interests alone; rather they are determined by the interplay of several social, cultural and economic forces. The study indicated that the majority of the respondents undertake self-study to pursue their preferred jobs. While career development trainings play an important role in developing the competencies of the students for jobs, a majority of the respondents do not have such trainings. As such, the study suggested that the students of the NSTU should undertake career development courses as a strategy for job preparedness. Finally, the study suggested that the NSTU should set up a career guidance and counseling cell to link their students with the current labor market

Agricultural Information Literacy of Farmers in the Northern Region of Bangladesh

The study aims at exploring the extent of agricultural information literacy of farmers in the northern region of Bangladesh. Besides the review of relevant literature the study conducts a questionnaire-based survey of 160 farmers working in ten districts in the region. The analysis of the survey shows that farmers need information for various purposes of agricultural activities, and they use different sources and media for access to such information. Many of the farmers, however, are not well aware of modern techniques of agriculture, and they occasionally use such techniques for farming. Due to some problems farmers are moderately satisfied in getting agricultural information, and in many cases their satisfaction level is very low. The paper concludes with providing certain recommendations for the improvement of information literacy of the farmers in Bangladesh. Keywords: Information literacy, agricultural information, farmers, northern region, Bangladesh

Rural Information Provision in Bangladesh: A Study on Development Research Network

This paper aims to explore the rural information provision in Bangladesh and to examine users’ opinion regarding such information provision with a case study of Development Research Network (D.Net)- a non government organization. Besides the review of secondary sources, data were collected using an unstructured interview of eight officials of selected Pallitathya Kendra (rural information centre) of D.Net. The case study also conducted a survey of 120 rural dwellers from the selected centres of D.Net to receive their opinions using a structured questionnaire. The analysis suggests that D.Net provides rural dwellers of Bangladesh access to information through a number of innovative programmes and services with special reference to Pallitathya programme and InfoLady Services. The result also shows that ninety percent of the respondents are more or less satisfied with the existing programmes and services of D.Net. The study, however, makes certain recommendations for more effective and efficient rural information provision in Bangladesh made by D.Net. Keywords: Rural information, development research network, D.Net, Pallitathya Kendra, InfoLady, Bangladesh

Does Primary Education Hinder Child Development? A Study of Six Selected Primary Schools of Dhaka City in Bangladesh

The study was intended to explore the effects of primary education on the childhood of the students of Dhaka city. Primary data for this study were collected from 18 students of 6 schools of Dhaka city by using semi-structured interview schedules. The study reveals that several factors pertaining to primary education such as unwillingness to go to school, excessive burden of textbooks, pressure of homework, lack of opportunities to play, frequent number of examinations, parents’ unhealthy competition for good results have adverse effects on child development. The study puts forward that the adverse effects of primary schools including Government primary schools and kindergarten schools have caused adverse physical, psychological, cognitive and personality development among the students and disrupted their joyful and playful childhood and social learning. Unified primary education is a utopia in Bangladesh making disparities among the students of different categories of schools. Children are going to school with a heavy bag loaded with textbooks, notebooks and other needed things. Children are going through mental pressure about their results and good grades which are appreciated with chocolates and their bad results are depreciated with rebuke and punishment. The most important factor of students’ attraction to go to school is the opportunity to play with the friends. Free, joyous, playful and colorful childhood of the primary level students is disappearing in the urban areas of Dhaka due to excessive study pressure in the primary level. However, the study recommends that a unified primary education system should be ensured in Bangladesh as soon as possible which would help the social, emotional and cognitive development of the children protecting their colorful childhood

New MAX phase superconductor Ti2GeC: A first-principles study

This is the first DFT-based first-principles prediction of the detailed optical and thermodynamic properties, including Vickers hardness and Fermi surface of 211 MAX phase Ti2GeC for which superconductivity (Tc~ 9.5 K) was reported very recently. The calculated structural properties are in excellent agreement with experiments. Our results on elastic parameters indicate a slight elastic anisotropy and brittleness of the compound. The chemical bonding is seen to be a combination of covalent, ionic and metallic nature. The rather stronger covalent bonding is responsible for its high Vickers hardness of 11.6 GPa. The investigated Fermi surface is formed mainly by the low-dispersive bands, which should be responsible for the presence of superconductivity in Ti2GeC. All the optical properties are evaluated and analyzed for two different polarization directions of incident photon. The temperature and pressure dependence of primitive cell volume, thermal expansion coefficient, specific heats, bulk modulus, and Debye temperature of Ti2GeC are derived from the quasi-harmonic Debye model with phononic effect and the various implications are discussed in details

Ab initio atomistic insights into lead-free perovskites for photovoltaics and optoelectronics

This project focuses on the development of advanced non-toxic materials for the applications in energy generation and consumption devices like solar cells, light-emitting diodes, lasers and photodetectors. A first-principles density functional theory calculations are conducted to investigate the properties of a number of inorganic, hybrid and double perovskites compounds to predict their potential for applications in photovoltaics and optoelectronics. The achieved outcomes provide a better understanding of the structural, electronic, optical and mechanical properties of a group of potential compounds and provide new scientific knowledge to develop non-toxic high-quality organic-inorganic materials for photovoltaic and optoelectronic applications

Linking TVET with Industries in Bangladesh: Need for Supportive Policies and an Approach to TVET

While TVET is critical for development, there is a gap between skill development and employment, especially between TVET and industries in Bangladesh. As such, the study was intended to find out the supportive policies and an approach to TVET in order to link TVET with industries. The study was basically a qualitative study in which both primary and secondary data were used. Primary data were collected through semi-structured interviews with twelve purposively selected respondents working in various Government agencies and TVET institutions in Bangladesh. The study has indicated that the collaboration between TVET institutions and industries, and supportive public policy are necessary in order to link TVET with industries. Supportive public policy involves ensuring industries’ participation in designing curriculum and training, updating curriculum and training in response to market needs and changing technology, introducing dual system with strong focus on workplace learning, and public employment service, implementing National Skills Development Policy-2011 and National Skills Data System, and so on. The study has argued that the collaboration between TVET institutions and industries, and supportive public policy will create an enabling environment that would link TVET with industries in Bangladesh. Finally, the study has proposed a partnership-based approach to TVET where both the partners – TVET institution and industry – will work together and undertake joint initiatives based on mutual commitment and shared responsibility to promote formal and non-formal TVET in Bangladesh in line with labour market needs and technological changes

Exploring LIS academics’ responses to knowledge management

Purpose – The main purpose of this study is to investigate how and why library and information science (LIS) academics have responded to the advent of knowledge management (KM). Design/methodology/approach – The study employs an “experience survey” as a research strategy. Besides a review of scientific literature, this study conducts an e-mail survey of 106 LIS academics of the world who have adopted KM education in their schools. A structured questionnaire comprising of both closed and open questions is used as data collection instrument. The study analyses 57 filled-in valid questionnaires following a mixed-method approach of research. Findings – The ways of knowing and degrees of understanding of KM concepts among the LIS academics are varied. Although KM is distinct from LIS, there exists a strong link between the two knowledge domains. LIS academics have positively responded to KM, and considering its long root in LIS, they have argued for a serious consideration of the adoption of KM in LIS. The significant reasons for why the academics have responded to KM are the role of global knowledge economy, the natural evolution of the information field, interdisciplinarity, domain expansion, survival issues, and trends in technological innovations, etc. Research limitations/implications –Many LIS schools do not come under investigation due to lack of their web accessibility. Practical implications – LIS academics are suggested to apply a holistic approach of KM, and to expand the knowledge domain of LIS, by providing a sound understanding of the underlying concepts, theories, principles, techniques, and technologies of KM. Originality/value – The empirical findings of the study are the original views and responses of LIS academics who are experienced in KM