To determine the perceived self-efficacy of South African LIS academics in e-teaching as a co-requisite to imparting relevant ICT knowledge and skills to LIS students.
Abstract
Purpose
To determine the perceived self-efficacy of South African LIS academics in e-teaching as a co-requisite to imparting relevant ICT knowledge and skills to LIS students.
Design/methodology/approach
The study was underpinned by the pragmatic world view, which allows a researcher to choose a combination of methods, techniques and procedures that best meets the needs and purposes of the study. Based on the purpose and objectives of the study, and the type of data needed, a quantitative approach, employing the descriptive survey design was used. An online questionnaire with both structured and unstructured questions was distributed to 79 LIS academics in 8 universities and attracted a 68.4% response rate. Structured responses were computed directly as quantitative data, while the unstructured answers were aggregated under themes and analysed quantitatively.
Findings
The findings show that LIS academics in South Africa have not been left behind in the trends regarding e-teaching, and most of them feel quite confident about their self-efficacy in e-teaching. A variety of Learning Management Systems and e-tools are in use and relevant policies and technical support available. Most LIS academics, to re-/up-skill themselves, employ diverse heutagogical strategies. However, the e-teaching support in terms of resources and technical support are inadequate because some universities are deficient in their provision of ICTs and e-learning guidelines.
Research limitations/implications
The limitations of the study is that this was a time-bound study that focused merely on the basic level investigation A further in-depth probing of the real (as opposed to self) levels of e-teaching efficacy and how heutagogy can be explored or advocated is necessary.
Practical implications
The implications of the results are that (1) South African LIS academics are well fairly well prepares to face the impact of COVID-19, which has forced universities to turn to virtual/online education (2) Heutagogical approach should be explored as a method of further improving the capabilities of e-teachers, in order to (3) pass forward a positive impact on LIS graduates by preparing them to be agile for a modern work environment. (4) universities have to provide sufficient resources to support academics in their endeavour to continually improve their teaching.
Social implications
Topical in the face of the novel coronavirus.
Originality/value
Optimal
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Mabel Majanja and Joseph Kiplang’at
This study investigated the current status and occupational characteristics of women librarians in Kenya. The study’s objectives were to: compare their status to that of their…
Abstract
This study investigated the current status and occupational characteristics of women librarians in Kenya. The study’s objectives were to: compare their status to that of their male counterparts; establish their career advancement opportunities; investigate factors inhibiting their professional advancement; and suggest possible solutions to some of the impediments encountered by them in their professional advancement. The study was conducted using a survey research method. The findings indicated that the majority of women librarians in Kenya had adequate qualifications, but held lower positions compared to their male counterparts and were still specialising in cataloguing, circulation and children’s work. Concludes that Kenyan women librarians’ status has consistently been lower than men’s in terms of position, salary and other remuneration. Recommends that Kenyan women librarians need to be more assertive in job seeking and negotiating for higher remuneration and should be encouraged to venture into IT‐related jobs. Suggests proper supportive policies and legislation should be put in place to address issues of equal opportunities in education, training and employment.
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Gloria Bosomtwi Amoah and Mabel Khayisia Minishi-Majanja
This study aims to audit the key performance indicators (KPIs) in Ghanaian university libraries. It aimed at finding out the KPIs used by Ghanaian university libraries and how…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to audit the key performance indicators (KPIs) in Ghanaian university libraries. It aimed at finding out the KPIs used by Ghanaian university libraries and how effective they have been in correcting lapses in staff performance.
Design/methodology/approach
Employing a quantitative research approach, the views of 218 librarians were elicited from nine universities in Ghana. Due to the manageable size of staff population in the libraries, the census sampling technique was adopted.
Findings
Results indicated even though staff members were unaware of KPIs in their libraries, most of the respondents understood the concept and perceived is to be measuring the success and tracking performance in libraries. It was also revealed that most of the libraries did not have clear and measurable KPIs. Close to 80% of the libraries under study did not have clearly stated KPIs of which members of staff were aware. The study revealed that KPIs may differ from one library to the other, depending on the mission and vision statement of the library. For increased staff performance in Ghanaian university libraries the study recommends management to develop clear and measurable outcome-based metrics that will lead to high performance. This will not only address the needs of clients but also improve the libraries' efficiency in terms of information provision. Management should also have clear and measurable KPIs and make them available to library staff.
Practical implications
For increased staff performance in Ghanaian university libraries the study recommends management to develop clear and measurable outcome-based metrics that will lead to high performance. This will not only address the needs of clients but also improve the libraries' efficiency in terms of information provision. Management should also have clear and measurable KPIs and make them available to library staff.
Originality/value
The study provides information on KPIs in Ghanaian university libraries and how to effectively deal with the challenges associated with its usage.
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Viv Ringsar Daimari, Swagota Saikia, Dattatraya Kalbande and Manoj Kumar Verma
Industries throughout the world have gone through four phases of the industrial revolution. Today, the authors are encountering the Fourth Industrial Revolution (Industry 4.0 or…
Abstract
Purpose
Industries throughout the world have gone through four phases of the industrial revolution. Today, the authors are encountering the Fourth Industrial Revolution (Industry 4.0 or 4IR), which is characterized by the application of information and communication technologies in the industry. This study aims to evaluate the growth of literature in the context of libraries and the Fourth Industrial Revolution and then identify the active research actors, countries, affiliations and sources and the status of collaboration across various geographical locations.
Design/methodology/approach
A systematic literature review was conducted. The data were extracted from the Scopus database incorporating scientometric and altmetric indicators. The search terms were TITLE-ABS-KEY “Industry 4.0” OR “4IR” OR “Fourth Industrial Revolution” AND “Library 4.0” OR “librarian 4.0” OR “libraries” OR “library” OR “library service” without any limitation. The results identified 218 documents out of which 67 core documents are related to libraries. Analysis was performed using MS Excel and VOSviewer.
Findings
South Africa, Nigeria and South Korea were the three most productive countries in the field. Library Hi Tech News is the most productive journal. Collaboration among African countries like South Africa, Nigeria and Zimbabwe seems to be good and they constituted the largest share of documents. The research on the Fourth Industrial Revolution in the context of libraries still lacks social media attention.
Originality/value
This study is the first systematic review in this area using a combination of scientometrics and altmetrics. The results will serve as a valuable reference for future researchers and policymakers.