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AFFRIKA: Journal of Politics, Economics and Society, Special Issue: Information Access and Management Volume 4, Numbers 1 & 2, 2014

About This Edition

ISSN : ISSN: 1998-4936 (Print) ISSN: 2075-6534 (Online)

Table of Contents :

Knowledge Management in Academic Libraries in Developing Countries: A Case of Southern Africa
Priti Jain7

Due to revolution in university libraries, the role of librarians has changed drastically. Knowledge management (KM) is no more a fad, but a reality to be productive and a means to gain and sustain a competitive edge over rivals in all areas of life. This paper presents the findings of a study entitled, “Knowledge Management in University Libraries: A case of SADC countries” carried out by the author to investigate knowledge management (KM) practices in SADC (Southern African Development Community) university libraries. The preliminary findings of the study were published in an Open Access book chapter titled, “An Empirical study of Knowledge Management in University Libraries in SADC countries”. The focus of the paper is the impetus to practise KM and how KM is being practised, including the challenges and benefits associated with it. A questionnaire survey was used to carry out the study, including both quantitative and qualitative questions. The main reasons for practicing KM were recognized as: to improve library services and productivity, to produce more with less due to financial constraints, and to leverage already existing knowledge. The major challenges were distinguished as constant budget decline, lack of incentives, inadequate staff training, limited expertise, lack of clearly defined KM implementation guidelines, and insufficient technology and knowledge sharing culture.

Multivariate Analysis of the Status of e-Government Development in Zambia
Kelvin Bwalya, Tanya Du Plessis & Chris Rensleigh39

This article presents the results of a research that was done in Zambia aimed at assessing the readiness and willingness of different stakeholders (citizens and businesses) to engage in e-Government. Since e-Government is a multi-dimensional phenomenon, its analysis and measurement also call for a multivariate approach. The study utilizes a Mixed Methods Research (MMR) approach to assess both the institutional and individual readiness to adopt e-Government. Restricted factor analysis identified 8 factors explaining totally 23% variance in the proposed regression model. Spearman\'s rho was used to measure construct validity. The results show that there is a lot that needs to be done if successful e-Government development is to be achieved in Zambia. The study also shows that a pragmatic approach, commensurate to the local context, should be employed in the design of the different e-Government interventions in Zambia.

Adeyinka Tella & Hammed Taiwo Saka71

The use of online discussion forum (ODF) is gaining pace among universities as part of e-learning platforms. However, studies on LIS undergraduates use and acceptance of online discussion forum in the Nigeria university context using the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) in the context of the Nigeria Universities are limited. Against this backdrop, this study examined a modification of TAM for determining library and information science undergraduates’ acceptance and use of online discussion forum in some selected universities in the South-West and North Central Nigeria. A sample of 320 full time LIS undergraduate students took part in the study. The Pearson inter-correlation Matrix and Multiple regression analysis were conducted to explain the use and acceptance process. The variables from the modified TAM model Perceived Usefulness, Perceived Ease of Use, Perceived Benefits, Attitude towards Use, Intention to use and Actual Use, age, gender, computer experience, internet self-efficacy and accessibility proved TAM to be a good theoretical tool to understand users’ acceptance and actual usage of an ODF. Actual use was the most important factor determining acceptance while ease of use contributed most to the prediction of actual use in explaining the causal process in the model. Accessibility was the lowest scored factor determining acceptance in the causal process. The study underscores the need to improve access to the ODF to enhance its use by LIS undergraduate students.

Internet-Based Medical Information Sources, Resources and Strategies for Medical Research
Helen O. Jaiyeola Akinade, Kolawole Akinjide Aramide & Oluwole Olumide Durodolu 97

This study investigated the medical-based sources and resources available on the web. It presented a brief description of some medical resources and sources including databases and guides available on the Internet for medical research. The findings of the study revealed that the web has a variety of information resources for medical research in large quantity while also affirming the cost saving and ease of access attribute of these resources. Problem of infrastructure and lack of adequate search skills on the part of the of the researcher were among the major factors identified as major constraint to effective search and retrieval of medical resources from the web.

RESEARCH ESSAYS: Barriers to University Education, Retention and Graduate Study for Women in Tanzania
Fenela Mukangara & Ave Maria Semakafu117

BOOK REVIEWS: Agency and Gender in Gaza: Masculinity, Femininity and Family during the Second Intifada, 2013, Aitemad Muhanna, Ashgate Publishing: United Kingdom, ISBN 9781409454533(hbk) ($86.75)
Zuziwe Khuzwayo137

[abstract]


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