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1 – 9 of 9Ugwunwa Esse and Yacob- Haliso
This study aims to investigate the facilitating conditions (FCs) and how these FC affect institutional repository (IR) sustainability practices in public universities in Nigeria.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the facilitating conditions (FCs) and how these FC affect institutional repository (IR) sustainability practices in public universities in Nigeria.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey research design was adopted in this study. The study population comprised 542 librarians from public universities that have IRs across Nigeria. A sample size of 230 librarians was determined using Taro Yamane’s formula. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select the respondents in three stages, which were purposive, stratified and purposive sampling. A structured, validated questionnaire was used for data collection. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential (simple and multiple regression) statistics at a 5% level of significance.
Findings
The result revealed that the availability of FCs (ßeta = 0.459, t(211) = 7.719, p = 0.000) has a positive and significant influence on IR sustainability in public university libraries in Nigeria. The F-test (1, 223) value of 59.582 shows that there is sufficient evidence to substantiate the model’s usefulness in explaining IR sustainability. The R2 (0.211) indicates that 21.1% of the variation in IR sustainability is explained by the availability of FCs in public university libraries in Nigeria. The finding suggests that the availability of FCs is a vital predictor of IR sustainability in public university libraries in Nigeria. The result also depicts that out of the eight parameters that measure the availability of FCs, it was current awareness of IR that had a positive and significant influence on IR sustainability.
Originality/value
This study concluded that ICT skills and FCs are contributory factors to IR sustainability practices by librarians in public university libraries in Nigeria. It was recommended that university administrators formulate policies that promote the sustainability of IR and provide adequate funds to support IR sustainability. Furthermore, the library management in public university libraries in Nigeria should drive content recruitment and create awareness of the IRs among students and faculty to ensure continued use.
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Ezlika Ghazali, Dilip Mutum, Muhammad Waqas, Azni Zarina Taha and Mozard Mohtar
This study aims to present a new integrative model that maps innovation diffusion factors, technology acceptance and use factors, device attitude, adoption intention and purchase…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to present a new integrative model that maps innovation diffusion factors, technology acceptance and use factors, device attitude, adoption intention and purchase intention for a pork DNA detection device (PD3).
Design/methodology/approach
A scenario-based survey was conducted with 256 potential consumers of the portable PD3. Partial least square structural equation modelling was used to test the research hypotheses.
Findings
It was found that innovation characteristic factors determine the attitude towards the device, perceived expectancy of performance and effort required to use the device. Performance and effort expectancy further influence the positive attitude towards the device which determines the behavioural intention to adopt and purchase the device.
Originality/value
This study proposes a new model that integrates the diffusion innovation theory and the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology to understand the mechanism that facilitates the adoption and purchase intention of PD3s. This study contributes to the existing literature by offering solutions that can reduce the concerns of Muslim travellers. This study enhances the understanding of the future commercial potential of this newly developed technology. The results show that the potential demand for a portable PD3 is very optimistic among consumers observing a halal diet.
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Clement Ola Adekoya and Akeem Adedayo Adedimeji
The purpose of this paper is to investigate enhancement of library performance by exploiting the potentials of disruptive innovations.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate enhancement of library performance by exploiting the potentials of disruptive innovations.
Design/methodology/approach
Descriptive survey research design was used for this study. The population of the study was 167 respondents, consisting of 83 professional and 84 para-professional librarians in the libraries of the public higher institutions in Ekiti and Ondo States, Nigeria. Total enumeration sampling technique was used for the study. Data were collected using the questionnaire. Descriptive statistical tools were used for data analysis.
Findings
It was found that disruptive innovation has influence on library operations, the extent of application of disruptive innovation in library operation is low, the extent of using the by-products of disruptive innovation in the libraries is low and the challenges facing the adoption of disruptive innovations in libraries include: high cost of acquiring technological infrastructure, high cost of training library personnel, high costs of internet, inadequate technical know-how and high costs of system maintenance and upgrades.
Practical implications
Libraries should embrace the influence of disruptive innovations in their operations and service delivery.
Originality/value
This study is novel, as it approaches library performance from the perspective of the disruptive innovation. Very few studies emanate from Africa in this area. Most of the previous narratives around disruptive innovation centred around the Western countries such USA, UK, France, Italy, etc., which maintain a lead in library innovation and development. The current study demonstrated that the performance of libraries in Nigeria is not immune from being boosted by disruptive innovations.
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Clement Ola Adekoya, Joseph Kehinde Fasae and Adesola Victoria Alade
Education is a strong pillar to national development. It is vital to ensure sustainable higher education development (SHED) in a bid to facilitate global development. This study…
Abstract
Purpose
Education is a strong pillar to national development. It is vital to ensure sustainable higher education development (SHED) in a bid to facilitate global development. This study aims to investigate academic libraries, information and communication technology (ICT) use and SHED.
Design/methodology/approach
Descriptive survey research design was used for this study. The population of the study was 607 librarians in the 41 public university libraries in Southern Nigeria. Total enumeration and purposive sampling techniques were used for this study. The instrument of data collection was questionnaire. Descriptive statistics was used for the data analysis.
Findings
It was found that qualified teachers and promotion of scholarship constitute SHED. The extent of contribution of academic libraries to SHED is high. Academic libraries face a number of challenges in their effort to provide information services for the actualisation of the SHED. The extent of use of ICT in SHED is high. It was therefore recommended that academic libraries and ICT should be adequately used to accomplish SHED in Nigeria.
Research limitations/implications
This study will contribute to the body of literature on how academic libraries and the use of ICT can contribute to SHED.
Practical implications
While SHED is central to global development, the role of academic libraries and the use of ICT should be unanimously embraced by all the stakeholders in education industry.
Originality/value
SHED is inevitable in the contemporary era. This study reveals that academic libraries and ICT use are vital in achieving SHED.
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Open access (OA) is often considered as particularly beneficial to researchers in the global south. However, research into awareness of and attitudes to OA has been largely…
Abstract
Open access (OA) is often considered as particularly beneficial to researchers in the global south. However, research into awareness of and attitudes to OA has been largely dominated by voices from the global north. A survey was conducted of 507 researchers from the developing world and connected to INASP's AuthorAID project to ascertain experiences and attitudes to OA publishing. The survey revealed problems for the researchers in gaining access to research literature in the first place. There was a very positive attitude to OA research and OA journals, but when selecting a journal in which to publish, OA was seen as a much less important criterion than factors relating to international reputation. Overall, a majority of respondents had published in an OA journal and most of these had paid an article processing charge. Knowledge and use of self-archiving via repositories varied, and only around 20% had deposited their research in an institutional repository. The study also examined attitudes to copyright, revealing most respondents had heard of Creative Commons licences and were positive about the sharing of research for educational use and dissemination, but there was unease about research being used for commercial purposes. Respondents revealed a surprisingly positive stance towards openly sharing research data, although many revealed that they would need further guidance on how to do so. The survey also revealed that the majority had received emails from so called “predatory” publishers and that a small minority had published in them.
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Adesola Victoria Alade, Alexis Isioma Ureki and Clement Ola Adekoya
Year 2020 recorded an unprecedented bewilderment of the world with novel COVID-19, thereby threatening global food security. As such, there is need for academic libraries in…
Abstract
Purpose
Year 2020 recorded an unprecedented bewilderment of the world with novel COVID-19, thereby threatening global food security. As such, there is need for academic libraries in Nigeria to provide information regarding food security to users to ensure post-COVID-19 food security. This study, therefore, aims to reflect on the role of academic libraries in facilitating post-COVID-19 food security in Nigeria.
Design/methodology/approach
Descriptive research design of survey type was used for the study. Librarians and library officers in academic libraries in south-west Nigeria were considered for the study. Self-structured online questionnaire was sent to the respondents via social media. The data generated were analysed using frequency count and simple percentage.
Findings
It was found that academic libraries performed significant role during the COVID-19 period by disseminating online information on preventive measures, and supporting research team with information on the pandemic. The study further found that the services of academic libraries are strongly required in facilitating post-COVID-19 food security, even in the face of some challenges.
Practical implications
In the face of the looming COVID-19-induced food shortage, it becomes evident that academic libraries have to support individuals, farmers, research teams and organisations with information and information resources that can help in accomplishing global food security.
Social implications
Failure of academic libraries to offer the required support in terms of provision of necessary information resources on agriculture may make the attainment of COVID-19 food security difficult.
Originality/value
Ensuring post-COVID-19 food security is an issue of global concern. This study encourages academic libraries to expedite action to contribute towards ensuring post-COVID-19 global food security.
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Chris Schachtebeck and Thea Judith Tselepis
Entrepreneurship Education (EE) has received substantial attention, both in the popular press, as well as in academia, owing to the socio-economic impact it holds. However, while…
Abstract
Entrepreneurship Education (EE) has received substantial attention, both in the popular press, as well as in academia, owing to the socio-economic impact it holds. However, while the importance of entrepreneurship is universally acknowledged, specific higher-order outcomes EE aim to achieve have not received the same level of attention. This study aims to fill this void by analysing teaching and learning approaches to EE in Africa, as well as the competencies that these EE initiatives aim to build. The study makes use of a qualitative research approach in the form of a systematic review of EE studies conducted in Africa. The systematic review aimed to uncover which approaches and competencies EE initiatives apply. Results indicated that teaching and learning of EE in Africa are mainly focussed on learning for and about entrepreneurship, and to a lesser degree through entrepreneurship. The study therefore proposes the development of higher-order competencies in the form of envisioning and constructing. The study contributes in practice by proposing a shift in the approach to EE by building competencies in the areas of visionary thinking and market expansion, rather than gaining market share. The study also makes a theoretical contribution by critically reviewing teaching and learning approaches on EE and developed competencies, and expands the role that EE can play in market development and opportunity creation.
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Alex I. Nyagango, Alfred S. Sife and Isaac Kazungu
There is a contradictive debate on factors influencing mobile phone usage awareness among scholars. This study aims to examine factors influencing mobile phone usage awareness for…
Abstract
Purpose
There is a contradictive debate on factors influencing mobile phone usage awareness among scholars. This study aims to examine factors influencing mobile phone usage awareness for accessing agricultural marketing information.
Design/methodology/approach
A descriptive cross-sectional research design was used with 400 smallholder grape farmers. The use of structured questionnaires, focus group discussions and key informant interviews helped to collect primary data. Data analysis was subjected to descriptive, ordinal logistic regression and thematic approaches.
Findings
This study found that farmers were mostly aware of voice calls helping to access buyers and price information. Education, age and sex were the critical factors influencing mobile phone usage awareness among grape smallholder farmers.
Originality/value
This study contributes to scientific knowledge by providing an understanding of the perceived factors on mobile phone usage awareness within the grape subsector to inform policymakers.
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The key purpose of this study is to investigate the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) among farmers in Qena Governorate of Upper Egypt farmers' use of ICTs…
Abstract
Purpose
The key purpose of this study is to investigate the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) among farmers in Qena Governorate of Upper Egypt farmers' use of ICTs in Qena Governorate, one of Upper Egypt's largest agricultural governorates.
Design/methodology/approach
A semi-structured questionnaire survey, as well as some personal interviews, was used to collect detailed information about farmers' use or non-use of ICTs. The study's participants included 131 farmers.
Findings
Respondents were mostly males who were married and had an average level of education and age. The majority of respondents had 26–30 years of work experience. The majority of them used ICTs for 4–6 h per day. All respondents used ICTs to learn about new agricultural products, increase land productivity, gather market information and learn about livestock. Mobile phones, social media and the internet were identified as the most useful and simple-to-use technologies by all respondents. Illiteracy, a lack of knowledge and awareness and the cost of CITs were discovered to have an impact on respondents' use of information.
Originality/value
The significance of this study stems from the hotly debated topic of the need to use technology tools in agriculture, whether for agricultural work or communication with others. ICTs provide a variety of new ways to communicate and exchange information and knowledge.
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