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1 – 5 of 5Josephine Orayo, Jane Maina, Jotham Milimo Wasike and Felicitas Ciabere Ratanya
The purpose of this paper is to provide an analysis of the customer care practices at the University of Nairobi, Jomo Kenyatta Memorial Library (JKML), Kenya.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide an analysis of the customer care practices at the University of Nairobi, Jomo Kenyatta Memorial Library (JKML), Kenya.
Design/methodology/approach
A descriptive research design was used. Simple random sampling technique was used to derive at an appropriate sample from the target population. A structured questionnaire and face-to-face interview was used to collect both quantitative and qualitative data. A total of 384 questionnaires were distributed to students and library staff. Face-to-face interview was conducted among five section heads. Data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel and presented in tabulated summaries and figures.
Findings
JKML had not only put in place customer care practices but had also provided reliable services with notable professionalism among staff. Users were satisfied with the attention and information resources provided. Challenges encountered related to inadequate ICT infrastructure, lack of a written policy, lack of customer care skills among library staff and lack of managerial support. The study recommended inclusion of customer care in the mainstream of the strategic plan of the university.
Research limitations/implications
The major implication for this study is that sustainable customer care self-assessment needs to be explored in national and private libraries in Kenya.
Practical implications
This study provides a significant practical outlook on marketing-savvy approaches toward customer care and efforts made toward the achievement of the goals of the university.
Originality/value
This study provides insights on good practices on customer care which can be emulated by other academic libraries and adds value to the knowledge base.
Details
Keywords
Rodger Osebe, Jane Maina and Kibiwott Kurgat
The study aims to establish the records management practice, in support of governance in Nyamira County. The objectives were to determine the types of records managed in Nyamira…
Abstract
Purpose
The study aims to establish the records management practice, in support of governance in Nyamira County. The objectives were to determine the types of records managed in Nyamira County, to establish the contribution of records management in the running of Nyamira County, to determine the adoption of records management policies in Nyamira County and to assess strategies that will lead to sound records management in Nyamira County.
Design/methodology/approach
The sample population comprised 27 respondents who were drawn from different categories of staff through census sampling as follows: 4 records officers, 3 record clerks, 10 chief officers and 10 secretaries. The study used a qualitative research approach where interview schedules and observation were used for data collection.
Findings
It was established that Nyamira County generated various types of records including policy related records, financial records and auditing records. It was submitted that records management is essential in support of governance as it forms a basis for equity in resource distribution, hence fostering confidence among the public, which results in good will from the people on County government projects. The study noted various challenges including inadequately trained staff on records management, lack of records disposal and retention schedules, inadequate equipment and space and inadequate policies and standards.
Originality/value
The study concluded that poor records management practiced in Nyamira County was a great hindrance to good governance and recommended that county governments should formulate and implement records management policies, standards and guidelines and provide adequate budgetary allocations to ensure that the records management practice that is in place supports governance.
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In order to determine the feasibility of offering free online searches to ndergraduates at Texas A&M University's Evans Library, the authors offered free searches to selected…
Abstract
In order to determine the feasibility of offering free online searches to ndergraduates at Texas A&M University's Evans Library, the authors offered free searches to selected Technical Writing classes in the Spring Semester of 1983. The response was surprisingly low, and the offer was extended to Summer Semester classes. As a result of this research project, the authors believe that free or partially‐subsidized searches can be offered, and they suggest ways to make the service available to undergraduates.
Miriam Glucksmann and Jane Nolan
This paper aims to explore the linked series of changes connecting unpaid and paid labour in the household economy and the market sector, which may be associated with the…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to explore the linked series of changes connecting unpaid and paid labour in the household economy and the market sector, which may be associated with the implementation of new technologies of production and the proliferation of new consumer products.
Design/methodology/approach
One historical and one contemporary example, mass production during the inter‐war period, and ready‐made meals today, are used as exemplary cases for probing changes in women's labour.
Findings
New technologies of home and work alter the relationships between work not only across the processes of production, distribution, exchange and consumption, but also across the boundaries between paid and unpaid labour and between market and non‐market work.
Originality/value
The conceptual schema of the “total social organisation of labour” is used to focus on dynamic interdependence and interaction across and between work undertaken in different socio‐economic modes.
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Keywords
Health information oriented toward the consumer has long been scarce. Online databases and health information directories have been geared to the health professional. Many…
Abstract
Health information oriented toward the consumer has long been scarce. Online databases and health information directories have been geared to the health professional. Many libraries have responded to the consumer's desire for and right to health information, but most have not, except indirectly, as participants in consumer health information consortiums. As McClaskey states: