Search results
1 – 6 of 6Syeda Mukta Begum and Umme Habiba
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on library and information services (LIS) and how library professionals overcome the challenges of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on library and information services (LIS) and how library professionals overcome the challenges of COVID-19 pandemic in the current reality.
Design/methodology/approach
This study used quantitative and qualitative methods to investigate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on Bangladesh’s LIS professionals. A structured online questionnaire was designed for the purpose of a quantitative survey. The respondents of this study were LIS professionals in all categories of libraries (e.g. academic libraries, public libraries, special libraries and national library) in Bangladesh. A total of 106 responses from LIS professionals in Bangladesh were received. This study analyzed qualitative data using Braun and Clark’s technique for thematic coding. Researchers interviewed librarians in two phases (during the COVID-19 pandemic and after COVID-19) about how libraries cope up with the COVID crisis. The descriptive findings were examined using diverse descriptive statistics (i.e. frequency numbers and percentages), and for examining the significant differences among demographics’ information regarding challenges faced by LIS professionals, Mann–Whitney and Kruskal–Wallis tests were conducted. The qualitative responses were carefully analyzed for familiarizing, coding and theme generation.
Findings
The result showed that most LIS professionals (i.e. 46.2% and 43.4%) had faced difficulties in accessing e-resources from home and had failed to maintain balance between work and personal life and to offer remote library services. The LIS professionals mostly used Facebook Messenger and Zoom to communicate with their colleagues and users. Furthermore, many LIS professionals (50.0%) secured their health and safety, adopted hygienic procedures at their workstations and provided virtual reference services. The qualitative findings show that though some libraries have faced challenges in providing online sources and services due to the absence of authority interest, budget scarcity and inadequate information and communication technology infrastructure, some libraries took the initiative to establish library institutional repository and make it available for users from home.
Research limitations/implications
The present study only concentrated on the staff and their actions during and after the pandemic, which was mentioned as a limitation. It would be more effective if the study also considered the user’s viewpoint. The researchers hope that this study will help LIS professionals to support and provide digital and innovative service initiatives in their organization.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first of its kind study in Bangladesh where the staff of all types of libraries expressed their views on the problems they faced during the COVID-19 pandemic and the steps they took recently to overcome them.
Details
Keywords
Umme Habiba and Md. Emdadul Islam
This paper aims at assessing faculty members' information searching patterns and the process of determining their information sources' quality and credibility.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims at assessing faculty members' information searching patterns and the process of determining their information sources' quality and credibility.
Design/methodology/approach
This study administered an online survey through email invitation to secure data from 987 (55%) faculty members of both public and private universities of Bangladesh. The data were analysed using various descriptive statistics, and parametric and non-parametric tests such as Mann–Whitney, Kruskal–Wallis, and one-way ANOVA tests, to see the significant differences according to demographic characteristics at a 0.05 level of significance.
Findings
This study's outcomes affirm that most participants use Google Scholar and ResearchGate when searching/seeking information. Furthermore, for authenticating the credibility and quality of information, most faculty members tried to identify the information source and applied personal knowledge regarding information authentication. The statistical test results also found significant differences among faculty members' demographic characteristics (gender, age, experience and area of specialization) using the various source types. No significant differences were observed for determining information credibility in terms of faculty members’ demographic characteristics.
Research limitations/implications
As a limitation, this study only includes public and private universities in Bangladesh. This research could be more comprehensive if faculty members from other countries had participated in the survey.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to approach this significant but less addressed area to understand faculty member's behaviour in terms of determining the quality and credibility of information resources in Bangladesh.
Details
Keywords
Umme Habiba and S.M. Zabed Ahmed
The main aim of this paper is to examine the role of demographics and self-reported computer skill levels as predictors of e-resources awareness and use by faculty members working…
Abstract
Purpose
The main aim of this paper is to examine the role of demographics and self-reported computer skill levels as predictors of e-resources awareness and use by faculty members working at various public and private universities in Bangladesh.
Design/methodology/approach
An online survey was conducted at public and private universities in Bangladesh. A total of 757 faculty members from 48 universities across the country responded to the survey. The data were analyzed using various descriptive statistics, i.e. frequencies and percentages and non-parametric Mann–Whitney and Kruskal–Wallis tests were conducted to see the differences in levels of awareness among faculty members in terms of university type, gender, age, designation, specialization and computer proficiency levels. An ordinal regression model was used to predict the role of demographics and computer skill levels on faculty awareness levels. Finally, correlation coefficient was measured to see the relationships between faculty awareness and use of e-resources.
Findings
The findings revealed that faculty members working at different universities in Bangladesh are generally aware of most e-resources types. There were significant differences in faculty awareness in terms of demographics and self-reported computer skills levels. The results showed that computer proficiency level is a significant predictor of faculty awareness of e-resources. The findings also showed that awareness and use of e-resources are positively and significantly correlated.
Originality/value
This is the foremost attempt to assess the role of demographics and computer skill levels as predictors of awareness and use of e-resources by faculty members.
Details
Keywords
Rahil Irfan Ahmed, Guohao Zhao, Naveed Ahmad and Umme Habiba
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a requirement for energy enterprises as different stakeholders deem environmental and social responsibility the duty. This study aims to…
Abstract
Purpose
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a requirement for energy enterprises as different stakeholders deem environmental and social responsibility the duty. This study aims to explore the determinants that affect CSR disclosure in energy enterprises of developing nations.
Design/methodology/approach
Panel data of energy companies is used that are listed on Pakistan Stock Exchange. A comprehensive CSR disclosure index is developed using seven themes, i.e. environment, employees, energy, emissions, product, community development and other CSR-related activities. A random effect model of regression is used on the sample of data.
Findings
The finding of the study reveals that profitability, financial leverage, board size and being a multinational subsidiary has a significant relationship with CSR disclosure level.
Research limitations/implications
The sample is confined to a certain number of years and publicly traded energy companies. Further studies can explore the relationship of CSR among different groups of firms, such as SMEs, non-listed companies and state-run enterprises to document whether the findings are significant or not. The opinions and ideas of external stakeholders could also be explored using various qualitative methods such as interviews.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, it is the first study of its kind whose only focus is energy sector enterprises. A comprehensive scale is used to measure CSR practices. It is helpful for upcoming studies to examine the various aspects of CSR research and figure sound outcome.
Details