Public libraries are indispensable institutions that contribute towards the socioeconomic development of every citizen in every country by providing access to information. In South Africa, the provision of access to information through public libraries was marred by the inequalities of the apartheid laws. In order to address past injustices regarding access to information, the government of today, through the Department of Arts and Culture, is committed to allocating an annual library conditional grant to all the nine provinces to build and develop new and already existing public libraries, respectively. This study investigated the information needs of people who use these newly built and developed public libraries and information centres in Limpopo Province. The questionnaire was distributed to the library users of selected public libraries in Limpopo Province to collect information about their basic information needs and expectations. The results showed that the majority of public libraries and information services users in Limpopo Province are the youth and young adults, who specifically use these libraries and information services for study space and accessing the internet. The kind of information required by these youth, young adults and adults revolves around health matters, education programmes, career guidance and crime prevention. It is therefore recommended that library users be made aware of other services offered by public libraries and that user needs analysis studies be conducted from time to time in order for public libraries to meet the ever-changing needs of library users.
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to recommend a framework for remodelling a public sector knowledge management system (KMS) using key knowledge management (KM) processes. The rationale is to provide insight and guidelines to organisations that struggle with KM. Design/methodology/approach This desktop study adopted the qualitative approach and literature to support the understanding regarding the remodelling of the public sector KMS using key KM processes. Findings The study found that if KM processes are not considered, the prospect of KM is limited. The best way to manage public sector knowledge is following KM processes using information technology. Without proper KM, organisations may not know how knowledge is generated, codified, stored, shared and used in an organisation. Originality/value The paper provides a framework to guide public sector organisations in the implementation of electronic KM. Thus, proposing a new way of managing knowledge by using the electronic KM processes in the public sector organisations. The study will also benefit other organisations implementing KM programmes.
Knowledge is regarded as an important resource for any organisation. Sharing of knowledge is crucial to the survival of an organisation, especially in municipalities which are required to deliver basic services to citizens. This study examined knowledge sharing practices in selected municipalities of Limpopo Province, South Africa. The study adopted a quantitative research approach and a survey research design, using a structured questionnaire as data collection method. The population for the study comprised of staff members in the Information and Knowledge Management and Human Resource Management units in seven municipalities in Limpopo Province, selected through stratified and proportional sampling methods. Data were analysed using IBM Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software. The results of the study showed that, although knowledge sharing is viewed as important by the respondents, it is not encouraged among employees, and appears to be the least supported task by most managers attached to selected municipalities. There is insufficient information technology infrastructure to support knowledge sharing, and there is no reward system to encourage employees to engage in knowledge sharing. Therefore, the municipalities need to implement the reward system and to acquire relevant information and communications technology infrastructure to motivate and stimulate the culture of knowledge sharing.
Acceleration of access to information through the provision of library and information services to rural communities is recognised with much appreciation by the library and information services (LIS) sector in South Africa. As more community libraries are being built and public libraries refurbished, it becomes important to investigate whether these library and information service centres meet the information needs of the communities they serve. This paper is a report of a qualitative and quantitative study that investigated the prospects and challenges for public and community libraries in Limpopo Province, South Africa. For data collection, a questionnaire with closed-and open-ended questions was distributed to staff in selected public and community libraries in Limpopo Province to complete. The study revealed that most of the challenges to the provision of access to library and information services in Limpopo Province are related to outdated and irrelevant materials, small buildings, lack of databases, insufficient internet access and connectivity, as well as lack of materials for people living with disabilities. It seems, therefore, that there are information needs that cannot be met by even newly established and improved libraries and information service centres. Studies of this nature in the country will make it possible to propose possible solutions and strategies for the future improvement of LIS, especially for future implementation of the national LIS policy for South Africa.
Organisational culture is an important factor and has a strong influence on knowledge sharing within institutions. The prevailing culture can either support or compromise knowledge sharing in municipalities. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of organisational culture on knowledge sharing in some municipalities in Limpopo, South Africa. This study used both quantitative and qualitative research methods. Thus, data was collected using both structured questionnaires and interviews. Quantitative data was analysed using IBM Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) 23 software, while qualitative data was analysed using a thematic analysis method. The study revealed that the existing culture in Limpopo municipalities is not conducive to sharing organisational knowledge due to a culture of knowledge hoarding, mistrust, fear and political influence. A policy needs to be developed to protect employees from political influence. To create a conducive environment, where employees can trust each other and knowledge sharing can thrive, managers can encourage staff members to share best practices with their colleagues and consult with them when faced with problems or challenges, rather than taking the challenge to a manager. Municipalities should also build formal recognition and reward systems to compensate employees demonstrating knowledge-sharing behaviours. A comparative study on knowledge sharing in both municipalities and government departments in Limpopo as a whole is recommended.
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