Institutional repositories in Africa: obstacles and challenges

Abstract

Purpose Access to appropriate scholarly information can play a positive role in the development of African countries. Institutional repositories (IRs) have the potential to enhance access and sharing of research-based information generated in Africa. Developing IRs is a consequence of the internet’s fundamental influence on the availability and distribution of scholarly information. IRs were instituted to optimise open access of scholarly information that can be freely distributed on the internet. The perception is that the IRs are not embraced in Africa as a valuable tool as the case is in other regions of the world. Research carried over to explore the reasons for the perceived little development and exploitation of IRs in Africa is limited. The purpose of this paper is to report on a survey that attempted to identify the obstacles and challenges regarding IRs in African academic institutions. Design/methodology/approach A webometric approach and online semi-structured questionnaires filled in by IR managers or people responsible for IR management were used to collect data for this study. Responses were received from 26 respondents. Findings The major obstacles were identified as inadequate funding or financial support, lack of support from institutional management and lack of awareness of IRs at institutional management level. Research limitations/implications The study selected only IR managers or people responsible for IR management and administration in different African academic institutions with existing IRs as respondents. Other people in these institutions might have valuable knowledge about issues regarding the IRs in their institutions from whom no data were collected. Originality/value Based on the findings, the paper recommends strategies on how African academic institutions could increase the number of IRs and improve the utilisation of IRs in the continent.

Normative drift and self‐correction in scholarly book publishing: The case of Makerere University

“…The decision to rely on annual reports for publication data rather than on the university's institutional repository was based on the observed and reported limitations of institutional repositories (Dlamini & Snyman, ; Kakai, ; Pinfield et al ., ; Salo, ) and on the assumption that annual reports serve as both a record and an opportunity to promote the university's achievements, would provide a more complete record.…”

Strategies for the use of open access institutional repositories at universities in Ghana

“…The open access (OA) movement in academic/university libraries has brought forth the concept of open access institutional repositories (OAIRs) (Dlamini and Snyman, 2017). Technology and interoperability requirements now provide libraries in developing countries with more opportunities to disseminate local research and, in so doing, to bridge the knowledge gap.…”

“…Abrizah et al (2017) state that many universities around the world have launched projects to build repositories which will enable faculty and researchers to upload and access academic literature, and to share resources within their institution or across the country. One of the pathways being used to enhance the availability, accessibility and visibility of content from Africa, is through OAIRs (Dlamini and Snyman, 2017).…”

“…In terms of research performance, developing countries in Africa rank lowest (Dlamini and Snyman, 2017). Most of the research outputs of African academics and researchers gather dust in the various departmental offices and institutional libraries, without being published (Mohammed, 2013).…”

“…Most of the research outputs of African academics and researchers gather dust in the various departmental offices and institutional libraries, without being published (Mohammed, 2013). According Dlamini and Snyman (2017), African academics strive to publish in internationally renowned peer-reviewed journals, to ensure academic promotion. The work of many scholars is not, however, taken up in these journals, whose subscription rates are too high for most African university libraries.…”