Positioning the technological university library in higher education and human resources development in Africa

Chiware, Elisha Rt

doi:10.1108/01435121011066153

Cited by 13 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…Chiware (2010) alluded to the role of the library director to strategically establish the library in the broader university and external environments by ensuring that there are adequate financial and human resources for middle managers to implement strategies. This applies to the Unisa Library because middle managers need to ensure equitable services to both clients visiting the Unisa libraries and those who are unable to do so (Unisa Library, 2015).…”

Section: Context Of Unisa Library Middle Managers In South Africamentioning

confidence: 99%

Career success – the perception of Open Distance Learning library middle managers

Raubenheimer

Ngulube

2019

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Purpose The purpose of this paper is to gain original evidence of the perception of Open Distance Learning (ODL) library middle managers towards the meaning of career success from the perspective of the individual. Design/methodology/approach This quantitative research study was conducted with the help of a survey questionnaire designed by the first researcher. Findings Results revealed that career success no longer only relates to criteria such as the hierarchical position or progression through high ratings obtained during performance appraisal. A high premium is placed by ODL library middle managers on other success criteria identified in the literature, such as the positive effect of their work on the institution, success achieved through a focus on work life and home life balance and personal recognition due to competence. Research limitations/implications The research findings presented in this paper form an important part of a comprehensive study on ODL library middle management development but is limited to the only ODL library in South Africa. Practical implications The paper provides current perceptions of ODL library middle managers to be considered during career path planning. Originality/value The paper provides the first findings of an overview of the perception of South African ODL library middle managers towards the meaning of career success. The study is timely as the number of ODL institutions is growing. The target population to benefit from this study is ODL library practitioners.

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Section: Context Of Unisa Library Middle Managers In South Africamentioning

confidence: 99%

Career success – the perception of Open Distance Learning library middle managers

Raubenheimer

Ngulube

2019

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“…Another important role of libraries in contributing to democratic processes involves ensuring that the information that is collected, stored and made available to the public represents a range of perspectives and interests. In this respect, Chiware (2010) highlights the importance of capturing and storing information that has been generated within the country or in the native language. Holding political information resources in the native language of the country is important for ensuring its accessibility to all citizens, especially those who are less educated or cannot read fluently in English or other languages.…”

Section: Libraries and Democratizationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Libraries and democratization

Al-Suqri

Al-Kindi

Saleem

2017

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Purpose This theoretical paper aims to draw on existing literature to examine the case for libraries to play a key role in the democratization of Oman. This paper is intended to provide foundation for further empirical research to develop a proposed future strategy for Oman’s library sector that will help facilitate the future political and economic transition of the Sultanate. Design/methodology/approach This is a theoretical study that draws on existing literature to examine the case for libraries to play a key role in the democratization of Oman. Findings There are four main ways in which public libraries support democratization are identified and discussed: providing access to information, ensuring inclusivity of knowledge, forming a community hub for interaction and dialogue and promoting social inclusion through internet access. Originality/value As Oman undergoes political and economic transition, this study and the follow-on empirical research will be highly significant in ensuring that the expansion of democratic processes in Oman proceeds peacefully and that the Sultanate provides a best practice model for Islamic democracy within the Gulf Cooperation Council region and globally.

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“…Many of them are already struggling with budget cuts, strained staffing and other challenges (Chiware 2010;Johnson et al 2015). Indeed re-engineering starts from reviewing the institutional mission and goals, to centralised planning and resource allocation to cater for the establishment and staffing of functional library R&I systems and units.…”

Section: African University Libraries Contextmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Currently, a lot of research output on R&I that relates to entrepreneurship is generated in universities (Chiware 2010) and other institutions of higher learning in Uganda but not much of this research cascades to the users in the informal sector where most SMEs fall (FSD Africa et al 2015). As already pointed out, the university libraries of the developed world are re-engineering their R&I to serve SMEs, and the same should be encouraged in the Ugandan university libraries so that entrepreneurs from SMEs can access and use the R&I information to generate innovative programmes for their businesses.…”

Section: University Libraries In a Ugandan Contextmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…One major factor that sets apart the developed world from their developing counterparts is the way the former manages R&I information through their universities (Chiware 2010). R&I information found in university libraries that may be of interest to SMEs includes industry, technology, consultancy on developing business ideas, plans, aiding entrepreneurs, networking, identifying funding opportunities, resources mobilisation, sources of business financing, market research, information on competitors, customer care, benchmarking, patents and trademarks among others (Drew 2007:3-4;Schauder 1987:36).…”

Section: African University Libraries Contextmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Research support services to small and medium enterprises by university libraries in Uganda: An entrepreneurial and innovation strategy

Buwule

Mutula

2017

S. Afr. j. inf. manag.

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Background: Sub-Saharan Africa tops the list of poorest regions in the world. The region is characterised by poverty, high unemployment rates, hunger and disease. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) the world over contribute significantly towards social economic growth and have the potential if well harnessed to contribute towards the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and also reverse the cycle of poverty on the African continent. Most university libraries in the developed world have put in place strategies to re-engineer information on research and innovation (R&I) for SMEs to support entrepreneurship and innovation programmes. However, university libraries in Africa are still lagging behind in this regard despite the fact that the region has the highest number of SMEs.Objectives: The objectives of this study were to: investigate how university libraries in Uganda are managing the universities’ research output; find out how the research output is disseminated to SMEs for their entrepreneurial activities, to understand how SMEs access and use R&I information for their entrepreneurial programmes; and propose feasible strategies of how best university libraries can re-engineer the dissemination of the research output for use by SMEs in their entrepreneurial endeavours.Method: The study used document analysis which is a qualitative data collection method. Empirical literature related to the research variables of the study was reviewed through systematic searching of manual and electronic documents on how university libraries treat their R&I information in relation to entrepreneurship.Results: The findings demonstrate that university libraries can re-engineer their R&I information services for SMEs through: repackaging R&I information in formats and languages easily accessible by SMEs; creating informal social networks for information sharing among SMEs; creation of R&I information library corners; University Library Consortia advocating for this concept; periodical announcements of new R&I information in the library through emails to SMEs; organising SME days in the library; creation of SME pages on the library website; conducting information literacy training sessions for SME entrepreneurs; and adding this concept in the library and information science curricular.Conclusion: This article discusses how university libraries, from a developing country context such as Uganda, can re-engineer research output for SMEs and use it to develop innovative solutions that can contribute positively towards SDGs and the social economic transformation of Africa at large.

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Positioning the technological university library in higher education and human resources development in Africa

Cited by 13 publications

References 9 publications

Career success – the perception of Open Distance Learning library middle managers

Career success – the perception of Open Distance Learning library middle managers

Libraries and democratization

Research support services to small and medium enterprises by university libraries in Uganda: An entrepreneurial and innovation strategy

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