Athulang Mutshewa

The use of information by environmental planners: A qualitative study using Grounded Theory methodology

The purpose of this study was to examine the use of information by environmental planners. The study used the Grounded Theory method to develop a theoretical model that explains the reasons for using information and the factors that motivate such use. Forty-four semi-structured interviews were conducted in workplace environments to collect data on the way the respondents used information in projects that they had done before. Data were analysed in accordance with the Grounded Theory techniques of constant comparison. The study found that the planners perceptions of: their own competences, resistance of the stakeholders, role requirement; and the impressions on the enabling effect of the information environment drive the self-empowerment behaviour of the planners. This behaviour is characterised by actions involving information acquisition, packaging as well as giving information to stakeholders during the facilitation of the environmental planning process. The experiential knowledge levels of individuals enhance the self-empowerment behaviour exhibited by environmental planners. Based on the informational power derived from the self-empowerment activities, the planners select a strategy for participation that they deem appropriate for an environmental planning project, consequently facilitating the process to develop widely accepted environmental plans.

A theoretical exploration of information behaviour: a power perspective

Purpose – The purpose of this article is to explore and propose a way of using power as a theoretical anchor to investigate the information behaviour of people in work roles.Design/methodology/approach – The paper reviews literature on power relevant to the information disciplines. Various models of power are described, and a more sophisticated view, which takes a relational approach to power, is used to suggest how information related behaviour could be investigated.Findings – In this paper, power is regarded as a pervasive phenomenon involved in all aspects of individual lives, including the aspects emanating from work roles performed by individuals, thus manifesting itself as part of the relationships in the organisation. The paper suggests a framework that links information behaviour to power by arguing that power relations that form part of the processes of the work roles induce the information behaviour exhibited by those people. The paper concludes by pointing to a need for information behaviour re...

A probe into the factors for adoption and usage of electronic document and records management systems in the Botswana context

Increasingly, public sector organizations are implementing records management systems with a view of improving service delivery. However, adoption and use of these systems has been found to be wanting. This study investigated the factors that influence the adoption and usage of a Document Workflow Management System at the Ministry of Trade and Industry in Botswana using a modified Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) as a theoretical lens. The study adopted a survey research design hinged on a positivist approach. A questionnaire, with both open and closed-ended questions, was administered to all 61 Action Officers (with response rate of 87%) who were the key users of the system. The findings of the study indicate that the four major UTAUT constructs accounted for 55% of the variance in explaining behavioural intention to adopt and use the Document Workflow Management System. The study found technophobia, negative attitudes to system use, perceived system complexity and incompatibility with existing information systems as key factors contributing to low adoption and usage of the system. The study proposes a conceptual adoption framework that may be used to guide research and practice in similar contexts.

An Evaluation of WebCT Course Content Management System at the University of Botswana

This study evaluated a WebCT course content management (CCMS) system at the University of Botswana. Survey methodology was used and questionnaires were distributed to 503 students selected from six faculties, and an in-depth interview were conducted involving (20) twenty lecturers who teach via the WebCT platform. Findings reveal that, generally, WebCT CCMS is doing well at the University of Botswana and that the system has been a success. The results also confirm the quality of course materials uploaded on the system, that is, service quality and the quality of the teaching and learning via the system. Furthermore, by learning through WebCT, students are able to self regulate their learning and, given the opportunity, they are ready to use and continue learning using the WebCT platform. Results also indicate that generally students are satisfied with the performance of WebCT and that there are many benefits associated with the system in context to teaching and learning at the university. Problems associated with WebCT CCMS that are experienced by staff and students of the University include access, network /server failure, lack of link between ITS and WebCT, lack of teaching expertise using WebCT, and failure to remove completed courses from the system.

Disseminating Environmental Information in Rural Botswana: the case of Nata village

Gives a synopsis of the ways of disseminating environmental information in rural areas in Botswana. Nata village, a rural community in Botswana was used as a case study. The study employed a questionnaire survey to identify the various ways of disseminating environmental information and the barriers to its free flow to the rural populace. The barriers identified are: poor attendance to tribal gatherings, low coverage of environmental information by the mass media and poor level of community participation in rural projects. The study concludes by making recommendations on how the flow of environmental information could be improved. Some suggestions for further investigation are identified.

The information behaviors of environmental planners: An exploratory study

Abstract This paper reports the findings of a study that explored the information behavior of environmental planners in Botswana, with a view to determine how it (information behavior) can be supported by an information policy. Ten environmental planners were purposively selected and interviewed to collect the data. The study found that an information policy for environmental planners should focus on the development of information skills, standards for the organization and storage, transfer and distribution of information, and the evaluation of the information to determine its quality. The lack of a relevant environmental information policy was found to be a barrier to its use. Furthermore, the study also found that the environmental planners make use of people that they know to get easy access to information. The information is found in various organizations. With regards to the environmental experts, it is their trustworthiness and willingness to share information that facilitates the use of information. For the local communities, the experience that the people have about the environment forms an essential part of the information input in environmental planning.

The Botswana Library Association: attitudes to membership among librarians in Botswana:

The state of the Botswana Library Association (BLA) is outlined pointing out that although the association celebrated its twentieth anniversary in 1997, it still has problems of membership recruitment and retention. The results o a survey of librarians in Botswana on what will motivate or discourage members and potential BLA members from joining the association are discussed.

Information-seeking Behaviour among University of Botswana Science Faculty

The study used a survey method to investigate the information seeking behaviour of science academics at the University of Botswana. A questionnaire was used to gather data. The response rate was 56 percent. The study showed that the UBL science academics develop new ideas through thinking and reading. Twenty seven percent of them reported that they find out about the existence of information by reading reviews. While all the respondents reported that they do need information, 74 percent and 72 percent reported that they generate new ideas for research through thinking and reading, respectively. Fifty percent reported that they seek information to develop their careers. The study concludes by providing some recommendations on how the UB academics can be encouraged to make use of available library resources to their benefit with emphasis on the young junior lecturers.

Skills and Competencies Required by Academic Librarians in an Internet-Driven Environment

This paper reviews literature on the skills and competencies required by academic librarians in an Internet-driven environment. Content analysis methodology was used to review literature. Purposive sampling was also used for identifying literature on skills and competencies of librarians in the use of Internet services in academic libraries. A total of 118 publications were selected. Findings from the articles reviewed show that librarians from developed countries required skills and competencies in Internet usage to provide effective library services. However, the findings also show that academic librarians from developing countries, especially in Africa, are still lagging behind regarding Internet skills and competencies to provide effective information services in the library. The paper concludes that despite changes brought by the Internet, there are still gaps in the way library services are provided because of poor Internet knowledge, skills and competencies of academic librarians. The paper recommends that academic librarians in African countries acquire Internet skills and competencies to update their knowledge and technological skills for effective library service provision.

Examining factors affecting the adoption and usage of document workflow management system (DWMS) using the UTAUT model

Purpose – Public sector organisations in the developing world contexts have hugely invested in procuring information management systems such as the electronic document and records management system (EDRMS). The procurement and implementation of these systems come at a huge cost to taxpayers. Unfortunately, most of these systems remain white elephants due to reluctance by the anticipated users to adopt and use them in their information management endeavours. This study aims to understand Action Officers’ perceptions of, adoption and/or usage of the document workflow management system (DWMS) at the Ministry of Trade and Industry in Botswana. The DWMS is one type of EDRMS. Design/methodology/approach – The survey uses a questionnaire distributed in Gaborone, Botswana to gather data on the perceptions of anticipated users of the DWMS. The study used a modified form of UTAUT as a theoretical lens to explore user’s perception on the adoption and use of DWMS at the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Botswana. The p...