dc.contributor.advisor |
Nwagwu, W. E.
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dc.contributor.author |
Tshikotshi, Mphelekedzeni Aaron
|
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dc.date.accessioned |
2021-11-28T03:08:40Z |
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dc.date.available |
2021-11-28T03:08:40Z |
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dc.date.issued |
2019-11 |
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dc.identifier.uri |
https://hdl.handle.net/10500/28333 |
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dc.description.abstract |
The rapid development of web technologies poses many opportunities and challenges for librarians, particularly in an open and distance e- learning (ODeL) institution. Despite the challenges, librarians continue to use web technologies in order to improve the services that they offer to library clients. This research explored the usage of web technologies in the ODeL Unisa Library, where librarian-client interaction occurs remotely, with most services being offered online. Research in web technology applications abounds in the fields of general information technology and library information systems , but there are research gaps in terms of studies focusing on online and distance institutions, where librarians and clients do not have the privilege of face- to- face contact. The study integrates the Diffusion of Innovation (DOI) theory with the constructs in the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), in order to test the hypotheses about the implementation and usage dynamics of web technologies by Unisa librarians. The study is a quantitative sample survey, with respondents drawn from the Unisa Library staff population of 246, who utilise web technologies in their daily duties when supporting researchers. An email was first sent to the respondents to solicit their participation in the study, and 135 participants consented. A questionnaire was then sent by e-mail to the participants through the SurveyMonkey platform, and 68 respondents completed the questionnaire, which is a return rate of 50.3%. Most of the respondents are innovators, who occupy the highest level of technology adopters in Rogers’ hierarchy. The workforce has no demographic barriers in respect of the innovation category and can be considered potentially capable of being turned into a more efficient workforce in respect of web technology-based information service provision. The librarians who participated in the study have used a wide range of web tools in the last five years, although Facebook (FB), a social media tool, and reference/citation tools are the most used. Technical support and network issues top the challenges that are encountered by librarians. Relative advantage, compatibility, perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and communication have an influence on the adoption of web technologies by librarians. Network issues, ICT support problems and lack of coordinated teams focused on web technology are impediments towards the smooth implementation of web technology tools. |
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dc.format.extent |
1 online resource (xi, 132 leaves) |
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dc.language.iso |
en |
en |
dc.subject |
Web technology tools |
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dc.subject |
Technology Acceptance Model |
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dc.subject |
Diffusion of Innovation |
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dc.subject |
Open and Distance Learning |
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dc.subject |
Open and Distance e-Learning |
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dc.subject |
Social media |
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dc.subject |
Web 2.0 |
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dc.subject |
Web 3.0 |
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dc.subject |
Information and Communication Technology |
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dc.subject |
Library 2.0 |
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dc.subject |
Library 3.0 |
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dc.subject.ddc |
025.042 |
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dc.subject.lcsh |
Web applications in libraries |
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dc.subject.lcsh |
Web 2.0 |
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dc.subject.lcsh |
Diffusion of innovations |
en |
dc.subject.lcsh |
Technological innovations |
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dc.subject.lcsh |
Distance education |
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dc.subject.lcsh |
Social media in education |
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dc.subject.lcsh |
Online information services |
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dc.subject.lcsh |
Online social networks |
en |
dc.subject.lcsh |
Web applications in libraries |
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dc.title |
The use of web technologies by librarians to support researchers and students at an open distance e-learning university |
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dc.type |
Dissertation |
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dc.description.department |
Information Science |
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dc.description.degree |
M. A. (Information Science) |
en |