University of Dar es Salaam Library Journal

The Editorial Note

Chief Editor — 2024-02-01

This is my final editorial note to our esteemed readers before I turn the editorship helm over to a new Chief Editor who will take the Journal to the next level. Having an opportunity to serve as the Chief Editor has been a privilege and honour, however, it is the right time to quit well.

An understanding of the concept of knowledge management for knowledge management system implementation in two mobile telecommunication companies in Namibia

Mishake Mitchell Mubuyaeta — 2024-02-01

This study investigates the understanding of knowledge management (KM) for knowledge management systems (KMS) implementation for efficient KM practice in two mobile telecommunications (MT) companies in Namibia. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study employed convergent parallel design via parallel sampling techniques to gather insights. Three hundred and twenty-nine questionnaires were disseminated via online surveys using simple random sampling from 1,584 employees. The questionnaires returned were then accepted based on the comprehension of KM concepts for KMS implementation to introduce KM practice. Quantitative data was subjected to descriptive analysis using SPSS. Qualitative data underwent thematic analysis using Atlas TI. The findings of this study show that Namibia's two MT companies stand to gain significant advantages by implementing KM practices based on their understanding and implementation of KM. By enhancing their KM capabilities, these companies can leverage this organisational knowledge (OK) to drive innovation and adequately meet the demands of a fiercely competitive, knowledge-based society (KBS). This article is of significant value to KM scholars, professionals, decision-makers, and policymakers as an introductory guide to the comprehension of KM for KMS and how they can facilitate effective KM practices within Namibia.

Artificial Intelligence Services at Academic Libraries in Tanzania: Awareness, Adoption and Prospects

Hussein Bakiri — 2024-02-02

Libraries use various information management systems for organizing, packaging, and repackaging services to mention a few. The reliability of these services is highly affected by several factors including; an increase in the number of users, limited resources, decentralized learning, and the emergence of digital resources. Bearing the benefits that AI technologies offer to libraries including cost-effective operations, improved services, and timely analyses, research to investigate the awareness and prospects have been conducted in various countries. Several studies investigated the level of adopting AI technologies for effective services in academic libraries for a particular study area. The general observation from such studies indicates that the level of AI adoption and awareness varies depending on a particular country under investigation. Therefore, due to the diversification of awareness and adoption levels from various areas, it is vital to investigate it in the Tanzanian context. This study aims to investigate the level of awareness and prospects of AI adoption in Tanzanian academic libraries using a qualitative approach in which 36 librarians from 7 giant and widespread higher learning institutions (HLI) are interviewed. The findings reported in this study indicate that the level of awareness is high (68.3%) while that of adoption is low (23%). Furthermore, the findings imply that the demand and readiness for the adoption of AI among librarians is very high. Therefore, this work provides new information to librarians, HLIs’ management, and policymakers regarding the trend of artificial intelligence adoption in academic libraries. The findings reported in this paper can be used by librarians and management to align their plans toward AI adoption for effective and better service delivery.

Africa's Data Privacy Puzzle: Data Privacy Laws and Compliance in Selected African Countries

Sarah Kaddu — 2024-02-01

This study sought to give a thorough analysis of data privacy legislation, compliance rates, enforcement strategies, and related issues in seventeen (17) African countries that were chosen for the study. The study's objectives were to assess the state of data privacy laws in selected African countries, analyse levels of compliance among entities operating within these countries, assess the effectiveness of enforcement mechanisms, and identify and analyse the common challenges African countries face in complying with and enforcing data privacy laws. Researchers conducted a systematic review of 48 data privacy publications to gain a deep understanding of the complex data privacy landscape. This involved rigorous criteria for inclusion/exclusion, comprehensive search strategies, quality assessment, and data extraction/synthesis. While 15 African countries have implemented comprehensive data privacy legislation, two (Ethiopia and Burundi) rely on general regulations. The analysis found that regulatory bodies significantly enhance compliance, and highlighted recurring challenges such as insufficient public awareness, resource limitations, and complex governance structures. The research underscores the crucial role of dedicated legislation, public education, empowered regulatory authorities, and regional collaboration in guaranteeing data privacy rights in the digital age across Africa.

Examining Digital Divide in Secondary and Primary Education Online Content Users Based in Tanzania

Edison Wazoel Lubua — 2024-02-01

This paper determined the digital divide among secondary and primary education online platforms in Tanzania. The study addressed three key aspects: first, it determined the contribution of facilitating conditions in the digital divide among secondary and primary school learners. Secondly, it determined how the quality of existing secondary and primary education digital platforms defines the current status of the digital divide. Lastly, the study provides steps to be taken by stakeholders of education in addressing the digital divide in the context of secondary and primary education. The study used the qualitative approach. First, it used government reports and other organisational publications to obtain statistical information on facilitating conditions for educational digital services. Secondly, it studied 302 online reviews by users of seven (7) digital platforms for secondary and primary education contents in Tanzania. In the first set of results facilitating conditions such as ownership of smartphones, computers, Televisions, and access to the Internet still contribute to the digital divide among users of secondary and primary education platforms. In the second set of reviews, the study observed the following nature of reviews submitted by users to studied online platforms. The first category had a positive view of digital platforms. This is a positive view submitted to the platform on its usefulness. In all platforms, users were of the view that the platforms were useful. Another category was that of poor technical quality. This view reflects the perception of viewers that the quality of the accessed platform was poor. In this category, users were more uncomfortable with the inability of the platform to launch appropriately. The third category was about the quality of the contents. In all platforms, users suggested that the contents were inadequate. With the guidance of policies, all stakeholders need to engage together in addressing observed issues of the digital divide.

Service Quality Attributes and Customers Usage of E-banking Payment Transactions in Developing Countries: A Study of Tanzania

Ally Morris — 2024-02-01

This paper aimed to examine the effects of service quality measures of information system success on customers’ usage of e-banking payment transactions in Tanzania. It was hypothesised that Service quality measures of information systems positively influence the usage of e-banking payment transactions. This hypothesis was tested by the partial least square structural equation modelling technique (PLS-SEM) through the use of SmartPLS3. The study is informed by the information system success theory and the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT). The study adopted a cross-sectional survey approach, where 400 respondents were involved. The results show that responsiveness, privacy, assurance, empathy, and customer support have a significant positive influence on customers' usage of e-banking payment transactions. The findings imply that customers who are highly concerned with the availability of high-quality services in e-banking have the potential to enhance the usage of e-banking payment transactions. Thus, managers in the banking industry are urged to uplift the level of service quality as a strategy to elevate customers' usage of e-banking payment transactions. Future research is recommended to look into the influence of service quality measures on information system success and usage of e-payment in other sectors like the public transportation system, and schools.

Applying ADDIE Model to Develop Multimedia Lessons for Adolescent Reproductive Health Education in Uganda

Joseph Kizito Bada — 2024-02-01

This study aimed to develop and evaluate a multimedia application intervention for adolescent sexual reproductive health education in secondary schools in Uganda. The lack of access to quality reproductive health education and services, exacerbated by the recent COVID-19 pandemic, contributes to unplanned pregnancies, health complications, and sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) among adolescents in Uganda. Researchers and teachers collaborated to create multimedia lessons covering topics such as sexual reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and SGBV for adolescents in participating schools. The educational content and format were co-designed to better incorporate the local context and address priority issues by involving end users of the software (adolescents and their teachers) as content contributors during the development phase. The innovative multimedia application was developed using the Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation (ADDIE) model. A student manual was also created as a teaching tool, providing educators with lesson introductions and guiding questions for post-lesson group discussions. The manual includes a simplified print version of the educational content, ensuring that students and teachers in schools without ICT resources can benefit from the intervention. Questionnaires were developed and administered to 14 Results indicate that all 14 trained teachers demonstrated improved knowledge about the use of multimedia applications to deliver adolescent-friendly sexual reproductive health (SRH) education. Additionally, all 14 teachers self-reported that the multimedia application is a feasible and acceptable method to deliver adolescent-friendly SRH education.

Traditional Medicine and Healing Knowledge in the Context of Witchcraft: What Do the Holy Books and Religious Leaders Say?

John Jackson Iwata — 2024-02-01

In developing countries including Tanzania, traditional medicine and healing knowledge are increasingly utilised, and play a crucial role in healthcare. However, such knowledge often faces negative associations with witchcraft. This study explored perspectives from holy books and religious leaders regarding the management of traditional medicine and healing knowledge, the role of religion in the process, the potential efficacy of traditional healing knowledge for common health conditions, and the reasons behind the association with witchcraft. A mixed research approach was employed. Religious leaders formed the population of this study. Data were collected through semi-structured face-to-face interviews with religious leaders, supplemented with documentary review. Data from face-to-face interviews were qualitatively analysed through thematic content analysis before it was coded and analysed through SPSS for numeric descriptions. Results underscored the vital role of traditional medicine and healing knowledge in Tanzania’s healthcare. Religious leaders and holy books recognised the necessity for managing such knowledge. Despite available religious texts describing traditional practices and their potential efficacy, religious leaders in the study area did not actively support the management of such knowledge, but rather associated it with witchcraft. The association with witchcraft arises from misunderstandings and societal biases introduced by foreign religions, early traders, and colonialists. The conclusion has been that although religious organisations played no role in the management of such knowledge, holy books, and religious leaders acknowledged the importance of doing that. Impoverishing, demonising, and disregarding were due to colonialism. The implications for managing knowledge in this context have also been provided.

Information needs and sources used by small-scale horticulture farmers in Morogoro urban, Tanzania

Juma James Masele — 2024-02-01

While the role of information in improving small-scale horticultural farming in urban areas is widely acknowledged in the literature, its potential cannot be realized unless the information needs that enlighten the stakeholders about the appropriate information sources are known. This is because horticultural farming is an information intensive endeavour and it is full of uncertainties. This study investigated information needs and the sources used by small-scale horticulture farmers in Morogoro Urban in Tanzania. A mixed-method research design was used to collect data from 133 respondents. Questionnaires, observation, and interviews were used in the data collection process. Descriptive analysis was used inanalysing quantitative data, while content analysis was used for qualitative data. The findings of the study show that farmers needed information on sowing/harvesting time, disease and pest control, erosion control, harvest storage, and produce markets. Friends/colleagues ranked as important information sources, followed by extension officers, libraries, Internet, colleagues, cooperatives, Nanenane exhibitions, radio, and newspapers. The challenges faced including the unavailability of extension officers, and long distances to/from libraries were mentioned as significant factors hindering farmers’ use of small-scale horticultural farming information and horticultural development in general. Recommendations have been provided that, equip small-scale horticultural crop farmers with up-to-date knowledge and skills to shape the farmers' thinking, knowledge, and attitude. Such awareness will add value to the information exchanged through interpersonal relationships. Employing more skilled extension officers and the use of modern ICT to improve horticulture farmers’ information access is also recommended.

A Content analysis of articles in the University of Dar es Salaam Library Journal

Mohamed Kassim — 2024-02-01

Using Zin’s Classification Scheme of Information Science, this study seeks to analyze the content of articles published in the University of Dar es Salaam Library Journal (UDSMLJ). All the analyzed articles were retrieved from the African Journals Online (AJOL) platform. A content analysis approach was used to analyze the collected data. Notably, a majority of the analyzed articles focused on three LIS research areas: information use and users; LIS activities; and LIS application areas. A growing trend in the publication of articles related to metrics, evaluation, and research, and a decline in the publication of articles pertaining to information use and users was also noted. Only a moderate number of articles incorporated theoretical frameworks. The majority of the articles employed a mixed-method approach for data collection and analysis. The study found limited international contributions in the journal, as the majority of contributing authors were from Tanzania. The study concludes that the published articles reflect the state of LIS scholarship in the country, given that they predominantly originate from Tanzanian contributors. The study recommends the journal enhances its promotional strategies to attract potential contributors from around the world. Additionally, journal's editors should encourage the submissions of articles that incorporate theoretical perspectives, thereby fostering theoretical advancements in the field of LIS.

Understanding teachers’ technological and pedagogical knowledge at the University of Dar es Salaam in the New Normal Era: Situating teaching in the TPACK Framework

Christina Raphael — 2024-02-01

This study investigates the integration and application of Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) within the University of Dar es Salaam during the transformative phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, termed as the 'New Normal'. The research seeks to explore how instructors have adapted to the abrupt transition to digital learning platforms, with a focus on the interplay between technology, pedagogy, and content. Utilizing both qualitative and quantitative analyses with 111 instructors across 16 colleges, the study assesses the proficiency and challenges faced by instructors in integrating TPACK in their teaching methods. The findings demonstrate a significant impact of TPACK on enhancing teaching effectiveness and student engagement in a digitally-driven academic setting. Furthermore, the study highlights critical barriers to the adoption of TPACK, including infrastructural constraints and the necessity for continuous professional development. The paper concludes by providing insights into the prospects of TPACK in higher education, underscoring its role in fostering resilient and adaptable educational frameworks to confront global challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Global Library and Information Science Research Patterns: A Twenty-Five-Year Reflection

Emmanuel Frank Elia — 2024-02-01

This paper reports the findings of a desk review research on global changes in Library and Information Science (LIS) research. Specifically, the review examined articles published in a 25-year (1995-2020) span of LIS research trends using Google database. The variables in the examination were gender, citation patterns, institutional affiliation, and degree of collaboration. To collect data from 43 articles, the study applied a bibliometric method, with the resultant data subjected to content analysis. The study found that male authors published more on the theme of LIS research trends than their female counterparts. Moreover, the results indicate a positive and significant correlation between the duration of a publication and the number of citations. The number of years of publication and open access publishing had a positive but non-statistically significant relationship with citation. Furthermore, the study found authorship collaboration to be moderate at 0.581. There was also a marked shift from traditional to new LIS research areas related to digital technology and its application in libraries. Overall, the trends in LIS research appear attributable to research infrastructure, sufficient funding, access to data, and the researcher’s skills. These findings support enhancing capacity building for LIS researchers to update their skills as part of concerted efforts to enable them to meet global changing needs.

The Mediating Effect of Tourists’ Feedback Information on the Relationship between Interaction and Service Innovation in Tanzania

Theresia Busagara — 2024-02-01

Studies on feedback information and interactions among tourists and tourism services are limited to residents, service providers, and mostly business-to-business. Little remains unknown about the relevance of tourists’ feedback information and interactions to service innovation. This study examined the mediating effect of tourist feedback information in the relationship between tourists’ interactions and service innovation. A survey of 290 Tanzanian tourism firms gathered the scale data that was analysed using Structural Equation Modelling in the Partial Least Square method. Tourist feedback information and tourists’ interactions were found to positively affect service innovation. While tourists’ interactions exhibited a strong positive effect on service innovation, there is a partial mediation of feedback information between the two. These results inform the service industry to capitalize on customer feedback information in enriching new service designs. As a result, practitioners in service firms are at a high point to set strategies to improve interactions as good practices in service innovation. Specifically, the tourism industry actors obtain insights into handling customers and benefiting from their actions and information. Theoretically, the study offers an understanding of interactions as applied in the service dominant logic such that apart from the exchange focus, feedback and interactions can also be considered as information sources for service innovation across firms. These results suggest that tourist interactions and feedback should be treated as key information points for enabling service innovation.

Emerging Technology Services Provided by Nigerian Library and Information Science Professionals

Siddiqah Olatope Oyedokun — 2024-02-01

Emerging technologies are revolutionizing practically every area of human endeavor. This invention has resulted in a significant shift in the way libraries operate all around the world. Recent library technologies, which varied from library 1.0 to library 5.0, provide evidence of this. It is anticipated that this breakthrough will draw the tech-savvy generation to the library; sadly, in Nigeria, the opposite is evident. Based on this, the study looked at services based on emerging technologies that librarians and information scientists in Nigerian libraries provided. The study's population consisted of 45 attendees from the 2019 IT Section of the Nigerian Library Association Workshop, and it used a survey research design. Out of the 45 copies of the administered questionnaire that were recovered, only 38 were deemed relevant for the investigation. There were two sections to the questionnaire. Section B aimed to gather information on emerging library services offered and obstacles to their implementation, whereas Section A sought to clarify demographic data. The study's conclusions were computed using descriptive statistics. The survey found that practitioners provide a wide range of library services based on developing technology. According to the survey, there is a dearth of services based on emerging technologies, such as cloud computing, gaming, and the Internet of Things. The survey also found that among other difficulties, practitioners deal with erratic electricity and poor internet service provision. It was concluded that practitioners would maximize the use of emerging technologies if sufficient attention was given to the issues impeding their use in the delivery of library services. Recruitment of more personnel and provision of alternative power supplies were among the recommendations made in the study.