A comparative analysis of available features and Web 2.0 tools on selected Nigerian and South African university library websites

2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 504-521 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adeyinka Tella ◽  
Oyegunle John Oladapo
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Web 2.0 ◽  
South African ◽  
The South ◽  
Web 2.0 Tools ◽  
Content Type ◽  
University Library ◽  
South African Universities ◽  
Nigerian University ◽  
Library Websites

Purpose The study aims to present a comparative analysis of available Web 2.0 tools in library websites of selected Nigerian and South African universities. Design/methodology/approach Content analysis was adopted as the design for the study. Twenty university library websites comprising ten top-ranking Nigerian universities and ten top-ranking South African universities were sampled for data collection. Five research questions developed and answered. Findings The findings show that the use of Web 2.0 tools in the selected universities is encouraging. There are more Web 2.0 tools available on the South African university library websites. The South African university libraries are ahead of their Nigerian counterparts in terms of the integration of Web 2.0 tools, e-resources and e-databases and provide platforms for easy retrieval of information by their users. There are more e-resources available on the South African university library websites compared with their Nigerian counterparts. e-Journals are the most available e-resources in the selected university library websites of both countries. Similarly, more academic e-databases are available on the South African university library websites, whereas only few are listed on the web pages of the selected Nigerian university library websites. Research limitations/implications Because available studies seem to ignore the possibility of comparing one university library’s website with another, conducting a study such as this will provide an insight and idea on the types of features, tools and applications to be included on university library websites. This will be useful for university whose library is planning to develop a website. Originality/value Because of the wide variation reported in this study concerning available tools and resources on the university library websites in South Africa and Nigeria, it is recommended that African universities should come up with a standard that will mandate universities to have a certain number of tools identified in this study on their various university websites.

Assessing Institution’s Footprint in Web 2.0: A Comparative Analysis of University Library Websites in Bangladesh

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 10-16
Author(s):  
Shamima Yesmin
Keyword(s):  
Content Analysis ◽  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Web 2.0 ◽  
Private University ◽  
Public University ◽  
University Libraries ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Web 2.0 Tools ◽  
University Library ◽  
Library Websites

The objective of this study was to compare the availability of web 2.0 tools on selected public and private university library websites in Bangladesh. Existing studies of web 2.0 seem to have ignored the possibility of comparing public university library websites with private university library websites. Conducting a study like this will provide an overview about the existing status of Web 2.0 tools. Content analysis was adopted as the method for the study. Twenty university library websites, comprised of ten top-ranked public and ten top-ranked private universities in Bangladesh, were studied for data collection. The findings demonstrate that the use of web 2.0 tools on the selected university library websites is still in its early stage, but it has been growing rapidly. More than 90% of the university libraries apply one or more web 2.0 tools to their websites. The private university library websites are ahead of public university libraries in terms of the integration of web 2.0 tools. Internal applications that are not publicly accessible contain information that may not be collected through content analysis since these links usually cannot be found on library web sites.This study is unique in terms of comparing public and private university library’s web contents. The findings from this comparative analysis will be useful for a university to track their own position and also those are planning to develop a website.

Applications of additive manufacturing at selected South African universities: promoting additive manufacturing education

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 752-764 ◽  
Author(s):  
Micheal Omotayo Alabi ◽  
Deon De Beer ◽  
Harry Wichers
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Additive Manufacturing ◽  
South African ◽  
Swot Analysis ◽  
Future Prospects ◽  
The South ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Research Activities ◽  
South African Universities ◽  
Support Programmes

Purpose This paper aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the recent applications of additive manufacturing (AM) research and activities within selected universities in the Republic of South Africa (SA). Design/methodology/approach The paper is a general review of AM education, research and development effort within selected South African universities. The paper begins by looking at several support programmes and investments in AM technologies by the South African Department of Science and Technology (DST). The paper presents South Africa’s AM journey to date and recent global development in AM education. Next, the paper reviews the recent research activities on AM at four selected South African universities, South Africa AM roadmap and South African AM strategy. The future prospects of AM education and research are then evaluated through a SWOT analysis. Finally, the paper looks at the sustainability of AM from an education perspective. Findings The main lessons that have been learnt from South African AM research activities within selected universities are as follows: AM research activities at South African universities serve as a platform to promote AM education, and several support programmes and investments from South Africa’s DST have greatly enhanced the growth of AM across different sectors, such as medical, manufacturing, industrial design, tooling, jewellery and education. The government support has also assisted in the actualisation of the “Aeroswift” project, the world’s largest and fastest state-of-the-art AM machine that can 3D print metal parts. The AM research activities within South Africa’s universities have shown that it is not too late for developing countries to start and embrace AM technologies both in academia and industry. Based on a SWOT analysis, the future prospects of AM technology in SA are bright. Practical implications Researchers/readers from different backgrounds such as academic, industrial and governmental will be able to learn important lessons from SA’s AM journey and the success of SA’s AM researchers/practitioners. This paper will allow the major investors in AM technologies and business to see great opportunities to invest in AM education and research at all educational levels (i.e. high schools, colleges and universities) in South Africa. Originality/value The authors believe that the progress of AM education and research activities within SA’s universities show good practice and achievement over the years in both the applications of AM and the South African AM strategy introduced to promote AM research and the educational aspect of the technologies.

Designing a model for Web 2.0 technologies application in academic library websites

2017 ◽  
Vol 118 (11/12) ◽  
pp. 596-617 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shima Moradi ◽  
Delbar Tayefeh Bagher ◽  
Zohreh Mirhosseini
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Web 2.0 ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Social Tagging ◽  
Web 2.0 Technologies ◽  
Web 2.0 Tools ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The World ◽  
Library Websites

Purpose This study aims to investigate the application of Web 2.0 technologies in the libraries of the top 100 universities in the world to provide a model for Web 2.0 application in academic library websites. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from the universities’ library websites for three months based on a Web 2.0 checklist. The list of universities was extracted from Webometrics Ranking of World Universities in 2015. Findings The research shows the priorities of these universities in their use of Web 2.0 tools include social networks and mashups at the most (94.5 per cent), followed by RSS (91.2 per cent) and social tagging (82.4 per cent) and other tools with lower priorities. Moreover, it revealed the most common applications of these tools in the mentioned websites followed by their objective evidences in different libraries. The results indicate that the total Web 2.0 application in the libraries of the top 100 universities was below average (40.23 per cent). Finally, the model for Web 2.0 application in academic library websites was designed. Originality/value The focus of this study is on the value and application of each tool in the websites and demonstrate a clear model to apply in other library websites. The model for Web 2.0 technologies application in academic library websites has not been designed and pictured before.

The South African public service wage bill deadlock in 2021: living on the edge

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Marianne Matthee ◽  
Albert Wöcke
Keyword(s):  
Fiscal Policy ◽  
Learning Outcomes ◽  
South African ◽  
Public Service ◽  
Subject Area ◽  
The South ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Academic Level ◽  
Finance Minister ◽  
The Government

Subject area Macro-Economics. Study level/applicability Undergraduate and MBA. Case overview The COVID 19 pandemic-related restrictions devastated South Africa’s economy in 2020 and although the restrictions were generally less damaging than in 2020, the government had to budget for vaccinations and rebuild the economy. Public service unions had just announced that they were demanding an increase of 4% above inflation for their members and that they were preparing for a strike. They were bitter about the fact that the South African Government had withdrawn from the last year of a three-year wage agreement in February 2020 and their members had not received an increase for the two years. These demands and Finance Minister Mboweni’s response to them had to consider the structural and cyclical impact on the fiscus and economy. Expected learning outcomes The learning outcomes are as follows: understand the general objectives of fiscal policy and stakeholders’ interests; understand the tradeoffs in fiscal policy and the implications of taking a position; and make recommendations based on reasoned judgements about those recommendations. Complexity academic level Undergraduate and MBA level courses on Macro Economics. Supplementary materials Teaching notes are available for educators only. Subject code CSS 10: Public Sector Management.

Analysis of technological, individual and community factors influencing the use of popular Web 2.0 tools in LIS education

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (5) ◽  
pp. 977-993 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chokri Barhoumi
Keyword(s):  
Standard Deviation ◽  
Web 2.0 ◽  
Technology Acceptance ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Instant Messaging ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Web 2.0 Tools ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Community Factors ◽  
Factors Influencing

Purpose This research paper aims to explore the technological, individual and community factors influencing the use of popular Web 2.0 tools in library and information science (LIS) education to prepare LIS students for Library 2.0. The study was guided by the activity theory (AT) and technology acceptance model (TAM) of Davis as a lens. The study reveals a set of factors concerning the technical tools, subjective perceptions, goals of online discussion, social presence within a community, rules for participation and roles of the participants that affect their online engagement patterns. Design/methodology/approach This study was performed during the 2015 academic year; it used a descriptive analytical research approach for exploring and analysing technological, individual and community factors influencing the use of the popular Web 2.0 tools in LIS education. Findings The results show that at the technological level of the AT, educators in the sample found the WhatsApp instant messaging and Twitter to be the easiest tools to use, selecting those tools at, respectively, 73.2 per cent (standard deviation = 0.450) and 61.1 per cent (standard deviation = 0.490). WhatsApp and Twitter also lead at the individual level of the AT, as the most valuable platforms for sharing information and knowledge. Video, text and photo objects are the most commonly shared items, used by 90.7, 93.5 and 98.9 per cent, respectively. Originality/value This study may be useful to help information science educators to prepare graduates for the emerging Web 2.0 environments and to prepare students for Library 2.0.

Comparative analysis of online legal information sources in Indian environment

2016 ◽  
Vol 117 (3/4) ◽  
pp. 251-278 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raj Kumar Bhardwaj ◽  
Margam Madhusudhan
Keyword(s):  
Web 2.0 ◽  
Information Sources ◽  
Evaluation Method ◽  
Information Source ◽  
Full Potential ◽  
Web 2.0 Tools ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Legal Information ◽  
Effective Use ◽  
User Friendly

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to compare the online legal information sources available in law libraries in India. Design/methodology/approach – Evaluation method followed with the help of specially designed checklist for e-resources in the field of law in India. The structured checklist was designed keeping in view of the objectives and e-resources/databases existing in Indian libraries, comprising 189 dichotomous questions and categorized into 12 broad categories. Findings – The study revealed that the study legal information sources are lagging behind in exploiting the full potential of Web 2.0 features. No study legal information source has integrated Web 2.0 tools with contents and provision to contribute the contents by user any time, irrespective of location, except online legal information system (OLIS). Majority of e-resources are lacking search features, general features, Web 2.0 tools, better help features and provision to contribute contents by the users. Besides this, a mobile-based view is not available in majority of sources, and open access resources are lacking user-friendly features. Of the 16 legal information resources, only five have all the four citations search parameters. The study reveals that the OLIS has the maximum features and ranked “excellent”, followed by Manupatra ranked “average”. Half of study online legal information sources are ranked “needs improvement” and 37.5 per cent ranked “below average”. Practical implications – The findings of the study will not only guide the law librarians to subscribe/renew legal databases in their libraries but also improve the legal information literacy among the users for effective use of online legal information sources. It is hoped that the evaluation of online legal information sources will enhance the user’s awareness and increase the use. Originality/value – The findings of the study will not only guide the legal libraries to improve their online legal information sources, particularly, better help features and integrated content with Web 2.0 tools, but also provide guidelines for newly established legal libraries in India.

Implementing Web 2.0 tools in organisations

2014 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gavin James Baxter
Keyword(s):  
Communities Of Practice ◽  
Web 2.0 ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Work Place ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Web 2.0 Technologies ◽  
Web 2.0 Tools ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Organisational Factors ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – This special issue aims to increase the awareness of the organisational factors that enterprises must reflect on and address when introducing Web 2.0 technologies into their organisations. In contrast to empirical studies that review the impact of Web 2.0 technologies in organisations in terms of how they might support knowledge sharing or communities of practice, this special issue intends to identify the salient criteria that management practitioners must address to assist in the implementation of Web 2.0 technologies in the work place. Design/methodology/approach – This special issue aims to increase the awareness of the organisational factors that enterprises must reflect on and address when introducing Web 2.0 technologies into their organisations. In contrast to empirical studies that review the impact of Web 2.0 technologies in organisations in terms of how they might support knowledge sharing or communities of practice, this special issue intends to identify the salient criteria that management practitioners must address to assist in the implementation of Web 2.0 technologies in the work place. Findings – One of the principal findings that have emerged from this special issue is that it indicates the importance of reviewing social and cultural factors in organisations when introducing Web 2.0 technologies in the work place. In addition to assessing technical issues that might impact on the implementation of Web 2.0 technologies in organisations this special issue also explores subject matters such as the dilemma of whether a top-down or a bottom-up approach is more effective towards engaging staff in the adoption of Web 2.0 tools at work. Originality/value – The research presented in this special issue provides an important academic contribution towards an area that is, at present, under researched namely, whether there is a structured approach that can be universally applied by organisations when internally implementing Web 2.0 technologies into their work place.

Sustainable housing financing model to reduce South Africa housing deficit

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 410-430 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bashir Olanrewaju Ganiyu ◽  
Julius Ayodeji Fapohunda ◽  
Rainer Haldenwang
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Affordable Housing ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
South African Government ◽  
The South ◽  
African Government ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mortgage Payment

Purpose This study aims to identify and establish effective housing financing concepts to be adopted by government in achieving its mandate of providing sustainable affordable housing for the poor to decrease the building of shacks, as well as proposing solutions to the housing deficit in South Africa. A rise in demand and shortage in supply of housing calls for the need to address issues of affordable housing in South Africa, and developing countries in general, to ensure a stable and promising future for poor families. Design/methodology/approach Literature has revealed that the South African government, at all levels, accorded high priority to the provision of low-cost housing. Thus, government has adopted subsidy payment as a method of financing affordable housing to ensure that houses are allocated free to the beneficiaries. This also addresses the historically race-based inequalities of the past, but unfortunately, this has not been fully realised. This study uses a sequential mixed method approach, where private housing developers and general building contractors were the research participants. The qualitative data were analysed using a case-by-case analysis, and quantitative data were analysed using a descriptive statistical technique on SPSS. Findings The results of the qualitative analysis reveal a gross abuse of the housing subsidies system by the beneficiaries of government-funded housing in South Africa. This is evident from illegal sale of the houses below market value. This has led to a continual building of shacks and an increased number of people on the housing waiting list instead of a decrease in the housing deficit. The results from quantitative analysis affirm the use of “Mortgage Payment Subsidies, Mortgage Payment Deductions, Down-Payment Grant and Mortgage Interest Deductions” as viable alternatives to subsidy payment currently in use to finance affordable housing projects by the South African Government. Practical implications At the moment, the focus of the South African National Government is continual provision of free housing to the historically disadvantage citizens, but the housing financing method being used encourages unapproved transfer of ownership in the affordable housing sector. This study thus recommends the use of an all-inclusive housing financing method that requires a monetary contribution from the beneficiaries to enable them take control of the process. Originality/value The relational interface model proposed in this study will reduce pressure on government budgetary provision for housing and guarantee quick return of private developers’ investment in housing. Government must, as a matter of urgency, launch a continuous awareness programme to educate the low-income population on the value and the long-term benefits of the housing.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document