Knowledge retention practices among healthcare workers at Cecilia Makiwane Hospital, Eastern Cape Province of South Africa
- Authors: Jonga, Nqabakazi
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Knowledge management Organizational learning
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M LIS
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11461 , vital:39074
- Description: Knowledge has transformed to become an economic resource in a knowledge-based society, which determines the proficiency, progress and efficiency of any performed task. However, efficiency can be compromised when the health sector fails to retain the wealth of knowledge from experienced, senior and subject experts who have, or are about to leave or retire from the institution. Knowledge management provides for knowledge acquisition, sharing, transfer and further motivates the creation of influential atmospheres for knowledge sharing in the Public health sector. Healthcare is a knowledge driven process and thus knowledge management and the tools to manage knowledge in the healthcare sector are receiving attention. This study investigated knowledge retention practices in the Public health sector, Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The study was informed by the Socialisation, Externalization, Combination, Internalization SECI model of knowledge creation and conversion by Nonaka & Takeuchi (1995) and the Knowledge based theory of the firm by Grant (1996). Both theories interpret knowledge sharing and preservation as vital for institutional growth and effective service delivery. The theories advised on the establishment of platforms designated for acquisition of new knowledge, knowledge sharing and retention to assist in future decision making to obtain a competitive edge. The study employed a mixed method approach that is largely quantitative in nature. Self-administered questionnaires were adopted for quantitative data collection and three interviews were conducted with middle management to supplement the quantitative data. The reliability and validity of the research instruments was achieved through adapting, and modifying questions from previously used research instruments from the works of Dewah, (2012); Teffo, (2014) and Tatani, (2015). New questions were further developed and evaluated through expert analysis. The study took place at Cecilia Makiwane Hospital in Mdantsane, Eastern Cape. The population of the study comprised of qualified healthcare workers in the health sector mainly “nurses”. The sample size was 198 and three interviews were conducted with the middle management to obtain qualitative data. xix The findings of the study revealed that the concept of knowledge retention was not dominant in public hospitals such as Cecilia Makiwane; however, certain practices are adopted to stimulate knowledge sharing thus contributing to knowledge retention. Several factors such as budget, ICT use, time allocation, fear of losing the competitive value through knowledge sharing and absence of supporting structures or services have been identified as root causes for reduced knowledge sharing practices among healthcare workers. The study, therefore, recommends the appointment of knowledge officers who would oversee the effective implementation of knowledge management policies and adopt strategies that will assist with knowledge retention. Further recommendations are, effective integration of knowledge management practices into the system, development of an internet based system for effective communication and institutional repositories for knowledge preservation. The study concludes that the development of training programs would assist healthcare workers to be familiar with any new or old invented mechanism.
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- Authors: Jonga, Nqabakazi
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Knowledge management Organizational learning
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M LIS
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11461 , vital:39074
- Description: Knowledge has transformed to become an economic resource in a knowledge-based society, which determines the proficiency, progress and efficiency of any performed task. However, efficiency can be compromised when the health sector fails to retain the wealth of knowledge from experienced, senior and subject experts who have, or are about to leave or retire from the institution. Knowledge management provides for knowledge acquisition, sharing, transfer and further motivates the creation of influential atmospheres for knowledge sharing in the Public health sector. Healthcare is a knowledge driven process and thus knowledge management and the tools to manage knowledge in the healthcare sector are receiving attention. This study investigated knowledge retention practices in the Public health sector, Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The study was informed by the Socialisation, Externalization, Combination, Internalization SECI model of knowledge creation and conversion by Nonaka & Takeuchi (1995) and the Knowledge based theory of the firm by Grant (1996). Both theories interpret knowledge sharing and preservation as vital for institutional growth and effective service delivery. The theories advised on the establishment of platforms designated for acquisition of new knowledge, knowledge sharing and retention to assist in future decision making to obtain a competitive edge. The study employed a mixed method approach that is largely quantitative in nature. Self-administered questionnaires were adopted for quantitative data collection and three interviews were conducted with middle management to supplement the quantitative data. The reliability and validity of the research instruments was achieved through adapting, and modifying questions from previously used research instruments from the works of Dewah, (2012); Teffo, (2014) and Tatani, (2015). New questions were further developed and evaluated through expert analysis. The study took place at Cecilia Makiwane Hospital in Mdantsane, Eastern Cape. The population of the study comprised of qualified healthcare workers in the health sector mainly “nurses”. The sample size was 198 and three interviews were conducted with the middle management to obtain qualitative data. xix The findings of the study revealed that the concept of knowledge retention was not dominant in public hospitals such as Cecilia Makiwane; however, certain practices are adopted to stimulate knowledge sharing thus contributing to knowledge retention. Several factors such as budget, ICT use, time allocation, fear of losing the competitive value through knowledge sharing and absence of supporting structures or services have been identified as root causes for reduced knowledge sharing practices among healthcare workers. The study, therefore, recommends the appointment of knowledge officers who would oversee the effective implementation of knowledge management policies and adopt strategies that will assist with knowledge retention. Further recommendations are, effective integration of knowledge management practices into the system, development of an internet based system for effective communication and institutional repositories for knowledge preservation. The study concludes that the development of training programs would assist healthcare workers to be familiar with any new or old invented mechanism.
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Managing personal archives in specialised repositories: a case study of Phillip Valentine Tobias collection(s) at the University of the Witwatersrand
- Authors: Marima, Elizabeth Nakai
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Archives management , Institutional repositories
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M LIS
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11473 , vital:39075
- Description: Personal archives are noncurrent records created by individuals that are selected and kept for their enduring value. They are a record of the past and stand as evidence of what transpired. They make part of repository holdings together with public archives in organisational repositories. Public archives document transactions, statutes, procedures, and regulations. Personal archives contain the documentation of individual lives, emotions, values, experiences and human personality. They seek to reflect the character of the individual who created them. Management of personal archives in repositories refers to their acquisition, collection, arrangement, description, preservation, conservation, creation if access and use. Therefore, the main purpose of this study is to investigate the managing of personal archives in specialized repositories: A case study of Phillip Valentine Tobias Collection(s) at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. The study sought to investigate the legal framework that regulates managing of personal archives and the experiences, perceptions and expectations of people managing the personal archives. Furthermore, the study sought to identify strategies of improving the management of personal archives at University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. The study was motivated by the archival theory that conceptualizes grouping of records together for their content and contextual value as evidence with the aim of restating the past. The theory further defines personal archives as records of continued value created by an individual which accumulated naturally, impartially and without prejudice in order to accurately witness the past. The study used a qualitative methodology and was guided by the interpretivist research paradigm. Data was collected using open-ended questions to conduct semi-structured interviews. To complement data, a document analysis, focus group and casual observation were also used. The site of study was University of the Witwatersrand. The total population constituted 41 staff members working in six special repositories with the Phillip Tobias collections at University of the Witwatersrand. The sample size was 25 staff members working in three special repositories. The qualitative data was reported verbartim and the Constant Comparative method was used for data analysis. The findings indicated challenges to the archival theory as the contextual grouping of personal archives was distorted. The study also showed that the archives were xv mismanaged due to framework irregularities, lack of top management support and limited resources. The major resources that were limited were infrastructure, archival ICT systems, human resources and training needs. From the interviews, the research identified strategies of improving the management of personal archives. The study recommended that the university benchmark for archival support strategies and to also engage in existence justification initiatives to harness top management’s attention towards the archive. Out of the identified strategies, the study suggested a tailor made strategy, which combined aspects of each strategy in order to avoid associated challenges.
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- Authors: Marima, Elizabeth Nakai
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Archives management , Institutional repositories
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M LIS
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11473 , vital:39075
- Description: Personal archives are noncurrent records created by individuals that are selected and kept for their enduring value. They are a record of the past and stand as evidence of what transpired. They make part of repository holdings together with public archives in organisational repositories. Public archives document transactions, statutes, procedures, and regulations. Personal archives contain the documentation of individual lives, emotions, values, experiences and human personality. They seek to reflect the character of the individual who created them. Management of personal archives in repositories refers to their acquisition, collection, arrangement, description, preservation, conservation, creation if access and use. Therefore, the main purpose of this study is to investigate the managing of personal archives in specialized repositories: A case study of Phillip Valentine Tobias Collection(s) at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. The study sought to investigate the legal framework that regulates managing of personal archives and the experiences, perceptions and expectations of people managing the personal archives. Furthermore, the study sought to identify strategies of improving the management of personal archives at University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. The study was motivated by the archival theory that conceptualizes grouping of records together for their content and contextual value as evidence with the aim of restating the past. The theory further defines personal archives as records of continued value created by an individual which accumulated naturally, impartially and without prejudice in order to accurately witness the past. The study used a qualitative methodology and was guided by the interpretivist research paradigm. Data was collected using open-ended questions to conduct semi-structured interviews. To complement data, a document analysis, focus group and casual observation were also used. The site of study was University of the Witwatersrand. The total population constituted 41 staff members working in six special repositories with the Phillip Tobias collections at University of the Witwatersrand. The sample size was 25 staff members working in three special repositories. The qualitative data was reported verbartim and the Constant Comparative method was used for data analysis. The findings indicated challenges to the archival theory as the contextual grouping of personal archives was distorted. The study also showed that the archives were xv mismanaged due to framework irregularities, lack of top management support and limited resources. The major resources that were limited were infrastructure, archival ICT systems, human resources and training needs. From the interviews, the research identified strategies of improving the management of personal archives. The study recommended that the university benchmark for archival support strategies and to also engage in existence justification initiatives to harness top management’s attention towards the archive. Out of the identified strategies, the study suggested a tailor made strategy, which combined aspects of each strategy in order to avoid associated challenges.
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The impact of public libraries in the Eastern Cape Province with reference to three Buffalo City Municipal libraries in King Williams' Town
- Authors: Gunuza, Nokuthula
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Public libraries Information services
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M.Bibl
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/16452 , vital:40721
- Description: The study sought to investigate the impact of public libraries in developing information literacy in libraries in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa: a case study of Buffalo City Municipality public libraries in King William’s Town. The objectives of the study were to find out how these three libraries in Buffalo City Metro public libraries ensure equity of library and information services provision to the user communities, to find out how public libraries support education and lifelong learning, to identify the challenges that public libraries face in rendering library and information services with reference to the three libraries, and to investigate the role of library professionals in marketing the library services to the community. Both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies were employed in a descriptive survey. The main research instrument was a questionnaire supported by face to face interviews. A total of 297 questionnaires were distributed and 200 were returned giving a response rate of 67.3%. The quantitative data which was collected through questionnaire was presented using graphs and tables, while qualitative was analysed manually by content analysis, using the notes that were taken by the researcher from the respondents during the interview sessions and reported verbatim in some instances. The findings showed that regardless of South African LIS environment having contradictions resulting from years of apartheid, most of the Buffalo City Metro public library patrons indicated that they experienced fair and equitable access to library and information services. In addition to participants’ quantitative responses, the qualitative excerpts from librarians attested to the library having a classification system that allows easy access to library resources. In addition, findings of the study also revealed that the Buffalo City Metro public libraries have a diversity of users, ranging from different age groups and social standing. The results from the current study revealed that the Buffalo City metropolitan public library users have little knowledge about literacy programmes that are taking place in the library. The findings also indicated that the Buffalo City Metro public libraries market library services by word of mouth, posters and notice boards. One of the major findings of the study is that Buffalo City Metro public libraries are faced with financial constraints and that led to a myriad of challenges ranging from inadequate library operating hours; limited information sources; lack of information retrieval training to patrons; internet connectivity issues; xii lack of professional staff and lack of training on the latest technological trends. The study concludes that the Buffalo City Metro public libraries should establish a marketing strategy to motivate for funding. The study recommended that the Buffalo City public libraries should create an integrated system for all libraries in the metromunicipality that encourages adult literacy programme to raise awareness of information literacy.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Gunuza, Nokuthula
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Public libraries Information services
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M.Bibl
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/16452 , vital:40721
- Description: The study sought to investigate the impact of public libraries in developing information literacy in libraries in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa: a case study of Buffalo City Municipality public libraries in King William’s Town. The objectives of the study were to find out how these three libraries in Buffalo City Metro public libraries ensure equity of library and information services provision to the user communities, to find out how public libraries support education and lifelong learning, to identify the challenges that public libraries face in rendering library and information services with reference to the three libraries, and to investigate the role of library professionals in marketing the library services to the community. Both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies were employed in a descriptive survey. The main research instrument was a questionnaire supported by face to face interviews. A total of 297 questionnaires were distributed and 200 were returned giving a response rate of 67.3%. The quantitative data which was collected through questionnaire was presented using graphs and tables, while qualitative was analysed manually by content analysis, using the notes that were taken by the researcher from the respondents during the interview sessions and reported verbatim in some instances. The findings showed that regardless of South African LIS environment having contradictions resulting from years of apartheid, most of the Buffalo City Metro public library patrons indicated that they experienced fair and equitable access to library and information services. In addition to participants’ quantitative responses, the qualitative excerpts from librarians attested to the library having a classification system that allows easy access to library resources. In addition, findings of the study also revealed that the Buffalo City Metro public libraries have a diversity of users, ranging from different age groups and social standing. The results from the current study revealed that the Buffalo City metropolitan public library users have little knowledge about literacy programmes that are taking place in the library. The findings also indicated that the Buffalo City Metro public libraries market library services by word of mouth, posters and notice boards. One of the major findings of the study is that Buffalo City Metro public libraries are faced with financial constraints and that led to a myriad of challenges ranging from inadequate library operating hours; limited information sources; lack of information retrieval training to patrons; internet connectivity issues; xii lack of professional staff and lack of training on the latest technological trends. The study concludes that the Buffalo City Metro public libraries should establish a marketing strategy to motivate for funding. The study recommended that the Buffalo City public libraries should create an integrated system for all libraries in the metromunicipality that encourages adult literacy programme to raise awareness of information literacy.
- Full Text:
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