The preparedness of University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) libraries to implement and use mobile phone technology in the provision of library and information services.
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Date
2014
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Abstract
The study investigated the preparedness of University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) libraries to
implement and use mobile phone technology in the provision of library and information
services. This investigation included the factors which could influence and impact technology
adoption. It is imperative that libraries respond to changes in technology in terms of the
provision of their services. A recent development has been the emergence and proliferation of
mobile phone technology and it is the adoption and implementation of this technology by
academic libraries in the provision of services that concerned this study. The significance of
this study lies in its adding value to the little knowledge out there by improving our
understanding of the challenges and opportunities associated with mobile technology in an
academic library context.
In terms of the methodology, the study used a quantitative approach and survey design. Data
was collected from a total of 30 staff members working in libraries on the UKZN
Pietermaritzburg and Howard College campuses. A self-administered questionnaire that
consisted of both open and closed questions was used to collect the data. The research
questions which underpinned the study can be summarised as follows: what mobile phone
technology is and what it comprised of in this research context, what skills the staff required to
be able to provide library and information through mobile phone technology, and finally, what
technological, organizational and environmental factors could influence the implementation of
this technology in the libraries concerned. The Technology Organisation and Environment
Framework (TOE) was used as the framework to guide the study. The data collected was
analysed using SPSS and the findings were presented in the form of tables, bar graphs, pie
charts and text.
Interpretation of the findings revealed that the staff of the libraries were in the main positively
predisposed to mobile technology, with many of them having Internet enabled mobile phones
and the skills to do some of the tasks associated with the provision of library and information
services via the technology. The technological, organizational and environmental factors
identified and investigated were such that the libraries could be regarded as sufficiently
prepared for the introduction of mobile phone technology in the provision of services. Funding
or budgetary constraints, however, were identified as the main constraint.
Recommendations were made based on the finding of the survey and the literature review and
these relate to funding concerns and the implementation and usage of mobile phone technology
to the advantage of the libraries.
Description
Thesis (M.I.S.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2013.
Keywords
Mobile communication systems--Library applications, Theses--Library and information science.