Journal of Information Management and Practices

Workplace Information Literacy

Muhammad Asif — 2024-06-25

The present paper identifies information literacy self-efficacy in workplace context among academicians working in all QS-ranked universities of Lahore. In addition, the current study aims to find a correlation of information literacy with different socio-cultural variables of academicians. This study opted for a quantitative approach, using a survey questionnaire for data collection. There were 356 responses collected from academicians working in all QS-ranked universities in Lahore. The data analysis was carried out through SPSS software. In order to achieve the study objectives, both descriptive and inferential statistics were used. The outcomes disclosed that the participants of the survey were highly skilled and self-possessed in information literacy as a whole and in all sub-dimensions too. Investigating the correlation between variables, it was found that the respondents’ age, job and research experiences were positively correlative to information literacy. It indicates that the academicians’ IL enhanced as they become older, research, and job experience upgraded. No statistical difference was found in respondents' IL with their gender, qualification and designation. No previous research studies have been published on information literacy self-efficacy of university academicians in workplace context in Pakistan. The present study has two limitations: 1) Study results are established on self-reported views of participants' IL self-efficacy, and 2) the current study was commenced at the QS-ranked universities of Lahore. The understanding may include formulating advanced university information literacy programs to support research-based learning.

Effects of Organizational Factors on Knowledge Sharing

Imran Ghaffar Sulehri — 2024-06-25

In organizations, knowledge sharing is a major source of innovation, performance, success, and goal achievement. This review-based study aims to extract the determinants of knowledge sharing from previously conducted studies. It also explores the organizational factors that have been most emphasized in studies on knowledge sharing. Following inclusion and exclusion criteria, fifty-four studies were selected for review and analysis to achieve the study objectives. Organizational culture, organizational support, organizational commitment, and organizational rewards are identified as highly important factors, while relationships, organizational justice, organizational trust, organizational leadership, and organizational climate are found to be very important factors. Additionally, some organizational factors are identified as quite important, somewhat important, and less important or ignored factors in the realm of knowledge sharing. Iran emerges as a productive country for producing research on knowledge sharing, with staff members/employees being a prolific population, and academia being a prolific discipline/site. This study will provide guidance to researchers on lesser-explored or ignored organizational variables to consider in their research on knowledge sharing.

Examining Digital Information Literacy Skills of Faculty Members in the Public Sector Universities in Peshawar, Pakistan

Muhammad Ismail — 2024-06-25

The study analyzes the level of digital information literacy skills (DILS) of university teachers of Peshawar and its relationship with their certain personal and academic variables. Using survey method of research, a research instrument based on similar studies was administered to the university teachers working in the public sector universities of Peshawar for collecting the data. Total population of this study was comprised of 1678 faculty members in all six public sector universities situated in Peshawar, Pakistan. The research instrument was sent to a sample of 500 faculty members with a representation of 30% from each university. The researchers received back 340 usable questionnaires with 68% response rate. Results indicated that faculty members were comfortable with 13 DILS. They showed least comfort in the use of digital journals, digital books, listserv and discussion groups. The study found that participants were well acquainted in computer usage; however, they were not well versed in searching literature of their choice. Moreover, the study observed significant differences in faculty members’ specialty, educational qualification (degree), their proficiency in English, and the accessibility to computers or laptops at their homes. Similarly, significant difference was also found keeping in view respondents’ sex and societal background. The study concluded that university teachers, in general, lack DILS. The available literature indicates that only a few studies on such kind of topics have been conducted in Pakistan and elsewhere. However, no study till date has examined DILS of teachers of public sector universities in Peshawar, Pakistan. Being a pioneering study, It will help in promoting and organizing digital information literacy programs for faculty members and improve their DILS.

The Adoption of Open-Source software’s in Libraries in Digital Era

Dr. Shahzad Ahmad — 2024-06-25

This study aims to explore the adoption of Open-Source Software’s (OSS) in the academic libraries of Pakistan. It also focuses on the challenges encountered during the application and management of these software’s in both public and private sectors academic libraries around the country. Quantitative data was collected through structured questionnaire developed and distributed online to the target population. The findings indicate that the library's adoption of OSS, such as Koha, SLIMS, GREENSTONE, and DSpace, was motivated by the need to distribute information to library users efficiently, modernize library staff workflows, and enhance user accessibility to library information resources. The OSS has been instigated specially in the cataloguing and circulation and digital library management functions of the library. The major hurdles impeding the software's full implementation include lack of planning, lack of technical expertise, and security concerns related to library software’s. Study recommends that, to successfully adopt and implement any integrated library Software, proper planning and prior feasibility studies, along with proper training of the library professionals are recommended.

A Systematic Literature Review on Health Information Sharing Among Older Adults

Iqra Tariq — 2024-06-25

The purpose of this research is to synthesize the findings of existing studies on the sharing of health information among older adults. This SLR follows the PRISMA model to provide an extensive analysis of the practices of health information sharing among older adults. This review synthesizes the results of the searches in Google Scholar, Web of Science (WoS), and Scopus databases that investigated the purpose to share health related information, technologies used, and challenges faced by older adults in sharing their health information. Most of the studies emphasize that the elderly use computers, mobile phones, and social media apps to discuss their health issues with doctors and families. However, there are challenges like technology constraints, people’s resistance to technology, and lack of funds that hinder information sharing. Moreover, the study shows the variety of technologies used by older people, indicating the necessity for more individualized approaches to the development of interventions. Subsequent studies should focus on tackling these barriers with the help of specific interventions and creating effective technology designs that would enhance the accessibility of healthcare services for elderly people. By bridging the digital divide and enhancing access to technology, stakeholders can foster a more equitable healthcare system that empowers older adults to actively engage in health information sharing, ultimately improving their health outcomes and overall well-being.

Exploring Doctoral Students’ Lived Experiences While Selecting Research Topic

Saira Zafar — 2024-06-25

The purpose of the study was to explore the lived experiences of doctoral students’ while selecting the research topic. Phenomenological design of qualitative research was employed to explore doctoral students’ experiences. Participants for the study were selected using purposive sampling. Ten PhD students, who were working on the selection of their research topics in the field of information management, education and business were selected to be a part of the study. Interview protocol and guideline was developed and data was collected through individual interviews following ethical considerations. The data was recorded with the consent of participants and then transcribed carefully to perform analysis. Before analysis transcribed file was shared with participants to make sure the researcher captured the essence of their responses and no misinterpretations has been done. After this thematic analysis was done to analyze the data and as a result five themes were emerged i.e. experience regarding selection of topic, supervisor’s role, strategies toward selection of topic, researcher’s belief and problems in selection of topic. The findings of the study revealed that according to doctoral students, selection of topic is not an easy task it needs proper support of supervisor, understanding of variables, selection of topic in their area of interest. Further findings elaborated the problems doctoral students faced during the selection of research topic. The problems include: time management, lack of familiarity with variables and identifying research gap. Based on the findings, the researcher suggested that doctoral students need training during course work on how they can select novel and significant research topics. They also need assistance on how to overcome problems they face during research topic selection because in the long run addressing these issues will improve the quality of research itself. Despite the doctoral students finding of the study will provide new direction for further studies and other disciplines.