This research aims to investigate current volunteer use in public libraries in England. Volunteer use is not a new phenomenon, and has been an integral part of public library provision for many years. However recent Government policies, together with greater financial austerity, have resulted in a change in public service delivery. There has been a dramatic increase in the number of volunteers involved within the public library service, and the growth of community run libraries, resulting in much public and professional concern. An interpretivist research approach was used to investigate stakeholder opinions regarding volunteer use, and involved a two phase process. Initially a Delphi survey explored attitudes of 15 English public library service managers, followed by in-depth investigation of two case study library authorities, located in the North-East of England. Surveys, interviews and focus groups, helped to build a rich picture of volunteer use amongst the groups of stakeholders. Findings clearly indicated that volunteer use has moved from additionality to replacement of staff, and is increasingly being used by local authorities as a solution to budget reductions required as a result of economic austerity. A hybrid approach to library service provision has developed, using a combination of paid staff and volunteers, which indicates a fundamental culture shift within public libraries. Research results identified concerns relating to the long term viability of a hybrid approach, and how this impacted on the wider community in terms of service provision. Key concerns were raised concerning advocacy, sensitivity, the fragility of relationships, and the provision of an accountable and high quality service. Formal and informal control mechanisms need to be employed by library service managers to ensure that they reap the benefits of volunteer use, thereby avoiding social exclusion, clarifying stakeholder boundaries, and delivering a high quality accountable service. Training library managers in new volunteer management skills, and adopting a volunteer relationship management approach may help to ensure that this new arrangement is mutually beneficial for all concerned.

Knowledge-sharing practices are all the actions aimed at improving the internal flow and use of knowledge within a virtual team. The collective knowledge of team members only becomes powerful if it is shared among those who possess common goals. The main purpose of this study was to explore the knowledge-sharing practices of Hogan Lovells’ virtual team of legal information professionals and establish how these practices could be enhanced in order to provide a superior information service to the firm’s lawyers. Hogan Lovells is a multinational law firm with offices in South Africa and England, and its virtual team of legal information professionals were experiencing challenges in sharing knowledge. The study adopted a qualitative methodology and a case-study research design. Interview guides were used to collect qualitative data from study Participants. Out of the 23 potential interviewees from the London and Johannesburg team who were purposively selected as the target population for the study, the researcher interviewed 14 on reaching the point of saturation. The Participants interviewed were in possession of suitable information related to the objectives of the study. Qualitative data collected were analysed using content analysis; findings were then made from the completed analysis. From the findings, it emerged that there were several gaps in the knowledge-sharing practices. Several enablers to the knowledge-sharing practices by legal information professionals were identified. The study recommended several ways by which the knowledge-sharing practices at Hogan Lovells’ virtual team of legal information professionals may be enhanced, amongst which are: formalising team meetings as a virtual community of practice, stimulating informal peer mentoring, valuing storytelling and regularly conducting After-Action Reviews. In addition to this, the virtual team should use other knowledge-sharing practices, such as brainstorming, subject-matter experts, and face-to-face virtual meetings. The study suggested that additional studies, particularly surveys and quantitative studies, be conducted on other virtual teams of legal information professionals in South Africa in order to explore their knowledge-sharing practices. / Information Science / M. A. (Information Science)

This twofold study is concerned with the status of library skills within the realm of undergraduate students' information handling skills. The main problem under investigation is whether students require library skills in order to be information literate. In the first phase of the study, a conceptual analysis is done of information literacy and information skills, and a typology of information skills is drawn up. The skills in the typology range from lower level locating skills to higher level cognitive skills such as synthesizing and evaluating. Library skills (as taught in user education programmes) are identified and placed within the information skills typology, resulting in a model of library and information skills. This model indicates that library skills can be subsumed under generic information skills but that they fall only within the lower level of information handling skills. It therefore cannot be concluded that library skills are integral to information literacy. However, it is proposed that library skills represent a prototype of information gathering strategies, and if taught as such they would be more relevant to the lifelong learning aspect of information literacy. The second phase of the project consists of three empirical studies, where the role of library skills at first year level in a distance learning institution is investigated, using the University of South Africa (Unisa) as an illustrative example. The grounded theory style of qualitative research is used to explore the attitudes of lecturers towards the need for library skills in students. Based on the findings, two grounded theories of library skills requirements are proposed: a theory of library skills nescience at Unisa, and a generalized theory of library skills requirements at a distance learning institution. It is suggested that if librarians intend to be involved in information literacy teaching, they need to convince lecturers of the importance of independent information seeking for students, should promote the prototype of information gathering strategies, and form a partnership between themselves and lecturers with the intention of teaching information gathering strategies across the subject curriculum. / Information Science / D. Bibl.

Orientador: Antonio Francisco Magnoni / Banca: José Aparecido dos Santos / Banca: Denis Porto Reno / Resumo: Esta dissertação estuda a Comunicação rural pública no Estado de São Paulo. Primeiramente, foi elaborada uma pesquisa bibliográfica exploratória para compreender esse cenário considerado relevante para o Brasil. Em seguida, o estudo de caso para conhecer a comunicação exercida pela Secretaria de Agricultura e Abastecimento do estado de São Paulo (SAA), por meio da Coordenadoria de Assistência Técnica Integral (CATI) e do Centro de Comunicação Rural (CECOR), responsáveis pelo conteúdo jornalístico produzido e divulgado para o público rural ou interessados pela área. A pesquisa apresenta os veículos de comunicação mais utilizados por esse órgão público para informar e entreter os produtores rurais. Analisamos o site, o boletim online, Catálogo de Publicações e a Revista Casa da Agricultura. / Abstract: This dissertation studies public rural communication in the state of São Paulo. First it created a bibliographical research to understand this scenario considered relevant to Brazil. Then the case study to know the communication exercised by the Secretary of Agriculture of the State of São Paulo (SAA) through the Coordination of Integral Technical Assistance (CATI) and Rural Communication Center (CECOR), responsible for content journalistic produced and released to the public or interested in the rural area. The research shows that the media most used by this government agency to inform and entertain the farmers. We have analyzed the site, the online newsletter, Publications Catalogue and Magazine House of Agriculture. / Mestre

Thesis (MTech (Quality))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2010 / The aim of this study is to examine the level of utilisation of productivity software by staff of the Engineering Faculty of a South African University, and the impact it has on productivity. One of the primary effects of staff underutilisation is time wasted by staff who are doing tasks manually, instead of learning faster methods of doing tasks. It was thought that the use of computers would free staff up from the tedium of everyday manual tasks, effectively giving staff a shorter work day, however the actual impact has been to increase workload, as one can now simply do much more work. Staff have become so accustomed to using technology in every aspect of the daily work life, that they are not able to perform even the most basic function if that particular technology, such as e-mail or the internet, is not working. This study investigates the current skills level of staff in their use of productivity software, as well as what effect their current knowledge has on their ability to do their job effectively. Also to be investigated is how their level of training relates to their current level of knowledge, what tasks are staff not capable of doing, what additional skills do they need to improve their productivity, what type of training would they like to receive. A questionnaire will be used to gather required information about both the general skill level, as well as specific functions in Microsoft Excel and Word, as well as Novell GroupWise.

Thesis (MTech (Information Technology))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2011. / The research was conducted as part of a socio-tech initiative undertaken at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology. The socio-tech initiative overall focus was on addressing issues faced by rural and under-resourced communities in South Africa, specifically looking at Home-Based Healthcare (HBHC) primarily in the Western Cape. As research into the HBHC context in rural and under-resourced communities continued numerous issues around data and data-elements came to light. These data issues were especially prevalent in relation to the various paper forms being used by the HBHC initiatives that attempt to deliver care in these communities. The communities have the tendency to suffer from poor access to formal healthcare services and healthcare facilities. The data issues were primarily in terms of how data was defines and used within the HBHC initiatives. Within the HBHC initiatives that cater for rural and under-resourced communities there was a clear prevalence of paper-based systems, and a very low penetration of IT-based solution. Because similar and related data-elements are used throughout the paper forms and within different context these data-elements are inconsistently used and presented. The paper forms further obfuscate these inconsistencies as the paper forms regularly change due to internal and external factors. When these paper forms are changed date elements are added or removed without the changes to the underlying ontologies being considered.

CAPES; CNPq; PAE / Acompanhar o avanço tecnológico através da disseminação de informações é uma alternativa para amenizar os obstáculos do mercado relacionados ao acelerado crescimento tecnológico. O levantamento de informações de cunho tecnológico pode ocorrer por intermédio da vigilância tecnológica, que consiste em uma ferramenta de gerenciamento de informações. Visto a importância da agropecuária para o Brasil e o elevado número de pesquisas voltadas a este setor, este trabalho tem por objetivo viabilizar um processo de vigilância tecnológica para organizações de pesquisas agropecuárias. Para alcançar este objetivo analisou-se sistematicamente a literatura disponível em base de dados para a construção de referencial teórico para embasar as demais fases do estudo, que compreenderam a identificação das práticas de gestão de informações tecnológicas em eventos agropecuários, por parte dos centros de pesquisas agropecuárias e a análise das fontes de informação das organizações de pesquisas agropecuárias disponíveis na web, que visem à difusão da informação e transferência de tecnologia entre essas organizações de pesquisas agropecuárias e os produtores rurais. Verificou-se que é preciso aprimorar a gestão das informações tecnológicas produzidas pelos eventos estudados, a fim de que se possa gerar conhecimento para o público não participante do evento, assim como aprimorar as técnicas de gerenciamento de informações tecnológicas utilizadas pelas organizações de pesquisa em questão, visto que os usuários encontram dificuldades de acesso à informação e em alguns casos até mesmo a inexistência delas. Com o estudo de uma sequência de passos para o desenvolvimento da vigilância tecnológica, apresentados pela literatura e adaptado para o cenário estudado, foi possível constatar que é viável o desenvolvimento de processo de vigilância aplicado às organizações de pesquisas agropecuárias, que possibilitará a obtenção de informações para aplicar novas tecnologias, criar novos produtos e avaliar possíveis impactos de um evento ou mudança no ambiente, reduzindo riscos para os usuários das informações difundidas e garantindo a sobrevivência da agricultura e do agronegócio. Essas informações podem ainda servir de apoio à inovação, visto que na agricultura é necessário identificar fontes de inovação para o setor, tendo como base as trajetórias tecnológicas, que envolvem a geração de conhecimentos que se inicia com resultados da vigilância tecnológica. / Accompany technological advancement through the dissemination of information is an alternative to lessen the obstacles related to the rapid technological growth market. The survey information technological nature can occur through technological surveillance which consists of a tool for managing information. Seen the importance of agriculture for Brazil, and the many research efforts for this sector, this paper aims at facilitating a process of technological surveillance of agricultural research organizations. To achieve this goal we analyzed systematically the available the literature database for the construction of a theoretical framework that served as the basis the other phases of the study, which comprised the identification of management practices on agricultural information technology events, by the centers agricultural research, and analysis of information sources of agricultural research organizations available on the web, aimed at disseminating information and technology transfer between these rural agricultural research organizations and producers. It was found that it is necessary improve the management of technological information produced by the studied events, so that it cannot generate knowledge for the public participant of the event, as well as improve the technical management of technological information used by research organizations concerned since users find it difficult to access information and in some cases even lack of them. With the study of a sequence of steps for the development of technological surveillance, presented in the literature and adapted to the scenario studied, it was found that it is feasible to develop a monitoring process that applied to agricultural research organizations, which enable obtaining information to apply new technologies, create new products and to assess the possible impacts of an event or change in the environment, reducing risks to users of the information disseminated and ensuring the survival of agriculture and agribusiness. These informations can also serve to support innovation, since agriculture is necessary to identify the sources of innovation for the sector, based on the technological trajectories, involving the generation of knowledge that begins with the results of technological surveillance.

CAPES; CNPq; PAE / Acompanhar o avanço tecnológico através da disseminação de informações é uma alternativa para amenizar os obstáculos do mercado relacionados ao acelerado crescimento tecnológico. O levantamento de informações de cunho tecnológico pode ocorrer por intermédio da vigilância tecnológica, que consiste em uma ferramenta de gerenciamento de informações. Visto a importância da agropecuária para o Brasil e o elevado número de pesquisas voltadas a este setor, este trabalho tem por objetivo viabilizar um processo de vigilância tecnológica para organizações de pesquisas agropecuárias. Para alcançar este objetivo analisou-se sistematicamente a literatura disponível em base de dados para a construção de referencial teórico para embasar as demais fases do estudo, que compreenderam a identificação das práticas de gestão de informações tecnológicas em eventos agropecuários, por parte dos centros de pesquisas agropecuárias e a análise das fontes de informação das organizações de pesquisas agropecuárias disponíveis na web, que visem à difusão da informação e transferência de tecnologia entre essas organizações de pesquisas agropecuárias e os produtores rurais. Verificou-se que é preciso aprimorar a gestão das informações tecnológicas produzidas pelos eventos estudados, a fim de que se possa gerar conhecimento para o público não participante do evento, assim como aprimorar as técnicas de gerenciamento de informações tecnológicas utilizadas pelas organizações de pesquisa em questão, visto que os usuários encontram dificuldades de acesso à informação e em alguns casos até mesmo a inexistência delas. Com o estudo de uma sequência de passos para o desenvolvimento da vigilância tecnológica, apresentados pela literatura e adaptado para o cenário estudado, foi possível constatar que é viável o desenvolvimento de processo de vigilância aplicado às organizações de pesquisas agropecuárias, que possibilitará a obtenção de informações para aplicar novas tecnologias, criar novos produtos e avaliar possíveis impactos de um evento ou mudança no ambiente, reduzindo riscos para os usuários das informações difundidas e garantindo a sobrevivência da agricultura e do agronegócio. Essas informações podem ainda servir de apoio à inovação, visto que na agricultura é necessário identificar fontes de inovação para o setor, tendo como base as trajetórias tecnológicas, que envolvem a geração de conhecimentos que se inicia com resultados da vigilância tecnológica. / Accompany technological advancement through the dissemination of information is an alternative to lessen the obstacles related to the rapid technological growth market. The survey information technological nature can occur through technological surveillance which consists of a tool for managing information. Seen the importance of agriculture for Brazil, and the many research efforts for this sector, this paper aims at facilitating a process of technological surveillance of agricultural research organizations. To achieve this goal we analyzed systematically the available the literature database for the construction of a theoretical framework that served as the basis the other phases of the study, which comprised the identification of management practices on agricultural information technology events, by the centers agricultural research, and analysis of information sources of agricultural research organizations available on the web, aimed at disseminating information and technology transfer between these rural agricultural research organizations and producers. It was found that it is necessary improve the management of technological information produced by the studied events, so that it cannot generate knowledge for the public participant of the event, as well as improve the technical management of technological information used by research organizations concerned since users find it difficult to access information and in some cases even lack of them. With the study of a sequence of steps for the development of technological surveillance, presented in the literature and adapted to the scenario studied, it was found that it is feasible to develop a monitoring process that applied to agricultural research organizations, which enable obtaining information to apply new technologies, create new products and to assess the possible impacts of an event or change in the environment, reducing risks to users of the information disseminated and ensuring the survival of agriculture and agribusiness. These informations can also serve to support innovation, since agriculture is necessary to identify the sources of innovation for the sector, based on the technological trajectories, involving the generation of knowledge that begins with the results of technological surveillance.

D.Litt. et Phil. / The problem addressed in this study is to determine whether information is recognized as a resource in South African manufacturing enterprises and whether these enterprises use information to their competitive advantage. The role of information as a resource for competitive advantage is discussed and it is shown that the competitive position of enterprises can be strengthened on the strategic level if the information resources are efficiently managed. As a result of the lack of knowledge on the information management situation in manufacturing enterprises, an empirical investigation was necessary and a questionnaire was sent to enterprises in the Guateng province. South African manufacturing enterprises were grouped according to the strategic types identified by the Miles and Snow typology. Of the 172 respondents 21,5% were classified as Prospectors, 36,6% as Analyzers, 29,7% as Defenders and 12,2% as Reactors. The majority of the respondents pointed out that they frequently scanned the environment, but formal environmental scanning systems existed at only 20% of the enterprises. The majority of South African manufacturing enterprises are currently in Strategic Management Phase 2. Attention is paid to the strategic management of products with the emphasis on market growth and market share in comparison to those of competitors. The way in which information is managed in manufacturing enterprises relates to the management typology applied in these enterprises. Information is managed very fragmentally in South African manufacturing enterprises and integrated information management systems exist at only a small percentage of enterprises. The majority of enterprises are in Development Phase 2 of information management, that is, the management of corporate automated technology. Formal information management departments are found more regularly at Prospectors and Analyzers than at Defenders and Reactors. Prospectors and Analyzers make more use of information management systems. The proportion of personnel involved with information management is higher at Analyzers than at any of the other strategic types. Analyzers also apply records management more frequently than the others. More than half of the respondents evaluated their investments in information management resources periodically in order to determine practical use and value. Employee development was encouraged with 94,9% of the respondents and 9,9% of the enterprises were classified as learning organizations. It is concluded that information management is applied in South African manufacturing enterprises but that it is not used to the competitive advantage of these enterprises. It is recommended that South African manufacturing enterprises integrate information management with the other enterprise functions and that information management be a strategic management function. Manufacturing enterprises should strive to reach the Strategic Management Phase 4 as well as Phase 5 of information management. Guidelines are provided on how information management can be implemented as a strategic management function within enterprises classified as Prospectors, Analyzers, Defenders and Reactors. Unstableness and change are the main characteristics of the South African manufacturing industry and this changing environment makes it necessary to react appropriately in order to obtain competitive advantage. South African manufacturing enterprises should therefore strive towards a new management typology called Renewers or learning organizations.

M.Comm. / The Financial Services industry is in the throes of significant changes and challenges. Managers confronted with the metoric of the "information age" may experience a variety of emotions, ranging from excitement to suspicion or even outright scepticism. What has changed is that more and more businesses are defining their strategies in terms of information or knowledge. Today we hear and read much about "the learning organisation", "working knowledge", "knowledge networks", "business ntelligence", "competitor intelligence". These concepts may be popular to all but to executives they need to be clear — they make strategic decisions. Executives must realise these MIS, CIS and Expert Systems, are more than tools, they are a way of life, a way to gain strategic competitive advantage in a new market — called global isation. Managers need to rely on knowledge to make decisions and add value to the financial performance and use their collective experience without becoming bogged down in methodological or technological complexity. Biggest is no longer necessary the best. Today it is often more profitable to focus attraction the best customers than to attempt to reduce cost. Executives should be cautious, even suspicious; of the technological and software solutions being offered and sceptical that one concept can do it all. This is not surprising because we are dealing with knowledge, information and above all people. Add these together and we are to paraphrase the physicist, Freeman Dyoon, "infinite in all direction". Nevertheless companies understand that past experience has shown that common purpose, culture and focus can mobilise people for profitable and personally rewarding creativity and achievement. The future competitive landscape demands no less!