M.Bibl. (Information Science) / Difficulties in satisfying the information needs of the engineer operating in the developing world led to a requirement to determine through research what information technologies are available and now they might be implemented to meet these needs, A growing recognition by engineers operating in the developing world of the importance of information and information sources for economic and social development fuels their need for engineering information. The information explosion s problems of scatter, diversity, volume and cost are very real in the developing world and are exaggerated by the prevailing economic, social, political and cultural conditions in developing countries. A literature study established the most striking characteristics of developing countries and special attention was given to Africa and Botswana. Factors hampering the developing world in gaining access to information and become part of the world "information economy" was identified. A literature study was also conducted to establish what information technology was available world wide, what has already been tried and tested, and which information technologies have the potential to be introduced in developing countries. It was found that despite the problems and obstacles which exist when introducing IT to developing countries, scientific and technological information services cannot get by without the use of IT. Certain information technologies such as CD-ROM, which seems to be promising in providing access to bibliographic and full text materials, need to be introduced. The use of information technology could also be successful to assist in educating people in developing countries about the importance and benefits of information systems for survival by providing easy access to coping and helping information as well as enriching and edifying information. An empirical study by structured interview was carried out on a representative sample of consulting engineers working in Botswana. Their information needs, access to engineering information sources and IT availability were establish. Evaluation of the responses to the structured interview reveal that engineers in Botswana are quite a diverse group, but that they could be grouped together by virtue of certain common characteristics such as place of work, civil engineering disciplines, membership of professional organisations, country in which engineering qualification was obtained and home language.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:uj/uj:12522 |
| Date | 07 October 2014 |
| Creators | Palmer, Marlize |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Rights | University of Johannesburg |
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