Browsing by Author "Mutula, S.M."
Now showing items 1-7 of 7
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Gerhan, D.R.; Mutula, S.M. (Emerald, NaN, 2005)[more][less]
Abstract: Purpose – To examine the technical reasons for excessively slow internet speeds at the University of Botswana, to discover the present state of development efforts addressing such examples of the qualitative digital divide, and to recommend remedies. Design/methodology/ approach – Surveys of students, the authors' professional experiences, and reports from corporate, public, and intergovernmental organizations provided insights into the effects – and causes – of internet slowdown. Findings –Bandwidth bottlenecks were identified in successive stages of intercontinental internet traffic. Causes included network design and capacity, telecommunications regulations, and competing budgetary demands within Botswana. Research limitations/implications – Much of the literature on the digital divide has stressed plentiful hardware and internet connections in affluent societies versus their scarcity in developing societies. This study illustrates that hardware and connections are necessary but not sufficient for adequate online performance. Technological advance and development can each stimulate the other, and that two-way interconnection necessitates more than a simple call for more spending to increase developing countries' bandwidth. The paper presents recommendations in addition to higher funding. Originality/value – Student and other micro-level data serve as measures for the local performance of a global utility, the internet. Tracking message transmission uncovers bottlenecks along the path of the intercontinental internet, specifically as it reaches Africa. These “street-level” approaches can assist the international aid community, the telecommunications industry, and the public sector in Botswana and elsewhere in removing obstacles to the internet as a potentially important tool for national- and human-development. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/796 Files in this item: 1
Gerhan_LHT_2005.pdf (1.566Mb) -
Fombad, M.; Mutula, S.M. (University of Malaysia, http://ejum.fsktm.um.edu., NaN, 2003)[more][less]
Abstract: The paper discusses collection development practices at the University of Botswana Library that are largely influenced by subject librarians as the drivers of the collection development policy. The paper looks at the challenges facing the library’s collection development practices especially in relation to falling book budgets, proliferation of electronic materials, difficulties of dealing with faculty, poor book trade infrastructure, delays in the delivery of ordered books, and problems of evaluation of materials. The paper highlights strategies that the library is employing to deal with the challenges. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/715 Files in this item: 1
FombadUBLCollections.pdf (40.40Kb) -
Jain, P.; Mutula, S.M. (Sage Publications, www.sagepub.com, NaN, 2001)[more][less]
Abstract: Presents the findings of a questionnaire survey carried out to determine the scope of IT diffusion in Botswana in the context of the National Vision 2016. The study was aimed at establishing the extent of IT use in the country; identifying the constraints and opportunities of IT diffusion and recommending the way forward. The target population comprised of IT-related government departments, IT training institutions, IT vendors and IT-oriented parastatals. The survey was confined to the capital, Gaborone and produced a response rate of 90 percent. The results showed that 98 percent of participants believed that the scope for IT diffusion in the country was good. However, several constraints were identified, including lack of skilled manpower, lack of IT policy, inadequate IT infrastructure, inadequate private sector participation, tendering procedures that favour foreign companies more than local companies, absence of clear mission statements for IT diffusion within organizations, lack of understanding of the use of IT by management and fear of retrenchment by staff. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/842 Files in this item: 1
Jain_ID_2001.pdf (916.6Kb) -
Mutula, S.M. (Archlib and Information Services, http:www.hwwilson.com/journals;http://www.ajol.info, NaN, 2008)[more][less]
Abstract: The networked world is characterised by the ubiquity and ever increasing application of Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) in various sectors of an economy, including education, government, libraries, businesses, healthcare and homes. The networked world generates and moves large amounts of electronic information in the form of text, video, audio, graphics, and animations. A networked world affords opportunities for people, for example, to use e-mail for communication, use Web portals to access government information, access digital libraries from any point with a Web connection, and undertake formal and lifelong learning electronically. The evolving networked world has fuelled several paradigm shifts that are greatly impacting the way information and knowledge are created and managed. These paradigm shifts include information society, e-government, digital divide, and e-learning/digital scholarship. This paper provides an overview of the paradigm shifts sweeping the information landscape in the networked world and the implications for the creation and management of information, especially in African libraries URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/476 Files in this item: 1
Mutula_AJLAIS_2008.pdf (1.851Mb) -
Mutula, S.M. (Emerald, NaN, 2006)[more][less]
Abstract: Abstract Purpose – To argue that developing countries in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region should embrace the concept of freedom of information to enable better human rights and economic development. Design/methodology/approach – The paper reviews the current situation through discussion of current legislation and proposed policies. Findings – Whereas several theories abound as to why there has been little development in sub- Saharan Africa, this paper discusses the status of freedom of information legislations within the SADC region and the implications for accountability and transparency in the management of public resources. Research limitations/implications – The paper suggests the importance of further research into the importance of freedom of information legislation for economic and human rights development. Practical implications – The paper has practical implication for those considering the potential of freedom of information legislation in developing countries. Originality/value – Freedom of information has largely taken a back seat amidst several social, economic and political reforms that have been instituted collectively or by individual countries. It is the view of this paper that freedom of information provides an important link for the economic, social and political reform initiatives URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/438 Files in this item: 1
Mutula_LR_2006.pdf (917.1Kb) -
Mutula, S.M. (Emerald, NaN, 2007)[more][less]
Abstract: Purpose – The purpose is to trace the revolution in information and communication technology (ICT) and changes in this wake such as globalization, digital divide, information society, Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and e-government and how these changes impact on the provision of library and information services. Design/methodology/approach – The paper is largely based on review of literature both online and print. Findings – The paper concludes that the paradigm shifts occurring in the information environment have affected the concept of library; the perception of ownership versus access of library resources; the nature of information resources and services; and the role of the information professional among others. Research limitations/implications – The paper advocates for a proactive strategy on the part of information professionals in order to re-engineer and adapt the library to the volatile global information environment in order to remain relevant in the wake of new paradigm occurrences. Practical implications – Effective access and use of information will inevitably have great influence on the realisation of positive effects that the new paradigms occurrences engender in the global environment. It is desirable at this point in time to research into how information access and use can be brought to bear on the attainment of MDGs, bridge digital divide, enhance attainment of information society, promote e-government, etc. Originality/value – Despite, the rapid changes within the global information environment that has been occasioned by ICT, there is lack of critical mass of information science literature that addresses issues such MDGs, globalisation, information society and digital divide from the perspective of the information professional. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/768 Files in this item: 1
Mutula_LHT_2007 (1).pdf (1.058Mb) -
Gerhan, D.R.; Mutula, S.M. (Wiley, NaN, 2007)[more][less]
Abstract: A recent model analyzing the role of information and communications technology (ICT) in development shows promise. The model coheres with theory on contingency, the problem of reductionism, and distinctions between deeply and shallowly inscribed organizational change arising from ICT. Conditions of e-readiness at the University of Botswana provide an opportune case study for the model. On the whole the original model holds up well, although the case study reveals relevant factors missed by the model: underlying support infrastructure and postimplementation growth in demand. Accordingly, we define an explicit role for time in the model and add a major new dimension of financial sustainability. These additions equip the model to better account for realities affecting ICT’s role in development. Further research needs include case and cross-case studies of the revised model. C 2007Wiley Periodicals, Inc. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/422 Files in this item: 1
Gerham_ITD_2007.pdf (2.086Mb)
Now showing items 1-7 of 7