http://repository.kemu.ac.ke/handle/123456789/340 Tue, 14 Apr 2026 18:51:44 GMT 2026-04-14T18:51:44Z http://repository.kemu.ac.ke/handle/123456789/1795 Tangibility of digital institutional repository service provision to postgraduate students at universities in Meru County, Kenya Tsenga, Sophia Mjeni; Gichohi, Paul Maku Institutional repository services in libraries essentially determine the quality of the scholarly output of postgraduate students. Subsequently, this demands a multi-skilled workforce, facilities, and ICT infrastructure. Tangibility in this context is demonstrated when the staff in charge are decent, premises are neat, resources are easily retrievable and ICT technologies are available. Demonstration of tangibility usually heightens user attractiveness to a place. It may also be reinforced by a user experiencing satisfaction through an easily navigable institutional repository, visually attractive arrangement of the contents, and easily downloadable research materials. Nevertheless, incidences of users getting disinterested and losing patience with institutional repositories have continued to be reported. This paper assesses the tangibility of repository service provision to postgraduate students at universities in Meru County, Kenya. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The SERVQUAL model was also adopted to underpin the research. The sample population consisted of 91 students and 10 library heads of sections. Post-graduate students filled out questionnaires while the library heads of sections participated in the interviews. Purposive sampling was used to get librarians and simple random sampling for students. The findings of the study indicated that the tangibility of institutional repositories at universities in Meru County was moderate. To improve it, the respondents recommended the provision of policies guiding the security of information, the repository section being operational during working hours, providing a functional website as well as shelving and classification of information materials be done regularly. There was a need to acquire modern reading tables, student computers, and provision of resources in full texts, and upgrade the earlier version of the repository management system with the current one. The paper recommends the heads of libraries liaise with university management to support and finance the acquisition of new and refurbish existing facilities, technologies, infrastructure, and additional resources. It is also recommended that the directorate of research to revise the postgraduate policy to include all postgraduate levels’ research in order to achieve inclusive service provision. Sun, 01 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMT http://repository.kemu.ac.ke/handle/123456789/1795 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z http://repository.kemu.ac.ke/handle/123456789/832 The Strategic Management Practices in Academic Libraries in Kenya: The Case of USIU Library Gichohi, P. M This research investigated the practices of strategic management in academic libraries. The paper is based on a study that was conducted in 2009-2010. Using USIU library as a case study, it aimed to find out the nature of shifting paradigms in information management, establish the key challenges and ascertained how strategic management was practiced. A descriptive research design was used with a sample size of 153 drawn from students, library and teaching staff. Descriptive, inferential statistics and factor analysis were used. The volatility in information industry has necessitated the application of strategic management principles in information management. This is characterized by far-reaching impacts of ICT, paradigm shifts in users’ behavior and subsequent changes in librarian’s roles with implications on library’s strategy development, implementation and evaluation. Staff welfare matters and leadership are critical in successful implementation of the desired strategy. The study concludes that strategic behavior in academic libraries is being inhibited by the leadership behavior, structures, systems, and lack of strategy supportive policies. It underscores the critical role played by library management in building competitive organization. It recommends installation of appropriate leadership models for better alignment of staff goals with those of the library. Strategic behavior should be nurtured in academic libraries through involvement of all stakeholders in strategic management process. The study further recommends need for clear communication and measures of institutionalizing library vision, mission, objective, values, and timely evaluation of performance. Librarians should play a front role in reflecting responsiveness to library’s strategic issues in their professional practice. Thu, 01 Jan 2015 00:00:00 GMT http://repository.kemu.ac.ke/handle/123456789/832 2015-01-01T00:00:00Z http://repository.kemu.ac.ke/handle/123456789/831 The Role of Employee Engagement in Revitalizing Creativity and Innovation at the Workplace: A Survey of Selected Libraries in Meru County - Kenya Gichohi, P. M Creativity and innovation can neither be imposed nor can it be driven by disengaged employees. This study postulated that the level of employee engagement spurs creativity and innovation in the library. It aimed to establish the empirical evidence on whether employee engagement affects the level of creativity and innovation in libraries. It investigated the effects of employee engagement on creativity and innovation suggests improved model on the same. The study used descriptive cross-sectional survey design to examine three purposively selected libraries. Structured questionnaires and semistructured interviews were used to collect research data. Descriptive, correlation, regression, t-test and ANOVA were used to analyze the collected data. The response rate was 91% from a sample size of 31 library staffs. Both levels of staff engagement and that of creativity and innovation from the three libraries were found to be relatively high, 81.85% and 78.03% respectively. The mean values of these two variables did not differ significantly and exhibited 83.1% relationship. No significant difference was established between the two constructs but the outcome depended on how key constructs are configured. The study concludes that employee engagement assumes a critical precursor role to creativity and innovation at the workplace. Library leaders act as central catalysts and facilitators during the configuration process. The study recommend need to challenge work processes, environment, systems and patterns of thinking in library set-up, in order to nurture empowering atmosphere. An integrated model of employee engagement on creativity and innovation has been proposed. Wed, 01 Jan 2014 00:00:00 GMT http://repository.kemu.ac.ke/handle/123456789/831 2014-01-01T00:00:00Z http://repository.kemu.ac.ke/handle/123456789/830 Provision of business information services by public libraries to small scale business enterprises Gichohi, P. M; Onyancha, O. B; Dulle, F. W This study explored the business information services offered to small-scale business enterprises (SBEs) by public libraries in Meru County, Kenya. Public libraries are community information centres, hence well-placed to serve the small-scale business community. A quantitative approach and survey research design were adopted. Data were collected from 296 SBE traders and 20 staff members from three public libraries in Meru County using well-structured questionnaires and interviews. Quantitative data were analysed with the help of SPSS software while a thematic analysis was used on qualitative data. The provision of business information services to SBEs in public libraries was in a desolate state owing to inadequate business collections, the lack of sufficient information and communications technology (ICT) facilities, poor awareness of business information services, a poor reading culture, and weak collaborations of public libraries with stakeholders. There is an indispensable need to establish insightful and holistic business information services at public libraries and to institute measures that would foster their utilisation by SBEs. This can be achieved by elevating library facilities, enhancing outreach programmes, ensuring adequate funding, engaging knowledgeable business services librarians, embracing ICT in service delivery, and by having an appropriate policy framework. Sun, 01 Jan 2017 00:00:00 GMT http://repository.kemu.ac.ke/handle/123456789/830 2017-01-01T00:00:00Z http://repository.kemu.ac.ke/handle/123456789/829 A model for public Libraries’ support in the development of small-scale business enterprises in Meru County, Kenya Gichohi, P. M; Bosire, O. B; Dulle, F. W This study aims at developing a suitable model for support by public libraries in the development of small-scale business enterprises (SBEs) in Meru County, Kenya. A mixed-methods research approach and survey research design were applied. We collected data from small-scale business traders, staff members from the three public libraries, and two staff members in charge of the Enterprise Development Department in Meru County by means of questionnaires and interviews, and applied document analysis on written sources held by these entities. We developed a model that can be adopted and is highly recommended to public libraries in supporting small enterprises in Kenya. Sun, 01 Jan 2017 00:00:00 GMT http://repository.kemu.ac.ke/handle/123456789/829 2017-01-01T00:00:00Z http://repository.kemu.ac.ke/handle/123456789/342 Capacity building modules for public libraries to support small-scale business enterprises in Meru County, Kenya Gichohi, Paul M.; Onyancha, Omwoyo B.; Dulle, Frankwell W. The lack of well-structured capacity building programmes is a serious drawback to the effective development of small-scale business enterprises (SBEs) in Kenya. Public libraries as community information centres can collaborate with other stakeholders in facilitating the required skills. This study investigated the training needs of SBE traders and public library staff with the aim of proposing capacity building modules that can be considered by public libraries in Meru County, Kenya in their endeavour to support the SBEs. In implementing the study, a mixed methods approach was used and the survey research design adopted. Cluster and systematic sampling techniques were used in getting 355 SBE traders while census was used on twenty-one library staff and on two staff from Meru County government. Interviews and questionnaires were used to collect the required data. The response rate was 83.4% and 95% for SBE traders and public library staff respectively. Descriptive statistics and thematic techniques were used to analyse the data. We used the findings of this study and the scholarly insights from previous studies to propose two sets of capacity building modules: for SBE traders and for the public library staff. The training areas comprise business information literacy, technology competency, and nature of information in the business domain. We recommend the adoption of the proposed modules in public libraries in Kenya in elevating support and value contribution in the development of the small business community. We further recommend a training policy for SBEs and the recruitment of experienced, skilled and knowledgeable business librarians. Sun, 01 Jan 2017 00:00:00 GMT http://repository.kemu.ac.ke/handle/123456789/342 2017-01-01T00:00:00Z http://repository.kemu.ac.ke/handle/123456789/341 How public libraries in Meru County, Kenya, address the business information needs of small-scale enterprises. Gichohi, Paul M.; Onyancha, Omwoyo B.; Dulle, Frankwell W. The purpose of the study was to explore how public libraries in Meru County, Kenya, address the informationneeds of small-scale business enterprises (SBEs) in the region. It was carried out from 2013 to 2015. A quanti-tative approach and survey research design were adopted to collect data from SBE traders and staff from threepublic libraries in Meru County. The study found that the business information needs of SBEs are myriad, sector-specific and cut across all stages of business development. These needs are fulfilled by consulting informalinformation resources and places. The few SBEs traders who were using public libraries for business informationexpressed high levels of satisfaction. The study concludes that public libraries have facilitative and functional rolesof providing business information to SBEs by collaborating with like-minded stakeholders. The study recommendssymmetrical dissemination of business information and the re-positioning of public libraries as communitydevelopment centers by providing value-based and sector-specific business information solutions. Fri, 01 Jan 2016 00:00:00 GMT http://repository.kemu.ac.ke/handle/123456789/341 2016-01-01T00:00:00Z