Influence of Financial Investment, Utilization Patterns, Perceived Value and Support Services on Maximizing Electronic Resources Usage at Technical University of Mombasa and Kenya Methodist University

Abstract

Academic libraries at Technical University of Mombasa (TUM) and Kenya Methodist University (KeMU) invest heavily in electronic resources to foster academic excellence and enhance research quality. This study assessed the influence of financial investment, utilization patterns, perceived value, and support services in maximizing electronic resources usage at Technical University of Mombasa and Kenya Methodist University with a view to optimize resource allocation and further enhance the benefits of electronic resources. Both universities had increased their financial investments on electronic resources, and introduced digital libraries, social media engagement/ marketing to promote the full maximization of these resources. Despite these efforts, both institutions continued to face challenges such as the misallocation of financial investments, limited usage patterns, low perceived value, and ineffective support services. Additionally, TUM's electronic resource usage was only 32% while KeMU’s was 57% in 2022/2023 academic year. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the strategies implemented by TUM and KeMU in maximizing electronic resource usage. It focused on key objectives, including identifying financial investments, determining utilization patterns, assessing perceived value, and establishing the support services in place to enhance electronic resource usage at both institutions. The findings were intended to guide future budget allocations and customize support services to improve resource utilization, perceived value, and ultimately, the maximization of electronic resources at TUM and KeMU. Guided by Edward Freeman’s 1984 Stakeholder Theory and employing a descriptive survey research design with a mixed-methods approach, this study surveyed 426 individuals from a target population of 23,039. The sample included 220 undergraduate and 80 postgraduate students selected through stratified random sampling, 120 faculty members selected through stratified proportional sampling, and 6 library staff selected using purposive sampling. Data was collected through questionnaires and interviews, with pretesting conducted at the University of Nairobi-Mombasa campus to ensure the reliability and validity of the research instruments. Data was analyzed using SPSS for quantitative measures and thematic analysis for qualitative insights. The study achieved a response rate of 91.3% for undergraduate, postgraduate, and faculty members, and 100% for library staff. Findings indicated that 83.3% of library staff were satisfied with budget allocations for electronic resources. Additionally, 75.8% of users engaged actively with these resources, with audiovisual materials being the most utilized and mobile phones being the preferred access device. User satisfaction was reported at 73.1%, and 96.4% expressed contentment with support services. The study highlighted that additional financing and user engagement in resource acquisition improved perceived value and utilization. However, 24.2% of respondents never used the resources, and 23.7% reported dissatisfaction. Both universities had implemented support services to enhance resource use, with user support services, internet access, and feedback mechanisms being the most frequently utilized. The study concluded that financial investment significantly impacts perceived value, while support services influences both perceived value and utilization rates. Frequent utilization, supported by effective services, greatly improves perceived value and maximizes the benefits of electronic resources. Recommendations include engaging users in the acquisition process, enhancing capacity building for librarians, and conducting regular user assessments to tailor support services. These steps will improve perceived value, utilization rates, and overall resource maximization. These findings should guide both libraries in developing policies and strategies to further enhance the return on investment from electronic resources at TUM and KeMU.