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Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://41.89.31.6:4000/handle/123456789/340
Welcome to Library collection.This collection contains Journal articles published by library Staff.
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Item The Strategic Management Practices in Academic Libraries in Kenya: The Case of USIU Library(Library Philosophy and Practice, 2015) Gichohi, P. MThis 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.Item The Role of Employee Engagement in Revitalizing Creativity and Innovation at the Workplace: A Survey of Selected Libraries in Meru County - Kenya(Library Philosophy and Practice, 2014) Gichohi, P. MCreativity 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.Item Provision of business information services by public libraries to small scale business enterprises(Mousaion, 2017) Gichohi, P. M; Onyancha, O. B; Dulle, F. WThis 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.Item A model for public Libraries’ support in the development of small-scale business enterprises in Meru County, Kenya(Public Library Quarterly, 2017) Gichohi, P. M; Bosire, O. B; Dulle, F. WThis 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.