ORGANIZATIONAL FACTORS AFFECTING INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (ICT) SYSTEMS IN ACADEMIC LIBRARIES: A CASE STUDY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF GHANA, BALME LIBRARY.

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ABSTRACT

The study investigated five major organizational factors namely: organizational structure, organizational culture, top management, human resource capabilities and the availability of physical ICT infrastructure, and their implications on the efficient utilization and development of ICT systems at the Balme Library of the University of Ghana, Legon. The aim of studying these organizational factors was to aid in the improvement of ICT to promote efficient delivery of information services in academic libraries in Ghana. Based on a cross-sectional survey methodology under the quantitative approach, data was collected from 70 selected library staff across sections of the University of Ghana, Balme Library whose line of duties involved the use of ICT. A census sampling technique was adopted for data collection. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences was used to analyze data that were collected via questionnaires, and complimented through observations. The major findings of the study were that, there was a mutual influence between the organizational culture and organizational structure of the Balme Library. Moreover, limited internet bandwidth, obsolete software and inadequate technical support were deemed infrastructural challenges facing the library. Similarly, the lack of comprehensive human resource development was considered a major hindrance, as most participants advocated for more training given their dynamic technological environment. In view of these challenges, the study proposes a more flexible organizational structure and an innovative culture to suit the dynamism of the academic library environment. The study further proposes increased financial investments in internet connectivity, software, and ICT technical support staff. Finally, the study advocates for further training of library staff to equip them with the relevant ICT skills.

        Background to the Study

CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION

The role of academic libraries in any institution of higher learning cannot be underestimated. Academic libraries play a very integral role in the provision of academic resources for teaching and learning. They also provide a place for students and faculty to do their research and advance knowledge in their fields of endeavors. In the past, most traditional library services and collections did not require Information and Communication Technology (ICT) tools and equipment (Agyen-Gyasi, Lamptey & Frempong, 2010; Akpan & Madu, 2014). Collections were particularly in print format while services such as acquisition, processing and dissemination of library materials were often carried out manually.

However, the demand for efficient and effective information provision, coupled with the changing needs of students and faculty, has compelled academic libraries to adopt ICT in most of their core services (Agyen-Gyasi et al., 2010). Consequently, academic libraries have become concerned with how to resource themselves with appropriate technological tools to enhance teaching, research and learning. With technological advancements, virtually every aspect of library services such as cataloguing, acquisition, serials control, circulation functions, distribution of commercial publications, multimedia information delivery systems, collections and textbooks have in one way or the other been automated or digitized (Ajayi, 2002; Ani, Esin & Edem, 2005; Siddike, Munshi & Sayeed, 2011).

The move to adopt ICT has been spearheaded by the parent institutions which these academic libraries serve. Academic libraries, including the Balme Library which is the hub of learning at the University of Ghana, have had their fair share of ICT implementation to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of services provided to faculty and students.

In 2012, the University of Ghana inaugurated a two-million-dollar grant library project known as the Research Commons. The project, sponsored by the Carnegie Corporation of New York, was aimed at enhancing the academic output of students and researchers. The library further received 1.5 million dollars from its benefactors for the initial management of the project, and an additional 2.3 million dollar grant was again approved by the corporation for the Balme Library to commence the second phase of the project (Adanu, 2006).

The Carnegie projects enabled researchers to have, among other services, access to a state-of- the-art technology which includes up-to-date software in the sciences and humanities, Microsoft office applications and hardware such as laptops, laser printers, digital projectors and screens, as well as scanners. The then vice-chancellor of the University of Ghana, Professor Ernest Aryeetey indicated that, the project was a microcosm of a larger set of activities reflecting the urgent desire of the university to imbibe ICT in all aspects of its services.

Akpan and Madu (2014) and Thompson and Pwadura (2014), in enumerating the benefits of ICT in academic libraries, indicate that, ICT leads to an increased enhancement of service delivery, avoids the repetition of routine tasks, generates library statistics easily and is more reliable as compared to manual processes. While the benefits of ICT in academic libraries cannot be underestimated, several concerns about its efficient use have been raised. The over- arching question then becomes what factors account for the efficient utilization of ICT in academic libraries?