Browsing by Author "Nengomasha, Cathrine T."

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    Change management: a critical factor for successful implementation of an Electronic Document and Records Management System (EDRMS): A Namibian case study
    (University of Namibia, 2018) Karlos, Alina N.; Nengomasha, Cathrine T.
    The use of information and communication technologies to conduct business has seen a rise in the creation of electronic records. Electronic records have added to the challenges of managing records which has seen implementation of electronic document and records management systems (EDRMS) in an attempt to address the challenges. This paper is based on a study which investigated the implementation of an EDRMS in the public service of Namibia. The purpose of the study was to investigate the factors affecting the implementation of EDRMS in the Namibian public service with a view to establishing the critical factors. Interviews were conducted with system end-users and system administrators. The factors which were found to impact the implementation were: Management support; resource commitment; conversion of paper records to electronic format strategies; concerns for safety and security of e-records; system maintenance; and user buy-in. All these factors collectively relate to change management because addressing them rely on managing the disruption that the changes will bring as well as ensuring acceptance of the changes by the affected staff. The study established that there was a struggle in obtaining user buy-in due to a lack of interest and negative attitude towards the system resulting in its very low usage. The recommendations include records management awareness for all staff; training to equip staff with basic computer skills and use of the EDRMS, inducing ownership of the EDRMS through decentralising some aspects of EDRMS administration from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) to the various government offices, ministries and agencies (OMAs).
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    A framework for setting up pastoral information services in Namibia
    (University of Namibia, 2014) Matsveru, David; Nengomasha, Cathrine T.; Yule, Wilson
    This paper is based on a study entitled “Information needs and information seeking behaviour of Namibian pastors”. The study aimed to establish the information required by pastors to carry out their work; how they seek information and the problems they encounter in doing so. One of the study’s objectives was to come up with a framework for setting up pastoral information services in Namibia. The study used a mixed methods research design employing both qualitative and quantitative methodologies. In this paper, the authors propose a framework for setting up pastoral information services for Namibian pastors. The framework is based on the premise that information service providers need to analyse the pastors’ contexts, motivating factors, prevailing circumstances, information seeking behaviours and information use.
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    Health Information Literacy of the University of Namibia’s Students
    (University of Namibia, 2015) Nengomasha, Cathrine T.; Abankwah, Ruth M.; Uutoni, Wilhelm; Pazvakawambwa, Lillian
    This article presents the findings of a study on the health information literacy of students at the University of Namibia main campus. The study was conducted between 2013 and 2014 and consisted of two hundred and seventy one (271) participants aged between 17-19 years old. The quantitative study used a self-administered questionnaire to collect data. The findings show that the majority of the respondents strongly believed that health information is important and they were able to seek health information. They also strongly agreed that they knew where to seek health information and they liked to get health information from a variety of sources. The respondents indicated that they were more comfortable getting information from the Internet than print sources. A gap in health information literacy was revealed by the fact that the respondents found it difficult to know who to believe in health issues, suggesting difficulties in critically evaluating the health information and sources. The study concludes that although UNAM students appeared knowledgeable in some health information issues, there are some gaps which need to be addressed. The study therefore recommends Kickbusch’s (2008) three way intervention strategy which comprises of culture and society, health and education systems to address the existing gaps in health information literacy.
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    The impact of school libraries on learning and academic achievement
    (University of Namibia, 2012) Nengomasha, Cathrine T.; Uutoni, Wilhelm; Yule, Wilson
    Suclies have shown a strong link between school libraries and academic performance. However for a school library to effectively have an impact on academic achievement, it must fulfill a number of requirements such as, a conducive physical infrastructure, which is well furnished,· be well equipped in terms of computers (with internet facilities) and photocopiers; a strong collection with relevant and up to date materials: and qualified skilled staff to run the library. The school must also effectively integrate the library activities into the school curriculum with a strong programme to enhance information literacy skills amongst learners. This paper is based on a study entitled: "The impact of school libraries on learning and academic achievement: a case study of Caprivi, Omusati, Omaheke, Karas and Khomas regions in Namibia" which was conducted by the University of Namibia's Department of Information and Communication Studies from July 2009 to February 2010. The study employed a qualitative and quantitative research design using a triangulation of data collection methods including surveys, interviews, focus group discussions, and observation. The study's main research question was, ''Do well run school libraries make a difference to academic performance in Namibia?" Although the study showed the existence of libraries in all the schools; more than 80% of these were not adequately resourced in terms of reading materials, equipment, staffing and hence the impact on academic petformance was negligible.
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    Librarians, records managers and e-government
    (IGI Global, 2012) Nengomasha, Cathrine T.
    Governments have turned to the use of information and communication technologies with the aim of improving service delivery, encouraging citizens in the decision making process, and enhancing accountability, transparency, and effectiveness. Effective inclusive participation of citizens in the government of their country requires access to information through modern technologies. Access to information is vital for transparency, accountability, participation, and the rule of law – all hallmarks of democratic governance. This chapter looks at the role of librarians and records managers in promoting e-government. Their traditional role of collecting, organizing, preserving, and disseminating information places them in a very significant position in e-governance implementation. However, in an electronic environment, they face a number of challenges which include economic, technological, and information literacy. The role played by these professionals, and the challenges each meet are discussed. Some recommendations are provided to enhance the role of these professionals in e-government implementation.
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    Managing semi current records: A case for records centres for the public service of Namibia
    (University of Namibia, 2012) Nengomasha, Cathrine T.; Nyanga, Erasmus H.
    The records life cycle theory propagates for the management of records throughout their entire life cycle, i.e. from creation, through the stages when they are active, semi-active then non-current when disposition takes place and some records are destroyed and some preserved as archives. At various stages of their life cycle records need appropriate storage: records offices for current records; records centres for semi-current records; and archival facility for the non-current records identifi ed during appraisal as worthy of permanent preservation. The provision of records centres ensures that there is no decongestion in the offices, safe-guards against haphazard destruction of records and ensures that records which end up as archives are protected from hazards which might damage or destroy them. This paper makes a case for the establishment of records centres for Namibia’s public service semi-current records. The paper reports on findings of a study by the authors in April 2012, of commercial companies providing the public service of Namibia with records storage facilities. The authors make recommendations on how the management of semi-current records in the public service can be enhanced.
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    Organisational knowledge management: A case study of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare (MGECW) in Namibia
    (University of Namibia, 2017) Nengomasha, Cathrine T.; Mubuyaeta, Mitchel M.; Beukes-Amiss, Catherine M.
    This paper reports on a study carried out on organisational knowledge management (KM) practices in the Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare (MGECW) in Namibia. The objectives of the study were: to explore knowledge sharing (KS), knowledge acquisition (KA), knowledge capture (KC), knowledge dissemination (KD), and knowledge transfer (KT) at MGECW; to determine barriers and enablers to organisational KM; to examine the work culture and attitudes of personnel which affect organisational KM and its practices; and to investigate how management supports organisational KM practices. The case study used a mixed methods approach. Two instruments were used to collect data, namely semi-structures interviews and questionnaires. The results reveal that organisational knowledge (OK) in the MGECW hinges on tacit and explicit OK and respondents had a comprehensive understanding of OK and KM, however, the management of OK was found to be informally practiced without KM structures in place and no structural procedures to encourage employees to share their OK. Organisational KD and KT practices showed a strong preference for the use of fax machines, telephones and face-to-face meetings as forms of dispensing and transferring OK. Same enablers of organisational KM in the MGECW included positive leadership (senior management), technology (im-proved ICT infrastructure), organisational culture, employee commitment and involvement, trust, social networking and teamwork. The study found lack of skills and technical support in ICT; poor ICT infrastructure; lack of motivation and reward systems; negative attitude of employees towards organisational KM practices; poor record management; lack of time and funds for training and equipment as barriers of organisational KM.
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    School libraries and their role in promoting a reading culture: Case study of Caprivi, Omusati, Omaheke, Karas and Khomas regions of Namibia
    (University of Namibia, 2012) Nengomasha, Cathrine T.; Uutoni, Wilhelm; Yule, Wilson
    The importance of school libraries cannot be overemphasized. This paper is based on a study on school libraries in Namibia which was conducted by the University of Namibia, Department of Information and Communication Studies from July 2009 to February 2010. The study covered five of Namibia's thirteen regions, namely Caprivi, Omusati, Omaheke, Karas and Khomas. The study employed a qualitative and quantitative research design using a triangulation of data collection methods including surveys, interviews, focus group discussions, and observation. Some of the questions the study aimed to answer were, "What is the state of school libraries?" and "What is their role in promoting a reading culture in Namibia?" The World Bank (2008, p. xxi) describes how effective school libraries can be as "they provide additional reading opportunities for students, which in turn improve reading skills, comprehension and writing clarity of expressions, which in turn support student performance in all other curriculum subjects. Although the study showed the existence of libraries in all the schools; more than Bo per cent of these were not adequately resourced in terms of reading materials, equipment, and stafj1ng. The study also established that although learners said that they liked reading there was no strong library programme to inculcate a reading culture in the learners. A number of other factors can contribute to a good or bad reading culture. These include the language of instruction and home/family environment. In Namibia, a 2011 report of the education system audit notes that proficiency in English, the language of instruction is below basic. The study concluded that the majority of school libraries in Namibia are not in a position to provide the benefits described by the Word Bank above. This is evidenced by the fact that there is a high failure rate in Namibian schools. The small percentage of schools with libraries that were well run happened to have a good pass rate but in these cases the libraries were also adequately resourced, equipped and staffed.
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    A study of electronic record management in the Namibian Public Service in the context of e-government
    (2009) Nengomasha, Cathrine T.
    Abstract provided by author