The use of the intranet of the Durban University of Technology Library as a Knowledge Management tool

Keywords: Microsoft SharePoint, , Durban University of Technology, Knowledge Management, intranets, user studies

Abstract

This paper reports an investigation of the use of the Durban University of Technology (DUT) Library intranet as a knowledge management (KM) tool. The general objectives of the investigation were to establish what KM practices are used in the library of DUT; establish if and how the staff of this academic library employ the intranet as a tool for KM; identify the characteristics of a KM tool that could assist the management of the library; assess DUT Library’s intranet (Microsoft SharePoint) against the characteristics of a KM tool. The specific objective was to ascertain the extent to which it is being used for KM and to develop an understanding of the factors that contribute or could contribute to the adoption of it for KM. The target population for this study was DUT professional library staff. The study employed a qualitative approach in its research design. Data were collected from the staff by means of a self-administered questionnaire, a focus group interview with a sample of key informants, and by consulting usage statistics of the SharePoint application.

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Author Biographies

David Thomas, Durban University of Technology
David Thomas is a Subject Librarian at the Library of Durban University of Technology. This article is based on his mini-dissertation, submitted in 2014 in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Information Technology of the University of Pretoria.
Peter G. Underwood, University of Cape Town
Emeritus Professor, Library and Informaiton Studies Centre, University of Cape TownHonorary Professor, University of KwaZulu-NatalSenior Associate, Knowlead Consulting and Training (KCT)

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Published
2015-08-08
Section
Research Articles