Effects of ICT Skills in Knowledge Sharing: A Focus on Library and Information Science Educators in Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria.
This study examined the effects of ICT skills in knowledge sharing by Library and Information Science (LIS) educators in Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike. Five (5) research objectives guided the study. The study adopted the descriptive survey design. C omplete census technique was adopted which involved the use of the entire population consisting of eight (8) core lecturers and ten (10) academic librarians who also lectures in the Department of Library and Information Science, making a total of eighteen (18) respondents. A researcher made 4 point instrument was used for data collection. Data obtained were analysed using frequency counts and mean scores. Findings of the study showed possession of some ICT skills such as social media utilization skills, web navigation skills, among others. It also revealed the sources through which LIS educators in MOUAU acquire their ICT skills. These sources include personal reading/research and attending seminars/conferences, among other sources. The study found out the adoption of lectures, use of meetings, delivering/presentation of papers at conferences, as the top most pattern adopted by LIS educators for knowledge sharing. Findings also revealed efficiency in communication, access to wider population, and proper understanding of knowledge shared as among the effects of LIS educator's ICT skills on their knowledge sharing practices. The study revealed that LIS educators are faced with challenges in respect of the acquisition of ICT skills and knowledge sharing, which include, but not limited to inadequate ICT skills on the side of the educators, absence of quality ICT training programmes, high cost of ICT gadgets, etc. Based on the revealed effects of ICT skills and the challenges facing the application of these skills for knowledge sharing, the study recommend that ICT facilities should be provided and its functionality ensured so as to improve LIS educator's access to it within the campuses. It is suggested that LIS educators should have a rethink towards ICT training and skills acquisition and make time to improve their competences irrespective of their workload. Finally, the government and university management should intensify efforts to support and fund ICT training for LIS educators regularly as this will go a long way in ensuring the dividends of the tacit knowledge of this category of employee to the overall success of the institutions and organizations. Keywords: ICT, Skills, Knowledge Sharing, Effects, LIS Educators. DOI 10.7176/IKM/9 8 05 Publication date :September 30 th 2019