The lifeways we avoid

2018 ◽  
Vol 74 (6) ◽  
pp. 1258-1273 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keren Dali
Keyword(s):  
Social Workers ◽  
Information Science ◽  
People With Disabilities ◽  
Selective Exposure ◽  
Faculty Members ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Information Avoidance ◽  
Employees With Disabilities ◽  
Creative Solutions ◽  
Types Of Information

Purpose In the context of increasing interdisciplinarity in academia and professional practice, the purpose of this paper is to focus on the contribution of information science (IS) to education and practice in social work (SW), specifically in the area of disabilities at the workplace. As a case in point, a work environment of academia and faculty members with disabilities and their managers are chosen. The paper also stands to improve interdisciplinary understanding between IS and SW. Design/methodology/approach Combining SW and IS perspectives and building off selective exposure, cognitive dissonance and uncertainty management theories, the paper looks at one of the root-causes of continuous workplace discrimination against and bullying of people with disabilities – information avoidance (IA). Findings The paper conceptualises discrimination and bullying as an inherently information problem, for which an SW solution could be proposed. Two types of information are noted to be avoided: information about disabilities and information about the effect of discrimination and bullying on employees with disabilities. The paper distinguishes between defensive and deliberate IA, each of which poses different challenges for social workers who are likely to intervene in the cases of bullying and discrimination in their capacity as workplace counsellors and advisors. Originality/value It is the first known paper that explores the intellectual and practice-based synergy between SW and IS in application to change-related interventions and preventative plans that counteract discrimination against people with disabilities at the workplace. It proposes creative solutions for intervention, including bibliotherapy. It also opens up a broader conversation on how critical the knowledge of IS is for social workers.

The use of Social Networking Sites (SNSs) by the faculty members of the School of Library & Information Science, PAAET, Kuwait

2015 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 524-546 ◽  
Author(s):  
Essam A. H. Mansour
Keyword(s):  
Social Networking ◽  
Social Networking Sites ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Teaching Experience ◽  
Total Sample ◽  
Faculty Members ◽  
Specific Information ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Content Type ◽  
And Training

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to describe the usage of Social Networking Sites (SNSs) by the faculty members of the School of Library and Information Science (SLIS), at the College of Basic Education, the Public Authority for Applied Education and Training (PAAET), Kuwait. Design/methodology/approach – A survey conducted to collect data from 33 faculty members of whom only 21 members were using SNSs, representing 63.6 per cent of the total sample, and 12 members were not using SNSs, representing 36.4 per cent of the total sample. This study revealed that SNSs are used moderately by the faculty members. Findings – This study showed that faculty members who were using SNSs tend to be males, aged between 41 and 50 years, PhD holders, ranked as assistant professors, full-time members, specialized in information technologies with a relatively new experience of teaching ranged from one to five years, and most of the faculty members who were not using SNSs tended to be also males, aged between 41 and 60 years, PhD holders, ranked as lecturers, full-time members specialized in organization of information with a teaching experience ranged from 16 to 20 years. More than half of the faculty members were using SNSs for three years to less than six years, and a large number of them were using SNSs several times a week and were accessing these sites more from their school office, home and school laboratory. There are no any statistical significant differences between the demographic data of participants (gender, age and education level) and either their use or non-use of SNSs. There are no significant differences between the academic rank, teaching status and teaching experience of faculty and their use of SNSs. However, there is a significant relation between the faculty’s area of teaching and their use of SNSs. Faculty members were interested in the use of SNSs. YouTube, Twitter, Facebook and blogs respectively were used mostly by faculty members, but Twitter, Facebook and YouTube were the most famous SNSs they have profiles on. Faculty members have adopted SNSs mainly for the purpose of communicating with others, finding and sharing information with peers and students as well. Tasks on SNSs made by faculty members were mostly to make communication, send/receive messages and find general and specific information. Faculty members’ profiles on SNSs were mostly on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, blogs, wikis and podcasting respectively. Faculty members confirmed that the use of YouTube, Facebook, blogs, Twitter, wikis and podcasting respectively was at least effective and the use of YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Blogs and Wikis respectively was at least fairly useful fairly easy to them. Faculty members are in general agreement about the effectiveness of SNSs especially for disseminating and sharing information, communication and informal collaboration. The study showed also that there is no gender-related difference among the faculty in terms of their usage of SNSs. The study revealed also that the time was the most important barrier both SNSs users and non-users faced at PAAET’s SLIS. Other barriers like trust about SNSs, training and skills were significant to SNSs users in this study, and barriers like interests in SNSs, awareness of them and trust about them were respectively the most important barriers to SNSs non-users. The study recommended that a further research is needed to examine more additional aspects of using SNSs among faculty members that may affect their use like the technical, legal, ethical and intellectual aspects. More information is needed to investigate why some faculty members do not use SNSs especially for educational purposes. A qualitative study of the perception and opinions of faculty members would provide much important data about that. A further research is also needed to specify the relation between the use of these sites and each area of study separately. Due to the lack of awareness and knowledge about the use of SNSs, shortage of language skills and training, this study recommended that SNSs non-users should be provided with necessary assistance to foster their skills towards such usage. A future study is needed to compare experiences of faculty members and students regarding the use of SNSs in educational practices and may look at how communicational uses of these sites have influenced educational uses. Research limitations/implications – This study involved a single and certain academic institution, namely PAAET. Therefore, findings, conclusions and recommendations may not be applicable and reasonable to be generalized on all Kuwaiti academic institutions. Social implications – This paper provides valuable insight into the usage of SNSs by a very important client group. Originality/value – This study is the first one of its kind conducted about the usage of SNSs by faculty members at a library school of one of the two public academic institutions in the state of Kuwait to examine and investigate more specific information about SNSs and related innovative topics.

Job performance of employees with disabilities

2014 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 347-360 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miriam K. Baumgärtner ◽  
Stephan A. Böhm ◽  
David J.G. Dwertmann
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Job Performance ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Call Center ◽  
People With Disabilities ◽  
Hierarchical Regression ◽  
Common Source ◽  
Employee Survey ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Employees With Disabilities

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to follow the call of researchers to take intrapersonal resources into account when trying to understand the influence of interpersonal resources by investigating the interplay of social support and self-efficacy in predicting job performance of people with disabilities. Design/methodology/approach – Data were collected in an Israeli call center employing mostly people with disabilities. The independent and moderator variables were assessed by an employee survey. To avoid common source bias, job performance was rated by the supervisors four weeks after conducting the survey. Hierarchical regression analysis was used to test the hypotheses. Findings – The first main effect hypothesis, stating a positive relationship between social support and job performance was conditionally supported (p=0.06). The relationship between self-efficacy and job performance did not gain support. In line with the extended support buffer hypothesis, the job performance of low self-efficacious employees increased with higher levels of social support. The interference hypothesis, postulating a negative effect of social support under the condition of high levels of self-efficacy, was not supported. Practical implications – The results indicate that employees with disabilities differ in the level of social support they need in order to reach high levels of job performance. Instead of a one-size-fits-all-approach, organizations should take individual levels of self-efficacy into account and offer support accordingly in order to unleash the full working potential. Originality/value – This is the first known empirical investigation examining the role of individual differences in the need of social support among employees with disabilities.

The right to be included

2018 ◽  
Vol 119 (9/10) ◽  
pp. 486-513 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keren Dali
Keyword(s):  
Information Science ◽  
Current Model ◽  
People With Disabilities ◽  
Psychological Climate ◽  
Academic Learning ◽  
Workplace Environment ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Informal Information ◽  
State Of Affairs ◽  
The Right

PurposeIn the spirit of the growing Time is Up movement in North America, this paper aims to focus on the human dimension of academic learning environments and delves into the reasons for the continuous oppression, discrimination and bullying (ODB) of faculty members with disabilities in academia, showing the particularly detrimental effect of ODB in the small professionally oriented field of information science.Design/methodology/approachThe conceptualizing of continuous ODB of people with disabilities in academia is done by carefully scrutinizing the state of affairs; presenting a nuanced survey of utilized terminology; providing a new and inclusive definition of everyday oppression; introducing a new model of an oppressive workplace environment experienced by people with disabilities; showing the centrality of information behaviours and phenomena in ODB; highlighting the high relevance of this discussion to learning science; and outlining potential detrimental effects of ODB on the psychological climate in and the process of professional higher education.FindingsThe model of an oppressive workplace environment experienced by people with disabilities is presented.Originality/valueUnlike previous models of ODB at the workplace, the current model puts information phenomena as decisive factors in continuous ODB against people with disabilities; particular attention is paid to information avoidance behaviours; distorted or delayed information messages transmitted by managers to employees; gossip as an informal information-based tactic of ODB; the insufficient protection of privacy and confidentiality of information about disabilities and personal health; and vague information messages that diminish the usefulness of university policies on disabilities.

Use and impact of electronic resources by information science students at Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia

2017 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 163-171
Author(s):  
Munusamy Natarajan
Keyword(s):  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Easy Access ◽  
Electronic Resources ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Print Journal ◽  
Questionnaire Method ◽  
Types Of Information ◽  
The University ◽  
Jimma University

Purpose This paper aims to describe the use of electronic resources and services provided at the social science library of Jimma University, Jimma. The paper is focused to find out the use of those resources by the students of information science and how frequently they are using, from where the information is accessed. Also, they have been requested about their preferences between an electronic and print journal format. Design/methodology/approach The questionnaire method is used for collecting the data from the undergraduate students of information science (2015/2016 batch). The questionnaire was distributed to 182 students, and the response rate 81.32 per cent was encouraging. Findings It has been found that the usage of e-journals is increasing; this is due to awareness among the students of information science about the e-resources and services. Owing to an easy access available at various places in the university, they are accessing these resources at hostels and departments more as compared to the library. Their visits to library have decreased. Research limitations/implications The study has been limited to Jimma University undergraduate students of information science only Practical implications It suggests for future improvised solutions. Originality/value The present paper will help other institutions to understand the need for library electronic resources and motivate them to update their resources in the larger interest of the students. The paper also indicates how a suitably designed survey can show the awareness and use of types of information services, in this case, e-journals. There is a dearth of such studies in India and abroad. The methodology and findings can be applied to other libraries to reveal similar trends, as well as comparisons.

Library and information science collaboration in Pakistan: challenges and prospects

2018 ◽  
Vol 119 (9/10) ◽  
pp. 555-571
Author(s):  
Amara Malik ◽  
Kanwal Ameen
Keyword(s):  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Visionary Leadership ◽  
Faculty Members ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
Original Research ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
High Level ◽  
Collaborative Activities

Purpose This study aims to explore the nature and extent of collaboration among library and information science (LIS) departments, faculty members and practitioners. It also intends to identify the challenges and future prospects of collaboration in Pakistan. Design/methodology/approach Face-to-face and telephonic semi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 faculty members (professors, associate professors and assistant professors) from eight LIS departments. A thematic analysis approach was used to answer the research questions. Findings A thematic analysis of the participants’ opinions reveals a weak and informal collaboration among LIS stakeholders. However, high level of awareness among faculty members regarding the potential benefits of collaborative activities was observed. Their urge for developing liaison and collaboration with stakeholders is a positive indication that requires visionary leadership and committed efforts to ensure long term success. Practical implications The study aspects discussed may provide guidelines for creating future planning and growth of professional collaboration in Pakistan. The scope of this study may be extended to groom national, regional and international collaborative activities in other countries with same conditions. Though this study is conducted in Pakistan, the findings may be extended to other parts of developing countries with similar context. Originality/value It will serve as a guideline for further research, as it has addressed an untouched area and reports original research.

Networking as an information behaviour during job search

2019 ◽  
Vol 76 (2) ◽  
pp. 424-439 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Mowbray ◽  
Hazel Hall
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Young People ◽  
Job Search ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Information Behaviour ◽  
Sequential Mixed Methods ◽  
Types Of Information ◽  
Search Information

Purpose Although social networks are considered influential to employment outcomes, little is known about the behavioural manifestation of networking during job search. The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of networking amongst 16–24 year old active jobseekers living in Scotland. Design/methodology/approach A sequential, mixed methods approach was applied to gather data, including interviews (no. of participants=7), a focus group (no. of participants=6) and a survey questionnaire (no. of participants=558). The study design was underpinned by a prominent model from the field of Information Science. As such, job search networking has been treated as an information behaviour. Findings The findings show that young people acquire different types of information from network contacts throughout job search, and that frequent networking is associated with positive outcomes. This is especially true of engaging with family members, acquaintances and employers. However, barriers such as a lack of confidence or awareness mean that few young people make the most of their social contacts when seeking work. Practical implications Careers professionals can use this knowledge to advise clients on maximising the potential of social networks as sources of job search information. Originality/value A key contribution of this work is that it provides a detailed insight into a topic that has been neglected in previous studies: that of the process of job search networking as an information behaviour.

Comparing Research Output in Library & Information Science: A Bibliometric Study of Panjab University and Guru Nanak Dev University

2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rupak Chakravarty ◽  
Jyoti Sharma
Keyword(s):  
Doubling Time ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Research Output ◽  
Faculty Members ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
Authorship Pattern ◽  
Document Type ◽  
Relative Growth ◽  
Curriculum Vitae ◽  
Personal Visit

The present study focuses on analysis of research output in the discipline of Library and Information Science at Panjab University, Chandigarh and Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar till 31 December 2014. The curriculum vitae (CV) and publication details of faculty members of Department of Library and Information Science were obtained by personal visit to universities and bibliographic information on their papers were recorded. The study deals with 152 publications of Panjab University, Chandigarh and 111 publications of Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, in the field of Library and Information Science. It examines the Library and Information Science output by different ways like document type, authorship pattern, and degree of collaboration. The study also examines the relative growth rate of publications and doubling time for publications.

Ethical Dilemmas in Utah’s Division of Services for People with Disabilities

Public Voices ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 7
Author(s):  
Kade R. Minchey
Keyword(s):  
Social Workers ◽  
Ethical Dilemmas ◽  
People With Disabilities ◽  
Ethical Consideration ◽  
Ethical Decisions

The article describes daily ethical decisions required of social workers. It presents two cases that called for ethical consideration.

Resource-sharing through an inter-institutional repository

2015 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 730-748 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Abrizah ◽  
Mohd Hilmi ◽  
Norliya Ahmad Kassim
Keyword(s):  
Resource Sharing ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Research Output ◽  
Academic Community ◽  
Open Access Publishing ◽  
Institutional Repository ◽  
Teaching Resources ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Institutional Repositories ◽  
Digital Repositories

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to be concerned with the motivations and resistance among an institutional repository (IR) stakeholder – the Library and Information Science (LIS) academicians – with respect to Green Road open access publishing in an inter-institutional repository. Design/methodology/approach – The answers were identified from 47 LIS faculty from three library schools in Malaysia who reported awareness of what an IR is and having had experience in contributing resources to digital repositories. Data were collected using survey and interviews. Findings – The results highlighted the LIS faculty on their motivation to share their intellectual profile, research and teaching resources in an inter-institutional repositories and why the reluctance in contributing. The study reveals that the major motivation to share resources for those practicing self-archiving is related to performance expectancy, social influence, visible and authoritative advantage, career benefit and quality work. The major resistance to share scholarly research output through self-archiving in institutional repositories for those practicing self-archiving is concern on plagiarism, time and effort, technical infrastructure, lack of self-efficacy and insularity. Practical implications – Knowing what conditions predict motivation and resistance to contribute to IRs would allow IR administrators to ensure greater and more effective participation in resource-sharing among LIS academic community. If this resistance is addressed aptly, IRs can be of real benefit to their teaching, scholarship, collaborations, and publishing and to the community that they serve. Originality/value – The first study that has explored the ways LIS academics respond to a situation where knowledge sharing in academe has now been made mandatory through an IR and what makes them resist to do so.

scholarly journals The concept of neutrality: a new approach

2019 ◽  
Vol 76 (1) ◽  
pp. 333-353 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Macdonald ◽  
Briony Birdi
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Social Institutions ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Normative Framework ◽  
Contextual Awareness

Purpose Neutrality is a much debated value in library and information science (LIS). The “neutrality debate” is characterised by opinionated discussions in contrasting contexts. The purpose of this paper is to fill a gap in the literature by bringing these conceptions together holistically, with potential to deepen understanding of LIS neutrality. Design/methodology/approach First, a literature review identified conceptions of neutrality reported in the LIS literature. Second, seven phenomenographic interviews with LIS professionals were conducted across three professional sectors. To maximise variation, each sector comprised at least one interview with a professional of five or fewer years’ experience and one with ten or more years’ experience. Third, conceptions from the literature and interviews were compared for similarities and disparities. Findings In four conceptions, each were found in the literature and interviews. In the literature, these were labelled: “favourable”, “tacit value”, “social institutions” and “value-laden profession”, whilst in interviews they were labelled: “core value”, “subservient”, “ambivalent”, and “hidden values”. The study’s main finding notes the “ambivalent” conception in interviews is not captured by a largely polarised literature, which oversimplifies neutrality’s complexity. To accommodate this complexity, it is suggested that future research should look to reconcile perceptions from either side of the “neutral non-neutral divide” through an inclusive normative framework. Originality/value This study’s value lies in its descriptive methodology, which brings LIS neutrality together in a holistic framework. This framework brings a contextual awareness to LIS neutrality lacking in previous research. This awareness has the potential to change the tone of the LIS neutrality debate.

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