Browsing by Author "Mwai, Naomi"

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Kenya’s Research Excellence as Indexed in the Web of Science: An Informetrics’ Perspective
(African Journal of Library, Archives and Information Science, 2021-10) Kwanya, Tom; Omwoyo, Bosire Onyancha; Mwai, Naomi
Abstract Research excellence (RE) is a relatively new concept which has been gaining traction among scholars, government agencies and funders. No universally accepted definition of RE exists. In this paper, however, it is perceived as the sustained conceptualisation, design, execution and dissemination of optimal volumes of high quality research products which contribute effectively to societal wellbeing. The concept of research excellence is just emerging in Kenya. Indeed, the literature reviewed in this paper reveals that the perception, measurement, and reporting of research excellence in Kenya is largely unknown. Therefore, this paper seeks to unravel these issues as a means of promoting research excellence in the country. The study anchoring this paper assessed the top papers produced in Kenya to gauge the country’s RE. Data were obtained from Clarivate Analytics’ Web of Science (WoS) Core Collection databases, the Essential Science Indicators and the Journal Citation Reports. Specifically, the paper explores the trend and volume of the highly cited and hot papers as the percentage share of Kenya’s total research publications; identifies the journals and assessed the quality of the journals in which Kenya’s highly cited and hot papers are published; examines the subject content and research field yielding the most highly cited and hot research papers in Kenya; determines the extent of research collaboration in the highly cited and hot papers; and benchmarks Kenya’s performance in the top papers against the rest of Africa. The study reveals an increase in the publication of the top papers, largely in the form of journal articles; a heavy co-authorship of the papers; a favourable performance by Kenya when compared to the rest of the African countries; and the publication of the country’s top papers in prestigious international journals. Kenya’s RE is partly dependent on the dissemination of its research in high impact factor journals. In addition, the country’s RE is heavily dependent on the performance of science fields such as internal medicine, environmental sciences and ecology, and public health and agriculture.
The mediating role of Information professionals in Environment scanning for the Intelligent Corporate Financial competitive edge in Kenya
(2016-07-05) Mwai, Naomi
The strategic value of competitive information to a corporation has received increased attention in management, business practice and information literature. Top level managers make strategic decisions that place the organization in situations that allows it to compete and adapt to turbulent environments in which the competition, market, technology, and social conditions are constantly changing. This paper aims at establishing the mediating role of information professionals in obtaining and disseminating information to enable the top level managers makes strategic decisions. The specific objectives are to; establish the sources of information for scanning, investigate environmental scanning methods utilized, establish the communicative methods utilized by information professionals to disseminate information and investigate the factors limiting effective environmental scanning. The study adopted a multi-case study of four financial institutions namely Bank of Africa, Kenya Women Finance Trust Microfinance and Old Mutual. The study purposively selected information professionals comprising senior librarians, and Archivists and Records Officers,and ICT librarians. Data collection was conducted using open and closed ended questionnaires and data was analyzed using quantitative techniques. Findings indicate that information professionals utilize various formal and informal environmental scanning methods especially virtual methods. However they are limited by factors such as funds. The study recommends that the Information professionals and the information center should make an effort to become the epicenter of a company's environmental scanning programme by becoming more proactive in promoting and defending their role within their own company.
Towards the Attainment of User Centred Quality Services at the Libraries of The University of Nairobi
(2016-07-05) Mwai, Naomi
Modern library users are becoming conscious of the quality of services they expect from their libraries due to influences of globalization and advent of technology. The users are exerting pressure on libraries to deliver the kind of quality services they crave for. The library customers are open to multiple sources of information and expect quality material within shortest possible time irrespective of the format of information. The library being the centre of the university is expected to deliver user-centred quality services in line with the universities objectives and must strive to improve quality of their services to remain competitive. This study was aimed at assessing user-centred services quality at the libraries of the University of Nairobi. The specific objectives were to establish the perception the users regarding the provision of user-centred services; establish the features considered by users as indicators of quality services; and investigate the obstacles to provision of user-centred quality services in the University of Nairobi Libraries. The study adopted a case study of the university of Nairobi libraries. Data collection was done using questionnaires administered to students, library staff and lecturers of the University of Nairobi using purposive sampling. The study findings revealed that perception of quality services by users was not satisfactory. The key aspects necessary in the provision of quality services to users such as, consultative decision, performance measurement were inadequate or lacking. The study concluded that features of quality needed to be captured by conducting user studies that would allow the library to obtain adequate information necessary to provide user-centric quality services. The study recommended documenting and communicating quality services to users; involving staff and users in the decision making; computerizing library operations and introducing performance measurements to help check how the library was performing.