A technology-enabled information-sharing platform for collaboration at an institution of higher learning

Abstract

This study explored technology-enabled information-sharing platform for collaboration amongst academics at an institution of higher learning. It further looked at various information practices situations that resulted in information needs of academics that informed collaborations through information sharing amongst academics. The research findings outlined the need to achieve information needs which aimed at addressing the purposes that resulted to information sharing. The academics who participated in this research highlighted that their situations which were informed by their information practices included teaching, research, administration and community engagement. Technology-enabled information-sharing platform was explored in detail through interviews. Typical situations currently taking place through technology-enabled platforms were identified and academics articulated their levels of engagement with these platforms and the type of information need they were trying to meet with them. This is because the study adopted the qualitative research method with an interpretive paradigm in achieving the objectives that this study sought to achieve. The study also highlighted the main barriers and challenges that impeded and influenced the experience of using technology-enabled information-sharing platforms by academics in their collaborative activities. The benefits were also highlighted as a motivation to using the identified platforms which facilitate collaboration amongst them. Furthermore, the research sought to establish the various platforms that can be used by academics to enhance collaboration as they aim at achieving the mission of their institution. The conclusions and contributions drawn from this study would be used to extend the activities of information-sharing and collaboration amongst academics in the institution of higher learning being explored. The study followed qualitative research that adopted interpretivism research philosophy. The findings of this research were drawn from twenty (20) participants from three of the four campuses of the selected institution of higher learning located in the Eastern Cape. Research findings established that increasing participation in information-sharing and collaboration amongst academics requires the provision of practical training on how to use platforms that the institutions use, to also share good practice by academics and to initiate dialogues with the institution in the case study regarding opportunities provided by these platforms for both personal and institutional gain. The findings of this research could not be generalized due to the sample size drawn for this research and the limitation to one institution make it impossible to generalized.