The Use of Social Media as Knowledge Sharing Tools in Academic Libraries: A Case of University of Nairobi in Kenya
Journal Title: Scholars Journal of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences - Year 2017, Vol 5, Issue 9
Abstract
Knowledge sharing is a new way of knowledge creation although people sometimes hesitate to transfer their knowledge, especially when there is potential risk that other people would take advantage of it. Statistics have shown the tremendous use of emerging technologies such as social media tools by university students all over the world in sharing knowledge. These emerging technologies provide new opportunities that facilitate knowledge sharing. Much as this is the case, knowledge on how to utilize social media in a constructive way is limited. The aim of the paper is, therefore, to examine the types of social media tools used for knowledge sharing at the University of Nairobi and to establish how these social media tools can be used appropriately in knowledge sharing. The De Fleur model of communication was used to inform the study. Mixed method approach was used with a case study design informing the study. The target population for this study was staff and students of the College of Education at the University of Nairobi who were selected using purposive and systematic random sampling respectively. 151 students and 6 staff formed the sample size. Data was collected using interviews and questionnaires. From the findings of the study, it is evident that social media tools are used in knowledge sharing for social and academic purposes. Similarly, it was noted that the social media tools such as Facebook, twitter, blogs, LinkedIn, Myspace, Skype among others, provide effective channels of knowledge sharing. The study recommends that policymakers in the universities encourage students and staff to use social media productively. Keywords: Knowledge Sharing, Social Media tools
Authors and Affiliations
Grace Wanja Karanja, Emily Bosire, Joseph Kiplang’at
Keywords
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