http://hdl.handle.net/10311/1220 Masters dissertations approved by the Faculty of Humanities 2026-07-11T07:02:49Z http://hdl.handle.net/10311/2466 An exploration of knowledge sharing practices of medical practitioners at Princess Marina Hospital, Botswana Tsimaru, Onkgapetse The main purpose of the study was to explore the knowledge sharing practices of medical practitioners at Princess Marina Hospital, a public hospital in Botswana. Although the sharing of knowledge amongst medical practitioners has been found to have the potential to help in improving service delivery in health care, there is limited literature available to help in understanding how this can be effectively implemented in health care organisations. The study used the knowledge sharing model as a lens to understand the knowledge sharing practices of medical practitioners at Princess Marina Hospital. It focused on three main factors, which influence knowledge sharing performance in organizations. These factors are knowledge sharing process, knowledge sharing means and knowledge sharing governance mechanism. The study adopted an interpretive paradigm and is qualitative. It employed a case study research design to collect empirical data through interviews and observation. A combination of convenience and purposive sampling technique were used to identify 16 participants, who took part in the study. Thematic content analysis was used to analyse data. Themes were identified and coded, and categories and relationships were established. Out of the 16 study participants, 11 were medical practitioners, made up of nurses and doctors, across the various levels of the hospital, two members of executive management, one head of medical department, one librarian and one head of Information Communication Technology (ICT). The findings revealed that there are various formal procedures guiding knowledge sharing amongst medical practitioners at Princess Marina hospital such as induction programme, job rotation, medical teams and mentorship of new doctors. In addition, the findings found that there are various platforms used by medical practitioners to share and seek knowledge. Just like in other professions, medical practitioners have also taken advantage of modern technology to communicate and collaborate with others through e-mails and the internet. Furthermore, traditional forms of communication and collaboration, such as lectures, face-to-face meetings, weekly reporting meetings, shift change, workshops and seminars, as well as trainings, are used. Lastly, the findings reveal that although the hospital is doing its best to promote knowledge sharing amongst medical practitioners, lack of resources, lack of knowledge sharing strategy, time constraints and lack of equipment hinder effective knowledge sharing at the hospital. Overall, the findings reveal an appreciation of the efforts made by the hospital to facilitate knowledge sharing amongst employees and the importance of this in improving the delivery of health care. It is important that key resources, such as the development of a knowledge sharing strategy and a centralised knowledge repository, are put in place to ensure timely retrieval and access to information and knowledge. A dissertation submitted to the Dept. of Library and Information Studies, Faculty of Humanities, University of Botswana in partial fulfillment of the requirement of the degree of Masters in Archives and Records Management. Citation: Tsimaru, O. (2020) An exploration of knowledge sharing practices of medical practitioners at Princess Marina Hospital, Botswana, University of Botswana. 2020-09-29T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10311/2463 The provision of archival reference services to persons with disabilities at Botswana National Archives and Records Services Jenkins, Mmamfi Bess Principle No.5 of the International Council on Archives states that archives should be available to all users on equal and fair terms (ICA,2012:9). Hence this study sought to assess the provision of archival reference services to Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) at Botswana National Archives and Records Services (BNARS), with the aim of determining BNARS preparedness in meeting the needs of PWDs in accessing archival reference services. The study was guided by pragmatism paradigm which allowed the use of mixed methods as a way of triangulating findings from other methods with the other method. The study sample comprised thirteen purposefully selected respondents from BNARSthat included the Deputy Director, the Principal Archivist, Archivists and Records Management Officers, who are directlyinvolved with the provision of archival reference services, and eight persons with disability, who were referred by others through snowballing method. Data for the study was collected through the use of questionnaires, interviews and an observation checklist based on theInternational Federation of Library Associations (IFLA) Access to Libraries for Persons with Disabilities Checklist. The findings of the study indicate that, despite the existence of legal instruments both locally and internationally, which speak against discrimination of PWDs, the current legal and policy framework in use at BNARS does not explicitly address how the needs of PWDsin archival reference services can be met. Secondly, in terms of the type of services offered to PWDs, the findings from the study revealed that BNARS does not fully accommodate the needs of PWDs in terms of the physical layout of the building and the lack of specialised material such as Braille. The findings further revealed that while BNARS staff is trained in the provision of archival reference services, none of them has been trained specifically in the provision of reference services to PWDs. The key recommendations arising from the study include the need to lobby for the amendment of the NARS‟s Act to accommodate provision of archival services to PWDs and involvement of PWDs in policy formulation, through liaising with different organisations which deal with disability issues, such as Botswana Council for the Disabled and Botswana Federation of the Disabled, ensuring that the physical layout of the archives reading rooms and the format of archival records are accommodative of PWDs. Finally, the study recommends the training of archival reference staff on how to service PWDs. A dissertation submitted to the Dept. of Library and Information Studies, Faculty of Humanities, University of Botswana in partial fulfillment of the requirement of the degree of Masters in Archives and Records Management. Citation: Jenkins, M.B. (2020) The provision of archival reference services to persons with disabilities at Botswana National Archives and Records Services, University of Botswana. 2020-05-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10311/2449 An investigation into the use of theatre for sustainable livelihoods in Botswana: the case of “Madi Majwana”. Lekoba, David Ration Theatre and live performances may seem like they are just ways of teaching and entertaining the masses. The question whether theatre can be useful beyond entertainment and education is one that this study handles with seriousness. Authors such as Augusto Boal, Bertolt Brecht and many others have always seen theatre as having potential to involve the masses in solving social problems through its techniques. This study analyses available avenues that could assist theatre to create revenue and income for Botswana theatre practitioners. The study uses Madi Majwana as a case study. The conclusion drawn by this study is that theatre in Botswana can remunerate practitioners to better their livelihoods. It concludes that Botswana, to a certain extent has professional theatre even though there is a need to improve some aspects such as infrastructure and monitoring and evaluating mechanisms. A dissertation submitted to the Dept. of English, Faculty of Humanities, University of Botswana in partial fulfillment of the requirement of the degree of Masters in English. Citation: Lekoba, D. R. (2019) An investigation into the use of theatre for sustainable livelihoods in Botswana: the case of “Madi Majwana”, University of Botswana. 2019-11-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10311/2381 Contribution of records management to the discharge of security and protection services at the University of Botswana Motau, Charlotte This work focuses on records management practices at the University of Botswana Protection Services Unit. The Protection Services Unit which is mandated to protect lives and University property may fail to bring justice to criminal actions if there is a poor records management practices. The study used the interpretive research paradigm and also adopted a deductive qualitative approach. Face to face interviews and observation techniques were used to collect data. Purposive and convenience sampling were used to collect data from security officers working at the UB-PSU, Sentinel Security Company and Intap Security Services (the latter two being outsourced service providers), therefore data was collected from 32 participants as per the data saturation point. Thematic analysis method was adopted together with the use of a qualitative data analysis software called QDA Miner Lite. Whereas Microsoft Excel was used to produce statistics pertaining to demographic details of the participants. The findings of the study revealed that, UB-PSU has done well in providing the necessary resources/tools for the creation and capturing of data, the metadata scheme is comprehensive enough to capture all details needed to trace a crime event and there is a small registry to store case files. However, the management has failed to implement a records management policy, retention and disposal schedule, documented classification scheme, disaster preparedness plan and a records management unit which will ensure efficient and effective records management activities in the Protection Services Unit. The records storage standards are not met as there are no file cabinets and no professionally trained records managers, thus inhibiting proper creation, maintenance, control, use of records, integrity, reliability, access control and comprehensive management of records as mandated by ISO 15489. The study therefore, recommends that UB-PSU should consider developing a holistic records management programme which encompasses, a proper records a management unit, records management policies and procedures, retention and disposal schedule, disaster preparedness plan and professional training of investigators dealing with records. In addition, it is also recommended for UB-PSU to implement an electronic records management systems which will enhance access and retrieval of records, thereby improving service delivery. In conclusion, it is evident that security records at UB-PSU are well managed to a certain extent. However, there is risk to loss of records due to improper storage, lack of guiding policies and poor access controls. Thus, the investigations personnel should be accountable should there be any loss of records. Should the UB-PSU fail to implement the necessary records management tools such as the records management policy, retention and disposal schedule, classification scheme and trained records management personnel, the security unit is likely going to face challenges in terms of unauthorized access, loss of records and consequently poor service delivery. Quality and timely decision making will also be hindered if records are missing or not well kept as according to professional standards. As a result, there will be obstruction to justice due to lack of evidence and protection of human rights will also be inhibited. A dissertation submitted to the Dept. of Library and Information Studies, Faculty of Humanities, University of Botswana in partial fulfillment of the requirement of the degree of Masters in Archives and Records Management. Citation: Motau, C. (2019) Contribution of records management to the discharge of security and protection services at the University of Botswana, University of Botswana. 2019-09-01T00:00:00Z