This study examined the usage of ICTs to enhance business processes in Tanzania. In particular, the study examined the types of ICTs deployed to enhance business processes and the processes they support, determinants of ICTs' viable usage, and barriers to their effective usage. Descriptive cross-sectional design using surveys was deployed to gather qualitative and quantitative data from 182 firms. Quantitative data were analysed with using SPSS IBM 22 to generate descriptive and inferential statistics results. Besides that, a thematic and content analysis was used to analyse qualitative data which was thereafter presented in narration form. The findings revealed that mobile phones, computers, the Internet and other network systems, and social media are perceived as important in boosting business efficiency related to material, product processing, management activities, service and marketing. The findings further disclose that financial capital has a multiplying effect on other ICTs' usage determinants such as knowledge and expertise, and ICT infrastructure investments. Regarding a firm's profile, the findings indicate that the size of a firm and its source of raw materials strongly predict its innovative usage of ICTs. The results also revealed the barriers to innovative usage of ICTs and suggest that for business processes to be meaningful, a balanced deployment of ICTs should be done with proper consideration of all enabling elements.

The present study examines the extent of academic librarians’ teaching, research, communication, and interpersonal skills; key competencies required for the successful implementation of embedded librarianship in Tanzania. A mixed research approach, integrating both qualitative and quantitative approaches, was deployed to guide the collection of data from 166 librarians and 6 directors. Whereas cross-section survey questionnaires were used to collect data from librarians from six university libraries. Semi-structured face-to-face interviews were used to collect data from directors. Regarding statistical analysis, descriptive statistics were performed to derive frequencies and percentages from quantitative data collected. The qualitative data were analyzed thematically and presented in narrative form. The findings suggest that librarians’ teaching skills and their knowledge of the research cycle are inadequate, while their communication and interpersonal skills are sufficient to allow them to effectively embed their services in their users’ (researchers, students, and teaching staff) activities. To effectively adopt embedded librarianship, the authors recommend the allocation of adequate funds to support diverse external and in-house training, the development of harmonized library and information science (LIS) curriculum, and the use of social media to interact with users.

The study examined the usage of mobile phones among agro-pastoralists in Monduli and Bagamoyo districts in Tanzania. The study used a mixed approach in collecting and analysing the resultant data. The study’s findings reveal that individual and technology characteristics are important factors for mobile phone ownership and usage among agro-pastoralists. Further, the findings suggest that effective use of mobile phones presents a huge opportunity for improving information access for agro-pastoralist communities, so supporting their poverty reduction programs. Accordingly, usage of mobile phone technologies can offset some of the effects of neglected rural infrastructure and make rural development sustainable and competitive. The study concludes that there is an urgent need to re-think and re-orient the development thrust and deploy mobile phones to address business transaction and information access problems and supplement development-related information provided by other media.

This study examined the effectiveness of the channels used to deliver agricultural information and knowledge to smallholder farmers in Tanzania. A descriptive cross-sectional design alongside quantitative and qualitative approaches was employed to collect data from 341 respondents. While the data collected through the questionnaire was analysed by using Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) version 21, the data collected through the interview was analysed by using thematic analysis. The findings suggest that delivery of and access to timely and relevant agricultural information and knowledge, appropriately packaged, is one of the critical problems undermining smallholder farmers’ efforts to increase their production. As a result, most smallholder farmers mainly depend on informal channels. Besides informal channels, farmer groups and demonstration plots are becoming popular channels to deliver and access agricultural information and knowledge. To make a difference in agricultural production, deliberate efforts should be made to enhance the delivery of agricultural information and knowledge.

Purpose With the advent of ICTs, a large percentage of university students are shifting their interest and focus on digital learning resources from print ones. This study aims to examine the diversity, motivations and challenges students face in using these learning resources at Teofilo Kisanji University (TEKU) in Tanzania. Design/methodology/approach The researchers used elements of both quantitative and qualitative research approaches in a complementary fashion. The study draws upon cross-section survey data collected from students (n = 90) alongside follow-up key informants semi-structured interviews with library and academic staff (n = 10). Findings The study’s findings signify that internet resources are significantly deployed by students than other resources such as CD-ROM, e-books, journals, slides and audio clips. The findings further inform that the wide range of these resources and 24/7 convenient access are important motivating factors for their usage. On the other hand, the cost of internet services, limited searching competencies and limited subscribed databases inhibit effective and efficient usage of these by students at TEKU. Originality/value The present study clearly discloses students’ motivations for accessing and using digital learning resources.