African culture and libraries: the information technology challenge

Abstract

Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to identify the invention of computer systems, information and communication technology and the internet as the critical landmarks in the transformation of information processing, storage, retrieval and dissemination. Design/methodology/approach -A survey of 42 librarians in the Nigerian cities of Lagos and Ibadan was carried out, along with information gathered from research on the internet. Findings -The paper reports on how the internet can affect African cultural values in the area of songs/music and dance, theater, dress, languages, arts, housing, marriage, child care, friendship, decoration, religion, politics and personality profile development. Librarians' IT skills, internet literacy and awareness of the implications of the unfolding environment on library and African cultural value systems are discussed. Originality/value -The paper recommends a set of proactive professional repositioning that African librarians must initiate as custodians of both information and African rich cultural heritage.

Music information seeking behaviour as motivator for musical creativity

“…Indeed music information and knowledge are implemental to the development of social structures, building relationships between individuals and bridging peoples' cultural value systems. Information and information seeking for creative activities includes patterns of individual behaviours reflecting peoples' ideas and values (Omekwu, 2006). In that respect, our model suggests a spiral of musical genre or specific tradition sustainability or growth through the development of different creative products ( Figure 5: Stage C), by supporting the motives and intentions of individuals ( Figure 5: Stage A) and by satisfying their information needs through engagement with suitable information resources and effective information seeking patterns ( Figure 5: Stage B) for different levels of musical creativity (shown in Figure 5: Stage C).…”

Theoretical and Applied Issues on the Impact of Information on Musical Creativity

“…Music knowledge constitutes the product of socio-cultural processes while, at the same time it also forms a basis for understanding socio-cultural phenomena (Lam, 2011). Music information and music knowledge exist in the cultural context of the society and are fundamental to the development of social structures, building relationships between individuals and cultural value systems (Omekwu, 2006). The interrelation between music information behavior and music knowledge production consists of patterns of individual behaviors including ideas and values that may be considered as products of creative activities as well as conditioning elements of further actions (Omekwu, 2006).…”

“…Music information and music knowledge exist in the cultural context of the society and are fundamental to the development of social structures, building relationships between individuals and cultural value systems (Omekwu, 2006). The interrelation between music information behavior and music knowledge production consists of patterns of individual behaviors including ideas and values that may be considered as products of creative activities as well as conditioning elements of further actions (Omekwu, 2006). Music information seeking behavior and music knowledge are mutually depended and their patterns are directly associated with specific or distinct musicians' behaviors (Lavranos et al, 2015b).…”

Consumer involvement and marketing in Africa: some directions for future research

“…Although with emphasis on marketing environment and the analysis of the relevant factors, Nwankwo (2000) also robustly emphasizes the need for marketers to carefully note the peculiarities of Africa in their marketing practices. From other different perspectives, a good number of studies and papers have been specifically positioned as Africa‐oriented or very closely related to African issues (see for example Kaynak, 1984; Staude, 1993; Dijkstra, 1996; Omekwu, 2006; Evuleocha, 2008; Schomberg and Bergman, 2009). Either directly or indirectly, these views highlight the peculiarities of Africa as a continent with rich cultural heritage.…”

“…Either directly or indirectly, these views highlight the peculiarities of Africa as a continent with rich cultural heritage. For instance, Omekwu (2006) stresses this in relation to libraries and information technology challenge, while Evuleocha's (2008) paper on home video revolution and marketing video films in Africa emphasizes the increasing growth of video‐based movie production on several African countries. Hence, it is not surprising that Kaynak (1984) cautions on holding the view that Middle East and North Africa constitute a monolithic, homogenous market.…”