WhatsApp groups: channel for sharing information among LIS professionals in Nigeria

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this study is to determine the type of information Library and Information Science professionals share in the WhatsApp groups in Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach The study adopted a quantitative content analysis research design. With a total of 739 participants, 1,385 posts of six different WhatsApp groups of Library and Information Science professionals for three months were analyzed. Findings The study found that the most shared information among the Library and Information Science professionals in Nigeria is post on professional information. This demonstrates that librarians are determined to share professional information among them to promote the profession. This was followed by political information basically on the Nigerian Library Association national executives’ election, and job advertisements related to the library. Although a few members violate the rules by posting the kind of information not required in the WhatsApp group, the erring members are quickly called to order and warned by the WhatsApp group administrator. Social implications Professional ties can grow among information specialists and library practitioners through participation in virtual communities such as WhatsApp group. The implication of this work is in showing that social media especially WhatsApp groups can be used as a knowledge sharing mechanism to share timely, current and relevant information among professionals in different occupations. Originality/value Findings on the use of WhatsApp group in sharing professional information will inform several other Library and Information Science professionals in other countries of the need to adopt this channel to disseminate timely information related to up-coming conferences, training opportunities, workshops, call for papers and so on among the professionals. The results of this paper are valuable for anyone interested in an avenue to share or receive much quicker and pertinent information that saves the time of professionals in any occupation.

Librarians participation in professional development workshops using Zoom in Nigeria

“…One major source of information regarding upcoming workshops is through the different WhatsApp groups. Library and information science professionals use this channel to disseminate timely information related to up-coming conferences, training opportunities, workshops, call for papers and so on (Udem, Aghoghovwia, and Baro, 2020). Unfortunately, not all librarians/information professionals belong to WhatsApp groups.…”

Dark side of instant messaging: an empirical investigation from technology and society perspective

“…This study has also highlighted that, when a group of people are so emotionally instigated by inappropriate messages from IM, their perceptions of the ease of using the IM system and its cost-effectiveness have little impact on their use of IM platforms, even when they may cause mob lynching and destabilize social harmony. (2015), Kim and Srivastava (2007), Kim and Shin (2015), Zeithaml (1988) There is no cost involved in using instant messaging platforms (continued ) LRIM1 Agarwal (2015), Hinduja (2004), Mehta and Singh (2013), Moitra (2005), Narahari and Shah (2016), Udem et al (2020) I believe all the instant messaging platforms need to be regulated A1. AJIM 74,5…”

“…People normally do not verify the information disseminated through IM platforms, but they are influenced to react to such unverified information, which may cause harm to the society (Udem et al, 2020;Martinez-Comeche and Ruthven, 2021).…”

“…Studies reveal that IM is responsible for spreading information quickly, and these messages are sometimes unverified (Leung, 2008; Kangaspunta, 2018; Chaputula et al , 2020; Udem et al , 2020; Basile et al , 2021). Studies have shown instances where unverified messages are inflammatory (Mohit, 2012; Gong et al , 2018; Thrassou et al , 2020).…”

“…The converse question arises as to whether the absence of any strict regulation is also accountable for increasing cases of mob lynching based on wrongful information disseminated through IM platforms. People normally do not verify the information disseminated through IM platforms, but they are influenced to react to such unverified information, which may cause harm to the society (Udem et al , 2020; Martinez-Comeche and Ruthven, 2021).…”