Reactions to technology change initiatives by library professionals: a model for change management in academic libraries

Abstract

This study sought to find out the levels of reactions (acceptance or resistance) of library staff to technology change initiatives to examine the major predictors of reactions to technology change initiatives in the library environment. The survey approach was used in examining the reactions of employees to the adoption of technology change initiatives in academic libraries in Ghana with a particular focus on the University of Ghana Library System (UGLS). The UGLS has a total employee population of 294 employees comprising of professional, paraprofessional and non-professional librarians. The study sampled 150 respondents from the population representing 51% of the entire population. The convenience sampling technique was employed to administer questionnaires to employees in the various units of the UGLS. The Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) was used to compute means, standard deviations and correlation figures. Whereas age and length of service recorded a negative relationship with behavioural intentions to use and actual use technology, educational level showed a positive relationship. It was established that performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence and facilitating conditions were all significant in predicting library professionals' reactions (acceptance/resistance) viewed in terms of their behavioural intention to use and actual use of newly introduced technologies for information services provision.