Decisive Indicators for the Implementation of Sustainable Institutional Repositories: An Exploratory Study
Keywords:
sustainable, institutional repositories, sustainability, Indicators, Evidence basedAbstract
Institutional Repositories (IRs) recorded a remarkable impact on scholarly communication, knowledge creation, and research sharing. Continuing the impact of IRs within the socio-political, financial, and technological changes requires building an integrated and sustainable eco-system. Sustainable IRs entails implementing deliberate strategies to ensure the practice thrive over time. These strategies involve stakeholders' engagement, adherence to international standards, developing effective policies, establishing collaborative partnerships among others. However, implementing sustainability strategies requires proper identification of sustainability indicators. This paper attempted to explore indicators for sustainable IRs. The paper adopted a descriptive qualitative approach to investigate indicators of IRs sustainability in the Nigerian context. A Semi-structured interview was used as an instrument for data collection supported by group discussion. The analysis of the interview responses revealed forty-four (44) indicators responsible for the implementation of sustainable IRs. The indicators were thematically grouped across nine categories. These indicators were empirically meant to gauge and enhance the sustainability of IRs practice from different perspectives. This paper provides a basis for understanding IRs sustainability. The results shall serve as a guide for the implementation of sustainable IRs within academic institutions. The paper is designed to help IRs managers, library administrators and, other IRs practitioners identify areas that are critical for the implementation of sustainable IRs.
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