Provision of information to users at the united nations environment programme headquarters, Nairobi

Abstract

Efficient and effective provision of information services is essential to the success of an organization since it improves decision making, enhances efficiency and provides a competitive edge to any organization both big and small. Quality provision of information services is something that information providers cannot ignore anymore in any organization. The aim of this study was to investigate the provision of information services to users at UNEP with a view to identifying the gaps that may be addressed to enhance provision of information services at UNEP and to adopt a model for effective and efficient provision of information services. The specific objectives of the study were; identify information services available at UNEP; determine the information provision methods applied at UNEP; identify the information needs and information seeking behaviour of users at UNEP; establish the range, sources of environmental information and information resources available at UNEP; determine which tools are used for the collecting, storage, and dissemination of information; establish the challenges affecting users at UNEP in accessing the relevant information and make practical recommendations to the challenges affecting users at UNEP for more efficient and effective provision of information to the UNEP information user community. This study was based on two models; the Wilson’s theory of information behaviour (1996) and the Niedźwiedzka’s (2003) new model of information behaviour. Data was collected from one hundred and fifteen users including sixty researchers, forty five students and ten senior managers of UNEP. Qualitative and quantitative research methods were used where data was collected using semi-structured interview schedules and document review. Data was analyzed thematically using qualitative data analysis technique. The study identified some gaps in the provision of information services at UNEP. Among the significant findings is that the level and standards of information provision and services at UNEP is limited occasioned by among other factors lack of understanding of user needs when developing the information resources at UNEP. Among the major recommendations of this study is that the information professionals should enhance the quality and level of information services at UNEP. In addition, information managers should do their best to understand the information needs of the users and align them to the generation of information resources to enhance more efficient dissemination of information.