Utilization of information resources and services by engineers in selected steel companies in Nigeria

Abstract

This article examined the information needs of steel engineers in Nigeria which is a necessity to solve the basic and complex problems that characterize steel production. However, it was observed that before the privatization of the government owned steel companies, their output did not make any significant impact in all aspects of Nigeria's economic, industrial, scientific and technological development. To identify the problems associated with this lack of productivity, the survey research method was used while purposeful sampling was used to arrive at the three out of the six companies covered by the study. The questionnaire, personal observation and interview were instruments combined to gather adequate and reliable data for the study. The data gathered was analyzed using frequency approach and descriptive statistics where responses and their percentages were tabulated. Below each table, is its interpretation and discussion. The study discovered that information resources and services provided are based on traditional or conventional practices and are only minimally utilized. Lack of funds was discovered to be the major militating factor against the provision of information resources. It was recommended among others that adequate funds be provided to acquire current and relevant information resources in addition to automating the libraries to meet with the current trends in information provision and utilization.

Key words: Utilization, information, resources, services