The information environment of women in Nigeria's public service

Abstract

Purpose

Women constitute a significant proportion of the Nigerian public servants. They have varied job related information needs and possess some information seeking behaviour. The study aimed to identify their job‐related information needs and assess the existing office information environment.

Design/methodology/approach

The survey method, using questionnaire and observation techniques were used in collecting data from 158 women in the top cadre of the federal and three selected state ministries and parastatals.

Findings

The study found that most of the information needs were related to governance, education, religion, family and domestic matters. Only one‐third of the respondents regarded information on women as very relevant to job performance. Newspapers, magazines, newsletters, colleagues, and conversations were the main sources of information. Although electronic sources, especially the internet were not widely available, the respondents were enthusiastic to use them. They also perceived positive relationship between good information environment and job performance.

Research limitations/implications

A limitation of the study is the small sample considering that there are 36 states in Nigeria. Also, a study of all public servants, male and female, would have been better. The paper recommends an improvement to the information environment of the government establishments.

Originality/value

As not many studies have been done on women in public service and their information needs and use, the findings of this study will be useful to government and other decision makers in providing facilities and for infrastructural development to increase productivity of women and all public servants.

Citation

Mabawonku, I. (2006), "The information environment of women in Nigeria's public service", Journal of Documentation, Vol. 62 No. 1, pp. 73-90. https://doi.org/10.1108/00220410610642057