Factors influencing the adoption and use of open access scholarly publishing in selected public universities in Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to explore the factors that influence the adoption and use of open access scholarly publishing (OASP) by researchers in selected public universities in Kenya. Using the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model as a study lens and the questionnaire as the data collection tool, the study collected data from academic researchers in three Kenyan public universities, namely the University of Nairobi (UoN), Kenyatta University (KU) and Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT).The findings of the study indicate that there are several factors associated with facilitating conditions (FC), performance expectancy (PE), internet skills, and social influence (SI) that influence there searchers’ intention to adopt and use OASP in the selected universities. Consequently, we believe that addressing the inhibitors of the adoption of OASP in Kenyan universities would be key to the successful and effective use of OASP. Enablers such as ICT infrastructure, staff capacity and clear policies should be enhanced so as to optimise researchers’ capabilities. Based on the findings, the study makes several recommendations to improve the adoption and use of OASP in Kenya’s institutions of higher learning.