| dc.description.abstract | This study aims at examining the extent of information sharing and establishing factors affecting information sharing among humanitarian organizations in Kenya. This is necessitated by growing importance of shared information and the need for knowledge in it. This is a descriptive survey study conducted on a target population of 64 major humanitarian organizations in Kenya and based in Nairobi. A closed-ended online survey questionnaire was administered to the full census of listed organizations, out of which 34 responses were received. Data captured include, demographics, extent of information sharing and the factors affecting information sharing among humanitarian organizations in Kenya. Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics to summarize the data. Factor analysis was done to for each of the variables using indicators. A factor analysis was applied to determine the relative importance of each of the factor with respect to information sharing. The study determined that majority of the organisations do have an information governance policy and guidelines in place and that most organizations have a defined data or information sharing strategy, with majority of them often or always using electronic mail, website / online portal and meetings as a means of information dissemination. The study also determined that the most organizations often used spreadsheets, word document and static format (pdf, image) and that they have ICT tools in place manage data sharing. The findings also indicate that the sharing of information was to a great extent happening between donors, UN agencies, International and local NGOs, Government and Clusters / Sectors working groups; with most of the primary data sources being field data collection, or regular updates from collaborating partner organization or networks and from the coordination meetings. Sharing of information to a greater extent occurs mostly upon request. The study determined that factors affecting information sharing among humanitarian organizations in Kenya can be grouped into 5 factors; Factor 1 (information governance, policy and guidance factors and collaboration and partnerships factors); Factor 2 (information sharing systems factors and data standards & format factors); Factor 3 (communication and dissemination factors); Factor 4 (information sensitivity factors) and Factor 5 (cultural factors). It is recommended that organizations should ensure that appropriate information governance, policy and guidelines are developed to provide a framework to bring together all of the requirements, standards and best practice that apply to the handling of information. Organizations are also recommended to collaborate and partner with established networks or groups to promote organizational information sharing and that there is need for organizations to ensure that Information and data accessible to them is easily available to other humanitarian actors through establishing well-defined communication strategy and dissemination methods and data or information sharing strategies | en |
