A framework for the entrenchment of intellectual property (IP) information services in Zimbabwe's university libraries

Abstract

The study investigates the current status of Intellectual Property (IP) information services in Zimbabwe's university libraries. The study employed a quantitative approach. An online questionnaire was used to collect data from a sample of 69 library professionals employed at 20 university libraries which are full members of the Zimbabwe University Libraries Consortium (ZULC). Findings show that the current focus of the surveyed institutions is on providing scientific research support services (18); disseminating/sharing university research output (14); and copyright activities (12). More specialised IP information services such as IP education and training, patent information services, IP consulting services, IP online service platforms, and web-based IP information services are largely unavailable in Zimbabwean university libraries. Results reveal that the underlying challenge in the development of IP information services in Zimbabwe's university libraries is insufficient IP knowledge among academic librarians, which is exacerbated by inadequate IP management frameworks in university institutions. The study proposes a framework for the entrenchment of IP information services in Zimbabwe's university libraries.

Keywords

Intellectual property information services academic librarians university libraries IP knowledge Zimbabwe

Introduction

The creation of wealth in most world economies is increasingly being driven by knowledge-based industries and innovations resulting from the utilisation of intellectual property (IP) (Stevens and Khan, 2022). Countries throughout the world are required to strengthen their IP systems in response to the essential need to participate more in a knowledge-based economy (Blakeney and Mengiste, 2011). In Zimbabwe, the launch of the National Intellectual Property Policy and Implementation Strategy 2018–2022 (Government of Zimbabwe, 2018; Shonge, 2018) and the introduction of the Education 5.0 concept (Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education Science and Technology Development, 2019), is set to significantly change the IP landscape in the country. Education 5.0 places more emphasis on new pillars of innovation and industrialisation (in addition to teaching, community service, and research), and has the potential to shift the focus and level of IP output produced in higher and tertiary education institutions beyond copyrights and more towards commercially exploited patents, utility models, and industrial designs. The growing importance of IP commercialisation in universities creates a new need for appropriate IP information services to assist students, academics, researchers, administrators, start-ups, entrepreneurs, and inventors.

As outlined in the National Intellectual Property Policy and Implementation Strategy 2018–2022, Zimbabwe's government recognises the need for robust IP systems in driving innovation and economic development in a knowledge economy (Government of Zimbabwe, 2018). Knowledge is the invisible asset that generates innovative products which will be considered as IP. In turn, IP rights are used to produce new products that will satisfy customers. According to Zhang and Peng (2020), scientific research in universities and colleges requires the support of IP information services. An IP information service is “a targeted service mode focusing on intellectual property to promote information exchange, such as information development, dissemination, information reprocessing and utilisation” (Liping et al., 2021). According to Stock and Stock (2006), one needs IP information services:

Before performing research and development, or generating a trademark or industrial design, to ensure that the idea is truly novel;

After a successful application for a patent, a utility model, an industrial design, or a trademark to secure the protection (i.e., to make sure that no third party uses the protected idea); and,

To gain knowledge about other inventors and inventions.

IP management in universities follows a variety of models, with various departments and offices assuming varying levels of responsibility based on existing organisational structures. Discussing the diverse IP management models and systems in higher education is outside the scope of this study. Informed by emerging trends across the globe, this paper dwells more on the significant role of university libraries as key IP information providers in university institutions (Jinjing et al., 2021). In China, for example, academic libraries play an important role as part of a public IP information system. As a result, since 2017, more than 100 IP Information Services Centres have been developed in Chinese university libraries (Yang and Liu, 2021). Yang and Liu (2021) suggest that by establishing IP information services centres, university libraries can transition from being IP information providers to innovation catalysts, therefore strengthening relationships between institutions, communities, and industry. Drawing from what is happening in other countries, this study assesses the current state of IP information services in Zimbabwe's university libraries to stimulate the growth of new forms of such services in local settings.

Statement of the problem

Research on IP information services in university libraries has received little attention (Liping et al., 2021). With the Education 5.0 concept emphasising innovation and industrialisation, as well as the creation of goods and services in Zimbabwean higher education, the critical challenge for university libraries is to reposition themselves and remain relevant in the new trajectory. Designing specialised information services to support increased IP generation and commercialisation appears to be a fantastic opportunity for university libraries to stay relevant in the knowledge economy. However, IP information services in Zimbabwe's universities appear to be incomplete and focused mostly on assisting with research publications and copyright-related activities. IP services in university libraries must be upgraded to satisfy the diverse needs of university innovators. Academic librarians require better awareness or knowledge of IP issues to provide diverse types of IP services and promote the growth of IP output and commercialisation in their institutions. Research on the existing status of IP services in university libraries in Zimbabwe is therefore necessary to help identify gaps and provide solutions.

Objectives of the study

The study sought to achieve the following objectives:

Assess the current IP information services offered in Zimbabwe's university libraries;

Identify challenges to the development of comprehensive IP information services in Zimbabwe's university libraries; and,

Suggest strategies for the development of IP information services in Zimbabwe's university libraries.

Literature review

Relevant studies were reviewed on the status of IP information services in universities around the world to gain a better insight into global trends and developments:

Theoretical background

The World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) defines IP as the “creations of the mind, such as inventions; literary and artistic works; designs; symbols; names and images used in commerce” (WIPO, 2022). IP protection enables individuals to obtain recognition or economic gain from what they innovate or produce in a knowledge-based society (WIPO, 2022). Depending on the policy of the university, newly generated inventions or IP in universities can either belong to the institution or the creator. IP exists in the form of rights, and the common types of IP rights according to Idris (2003), Government of Zimbabwe (2018), and WIPO (2022) include:

Patents: Protection of inventions.

Copyrights: Protects literary and artistic works such as books, music, and computer programmes, among others.

Trademarks: These are distinctive signs which identify certain products or services as those manufactured or provided by a specific person, or enterprise allowing the customer to differentiate them from goods or services of others.

Trade secrets: These are rights on confidential information which may be sold or licensed.

Industrial designs: An industrial design constitutes the ornamental aspect of an article, such as the shape of a soft drink bottle.

Geographic indications: Qualities, characteristics, features, or reputation of a product essentially associated with the place of origin.

Zimbabwe boasts of a comprehensive IP legal framework that covers patents, industrial designs, copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets, geographical indications and plant breeder's rights (Chiwuta, 2019). Figure 1 provides an overview of common and other types of IP rights recognised in Zimbabwe and administered through the Zimbabwe Intellectual Property Office (ZIPO) which reports to the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs.

Figure 1.

Types of IP recognised in Zimbabwe (Nyakotyo, 2013; Government of Zimbabwe, 2018).

Need for IP information services in university libraries

The university is an important component of the national science and technology innovation system, and its researchers have a high need for IP information services (Wu, 2017). A university library can provide IP information services because it has a variety of database resources, a big number of specialists in library information and science, good infrastructure, and technical means (Ji et al., 2017; Wu, 2017). Zhang and Peng (2020) and Ji et al. (2017) concur that IP information services centres for universities are mostly located in libraries for reasons that include the following:

Personnel advantages: Libraries have a pool of personnel with vast abilities and skills in information literacy, familiarity with various database search methods and good work experience in literature retrieval and information analysis which can lay the foundation for patent information services.

Resources advantages: Libraries have access to a pool of literature, websites, databases, search engines which are critical in patent search and analysis.

Equipment advantage: investment in modern technology is usually large in university libraries.

Market demand advantages: Universities themselves are scientific research institutions and are prospective service targets of IP information services.

Specialised IP information services provided by university libraries play an important role in promoting the creation, application, protection and management of IP rights, as well as scientific and technological innovation in universities (Jinjing et al., 2021).

Global trends on IP information services in university libraries

Published literature on IP in the context of academic libraries has tended to focus more on copyright activities (Charbonneau and Priehs, 2014; Glory and Olurotimi, 2018; Magara, 2016; Niqresh, 2019; Ugwu, 2017). The majority of existing research on specialised IP information services in university libraries has originated from developed countries.

The current literature shows that American universities have extensive and well-developed IP services and operations (Ran et al., 2021). Patent and Trademark Resource Centres (PTRCs) are located in libraries throughout the United States with 43 being in academic libraries, and 42 in public, state, and other specialised libraries (Jenda, 2005; Ran et al., 2021; Wallace and Reinman, 2018). Some PTRCs are directly placed within university libraries, such as Northern Kentucky University, which provides patent information services as well as IP awareness. Jenda (2005) describes a collaborative partnership between the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and a network of Patent and Trademark Depository Libraries (PTDLs). The collaboration facilitates the sharing of patent and trademark information in every state through PTDLs. Services provided at the PTDLs include training workshops and seminars on patents and trademarks, user education for patent and trademark users, and fellowship programmes and exchange opportunities for librarians. According to Jenda (2005), users of patents and trademark information include students, tutors, researchers, independent inventors, small business owners, corporations, faculty, and government officials. Professional patent and trademark information services are required despite the availability of patent and trademark information over the Internet (Jenda, 2005). Support services are important in performing patent searches because patents contain legal and technical language that is often used to describe the subjects of inventions.

In their study, Wallace and Reinman (2018) further indicate that PTRC librarians and staff in the United States are responsible for training researchers about basic knowledge of IP, helping them with IP applications, helping with patent and trademark research and creating a supportive environment for technological innovation. The work of PTRCs in libraries is designated and supported by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and authorised by Title 35 Section 12 of the U.S. Code (Wallace and Reinman, 2018). Wallace and Reinman (2018) further state that PTRC professionals and librarians get annual training in the fields of patents, trademarks, and copyright on-site at the United States Patent and Trademark Offices. The same authors report that a partnership programme was developed for university librarians PTRC to receive training in IP and patent searching at universities that do not host a PTRC.

In China, studies reveal that university libraries are regarded as major outlets of IP information services as a result of relevant national policies aimed at promoting effective IP protection and use (Wu, 2017; Zhang and Peng, 2020; Ran et al., 2021). Research further shows that IP rights in China have received more attention following a deliberate policy to rejuvenate the country through science and technology, resulting in the rapid expansion of the patent information services industry (Wang et al., 2020). According to Zhang and Peng (2020: 300), the country enacted successive policies to support universities and university libraries in developing IP information services. For instance, in 2013 China enacted the “Guiding Opinions on Accelerating the Cultivation and Development of Intellectual Property Service Industry (jointly formulated by Intellectual Property Office, the Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Science and Technology and other ministries and commissions)” which clearly stated that libraries had become a member of the public service system for IP rights. Following that, “the Several Opinions of the State Council on Accelerating the Construction of a Powerful Country of Intellectual Property Rights” was enacted in 2015 and it sought to increase the number of IP information service outlets to improve the public service network of IP information. Furthermore, “the 13th Five-Year Plan for the Protection and Application of National Intellectual Property Rights (No.86 Document of State Council [2016])” sought to increase IP information service outlets and strengthen the capacity-building of IP information services in public libraries, university libraries, among others. Also, “the 13th Five-Year Plan for National Education Development (No.4 Document of State Council [2017]” clearly supported universities and colleges’ libraries in building IP information service centres to provide services for promoting university innovation. In 2019, the Chinese State Intellectual Property Office issued “the Several Opinions on Accelerating the Construction of a Public Service System for Intellectual Property Information under the New Situation” and it sought to increase the number of national IP information service centres to 100 in universities by 2022.

A case study of IP information services at China's Huazhong University of Science and Technology reveals that the school's IP Information Service Center participates in the designing of IP system platforms, develops an online platform for IP services of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, embeds patent modules in the knowledge base of school institutions, participates in the designing of IP service portals for the university, and disseminate university's patent information through its website (Zhang and Peng, 2020). Feng and Zhao (2015) went on to discuss the new role of Chinese academic librarians at Nanjing Technology University Library. According to the study, librarians aided researchers in looking for related patents, analysing technological trends, finding valuable patents, and tracking new emerging related patents through collaboration. The role of the academic librarian at Nanjing Technology University Library was transformed into “Patent Specialist” during the process of embedded service on patents; characterised by close engagement with researchers, embedding the patent services in their research units and groups, and aiding researchers in making full use of patent information resources and becoming more successfully innovative in research.

Zhao (2012) conducted a study of 147 Chinese academic libraries and discovered that 41% of academic libraries provided patent retrieval services, 22% provided specialised patent consulting services, and 37% provided patent information analysis services. The investigation also revealed the challenges and difficulties in providing patent information services in academic libraries, namely: (1) the training of librarians to be specialists in patent search, analysis, and management; and (2) a lack of sufficient funding to purchase patent information analysis software, which is required to provide comprehensive patent information service (Zhao, 2012). In South Africa, Zimu (2021) investigated “the role of libraries in disseminating knowledge about South African intellectual property laws in rural communities”. The study by Zimu (2021) observed that South African local libraries, such as school libraries, played no role in teaching community members about South African IP laws. The study concluded that local libraries must educate their populations on how to register individual and community IPs.

The literature review exercise confirmed the emergence of IP information services in university libraries to assist the transfer of knowledge into goods and services in universities. Considerable advancements have occurred in developed countries such as the United States and China. Table 1 summarises the most common types of IP information services found in university libraries, as reported in the literature (Feng and Zhao, 2015; Jenda, 2005; Ji et al., 2017; Ran et al., 2021; Wallace and Reinman, 2018; Wu, 2017; Zhang and Peng, 2020). Worryingly, there exists very little published information on IP information services in university libraries located in developing countries like Zimbabwe. As a result, this study is part of an effort to bridge this gap by investigating the current state of IP information services in Zimbabwe's university libraries.

Table 1.

Types of IP information services in university libraries.

Type of IP information service	Description
Patent information services	Providing services such as patent searching, retrieval and analysis. Patent information service is a newly emerging specialised in-depth information consultation service in Chinese academic libraries (Ji et al., 2017; Qu et al., 2017).
IP education and training	Conducting IP education to personnel and researchers to improve the legal knowledge of IP rights and cultivate the innovative ability of scholars.
Provide support for scientific research	Providing valuable literature to the scientific research team Participating in the whole process of project initiation, project research, project conclusion and finalisation.
Displaying IP information on the institutional website	Displaying the university's patent information on the website
IP advice services	Providing free advice on a wide range of aspects of IP, such as trademarks, patents, designs and copyright, along with information on how to identify and protect it.
IP online service platform	Developing an online platform for IP services for the university community.

Methodology

The study followed a quantitative approach which is defined as “research that explains phenomena according to numerical data which are analysed through mathematically- based methods, especially statistics” (Yilmaz, 2013). This approach was adopted in this study to generate quantifiable data and reveal insightful patterns about IP services in Zimbabwe's university libraries (Saunders et al., 2016). The total population of the study comprised 212 library professionals employed at 20 university libraries which are full members of the Zimbabwe University Libraries Consortium (ZULC) (EIFL, 2022). The respondents who were included in the study are those with a professional qualification in Library and Information Science (those that have attained at least a Bachelor's degree in Library and Information Science/ Higher National Diploma in Library and Information Science). A sample size of 69 was determined in this study using a sampling ratio (sample size to population size) of 30% (Nardi, 2018). The researchers used stratified random sampling to include respondents from all the 20 university libraries. This sampling method was used to enable the researchers to identify respondents who were in a position to provide meaningful information pertaining to IP services in Zimbabwe's university libraries. To collect data, an online questionnaire instrument was created using Google Forms and distributed to respondents through emails and WhatsApp chat platforms.

The data were statistically analysed using the Statistics for Social Sciences Package (SPSS). The study's results are presented using descriptive statistics. Eventually, valid responses were obtained from a total of 57 respondents, representing a response rate of 83% from 90% of the sampled university libraries. Table 2 shows the number of questionnaires that were distributed per university library and the response rate per each institution. Descriptive statistics revealed that males dominated the study, accounting for 60% while females constituted 40%. The next part contains the study results and discussion, which are organised according to the study objectives.

Table 2.

Questionnaire distribution per university.

University Library	Sample size per institution (30% of total population)	Questionnaires Returned
Africa University	3	2
Arrupe Jesuit University	1	1
Bindura University of Science Education	5	5
Catholic University in Zimbabwe	1	1
Chinhoyi University of Technology	5	5
Great Zimbabwe University	3	3
Gwanda State University	2	0
Harare Institute of Technology	3	3
Lupane State University	3	2
Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences	2	0
Marondera University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology	1	1
Midlands State University	7	5
National University of Science and Technology	5	5
Reformed Church University	3	1
Solusi University	2	2
University of Zimbabwe	12	12
Women's University in Africa	2	2
Zimbabwe Ezekiel Guti University	2	2
Zimbabwe National Defence University	2	1
Zimbabwe Open University	5	4
Total	69	57

Results and discussion

The study results are analysed and presented according to the research objectives guiding this study as follows:

Assessment of current IP services offered in Zimbabwe's university libraries;

Challenges to the development of comprehensive IP services in Zimbabwe's university libraries; and,

Strategies for the development of IP information services in Zimbabwe's university libraries.

Current IP information services offered in Zimbabwe's university libraries

The first objective of this study assessed the current IP information services offered in Zimbabwe's university libraries. The study identified the types of IP information services available in Zimbabwe's university libraries, as presented and discussed below. According to Figure 2, all of the 18 participating university libraries provide scientific research support services; 14 are engaged in disseminating/sharing university research output, and 12 give copyright guidance and education to the university community. Also, just two of the surveyed university libraries provide IP education and training, while one university library provides patent information services. Furthermore, no university library in this study provides the following services: IP online service platform; specialised IP consulting services; and displaying patent information on the library website. The results suggest that specialised IP information services in Zimbabwe's university libraries are almost non-existent, apart from the traditional roles of research support services, dissemination of university research output and copyright protection activities.

Figure 2.

IP information services available in university libraries in Zimbabwe.

Based on the responses in this study, no meaningful implementation of IP information services is taking place in Zimbabwe's university libraries. The results partly support the notion that the role of libraries in Zimbabwe in supporting the whole processes of IP generation, utilisation, protection and management is currently restricted. The results in this study somewhat agree with Zimu's (2021) observation where South African local libraries played little role in disseminating IP knowledge to community members in a rural community. This is in sharp contrast to what is happening in more developed countries. China has seen the emergence of new roles for Chinese academic librarians, as university libraries in that country form close collaborations with researchers to provide more specialised IP information services such as patent retrieval and analysis services, IP education and training, IP online services platform, providing specialised IP consulting services on a wide range of IP issues, and displaying patent information on the library website (Feng and Zhao, 2015; Ji et al., 2017; Wu, 2017; Zhang and Peng, 2020; Ran et al., 2021). Again, in the United States, various university libraries around the country offer patent and trade mark information services (Wallace and Reinman, 2018). While Zimbabwe cannot be compared with developments in developed countries, it is beneficial to learn what is happening in countries like China and United States to better understand new forms of IP information services emerging in university libraries to support innovation and the transformation of knowledge into valuable assets. What is critical is for academic librarians in Zimbabwe to grasp these new types of IP information services and endeavour to integrate them into existing library services. Understanding the contextual factors and challenges prevailing against academic librarians in local universities is a key step toward effective deployment of IP information services in Zimbabwe's university libraries.

Challenges to the development of comprehensive IP information services

The second objective sought to identify challenges to the development of comprehensive IP information services in Zimbabwe's university libraries. In this study, the term challenge was used to describe underlying obstacles working against the growth of IP information services in Zimbabwe's university libraries. Table 3 lists the impediments to the development of IP information services in Zimbabwe's university libraries according to the order of importance.

Table 3.

Challenges to the development of IP information services in Zimbabwe's university libraries.

Challenge	Count (N = 57)	Percentage (%)
Inadequate Knowledge of IP by academic librarians	49	86
Academic librarians are not sure what form of IP information services to provide	35	61.4
Poor perception of the role of university libraries in supporting IP processes	25	43.9
Lack of university IP management framework	22	38.6
Don’t Know	2	3.5

On top of the challenges limiting Zimbabwe's university libraries’ efforts to provide comprehensive IP information services in Zimbabwe's university libraries is inadequate knowledge of IP by academic librarians (86%), followed by academic librarians not sure what form of IP information services to provide (61.4%), while poor perception of the role of university libraries in supporting IP processes was mentioned by 43.9%. About 38.6% of respondents cited a lack of university management strategy as the other challenge, whereas only 3.5% expressed ignorance of the challenges that may be limiting their library's efforts to provide comprehensive IP information services. The responses suggest that the lack of a sufficient knowledge base of IP by academic librarians is the underlying factor restricting the development of comprehensive IP information services in Zimbabwe's university libraries. This is consistent with the reviewed literature, which revealed that one of the main difficulties in providing IP information services in academic libraries is a lack of IP knowledge among academic librarians (Zhao, 2012; Wallace and Reinman, 2018). As a consequence of their lack of enough IP knowledge, the majority of academic librarians are unsure what type of IP information services to offer to the university community, and their perception of the role of university libraries in supporting IP activities is limited.

Indeed, for many individuals, IP is an obscure and foreign subject whose laws and applications are clouded by jargon and technical sophistication, understood by only a specialised audience (Chiwuta, 2019). The Zimbabwe National Intellectual Property Policy and Implementation Strategy (2018–2022) recognises low levels of IP awareness and knowledge as an issue that is prevalent across the whole country, including in higher education institutions (Shonge, 2018). However, in a global community, a lack of capacity is not an acceptable excuse (Chiwuta, 2019); university library institutions must hunt for the necessary capacity in other sectors locally, regionally, and globally. This includes fully utilising IP professionals produced by local universities, ZIPO officers, and the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) office in the country.

In this study, a lack of institutional IP management framework is also viewed as an obstacle to providing comprehensive IP information services in university libraries. A robust institutional IP framework is essential for the development, protection, and utilisation of intellectual rights in universities. Apart from the National IP Policy and Implementation Strategy, each university is expected to establish policies and strategic plans emphasising the importance of IP generation, protection, and commercialisation. When the value of IP is recognised at the institutional strategy level, tangible results can follow (Chiwuta, 2019). Taking insight from the growth of IP information services in Chinese universities, university libraries must be recognised as major outlets of IP information at the institutional and national levels. The reviewed literature shows that the growth of IP information services in Chinese university libraries is largely due to relevant national policies aiming at fostering effective IP protection and usage (Ran et al., 2021; Wu, 2017; Zhang and Peng, 2020).

Strategies for the development of IP information services

The final objective sought to suggest strategies for the development of IP information services in Zimbabwe's university libraries. Respondents were asked to indicate what could be required to facilitate the effective implementation of IP information services at their library using a five-point Likert scale. Table 4 is the summary of responses organised by order of importance using mean values calculated using SPSS.

Table 4.

Interventions required to facilitate effective implementation of IP information services in university libraries.

	N = 57	Mean	Std. Deviation
Enhancing IP awareness and training for academic librarians	57	4.7895	.41131
Conducting IP information needs assessment among university members	57	4.6842	.46896
Collaboration between academic librarians, researchers and IP professionals	57	4.5965	.62277
Pro-activeness by academic librarians to explore possible IP information services	57	4.4737	.65752
Developing toolkits on IP information services	57	4.2632	.44426
Financial support by Library Management	57	4.2456	.66227
Comprehensive university IP framework	57	4.1404	.76622
Valid N (listwise)	57

The data in Table 4 indicates that the majority of respondents generally agree that the most important intervention to facilitate the effective implementation of IP information services in Zimbabwe's university libraries is enhancing IP awareness and training for academic librarians. This is understandable given that in this study the most underlying challenge against the development of IP information services in Zimbabwe's university libraries is insufficient IP knowledge by academic librarians. Other important interventions according to how they were ranked by respondents include: conducting IP information needs assessment among university members; collaboration between academic librarians, researchers and IP professionals; pro-activeness by academic librarians to explore possible IP information services; developing toolkits on IP information services; financial support by library management; and finally a comprehensive university IP framework.

It is no doubt that researchers agree that academic librarians be empowered regarding the concept of IP rights, as this is also emphasised in the reviewed literature (Wen et al., 2020). IP needs assessment and needs identification is another important step as it facilitates the involvement of all stakeholders in the development of appropriate IP information services in university libraries. Also, the importance of collaboration and partnerships between academic librarians and IP experts is widely recognised in the literature (Chiwuta, 2019; Wallace and Reinman, 2018). In the United States, partnerships between academic librarians and PTRCs have been successfully used to facilitate workshops on finding and using IP including patents (Wallace and Reinman, 2018). Apart from partnerships, academic librarians should be proactive in exploring possible IP information services, engaging in self-training, webinars, and utilising training opportunities accessible online (Wallace and Reinman, 2018).

Conclusions

This study investigated the current status of IP information services provided by Zimbabwe's university libraries to map future developments. The study concludes that IP information services are still a new concept for university libraries in Zimbabwe, as the majority of those surveyed do not provide specialised IP information services besides their usual primary services such as supporting services for scientific research, dissemination of university research output, and copyright protection. In contrast, in other developed countries such as China and the United States, IP information services in university libraries have matured into patent and trade mark information services, specialised IP consulting services, IP online service platforms, IP education and training, and the provision of web-based IP information. The study found that the underlying challenge to the development of IP information services in Zimbabwe's university libraries is insufficient IP knowledge by academic librarians, worsened by poor IP management frameworks in universities.

Recommendations: the proposed framework for the development of IP information services in Zimbabwe's university libraries

The study recommends that university libraries in Zimbabwe should begin to move beyond traditional research support services or copyright activities and offer a variety of services that enable the use of various forms of IP in universities. Library management heading various university libraries in Zimbabwe must support programmes to improve the training of academic librarians on IP issues so that they are well equipped to deliver new types of IP information services to the university community. Academic librarians are also encouraged to utilise collaborations and partnerships with researchers, IP experts and organisations to access training and increase their IP knowledge and awareness level. Since the concept of IP information services is still very new to the Zimbabwean situation, it is recommended the development of such services in local university libraries be legitimised and promoted by relevant IP management policies and strategies at the national and university levels. To foster effective use of IP throughout the country, including in universities, a national IP information system that recognises university libraries as key providers of IP information services is required.

The study results revealed the low state of IP services in Zimbabwe's university libraries mainly due to insufficient IP knowledge by academic librarians, worsened by poor IP management frameworks in universities. This point to the need to find a mechanism for stimulating the development of relevant forms of IP services in academic libraries to support innovation and entrepreneurship in universities in Zimbabwe. It is therefore imperative to discuss the possible framework for the entrenchment of IP information services in Zimbabwe's university libraries. To achieve the full development of IP information services in local university libraries, the study proposes a framework which recognises university libraries as key providers of IP information services at the national and university level, emphasise the need to replicate relevant forms of IP information services in local universities, and implementation of strategic interventions such as capacity building and collaborative initiatives with IP professionals. Toolkits on IP information services are necessary for increasing academic librarians’ and the university community's awareness of IP. To ensure the successful development of IP information services in Zimbabwe's university libraries, library management must provide financial support for the purchase of hardware and software tools for conducting IP information services (Zhao, 2012), while university administration must provide a university IP framework that recognises university libraries as a critical component of the IP information system.

This possible framework for university libraries in Zimbabwe can be summarised in a diagram in Figure 3. The proposed framework for the entrenchment of IP information services in Zimbabwe's university libraries draws from study findings and reviewed literature (Wu, 2017; Zhang and Peng, 2020). The framework identifies three critical elements necessary for effective integration of university libraries in Zimbabwe into national and university-wide IP information system. The three elements are IP policy framework (national IP information system and a university IP framework), deployment of relevant forms of IP information services by academic librarians, and appropriate interventions to achieve the desired results. According to the proposed framework, strategic interventions to facilitate effective development of IP services in Zimbabwe's university libraries include capacity building of academic librarians, IP information needs assessment, and collaborative initiatives with IP professionals. Toolkits on IP information services are also necessary for increasing academic librarians’ and the university community's awareness of IP. To ensure the successful development of IP information services in Zimbabwe's university libraries, library management must provide financial support for the purchase of hardware and software tools for conducting IP information services (Zhao, 2012), while university administration must provide a university IP framework that recognises university libraries as a critical component of the IP information system. The possible forms of IP services which can be adopted in Zimbabwe's university libraries are also given.

Figure 3.

Framework for the development of IP information services in Zimbabwe's university libraries.

The effective deployment of IP information services in university libraries is underpinned by a national and university IP information system that recognises the strategic role of university libraries in rolling out such services. Although the country has done well in developing a national IP policy and strategy, additional effort is required to develop a national IP information system that identifies the primary IP information outlets. Such deliberate measures in China have resulted in tremendous growth of the patent information industry. Forms of IP information services keep evolving, and it is the responsibility of university library institutions to begin to explore a variety of services that enable the use of various types of IP in universities. Successful development of IP information services in university libraries should be driven by strategic interventions such as training of academic librarians in IP issues, IP needs assessment and identification, partnering with local IP professionals, engaging in self-training, use of toolkits on IP for librarians and adequate administrative and financial support from library management. However, there is need to subject the proposed framework to review and test its applicability in fostering the development of IP services in academic libraries.

The study offers new knowledge on IP services in the context of Zimbabwe. While much of the existing literature on IP in academic libraries dwell more on copyright activities; this study argues for a major shift towards significant growth of different forms of IP services informed by the need to address various types of IP rights and IP information needs. It makes significant contribution to the global community with regards to research on IP services in university libraries which has received little attention especially in developing countries like Zimbabwe. It draws attention to the importance of being current in terms of offering relevant IP services in academic libraries to stimulate innovation in universities.

Footnotes

ORCID iDs

Jonathan Munyoro

Takawira Machimbidza

About the authors

Jonathan Munyoro is an Information and Knowledge Management Specialist at the University of Zimbabwe Library. He holds a Master of Science degree in Library and Information Science and a BSc Honours in Library and Information Science, both from the National University of Science and Technology (Zimbabwe). Address: University of Zimbabwe P.O. Box MP167 Mt Pleasant, Harare, Zimbabwe. Contact: Mobile number +263773181980, Email: jmunyoro7@gmail.com.

Takawira Machimbidza is a postdoctoral fellow in the Information Studies Programme, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Address: Room 317 New Arts Building, Pietermaritzburg Campus, Private Bag X01, Scottsville 3209. Contact: Telephone No.: + 27 63 118 0935, Email: tmachimbidza@gmail.com.

Stephen Mutula is Professor in the Information Studies Programme, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Address: Room 354 New Arts Building, Pietermaritzburg Campus, Private Bag X01, Scottsville 3209. Contact: Telephone No.: + 27 71 275 0109, Email: mutulas@ukzn.ac.za.

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