Growth and diffusion of e‐journal usage in universities of the western Himalayan region of India

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study and analyse the information communication technology‐based growth and diffusion of research using e‐journals for two universities belonging to different states in the western Himalayan region of India.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses an assessment period for the analysis of usage of e‐journals of 36 months from 2007‐2009. It demonstrates a relative comparison of the usage of e‐journals within the framework of a logistic model and the S‐curve. In the process, the status of internet users, from international level to national and university level, is also analysed.

Findings

Owing to the rapid technological growth and its phase‐wise development, the “Replacement hypothesis” does not permit the expectation of a smoother behaviour in the cumulative growth in internet users and consequently the usage of e‐journals in these universities. A simple statistical analysis of the usage was also undertaken. The coefficient of variation shows a wide fluctuation for four out of 12 publishing houses. Compound growth rate was also calculated and analysed for the two universities. A typical case of usage of e‐journals from one publishing house was also analysed more thoroughly with a likely future projection.

Research limitations/implications

This analysis reflects the limitations inherent in the logistic model, particularly the linear growth rate and the appearance of the inflection point at Xs/2 in the S‐curve.

Originality/value

The paper presents an in‐depth analysis of growth and diffusion of usage of e‐journals in two universities located in the western Himalayan region of India, for the first time. It also projects the usage of e‐journals, reflecting research progress, until the time of saturation in the S‐curve of each of the universities in the region.

Citation

Sharma, D., Sharma, H. and Singh, V. (2011), "Growth and diffusion of e‐journal usage in universities of the western Himalayan region of India", Program: electronic library and information systems, Vol. 45 No. 2, pp. 149-172. https://doi.org/10.1108/00330331111129705