Role of information in influencing decision making in public Universitiesin Tanzania: a case of Dar es Salaam University College of education (DUCE)

The research aims to identify the role of information in influencing decision making in public universities using DUCE in Tanzania as a case study. A survey design was used in the study where both qualitative and quantitative approaches were employed. The Population of this study comprised senior university officials, academic and administrative staff as well as students. Both convenience and purpose sampling techniques were employed to obtain samples. It involved a total sample size of 113respondents. Both secondary and primary data collection methods were used where by a self-administered questionnaire was the main data collection instrument. The findings show that public universities in Tanzania possess at least two main types of the information facilities; a registry and library that support decision making. Most of the popular information needs for decision makers include government publications, research reports, books and journals while in same instance some decisions were delayed because of poor access to appropriate information. Generally, the study revealed that, information policy, information literacy, inadequate budget and inadequate information systems stand out as the key problems that hinder access to information for decision making. The study recommends; institutionalization of an information policy; marketing of library services; Sustainable and user friendly information systems; digitization of rare materials; Implementation of information literacy training programmes; Training of information professionals and Allocation of enough budget to the college information resources.