Towards a website evaluation framework for Universities: case study Makerere University

Abstract

To what extent do organisational websites contribute to the business value? The development of an organisational website should be guided by the objectives/core functions of the organisation. Websites are tools that are expected to add value to the processes in the organisation. They present an interface between the wider community and the organisation. The assumption that is held when an organisation develops a website is that it has information that it wants the public to access without a hustle. This access should in one way or the other translate into business benefits for the organisation. Academic institutions are in the business of creating and sharing knowledge and one tool that is available for usage is the website. Fortunately in Makerere University like many other Universities in Uganda and the world at large this tool is being deployed. All faculties in Makerere University have a website that is hosted and can be accessed. The question however is; are the websites of any relevance to the growth of the Faculty and University in terms of creating opportunities and disseminating knowledge? Presently there is no evaluation tool that can be used by faculty and university management to evaluate the websites. This paper attempts to propose an evaluation framework that could be used by management at the faculties and the University.