Digital preservation of electronic theses and dissertations through self-deposit in institutional repositories

Desriyeni, Desriyeni
Saputra, Andi
Shuhidan, Shamila Mohamed
Marsih, Leni
Ulya, Ridha Hasnul

Jurnal Kajian Informasi & Perpustakaan
Vol 14, No 1 (2026): Accredited by Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology of the Re

Background: Digital preservation of Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETD) is fundamental to sustaining scholarly output in higher education institutions; however, empirical investigations into user satisfaction and socio-technical challenges within self-deposit models globally remain limited, especially in local Indonesian context. Purpose: This study examined satisfaction levels and implementation challenges in ETD digital preservation through self-deposit in the institutional repository of Universitas Andalas, Indonesia. Methods: Employing a sequential mixed-methods design, quantitative data were collected via a satisfaction survey administered to 174 students who completed the self-deposit process. Analysis used descriptive statistics and validity testing in SPSS, while qualitative insights were derived from semi-structured interviews with repository administrators and library staff, supplemented by workflow observations and analyzed through thematic analysis. Results: Results revealed a procedurally structured self-deposit workflow constrained by technical limitations: students reported moderate overall satisfaction (M = 3.46), with the lowest ratings for system performance, especially stability and upload speed, and persistent difficulties with file uploads, metadata completion, and comprehension of deposit guidelines. Conversely, administrative support received the highest satisfaction scores, highlighting users' continued reliance on human assistance. Conclusion: Self-deposit alone is insufficient for effective ETD preservation in resource-constrained environments; its sustainability hinges on integrating a robust technical infrastructure with consistent human support to bridge the socio-technical gap between system design and user capabilities. Implications: Theoretically, this study contributes to digital preservation literature by foregrounding socio-technical interdependencies in self-deposit adoption beyond Western contexts. In practice, it offers actionable recommendations for repository managers in developing countries, including infrastructure upgrades to enhance system reliability, simplifying metadata schemas and user interfaces, and embedding editor support during the deposit process to strengthen repository sustainability and user autonomy.