BibTex RIS Cite

Knowledge Sharing Behaviour Pattern Analysis of Academic Librarians in Nigeria

Year 2016, Volume: 4 Issue: 1, 12 - 19, 27.05.2016

Abstract

The changing research and academic environment has provided platforms for new competency expectation from librarians such as knowledge sharing. Knowledge is a vital and intangible asset that needs to be shared in order to tap into employee’s wealth of untapped experience and knowledge (tacit knowledge) thus creating and sustaining competitive advantage. This study therefore investigated knowledge sharing behaviour pattern analysis of academic librarians in selected academic libraries in Nigeria. The descriptive survey research design of the ex-post facto type was adopted for the study. Total enumeration was used to capture one hundred and seventeen (117) academic librarians in selected academic libraries in Nigeria using questionnaire as the research instrument. All questionnaire administered were returned and found useful for the study. The findings revealed that librarians primarily share knowledge using face-to-face interaction, mobile phones, emails and newsletters. Other avenues are E-mail, memo, web forum, bulletin boards and discussion boards. The study also found out that knowledge sharing was beneficial because it enhances innovation (110 (94%)), efficiency and effectiveness (117 (100%)) and brings about emotional relief (94 (80.3%)). The study thus concludes that though librarians are aware of knowledge sharing; it is yet to be formally adopted in libraries as a means of generating and creating new ideas. The study therefore recommends that it is not enough for librarians to share the outcome of seminar and conference participation; rather library management should make it a routine for open interaction between librarians either within the library or outside the library in order to generate and tap into librarians’ innovative ideas that will help shape and reshape the library.

References

  • Al-Alawi, A. I., Al-Marzooqi, N. Y., & Mohammed, Y. F. (2007). Organizational culture and Knowledge sharing: critical success factors. Journal of Knowledge Management, 11(2), 22-42.
  • Anna, N., & Puspitasari, D. (2013). Knowledge sharing in Libraries: A Case Study of Knowledge Sharing Strategies in Indonesian University Libraries. Paper presented at the IFLAWLIC, Singapore.
  • Bartol, K. M., & Srivastava, A. (2002). Encouraging knowledge sharing: the role of organizational reward systems. Journal of Leadership and Organizational Studies, 9(1), 64-76.
  • Beijerse, R. (1999). Questions in knowledge management: defining and conceptualizing a phenomenon. Journal of Knowledge Management, 3(2), 94-110.
  • Hayes, H., & Kent, P. G. (2010). Knowledge management, universities and libraries. In Envisioning future academic library services: initiatives, ideas and challenges (S. McKnight. Ed.). London: Facet.
  • Jain, P. (2007). An empirical study of knowledge management in academic libraries in East and Southern Africa. Library Review, 56(5), 377-392.
  • Jantz, R. (2001). Knowledge management in academic libraries: special tools and processes to support information professionals. Reference Services Review, 29(1), 33-39.
  • Maponya, P. M. (2004). Knowledge management practices in academic libraries: a case of the University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg Libraries. In Proceedings of SCECSAL (pp. 125-148).
  • Matzler & Mueller. (2011). A critical review of knowledge management as a management tool. Journal of Knowledge Management, 4(3), 204-216.
  • Mayekiso, N. (2013). Knowledge sharing practices in academic libraries with special reference to the Unisa Library (A minor dissertation submitted to the faculty of humanities, University of Cape Town, South Africa).
  • Mushi, R. (2009). Intellectual Capital and Public University Libraries: a Knowledge Sharing Perspective (A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the International Master in Digital Library Learning School of Information Management Victoria University of Wellington).
  • Nonaka, I., & Takeuchi, H. (1995). The knowledge-creating company. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
  • Okonedo, S., & Popoola, S. (2012). Effect of Self-Concept, Knowledge Sharing and Utilization on Research Productivity among Librarians in public Universities in South-West, Nigeria. Library Philosophy and Practice, paper 865. Retrieved from http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/865
  • Parirokh, M. (2008). Organizational learning and learning organization; an experience in the management of Ferdowsi University Libraries. Paper presented at the ICIM 2005 Conference, Mumbai.
  • Parirokh, M., Daneshgar, F., & Fattahi, R. (2008). Identifying knowledge sharing requirements in academic libraries. Library Review, 57(2), 107-122.
  • Pulakos, E. D., Dorsey, D. W., & Borman, W. C. (2003). Hiring for knowledge-based competition. In S. E. Jackson, M. A. Hitt, & A. S. DeNisi (Eds.), Managing knowledge for sustained competitive advantage: Designing strategies for effective human resource management (155-177). San Francisco: Jossey Bass.
  • Riege, A. (2005). Three-dozen knowledge sharing barriers managers must consider. Journal of Knowledge Management, 9(3), 18-35.
  • Rowley, J. (2000). From learning organisation to knowledge entrepreneur. Journal of Knowledge Management, 4(1), 7-15.
  • Sarrafzadeh, M. (2005). The implications of knowledge management for the library and information professions Act. KM online journal of knowledge management, 2(1), 92-102.
  • Sarrafzadeh, M., Martin, B. & Hazeri, A. (2010). Knowledge management and its potential applicability for libraries. Library Management, 31(3), 198-212.
  • Semertzaki, E. (2012). Why special libraries are the right places to host a Knowledge Management Center, In Proceedings of IFLA KM Satellite Meeting. Helsinki, Finland.
  • Shanhong, T. (2009). Knowledge Management in Libraries in the 21st Century. In Proceedings of 66th IFLA Council and General Conference. Jerusalem, Israel.
  • Towley, C. T. (2001). Knowledge Management and Academic Libraries. College & Research Libraries, 62(1), 44-55.
  • University of Natal (2001). Libraries and IT resources. Retrieved 4 July 2015, from http://www.nu.ac.za/lib/
  • Wen, S. (2005). Implementing knowledge management in academic libraries: a pragmatic approach. In Proceedings of the 3rd China-US Library Conference.
Year 2016, Volume: 4 Issue: 1, 12 - 19, 27.05.2016

Abstract

References

  • Al-Alawi, A. I., Al-Marzooqi, N. Y., & Mohammed, Y. F. (2007). Organizational culture and Knowledge sharing: critical success factors. Journal of Knowledge Management, 11(2), 22-42.
  • Anna, N., & Puspitasari, D. (2013). Knowledge sharing in Libraries: A Case Study of Knowledge Sharing Strategies in Indonesian University Libraries. Paper presented at the IFLAWLIC, Singapore.
  • Bartol, K. M., & Srivastava, A. (2002). Encouraging knowledge sharing: the role of organizational reward systems. Journal of Leadership and Organizational Studies, 9(1), 64-76.
  • Beijerse, R. (1999). Questions in knowledge management: defining and conceptualizing a phenomenon. Journal of Knowledge Management, 3(2), 94-110.
  • Hayes, H., & Kent, P. G. (2010). Knowledge management, universities and libraries. In Envisioning future academic library services: initiatives, ideas and challenges (S. McKnight. Ed.). London: Facet.
  • Jain, P. (2007). An empirical study of knowledge management in academic libraries in East and Southern Africa. Library Review, 56(5), 377-392.
  • Jantz, R. (2001). Knowledge management in academic libraries: special tools and processes to support information professionals. Reference Services Review, 29(1), 33-39.
  • Maponya, P. M. (2004). Knowledge management practices in academic libraries: a case of the University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg Libraries. In Proceedings of SCECSAL (pp. 125-148).
  • Matzler & Mueller. (2011). A critical review of knowledge management as a management tool. Journal of Knowledge Management, 4(3), 204-216.
  • Mayekiso, N. (2013). Knowledge sharing practices in academic libraries with special reference to the Unisa Library (A minor dissertation submitted to the faculty of humanities, University of Cape Town, South Africa).
  • Mushi, R. (2009). Intellectual Capital and Public University Libraries: a Knowledge Sharing Perspective (A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the International Master in Digital Library Learning School of Information Management Victoria University of Wellington).
  • Nonaka, I., & Takeuchi, H. (1995). The knowledge-creating company. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
  • Okonedo, S., & Popoola, S. (2012). Effect of Self-Concept, Knowledge Sharing and Utilization on Research Productivity among Librarians in public Universities in South-West, Nigeria. Library Philosophy and Practice, paper 865. Retrieved from http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/865
  • Parirokh, M. (2008). Organizational learning and learning organization; an experience in the management of Ferdowsi University Libraries. Paper presented at the ICIM 2005 Conference, Mumbai.
  • Parirokh, M., Daneshgar, F., & Fattahi, R. (2008). Identifying knowledge sharing requirements in academic libraries. Library Review, 57(2), 107-122.
  • Pulakos, E. D., Dorsey, D. W., & Borman, W. C. (2003). Hiring for knowledge-based competition. In S. E. Jackson, M. A. Hitt, & A. S. DeNisi (Eds.), Managing knowledge for sustained competitive advantage: Designing strategies for effective human resource management (155-177). San Francisco: Jossey Bass.
  • Riege, A. (2005). Three-dozen knowledge sharing barriers managers must consider. Journal of Knowledge Management, 9(3), 18-35.
  • Rowley, J. (2000). From learning organisation to knowledge entrepreneur. Journal of Knowledge Management, 4(1), 7-15.
  • Sarrafzadeh, M. (2005). The implications of knowledge management for the library and information professions Act. KM online journal of knowledge management, 2(1), 92-102.
  • Sarrafzadeh, M., Martin, B. & Hazeri, A. (2010). Knowledge management and its potential applicability for libraries. Library Management, 31(3), 198-212.
  • Semertzaki, E. (2012). Why special libraries are the right places to host a Knowledge Management Center, In Proceedings of IFLA KM Satellite Meeting. Helsinki, Finland.
  • Shanhong, T. (2009). Knowledge Management in Libraries in the 21st Century. In Proceedings of 66th IFLA Council and General Conference. Jerusalem, Israel.
  • Towley, C. T. (2001). Knowledge Management and Academic Libraries. College & Research Libraries, 62(1), 44-55.
  • University of Natal (2001). Libraries and IT resources. Retrieved 4 July 2015, from http://www.nu.ac.za/lib/
  • Wen, S. (2005). Implementing knowledge management in academic libraries: a pragmatic approach. In Proceedings of the 3rd China-US Library Conference.
There are 25 citations in total.

Details

Journal Section Regular Papers
Authors

Anuoluwa Awodoyin

Temitope Osisanwo This is me

Niran Adetoro This is me

Islamiyah Adeyemo This is me

Publication Date May 27, 2016
Published in Issue Year 2016 Volume: 4 Issue: 1

Cite

APA Awodoyin, A., Osisanwo, T., Adetoro, N., Adeyemo, I. (2016). Knowledge Sharing Behaviour Pattern Analysis of Academic Librarians in Nigeria. Journal of Balkan Libraries Union, 4(1), 12-19.