Public Libraries
Zeynab Saadatnia
Abstract
Introduction: The purpose of this study was to examine the role of cultural and social capitals on the study rate of public library users in Kermanshah.Methodology: The research was a correlational and structural equation modeling study. The research instrument was questionnaire. The statistical population ...
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Introduction: The purpose of this study was to examine the role of cultural and social capitals on the study rate of public library users in Kermanshah.Methodology: The research was a correlational and structural equation modeling study. The research instrument was questionnaire. The statistical population of this study included included active members of the public libraries. Sampling method was Simple random. Using SPSS and LISREL software, the data were analyzed in two levels of descriptive and inferential statistics.Findings: The findings showed that cultural and social capitals and all of their variables had significant relationship with study rate of public library users in Kermanshah. In other words, the study of public library users can be predicted based on cultural and social capitals.Conclusion: The results of this study supported Bourdieu's theory. People with higher levels of cultural and social capitals, spend more time studying. So, considering the components of cultural and social capitals, it will increase the study rate. In this regard, Public libraries can have main roles as centers for the promotion of socio-cultural development. Holding meetings, workshops and conferences related to study, public libraries can contribute to that rolls in community. Keywords: cultural capital, social capital, study rate, Kermanshah public libraries.
Ali Mansouri; Fatemeh Zarmehr; Marjan Kazemi
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Considering the importance of social capital, much effort has been made to quantify and measure social capital in organizations such as research and academic institutions and services (Nasr Esfahani, Ansari, Shamei and Agha Hosseini, 2011, p. 110). One of the methods for measuring ...
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Background and Objectives: Considering the importance of social capital, much effort has been made to quantify and measure social capital in organizations such as research and academic institutions and services (Nasr Esfahani, Ansari, Shamei and Agha Hosseini, 2011, p. 110). One of the methods for measuring social capital in research and service organizations is the analysis of the network of scientific cooperation and the study of the degree of coherence of the scientific cooperation network (Abbasi, Vigand and Hossein, 2014). In this regard, there are also two perspectives on social networking that describe the sources of social capital in the social structure. Coleman's theory (1988) has proved that social capital is essentially a result of cohesion that facilitates trust and cooperation among individuals. Another theory was raised by Barrett (1992) and created the creation of social capital through betweenness opportunities created by different nodes.The institution of public libraries of the country as a research and service organization and because of its relationship with the community and human factors can be_ with more social capital _more successfully go along with its missions in the society, and the social capital existing in the organization results in coherence and the coherence of the people inside the organization and facilitate the achievement of the goals of the organization; And since the determination of the amount of social capital of the public libraries of the country has not been accomplished through scientific cooperation within the organization, the present study examines the amount of social capital through the analysis of the network of scientific cooperation in the institution of public libraries of the country as an institution Research - Services.Methodology: The current research is applied and descriptive-exploratory. Using a social network analysis approach, the relationship between writers and institutions was studied in the form of scientific collaboration in the staff of the public libraries institution. In the analysis of the way employees collaborated, central social indicators were used according to the social network analysis approach. Centrality is a concept used for analyzing networks and has different types that are used based on the definition of the problem and the purpose of the research. But in general, centralization is used to identify and identify the most important actors in the network. The research population includes all the staff of the institution of libraries in the country that has scientific output and has been published in scientific publications or conferences and has been registered at the Research and Training Office of the Public Libraries of the country as their scientific record. The information in the form of a list of 1,460 scientific outputs from the Public Library Public Library Office of the country was received in Excel format, which was reduced to 1352 after clearing and removing duplicates. To analyze the data, the UCnet software and its complementary package, namely NetDraw, were used for the preparation of co-authorship matrices using Rawormatrix and Excel software.Findings: The findings of the research showed that the network coherence of the authorship of the staff of the Iranian public libraries is 0.01 which represents the maximum scientific communication among 1% of the staff of this organization. Also, according to the network analysis, in relation to each of the indicators of centrality of degree, betweenness and the closeness, the role of the staff of the institution of public libraries are only 35%, 20% and 25%, respectively.The results showed that the social capital resulting from the scientific collaboration within the organization is small because, given the low density of the network, which is equal to 0.01, the network has a low degree of cohesion and, therefore, relying on Coleman's theory that social capital essentially results from coherence, which facilitates trust and cooperation among individuals, it can be argued that social capital resulting from scientific cooperation in this organization is small. And with the results of Li et al (2013) and Costa (2014) is aligned. The most central and most contributing authors are Riahi, Pazoki, Sohbatiha, OJaghi, Saberi and Latifi, who have the highest degree of co-authorship. Highly central nodes, as they play an important role in conveying content and attracting new people to the network, are considered as social capital whose elimination reduces the structure of the social network and reduces its coherence (Erfanmanesh and Arshadi, 1394). Accordingly, it should be noted that the amount of social capital formed and the result of scientific cooperation among the 35% of the central and influential employees can be claimed to have been derived from the calculation of the degree centrality.Also, according to Barrett's (1992) theory of the formation of social capital from the betweenness opportunities created by different nodes, betweenness centrality is used as another indicator in determining the degree of cohesion and as a result of social capital and according to the results of the research, it can be concluded that the amount of social capital formed from this opportunity is the result of the activity of 20% of employees who have played a betweenness role.Discussion: In the context of the reasons for the limited scientific collaboration, the staff of the public libraries office, according to the results, should be said that most of the collaboration of the institution is the result of scientific cooperation with individuals outside the organization, especially the universities of their time of studying. As in the analysis of inter-organizational cooperation, the results also showed that the most scientific collaboration has been between the public libraries of Iran and the University of Isfahan. In justifying this, it can also be said that the experience of scientific cooperation in the period of study and the recognition and trust formed in the network of cooperation since that time has led to the subsequent publication of the same people. The research findings of Rahimi and Fattahi (2010) also showed that environmental, individual and process-based deterrence factors are effective in reducing the amount of scientific collaboration within the organization (Rahimi & Fatahi, 2010).Deterrent structural factors such as misunderstandings about the way of cooperation, and environmental deterrents such as lack of cooperative spirit in the organization, lack of funding of the budget, the climate of discrimination and lack of incentives, inhibitors such as reputational factors, differences in knowledge and experience and distrust and so on. In fact, mutual trust between individuals has been recognized as one of the most important factors affecting the level of scientific cooperation (same, 2010).
Mohammad Hossein Ronaghi
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Knowledge management is a competitive advantage in an organization. Knowledge management maturity models assist organizations to evaluate Knowledge management projects and adopt appropriate strategies for progress. Knowledge has a vital role in achieving organizational goals. ...
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Background and Objectives: Knowledge management is a competitive advantage in an organization. Knowledge management maturity models assist organizations to evaluate Knowledge management projects and adopt appropriate strategies for progress. Knowledge has a vital role in achieving organizational goals. Knowledge is dependent on people and the relationship between them. Knowledge bases in organizations are built up through processes of creativity and the exploration of new technical and market developments. In turn, they are utilized through processes of product-line extension and the exploitation of existing domain specific knowledge. New knowledge becomes embodied not only in the product or service being designed, but also in the organization’s broader routines and practices in such areas as engineering, manufacturing, and customer service, which can be used to create value for customers in the future. Thus, firms that develop leading edge products and services are, of necessity, engaged in the process of knowledge creation. Embedded within this learning process at the organizational level, the process of creativity is simultaneously unfolding at the individual and inter-personal level. Creativity and knowledge management are both important competences that organizations need to strive to develop. On the other hand, Social capital is defined as networks together with shared norms, values and understandings that facilitate co-operation within or among groups. From an overall perspective social capital can enhance the entire knowledge management process because it makes collective action more efficient, because it becomes a substitute for the formal contracts, incentives, and monitoring mechanisms that are necessary in systems with little or no social capital among organizational members. Accordingly, this research examines the effect of social capital on knowledge management maturity with the role of mediator of creativity. Methodology: This research is descriptive survey, in which the questionnaire has been used to collect data. IT companies were chosen by industrial management institute ranking in 2018. We contacted by 27 managers of IT companies and requested for collaboration; 13 managers accepted our request. The survey sample consists of 378 randomly taken employees and managers of selected IT companies. The used tools of the study include three types of questionnaires. To assess the validity of the scale, content validity examination was used (0.87, 0.89 and 0.91) that all illustrating acceptable validity. In order to determine the reliability of the data gathering tool, the final draft of the scale was considered. The Cronbach's alpha was calculated for questionnaires which resulted in acceptable reliability coefficients (0.71, 0.78 and 0.83). The Kolmogorov–Smirnov test was used for testing normality. After normality test, we used Pearson correlation coefficient for evaluating the relationship among variables. Structural equation model was used to assess the overall relationships between Knowledge Management Maturity, Social Capital and Creativity. The Collected data has been analyzed by structural equation software LISREL Findings: An important part of the results revealed there was a positive direct relationship between social capital and creativity (r = 0.45, p = 0.02) social capital and knowledge management maturity (r = 0.58, p = 0.02), creativity and knowledge management maturity (r = 0.40, p = 0.02). Model showed a good fit, with Chi-square/d.f. = 1.61 (< 2), goodness of fit (GFI) = 0.91 (> 0.9), adjust Normed Fit Index (NFI) = 0.92 (> 0.9), Non-Normed Fit Index (NNFI) = 0.93 (> 0.9), Relative Fit Index (RFI) = 0.92 (> 0.9), Standardized RMR = 0.046 (< 0.05), comparative fit index (CFI) = 0.94 (> 0.9), and root mean square error of approximation (RMESA) = 0.054 (< 0.080). Path coefficient of social capital to knowledge management maturity was 0.72 (p < 0.001), showing social capital had a significantly positive influence on knowledge management maturity. Path coefficient of social capital to creativity was 0.63 (p < 0.003), showing social capital had a significantly positive influence on creativity. Path coefficient of creativity to knowledge management maturity was 0.58 (p < 0.005), showing creativity had a significantly positive influence on knowledge management maturity. Discussion: We explore the interaction among knowledge management maturity, social capital and creativity through structural equation model. Social capital is an important facilitator and boosts creativity. Employees who have good relationships with their colleagues in terms of mutual trust, respect and friendship serve to enhance creativity. The members of an organization contribute their functional expertise by communicating, cooperating, coordinating, and sharing information, and in this way, social capital has a direct effect on the capability for creating intellectual capital. Also, since the workplace is one of the types of social environment, perceptions of the work environment can influence the creative work actualized in organizations. The relationship among research variables revealed to achieve knowledge creation, group discussions and employee's creativity are necessary. KM involves the interaction and transformation between explicit knowledge and implicit knowledge. Through organizational interactions, the employees were able to integrate explicit and implicit knowledge into their knowledge systems, thereby increasing their creativity.
Mansor Kohi Rostami; Mohsen Haji Zeinolabedini; Negar Moori Bakhtyari
Abstract
Background and Objectives: The benefits of using knowledge management have led many organizations, including public libraries, to make efforts to implement this process; but initial efforts in most libraries face the major challenge that, despite the investment in knowledge management, the expansion ...
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Background and Objectives: The benefits of using knowledge management have led many organizations, including public libraries, to make efforts to implement this process; but initial efforts in most libraries face the major challenge that, despite the investment in knowledge management, the expansion of the use of its applications is slowly occurring. The main reason for this problem is the low level of library's readiness for the adoption and use of knowledge management. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the extent of this readiness to find ways to help the successful establishment of knowledge management in the organization. The successful implementation of knowledge management in various organizations, including public libraries, requires factors that can regulate all library activities. Success in implementing KM requires that by assessing the status quo in terms of culture and human factor, information technology, structure and processes, we should be aware of the readiness of the library for the successful use of knowledge management. The research focuses on two cultural and human factors, namely social capital and organizational culture, because of the limited scope of research. Therefore, in designing the proposed research, social capital variables as independent variable; Organizational Culture variable as intermediary variable and knowledge management are dependent on variables. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of social capital of librarians of public libraries in Khuzestan Province through the mediation of organizational culture on knowledge management.
Methodology: The research method is survey. Structural equation modeling (SEM) and partial least squares method were used to test the hypotheses and model fitness. The population of the study is 380 librarians of general libraries in Khuzestan province. According to Morgan table, 181 people participated as a sample in research. T test, independent t, confirmatory factor analysis, and structural equation analysis was used.
Findings: All coefficients of factor loads are higher than 0.4, so the model has acceptable reliability measurement. Cronbach's alpha and CR are above 0.7 and all AVE values are higher than 0.5. Therefore, it can be said that the model has a desirable reliability. The statistical significance of the variables of social capital and organizational culture is equal to 68.84 and greater than (2.58), indicating that the relationship between these variables is significant at the level of confidence (99%). Also, the path coefficient between these two variables is equal to (0.867) which shows the effect of the social capital variable on organizational culture and indicates the significance of the first hypothesis of research based on the impact of social capital on organizational culture. Regarding the second hypothesis, the path coefficient between social capital and knowledge management variables is equal to 145.1 and its significance is 2.755, which indicates the significance of the effect of this variable at 95% level, and the third hypothesis of the research is confirmed on this basis. The path coefficient between the organizational culture and knowledge management variables is 0.783, which confirms the significance statistic of 15.86 (greater than 2.58) of the third hypothesis of the research that influences the organizational culture on knowledge management. Also, the results of the t-sobel test show that organizational culture has a mediating role in the relationship between social capital and knowledge management.
Discussion: The results of this study showed that social capital has a positive and direct effect on the establishment of knowledge management in public libraries of Khuzestan province. As we expected, there was a positive relationship between social capital and the degree of organizational readiness for the establishment of knowledge management, since, as Nahapit and Ghoshal (1998) state, social capital for the development and distribution of knowledge in Organizations are essential. The results showed that organizational culture has a direct positive effect on knowledge management. Culture is an essential element in both the establishment and continuation of the establishment of knowledge management systems. Therefore, organizational culture as the main personality and basic structure of the organization plays an effective role in establishing a knowledge management system, and the organization must first focus on organizational culture in order to effectively manage the knowledge of the employees and promote it throughout the organization. The result of testing the research hypotheses shows that there is a significant positive relationship between the two main concepts of research: organizational culture and social capital, which means as one increases, so does the other. Regarding the effect of the variables that make up social capital in organizational culture, it seems that if the managers of public libraries of Khuzestan Province are to increase the abovementioned factors, While strengthening the organizational culture in the mentioned centers, they can build a suitable platform for creating a common agreement that this factor can help establishing better knowledge management.
nasim memar; fatemeh baji; fatemeh hosseinizadeh
Abstract
Purpose: This study aims to investigate use ResearchGate network and its relationship with their social capital among the faculty members of Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences. Methods: This study done using a survey method.All faculty members of Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical ...
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Purpose: This study aims to investigate use ResearchGate network and its relationship with their social capital among the faculty members of Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences. Methods: This study done using a survey method.All faculty members of Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences who were a member of Reasearchgate website, formed the research community and a sample of 208 faculty member of them selected to participate in this study using a random sampling method. The research tool was a questionnaire of Parirokh and Ahmadi study, the reliability of this questionnaire recalculated and coefficient of Cronbach's alpha of it obtained 0/99. Results: The results indicate that the average use of ResearchGate website among the faculty members of Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences is 1.88and average components of the partnership, trust,trustworthiness and a sense of belonging and interest items of social capital of faculty members, respectively was %3.30, %3.46, %3.03and %3.52. In total, the average of social capital level of faculty members was34.3%. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that there is a meaningful relationship between using ResearchGate and the social capital of faculty members of Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences.In other words,one can say that most faculty members who are heavy users of ResearchGate website have a high a sense of belonging and interest level of social capital and using this network. About the nature of scientific research that social networks are important. Because their results can help users to better cooperation in the fields of research.
