Journal of Studies in Library and Information Science

Abstract Background and Objectives: The aim of the current study was to Identify and group the effective factors on the implementation of knowledge management in the water production and transmission exploitation company in the southeast of Ahvaz. Today, one of the most crucial success factors for organizations to gain a competitive advantage is the identification, sharing, and use of organizational knowledge, or knowledge management. As a result, organizations are constantly searching for solutions to successfully implement knowledge management processes in their working environment. Gaining this competitive advantage is obviously reliant on the organization's capacity to efficiently transform current information into new knowledge assets (Ou et al., 2016). Despite the fact that many organizations have invested in and implemented knowledge management at various organizational levels, many of them have also failed (Chua & Lam, 2005). Therefore, one of the biggest problems in every organization is figuring out the essential and efficient components of knowledge management implementation.
Methodology: The current study uses an applied approach to its goal and a descriptive-analytical methodology to its implementation. Ten experts—five university professors in the subject field and five senior industry managers—make up the research community. The target population was sampled and chosen using a targeted non-random technique, and the necessary data were gathered using structured interviews and questionnaires. The Interpretive Structural Modelling (ISM) method was used to conduct the final analysis of the study data. An effective method for examining how one element affects other elements is interpretive structural modelling. According to Kannan et al. (2009), this technique looks at the direction and order of intricate interactions between system components.
Findings: The results indicated that the cornerstone of this model, which influences all other aspects, is engagement in corporate affairs, knowledge activities, and information exchange. In other words, it is important to pay close attention to the fact that the fundamental component in the implementation of knowledge management is the involvement of all employees in the organization-level sharing of information. As long as all employees do not actively participate in the knowledge affairs of the organization, the rest of the processes will not be done properly. According to the findings, the most influential factors are the mechanism of group discussions, organizational position and use of resources. In the second level, there is the factor of existence of resources, which affects the factors of the first level and is affected by the factor of the third level. At the third level is the concentration factor. At the fourth level, there are four factors of technological infrastructure, trust, leadership and knowledge sharing, and finally at the fifth level is the factor of participation. According to the obtained model, this factor is the most effective factor in the correct implementation of knowledge management.
Discussion: Factors affecting the implementation of knowledge management, according to the level of influence, play a key role in the correct implementation of related processes. According to the final model of the research, it can be seen that all the ten factors that were investigated in this research, although they are at different levels of influence, but they are related to each other. This model has identified the factors affecting the implementation of knowledge management in the studied company and discovered the relationships between these factors and leveled them. According to this model, it is suggested to apply the findings of this research and use them in the real work situation, to increase the participation in knowledge affairs and knowledge-building activities in the company, and the company managers to create solutions for Create participation opportunities for all employees. Also, the leaders of the organization, by strengthening the spirit and culture of trust in the organization, create the ground for creating a fluid flow of knowledge and knowledge sharing among different departments of the company, and for this they can use appropriate and up-to-date technological infrastructures. It is also suggested to act in a centralized way in maintaining and producing knowledge content in different work environments so that repetitions and rework can be avoided and previous experiences can be used to solve future problems; In other words, "testing the tested is a mistake, and this will not be achieved without focusing on the creation and access to knowledge treasures.

Abstract Background and Objectives: In the nature of all people, there is a desire for beauty and order and discipline. People are tired of being unconsciously tired of bedbugs, as well as confused. Tidy and orderly as well as beautifying the environment can make the environment happier and therefore more pleasant for the staff and clients, and this makes the mobility, learning and passion for work and service and service more and more. Ultimately, it will satisfy both parties. Libraries are no exception. The library should be so attractive that it will attract people. In the meantime, there appear to be a number of factors that have prevented this attraction and, as a result, the appeal to public libraries. The exterior and interior of the library appear to be very effective in this appeal, though the primary responsibility for designing and implementing decent and convenient buildings for public libraries is not borne by librarians, but the chief authority is delegated to civil engineers but staff and librarians. Public libraries can also make use of the criteria and parameters obtained in this applied research to make the most of the limited opportunities available to them and to the extent possible to make the public library environment happier. In this regard, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of juvenile public libraries on attracting users among public librarians in Kermanshah. Methodology: This research is a kind of applied research that has been done in descriptive-survey method. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of the juxtaposition of public library environments on user attraction. The study population consisted of the public libraries of Kermanshah which according to the statistics of the Kermanshah Public Libraries Office by the end of September 1977 consisted of 24087 people including 9884 men and 14203 women. A stratified random sampling method was used to select the samples (each library was considered as one class). The data collection tool was a researcher-made questionnaire. The required sample size was 378 based on Cochran's formula with 5% error rate. The questionnaires were then distributed to the public libraries of Kermanshah. It was collected directly by the researcher on site and finally 378 questionnaires were collected. Data were analyzed by SPSS software using descriptive statistics (frequency distribution table, minimum and maximum score, mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (simple and multiple regression). Findings: The results of this research in the field of testing hypotheses are as follows: The adjusted coefficient of determination for environmental sourcing is 0.103, which can account for 10.3% of the variation in the amount of users' absorption rate using the environmental sourcing variable. As a result, the first sub-hypothesis of the research is confirmed. The adjusted coefficient of determination for environmental makeup is 0.144, which can account for 14.4% of the variation in the amount of user absorption using the environmental makeup variable. As a result, the second sub-hypothesis of the research is confirmed. The adjusted coefficient of determination for the environmental space is 0.087, which can account for 8.7% of the variation in the amount of user absorption by using the environmental variable. As a result, the third sub-hypothesis of the research is confirmed. The adjusted coefficient of determination for the welfare dimension is 0.224, which can be predicted by 24.7% of the variation in the amount of user absorption using the welfare sector variable. As a result, the fourth sub-hypothesis of the research is confirmed. The adjusted coefficient of determination for environmental elements is 0.099, which can account for 9.9% of the variation in the amount of users' absorption by using environmental variables. As a result, the fifth sub-hypothesis of the research is confirmed. Discussion: From the results of this study, it can be concluded that the factors affecting the attractiveness of public libraries among the public librarians of Kermanshah affect the attractiveness of public libraries. Therefore, public librarians should aim to enhance the vibrancy of library environments. Some of the operational recommendations derived from the results of this study are: Managing book volumes on shelves, reducing congestion on the desk, increasing the number of desks and chairs, removing unused equipment and more. Proper layout of shelves, convenient access to the library repository, placing pots and decorative objects in the library, arranging sofas and chairs in the right place, signboard readability and more. Consider a convenient location for users to relax, appropriate library access conditions and the green space around the library.

Abstract Background and Objectives: With the spread of library software and the need to use it in libraries, the issue of evaluating their capabilities, the way users interact with them, and the factors influencing acceptance or non-acceptance, has become an important challenge and a fundamental aim, and researchers in the field of information technology and even librarians have become interested in this field of research. To investigate this interaction, researchers use different models that called technology acceptance models. Among the various models used in this field, the expectation-confirmation theory is the most important and practical one. Based on this, since the most important factor for determining the success or failure of a library software is the users, and since determining the level of user satisfaction in interacting with computer systems is one of the important aspects of determining the efficiency of those systems, the purpose of present study is determining the gap between the librarians' expectations of the capabilities of the system and their perceived usefulness, based on the expectation-confirmation theory.
 
Methodology: This research is applied in terms of purpose and in terms of implementation method, it is a survey with a descriptive-analytical approach. The statistical population of this research is all the librarians working in public libraries of Khorasan Razavi province who use the “Saman” system. The number of librarians who use the “Saman” system in Khorasan Razavi province is 220, and the sample size was determined using Cochran's formula. Therefore, the sample size of 141 people was selected and finally 130 questionnaires were completed and returned. The data collection tool in this research is a researcher-made questionnaire in which questions with a five-point Likert scale from “very little” to “very much” are included. This questionnaire was prepared by reviewing literature of the researches and from the items of questionnaires and checklists that previous researchers had used in the evaluation of library software and information systems. In this questionnaire, the investigated capabilities including information display, help, search and retrieval, general capabilities, and loan section were evaluated. For the validity of the research questionnaire, in all stages of the questionnaire preparation, the opinions of experts in the field of information science from different universities of the country who specialized in the field of library software were used. Cronbach's alpha coefficient was used to measure the reliability of the data collection tool.
 
Findings: The findings of the research showed that the average level of librarians' satisfaction with the functioning of the Saman system is higher than the average number of 3 (3.519); Therefore, librarians are highly satisfied with the performance of Saman system. Another finding of the research showed that the average expectations of librarians is equal to 3.935 and more than the average number of 3. Therefore, it can be said with 95% certainty that the expectations of librarians from the capabilities of the Saman system are also high. Also, the gap between librarians' expectations of the capabilities of the system and their perceived usefulness based on the expectation-confirmation theory is significant. Another finding of the research showed that there is a small gap between the average level of expectation and perceived level. The least gap was seen in the abilities of the loan section (-0.235) and the biggest gap was seen in the search and retrieval capabilities (-0.554). In general, the gap between the expectations of librarians from each of the features of the Saman system (information display, help, search and retrieval, general capabilities and loan section) and the perceived usefulness was also significant.
 
Discussion: The results of the research show the appropriate efficiency of different capabilities of the Saman system, but in order to improve the reduction of the gap between the expectations and the perceived usefulness of the users of the Saman system, it is suggested that the designers and the support group of the Saman system, for bring the level of satisfaction and the level of expectations as close as possible, among active librarians interested in cooperation, select people and investigate and inquire about expectations and other components that can help the evolution of the Saman system. It is suggested that the designers of the Saman system periodically check and evaluate the expectations of the users so that they can move in line with the expectations of the users and gain their satisfaction.

Abstract Background and Objectives: In today’s knowledge society, it is vital to use the experiences gained by directors and chancellors of organizations and their experts for success and educate new directors. But unfortunately, in higher education and especially in research centers and institutes, despite the important role of experience, documentation of experiences and the tacit knowledge are neglected for several reasons such as: lack of culture of writing, vagueness of the concept of organizational experience, lack of a proper method for documentation and sharing it, and lack of legal and supportive infrastructure. Accordingly, efforts should be made to extract accumulated knowledge in the minds of Chancellors and deputies of research centers and institutes, by documentation of experiences.  So, it will be possible to share knowledge and experience among new Chancellors and deputies. Therefore, the knowledge stored in research centers and institutes become a permanent usable resource. This study aimed to provide a model for establishing and improving of tacit knowledge sharing network in higher education. Methodology: This research was developmental and applied research. In this research, according to the subject and nature of the research, the research method was exploratory mixed method and. Therefore, this research began with a qualitative method and continued with the quantitative method for the generalization of the findings to the statistical population. In qualitative section, interview was used for data gathering. The questions of interview selected through literature review and consultation with some experts. It is notable that the interviews were semi-structured. Participants in qualitative section were experienced experts (Chancellors and deputies of research centers and institutes), theoretical experts (experts in the field of higher education), and experts in the field of experiences documentation. Some participants were experts in two or three fields of expertise. After implementing the interviews, an open coding method was used to analyze the qualitative data. Then, by calculating the reliability and validity, based on the gathered data, a questionnaire was developed. In the next phase, validity and reliability (by calculating Cronbach’s alpha) of questionnaire were confirmed and the questionnaire sent to the statistical population of the study (including all Chancellors and deputies, Heads of Offices of Chancellors and deputies, and Heads of Public Relations in research centers and institutes affiliated by the Ministry of Science and Technology and Research). Also, in quantitative phase, descriptive statistics and inferential statistics were used to analyze the collected data.   Findings: One objective of study was to establish and improve the tacit knowledge sharing network in higher education. The other objective was to develop a model for documentation of experiences of chancellors and deputies of research centers and institutes in Iran. The findings indicated that four basic steps were involved in the process of establishing a knowledge sharing network and experiences and documenting organizational experiences of research institutes chancellors, which were the main pillar of the model. According to the results, the model had four factors including: documentation policy-making, documentation planning, documentation implementation, and monitoring, control, and sharing. The factors divided to 11 steps and 31 activities. Each activities complete one-step in the process. The model had a circle form to show that there was no stopping point in documenting experiences and at the moment the documentation of the experiences was completed and shared, a new stage of documentation of experiences begin to complete the previous experiences. Discussion: To document experiences in higher education, organizational and extra organizational policies should be reviewed and amended as necessary. Also, the documentation cycle of an experience never ends and is always reviewed and modified. In the issue of documenting experiences and sharing them, we are confronted with two related issues. But both have common prerequisites. The prerequisite for documenting organizational experiences and sharing tacit knowledge and experience in Iranian research institutes and centers includes: academic policy, legal support, organizational climate, academic culture, and individual culture. Research institutes and centers need policy and legal infrastructure to create contexts for documenting experiences and implicit knowledge sharing. Accordingly, efforts should be made to extract accumulated knowledge in the minds of Chancellors and deputies of research centers and institutes, by documentation of experiences. So, it will be possible to share knowledge and experience among new Chancellors and deputies. Therefore, the knowledge stored in research centers and institutes become a permanent usable resource. If Ministry of Science, Research and Technology would like to document organizational experiences, and to avoid trial and error at research institutions, it is suggested that the real will for documentation of experiences be developed in Higher Education Directors. Also, policy and legal and judicial issues in this regard be developed. It is suggested that the issue of documentation of organizational experience be included in the appointment of all chancellors of research institutions. Through the Board of Trustees, the subject of documentation of organizational experiences is cited as mission or vision. Finally, it is suggested to set up supportive and incentive laws (such as financial or spiritual, promotion laws, etc.) to support documentary makers and users of experiences.

Abstract Background and Objectives: nowadays users use various methods to access information to meet their information needs. Although electronic information tools and methods are becoming more popular, however, many users still prefer traditional methods, are obsessed with books, and are reluctant to substitute other information sources for books and printed resources or when it comes to libraries, they reflect the physical structure of the library and are alien to the concept of the library. The main purpose of this research is to look at information behavior of users of public libraries in Saqqez city on the World Wide Web using phenomenological method. Methodology: The present study was a qualitative and phenomenological one. The main method of collecting data is semi-structured or unstructured interview using open-ended questions. In other words, it is the in-depth discussion of the researcher and participants about the phenomenon under investigation. To conduct this research, the researcher observes the information behavior of users who visit the public libraries of the city of Saqqez for their information needs, and interviews them when conducting information behavior, and the researcher records the information behavior of users. Finally, according to the saturation criterion, the data collection process was stopped after 25 interviews and observing users' information seeking behavior while using the Internet. Seven-stage collage technique was used to analyze the data. Since the present article is a descriptive phenomenological one, the seven-stage Colaizzi method was used. Findings: The present study was conducted with the participation of 25 users of public libraries in the city of Saqez in different educational levels. Participants were both men and women. After analyzing the data, 5 main themes and 16 sub-themes were identified. The main themes of efficiency include sub-themes of costs, efficiency, ease of communication, ease of access, searching for bibliographic information. The main theme of the encouraging factors includes the sub-themes of Internet superiority, diversity, entertainment, and homework. The main theme of critical thinking includes information and media literacy sub-themes. The main theme of the outcome includes the sub-themes of cognitive consequences, behavioral consequences, emotional consequences, physical consequences, and ethical consequences. The main theme of the limitations includes sub-themes of program disruption, inaccessible sites, lack of computers, restrictions on connecting users' communications. Discussion: The study reveals the experiences and meanings behind users' exposure to the World Wide Web. Therefore, its findings can help to accurately interpret the realities of the motivations and outcomes of target groups' use of the Internet. The results of this study showed that users of public libraries in Kurdistan province use the internet for various purposes (scientific, entertainment, friendship, etc.). As users of public libraries are from all walks of life, their main goal is to improve the quality of scientific libraries, so most of their use of Internet technology should also be devoted to science. However, the results of the study showed that the major focus of the Internet users' experience is not for scientific purposes, and there are many extracurricular activities on the Internet that take time for both users and individuals. This highlights the need for awareness and training to make proper use of the Internet to make informed selection of sources and information. Also, the findings of the study showed that internet use has positive and negative consequences on users' lives. Therefore, it is suggested that awareness of users' experiences and perceptions reinforces the positive consequences of using the Internet and mitigates its negative consequences. The results of this study can be beneficial to the individual, their families and authorities. In the individual context, users and individuals need to be familiar with the positive aspects of the Internet as well as the negative consequences and risks of the Internet so that they can choose resources and information with the insight and awareness. In the family context, parents need to be educated to improve their communication skills with their children because of their weak relationships, which can cause children to move away from their families and to take risky behaviors, including on the Internet. Librarians should also provide training to enhance information literacy for users to make effective use of the resources and information available on the Internet. Also, identifying at-risk users will reinforce positive aspects of their personality and develop useful and targeted recreational programs to fill their leisure time.

Abstract Background and Objectives: Knowledge creation and knowledge transfer are central processes in knowledge management and depend substantially on the skills, capabilities, and empowerment of organizational employees. In libraries, librarians’ ability to create, share, document, and transfer knowledge can influence organizational learning and the effective use of accumulated expertise. Empowerment is not a single-dimensional phenomenon; it may be shaped by individual characteristics, group conditions, and organizational arrangements. Because university libraries operate in knowledge-intensive environments, identifying the factors that support librarians’ empowerment can help managers strengthen both the production and circulation of knowledge. The present study aimed to investigate the factors associated with empowering librarians at Iran University of Medical Sciences and Tehran University of Medical Sciences for knowledge creation and transfer. These two institutions provide an appropriate setting for examining empowerment and organizational knowledge processes in a professional academic context. It also examined the relationships between individual, group, and organizational factors and these two knowledge-management processes and sought to identify the factors with the greatest reported influence on librarians’ empowerment in this context. Methodology: This applied study used a survey-correlational design. The study population consisted of 137 librarians employed at Iran University of Medical Sciences (76 librarians) and Tehran University of Medical Sciences (61 librarians). Based on Morgan’s sampling table, 104 participants were selected, and data were collected randomly. Two standard instruments were used: Spreitzer’s Empowerment Questionnaire (1995) and the Newman and Conrad Knowledge Management Questionnaire (1999). The empowerment questionnaire covered competence, impact, meaning, choice, and trust, while the knowledge-management model included knowledge creation, knowledge retention, knowledge transfer, and knowledge application; the present study focused on knowledge creation and knowledge transfer. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Pearson correlation was used for normally distributed quantitative variables and Spearman correlation for nominal qualitative variables. Statistical analyses were performed in SPSS version 23, and AMOS was used to examine the structural model and the influence of empowerment factors on knowledge creation and transfer. The reported model-fit ratio of chi-square to degrees of freedom (CMIN/DF) was 3.227, which the authors considered within the acceptable range. Findings: The results indicated meaningful relationships between several empowerment-related factors and knowledge creation or transfer. At the individual level, the reported analyses showed significant relationships between gender, age, and work experience and knowledge creation, whereas the reported p-value for education in the corresponding table did not indicate significance. For knowledge transfer, significant relationships were reported for gender and level of education, while age and work experience were not significantly related to transfer. At the group level, trust and sense of meaning were significantly related to both knowledge creation and knowledge transfer. In contrast, competence, choice, and perceived impact were not significantly related to either process. The study also reported no significant overall relationship between organizational factors and knowledge creation or knowledge transfer in the correlation analysis. The structural-model discussion emphasized the importance of group factors, particularly trust and meaningfulness, in supporting the two knowledge processes. Overall, the findings suggest that empowerment is associated with stronger knowledge-related behaviors among librarians, although the strength and statistical significance of specific dimensions vary across knowledge creation and knowledge transfer. Discussion: The study concludes that empowerment can contribute to librarians’ capacity to create and transfer knowledge, especially through selected individual and group factors. Gender, education, trust, and sense of meaning were highlighted in the article as influential factors, while some other empowerment dimensions showed no significant relationships. The findings point to practical measures that libraries can use to support knowledge creation and transfer. These include publishing internal newsletters to document librarians’ experiences and professional knowledge; improving librarians’ advanced Internet-search skills; strengthening creativity and innovation skills; developing procedures for extracting and documenting organizational knowledge; monitoring knowledge produced outside the library; increasing managers’ awareness of librarians’ skills and expertise; and facilitating knowledge sharing through meetings and seminars. The study also recommends improving access to needed information and knowledge, encouraging the sharing of personal experiences, granting librarians greater autonomy in performing their duties, involving them in work-related decisions, promoting honesty, facilitating the exchange of important information, and encouraging mutual support among colleagues. Together, these measures may reinforce trust, meaningfulness, participation, and knowledge-sharing conditions within academic medical libraries. By creating an environment in which librarians can use their expertise, exchange experiences, and participate more actively in professional decisions, library managers may strengthen the organizational conditions needed for more effective knowledge creation and transfer.

Abstract Background and Objectives: The primary purpose of collecting and organizing resources and planning services in academic libraries is to facilitate the dissemination and use of those resources and services. Providing resources based only on users’ stated needs is not sufficient; libraries also need accurate information about users’ demographic characteristics to improve their services and collections. Considering these characteristics can help libraries create more suitable conditions for users and make better decisions about the provision and promotion of information resources. One behavior that may occur when users visit libraries and information centers is unplanned behavior. Paying attention to this behavior may help libraries promote the use of resources and services beyond situations in which users visit only to satisfy a predetermined need. If library users employ resources and services only when they already recognize a specific need, some available resources may remain underused despite the costs of acquisition, organization, and maintenance. Previous studies in library and information science have mainly focused on information-seeking behavior as a form of planned behavior, while unplanned behavior in using library resources and services has received little attention. Most studies of unplanned behavior have instead been conducted in marketing and consumer behavior under concepts such as impulse, random, and unplanned purchasing. Given the importance of information dissemination in academic libraries and the limited attention paid to unplanned behavior in library and information science, this study investigated the relationship between demographic factors and the unplanned behavior of academic library users in using library resources and services. Methodology: This applied study was conducted using a survey method. Data were collected through a researcher-made questionnaire. Face and content validity were used to assess the validity of the instrument. After the questionnaire was developed, it was reviewed by experts and specialists and revised according to their comments and suggestions. The researchers consequently confirmed that the questionnaire measured the intended concepts. To assess reliability, 30 questionnaires were distributed among members of the statistical population. Cronbach’s alpha coefficients were calculated using SPSS and were higher than 0.70 for the study variables, confirming the reliability of the instrument. The statistical population consisted of 69,351 students who were members of the central libraries of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, the University of Tehran, Tabriz University, and Shiraz University. Based on the Krejcie and Morgan table, a sample of 382 participants was selected. Stratified random sampling proportional to the size of each stratum was used to collect the data. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS. Findings: The analysis of quantitative data showed that three of the six research hypotheses were supported. Users’ unplanned behavior in using academic library resources and services had a significant relationship with age, academic group, and frequency of library visits, corresponding to hypotheses 2, 4, and 6. In contrast, no significant relationship was found between users’ unplanned behavior and gender, university, or educational level; therefore, hypotheses 1, 3, and 5 were not supported. The findings indicate that some demographic and use-related characteristics are associated with students’ tendency to use library resources and services without prior planning, whereas other characteristics do not show a statistically significant relationship with this behavior. In particular, the relationship with frequency of visits suggests that repeated presence in the library may expose students to resources and services beyond those they had originally intended to use. Discussion: Academic libraries should pay particular attention to demographic factors associated with users’ unplanned behavior in order to promote optimal and effective use of resources and services, attract users, and enhance their awareness and general information. The findings particularly highlight the importance of the frequency of library visits. As students visit academic libraries more frequently, they may become more inclined to use available resources and services impulsively or without prior planning. Therefore, academic libraries are advised to develop programs and strategies that encourage more frequent visits and greater exposure to library resources and services. Such measures can create more opportunities for users to discover resources they had not initially intended to use and may support wider dissemination and utilization of library collections and services. Attention to age and academic group may also help libraries design more appropriate promotional and service strategies for different user groups. Overall, understanding the demographic factors related to unplanned behavior can provide academic libraries with additional evidence for planning services, promoting collections, and encouraging greater engagement with available information resources.

Abstract Background and Objectives: The influence of information and communication technology, expansion of activities, globalization, and rapid technological change have increased organizations’ need for flexibility and timely access to information. Integrated information systems have therefore become essential tools for organizational management. Office automation systems, as a type of information system, support the creation, storage, modification, transmission, and display of organizational correspondence and information. Because the use of information technology involves interaction between people and systems, user characteristics may affect the success and use of information systems. Various models have been proposed to evaluate information-system success, among which the DeLone and McLean model is widely used. In this model, user characteristics such as attitudes toward technology, enjoyment, trust, and expectations may be associated with perceptions of system quality, information quality, service quality, intention to use, and user satisfaction. Lorestan University of Medical Sciences conducts a wide range of educational, research, and healthcare activities and relies extensively on information systems to manage organizational information flows. Given the importance of its office automation system, the present study investigated the relationship between users’ characteristics and use of the office automation system of Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, with system quality considered as a mediating factor. Methodology: This applied study was conducted using an analytical survey method. The research population consisted of all 10,082 employees who used the university’s office automation system. Based on the Krejcie and Morgan table, 384 employees were selected through proportional stratified sampling. Data were collected using a researcher-administered questionnaire. The instrument had face validity and construct validity, and its reliability coefficient was reported as Cronbach’s alpha = 0.94. The collected data were analyzed using LISREL version 8.8. The study examined user-related characteristics, including attitude toward information technology, enjoyment, trust, and expectations from information technology; system-related quality dimensions, including system quality, information quality, and service quality; and use of the office automation system. Statistical analyses were used to assess the status of these variables and to examine the relationship between user characteristics and system use as well as the mediating role of quality dimensions. Findings: The results showed that the observed values for users’ characteristics were above the average level. Specifically, attitude toward information technology was reported at 90%, enjoyment at 94.4%, trust at 76%, and expectations from information technology at 91.2%. Regarding quality dimensions, system quality was reported at 79%, information quality at 81%, and service quality at 73%. The level of office automation system use was reported at 83%. These observed values were statistically significant at P < 0.01 and were higher than the average score of 3. In addition, a positive and significant relationship was found between users’ characteristics and use of the office automation system (λ = 0.71, t = 4.87). The findings further indicated that the quality dimensions of the information system affected the relationship between users’ characteristics and system use. In other words, system quality, information quality, and service quality played a mediating role in the relationship between user characteristics and use of the office automation system. Discussion: The findings indicate that users and information systems should not be considered independent elements within an organization. Attention to users’ characteristics can facilitate more effective use of information systems and contribute to their success. Given the desirable status of the office automation system’s quality dimensions, improving system quality may indirectly support both acceptance of the system and expansion of its use. Employees who have access to the system but do not use it effectively may require appropriate organizational conditions, including improved infrastructure and enhanced skills for system use. Because system quality has a positive effect on users’ use of the office automation system, increasing the system’s capacity to respond to emerging workplace needs and improving its ability to communicate with other organizational information systems may strengthen system performance. Reducing the time required for data processing, providing mechanisms for correcting system errors, and simplifying the system for users may also improve perceived quality. As the quality of the office automation system increases, users’ reliance on the system and their routine use of it may also increase. Overall, the findings suggest that attention to user characteristics together with improvements in system quality, information quality, and service quality can provide a more favorable context for successful and sustained use of office automation systems in the university.

Abstract Background and Objectives: Theory building is one of the key scientific phenomena that contributes to the development of knowledge and the advancement of different academic fields. Despite repeated recommendations and policy-making efforts intended to promote theory building in Iran, this phenomenon has not yet developed to the expected level, and Iranian universities continue to face various problems in this regard. Without a comprehensive understanding of these problems, it is difficult to design effective measures for increasing theory-building capacity. The barriers affecting theory building may be organizational or extra-organizational. Organizational barriers refer to problems that arise within a particular institution, such as internal regulations or working conditions, whereas extra-organizational barriers are broader issues that affect universities and research institutions across the country. Because such barriers are embedded in the wider academic, economic, social, and policy environment, they can influence the capacity of different institutions to support theory building. Accordingly, the purpose of this study was to identify the most important extra-organizational barriers to the growth of theory-building capacity in Iran from the perspective of faculty members. Methodology: The study employed a qualitative approach and used the method proposed by Miles, Huberman, and Saldana for qualitative data analysis. Before conducting the interviews, 71 academic studies were reviewed in order to identify barriers reported in the existing literature, and the extracted barriers were used in developing the research interview framework. In the next stage, 12 faculty members of Tarbiat Modarres University were selected through expert sampling and interviewed. The participants were selected because of their expertise in theory building or their experience with theory-building activities, and efforts were made to include individuals from different academic fields and with different levels of professional experience. Interviews were recorded and transcribed for analysis. The qualitative data were then analyzed through coding and pattern identification. MAXQDA software was used to support the coding process and to organize the extracted codes into broader categories and themes corresponding to the research questions. Findings: The findings showed that the barriers to theory building can generally be divided into organizational and extra-organizational groups. The present study focused on the second group, namely barriers that exist beyond a particular university and affect the broader Iranian academic community and higher education ecosystem. Seven general categories of extra-organizational barriers were identified. The first was the weak relationship between science and society, including the limited impact of science on economic development, weak university-industry relationships, insufficient connection between science and society, and the low value assigned to science by leaders and society. The second category concerned the country's economic challenges, including the low income of researchers, the distressed economic situation, and the limited dependence of the economic structure on science. The third category was ineffective management of higher education, including the formality of science, lack of university independence, inadequate university administrative structures, weak anti-corruption attitudes among authorities, and cultural issues. The fourth category was inefficient higher education, including weak communication among universities, limited effectiveness of higher education, and incompetence of higher education managers. The fifth category was the difficulty of theory building itself, including failure to follow theory-building steps, insufficient attention to its prerequisites, the relatively young age of modern science and universities in Iran, and the inherent difficulty of theory building. The sixth category was inappropriate educational policy, including ineffective educational evaluation, unsuitable national educational policies, and ineffective pre-university education. The seventh category was inappropriate research policy, including research bureaucracy, ineffective national research policies, and ineffective research evaluation systems. Discussion: The findings indicate that increasing theory-building capacity requires attention to conditions beyond individual universities. The institution of science needs sufficient independence and intellectual freedom to support the emergence and development of theories. The current management structure of higher education also requires greater dynamism and efficiency, while educational and research policy-making can benefit from participation by a wider range of academic specialties. In addition, theory building is a demanding activity that requires substantial time and resources, including financial support, research facilities, and human resources. Improving the relationship between science and society, strengthening higher education management, revising educational and research policies, and providing appropriate resources for researchers may help reduce the identified barriers. Addressing these interconnected challenges can provide a more supportive environment for the development of theory-building capacity in Iranian higher education. The resulting classification also offers policy-makers a structured overview of barriers that can support more informed decisions and more targeted interventions.