Original Article
Gholamreza Heidari
Abstract
Information combinations theory: depth and range (theory and practical dimensions) of Information in Information combinationsGholam Reza Heidari Abstract:Purpose: The purpose of this study is to show the position and strength of contraction and stretch in information combinations in Both the Information ...
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Information combinations theory: depth and range (theory and practical dimensions) of Information in Information combinationsGholam Reza Heidari Abstract:Purpose: The purpose of this study is to show the position and strength of contraction and stretch in information combinations in Both the Information Society in general and particularly in the context of specialized knowledge and information science.Methodology: The depth and breadth of the subject areas can be studied from different perspectives. Explore a concept through combinations of this, and words that with syntagmatic and co-words, one of these techniques. This point of view, while the rest of the literature and researcher studies, are more exploratory mode.Necessity and innovation: the depth, scope and location of the combinations and their associated data can be, to a large extent on and follow-up. In this context, the present paper to shape innovative combinations of types of information has been reviewed and scrutinized. This study looked at data from internal and continuing concern and long, reflection, and a discovery about the status information.Findings and conclusions: Contraction and expansion of existing combinations, universalize these combinations, the analysis and the data as the center of gravity of these combinations, messages and implications for all aspects of theory and practice in knowledge and information science (information management and science) will be visible and many topics. Keywords: information status, information combinations, information scope, information application, interdisciplinary relationship in information, information barriers.
Original Article
Knowledge Management
Fatemeh Navidi; Mohammad Hasanzadeh
Abstract
Changing Knowledge Audit Factors in Project-Based Organizations:From Present to FutureAbstractAim: The creation and flow of knowledge in the Project-Based organizations has unique characteristics, Also the audit of the created knowledge in these organizations significantly differs from other organizations. ...
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Changing Knowledge Audit Factors in Project-Based Organizations:From Present to FutureAbstractAim: The creation and flow of knowledge in the Project-Based organizations has unique characteristics, Also the audit of the created knowledge in these organizations significantly differs from other organizations. On the other hand, knowledge audit plays a key role in the success of knowledge management these organizations, the purpose of this study is investigating the importance and compliance of identified knowledge audit factors in these types of organizations.Methodology: The present study is an applied research that follows a quantitative approach using case study and survey in order to investigate the status and importance of knowledge audit factors in four PBOs: ICT Research Institute, Research Institute of Petroleum Industry, Niroo Research Institute; and, Iranian Space Research Center. The research data were collected through a survey of 220 project managers, project control and knowledge management managers in these four research institutes. The data were collected and analyzed in two available and ideal conditions.Results: At present, the knowledge valuation factor with a mean of 2.61 and the knowledge need analysis factor with the mean of 2.56 have the highest attention, while in the ideal state, the factors of knowledge inventory (4.287) and knowledge valuation (4.28) should be considered. In all four research institutes, there is a significant difference between the mean of knowledge audit factors in both the current and the ideal situation.Conclusion: The emphasis on knowledge valuation, knowledge needs analysis and knowledge inventory indicate the importance of knowledge assets in the Project-Based Organizations. Therefore, it is necessary to pay attention to the importance and weight of the knowledge audit factors in designing the knowledge audit model in the PBOs.Keywords: Knowledge audit, knowledge audit factors, knowledge management, project- based organizationsKeywords: Knowledge audit, knowledge audit factors, knowledge management, project- based organizations
Review
University Libraries
Farnoosh Reghabi; Abdolhossein Farajpahlou; Nadjla Hariri
Abstract
Goal: Academic libraries need to illustrate a realistic picture of the future to keep pace with modern developments, effectively confront them, and maintain their status durability in current competitive conditions. In this way, they can make accurate decisions and plans about selecting future directions. ...
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Goal: Academic libraries need to illustrate a realistic picture of the future to keep pace with modern developments, effectively confront them, and maintain their status durability in current competitive conditions. In this way, they can make accurate decisions and plans about selecting future directions. Achieving such a picture is usually possible by conducting systematic studies about the future. Thus, the present study aimed to systematically review the studies on the future of libraries in Iran and across the world, explain the research gap, and investigate, review, and summarize the proposed driving forces of the future of academic libraries. Method: The present study implemented a systematic review methodology. For this purpose, the relevant studies were extracted from national and international databases and were investigated. Finally, 29 studies were analyzed. Findings: Reviewing the studies resulted in a list of 112 candidate driving forces that could influence the future of academic libraries. The items were extracted in eight dimensions, including political, economic, social, technological, legal, and environmental (to investigate the external environments), in addition to the “structural-administrative” and the “nature and services of libraries” dimensions (to investigate internal environments). Moreover, it was discovered that conducting future studies on academic libraries and developing prioritized scenarios for the future of the libraries were the research gaps in the field. Results: The directors and librarians of academic libraries have to develop strategic and future-oriented plans to maintain the durability of their organization in the face of environmental changes and developments arising from modern informational and communication technologies and effectively respond to the expectations of a knowledge-based society. The first step in this path is identifying and detecting the driving forces that influence the future of academic libraries and endeavoring to develop relevant scenarios. Thus, future studies can act as convenient bases to effectively direct academic libraries toward a desirable or prioritized future
Original Article
Knowledge Management
solyman shafee; daryosh ghafari; Mohsen Jafari
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Organizational knowledge creation is the process of making available and developing new knowledge as well as shaping and associating it with the organization's knowledge system. Some believe that the interaction between tacit knowledge and open knowledge is the source of knowledge ...
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Background and Objectives: Organizational knowledge creation is the process of making available and developing new knowledge as well as shaping and associating it with the organization's knowledge system. Some believe that the interaction between tacit knowledge and open knowledge is the source of knowledge creation, by which the quality and quantity of explicit and latent knowledge develops. The importance of culture in knowledge creation is for the great deal of knowledge that has been learned as a culture from previous generations. Therefore, organizations need to study organizational culture before undertaking knowledge management. Organization must understand the type of their culture in a typical business environment to consider the degree of appropriateness between the knowledge management issues and their culture. the purpose of this paper is to determine the impact of different types of organizational culture based on Cameron and Quinn's competitive values framework with knowledge creation process in Kermanshah Public Libraries.
Methodology: The present study is a survey in terms of data collection and a descriptive research in terms of analectic level. The study sample consisted of managers and staff of Kermanshah General Department and Public Libraries with 87 members. According to Krejcie and Morgan table, the sample size was 70 people. Fifty-one sample members (equals 73% of the sample) answered the questionnaire. Data collection was done by both library and field methods. Library methods were used to gather information on the theoretical foundations and background of the research and the field methods were used to respond to research hypotheses. We used a questionnaire to collect data. The questions were presented using the Likert scale of organizational knowledge creation questionnaire and organizational culture assessment tool. Cronbach's alpha for the reliability of the knowledge creation questionnaire was 0.90 and for the organizational culture questionnaire was 0.81. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics were used to describe and analyze the data. Descriptive statistics were collected from central tendency indices and dispersion indices such as frequency, percentage of frequency, mean, variance and standard deviation to express the data. Pearson's correlation coefficient, multiple regression, Friedman's mean rankings, Kolmogorov-Smirnov and path analysis were used to answer the research hypotheses. SPSS 25, and AMOS were used for data analysis.
Findings: The results of Friedman mean rank test showed that the mean of hierarchical culture was 5.26, native culture was 5.15, adhocracy culture was 4.55 and market culture was 4.3. Therefore, hierarchical culture had the highest rank and market culture had the lowest rank. Multiple correlation coefficient (0.83) indicated a positive and significant relationship between organizational culture and knowledge creation. The results of regression analysis showed that market culture and native culture with regression effect of 22.8 had the greatest effect on knowledge creation and the final fitted model had a coefficient of determination of 0.70. The results of the study of knowledge conversion status showed that it is oriented towards the composition and internalization of knowledge. Path analysis results showed that market culture had the most direct effect (0.79) and adhocracy culture had the least indirect effect (0.55). Native culture, adhocracy culture and hierarchical culture had an indirect effect on the process of knowledge creation. Based on the results of path analysis, an experimental framework was presented.
Discussion: The results show that the organizational culture in Kermanshah Public Libraries was 0.72 effective on the knowledge creation process. This result indicates that there is a supportive culture in Kermanshah Public Libraries for scientific activities. Therefore, the existing organizational culture as the personality and foundation of the organization plays an effective role in establishing knowledge management. Kermanshah Public Libraries must first identify its organizational culture and implement knowledge management programs in line with the existing organizational culture in order to effectively create and disseminate knowledge across the organization. Among the types of organizational culture, market culture has the most influence on knowledge creation in public libraries which is a competitive and resultant culture and the leadership style is based on productive competition and strategic emphasis on competitive advantage and market superiority. the adaptation of the library to the environment and adaption of the environment to the organization needs seem to be essential. In the process of knowledge creation, the attention should be upon the composition and the internalization of knowledge. This was not in line with the theory of Nonaka which emphasized the importance of tacit knowledge in the process of knowledge creation, and that externalizing knowledge was the main process of knowledge creation. This research is limited to public libraries, so other libraries should be studied to increase the generalizability of results. On the other hand, the present study has assessed the relationship between the knowledge creation process and organizational culture based on a set of attitudes, so in different societies witch have different cultures, future research must be done to be able to extend the results to other societies.
Original Article
Mahboubeh Ghorbani; fahimeh babalhavaeji; Fatemeh Nooshinfard
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Green Library is a library is to minimize the negative effects on the natural environment and to maximize indoor air quality by choosing exact tools, use of natural materials and dissoluble products, resource conservation (water, energy and paper) and responsibility for recycling ...
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Background and Objectives: Green Library is a library is to minimize the negative effects on the natural environment and to maximize indoor air quality by choosing exact tools, use of natural materials and dissoluble products, resource conservation (water, energy and paper) and responsibility for recycling waste and garbage (recycling, etc.) (ODLIS). Nowadays, standards, diverse certification issuance systems, different ranking and labeling procedures have been developed which are useable for green libraries as well. However, a proprietary certificate is required. Academic libraries can implement some critical functions such as provide good examples for Green Library, dissemination and publication of this idea among the people, and promote civic engagement in sustainability. This function and impact can range from design space and equipment to library activity management including acquisition, information dissemination and organization. The aim of this study is to adjust a set of criteria for evaluating green features of Academic libraries and provide a guideline for greening libraries.
Methodology: The study was an applied research and was performed by an evaluative survey method to evaluate Iranian Academic Libraries green features by using a questionnaire containing 103 criteria in 7 sections included Building and equipment, Strategic planning and management, Creating motivation, commitment and culture in librarians towards environmental management, collection development, information organization, information dissemination and participation and supporting national and international sustainable development programs. The criteria were gathered by reviewing green buildings standards and literatures such as LEED and green libraries studies, and also through interviews with 12 experts in the field of environment and library science and analyzing their responses. The research population was comprised of the managers of Iranian central academic libraries affiliated to the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology, Ministry of Health, Treatment and Medical Education, Iran’s Islamic Azad University and a total of 186 libraries were included. They participated in the research without sampling. To measure the criteria, Likert Spectrum was utilized. Finally, 77.9% of questionnaires) were completed. To analyze the data, descriptive and inferential statistical analysis methods were used in SPSS software. After summing the scores of each library, descriptive statistics indices and condition of the building and equipment in terms of the compliance with green standards were extracted. Also, the hypothesis of comparing the status of the three groups of libraries with statistical-analytical methods was tested.
Findings: The status of the Academic libraries in terms of energy consumption management, green space and water, paper consumption management, waste, transportation management, noise and air management were relatively good. The status of management and planning showed that most of the libraries were in an average condition. In the overall assessment of motivation, commitment and acculturation, the library managers have been somehow successful, and the observance of this criterion by managers was better than average. Most libraries were in an intermediate state in terms of green acquisition and perseveration of library resources. The average state of libraries in terms of disseminating information and raising awareness on environmental issues is not unexpected. In the overall assessment of the participation and support from national and international programs in the sustainable development, the status of this evaluation was on an average level. The results of the hypothesis test showed that there is no difference between the three groups of the central libraries of the universities of the Ministry of Science, Health and the Islamic Azad University in terms of observing these criteria.
Discussion: Green building management instruments are utilized, and library is a suitable instrument as part of a university campus or as an independent building on campus and is relatively in accordance with criteria for green management in the current research. The management of academic libraries is a part of a training institution, and the management and planning in academic universities is subject to academic management policies. And as long as the university has not a green approach to its management, this approach is reflected in library management. Sustainable development and strategic planning in Iranian Academic libraries are a new subject and has a long way to be evolved. The role of management to motivate and engage employees to preserve the environment is significant. The outcome of the assessment of this measure depends on managers’ incentives and commitment, and indicates the significance of this issue from their own perspective. In addition, management and planning trend followed by them positively affects staff. The issue of digital acquisition is a newly emerged one and universities and libraries’ managers are not highly familiar with the importance of the environmental impacts of such measures. The issue of budget and fund in libraries to adopt green policies such as non-application of chemical pesticides or change in resource acquisition processes from printable into digital can be one of the reasons for this issue. Participation and cooperation in environmental protection is one fundamental necessity of sustainable development.
Original Article
moujan moaref; sudabeh shapoori; Hajar Zarei; shahram salavati
Abstract
Background and Objectives: This research is descriptive and correlational in nature, with an applied objective. The study aims to identify and assess the promotion mix elements (advertising, public relations, and promotion) used by Iranian digital libraries to enhance their visibility. Specifically, ...
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Background and Objectives: This research is descriptive and correlational in nature, with an applied objective. The study aims to identify and assess the promotion mix elements (advertising, public relations, and promotion) used by Iranian digital libraries to enhance their visibility. Specifically, it seeks to evaluate how these libraries implement and rank their use of various promotional strategies. By assessing the application of these elements, the study provides insight into the strengths and weaknesses of the promotion practices within the Iranian digital library sector.
Methodology: The research uses a survey methodology with a researcher-designed checklist for data collection. The checklist, referred to as the promotion mix, includes 49 characteristics across three main categories: advertising, public relations, and promotion. After validating the checklist through content validity, it was applied to a survey of Iranian digital libraries. Each library was evaluated based on its use of the identified promotion mix elements. The study’s population consisted of digital libraries in Iran, and data were collected to answer the research questions by examining the extent to which each element is utilized within these libraries.
Findings: The study found that, on average, Iranian digital libraries utilized only 26.3% of the 49 promotion mix elements identified in the study. Among the three components of the promotion mix, public relations had the greatest impact on library visibility, followed by advertising and promotion. The advertising component included 14 elements, with online advertising scoring the highest, while television advertising scored zero. Public relations consisted of 17 elements, with the library catalog (introduction of the library) scoring the highest, and detailed annual reports on one-on-one communications scoring the lowest. In the promotion component, which consisted of 18 elements, the most prominent factor was the user-friendly nature of library websites, while press releases on the site received the lowest score.
The study also ranked Iranian digital libraries according to their use of promotion mix elements. The TEBYAN Digital Library and the Iranian Research Institute for Information and Communications Technology Digital Library ranked first with 44 points, followed by libraries such as Allameh Tabatabai University, the National Medical Digital Library of Iran, and Tarbiat Modares University (42 points). The lowest score (6 points) was earned by the Research Institute of Energy's digital library.
Discussion: The results suggest that Iranian digital libraries show significant room for improvement in their use of promotion mix elements. The findings highlight those public relations plays a central role in increasing visibility, while the advertising and promotion components are less effectively utilized. The research emphasizes that more attention should be given to developing and implementing strategies that use the full range of promotion tools to increase the reach and usage of digital libraries. Notably, the study revealed that various promotional factors such as educational sessions, reward programs, virtual library tours, email support, and event-based marketing are underutilized. In the advertising domain, strategies like outdoor advertising, specialized magazine ads, television and radio promotions, and search engine optimization (SEO) are not receiving sufficient attention. Similarly, in the area of public relations, practices like creating a special image for users, email marketing, event organization, and maintaining media relations are largely ignored.
Given the importance of these factors for increasing library visibility, it is recommended that Iranian digital libraries consider using these underused promotional strategies more effectively. Tailoring the promotion mix to fit the specific needs and conditions of each library can improve visibility and service quality. Additionally, the study suggests the integration of intelligent systems and marketing decision support tools to optimize the use of the promotion mix elements. These tools would enable libraries to make more informed decisions and prioritize promotional strategies that align with their goals and resources.
The study concludes that by focusing on a more integrated and comprehensive promotion strategy, Iranian digital libraries can significantly improve their visibility, user engagement, and overall success. The results underscore the potential benefits of further research into electronic marketing for digital libraries and the application of the four Ps of marketing—product, price, place, and promotion—in this context.
Original Article
Scientometrics
Ali Biranvand; Zahra Shanbedi
Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the presence and activity of Iranian authors and researchers in the field of nursing in the ResearchGate and Mendeley databases, based on Altmetrics metrics obtained from Scopus Scientific Database.Methodology: The present study is an applied research ...
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Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the presence and activity of Iranian authors and researchers in the field of nursing in the ResearchGate and Mendeley databases, based on Altmetrics metrics obtained from Scopus Scientific Database.Methodology: The present study is an applied research and descriptive-survey that has been done by the scientometric method with the Altmetrics approach. The statistical population of the study includes Iranian authors and researchers in the field of nursing who had indexed documents in the Scopus database in the period of 2000-2019. 158 of these authors have been identified and reviewed by Scopus. In order to analyze the data, in addition to descriptive statistics, in the inferential statistics section with the help of Excel and SPSS software, the correlation test between Altmetrics indices in ResearchGate and Mendel with the database Scopus has been used scientifically.Results: The results show that except for the relationship between the follow-up index in ResearchGate with the Etch Index index and the citation received in Scopus, in other cases there is a significant relationship between the studied indicators. Also, there is a significant relationship between most of the indexes of the Researchgate and Mendelian databases, and only the RG score index in the Researchgate database has no significant relationship with the indexes of publications, citations, and the Achindex score in Mendelian. The relationship between most of the Mendelian and Scopus indices is also significant, and only the relationship of the followers in Mendelian with the Achindex index in the Scopus database lacks a significant relationship.Discussion and Conclusion: Considering the significant relationship between Altmetrics indexes of social networks and indexes of Scopus database, the discussion of the presence and activity of writers and researchers in scientific social networks should be pursued with more seriousness and importance.
Original Article
masoomeh latifi; Leili Allahbakhshian Farsani; Nasrin Davari Dolatabadi; fatemeh Mohammadbeigi
Abstract
IntroductionCommunication skills are essential for the survival and durability of variety of organizations, including libraries, which their proper use in the library environment is a critical feature of the librarianship as a profession that can affect even the management skills of libraries. The present ...
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IntroductionCommunication skills are essential for the survival and durability of variety of organizations, including libraries, which their proper use in the library environment is a critical feature of the librarianship as a profession that can affect even the management skills of libraries. The present study aims to "measure the impact of communication skills on quantum management skills of librarians and their role on agility of libraries."MethodologyThe present study is descriptive-analytic and modeling based on structural equation model. The research community is librarians of Iran University of Medical Sciences libraries.. Information gathering tool, Barton J's Communication Skills Questionnaire. E (2006), Theoretical Quantum Management Questionnaire and Basrawi (2015), and Organizational Agility Questionnaire Sharifi and Zhang (2010). FindingsThe results showed that the effect of communication skills on quantum management is higher than the hypothetical mean level of 3. Also, the effect of communication skills on organizational agility was greater than the effect of quantum skills. What was understood from the final model was that the path coefficient effect of communication skills on quantum management with the value of r = 0.87 rather than its path coefficient effect on libraries' agility with the value of r = 0.72 was higher. Also, in the final model, it is found that in the communication skills component, listening skills with standard factor load of r = 0.96, was more effective compared to the verbal component with standard factor load of r = 0.93 and the feedback component with standard factor load of r = 0.77. In the component of quantum management skills, trust with standard factor load of r = 0.94 and seeing with standard factor load of r = 0.91 compared to the other quantum management skills, had the most effect and component of action with factor load of r = 0.61 and the component of emotion with factor load of r = 0.64 had the least effect on organizational agility. In the component of organizational agility, responsiveness with standard factor load of r = 0.95 and flexibility with standard factor load of r = 0.89 compared to speed with standard factor load of r = 0.75 and competency with standard factor load of r = 0.63 received the most impact from communication skills and quantum management skills.ConclusionDue to the positive impact of communication skills and the complex nature of the communication process, it is necessary to develop interpersonal communication skills in the librarians regarding their professional needs to benefit their skills in library management and moving their activities towards dynamicity and agility.
