Original Article
University Libraries
Nahid Khooshian; marzieh yarizanganeh; Hadi Alhaei
Abstract
Background and Objectives: This study aims to investigate and the proposed framework of DODAF information architecture by the managers and experts for the purpose of organizational information architecture of this university and to draw the attention of managers to organizational architecture in order ...
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Background and Objectives: This study aims to investigate and the proposed framework of DODAF information architecture by the managers and experts for the purpose of organizational information architecture of this university and to draw the attention of managers to organizational architecture in order to improve organizational excellence and enumerate the benefits of organizational architecture.
Methodology: The present study was carried out using a combination of two survey methods with experts from Shiraz University. To this end, data were gathered using the relevant documentaries and library studies to examine the forms and documents related to the processes of Shiraz University. In order to collect the data, face-to-face interviews with managers and experts of Shiraz University as well as a review of forms and documents related to the processes of Shiraz University were performed. To do this, interviews with the director and experts of the education and research department of the university (at all levels) were conducted; also, documents related to the documentation of tasks and processes, including job descriptions were collected. Additionally, other documents, including operational plan, performance indicators, organizational excellence, etc. were reviewed and reported. To analyze the data, first, the strategic orientation was determined. For this purpose, intitially, strategic elements were identified and relevant approaches were examined. Then, the existing processes were identified as well. In this vein, all the following indicators were identified for data analysis in two parts: strategic elements and strategic elements of information technology.
Findings: The purpose of information organization architecture at Shiraz University is to achieve the desired architectural outputs in this organization. This process can be implemented alongside other core processes of the organization and run continuously. In general, this process consists of three main steps: 1. Strategic IT planning, 2. Organizational architecture planning, and 3. Implementation of organizational architecture.
Discussion: The results showed that DODAF information architecture is the most appropriate and best option for the information architecture of Shiraz University. In order to manage the desired information organization architecture, Shiraz University needs to model and suggest the status and organization in a desirable situation, describe the occupations and conditions for obtaining organizational posts, and decide on how the organization matures. The organizational architecture will have many benefits for the organization. The benefits of preparing and implementing an organizational architecture plan at Shiraz University include the following: Facilitating interaction and communication within and outside the organization; setting uniformity in university processes, methods, and missions; integration of systems and processes by sharing information and data at different levels of the university; increasing productivity and reducing risk in the university; establishing a basis for IT planning; making ability to use ready-made templates and solutions; standardizing and applying national standards in the university and reducing costs and increasing revenue. There are several major factors involved in achieving these goals. The main factors for success in the organizational architecture project at Shiraz University are the following: Organizational determination to change; support of the management and the president of the university and relevant experts; clarity of organizational strategies; participation and cooperation of all personnel and human resources working in the university; determining the exact scope of the project and the starting time of the project; use of appropriate frameworks, methods, and tools; improving IT management and achieving the desired level of IT management as an important element in the organization. In general, there are expectations from the compilation of this report, and it is hoped that by carrying out this plan, a step can be taken toward the desired architecture in the organization and reaching the desired status from the current situation. In conclusion, the following expectations should be noted: 1. Having a plan and work policy to reach the desired point in a period of three to five years; 2. Fast transformation with program hardware and software environments; 3. Determining the relationship between software and hardware systems to coordinate with each other and avoid imposing additional costs on the organization; 4. Having a cost consumption pattern based on the priorities specified in the master plan; 5. Prioritizing the implementation of projects based on the needs of different departments; 6. Movement to electronic space; 7. Developing IT policies based on the views of managers and experts; 8. Compliance of the comprehensive plan with the needs of the organization, and 9. Compliance of the master plan with the budget.
Original Article
Shahnaz Khademizadeh; somayeh Avarand; marzyeh mehrabian; mansoreh hatefikia
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Sustainable development is development that supplies the needs of the present generation without harming the ability of future generations to supplies their needs. This definition seems simple, but it has a broad meaning that includes all aspects of human life, and in the course ...
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Background and Objectives: Sustainable development is development that supplies the needs of the present generation without harming the ability of future generations to supplies their needs. This definition seems simple, but it has a broad meaning that includes all aspects of human life, and in the course of it, the strategies, plans and policies of societies in various political, economic, cultural, environmental, educational, health and other fields should be planned, In addition to the simultaneous development of these fields, all the potential of the savings and funds of the communities should be used so that this potential is not reduced for the future generations and they can also use these funds. University libraries, as institutions that are directly related to knowledge and the progress of science, have an important role in the country's achievement of sustainable development. This research was conducted with the aim of studying the role of libraries of Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz in the sustainable development of Khuzestan province.
Methodology: From the point of view of the objective, this research is of the type of practical and developmental studies, and from the point of view of the method, it is a part of qualitative studies. In this research, the descriptive phenomenological method of Kleizer has been followed. The participants in this research were all experts in the field of sustainable development of Khuzestan province, and the statistical sample was continued in a purposeful sampling until reaching the Data saturation, and 10 people participated in the research as a statistical sample and were included in the in-depth interview process. In order to analyze the data in this research, the inductive coding method and thematic analysis method have been used.
Findings: The analysis of the interviews conducted in relation to the role of university libraries in the sustainable development of Khuzestan province in the form of a thematic analysis on three levels of comprehensive themes (cultural and educational, economic and environmental), organizing the spread of social justice, promoting learning. Citizenship, creating intellectual thought, strengthening the foundation of social institutions, strengthening the foundation of the family, expanding the culture of urbanism, social cohesion, promoting responsibility, expanding the political literacy of society, expanding people participation, reforming the value system, sustainable learning, developing values, expanding knowledge and information. , ease of access to knowledge, promotion of thinking in the society, demand, optimal consumption of resources, help to grow the local economy of the region, environmental crisis, water resource management, protection of animals, strengthening of personal health and strengthening of public health) and the basis is categorized. The results of interview analysis have identified 132 basic themes in 24 organizing themes and 4 basic themes. Also, according to the results of this research, the social role of university libraries in the sustainable development of concepts such as the expansion of social justice, the promotion of citizenship learning, the creation of intellectual thought, the strengthening of the foundation of social institutions, the strengthening of the family foundation, the expansion of urban customs and culture, social cohesion, the promotion of responsibility and Expanding the political literacy of the society is of interest. In the context of the cultural and educational role of university libraries in the sustainable development of expanding public participation; Reforming the value system, sustainable learning, development of values, expansion of knowledge and information, ease of access to knowledge, promotion of thinking in society, and demandingness have been extracted. Regarding the economic role of academic libraries in sustainable development, optimal consumption of resources and helping the growth of the local economy of the target region have been discussed by the interviewees, and finally, in the context of the environmental role of academic libraries in sustainable development, helping to pay attention to the environmental crisis in the province, water resources management, protecting animals, strengthening personal health and strengthening environmental health have been considered.
Discussion: The findings of the research showed that university libraries in Khuzestan province have had an impact on sustainable development from four social, economic, cultural, educational, and environmental dimensions. Considering the role of university libraries as centers of knowledge and information science and the important role that the information element plays in sustainable development; It is necessary for libraries to change the role of library users to centers of information dissemination and exchange of ideas in order to perform better in this field.
Original Article
Knowledge Management
reza karimi; Fatemeh Eshaghi Macconi
Abstract
Background and Objectives: The aim of this research, content analysis of elementary school textbooks is based on the level of attention to knowledge management concepts. This research in terms of approach is quantitative, and in terms of purpose is applied.for this study was used Content analysis method, ...
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Background and Objectives: The aim of this research, content analysis of elementary school textbooks is based on the level of attention to knowledge management concepts. This research in terms of approach is quantitative, and in terms of purpose is applied.for this study was used Content analysis method, there have been Pages (Text, Exercise, Image, Footer) analysis unit done with reading studies, images, exercises and activities.
Methodology: The present study is a descriptive research of content analysis type. Sarmad et al. (2022) consider content analysis to have three main stages: preparation and organization, message examination, and data processing. The focus of this research was on the third stage of analysis, data processing. In this study, the content of elementary school textbooks, including text, images, and exercises, was analyzed based on knowledge-sharing components (tacit and explicit) and both group and individual aspects. The entire text was analyzed, and the recording unit included the "entire text and images" of the textbooks of the six elementary grades. This study aimed to process data using a new method derived from systems theory, known as Shannon’s entropy. In information theory, entropy is an index for measuring uncertainty expressed through a probability distribution. This theory, known as the compensatory model, classified the content of elementary school textbooks in terms of attention to knowledge-sharing components (tacit and explicit). The statistical population of this study included all elementary school textbooks, authored and published by the Textbook Planning and Compilation Office. The sample consisted of all textbooks through census sampling: 5 books for the first grade, 6 books for the second grade, 7 books for the third grade, 7 books for the fourth grade, 7 books for the fifth grade, and 9 books for the sixth grade. The main content analysis tool in this research was a researcher-made content analysis checklist for elementary school textbooks, designed based on knowledge-sharing components. This checklist was developed based on knowledge management theories by Nonaka & Takeuchi (1995) and Alavi & Leidner (2001).
Findings: First, the obtained concepts were placed in knowledge sharing (implicit and objective) and group and individual; The data collection tool includes a researcher-made checklist. The research population includes all the published elementary school textbooks, including 41 books, and sampling was omitted. In all the analyzed textbooks, 946 components were identified. Then, the collected data was analyzed with the help of Excel software and using descriptive statistics indicators in Shannon's entropy analytical process. The results showed that the component of group activity (implicit knowledge) has the highest frequency and the lowest component is related to the component of art and entertainment (implicit). Also, among the textbooks, the book of experimental sciences has paid more attention to the concepts of knowledge sharing than other books. Among the textbooks, the normalized data according to the books, the highest coefficient of importance among the different subjects of the elementary course is related to the Persian book, and solutions were presented to improve the status of knowledge sharing and achieve the goals.
Discussion: The results of the study indicate that the attention given to knowledge-sharing components in elementary school textbooks is not balanced, with the sixth grade receiving the most focus. Additionally, the textbooks of Experimental Sciences, Persian, and Work and Technology pay the most attention to knowledge sharing. Although tacit knowledge sharing is prominent in the textbooks and helps develop students' skills, converting it into explicit knowledge remains a significant challenge. To improve this situation, it is necessary for the Textbook Planning Office to ensure a balanced distribution of knowledge-sharing components across all grades, teachers should use active teaching methods, and schools should create an appropriate environment to enhance student interactions and convert tacit knowledge into explicit knowledge. These actions can prepare students for effective participation in knowledge-based organizations in the future.
Original Article
Digital library
Hossein Rahimi Kolour; Younes Nikkhah
Abstract
Background and Objectives: The advancement of information technology and the increase in internet users have made online buying, especially in books, an integral part of the distribution channels of services and products. Also, online bookstores and digital libraries earn money by providing physical ...
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Background and Objectives: The advancement of information technology and the increase in internet users have made online buying, especially in books, an integral part of the distribution channels of services and products. Also, online bookstores and digital libraries earn money by providing physical and digital books and knowledge services. However, online stores, especially in Iran, are still developing and understanding the online behavior of customers is still a new and unknown issue for businesses, especially for online library service providers. Nowadays, with businesses going online, especially the online sale of books and the promotion of the science of digital reading, identifying the purchase behavior in the online environment has become of great importance for the owners of bookstores and digital libraries because the purchase behavior in the online environment is very complicated. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the effect of perceived ease and perceived usefulness of buying online with the mediating role of online perceived value on online purchase behavior among customers of online bookstores and digital libraries. Research shows that through online social networks, customers can obtain more detailed product information, personalized service, and quick support, which influence customers' purchase intentions. In addition, the rich content and interpersonal networks generated by customers on social networks keep them connected. Based on social networking sites, microblogs, forums, and social commerce platforms, customers share purchase information, consumption experiences, and evaluations, and this content can spread rapidly and, as a result, significantly influence the purchase intentions of other customers. On the other hand, the desire of young Iranian researchers to write new approaches to the digital society has led to the transfer of technology, knowledge and emerging global ideas in the library sector. Because various studies have been conducted in the field of buying behavior, but in previous studies, the mediating role of perceived value in the relationship between perceived ease and usefulness and online purchase behavior has not been the focus and attention of researchers. This study, in addition to understanding the direct effects and Indirect factors affecting online purchase behavior, can play an influential role in increasing the subject literature of online consumer behavior in the field of librarianship and online customer orientation in the field of books.
Methodology: The statistical population of the research includes customers of online bookstores and digital libraries in Iran who have at least one experience of online purchasing (physical and digital books). On the other hand, to ensure the measurement process of each variable, the validity and reliability indicators of the questionnaire were examined, and the opinions of experts and professors in this field were applied. This research is a quantitative and hypothetical-inferential study. In this study, the random sampling method was used. Data collection was done in the field using a questionnaire. The structural equation modeling method was used to investigate the relationships between the variables, and SPSS 24 and Amos 24 software was used.
Findings: The results of this study showed that the direct effects of ease, usefulness and perceived online value on the online purchase behavior of customers of online bookstores and digital libraries are significant. Finally, the mediating role of online perceived value among variables of ease, usefulness and online purchase behavior of book customers was significant and considerable.
Discussion: This study shows that perceived ease and usefulness of online buying are two critical factors in predicting online purchase behavior. Among, online perceived value is an essential factor in better identifying this effect in the online behavior of online bookstores and digital libraries. Therefore, in addition to presenting a new model, this study helps to increase the literature on consumer behavior in the context of digital library services and online book sales and has provided practical suggestions on this theme. For example, managers of online bookstores and digital libraries can develop a good and beneficial social atmosphere among customers by providing simple interactive channels to share knowledge and strengthen social relationships. On the other hand, managers of online bookstores and digital libraries can improve personalization by customizing customer information based on their preferences, which entails placing functional information about books on the first visual page. This creates value for customers and users, leading them to search for products and services.
Original Article
Knowledge Management
Saifeallah Khosravi; Atefeh Zarei; Behrooz Bayat; Zarrin Zarrinabadi
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Knowledge sharing involves the exchange of information among individuals across various groups and divisions within or between organizations. It includes conveying knowledge to colleagues through internal and external communication processes. This study aims to present a model ...
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Background and Objectives: Knowledge sharing involves the exchange of information among individuals across various groups and divisions within or between organizations. It includes conveying knowledge to colleagues through internal and external communication processes. This study aims to present a model for knowledge-sharing behavior among nurses.
Methodology: This applied research adopts a mixed-methods approach, beginning with a qualitative phase followed by quantitative analysis. The qualitative phase involved thematic analysis of the primary and secondary components of the Theory of Planned Behavior and Homans' Social Exchange Theory, derived from scientific works published between 2000 and 2024 in indexed online databases. Data were collected through library research in a virtual environment using the PRISMA flowchart, and themes were extracted using networked thematic analysis. n the first phase, keywords related to the research objectives were identified through a review of Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) and consultation with experts. The identified keywords were: ("Theory of Planned Behavior") AND ("nurses' knowledge sharing" OR "nurses' information sharing"). ("Homans' Social Exchange Theory") AND ("nurses' knowledge sharing" OR "nurses' information sharing" OR "nurses' information exchange"). In the second phase, the literature search was conducted using national databases such as IranDoc, Magiran, Noormags, and SIKA, as well as international databases including ScienceDirect, ProQuest, Web of Science, and PubMed. In the third stage, inclusion and exclusion criteria were established: (1) studies predicting users' knowledg sharing behavior using Ajzen's Theory of Planned Behavior and Homans' Social Exchange Theory, either separately or combined; (2) studies published as full texts with accessible files; and (3) studies published between 2000 and April 2024 in online databases. In the fourth stage, 375 retrieved sources were screened using the PRISMA flow diagram. During the initial screening, titles and abstracts were reviewed based on the study's objectives and inclusion criteria, resulting in 80 remaining sources. In the second screening phase, 44 sources were excluded after full-text reviews due to non-compliance with the study goals and criteria, leaving a total of 36 sources for further review and data extraction. In the fifth and sixth stages, bibliographic details were recorded, and themes were extracted from the source texts through thematic analysis and coding. The quantitative Research phase employed a survey-analytical method using a researcher-developed questionnaire consisting of 27 questions across nine components derived from the qualitative phase. These components include attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, intention, rewards, reciprocal relationships, risk, reputation perception, and knowledge-sharing tools. Responses were measured on a five-point Likert scale ranging from "strongly disagree" (1) to "strongly agree" (5). The statistical population comprised nurses from six selected teaching hospitals of Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences. Based on the structural equation modeling guidelines of 5Q<n<27Q, a sample size of 280 participants was determined using proportional quota-random sampling. To validate the questionnaire items, a checklist assessing the Content Validity Index (CVI) and Content Validity Ratio (CVR) was distributed among 34 faculty members and specialists in information science and knowledge studies affiliated with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology. The average CVR and CVI coefficients were reported as 84% and 69%, respectively. The reliability of the questionnaire was assessed using Cronbach's alpha, with a pre-test reliability of R=0.873 and a post-test reliability of R=0.915 based on a sample of 36 individuals from the statistical population. Structural equation modeling was employed to test the research hypotheses, and Friedman's test was used to prioritize the components.
Findings: The qualitative analysis identified nine key components: attitude, rewards, mutual benefits, reputation, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, intention, risk, and knowledge-sharing tools. Descriptive statistics indicated that, from the nurses' perspective, attitude, rewards, mutual benefits, reputation, and subjective norms had above-average means and significantly influenced knowledge-sharing behavior. However, inferential statistics revealed that only attitude, perceived behavioral control, and rewards had a significant impact on knowledge-sharing behavior.
Discussion: The components of attitude, perceived behavioral control, rewards, mutual benefits, reputation, and subjective norms play significant roles in the knowledge-sharing behavior model of nurses.
