Career success – the perception of Open Distance Learning library middle managers
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/LM-03-2018-0021 |
| Pages | 379-391 |
| Published date | 12 August 2019 |
| Date | 12 August 2019 |
| Author | Janette Raubenheimer,Patrick Ngulube |
| Subject Matter | Library & information science,Librarianship/library management,Hr in libraries,Library strategy,Library promotion |
Career success –the perception of
Open Distance Learning library
middle managers
Janette Raubenheimer
Department of Information Science,
University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa, and
Patrick Ngulube
Department of Interdisciplinary Research and Postgraduate Studies,
University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa
Abstract
Purpose –The purpose of this paper is to gain original evidence of the perception ofOpen Distance Learning
(ODL) library middle managers towards the meaning of career success from the perspective of the individual.
Design/methodology/approach –This quantitative research study was conducted with the help of a
survey questionnaire designed by the first researcher.
Findings –Results revealed that career success no longer only relates to criteria such as the hierarchical
positionor progression through highratings obtained during performanceappraisal. A highpremium is placed
by ODL librarymiddle managers on other successcriteria identified in the literature, such as the positiveeffect
of their work on the institution, success achieved through a focus on work life and home life balance and
personal recognition due to competence.
Research limitations/implications –The research findings presented in this paper form an important
part of a comprehensive study on ODL library middle management development but is limited to the only
ODL library in South Africa.
Practical implications –The paper provides current perceptions of ODL library middle managers to be
considered during career path planning.
Originality/value –The paper provides the first findings of an overview of the perception of South African
ODL library middle managers towards the meaning of career success. The study is timely as the number of
ODL institutions is growing. The target population to benefit from this study is ODL library practitioners.
Keywords Management development, Development, South Africa, ODL, Career planning,
Library middle management
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
In libraries, a discussion amongst staff on key performance areas and related indicators
needed for successful performance and achieving career goals is nothing new. These
indicators are sometimes interpreted according to the meaning of success defined by the
Online dictionary (2019) as “the favorable or prosperous termination of attempts or
endeavors; the accomplishment of one’s goals”. A person’s achievement of career success
can then be measured by external criteria such as the level or position in the hierarchy of the
library attained due to good performance. However, how library staff interprets what it
means to be successful is a new phenomenon for discussion.
The success concept was initially represented in both academic research (O’Reilly and
Chatman, 1994) and popular literature (Mercer, 1994) as something that can be measured by
external criteria. Hall (2002) alluded to the fact that the most widely used indicators of career
Library Management
Vol. 40 No. 6/7, 2019
pp. 379-391
© Emerald PublishingLimited
0143-5124
DOI 10.1108/LM-03-2018-0021
Received 15 March 2018
Revised 19 February 2019
Accepted 4 March 2019
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:
www.emeraldinsight.com/0143-5124.htm
Part of this article was extracted from a larger PhD study by the first author .The authors would like to
express their gratitude to Dr Helene Muller, Statistician: Unisa Institutional Research, who assisted
with the interpretation of quantitative data and to the ODL library middle managers of the Unisa
Library who participated in the survey.
379
The perception
of ODL
Library middle
managers
To continue reading
Request your trial