Comparing the knowledge management practices in selected European higher education libraries
| Published date | 13 June 2016 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/LM-12-2015-0068 |
| Pages | 182-194 |
| Date | 13 June 2016 |
| Author | Núria Balagué,Petra Düren,Jarmo Saarti |
| Subject Matter | Library & information science,Librarianship/library management,HR in libraries |
Comparing the knowledge
management practices in
selected European higher
education libraries
Núria Balagué
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
Petra Düren
University of Applied Sciences, Hamburg, Germany, and
Jarmo Saarti
University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
Abstract
Purpose –Knowledge Management(KM) in libraries refers to the systematicmanagement and control
of knowledge as an important resource when producing high-quality library and information services.
If one wishes to make the optimal use and dissemination of organizational and other work life related
knowledge, thenone needs to acquire appropriate KMtools and to adopt a systematic procedurefor KM
throughout the organization. This can exertan energizing effect on the lifelong learningof the libraries’
staff which is essential in today’s rapidly changing scientific information environment. The purpose of
this paper is to analyze KM practicesis selected higher education libraries.
Design/methodology/app roach –This qualitative research conducted in three academic
libraries –IZUS/Universitätsbibliothek Stuttgart, Germany; Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
(UAB) Library Barcelona, Spain; and University of Eastern Finland (UEF) Library, Finland –makes a
comparison of the KM processes being implemented in each of the institutions to ensure the continuous
learning of the libraries’staff.
Findings –This comparative study revealed several key reasons and best practices for implementing
KM procedures in the selected university libraries. They are collected under three main issues: KM
advantages; KM technological opportunities; and KM organizational culture.
Research limitations/implications –Based on three cases and thus are mainly examples of the
KM implementation.
Practical implications –Paper gives tools for libraries and their management on the KM system
implementation.
Social implications –Based on the paper’s findings the KM implementation in all the selected
libraries led to better management and better staff inclusion into the library service development.
Originality/value –KM implementation studies are still rare among the libraries.
Keywords Staff development, Academic libraries, Knowledge management, Lifelong learning,
Library management, Knowledge management tool
Paper type Case study
1. Knowledge management (KM) and libraries
KM is nowadays perceived as a potentially feasible way by which libraries can respond
to the various challenges they are facing in their continuously changing operational
environment. It seems that there are benefits that can be derivedfrom KM in every kind
of organizationand this also applies to academiclibraries (Sarrafzadehet al., 2010, p. 199).
KM in libraries is a tool for systematic management. It is based on the concept that
control of the knowledge needs to be viewed as an important resource in the provision
Library Management
Vol. 37 No. 4/5, 2016
pp. 182-194
©Emerald Group Publishing Limited
0143-5124
DOI 10.1108/LM-12-2015-0068
Received 10 December 2015
Revised 27 April 2016
Accepted 2 May 2016
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:
www.emeraldinsight.com/0143-5124.htm
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37,4/5
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