Knowledge processes. A strategic foundation for the partnership between the university and its library
| Pages | 324-335 |
| Date | 01 August 2005 |
| Published date | 01 August 2005 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/01435120410609743 |
| Author | Maija‐Leena Huotari,Mirja Iivonen |
| Subject Matter | Library & information science |
Knowledge processes
A strategic foundation for the partnership
between the university and its library
Maija-Leena Huotari
Department of Communication, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland, and
Mirja Iivonen
Tampere University Library, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
Abstract
Purpose – To explore the nature of the university’s knowledge processes and to specify the library’s
role in these processes.
Design/methodology/approach – A theoretical framework for strategic management based on the
concepts of the value constellation of networked enterprises and the knowledge processes is applied
along with the concept of a strategic partnership to indicate the library’s new role within the
university.
Findings – The library’s role in the generative knowledge processes is likely to become the major
managerial challenge. Its role in the productive knowledge processes will increase, and in the
representative knowledge processes it will diversify.
Research limitations/implications – The same research object could be approached empirically
from a multidisciplinary perspective, i.e. the transforming research and teaching processes and
enhancement of the library’s role in them. The impact of the library’s intellectual capital on the
university’s intellectual capital should be examined in terms of performance assessment in theory and
practice.
Practical implications – Illuminative examples indicate how libraries can take a more proactive,
strategic role in practice.
Originality/value – This timely paper develops a sound theoretical basis on which the library can
be understood as a vital member of a strategic partnership in the management of the university’s
intellectual capital. It is a significant application to library management of theory from outside the
field. The paper is rich in stimulating ideas, and should be of considerable interest to a wide
readership.
Keywords Academic libraries, Knowledge processes,Strategic alliances, Intellectual capital
Paper type Conceptual paper
1. Introduction
In the late 1980s, Christopher Freeman introduced the concept of the national
innovation system. Universities are a part of such systems. The central task of
universities is to create new knowledge and thereby engender innovations. Innovations
are based on information and knowledge processes of various kinds. Such processes
cannot take place without accurate, up-to-date knowledge in the focal areas of the
universities’ research interests and efforts. One way to integrate high quality library
and information services with the long-term planning of the university is to understand
the library as an internal strategic partner. As a consequence of this understanding the
major managerial and leadership challenge that university libraries and universities
The Emerald Research Register for this journal is available at The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available at
www.emeraldinsight.com/researchregister www.emeraldinsight.com/0143-5124.htm
LM
26,6/7
324
Received 5 October 2004
Revised 26 November 2004
Accepted 15 December 2004
Library Management
Vol. 26 No. 6/7, 2005
pp. 324-335
qEmerald Group Publishing Limited
0143-5124
DOI 10.1108/01435120410609743
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