The library succession planner’s decision-making style
| Pages | 497-510 |
| Published date | 14 November 2017 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/LM-02-2017-0017 |
| Date | 14 November 2017 |
| Author | Gihani S. Rajapakse,K. Kiran |
| Subject Matter | Library & information science,Librarianship/library management,HR in libraries,Library strategy,Library promotion |
The library succession planner’s
decision-making style
Gihani S. Rajapakse and K. Kiran
Department of Library and Information Science,
Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology, University of Malaya,
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Abstract
Purpose –The purpose of this paper is to explore succession planning in academic libraries, specifically to
understand how succession planning is carried out and how the decisions-making styles of library managers
influence each stage of the succession planning.
Design/methodology/approach –A qualitative approach was used to gather data through a document
analysis and interviews with library managers at four Sri Lankan university libraries. Data analysis was
done applying the framework analysis (FA) tool.
Findings –The study revealed that succession planning has been practiced in Sri Lankan university
libraries to develop a bench strength, skilled backup for key positions at all levels, while inculcating
leadership competencies in their respective positions. The dominant decision style is the identifiable
decision-making style within the succession planning process.
Research limitations/implications –The volumeof the data obtained depends largelyon the participants’
responses, and theinterpretation of the data is subjectedto minimum personal biasness of the researcher.
Practical implications –An understanding of how decision-making styles influence practices of
succession planning contributes to assist library managers to carry out succession planning within the
limitations of their autonomy to do so. The findings of this study benefit library managers in recognizingtheir
own decision-making styles and the level of succession planning they have achieved.
Social implications –Library managers’decision-making style can have an influence on how succession
planning is carried out successfully at an academic library to ensure continuity of the library’s mission and vision.
Originality/value –This is the first known study to investigate how decision-making style of the manager
influences each level of the succession planning at an academic library. The use of a systematic FA method
for the qualitative data analysis reveals trustworthy results.
Keywords Sri Lanka, Decision making, Qualitative, Academic library, Succession planning,
Library manager
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
It is well known that the library’sresponse to patron needs stronglyinfluences the decision of
both the library’s process structures and its leadership structures (Konya and Gurel, 2014).
Both management style and decision styles have an impact on the performance of staff in a
university (Ismail, 2010). Thus, as claimed by Singer and Griffith (2010), “having the right
people at the right place at the right time can be achieved through successful succession
planning.”According to the Business Dictionary, succession planning is the “identification
and development of potential successors for key positions in an organization, through a
systematic evaluation process and training.”It is a complex task to plan and carry out
a succession exercise. Within a library, the responsibility commonlyfalls in the control of the
library manager (chief librarian) or the management group for a larger library set up.
Succession planning should be a priority among managerial tasks; however, many
institutions, though they do understand the importance of succession planning, do not see it
as a priority. Offering job-specific training does not adequate equals succession planning!
Few libraries have established succession plans that actively prepare current staff for future Library Management
Vol. 38 No. 8/9, 2017
pp. 497-510
© Emerald PublishingLimited
0143-5124
DOI 10.1108/LM-02-2017-0017
Received 8 February 2017
Revised 6 April 2017
17 April 2017
2 May 2017
Accepted 14 May 2017
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:
www.emeraldinsight.com/0143-5124.htm
The authors acknowledge Grant No. PO062-2015B (University of Malaya). The authors also thank
all the librarians who provided valuable data for this study.
497
Library
succession
planner
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