Ascertaining the place of library & information science in knowledge management research

Abstract

In the past few years, many researchers and practitioners have shown the value of applying knowledge management (KM) in libraries and other information settings – so as to serve the patron better and to innovate services. However, it is unclear to what extent has mainstream KM literature embraced LIS research as a domain within KM. In this research, we seek to ascertain the place of the LIS field in KM journals by analysing what the top KM journals – as identified by Google Scholar – have published on LIS in the last two decades since the year 2000. We analysed the publication trends, and the distribution of these articles by LIS‐related terms used, region/country and information setting type. We also identified the top‐cited LIS articles from within these and their coverage in different journals and in different years. 83 LIS‐related articles were found within the 4601 research articles published in top KM journals. Only 1.8% of the KM articles were LIS‐related. By showing the relatively low coverage of LIS within KM research, the study demonstrates that LIS researchers/practitioners need to do more to be recognized as an important area within KM. KM journals can also enable greater synergies with LIS for mutual benefit.

Looking for knowledge management in library and information science research

“…While there have been many studies conducted on KM in libraries and many more are currently being conducted, we do not know the extent to which KM forms a part of LIS research. In a previous study (Agarwal and Islam, 2018), the authors tried to ascertain the place of LIS in KM research. We found that only 1.8% of all articles in the top ten KM journals published since the year 2000 related to LIS.…”

How is knowledge management represented in library and information science research?

“…These are all important areas when implementing KM within libraries and other information settings. The overall findings of this study revealed that KM has comparatively high visibility (3.84%) in the LIS field, as opposed to LIS within the KM field, where Agarwal and Islam ()’s study demonstrated a visibility of only 1.8%. Thus, LIS journals engage with KM more oftenthan KM journals engage with LIS.…”

“…While there have been many studies conducted on KM in libraries, we do not know the extent to which knowledge management forms a part of LIS research. Agarwal and Islam () tried to ascertain the place of LIS in KM research and found that only 1.8 % of all articles in the top ten KM journals published since the year 2000 related to LIS. In this paper, we take an opposite lens and investigate the place of KM in LIS research.…”

Positive Effects of Good Mental Health on Professional Responsibility of Librarians

“…Under the current economic system reform and continuous social development, modern people's mental health problems have become more prominent (Vitale, 2016), which may lead to the exhaustion from work and study, and even the symptoms of anxiety and depression (Sinnasamy & Karim, 2014). Whereas, good mental health state can improve individual enthusiasm for work, study, and life (Agarwal & Islam, 2018). Librarians are likely to have mental health problems because of Hebei University of Science and Technology, Shijiazhuang 050018, China E-Mail: 1054918522@qq.com high workloads etc.…”