LIS professionals and knowledge management: some recent perspectives

Abstract

Purpose -To identify the general perspectives of library and information science professionals on knowledge management and examine their assessments of its potential values, benefits, opportunities and threats to the profession. Design/methodology/approach -An international survey was conducted using a web-based questionnaire. The questionnaire targeted LIS professionals around the world, through the use of the IFLA-L, KMDG-L mailing lists. Findings -The survey found an increased awareness among LIS professionals of their potential contribution to knowledge management, with a high agreement on its positive implications for both individuals and the profession. Research limitations/implications -Although the survey was distributed through international mailing lists, it succeeded mainly in obtaining responses from Australia and New Zealand, the USA, the UK, South Africa and Canada. Thus, the findings may have limitations in their generalizability. Originality/value -Knowledge management is a field with which the LIS community is already familiar. Despite its wide impact on many aspects of the profession, the wider ramifications of the relationship between the two as yet remain unclear. The paper attempts to contribute to further understanding of these ramifications.

Benchmarking the Knowledge Management Practices of Construction Firms

“…Knowledge management refers to the creation and subsequent management of an environment that encourages knowledge to be created, shared, learned and organized for the benefit of the firm (Sarrafzadeh et al 2006). The earliest research studies on knowledge management have been predominantly driven by technical perspective (i.e., information systems -IS).…”

A diagnostic model for assessing the knowledge management practices of construction firms

“…Knowledge management refers to the creation and subsequent management of an environment that encourages knowledge to be created, shared, learned and organized for the benefit of the firm (Sarrafzadeh et al, 2006). The earliest research studies on knowledge management have been predominantly driven by technical perspective (i.e., information systems -IS) (Hansen et al, 1999;Tuomi, 2002).…”

Changing Paradigms in Library Education: From Library Science to Information Science to Knowledge Science

“…Koenig (2006) mentions that KM seems to be permanent, describing KM as a domain of stable mature growth with no indication of decline of publication volume, a very different profile in comparison to other business fads. KM has a future in LIS, and its durability has been confirmed in the studies conducted by Ajiferuke (2003), and Sarrafzadeh, Martin and Hazeri (2006). Davenport and Cronin (2000) describe KM in the LIS context as 'information management' (management of internal and external publications) by another name.…”

“…Within this context, several studies identified the market opportunities for information professionals (Moore, 1987;Apostle & Raymond, 1991). Similarly a number of authors describe that KM offers new career options and new job opportunities for graduates (Morris, 2001;Rehman & Chaudhry, 2005;Sarrafzadeh, Martin & Hazeri, 2006). Responding to the needs of current and future employers for information and knowledge professionals in the fast moving and exciting area of KM, LIS schools have adopted KM education.…”