Strategies and tools for knowledge management practices in selected academic libraries in Nigeria and South Africa

Abstract

Introduction and problem statementKnowledge is an essential asset in the current information and knowledge economy (Giju et al. 2010). The extent to which an organisation and its members survive and prosper in this competitive and continuously changing digital environment depends largely on the effectiveness and efficiency with which it manages knowledge (Mostert & Snyman 2007). Therefore, for organisations -specifically academic libraries -to grow, they must put in place mechanisms (strategies and tools) to manage knowledge, and thereby improve service delivery. After all, service delivery is why most organisations exist. The services rendered in academic libraries cannot be carried out in isolation; hence, librarians' involvement in knowledge management practices (KMPs) is important. Librarians are a key variable in this study, considering their position at institutions of higher learning. They are called upon not only to possess the right skills and competencies for managing knowledge but also to effectively apply KMPs in the operations of the library and information services they offer. Librarians are also a key variable because they are meant to share their experiences, skills and tacit knowledge with one another, whilst supporting transformation, especially as it applies to certain strategies and tools in use in their academic libraries. The operations that form part of KMPs assume different forms -from acquisition to the creation of new knowledge to the use and reuse of knowledge for diverse work operations in this environment. Librarians' knowledge and skills can therefore enhance work performance, especially in the areas of processing, managing and harvesting information and Background: This study investigate strategies and tools for knowledge management practices (KMPs), in selected academic libraries in Nigeria and South Africa. The rationale were due to divergent library routines, increasingly users', influx of information resources in university library repository and Internet, among other factors. KMPs are touted key ingredients for library practices.Objectives: Based on the aforementioned statement, the study investigate strategies and tools for KMPs in selected academic libraries in Nigeria and South Africa. Methods:The quantitative research approach was based on survey, made use of questionnaire to collect data from respondents in the selected academic libraries in South Africa and Nigeria. The data collected were analysed using descriptive statistical tools.Results: Findings indicate that, knowledge management is practiced in diverse ways to include group discussions/meetings, apprenticeships, socialisation and communities of practice, seminars, conferences and workshops. KM tools of decision support systems, database management systems, web portals, electronic document management systems (EDMS), management information systems, were used for generic and specific work operations in the library. Codification strategy serves to deepen how new knowledge promoted KM practices in academic libraries. C...

Perceived Influence of Digital Competence on Knowledge Sharing Behaviour of College Librarians in the South-East and South-South Geo-Political Zones of Nigeria

“…According to Enakrire and Onyancha (2020), digital tools such as word processors, search engines, database management systems, management information systems and information retrieval tools, web portals, site maps, data warehouses, search engines, semantic webs, artificial intelligence tools, simulation tools and data mining; and strategies such as intensive face-to-face communication among colleagues, reuse of knowledge through codification strategy, creating coherence among colleagues, deepening research and learning process, application of skills to build new knowledge, training and re-training of staff, among others can be used to facilitate proper knowledge management for knowledge sharing purposes among academics. Awodoyin, Osisanwo, Adetoro and Adeyemo (2016) investigated knowledge sharing behaviour pattern analysis of academic librarians in selected www.iiste.org ISSN 2224-5758 (Paper) ISSN 2224-896X (Online) Vol.13, No.3, 2023 academic libraries in Nigeria.…”

Employees’ perception of knowledge management in academic libraries in the digital age

“…Academic libraries and their parent organisations, Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), are knowledge centred organisations and knowledge repositories since they produce, curate, organise, and share knowledge (Akosile & Olatokun 2019;Enakrire & Onyancha 2020). Knowledge is a key resource in the knowledge economy and digital age for organisational success (Chigada & Ngulube 2016:221).…”

Tacit Knowledge Sharing in Educational Organizations: Literature Review

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