Publishing has often been regarded as the bedrock of librarianship. The soundness of this belief requires no argument because the publisher and the librarian continually play…
Abstract
Publishing has often been regarded as the bedrock of librarianship. The soundness of this belief requires no argument because the publisher and the librarian continually play complementary roles in the provision of materials for the dissemination of information to the public. While the publisher is mainly involved at the earlier stages of the technical professional production of books and other information materials, the librarian has the singular duty of making sure that these materials, in addition to the information contained in them, are made available to readers. In other words, if the publisher does not play his or her part, the librarian may not have the materials necessary for the performance of his or her duties and if the librarian fails in a professional role, the single, major means by which the publishers' output gets to the largest number of population is lost. Thus, the professional roles of the publisher and the librarian are closely related and interdependent.
The purpose of this article is to explore decentralization as a management strategy in university library administration using University Libraries of Calabar, Uyo and Cross River…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this article is to explore decentralization as a management strategy in university library administration using University Libraries of Calabar, Uyo and Cross River State University as case studies. It examines how effective the different levels of decentralization in a large establishment such as a university library can stabilize the management system and create cohesion, and harmony in spite of problems of communication, coordination and control.
Design/methodology/approach
These objectives are achieved through the descriptive survey methodology investigating the implications of a decentralized system of administration in a university library using the instrument of questionnaire.
Findings
The finding is that decentralization could make for efficient management in a large establishment such as a university library especially if enhanced by the new technologies.
Research limitations/implications
For further research, this paper suggests investigation into the implications of the assertion that no organization is totally centralized or totally decentralized.
Practical implications
The practical implication of this paper is the fact that there are both centralized and decentralized systems of functions, services and administration in most university libraries. Where a library is totally decentralized, the high executive has no more responsibilities and the library may collapse. Where it is totally centralized, subordinates are alienated and are remote from activities.
Originality/value
Provides the rather paradoxical vision of the internet as a centralized approach towards the enhancement of a decentralized system of administration.
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Productivity in library and information entails efficient and timely information acquisition, processing, storage, retrieval and delivery. The purpose of this paper is to explore…
Abstract
Purpose
Productivity in library and information entails efficient and timely information acquisition, processing, storage, retrieval and delivery. The purpose of this paper is to explore the reasons why the productivity of women in library and information should be enhanced; to describe problems which militate against this; and to highlight their future prospects.
Design/methodology/approach
These objectives are achieved through the descriptive survey methodology.
Findings
The finding is that, in spite of the fact that the productivity of women in Nigeria has generally been regarded as low because of traditional prejudices against women and lack of data on the productivity of women in the informal sector, the productivity of women in the library and information sector has remained high and needs enhancement to encourage them to aim higher in the profession. One way of achieving this is by getting them fully involved in information technology. Another way is government's financial support of their aspirations towards training and retraining; attendance to seminar‐workshops, exchange programmes in connection with sabbatical leave appointments, etc.
Research limitations/implications
For further research, this paper suggests an investigation into the implications of government's investment on women librarians for the harnessing of knowledge and information for sustainable rural development in Nigeria.
Practical implications
The practical implication of the paper is that with government's focus on women librarians to tap their potentials, they will become more sensitive in their professional practice and will endeavour to show‐case their enhanced productivity.
Originality/value
The new value is the suggestion that women librarians should be incorporated to assist in producing national data on the productivity of women in the informal sector.
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Shariful Islam and S.M. Zabed Ahmed
This paper aims to describe the library services available to rural dwellers and a summary of focus groups discussions (FGD) conducted in northern districts of Bangladesh.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to describe the library services available to rural dwellers and a summary of focus groups discussions (FGD) conducted in northern districts of Bangladesh.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper is divided into two sections. The first section describes rural library services in Bangladesh. The second section discusses the results of FGDs carried out separately in ten rural communities in northern areas of Bangladesh.
Findings
The results of FGDs highlight the general information needs of rural communities, their reading, listening and viewing habits and awareness of rural library activities. The findings suggest that the rural libraries largely meet the informational needs of the local community and play a crucial role in the educational advancement of local people.
Originality/value
This is the first time an effort has been made to assess the impact of rural library activities using FGDs in Bangladesh. This paper shows that FGDs could be an effective way to assess the impact of rural library activities.
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This study aims to find the level of gender-based assortativity in the association of researchers and investigate if gender has influence over social capital of researchers and…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to find the level of gender-based assortativity in the association of researchers and investigate if gender has influence over social capital of researchers and their research performance in the context of a multi-ethnic nation, such as Malaysia.
Design/methodology/approach
Social network analysis is used as a primary research method to analyse the associations between the authors. Mann-Whitney test is used for testing the significant differences in research performance and social capital based on gender.
Findings
The assortative mixing patterns of 187 researchers revealed positive assortativity, meaning that more authors preferred to co-author with authors of their gender. No influence of gender was seen on the social capital of authors. However, gender did significantly influence the research productivity of authors.
Originality/value
This is one of the first studies that attempts to find the influence of gender on collaborative associations of researchers in Malaysia.
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Esharenana E. Adomi and Silvester O. Anie
To assess the computer literacy skills/competencies of professional librarians in Nigerian university libraries.
Abstract
Purpose
To assess the computer literacy skills/competencies of professional librarians in Nigerian university libraries.
Design/methodology/approach
Employs descriptive design using questionnaires to collect data from 57 professional librarians in four Nigerian university libraries.
Findings
Reveals the personal characteristics of the respondents, assessment of their levels of computer skills, computer use experience, avenues of computer literacy, software used, library routines computer is used for, benefits derived from computer and problems associated with computer use, recommendations are made in light of the findings.
Originality/value
Its findings will assist librarians and library managers to have insight into state of computer literacy among professionals in Nigerian university libraries and assist relevant authorities to plan how librarians, especially in developing countries, can become computer literate.
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Jihad Mohammad, Farzana Quoquab, Fazli Idris, Mohammed Al-Jabari, Nazimah Hussin and Raed Wishah
The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between Islamic work ethic (IWE) and employees’ attitude and behaviour in term of perceived organisational justice…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between Islamic work ethic (IWE) and employees’ attitude and behaviour in term of perceived organisational justice, psychological ownership (PSY), and employees’ performance in the Islamic financial institutions in Malaysia.
Design/methodology/approach
This study used a sample of 301 employees of Islamic financial institutions and employed structural equation modelling-partial least square technique in order to analyse the data.
Findings
The findings demonstrated that IWE has both direct and indirect effects on attitudinal as well as behavioural outcomes.
Practical implications
Managers who want to enhance their employees’ attitude and behaviour are strongly advised to give proper attention to the concept work ethic. Moreover, they need to conduct training programs to instil these values and to emphasise its crucial role in enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of the organisation.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the body of knowledge on IWE by: testing its ability to predict employees’ performance, their perception of organisational justice, and their feeling of PSY, and examining the mediating effect of perceived organisational justice and PSY between IWE and employees’ performance.
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Jihad Mohammad, Farzana Quoquab, Zafir Mohd Makhbul and T. Ramayah
Based on social exchange, equity, and other orientation theories this study examines the effect of organizational justice on two dimensions of employees’ citizenship behavior in…
Abstract
Purpose
Based on social exchange, equity, and other orientation theories this study examines the effect of organizational justice on two dimensions of employees’ citizenship behavior in the Asian context. Moreover, the purpose of this paper is to investigate whether Islamic work ethic (IWE) can moderate the relationships between organizational justice and two dimensions of citizenship behavior.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected using self-administered questionnaire. In total, 337 employees from Islamic financial institutions in Malaysia participated in the survey. Structural equation modeling specifically partial least square was used to analysis the hypothetical model developed in this study.
Findings
The finding of this study revealed that justice has direct effect on citizenship behavior directed toward individual and organization alike. These relationships found to be more effective for employees who are high in IWE and weak for employees who are low in IWE. Moreover, the findings of this study provide insight about the validity and reliability of the existing scales pertaining to the study constructs in Asian culture.
Practical implications
The current study enhance researchers understanding about the crucial role of dispositional variables as moderator in relation to justice and citizenship behavior, confirmed the predictive role of organizational justice in Asian context, and stresses the importance of justice at workplace which can encourage employees to go the extra mile and show good behavior toward their co-workers and/or organization.
Originality/value
This is a pioneer study that empirically investigates the moderating role of IWE between organizational justice and citizenship behavior, and emphasized the validity and reliability of the used scales in eastern context.
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Zahra Sarhadi, Mojtaba Kaffashan Kakhki and Hassan Behzadi
This study aims to assess the effect of knowledge management (KM) development and emotional intelligence (EI) on the productivity of librarians regarding the mediating role of job…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to assess the effect of knowledge management (KM) development and emotional intelligence (EI) on the productivity of librarians regarding the mediating role of job motivation (JM) and job feedback (JF).
Design/methodology/approach
This study was carried out in two phases. First, the variables affecting the productivity of librarians were identified and selected through an explorative study and by surveying their opinions. Then, the theoretically designed model was administered to 312 librarians at Iranian public libraries. A questionnaire was used to collect data, and the structural equation modelling technique was used to analyse data.
Findings
The results of this study showed that KM and EI, mediated by JM and JF, had a positive and significant effect on developing the librarians’ productivity. The results also revealed that JF had a positive effect on JM and that JF was more effective on productivity than JM. This study marginally proved the direct effect of KM and EI on productivity where KM was more effective than EI on productivity. Knowing the effects of organizational and individual factors on the higher productivity of librarians in public libraries will help library managers make more efficient use of those factors in developing the capabilities of librarians and enhancing productivity.
Originality/value
This study is one of the few studies of its kind that facilitates the perception of the concept of productivity in public libraries and also the assessment of the effects of organizational and individual factors on the librarians’ productivity.
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Mohammed Y.A. Rawwas, Basharat Javed and Muhammad Naveed Iqbal
The purpose of this paper is to expand previous theories of motivation and religious ethics by examining the moderation effect of Islamic work ethic (IWE) on the relationship…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to expand previous theories of motivation and religious ethics by examining the moderation effect of Islamic work ethic (IWE) on the relationship between perception of politics (POP) and job satisfaction, and turnover intention and negligent behavior (NB).
Design/methodology/approach
The sample consisted of 260 workers employed in various sectors in an Asian country. Multiple linear regression analyses were used to test the main effect of the five hypotheses. In addition, moderated models are used to identify factors (IWE) that may change the relationship between independent and dependent variables.
Findings
Results revealed that POP was negatively related to job satisfaction, and positively related to turnover intention and NB. IWE was positively related to job satisfaction, and negatively related to turnover intention (confirming previous research findings), and NB (a contribution of the current study). Furthermore, when the moderator variable of IWE was introduced to the relationship between POP and job outcomes, the influence and direction of the POP were altered (a major contribution of this study). In other words, the moderator variable strengthened job satisfaction and reduced both turnover intention and NB of organizational workers.
Originality/value
When the moderator variable of IWE was introduced to the relationship between the POP and job outcomes, the influence and direction of the POP were altered (a major contribution of this study).