A taxonomy of the expected roles of librarians towards knowledge management

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the connection between the various layers of roles and tasks of librarians with the various knowledge types and methods. Although there are multiple benefits anticipated with knowledge management (KM) schemes in libraries, the practical side of it among Library and Information Science (LIS) professionals is not yet notable or evident. Design/methodology/approach Taxonomy building and Delphi method were two means of research deployed to achieve the declared purpose. Findings It was possible to achieve several steps into structuring a taxonomy but yet further work has to be accomplished in order to consummate the taxonomy. For this, means of group interviewing method along with perhaps sponsorship of association relevant to librarianship might be an appropriate approach. Research limitations/implications Delphi process was not possible to be fully exercised and completed due to limitations of limited number of participants as well the overwhelming feeling of participants had toward the unfamiliar content. It would have been more rewarding to have physical meeting in groups to overcome such limitations. Originality/value This paper lays the foundation stone of a multi-layer taxonomy for roles of librarians toward KM. The taxonomy also unveils a dimension that librarians often miss when discussing KM. It also models the categories of knowledge types for LIS. Thus, the LIS community is urged to contribute in the development of this taxonomy which could become the handbook of reference in KM for librarianship.

Taxonomy design methodologies: Emergent research for knowledge management domains

“…Roles and opportunities for graduates of MLIS programmes to work in KM environments are increasing and are evidenced in increasingly diverse settings, based on studies using thematic coding of job advertisements (Harper, 2013), publication content analysis (Van Rooi and Snyman, 2006), and Delphi method (Abukhader, 2019). My own experiences, crossing over in industry and academic environments, intersect through consulting, such as described in this study, and also through chairing the programme advisory committee on KM at the university.…”

What is the impact of library and information science on knowledge management research?

“…the implications of KM for LIS professions (Sarrafzadeh, 2008); when existing and emerging disciplines meet: LIS versus KM (Roknuzzaman, 2009); a case study of LIS schools using KM (Islam, 2012) and KM for innovation in library services (Islam, 2016). Researchers have carried our empirical studies advocating adopting KM in libraries: KM practices in European university libraries (Balagué et al , 2016); effect of KM and service innovation in academic libraries (Islam et al , 2017); KM readiness of academic libraries (Marouf, 2017); KM for innovative services in university libraries (Ugwu and Ekere, 2018); expected librarian KM roles (AbuKhader, 2018) and innovation in academic libraries through knowledge creation (Koloniaria et al , 2018).…”

Taxonomy Development of PTAR Local Content Collections: A critical analysis of the expert-assigned and LCSH subject headings

“…Hedden (2022) defines taxonomy as a type of knowledge-organizing system in which concepts are connected hierarchically. Taxonomy development according to Abukhader (2019) is the basis of knowledge classification. The importance of taxonomy development in research has been long acknowledged in identifying subject classification.…”

“…Problems in subject classification in specific subjects depend on the natural and local behavior of the content (Prashasti, Rajesh, Vivek, David & Fernando, 2020). Research reporting difficulties in taxonomy development including in information systems (Nickerson, Varshney & Muntermann, 2013), biology, and knowledge management (Abukhader, 2019). Concerning sports science, De Pauw, Roelands et.…”