“In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity”1 – using a case study to identify Critical Success Factors contributing to the initiation of international collaborative projects

Abstract

This paper aims to identify factors that contribute to the successful initiation of international collaborative projects that are intended to support the development of education for librarianship and information sciences. The paper, first, discusses the widespread failure to analyse the Critical Success Factors in international collaborative projects. It proposes case study methodology to identify these factors through an analysis of the decision by the European Commission's ALFA Programme to support REVISTAS, a study of the feasibility of digitising all the Spanish and Portuguese journals in the field of librarianship and information sciences, particularly those published in Latin America.To contextualise the proposal, it discusses the development of the 'Information Society' in Latin America, and the key role attributed to libraries and librarians. It then examines problems that have been noted in the development of education and practice in librarianship and information sciences in the region, and in journal publishing for the profession, the availability of indexing and abstracting services, and the utility of document delivery services. It presents an outline of the author's initial research into the underlying challenges, and outlines the development of the international partnership that will deliver the planned outcomes of the REVISTAS project. Finally, the paper analyses the issues that have contributed to the establishment of this cooperative effort, and the limitations of this study.

Enhancing Development Through International Collaboration by Schools of Librarianship and Information Studies

“…(Wormell 2002) It would be fair to acknowledge that most of the international projects undertaken in the past operated in relatively uncharted areas, "telescoping into a few decades what it has taken developed countries a couple of centuries to achieve" (Asheim 1966), and may have been diffi cult to implement. However, despite a recommendation made more than 30 years ago that: An evaluation and qualitative measurement of these library development efforts, either on an individual project level, on a countrywide or regional basis, or on the basis of agency sponsorship appears to be in order (Brewster 1976), few of the collaborative projects involving SLIS appear to have been subject to an objective evaluation of their impact (Stieg 1968;Johnson 2005), which might have provided useful guidelines for subsequent activities elsewhere. The reality was that: Too many assignments serve a political purpose rather than a professional one.…”

“…Johnson has since reiterated the need for further research in this area (Johnson 2001b). Ramírez Leyva (2004) followed this with a review of the strengths and weaknesses of regional collaboration, while Johnson (2005) made an initial attempt to expose the factors involved in how an international collaborative research and development project might be successfully initiated.…”

“…Another challenge that has to be overcome in developing joint activities is securing fi nancial support, particularly in what has become an increasingly competitive environment. Johnson (2005) has indicated the need to secure appropriate collaborators among the Critical Success Factors in initiating cooperative projects, which could be summarized as:…”

“…TEMPUS and ALFA are based on formal bidding processes, in which the objectives and management structure of proposed projects need to be clearly stated. SLIS have increasingly found themselves competing with other disciplines for these development funds and, although a number of collaborative projects between SLIS have been supported, they have not noticeably been successful (Johnson 2005). Although TEMPUS and ALFA funding is available for only 3 years, and most of the collaborations that were funded could now be said to have formally disbanded, relationships established during these activities have in many cases continued on an informal basis or through other mechanisms.…”

The impact on education for librarianship and information studies of the Bologna process and related European Commission programmes – and some outstanding issues in Europe and beyond

“…Higher education libraries may have benefited indirectly from other projects, but only a few specifically library development projects have been funded, for example by TEMPUS-TACIS, 52 ALFA 53 and, in the Arab world, by TEMPUS-MEDEA. 54 International collaboration between Schools of Librarianship and Information Studies could make a significant contribution not only to the development of library and information services, but also indirectly to economic and social progress.…”