Consortia and knowledge management: the functional context and an organisational model

Abstract

Knowledge management (KM) is a current technique in organisational theory and management. The knowledge-based organisation is the organisation of the future and libraries have much to learn from industry and business. The rules and tools of KM contribute to information and knowledge sharing and delivery throughout the world, as globalisation facilitates communication. Consortia, consisting of libraries of various strengths, power, age, collection, staff experience and specialisation, can operate using the concepts of KM in order to enhance their effectiveness and efficiency, as well as to share the expertise developed in the services of member libraries. Either at the organisational level or in the provision of services to users, the members of the library consortia could gain more benefit if they viewed themselves as a trans-organisational scheme of a knowledge-based community. The paper describes such a model drawn from industry and from the theory of the firm, adjusted to the library's context and functions. It will also make a brief reference concerning the benefits of implementing the model.