Factors affecting knowledge creation in academic libraries

Abstract

Knowledge has been widely recognised as the most valuable asset of an organisation and the creation of new knowledge as a prerequisite for improving service quality and achieving innovation. The current study, adopting a business-oriented approach, aims to explore the factors that affect knowledge creation in Greek academic libraries. More specifically, building on the findings of a preliminary study, it empirically tests the influence of knowledge enablers, namely organisational culture, organisational structure, human resource management and information technology, on both knowledge-centred strategy implementation and knowledge creation, using structural equation modelling. The results suggest that libraries must develop and implement a knowledge-centred strategy, supported by the proper social and technological context, to achieve the creation of new knowledge. Organisational culture emerged as the most important influencing factor, thus indicating that library leaders must focus on building a knowledge-conducive culture, characterised by collaboration and trust.