The Relationship between Knowledge Management and Service Innovation in Academic Libraries

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between knowledge management and service innovation in academic libraries of Kermanshah.

The present study is a practical research and was conducted based on descriptive-survey method. To collect data, Islam, Agarwal & Ikeda questionnaire was used. After standardization it was distributed among the research population. The population of the study consisted 55 academic librarians. Because research population was limited, so, census method was used to collect data. To analyze the data, descriptive and inferential statistical tests were used.

The findings showed the highest mean was related to variable of innovation in library services (3.39) and the lowest mean for dissemination and transfer of knowledge (3.05). There is also a significant relationship between knowledge creation/capture, knowledge sharing/transfer and knowledge application/use with innovation in academic library services. Also, there was a significant correlation between knowledge management and innovation in academic library services. Of course there is no significant difference between the innovation in services and the dimensions of knowledge management of librarians based on the places of librarians' services.

Originality:

 Based on the desirability of knowledge management and innovation in academic library services (except knowledge sharing/transfer) it is imperative to improve knowledge sharing in academic libraries, so, librarians need to participate in social activities and discussion sessions.