Validation of the Model of Strategic Management Components of Public Libraries in Iran

The aim of this study is to validate the identified components model of strategic management in the public libraries of Iran.

The present research is a quantitative study that was conducted using the Delphi method in 2020. The statistical population of the study consisted of 20 experts in strategic management, information science, and knowledge management who are faculty members of Iranian universities. The research sample was selected purposively. The components of this research were based on the article by Kohzadi Tahneh et al. (2021). Data were analyzed using the partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) method.

The results of validating the strategic model using structural equation modeling showed that in developing strategies, ʻidentifying the type of services and resourcesʼ had a factor loading of 0/847, ʻattention to political, legal, and governmental factorsʼ had a factor loading of 0/801, ʻalignment of organizational culture with developed strategiesʼ had a factor loading of 0/870, and for the variable selection of strategies, ʻsupporting strategies for special cultural productsʼ had the highest factor loading at 0/875 and were highly important. For the strategy implementation index, ʻimplementing specific strategies for promoting library products/services to attract new usersʼ had a factor loading of 0/878, and for management issues variable, ʻrewards and salary increases based on employee performanceʼ had the highest factor loading at 0/794. In the control and evaluation components of strategic program management, ʻalignment of implemented strategic programs with the library's operational environmentʼ with a factor loading of 0/754 has the highest impact among other components. These factors are highly important in the development, implementation, and evaluation stages of library strategic management. The obtained model fit value of 0/514 indicates a very strong overall model fit.

Originality/value: 

The results of this research can assist managers in identifying strategic gaps in the process of strategic management (formulation, implementation, evaluation) and prioritizing issues to achieve goals, improve service quality, satisfaction of users and employees, and sustainability of public libraries. It is necessary for senior managers to have different measures in the field of strategic management, especially in the process of formulation and implementation of strategies, with greater attention to the needs of society.