Institutional repositories: review and an information systems perspective

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to review the current literature and discussion on institutional repository (IR) and open access (OA) issues, to provide examples from the information systems (IS) literature, and to propose the use of IS literature and further research to inform understanding of institutional repository implementations for library managers.Design/methodology/approachRecent literature is reviewed to provide the background to, and current issues in, the development of institutional repositories to support open access to refereed research output.FindingsThe brief examples in this paper indicate that research can build on existing knowledge already gained by IS researchers to enhance our understanding of IR and their users. Research can also lead to learning to create more successful IR implementations and therefore the more successful dissemination of refereed research output and other intellectual and research contributions of institutions such as universities.Practical implicationsExisting research is identified, as are areas for potential research. Brief examples from IS literature are provided which may provide strategies for libraries and other organisations to speed up their implementation of IR to provide access to, and management of, their own institutions refereed research output.Originality/valueThe paper brings together recent opinion and research on IR and OA to provide librarians and other information managers with a review of the field, and proposes research on IR and OA building on existing IS as well as information management and librarianship research.