Abstract
Background: This study investigate strategies and tools for knowledge management practices (KMPs), in selected academic libraries in Nigeria and South Africa. The rationale were due to divergent library routines, increasingly users’, influx of information resources in university library repository and Internet, among other factors. KMPs are touted key ingredients for library practices. Objectives: Based on the aforementioned statement, the study investigate strategies and tools for KMPs in selected academic libraries in Nigeria and South Africa. Methods: The quantitative research approach was based on survey, made use of questionnaire to collect data from respondents in the selected academic libraries in South Africa and Nigeria. The data collected were analysed using descriptive statistical tools. Results: Findings indicate that, knowledge management is practiced in diverse ways to include group discussions/meetings, apprenticeships, socialisation and communities of practice, seminars, conferences and workshops. KM tools of decision support systems, database management systems, web portals, electronic document management systems (EDMS), management information systems, were used for generic and specific work operations in the library. Codification strategy serves to deepen how new knowledge promoted KM practices in academic libraries. Conclusion: Universally KMPs is not new, though still at its infancy in some academic institutions in Africa. The need to continually share knowledge to advance quality service delivery in meeting users’ information needs becomes essential. The study recommends insightful methods of coding information and knowledge as a way to re-organise and disseminate local collections, while librarians apply various KM platforms to regulate planning KM activities in academic libraries.
Highlights
Introduction and problem statementKnowledge is an essential asset in the current information and knowledge economy (Giju et al 2010)
Policy plays a key role when it comes to knowledge management practices (KMPs), but the context of many libraries today – especially those in Africa – does not emphasise policy implementation. It is on this premise that the present study investigates the strategies and tools for implementing KMPs in selected academic libraries in Nigeria and South Africa
Variations in terms of how knowledge management (KM) is practised at each library could be attributed to the fact that the work operations and procedures followed are intertwined
Summary
Introduction and problem statementKnowledge is an essential asset in the current information and knowledge economy (Giju et al 2010). For organisations – academic libraries – to grow, they must put in place mechanisms (strategies and tools) to manage knowledge, and thereby improve service delivery. Librarians are a key variable in this study, considering their position at institutions of higher learning. They are called upon to possess the right skills and competencies for managing knowledge and to effectively apply KMPs in the operations of the library and information services they offer. Librarians are a key variable because they are meant to share their experiences, skills and tacit knowledge with one another, whilst supporting transformation, especially as it applies to certain strategies and tools in use in their academic libraries.
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