Implementing knowledge management in academic libraries : a comparative case study of the Kamuzu College of Nursing and Bunda College of Agriculture libraries

This dissertation focuses on an investigation that was conducted to find out the state of knowledge management in the Kamuzu College of Nursing and Bunda College of Agriculture libraries, constituent college libraries of the University of Malawi. Drawing from the literature on knowledge management, the study proposed and implemented two models for the maturity assessment and implementation of knowledge management respectively. The study used the models successfully to measure the levels of maturity of knowledge management and identify the knowledge needs and knowledge assets of the libraries. The results of the study revealed that both libraries are at the same level of knowledge management maturity i.e. knowledge management is still in its infancy as they did not have clearly established strategies to make use of knowledge. Furthermore, there were no significant differences between the two libraries in the various aspects of knowledge management investigated. The study therefore recommended a road map for implementing knowledge management in the libraries. Knowledge management is recognised by many organisations of strategic importance to improving an organisation?s performance and its competitive advantage. Knowledge management thus has been largely associated with profit making organisations. However, knowledge management is also applicable to non-profit making organisations such as academic libraries. The environment in which academic libraries operate continuously changes and it is therefore imperative for the libraries to use knowledge management as a tool to adapt and remain relevant.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Library and Information Studies Centre (LISC)

Year dc:date.issued

2011

Author dc:creator

• Namondwe, Trevor

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Smith, Gretchen

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/11585

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/11585