University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Organizational Cultures of Libraries as a Strategic Resource

Kaarst-Brown, Michelle L.; Nicholson, Scott; von Dran, Gisela M.; Stanton, Jeffrey M.

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/1722

Description

Title
Organizational Cultures of Libraries as a Strategic Resource
Author(s)
  • Kaarst-Brown, Michelle L.
  • Nicholson, Scott
  • von Dran, Gisela M.
  • Stanton, Jeffrey M.
Issue Date
2004
Keyword(s)
  • Leadership in libraries
  • Library organization
Abstract
Theorists have suggested that organizational culture is a strategic resource that has value in ensuring the continuing existence and success of organizations (Michalisin, Smith, & Kline, 1997; Barney, 1986, 1991; Hult, Ketchen, & Nichols, 2002; Gordon, 1985). This assertion is supported by various studies that have linked organizational culture to broad strategic outcomes such as an organization’s ability to manage knowledge (Davenport, Long, & Beers, 1998; Storck & Hill, 2000), innovation capability (Hauser, 1998), and strategic management of information technology (Kaarst-Brown & Robey, 1999; Reich & Benbasat, 2000; Schein, 1985). Based on this research, we suggest that there are characteristics of organizational cultures in information-based organizations that lead to increased collaboration, collegiality, and organizational effectiveness. The present article explores these characteristics and examines whether organizational culture can be leveraged as a strategic asset to attract staff, create favorable assessments by administrators and funders, and cast library institutions in a positive light for independent media and accreditation bodies. We believe that identification of those characteristics of organizational cultures that are uniquely relevant to the growth and success of libraries can provide current and future library leaders with guidance, models, and intellectual resources to enhance personal and organizational success.
Publisher
Graduate School of Library and Information Science. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
ISSN
0024-2594
Type of Resource
text
Language
en
Permalink
http://hdl.handle.net/2142/1722
Copyright and License Information
Copyright owned by Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois. 2004.

Owning Collections

Library Trends 53 (1) Summer 2004: Organizational Development and Leadership PRIMARY
Library Trends 53 (1) Summer 2004: Organizational Development and Leadership. Edited by Keith Russell and Denise Stephens