Knowledge management, librarians and information managers: fad or future?
Abstract
This paper reviews some recent professional and academic publications on aspects of the theory and practice of knowledge management, with particular reference to the curriculum of professional education for library and information management and the career roles and prospects of information professionals. Some commentators dismiss knowledge management as a fad; others view it as a major paradigm shift in the management and exploitation of “intellectual capital”. It is concluded that many aspects of knowledge management practice bear a close resemblance to well‐established practices in librarianship and information management. However, the emphasis by knowledge management theorists and practitioners on the importance of knowledge elicitation and knowledge creation, groupwork and team work, greater involvement in organisational strategy development and support and IT may require greater attention to the personality, motivation and career aspirations of potential entrants to the profession in order to prepare them better for wider‐ranging, multi‐role careers.
Keywords
Citation
Loughridge, B. (1999), "Knowledge management, librarians and information managers: fad or future?", New Library World, Vol. 100 No. 6, pp. 245-253. https://doi.org/10.1108/03074809910290486
Publisher
:MCB UP Ltd
Copyright © 1999, MCB UP Limited