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Decision-making experiences of public library CEOs: A study exploring the roles of interpersonal influence and evidence in everyday practice

Cheryl Stenstrom (San Jose State University, San Jose, California, USA)

Library Management

ISSN: 0143-5124

Article publication date: 9 November 2015

1103

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore and describe the decision-making practices of public library managers in the context of interpersonal influence and evidence-based information sources, and to investigate the relationship between models of evidence-based practice and interpersonal influence in the decision-making process of public library managers.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected through short audio blog posts participants made about their everyday decisions and coded considering the facets of three existing evidence-based library and information practice (EBLIP) models as well as the facets of interpersonal influence.

Findings

The findings show that public library CEOs decision-making behaviours reflect the use of a variety of practices from analytical to intuitive as is expected of managers in any sector; however, a stronger reliance on gathering objective information may be present than in other sectors. Seeking multiple sources of information and a tendency towards rationalism may indicate a more sophisticated approach to decision making, but be less indicative of the practices employed more broadly. A possible outcome of these tendencies may result in discordance with external partners and collaborators.

Practical implications

The findings from this study may inform the work of associations, library and information science (LIS) educators, and library managers in developing strategic directions and instructional strategies within their organisations. It is also the first study to jointly examine models of interpersonal influence and evidence-based decision-making practices in any field.

Originality/value

While the study of the decision-making practices of various groups is growing, little previous research has been conducted with public library managers, and none has been undertaken in Canada.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

This research was partially supported by a grant from the Canadian Library Association. The author also wishes to thank Drs Haycock and Partridge for their support in designing the project.

Citation

Stenstrom, C. (2015), "Decision-making experiences of public library CEOs: A study exploring the roles of interpersonal influence and evidence in everyday practice", Library Management, Vol. 36 No. 8/9, pp. 644-652. https://doi.org/10.1108/LM-07-2015-0053

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2015, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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