Knowledge Management Challenges in Malaysia towards K-economy: A Librarian Perspectives
Introduction
Libraries are always been recognized as reader’s haven. Therefore, it should rethink and explore ways to improve their services and become learning organization in which to discover how to capture and share tacit and explicit knowledge within the library. The changing role of librarians as knowledge managers emphasizes the need to constantly update or acquire new skills and knowledge to remain relevant to the today’s library environment. Libraries may need to restructure their functions, expand their role and responsibilities to effectively contribute and meet the needs of a large and diverse of community and users (Hamid & Nayan, 2005)
Background and Problem Statement
In the present k-economy in Malaysia, knowledge dominates the society in all types of business pursuits as well as in their everyday lives. Knowledge‐driven economy has been defined as the rapid development and convergence of communications, computing and digital content to enable the globalization of production and stimulating enterprise and creativity. The libraries of all sizes and types are embracing digital collections, although most libraries will continue to offer both print and digital collections for many years to come. The effective use and exploitation of all types of knowledge to fulfill the business and economic activities are the main objectives of k-economy (Yaacob, 2010). Because of the continuous development in information and technology, the collection and disseminating the knowledge in the society is plagued with many barriers. Therefore, what are the challenges that create an impact in Malaysia towards it movement to k-economy?
Research Aim and Objectives
The main aim of the study is to investigate the knowledge management in Malaysia with regards to the changes and challenges in the society. In order to collect the suitable information there are objectives that should be considered. First is to determine how the libraries go about creating, disseminating and applying knowledge within the organization. Second is to discuss the working environment involved in supporting the implementation of knowledge management in the organization .Third is to determine the perceptions of the users and librarians about the knowledge management. And fourth is to analyse the effective policy or system through comparing the other countries in terms of the knowledge management.
Literature Review
The k-economy is based on a paradigm that focuses on intellectual capital as a prime mover. With knowledge replacing physical and natural resources as the key ingredient in economic development, education and human resource development (HRD) policies require rethinking. Investment in human capital is critical in a k-economy. Human capital theory views education and training as an investment that can yield social and private returns through increased knowledge and skills for economic development and social progress (Mustapha & Abdullah, 2004). In the application of the knowledge in the society, the economy is expected to improve. For example, the company faces the challenge of how to best manage its knowledge assets to generate value for the marketplace and obtain competitive advantage. Such advantage derives from special capabilities that are rare, valuable, non- substitutable, and costly to imitate. Therefore, the investment in knowledge is widely recognized as the source for competitive advantage (Ibrahim, et al., 2001). The Malaysian media have been deemed by successive governments as a tool to help promote national development plans and strategies like the knowledge management. Through the help of the media, people are oriented to adopt change or development, which can be easy to educate the society (Nain, 2003). On the other hand, the librarians have played key roles in the collecting, storing, organizing and disseminating of knowledge to society. Although the advent of Internet has brought predictions of the demise of the libraries, it has proven that libraries are, not only crucial but librarians’ role as knowledge providers had become even more significant. In universities, for example the head librarians continue to become important partner in decision‐makings while administrators, professors, and students see the library as the nerve of the campus. Libraries have indeed changed radically from their custodial role and emerged as dynamic partners in knowledge management programmes (Yaacob, 2010).
Methodology
The applied method in the study is the combination of qualitative and quantitative research. The study uses the questionnaire as the main instrument in data gathering such as determining the perceptions of the librarians about the topic on knowledge management. Hence, their perceptions will be used in relating the past and current issues on the knowledge management in Malaysia. On the other hand, the use of secondary information is important to compare and analyze the knowledge management done in other countries.
References:
Hamid, S., & Nayan, J.M., (2005) Preliminary Study of Knowledge Management in a Library: A Case Study of the National Library of Malaysia [Online] Available at: http://www.lib.usm.my/elmu-equip/conference/Documents/ICOL%202005%20Paper%2021%20Suraya%20Hamid%20&%20Jamaliah.pdf [Accessed 06 October 2010]
Ibrahim, A., Ismail, H.A., Asree, S.H., & Said, M.R., (2001) Knowledge Management as Strategy for K-Economy: Looking At Malaysia Environment [Online] Available at: http://www.eg2km.org/articles/Enriching%20KM%20in%20R&%20D%20Organisation%20-%20A%20Malaysian%20Perspective.pdf [Accessed 06 October 2010].
Mustapha, R., & Abdullah, A., (2004) Malaysia Transitions Toward a Knowledge-Based Economy, The Journal of Technology Studies, 30 (3) [Online] Available at: http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/ejournals/JOTS/v30/v30n3/pdf/mustapha.pdf [Accessed 06 October 2010].
Nain, Z., (2003) Media Role in a K-Economy: Transforming Media Education in Malaysia, Asia Pacific Media Educator, 14(13) [Online] Available at: http://ro.uow.edu.au/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1074&context=apme [Accessed 06 October 2010].
Yaacob, R.A., (2010) Knowledge Management: Emerging Roles and Challenges of Library and Information Professionals [Online] Available at: http://eprints.uum.edu.my/553/1/SPEAKER_DATO_DR_RAJA_ABDULLAH.pdf [Accessed 06 October 2010].
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