Designing a Model of Knowledge-Based Social Networks in Iranian University Libraries

پژوهشنامه کتابداری و اطلاع رسانی

Article 4, Volume 15, Issue 1 - Serial Number 29, June 2025, Pages 77-92   

Document Type: Original Article

DOI: 10.22067/infosci.2025.88405.1209

Authors

Mehran Faridi¹; Amin Zare^{* 2}; Soliman Shafee³

¹M.A. in Information Science, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran

²Associate Professor, Department of Information Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran.

³Ph.D. in Information Science, Head of UAST of Kermanshah province, Kermanshah, Iran.

Abstract

Introduction: Social networks in libraries, particularly within academic and university settings, have emerged as a powerful medium for facilitating communication among faculty members, students, librarians, and other stakeholders. What distinguishes the contemporary era from previous periods is the centrality of knowledge—both for individuals and organizations. Success, whether at the individual or institutional level, is increasingly contingent upon the effective acquisition, management, and dissemination of knowledge. Consequently, advancement and development are contingent upon leveraging key instruments of knowledge and wisdom, among which knowledge management has become a critical mechanism for enhancing organizational and societal efficiency. Knowledge management encompasses the systematic processes of collecting, organizing, and disseminating knowledge across an institution. Among the most impactful tools for knowledge management in modern organizations is the development of social networks, a phenomenon that has gained prominence following the rise of digital platforms. In academic libraries, these networks serve as dynamic spaces for collaboration, resource-sharing, and intellectual exchange, thereby reinforcing their role as vital hubs of scholarly engagement. Existing studies suggest that social networks in libraries, particularly academic libraries, present numerous challenges and opportunities for utilization. The current research is designed as an investigative and responsive study addressing the issues and complexities associated with networks in academic libraries. Literature indicates that limited research has been conducted on knowledge-based social networks and their role in organizational knowledge management within academic library settings. In fact, this study represents one of the pioneering works on knowledge-based social networks in Iranian academic libraries, contributing to an emerging and innovative area of research.
Methodology: Existing studies suggest that social networks in libraries, particularly academic libraries, present numerous challenges and opportunities for utilization. The current research is designed as an investigative and responsive study addressing the issues and complexities associated with networks in academic libraries. Literature indicates that limited research has been conducted on knowledge-based social networks and their role in organizational knowledge management within academic library settings. In fact, this study represents one of the pioneering works on knowledge-based social networks in Iranian academic libraries, contributing to an emerging and innovative area of research.The sample size for this study was determined based on the population size table and the Krejcie and Morgan (1970) sampling formula, resulting in the selection of 55 participants through a proportional stratified random sampling method. Data were collected using a researcher-developed questionnaire, designed as a 5-point Likert scale and administered electronically. Prior to distribution, the questionnaire’s validity was assessed and confirmed by a panel of five professors in Information Science and Knowledge at Razi University. To ensure the reliability of the data collection instrument, Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was computed, yielding an acceptable level of internal consistency. The collected data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistical methods.
Findings: The research findings revealed that among the components of knowledge-based social networks—structural, technical, content, and educational dimensions—along with organizational culture as a mediating variable, hierarchical regression analysis was conducted. Upon entering the structural dimension into the model, the overall model accounted for 25% of the variance in knowledge-based social networks. With the subsequent inclusion of content, educational, and technical dimensions, the final model explained 35% of the variance. Additionally, the results demonstrated that structural dimensions significantly influence knowledge-based social networks in Iranian university libraries. The findings of this study suggest the existence of a robust technical infrastructure (network) within the organization, designed to facilitate knowledge sharing, information organization, and professional networking. This structure serves multiple functions, including fostering interpersonal connections, cultivating an engaged audience, enabling reciprocal followership, promoting citation and dissemination of content, and facilitating collaborative workflows among employees. Additionally, it enhances initiative, creativity, and collective intelligence within the organization, extending beyond mere knowledge documentation. Furthermore, the network strengthens employee participation by encouraging brainstorming and the generation of innovative ideas while providing a structured platform for question-and-answer exchanges. Its overarching purpose is to effectively manage network functionalities, systematically organize and archive knowledge, and ensure its accessibility to relevant stakeholders.
Discussion and Conclusion: The results of the present study demonstrate that the proposed model for designing knowledge-based social networks in Iranian academic libraries incorporates four key dimensions—structural, content, educational, and technical—mediated by organizational culture, which also exerts a direct influence on the final model. Consequently, beyond traditional dimensions, the design of such networks must account for organizational culture as well as social and human factors. By integrating these elements, the resulting model can effectively enhance individual employee knowledge and, by extension, organizational knowledge.
Originality: Given the growing emphasis on establishing knowledge-based societies and the central role of universities in this endeavor, the development of a structured model for knowledge-based social networks in academic libraries represents a novel and significant contribution to the field.

Keywords

knowledge management; social networks; knowledge oriented social network; university library

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