Comparison of knowledge management application among librarians of medical universities based on Williams and Bukowitz model

Abstract

Aim: Knowledge, as one of the assets, plays a pivotal role in gaining the competitive advantage of the organization and institutions and is considered the ultimate alternative to production, wealth, and monetary capital. This study aimed to compare the application of knowledge management among librarians of University of Medical Sciences of Hamadan, Iran, and University of Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences based on Williams and Bukowitz's models. Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study the statistical population includes all librarians (81 individuals) working in libraries of Medical Sciences Universities of Hamadan and Iran, and Universit of welfare and rehabilitation sciences. The method of data collection is Bukowitz and William's seven-component questionnaire. SPSS statistical software 17 and analysis of variance, Tukey and Kruskal tests were used to analyze the data. Results: The mean of the studied components at Hamadan University of Medical sciences is about 41units higher than the mean score in the University of Welfare Sciences and at Iran university of medical sciences the maen score is 28 units higher than the Welfare University. Also, the mean for female employees is about 20 units less than male employees (with constant consideration of other variables effect). The other variables did not have a statistically significant effect on this mean. Conclusion: By summing the scores of all components, this score was statistically significant in the three studied universities and the mean score of Hamedan University library staff was more than the other two universities and the mean score of the staff of Welfare Sciences University was less than the others. It seems that knowledge management has better conditions at Hamadan University of Medical Sciences.