Developing Dynamic Capabilitiesin the Technological Library Environment

Diana L.H.ChanThe Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

Outline

• The Technological Library Environment• Framework of Dynamic Capability (1) Sensing the Environmental Challenges (2) Realigning and Reconfiguring Library Resources (3) Implementing Human Resources Strategies• Implications for Academic Librarians

The Technological Library Environment

Google Effect

Digitization

Mobile Devices E-books

Social media

Cloud Computing

HKUST• Founded in 1991• No. 33, QS World University Rankings in 2012

No. 1, QS Asian Universities Rankings in 2012

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Population Students: 12,000 ； 40% SENG, 36% SBM, 21% SSCI, 3%

H/SS U/G-64% ； P/G -36% Faculty ： 500

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HKUSTLibrary

• 12,000 sq.m. in 5 Levels• 90 Library Staff• 1.6 m visits & 2 m virtual visits

Extension in 2011 Information & Learning

Commons

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Dynamic Capabilities

• A firm with dynamic capabilities is defined as its ability to– integrate, – build, – reconfigure competences to address rapidly changing environments

(Teece 1997, 2007, Winter 2002)

Dynamic Capabilities

• Libraries are urged to be dynamically capable, equipped with abilities that can: (1) sense environmental impacts, (2) realign and reconfigure their

resources, (3) implement effective strategies to

respond to these incoming threats

(1) Sensing the Environmental Challenges

• Ability to decode, assess and filter incoming environmental challenges of an organization and effectively communicate these threats with its internal senior management

(Teece 2007)

• The process includes scanning, searching, and exploring in technological and user spheres

(Nelson and Winter 1982)

•

Sensing the Environmental Challenges

• Systems infrastructure

• Mobile technologies

• Digital libraries• Open source

software

Systems

• Teaching pedagogies

• Education technology

• E-learning• Social media

Reference

• E-book technology

• PDA• Consortial

purchasing

Collection

• Smartcard development

• RFID• E-reader

circulation

Access Services

• Electronic rights management

• RDA• E-invoicing• COUNTER

statistics

Technical Services

HKUST Library - Sensing by 20 LibrariansHeads, Managers, Committees, Working Groups, Taskforce and Teams

E.G. 1 – Developing the Learning Commons

What

Emerging user demands

Design requirements

Latest developments at HKUST, HK, Asia,

World

HowListserv

RSS feeds

Newsletters

Meetings

Seminars

Conferences

Literature

Focus groups

User forums

Library visits

Outcome

E.G. 2 – Library Retreat 2012• Strategic Planning Redefining the Academic

Library Group discussion on all

strategic goals Action plans with timelines Measures of success Identified resources and

training implications

• Scenario Planning What Library has prepared

for double cohorts 20% and 30% scenario Identified services and

operations affected, e.g. seats, course reserve, noise, popular titles, study rooms..

Solutions, contingency plans

Outcomes from the Sensing Process• Discussions built consenus among

senior management team• Enables us to develop necessary

goals and legitimize strategies that realign and reconfigure our resources to better prepare for new challenges and changes

(2) Re-aligning and Re-configuring resources• A Dynamic Capable institution has

the ability to realign its limited resources in a dynamic world – from low demand areas– to higher priority areas– to tech-driven areas– In order to achieve maximum

effectiveness and efficiency in managment, operation and service provision

2012 Library Re-alignment

• Systems & Digital Services (16 staff)– Head and AUL – IT & Services Infrastructure Manager– Systems Librarians (2)– Learning Commons Manager– Archivist & Special Collections Manager– Library Technology Officers (3)– Senior Technicians , Technicians, EO, LAs (6)– Student programmers, interns, helpers

• Increasing importance on technological supports

• Re-configure resources to higher priority & tech-driven areas

HKUST LIBRARY ORGANIZATIONAL CHART2012

University Librarian

Systems & Digital Services

Cataloging

Acquisitions

Archives & Special Collections

Systems

Administration Office

Information & Learning Commons

20 August 2012

Technical Services Access Services

Building & Facilities Circulation

Reference

Collection Development

Media Resources

Document Supply Service

.

Reference & Collection Services

(3) Implementing Effective Human Resources Strategies• A dynamic capable organization

has the ability to execute the strategies, move the new “reformed” organization ahead into the implementation stage

• Maintain a transparent internal communication channel

• Redeployment• Collective learning

CUS Connection• A monthly informal meeting with 15 staff• Get connected, improve communication • Provide co-creation and participative management• Foster team spirit

DepartmentalWiki

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Staff RedeploymentCombining Information& Reference Counter Combining Reserve &

Circulation Counter Manning IC & LCHelp Desk

Realigning staff to functions of increasing demandsTraining, coaching, meeting are indispensable

19A new Promotion Design Force PDFis formed to design posters

Collective Learning Mechanisms◦ Knowledge accumulation

Work routines that are stored as procedural memory and collective wisdom of an organization

Key management processes accumulated over time Experiential in nature learned through trial and error

◦ Knowledge articulation When experiential wisdom on the execution of particular tasks was

shared Through sharing and constructive discussions, collective learning

happened

◦ Knowledge codification Explicit knowledge of understandings of the performance

implications of internal routines Work manuals, guidelines, and patterns in the execution of a

complex task (Zollo and Winter 2002)

Cross Training

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-14-week on Web2.0

- 50 staff joined

- 32 completed

- Given time at work to learn

- Some staff helped in Facebook page

Presentation Materials

SmartCATAn information pool for library tours

Digital ImagesMobile TechnologiesLearning Commons

Refresher & Training Sessions

Staff training and Refresher Sessions

Students using Facebook Group for communication, peer support and training signup

Implications for Academic Librarians

• adaptable• innovative• enthusiastic• forward-looking• open mind• concern about

profession and organization

21st Century Librarian

• Facility designer• LC manager• Media specialist• System technologist• Scholarly

communication advisor

• Life-long learner

New roles

References• The 2010 Campus Computing Survey. (2010)

http://www.campuscomputing.net/summary/2010-campus-computing-survey• Chan, D.L.H. (2012). Some thoughts for tomorrow’s academic libraries. International

Conference on Change and Challenge: Redefine the Future of Academic Libraries. Peking University, China. Nov 4-6, 2012.

• Chan, D.L.H., Soong, S.C. (2011). Strategic repositioning in a dynamic environment. Library Management, 32(1/2), 22-36.

• Huczynski, A.A. and Buchannan, D.A. (2007). Organizational Behaviour: an Introductory Text. 6th ed. Prentice Hall, Harlow

• Nelson R. and Winter, S. (1982). An Evolutionary Theory of Economic Change. Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA.

• QS Asian Universities Rankings – Overall. (2012) http://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/asian-university-rankings/2012• QS World University Rankings – Overall. (2012). http://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/world-university-rankings/2012?page=1• Schaffhauser, D. (2012, September 5). E-Textbook pilot grows to 25 schools even as U Minn

opts out. Campus Technology, http://campustechnology.com/Articles/2012/09/05/E-Textbook-Pilot-Grows-to-25-Schools-Even-as-U-Minn-Opts-Out.aspx?Page=1

References• Teece, D.J. (2007). Explicating dynamic capabilities: the nature and microfoundations of

sustainable enterprise performance. Strategic Management Journal, 28(13), 1319-1350.• Teece, D.J, Pisano, G. and Shuen, A. (1997). Dynamic capabilities and strategic management.

Strategic Management Journal, 18(7), 509-533.• University Leadership Council. (2011). Redefining the academic library managing the

migration to digital information services. http://www.educationadvisoryboard.com/pdf/23634-EAB-Redefining-the-Academic-Library.pdf

• Winter, S.G. (2002). Understanding dynamic capabilities, a working paper of the Reginald H. Jones Center WP 2002-05, the Wharton School University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, 2002.

• Zollo, M. and Winter, S.G. (2002). Deliberate learning and the evolution of dynamic capabilities. Organization Science, 13(3), 339-351.