Mohammad Hassanzade, Sakineh Alipour-Irangh, ,
Volume 1, Issue 1 (4-2014)
Abstract
Background and Aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between social capital and knowledge sharing at national information centers in Iran.
Method: This applied research was carried out using two questionnaires and a checklist. Data were collected from all the managers, but stratified random sample of staff members of three: main national information centers (National library, Regional Information Center of Science and Technology [RICEST], and Iranian Institute for Information Science and Technology).
Results: research findings indicated that: A) from managers point of view, lowest relationship between social capital and knowledge sharing belonged to the national library. But results gained from staff members credited the lowest situation to the RICEST; B) all of three information centers coined low range of knowledge sharing, therein, National Library with mean 2.17 out of 5 was the tallest among others; C) National Library was the highest among other centers regarding three dimensions (Relations, Trust and Shared norms) of social capital; D) Relationship between knowledge sharing and trust in all three institutes was significant But in Iranian Institute for Information science and Technology the relationship was more outstanding than others; and E) there was significant relationship between shared norms and knowledge sharing in all institutes.
Conclusion: In order for the National Information centers to improve the knowledge sharing culture among their staff members they should internalize mutual trust, provide them with shared norms and improve organizational communication
Delneshin Danaei Moghaddam,
Volume 1, Issue 2 (7-2014)
Abstract
Background and Aim: There seems to be a conceptual link between some theories of human information behavior. These links exist because some of these theories have been derived from same theories in similar fields or have a same approach in theorizing.
Method: In this paper 3 theories of information behavior (information poverty, information overload and social capital) have been discussed and compared.
Results: Chatman’s information poverty theory pays attention to the cultural/behavioural aspect of the phenomenon and clarifies that membership within a social group contributes to information poverty. Information overload describes the situation in which one feels anxious and stressed due to encountering to too much information. Social capital is rooted in social network analysis and explains how the social resources inside one’s network influence the success of achieving desired information. Both information poverty and information overload point out information avoidance, where there exists information but access to it is restricted. Social capital and information poverty both focus on the role of social structure in information seeking and the importance of trust in society.
Conclusion: Libraries can generate social capital by presenting some social programs to help users overcome their information overload and poverty.
Ebrahim Aryani Ghizghapan, Adel Zahed Bablan, Parvaneh Rahimi, Mahdi Moeinikia,
Volume 4, Issue 3 (12-2017)
Abstract
Background and Aim: The purpose of this study was to explain the mediating role of social capital in the relationship between the application of virtual social network and knowledge sharing practices in cyberspace.
Methods: The research in terms of the main strategy, was quantitative, in terms of the strategy, was field, and in terms of analytical, was descriptive-post-event technique. The statistical population consisted of postgraduate students users of telegrams social network at Mohaghegh Ardabili University in the academic year of 2016-2017. The sampling method was random. The sample size according to the Kregci-Morgan model and with error α = 0.05, was considered 210 persons. To collect data, virtual social networking questionnaire (with reliability α= 0.70), Social Capital Questionnaire of Nahapiet and Ghoshal (1998) (with reliability α= 0.93) and Knowledge Sharing Questionnaire of Bohlool (1392) (with reliability α= 0.93) was used. Validity of the tools was confirmed by the professors of education and psychology. Data were analyzed using two software’s SPSS v. 22 and Lisrel 8.50 and analyzed by structural equation modeling.
Results: The results showed that the proposed model had suitable fit (x2/df=2.96, GFI=0.93, AGFI=0.92, CFI=0.91, NFI=0.93, RMSEA=0.81) and the component of virtual social networking has a direct and indirect effect through the component of social capital on knowledge sharing in cyberspace (P<0.05).
Conclusion: The social network of Telegram, based on its hyperactivity capacity in shaped relationships, has been developing the behavior of user knowledge sharing in the cyberspace. Therefore, educating and developing and continuously monitoring the space of these networks and planning for the future can be a major proposition for virtual domain managers.
