Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Ph.D. Candidate, Department of Information Science and Knowledge Management, Faculty of Public Administration and Organization Science, College of Management, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
2
Associate Professor, Department of Information Science and Knowledge Management, Faculty of Management, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
3
Associate Professor, Department of Medical Library and Information Science, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
Introduction: Digital transformation, as an emerging concept in the realm of academic libraries, has become a fundamental pillar for the survival and advancement of these institutions in the information age. However, the lack of comprehensive research and the ambiguity surrounding its implementation, particularly in Iranian public universities, highlight the necessity of a more in-depth examination of this issue. This uncertainty underscores the importance of identifying and understanding the essential requirements for digital transformation in these academic institutions. A previous study, employing the Delphi method, took an initial step in identifying the factors influencing digital transformation in Iranian public university libraries and proposed a corresponding model. Accordingly, a subsequent study aimed at validating this model is essential to assess its alignment with the realities faced by public university libraries under the supervision of the Ministry of Science, Research, and Technology. The present study, therefore, seeks to evaluate the validity of the proposed digital transformation model for public university libraries governed by the Ministry of Science, Research, and Technology.
Methodology: This study was conducted using a quantitative approach and a survey method and is applied in terms of its purpose. The research instrument was a researcher-developed questionnaire comprising seven main questions and 139 sub-questions, focusing on factors influencing the digital transformation of public university libraries in Iran. To assess the validity of the questionnaire, both content validity and construct validity were employed. The study's statistical population consisted of 753 individuals, including directors, deputy directors, and librarians of central libraries, as well as faculty members in library and information science at public universities under the supervision of the Iranian Ministry of Science, Research, and Technology. A total of 258 participants were selected for the statistical sample using a convenience sampling method followed by stratified sampling. Based on the ratio of faculty members to library directors and librarians, the sample included 41 faculty members and 217 directors and librarians. Ultimately, 247 participants returned completed questionnaires, yielding a response rate of 95.7%. The validity of the research model was examined using the second type of structural equation modeling (SEM), specifically the partial least squares (PLS) method. For the model evaluation, two approaches were employed: the Reflective Measurement Theory and the Structural Theory. The evaluation of the reflective measurement model comprised three key stages: reliability testing of the reflective measurement model, validity testing, and quality assessment of the measurement model. Meanwhile, the structural model evaluation involved the assessment of path coefficients, the coefficient of determination index, and the predictive relevance index. All analyses were conducted using PLS software version 4.
Findings: The analysis presented in the reliability section of the measurement model indicates that the factor loadings for the majority of indicator constructs exceed 0.7, with their significance duly confirmed. The latent variable values within the study were also above 0.7, reaffirming the reliability of the measurement model. Furthermore, the composite reliability criterion for the research variables exceeded 0.7, further validating the reliability of the research indicators. The findings of the convergent validity test revealed that the average variance extracted (AVE) for the research constructs ranged between 0.677 and 0.9, surpassing the minimum threshold of 0.5 required for acceptable variance extraction. This demonstrates strong internal consistency and validity within the measurement model. Similarly, the results of the divergent validity test confirmed that the square root of the AVE values for all research constructs exceeded the correlation values between them, thereby establishing appropriate divergent validity and affirming a good fit for the measurement model. The results of the model measurement quality test further indicated that all indices yielded positive values, confirming the satisfactory quality of the reflective measurement model. In the structural model tests, the path coefficient analysis demonstrated that all coefficients had significance values exceeding 1.96, thereby validating the relationships between components and variables at a 95% confidence level. Moreover, the coefficient of determination index for all constructs was found to be significant and moderate. The predictive relevance index values calculated for all reflective latent variables were above zero, indicating the model's predictive capability. Additionally, the goodness-of-fit (GoF) index for the model was 0.8, signifying a strong overall model fit. In conclusion, the findings across various aspects of the study confirm that the digital transformation model of public university libraries in Iran—comprising seven main dimensions, 25 concepts, and 139 components—demonstrates a strong fit and high quality within the context of public university libraries under the supervision of the Iranian Ministry of Science, Research, and Technology. The model exhibits a good fit and quality in terms of three key aspects: measurement model fit, structural model fit, and overall model fit. Furthermore, the resulting questionnaire demonstrates strong validity and reliability.
Conclusion: The proposed model proficiently identifies the requirements and key factors influencing the digital transformation of public university libraries in Iran, operating under the supervision of the Iranian Ministry of Science, Research, and Technology. It provides a valuable framework for the effective implementation of digital transformation strategies within these institutions.
Originality: This research contributes to a deeper understanding of the requirements and factors influencing the digital transformation of public university libraries in Iran, thereby facilitating the enhancement of their performance in the competitive information landscape.
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