Assessing the work environment of Iranian National Library for creativity of its staff: a case study

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

• narges Neshat ¹
• Hamid Reza Jamali ²
• elaheh hassanzadeh dizaji ³

¹ Associate prof., Iran National Library & Archive

² Msc. In Medical Library and Information Science-- Employee of National Library and Archives Organisation of Iran

³ Assistant Prof.,Department of Library and Information Studies, ,Kharazmi University(Tehran, IRAN)

10.22067/riis.v2i1.9764

Abstract

Purpose: This article aims to assess The impact of the work environment of the Iranian National Library and Archive (NLI) on creativity of its staff based on their opinion.

Method: KEYS standard questionnaire was distributed among all staff who had an academic degree. 183 completed questionnaires were collected and analyzed using SPSS.

Findings: Results showed that the work environment of NLI is currently not suitable for fostering and supporting creativity among staff. Among the influencing factors, managerial support, freedom and organizational support did not exist at a satisfactory level in NLI. There were differences among women and men and also among staff with different levels of education towards the work environment of NLI and its suitability for creativity. Staff with lower levels of academic education compared to those with higher levels of educations, and men compared compared to women had more positive attitudes towards their work environment and considered it to be more suitable for creativity. Staff belived that the most preventing as well as encouraging factors were related to procedures, structures and organizational attitudes. The authors suggest that NLI managers should try to modify the structure and procedures of the organizations.

Keywords

• Work environment
• Iranian National Library and Archive (NLI)Organization
• Creativity

---

References

 

Amabile, T. M., Conti, R., Coon, H., Lazenby, J., & Herron, M. ( 1996). Assessing the Work Environment for Creativity. The Academy of Management Journal 39(5), 1154-1184.

 Gunter, B., Nicholas, D., Huntington, P., & Williams, P. (2003). Digital interactive television: health information platform of the future? Aslib Proceedings 55 (5-6), 346-356.

Hambrick, D., & Mason, P. (1984). Upper echelons: the organization as a reflection of its top managers. Academy of Management Review 9, 193-206.

Hemminger, B.M., Lu, D., Vaughan, K.T.L., & Adams, S.J. (2007). Information seeking behavior of academic scientists. Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology 54 (14), 2205-2225.

Mathisen, G. E., & Einarsen, S. (2004). A Review of Instruments Assessing Creative and Innovative Environments within Organizations. Creativity Research Journal 16(1), 119-140.

Mikdashi, T. ( 1999). Constitutive meaning and aspects of work environment affecting creativity in Lebanon, Participation and Environment. An International Journal (PEIJ) 7(3), 47-55.

Mostafa, M. ( 2005). Factors affecting organizational creativity and innovativeness in Egyptian business organizations: an empirical investigation. Journal Management Development, 24(1), 7-33.

Sadi, M. A. (2008). Barriers to organizational creativity: the marketing executive’s perspective in Saudi Arabia. Journal Management Development 27(6), 574-599.

Tseng, H.M. & Liu. F.C. (2011).  Assessing the Climate for Creativity (KEYS): Confirmatory Factor Analysis and Psychometric Examination of a Taiwan Version. International Journal of Selection and Assessment 19,(4). Available at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=1960407 or doi:10.1111/j.1468-2389.2011.00572.x (10 December 2011)