**8. Conclusion**

Knowledge management is a way of thinking and action, it is not based solely on the use of knowledge, but becomes at the same time, an instrument of its development. "By implementing knowledge management organizations gain intelligence, learn, adapt, change themselves and change the environment, produce not only specific performance, but a special kind of tacit performance that penetrates gradually deep into the organizational fiber and gene. And all these through general awareness and participation" (Stoica, 2006). Recent literature is rich in researches that analyze, present and underline the benefits of applying the knowledge management process in organizations, the need to change the organizational culture and improve the organizational learning. The importance of these issues is evident for the future of organizations in the knowledge-based society.

Various studies have dealt with the libraries and information services domain too. But things are far from clear. Researchers agree that it is necessary to create a culture of learning and knowledge sharing and it is the best way for libraries and information services to follow, but how to do this as well is not completely understood. Aspects of organizational culture, organizational learning and knowledge sharing should be considered when approaching implementation of knowledge management in libraries. However, research has focused so far on the importance of culture and less on creating a framework for building such a culture.

This study is just one of the researches that focus on knowledge management in libraries and information services, it provides a model for implementing knowledge management in these organizations and highlights the directions on which library managers should concentrate when they operate changes at the organizational culture level. Future research on organizational culture in libraries and information services and on the learning and knowledge sharing processes can help deepen this field and provide a stronger basis to be useful to libraries and information services and their managers.

#### **9. References**

264 New Research on Knowledge Management Models and Methods

We believe, however, that this openness provides general application and it is an advantage. The model and framework designed by us can be adapted and completed, just from the fact that each library applying knowledge management process should develop a suitable way

Together with other studies in literature, our research contributes to a deeper understanding of a category of organizations that occupies a special place in the knowledge-based society, namely libraries and information services, which are involved the most in knowledge management. Implementing knowledge management in any organization should start from understanding the context in which it operates, its mission and objectives, its activities and

In literature, approaches to knowledge management application in libraries and information services are fragmentary. Our study provides a starting point for future research to explore in greater depth and go in more details about the elements of the model and framework and answer questions such as How should be developed a system to motivate staff in libraries? How communication can be improved at the library level? etc. The model and the framework we designed starting from our research offer the basis for understanding the context of libraries and for creating a culture of learning and knowledge sharing in these structures. Future research should develop more systematic and detailed approaches and ways to manage and improve knowledge sharing in libraries. This could bring great advantages by increasing the efficiency of these organizations in the globalized knowledge-

Knowledge management is a way of thinking and action, it is not based solely on the use of knowledge, but becomes at the same time, an instrument of its development. "By implementing knowledge management organizations gain intelligence, learn, adapt, change themselves and change the environment, produce not only specific performance, but a special kind of tacit performance that penetrates gradually deep into the organizational fiber and gene. And all these through general awareness and participation" (Stoica, 2006). Recent literature is rich in researches that analyze, present and underline the benefits of applying the knowledge management process in organizations, the need to change the organizational culture and improve the organizational learning. The importance of these issues is evident

Various studies have dealt with the libraries and information services domain too. But things are far from clear. Researchers agree that it is necessary to create a culture of learning and knowledge sharing and it is the best way for libraries and information services to follow, but how to do this as well is not completely understood. Aspects of organizational culture, organizational learning and knowledge sharing should be considered when approaching implementation of knowledge management in libraries. However, research has focused so far on the importance of culture and less on creating a framework for building such a culture. This study is just one of the researches that focus on knowledge management in libraries and information services, it provides a model for implementing knowledge management in these organizations and highlights the directions on which library managers should

to implement it according to its own activities, practices and circumstances.

its characteristic elements and the external factors that influence it.

for the future of organizations in the knowledge-based society.

**7. Future research** 

based society.

**8. Conclusion** 


Creating a Culture of Learning and Knowledge Sharing in Libraries and Information Services 267

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**12** 

Fenio Annansingh *Plymouth University United Kingdom* 

**Exploring the Risks of Knowledge Leakage:** 

**An Information Systems Case Study Approach** 

Companies in high-tech industries are increasingly investing in 3D and virtual reality (VR) packages to support customers in understanding and using their products. These packages are now taking the form of 3D virtual reality environments (VREs) where employees can navigate, browse and learn in an authentic, close to reality context. These products supported by combinations of photographic techniques and virtual reality programming platforms are becoming increasingly popular and indeed very effective training tools. They provide for realistic contexts and easily navigable environments, which are ideal media for

These VREs promote specialised knowledge and technical skills within authentic environments and reinforce acquired knowledge by increased interactions with both the environment and the objects that compose it. These user-friendly and intuitive interactions encourage creativity and innovative thinking (Nunes & Annansingh, 2003). Furthermore, because these environments are usually web-based applications, hyperlinks enable access to vast amounts of both company specific and general information. This combination of use with precise descriptions of operational details have been identified by companies using them as posing possible risk of knowledge leakage (KL) exposure, thus, representing a threat to organisational knowledge management (KM). This chapter will discuss the

Therefore, the motivation behind this chapter is based on the identification and characterisation of KL risks associated with information systems (IS), namely VREs. The concept of KL has now evolved and increasingly literature searches indicate that KL is now emerging as a major consideration for businesses and academia alike. The definition for KL

*"knowledge leakage is the deliberate or accidental loss of knowledge to unauthorised personnel* 

In the past, IS projects have adopted a positivist approach, which focuses primarily on the development process associated with the technology rather than the perception and perspectives of the people involved in the developmental process (Bharadwaj, 2004). From an IS point of view interpretivist is an epistemological stance, concerned with the users' understanding of reality. It embraces a wide range of philosophical and sociological stances, which share the common characteristics of attempting to understand and explain the social world from the perspective of the actors directly involved in the social process (Burrell &

*within or outside of an organisational boundary". (Annansingh, 2004)* 

**1. Introduction** 

used in this chapter is:

training in complex and specialised settings.

findings of a study which explore this exact issue.

