Turning weakness into strength: strategies for future LIS

Summary, in English

Purpose – LIS has been described as a fragmented field in crisis, with an increased competition from other fields; and lacking in development of theories. The purpose of this paper is to articulate a strategy in which the perceived weakness can be seen as a source of strength.

Design/methodology/approach – The text builds mostly on reflections on meta-theoretical and science-organisation literature. Ten distinct problems for the research field are identified and discussed in order to provide a viable strategy for the future.

Findings – While it is common to suggest a convergent movement toward the idealised characteristics of the strong research discipline as a recipe against fragmentation, a strong convergent movement is suggested that feeds off the fragmented character of the field. What is commonly perceived as a weakness, the multidimensional character of the field, can be translated into a strategic resource.

Originality/value – The paper provides a fresh perspective on the strategic situation of LIS.

• Författare: Jan Nolin; Fredrik Åström
• Avdelning/ar: Universitetsbiblioteket
• Publiceringsår: 2010
• Språk: Engelska
• Sidor: 7-27
• Publikation/Tidskrift/Serie: Journal of Documentation
• Volym: 66
• Issue: 1
• Fulltext: - 319 kB; Download statistics
• Länkar: http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/00220411011016344
• Dokumenttyp: Artikel i tidskrift
• Förlag: Emerald Group Publishing Limited
• Ämne: Information Studies
• Nyckelord: Information science; Uncertainty management; Research work
• Status: Published
• Forskningsgrupp: Information Studies
• ISBN/ISSN/Övrigt: ISSN: 0022-0418