Analyzing the Function of Business Intelligence in Academic Libraries

Abstract

Purpose: The research was conducted to investigate the impact of business intelligence on the key activities of academic libraries.Method: This study is applied research with an exploratory nature done with the mixed method. The approach of the research is part-to-whole (induction), developed in two stages. First, the key activities were identified with the documentary research (library) method and validated by the fuzzy Delphi qualitative method in two stages. Then, the impact of business intelligence on the identified activities was investigated with the quantitative survey method. The data collection tool was a structured questionnaire and the statistical population was selected by purposive sampling.Results: Forty-three key activities were identified in 11 functioning fields: 1) strategic management, 2) planning, 3) human resource management, 4) knowledge management, 5) physical space management, 6) evaluation, 7) extra-organizational communication, 8) group building, 9) partnership and cooperation, 10) management Information and organization, 11) reference and information services. Business intelligence in the field of "planning" has the greatest effect while its effect in the field of "physical space management" is the least. Finally, according to experts' opinions, the impact of business intelligence on the key activities of academic libraries was estimated as "high". The greatest impact was observed in the key activity of "change management" and the least in "agility in adapting to environmental changes".Conclusion: By aligning their key activities with technological developments, especially business intelligence, academic libraries can provide innovative and creative services to keep up with the changing society by using data and analytical methods, and effectively increase efficiency in libraries. It is suggested that increasing awareness at managerial levels about the importance of business intelligence in libraries be among the high-priority programs of senior managers of academic libraries.

Keywords

• academic library
• business intelligence
• business analytics