This thesis investigates proactive learning and competence development among academic librarians in Pakistan. The concept of motivation comes out of McClelland’s need theory, while the idea of competence development in this thesis emerges from the continuous contact of a person with the professional learning environment. The detailed description of a combination of these ideas is found in the theoretical framework chapter. The professional learning environment is a key concept in this thesis. A basic premise of this work is also that exposure to the professional learning environment can be measured, as is done in this thesis.  Motivation stimulates a person’s efficient and effective contact with the professional learning environment, which contributes to competence development and makes competence development sustainable. 

Empirical data in this study is of Pakistani librarians working in academic libraries. The study results showed that neither the motivational needs of respondents nor the librarians’ categories have significant association with the professional learning environment while there is a significant association between librarians’ motivation needs and different stages in their career. These study results can be seen from two entirely different perspectives. First, the results show a statistically significant association between the categories of Pakistani academic librarians and their motivational needs, which confirms McClelland’s theory of motivation changes (decline or activation) in relation to the situations and circumstances of the person. A statement of this significant association is also a rejection of the assumption that the environment does not change for Pakistani librarians throughout their careers. 

The second perspective is that of Pakistani librarians. Motivational needs have their description in the theoretical framework as of socio-cultural nature. Changes in motivational needs on different stages of librarians’ careers are available for exposure to the professional learning environment. These differences in people have their ultimate effects on their exposure to the professional learning environment as it is under discussion in this thesis. 

An overall analysis of Pakistani librarians’ survey results presents a more general picture. Most hidden discrepancies emerge in the detailed analysis of empirical data. It becomes clear that there are many factors that have their potential effects on Pakistani librarians’ exposure to the professional learning environment.  

This study presents a bibliometric analysis of research on inclusive education focusing on the development, scholarly publishing, and various influences on the body of knowledge (information sources, authors, institutions, and countries). Data for this study were collected from three reference and citation-enhanced indexing databases, i.e., Google Scholar, Scopus, and Web of Science. There was diversity in terms of variations of results from one database to the other. This research will be valuable for academia and researchers alike in the field of inclusive education. The researchers in scholarly communication research area, policy makers, and those involved in measuring researchers’ performance for promotions and awards on the basis of publications and citations indicators may also benefit.

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study stated effects of independent variables of trust, social networks, and information and communication technologies (ICTs) on explicit and tacit knowledge. Further, it explained contributions of explicit and tacit knowledge to performance in academic environment.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is based on research model of hypothetical relationships of various criterion and predictor variables. Structural equation model was used in which research model was analyzed by using confirmatory factor analysis.

Findings

Some criterion variables were observed for predictor variables of explicit and tacit knowledge. It was observed that explicit knowledge contributed indirectly and tacit knowledge contributed directly to overall performance. Current research explained explicit and tacit knowledge as contributors for performance. It also explained effects and patterns of explicit and tacit knowledge toward performance.

Originality/value

This research highlighted that the effects of contributing factors for explicit and tacit knowledge have variations in response to socio-economic and geo-political circumstances. These variations can be expected from other issues like use and access of ICTs. But contributing pattern of knowledge for performance remains same.

This research is about knowledge management in academics and organizational business practices of Pakistan. Research proceedings revealed that knowledge management is emerging as new concept and is getting grounds in Pakistani environment. Article reviews the knowledge management literature in and about Pakistan. An overview of knowledge management initiatives and attempts in any form were focus of this research. Knowledge management related information was collected by literature search through websites, research journal archives, and library catalogues. This research is of practical use for researchers and organizational management who are involved in knowledge management research and practices.

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate librarians' attitude toward knowledge management in the academic environment of Pakistan. Personality characteristics and situational characteristics of behaviour were discussed in the context of a Pakistani university setting. Design/methodology/approach – This is quantitative research with closed-ended questionnaire as the tool for data collection. In data analysis, Pearson correlations of self-esteem, self-efficacy, threat and challenge with factors of knowledge management and Pearson correlations of experience with attitudes toward knowledge management were calculated. In addition, independent samples-t tests for gender and sector were applied. Findings – Significant positive correlations of self-efficacy, self-esteem, and challenges with librarians' attitudes toward knowledge management were calculated. On the other hand, research results proved that attitudes toward knowledge management had no relation with experience of librarians. Similarly, no gender wise and sector wise significant differences were observed in librarians' attitudes toward knowledge management. Research limitations/implications – This research suggests new roles, trends, and vocational settings for library and information science professionals in the field of knowledge management as the topic of future research. Practical implications – This research clarifies the personality characteristics and situational characteristics for knowledge management practices with special reference to librarianship and it contributes to the promotion of knowledge culture in Pakistan. Originality/value – This literary contribution is unique in the sense that it presents knowledge management perspectives in Pakistani librarianship. It is useful for decision makers who are involved in knowledge management attempts. It helps in selection of proper person for the proper task for knowledge management.

This study presents census data of provision and support for students with special needs (usually known as disabled students) in libraries of special education professional degree awarding institutions (DAIs) and rehabilitation centers (RCs) acting in Lahore. Questionnaire was used as research instrument in this quantitative study. Provisions and supports in libraries of DAIs and RCs were illustrated on graphs covering overall students with disabilities and different disability areas – physical impairments, hearing impairments, and visual impairments. Non-parametric tests were used for data analysis. Analysis of collected data confirmed that there was no association or relationship between provisions and supports for students with disabilities in libraries of DAIs and RCs, and type of disabilities. Similarly, Chi-square analysis showed that there was no association between sector and type of disability for provisions and supports for students with disabilities in libraries of DAIs and RCs. Findings of this study have theoretical and practical implications for patrons with special needs’ education and librarianship in Pakistan. This research contributes its part for better attitudes, interactions, and understandings in libraries for students with special needs. Furthermore, this study guides librarians and administration of DAIs and RCs working for students with special needs regarding better provisions and supports in libraries for them.

This study is about knowledge sharing behavior in dairy sector. Two-hundred middle managers (with professional qualifications) from five industrial units in Pakistan were selected for study. Fifty-seven managers participated in the study (29 percent of the sample). Research model and hypotheses were based on behavioral theories, i.e., TRA, TPB, and TAM. Data were collected through a questionnaire using Likert scale. Spearman’s and Pearson’s correlation coefficients and structural equation model among different variables tested hypotheses of the research modal. The study proved that attitude, intention, and behavior had accepted mutual positive direct effects for knowledge sharing in dairy sector. Conversely, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control had non-significant values but weak positive direct effects toward knowledge sharing. Findings of this study are useful for better understanding about behavioral influences for knowledge sharing. Furthermore, it is of practical use for the organizational administration involved in knowledge management initiatives in geographical circumstances of Pakistan.