Login

Publications  •  Project Statistics

Glossary  •  Schools  •  Disciplines
People Search: 
   
Title/Abstract Search: 

Dissertation Information for Robert Douglas Hook

NAME:
- Robert Douglas Hook

DEGREE:
- Ph.D.

DISCIPLINE:
- Library and Information Science

SCHOOL:
- University of Southern California (USA) (1980)

ADVISORS:
- Jerry Finley Cao

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
- David Lopez-Lee
- Bruce Bennion
- Edward Kazlauskas

MPACT Status: Fully Complete

Title: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THREE MEDIUM-SIZED ACADEMIC LIBRARIES USING A CONTINGENCY THEORY OF MANAGEMENT

Abstract: Purpose. The purpose of this study was to examine the organizational effectiveness of three western academic libraries. This was done through the use of a contingency model developed by Paul Lawrence and Jay Lorsch to determine effective differentiation and integration of organizations. It was modified for use with libraries. The major assumption of the study was that the Lawrence and Lorsch contingency theory and model of differentatiation and integration could be used to determine the organizational effectiveness of an academic library. The basic research question was asked was, "Is the differentiation and integration similar in different academic libraries?" Two hypotheses were developed to explore the question. The first hypothesis stated that "the three libraries (Alpha, Beta and Gamma) do not differ significantly from each other in the degree to which their subsystems are integrated and differentiated." The second stated that "departments which have the same function in each of the libraries will resemble one another more in differentiation characteristics than they will resemble other departments in the same library.

Methodology. The study was conducted through analytical methods (questionnaires) and clinical charts, and interviews). The entire professionals staff of each of the three libraries was surveyed. The data gathered provided that information for two variables. The first variable, differentiation, was defined as the state of segmentation of organizational systems into subsystems, each of which tends to develop particular attributes in relation to the requirements posed by its relevant external environment. The information for this variable was found by studying four attributes: one organizational (formality of structure) and three occupational (interpersonal orientation, time orientation, and goal orientation). The second variable, integration, was defined as the quality of cooperation which exists between subsystems, The information for this variable was found by studying several variables: yje amount of coordination between subsystems, the hierarchical influence of subsystems and their members, perception of reward in evaluation, and the modes of conflict resolution.

Results. Comparative scores for differentiation and integration from the three subsystems (public services, technical services, and management) were used to test this hypothesis. The scores did not consistently rank high or low for any of the subsystem pairs for either differentiation or integration, and there was no significant difference between any two of the variables. The test for the second hypothesis compared scores from public and technical services. The data showed that there was not a significant difference among any of the subsystems in the three libraries.

Conclusions. Although the findings were inconclusive, they did support the findings of Beverly Lynch in her dissertation which showed that there were differences between departments in libraries, but the differences were slight.

MPACT Scores for Robert Douglas Hook

A = 0
C = 0
A+C = 0
T = 0
G = 0
W = 0
TD = 0
TA = 0
calculated 2008-06-15 16:39:57

Advisors and Advisees Graph