Organizational analysis and the Information Commons
The work of an Information Commons has many and varied dimensions. The library
staff best suited for this innovative and ever-changing work must likewise be
multi-dimensional. Ensuring a successful organization/employee fit can be difficult
even in relatively traditional and static employment venues. An Information Commons
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is neither, but the field of Industrial and Organizational Psychology offers some
guidance. Here, research is undertaken to better understand the knowledge, skills,
abilities and other characteristics (KSAOs) which can be utilized by an organization to
improve service delivery, to make best use of knowledge-based resources and to use
these resources for competitive advantage (Jackson et al., 2003). While industrial and
organizational psychology considers all aspects of the employer-employee relationship,
the focus here will be limited to an analysis of the organization and those jobs which
may fall within a library context and, specifically, the Information Commons. A
recurring theme in organizational analysis is the necessity to hire for the organization
and not the job. Therefore, a framework is required to better understand the particular
needs of the organization (Bowen et al., 1991).