Merging large and complex library organizations

Abstract

Libraries have faced many periods of grim economic realities. These periods of hardship have forced libraries to strive for more efficient organizational structures. Many of these improved organizational structures have been the result of mergers and/or consolidations. This phenomenological study describes the lived experiences of the merger design team of a large and complex library organization.

Results indicated the experience of the participants touched upon each of Bolman and Deal’s (2008) four frames: political, human resources, structural, and symbolic. The merger design team’s effectiveness on task is congruent with the model of team effectiveness proposed by Hackman (2002). Lastly, the role of underlying assumptions, espoused values and beliefs, and artifacts that makes up the organization’s culture falls within the parameters set forth by Schein (2004).

Citation

Molaro, A. (2014), "Merging large and complex library organizations", Advances in Library Administration and Organization (Advances in Library Administration and Organization, Vol. 32), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 265-306. https://doi.org/10.1108/S0732-0671(2014)0000032005