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| Format: | Recurso educativo Open Access |
| Language: | en |
| Published: |
2022
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| Online Access: | https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED638573 |
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| _version_ | 1867180964046700544 |
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| author | Kathy M. Irwin |
| author_facet | Kathy M. Irwin Kathy M. Irwin |
| collection | Education Resources Information Center |
| contents | The Lived Experiences of Women Academic Library Deans with Workplace Networking: A Phenomenological Study Kathy M. Irwin Deans Library Personnel Women Faculty Administrators Libraries Higher Education Interaction The purpose of this constructivist, phenomenological study was to describe and interpret women academic library deans' lived experiences with workplace networking as they interact with other university administrators to accomplish organizational initiatives. Possessing strong political skills, including networking ability, is essential especially during times of scarcity and uncertainty. Prior research has reported that library leaders have weak political skills, and little evidence exists about how library leaders develop and use their workplace networks. Since academic librarianship is a women-dominated profession embedded in an institution with predominantly men executive leaders, this study explored the influence of organizational context and social identities on women library leaders' workplace networking experiences. My primary research question was: What is the lived experience of women library deans with workplace networking? Sub questions explored how social identities and organizational context impacted their workplace networking experiences. I reviewed literature about workplace networking, the political skills of networking ability and interpersonal influence, the impact of gender and identity on networking experiences, and what is known about networking in higher education and academic libraries. I also summarized literature about organizational contexts that influence workplace networking, including organizational politics, organizational structures and cultures, and leadership styles, covering these topics generally and within higher education and academic libraries. Using phenomenological methodology, I interviewed twelve women library deans from twelve different U.S. R2 universities during the spring of 2022. I analyzed the interviews using van Manen's thematic approach combined with Vagle's analysis of phenomenological material approach. Key themes related to the lived experience of women library deans with workplace network included: collaborating for institutional and professional success and "you're only as good as your connections." Themes regarding the participants' social identities included "feeling like a second-tier dean," feeling closer to other women deans than men deans, being introverted, minding your age, speaking up about race or ethnicity, and finding commonalities. Themes about the organizational context included understanding the library's position within the organization, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on workplace networking, and having fun in workplace social settings. This study contributed new evidence about women library deans' experiences with workplace networking and the influence of their professional identity, gender, and organizational contexts. Implications for practice for women library leaders include mapping their networks and developing personal learning plans and peer-mentoring relationships with colleagues. Library degree programs and library professional organizations could expand librarians' knowledge of workplace networking and assist them in developing their networking ability. Implications for practice within higher education institutions include examining how organizational culture, structures, processes, and stereotypes influence employees' workplace networking experiences and creating training opportunities for all employees to raise awareness, revise policies and practices, and enhance employees' skills. Future research opportunities include examining workplace networking experiences of different librarian populations, studying workplace networking in librarianship using different methodologies or critical perspectives, and exploring theoretical constructs such as occupational self-efficacy. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.] |
| format | Recurso educativo Open Access |
| id | eric_ED638573 |
| institution | ERIC Institute of Education Sciences |
| language | en |
| publishDate | 2022 |
| record_format | eric |
| spellingShingle | The Lived Experiences of Women Academic Library Deans with Workplace Networking: A Phenomenological Study Kathy M. Irwin Deans Library Personnel Women Faculty Administrators Libraries Higher Education Interaction The Lived Experiences of Women Academic Library Deans with Workplace Networking: A Phenomenological Study Kathy M. Irwin Deans Library Personnel Women Faculty Administrators Libraries Higher Education Interaction The purpose of this constructivist, phenomenological study was to describe and interpret women academic library deans' lived experiences with workplace networking as they interact with other university administrators to accomplish organizational initiatives. Possessing strong political skills, including networking ability, is essential especially during times of scarcity and uncertainty. Prior research has reported that library leaders have weak political skills, and little evidence exists about how library leaders develop and use their workplace networks. Since academic librarianship is a women-dominated profession embedded in an institution with predominantly men executive leaders, this study explored the influence of organizational context and social identities on women library leaders' workplace networking experiences. My primary research question was: What is the lived experience of women library deans with workplace networking? Sub questions explored how social identities and organizational context impacted their workplace networking experiences. I reviewed literature about workplace networking, the political skills of networking ability and interpersonal influence, the impact of gender and identity on networking experiences, and what is known about networking in higher education and academic libraries. I also summarized literature about organizational contexts that influence workplace networking, including organizational politics, organizational structures and cultures, and leadership styles, covering these topics generally and within higher education and academic libraries. Using phenomenological methodology, I interviewed twelve women library deans from twelve different U.S. R2 universities during the spring of 2022. I analyzed the interviews using van Manen's thematic approach combined with Vagle's analysis of phenomenological material approach. Key themes related to the lived experience of women library deans with workplace network included: collaborating for institutional and professional success and "you're only as good as your connections." Themes regarding the participants' social identities included "feeling like a second-tier dean," feeling closer to other women deans than men deans, being introverted, minding your age, speaking up about race or ethnicity, and finding commonalities. Themes about the organizational context included understanding the library's position within the organization, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on workplace networking, and having fun in workplace social settings. This study contributed new evidence about women library deans' experiences with workplace networking and the influence of their professional identity, gender, and organizational contexts. Implications for practice for women library leaders include mapping their networks and developing personal learning plans and peer-mentoring relationships with colleagues. Library degree programs and library professional organizations could expand librarians' knowledge of workplace networking and assist them in developing their networking ability. Implications for practice within higher education institutions include examining how organizational culture, structures, processes, and stereotypes influence employees' workplace networking experiences and creating training opportunities for all employees to raise awareness, revise policies and practices, and enhance employees' skills. Future research opportunities include examining workplace networking experiences of different librarian populations, studying workplace networking in librarianship using different methodologies or critical perspectives, and exploring theoretical constructs such as occupational self-efficacy. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.] |
| title | The Lived Experiences of Women Academic Library Deans with Workplace Networking: A Phenomenological Study |
| topic | Deans Library Personnel Women Faculty Administrators Libraries Higher Education Interaction |
| url | https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED638573 |