Identifying and Prioritizing the Factors Affecting Creativity and Innovation in Public Libraries

Purpose: To identify and prioritize the factors affecting innovation and creativity in public libraries from the perspective of public librarians in Khuzestan province. Method: The present research is an exploratory and mixed study in terms of purpose. The statistical population in the qualitative section included 22 university professors who were selected by purposive sampling. The research population in the quantitative section included all librarians of public libraries in Khuzestan province. The data collection tool was a questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics including frequency and frequency percentage and inferential statistics tests including t-test, structural equation modeling, heuristic factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis using SPSS and Wimos software. Findings: Qualitative section of research involved the identification of 50 components affecting creativity and innovation in public libraries in Khuzestan province. Based on the findings of the quantitative section, the factors affecting creativity and innovation in public libraries from the perspective of librarians of public libraries in Khuzestan province can be classified into 8 general factors, which are: organizational culture, individual factors and personality traits, organizational structure, organizational strategy, organizational management and leadership, organizational climate, organizational motivation and reward, and organizational resources. Originality/value: In order to develop creativity in all organizational elements, there must be an atmosphere in which employees feel free in the way they perform their duties and have control over their work, and their authority and choices should be supported in achieving goals, and the control over individuals’ work should be reduced to a minimum. Motivation and reward, as an effective factor in fostering creativity and innovation, is the driving force of employees’ creativity. Motivations such as welfare and financial issues, self-preservation, curiosity, convenience, ambition and the need for success make employees strive to provide comfort for themselves and others. Identification of the factors and components affecting creativity and innovation had not been carried out in Iran thus far. Therefore, the factors identified in this study can be used in the process of planning and managing public libraries as well as in improving the quality of services. Furthermore, the results of this case study can be generalized to public libraries in other provinces, and also can be used in similar organizations.