Challenges of Knowledge Flow in Islamic Azad University Libraries

Knowledge management has an increasing role in knowledge-based organizations. Academic libraries have become an essential part of knowledge organizations, and knowledge management is vital. Therefore, this study addresses the challenges of knowledge management processes in Islamic Azad University libraries. This is applied research using the survey-analytical method. The study's statistical population included 60 managers of central libraries at Islamic Azad University. Due to the limited managerial staff, we employed the complete enumeration method. Data were analyzed using SPSS software. The study of eight factors showed that knowledge characteristics, knowledge source, communication channels, time, management, and technological factors had lower scores than the population average, which is a challenge for libraries. Both organizational and personal factors score higher than the population average, which is an opportunity for libraries. It seems that to improve the current situation, the managers of the libraries of the Islamic Azad University need to pay serious attention to the establishment of knowledge management and use the organizational ability and motivated workforce to meet the challenges and improve productivity.