Job functions and requirements for knowledge managers : lessons for library and information science (LIS) schools in South Africa

摘要

The study explored the job functions and requirements for knowledge managementpractitioners through the analysis of job advertisements appearing on 12 major jobsitesin South Africa. It aimed to provide vital information that can assist in re-examiningknowledge management education in library and information science (LIS) schools inSouth Africa. A total of 32 knowledge management-related job advertisements wereretrieved using “knowledge” and “knowledge management” as search terms. Detailsregarding the date and location of the advertisement, job requirements (i.e. qualification,skills, knowledge, experience and attitude) and, most importantly for the purpose of thisstudy, the job functions (i.e. responsibilities, duties, description) were captured fromthe advertisements and analysed. The majority of the jobs were based in Gauteng witha few based in KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo. The findings revealed that a variety ofjob titles are used to refer to knowledge management practitioners, with “knowledgemanager” appearing in a majority of the advertisements. Taking into account themultidisciplinary nature of knowledge management, there was diversity in termsof the qualifications required. Some of the common job functions or responsibilitieslisted in the advertisements were designing and executing a knowledge managementstrategy, identifying knowledge and information needs, conducting research, conductingknowledge audits, and developing, implementing and maintaining knowledgerepositories/databases. The study recommends that LIS schools should endeavor to aligntheir offerings to market requirements so that their graduates may have the requiredacademic qualifications, knowledge, skills and attitudes. Areas of further research arerecommended.