Maturity models in LIS study and practice

Highlights

• This study examined the importance of maturity models (MM) for library and information science (LIS) study and practice.

• Adopted systematic literature review method assesses the current status of MM in LIS research and practice.

• Maturity models of LIS are reviewed and evaluated using a parametric approach.

• Three major categories are sufficiently able to describe the MM across the domain.

• Existing MM can be adopted by the libraries for personnel management, cost reduction and resource management.

Abstract

A maturity model represents a pre-planned evolution path for a class of objects composed as discrete stages or levels. Thereby, the maturity model is an effective tool to assess the current capabilities and the future needs of an organization, process, or group. This study had two phases. The first phase identified the core literature on maturity models for library services and management. The second evaluated the specifications of the maturity models employed or derived for library services and management. A total of 12 maturity models were selected for the study. The selected models were reviewed based on 18 parameters, out of which nine were adopted from the literature study, and the authors identified nine others. These parameters were classified based on descriptive, structural, and administrative attributes of the models. The parameters help to identify the most appropriate maturity model for implementing it in a library or information center. Results show that several domain-specific free and commercial maturity models can improve the library and information services. Library and information professionals should utilize the opportunity available in user training and community support for maturity models to foster information services.

Introduction

The literal meaning of maturity is ‘ripeness.’ The term “maturity” traces the evolution of a phenomenon from the initial to the advanced stage (Fraser, Moultrie, & Gregory, 2002). Proença, Vieira, and Borbinha (2017) explain maturity as a state of completeness; however, it is not an end but perceived as evolutionary progress in the pursuit of a specific goal (Proença & Borbinha, 2016). Its nature is dynamic (Proença and Borbinha, 2018). Maturity evaluation is one of the conventional approaches to decide the sophistication level of a system, service, or process (Kouper, Fear, Ishida, Kollen, & Williams, 2017). A maturity model is a tool that helps to assess the current status and future prospects of any process, person, or group (Fowler, 2014). Maturity models help figure out the capabilities required to improve performance. Maturity models have been proposed for various activities such as quality management, software development, supplier relationships, process management, R&D effectiveness assessment, product design & development, and collaboration (Becker, Knackstedt, & Pöppelbuß, 2009). Maturity models are also used for auditing, benchmarking, progress assessment, and performing a SWOT analysis of an organization or a process.

Generally, maturity models have levels and attributes as defining elements; however, it (varying maturity model) may include model areas, evaluation & scoring techniques, and improvement roadmaps depending on the domain and purpose. In a maturity model, levels represent the evolution stages of a phenomenon. A model domain is a category of similar attributes, whereas an attribute is the core content of a model that connects the domain and levels. The appraisal & scoring methods ease the model assessment using specific algorithms (Caralli, Knight, & Montgomery, 2012). The majority of maturity models use Deming's PDCA (plan, do, check, act) cycle to improve the road map (Deming and Renmei, 1952).

Resources, patrons, and staff are three significant components of libraries and information centers (LICs). One of the challenges of LICs is the effective and efficient management of its components. LICs provide a wide range of services such as reference services, information literacy tutorials, research data services, awareness lectures, etc. Maturity models are used as an assessment tool or a guide to initiate a project or service in a domain (Khoshgoftar & Osman, 2009). Libraries and information centers can use the capabilities of maturity models for assessing and improving their management process and services. The maturity models developed or employed for the domain Library and Information Science (LIS) are the focus of the present study.

Despite extensive research on maturity models, there are significantly fewer efforts for their review. This study identified that there is no systematic review of LIS maturity models. This study attempts to determine the core literature on LIS maturity models systematically and identify various parameters for evaluating a maturity model. Doing so would determine the current practices and future prospects of the maturity models employed or developed for LIS. This review is relevant for researchers, maturity model developers, funding agencies, and policymakers in general and to information professionals in particular. The comparative analysis amongst the models is useful for adopting a relevant maturity model for information centers. This study also points out various features of LIS maturity models that are critical for the maturity model developers to improve an existing or in developing a new model.