Personnel management practices in Kuwait libraries

Checkland's soft systems methodology is adapted to investigate and suggest improvements to personnel management in Kuwait libraries. An initial study investigating relevant elements of personnel management in Kuwait, such as motivation, communication, etc., was conducted primarily by interviewing. A model was constructed on this basis to deduce relevant important issues, such as library services and motivation of library staff. These issues were further investigated in a second survey again primarily by interviewing. Because of the Gulf War, a third interview survey then took place to update data and to identify important changes regarding library management. Four activity-based models were then constructed to determine factors relating to the improvement of personnel management in Kuwait libraries and as guides for data analysis, as follows: a system of increasing the supply of competent information workers; a system to enhance communication inside and outside the library; a system which meets users' needs and encourages the use of the library; a system to enhance staff motivation. The conclusion examines possible solutions regarding personnel management problems in Kuwait libraries. In addition, the value of Checkland's soft systems methodology for this kind of analysis is examined.