Improving the organizational structure for an electronic environment: a case analysis of Kuwait University libraries

In recent years, changes in the library environment have led to increased emphases on improving or restructuring the organizational structures of academic libraries. Technology, trends toward access over ownership, customer focus, and restructuring in higher education are some of the major factors contributing to these changes. This paper also describes the ways in which the traditional hierarchical structure can be modified so that the library will be more responsive to changes in the external environment. A particular emphasis on the case of the Kuwait University libraries provides an applied perspective. The paper also describes the strategies employed to conceptualize change in the organizational structure. Problems in the implementation of a revised organizational structure are also highlighted.