Identification of entrepreneurship and employment opportunities in information science and knowledge studies

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to identify the various contexts and opportunities for entrepreneurship and employment in the field of information science and knowledge studies from the perspective of librarians, managers, and professors in the universities of Kermanshah, Iran.

Methodology: This was an applied research using a survey-analytical method. Data collection involved the use of a researcher-made questionnaire with a 5-point Likert scale. The face validity of the questionnaire was assessed through expert opinions, while its reliability was determined using Cronbach's alpha coefficient (α = 0.783). The research population consisted of 64 individuals, including librarians, managers, and professors in the universities of Kermanshah. The sample size was determined at 55 through Cochran's formula. Data was analyzed using the ordinary linear regression method with descriptive statistics in the SPSS 26  environment. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was employed to assess data normality.

Findings: The research findings revealed that the independent variables significantly influence the dependent variable, i.e., entrepreneurship and employment in information science and knowledge studies. Approximately 92% of the variations in entrepreneurship and employment opportunities within this field can be predicted by educational, research, technological, political, sociocultural, and occupational contexts. After analyzing each variable separately, it was found that of the changes in entrepreneurship and employment opportunities, 30% can be attributed to the educational context, 37% to the research context, 28% to the technological context, 14% to the political context, 17% to the sociocultural context, and 15% to the occupational context.

Results: The results demonstrated that educational, research, technological, sociocultural, occupational, and political variables have a significant impact on entrepreneurship and employment opportunities. It was also observed that the educational, research, technological, and sociocultural contexts enjoy relatively favorable conditions, whereas the occupational and political aspects require more support and attention.