Date of Award

12-2024

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Department

Education and Human Development

First Advisor

David Szabla, Ed.D.

Second Advisor

Beixi Li, Ph.D.

Third Advisor

Margaret Gorman, Ed.D.

Keywords

Change leadership, digital transformation, employee experiences, library employees, organizational change, power

Abstract

This work explores how library workers experience power during the era of digital transformation. As libraries transition from traditional knowledge repositories to dynamic, technology-driven information centers, power structures within these institutions are undergoing significant change. Despite the extensive implementation of digital transformation initiatives, there is a critical gap in understanding how digitalization is impacting employees’ experiences of power within the library context.

Drawing on French and Raven’s Bases of Social Power model, this study investigates how digital tools, platforms, and processes influence how power is perceived among library workers and its distribution and sources. A qualitative survey study was conducted to collect detailed and nuanced data from library staff. Reflexive thematic analysis was applied to identify patterns and themes within participant responses. The findings reveal how digital transformation reshapes traditional bases of power, such as reward, coercive, legitimate, referent, expert, and in-formational power, and how these shifts impact employee morale, engagement, and productivity.

By focusing on the subjective experiences of library workers, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of the complex interplay between digital transformation and power in organizational settings. The study highlights the need for library management to recognize and address evolving experiences of power to support employees effectively during technological change. These insights have broader implications for organizational studies, offering a framework for examining power experiences in other sectors undergoing digital transformation. The results can inform more effective management practices, ensuring that digital initiatives are implemented successfully and that employees remain engaged and empowered throughout the transformation process.

Access Setting

Dissertation-Open Access

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