Bridging the Knowledge Management Gap: A Comparative Analysis of Public and Private University Libraries in Bangladesh in the Context of the 4th Industrial Revolution

Abstract

Academic libraries are being reimagined as digitally enabled knowledge centers that facilitate advanced information management, group learning, and strategic decision-making in the framework of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). This study, titled “Bridging the Knowledge Management Gap of Public and Private University Libraries in the Context of the 4th Industrial Revolution in Bangladesh,” investigates the knowledge management (KM) ambience in respect to public and private university libraries in Bangladesh, with a focus on institutional differences, technological readiness, and human resource competencies. As part of a mixed-methods research design, structured questionnaires (N=100), key informant interviews (N=12), institutional visits, and document reviews were used to survey four representative institutions: Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), East West University (EWU), and Sonargaon University (SU). Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation, and percentage), and qualitative responses were coded using thematic coding. When Sonargaon University was examined as a focal case, significant gaps in the capacity for digital services and the availability of resources were found. Comparative figures and charts showed that SU had substantially less access to student ICT terminals, digital multimedia, academic theses, and printed materials than peer institutions. Training participation was significantly lower than in comparator institutions, and staff composition data showed an imbalance between professional and non-professional Library and Information System (LIS) staff. These results suggest systemic issues with professional development, infrastructure, and the application of KM strategies. The study suggests a roadmap to close these gaps, with a focus on institutionalized capacity building, increased digital investment, the creation of national-level KM policies, and the use of smart technologies like cloud-based repositories, federated search, and RFID. The study admits its shortcomings despite its contributions, such as its reliance on self-reported data and the small sample size of institutions. To evaluate the impact of policies and digital maturity, future studies should expand sampling across the public and private sectors and incorporate longitudinal analysis. By emphasizing the contrast between institutional readiness and KM implementation, this study effectively bridges the existing gap between public and private university libraries, aligning their developmental needs with the digital transformation imperatives of the 4IR. By providing data-driven insights, visual analyses, and policy-relevant recommendations in line with the goal of a digitally inclusive academic ecosystem in Bangladesh, this paper adds to the expanding conversation on and LIS evolution in emerging economies.

Keywords

• Knowledge management
• Academic Libraries
• ICT Infrastructure
• LIS Professionals
• Bangladesh Digital Libraries

How to cite

Razia Sultana (2025). Bridging the Knowledge Management Gap: A Comparative Analysis of Public and Private University Libraries in Bangladesh in the Context of the 4th Industrial Revolution. Sonargaon University Journal, 5(II), 15–27.

@article{sultana20252,
  title   = {Bridging the Knowledge Management Gap: A Comparative Analysis of Public and Private University Libraries in Bangladesh in the Context of the 4th Industrial Revolution},
  author  = {Razia Sultana},
  journal = {Sonargaon University Journal},
  volume  = {5},
  number  = {II},
  pages   = {15--27},
  year    = {2025},
  issn    = {2518-3125},
  url     = {https://su.edu.bd/journal/volume-5-issue-2/bridging-the-knowledge-management-gap-a-comparative-analysis-of-public-and}
}