Identifying the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats in the Libraries, Museums and Documents Center of Astan Qods Razavi based on SWOT matrix and offering executive solutions to improve the programs

There are different tools to formulate strategic plans in each organization. The SWOT matrix is one of these tools that helps managers in managing the programs by analyzing the external and internal factors of each organization. The purpose of this research was to identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats in the Libraries, Museums and Documents Center of Astan Qods Razavi based on SWOT matrix and offer executive solutions to improve the programs.

This research is a descriptive-survey. A researcher-made questionnaire was used to collect data. The validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by using the expert opinions of the faculty members and its reliability was calculated by using Cronbach's alpha (amounted to %98). The statistical population of this research was all affiliated managers and employees of the library deputy in Libraries, Museums and Documents Center of Astan Qods Razavi. After collecting internal strengths and weaknesses and external opportunities and threats, these factors were placed in a separate table and component weight scores were calculated using a rated weighting method. Finally, after analyzing the factors, based on the importance and weight of each factor, appropriate research strategies were formulated and effective executive strategies were developed to strengthen strengths and opportunities and reduce weaknesses and threats.

The results showed that belonging to the Astan Quds Razavi Libraries, presence of educated and expert personnel and experienced managers were of the greatest strength. Lack of space and standard library buildings in some libraries, proper mechanisms for weeding old resources and general attitude to the necessity of research were important weakness of these libraries. The most opportunities were attention of supreme leader and respected custodian of Astan Quds Razavi to qualitative and quantitative development of these libraries, presence of educated staff and existence of a suitable scientific and research potential in this area and presentation of these libraries to educational and cultural centers, belonging the libraries to Imam Reza and variety of services made in these libraries and the most important threats were academic credentials, lack of interest in studying after graduation, and the environmental and economic problems of society.

The results showed that the libraries have many opportunities and strengths for being in an aggressive situation that by relying on them, can be directed toward the way of organizational goals, overcoming existing obstacles and strengthening their weaknesses.