Factors Affecting the Participation of Faculty Membersfor Voluntary Activities in the Iranian Library and Information Science Association

The purpose of this study was to design a paradigmatic model of factors influencing the motivation of Knowledge and Information Science faculty members for voluntary activities of the Iranian Library and Information Association.

Qualitative research method based on grounded theory was used. Qualitative data collection tool was semi-structured interview and purposeful sampling method with theoretical approach. In this research, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 8 current and former board members of the Iranian Library and Information Science Association. The criterion of qualitative data analysis was based on the systematic design of grounded theory. Therefore, after the implementation, the text of the interviews was analyzed in five steps using open, axial, and selective coding methods.

By identifying the causal factors, background factors, interferers and consequences, the concepts proposed in the interviews were coded in the form of 15 main categories and 89 sub-categories. Accordingly, the paradigm model of the factors influencing faculty members to participate in voluntary association activities was formed. In this research, it was also found that various factors can increase or decrease the motivation of faculty members to participate in community activities. Some of these factors are personality traits and motivations; Such as having a spirit of service and participation, social commitment, encouraging worldview, being warm, interested in the growth of others and similar things. Considering the effective points in the promotion and promotion bylaws for participative activities and encouraging faculty members to participate in such activities can be a useful solution in this field. Also, including appropriate course contents in formal education courses (primary and high school) regarding the importance of associations and respective activities and teaching these concepts through the media (such as radio and social networks) can make families aware of the importance of paying attention to voluntary activities such as associational activities in the development of children's personality. Peace and political, economic, and social stability in society can also play an important role in the development and flourishing of associational activities.

An important point that should be kept in mind in order to increase the motivation of faculty members to participate in association activities, and the findings of the present research emphasize it, is the effort to explain the position of scientific associations in solving various problems of the country through appropriate policies in this field. Scientific associations are one of the dynamic institutions that enable the interaction of experts and receive informal training, and therefore can be attractive and effective. Creating a safe and attractive environment and providing the opportunity for veteran professors to interact with young professors can be another reason for scientific associations to attract faculty members.