Work-related practices, networking, and information literacy abilities of participants in community leadership programs

This study investigated the relationships between community leaders' perceptions of their ability in work-related practices, networking, and information literacy. The instrument included four sections: Demographic Information, Work-Related Practices Questionnaire (WPQ), Work-Related Utilization of Networking (WU-N), and Work-Related Utilization of Information (WU-I). The sample population included 122 participants enrolled in community leadership programs in urban community leadership programs. Descriptive statistics, Pearson Correlation, and Stepwise Multiple Regression tests were performed. Analyzed data indicated the following: (1) a significant positive relationship between leaders' perceptions of their ability in work-related practices and perceptions of their ability in work-related networking; (2) a significant positive relationship between leaders' perceptions of their ability in work-related practices and perceptions of their ability in work-related information literacy; (3) a significant positive relationship between leaders' perceptions of their ability in work-related networking and perceptions of their ability in work-related information literacy. In addition, age, perceptions of ability in operational networking, information evaluation, and information need were predictors of the leaders' perceptions of their ability in work-related practices. Implications and recommendations for future research were discussed. The results provided suggestions for components of community leadership training and leadership education programs.