Organizational design in selected members of the Association of Research Libraries: An exploratory study of the matrix structure

This exploratory multiple case study investigated use of matrix design in selected United States members of the Association of Research Libraries. A questionnaire and interviews of top library managers from the four identified matrix libraries and their matched four hierarchically structured libraries were the data gathering techniques used.;For matrix design libraries the findings included identification of three broad factor categories which may influence organizational design selections of library managers. They are: Library Staff, Technology and Economics. Within these three categories and the category Outside Environment eleven individual possible influencing factors were identified. The findings for hierarchically designed libraries included identification of a single broad factor category which may influence library managers' organizational design selections, Technology. Hierarchical libraries identified five individual factors as possible influences within the Economics and Outside Environment categories as well, but according to the criteria of the study neither can be considered possible influencing factor categories. Therefore, Technology is the sole category common to both groups.;Obviously, this exploratory study cannot determine the potential of matrix design for large academic research libraries. However, it suggests a number of additional studies to conduct, some of which might result in more definitive findings about this structure's usefulness in this setting.;The study was undertaken in part because library literature appeared to lack studies of organizational design in academic libraries. While there is much commentary on the wisdom of altering structures to better match academic library purpose, little research exists for library managers to consult when considering organizational structure. Much of the available commentary literature exhibits an influence from research conducted in fields such as business and sociology which in turn has suggested both that there is no one perfect organizational design, and that organizational design influences organizational effectiveness. The impact of information technology and the potential utility of this particular design for academic libraries provided additional impetus for the study. This work resulted in some findings that may be useful to library managers. Additionally it has generated a number of issues worthy of research consideration.