Abstract:
PURPOSE – The purpose of this contribution is to focus on an essential issue in all workplace
settings where the emphasis is on productivity, time management and creativity: getting
innovative, high quality work completed in time according to tight schedules – often facing
serious staff shortages. The intention is not to offer an ultimate answer, but to take a
different look at the issues that might bring us closer to answers, or that might inspire
research projects in the “own” circles of libraries and information services. What does it take
to get quality work completed in time?
DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH – The contribution will be written against the background of
research from time management, productivity, learning styles, information behaviour and
collaborative work.
FINDINGS – There might be simplistic solutions on offer to get work done on time such as the
use of productivity and time management tools. When the aim is high quality, creativity and
innovative work (done on time), there might be a need to consider more issues such as
learning styles and whole brain learning; information seeking skills, writing skills and
streamlining cognitive skills; a focus on productivity; brain health and maintaining a balanced
life style; perceptions of stimulating creativity; recognition of the need to compliment human
weaknesses with collaborative strengths; and the need for flow as argued by
Csikszentmihalyi (1996, 1997).
ORIGINALITY/VALUE – Although many publications have appeared on time management,
productivity, software to support time management and other individual issues noted in this
paper, I am not aware of work (at least not in the field of Library and Information Science)
that combine these with the need to consider learning styles, whole brain learning,
acknowledging the limitations of mind and body, and addiction to adrenaline that might
stimulate inspiration and creativity – amongst many things that might impact on time
management.
