Professional Competencies of Electronic Publishing: A Reflection from the Arab World

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Professor of Library and Information Science Fayoum University - Faculty of Arts

2 Associate Professor of Library and Information Science Helwan University - Faculty of Arts

Abstract

The publishing industry has dramatically changed in the last two
decades. Turning towards electronic publishing, (EP) has required crucial
developments, one of which is to equip specialists with a variety of competencies
for performing the technical and managerial tasks of (EP). To date, no study has
comprehensively investigated the requisite competencies for these tasks and the
sources of learning and qualifying EP professional, especially in Egypt and the
Arab World. This paper identifies professional competencies for each task
through a proposed matrix. To design this matrix, several related studies have
been consulted to collect the defined competencies. Afterwards, a survey has
been designed and distributed to explore the application of these competencies
in the real EP practices. Finally, a Focus Group has been designed to assign the
required competencies for each surveyed task. The results showed that the most
practiced tasks are: EP planning, and acquisition. On the other hand, and in order
to acquire knowledge and experience, specialists often rely on direct
communication with experts and their colleagues at work and also design
professional training courses. User support and communication are the most
required competencies for (EP) tasks. Further, disciplinary knowledge category
represents the highest weighted category among three categories of
competencies. The matrix could be applied as a competence-based professional
formal education and job training framework, which would help students and
trainees meet the fundamental requirements of the labor market.

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