The Role of Digital Libraries in Enhancing the Knowledge Economy in Jordanian Universities

Abstract

This study aimed at revealing the role of digital libraries in enhancing the knowledge economy in Jordanian universities. To achieve this objective, the study instrument was constructed exemplified with a questionnaire, where the sample consisted of (19) items in final form. Having verified their validity and reliability, they were applied to a random sample of 370 students from three universities, namely: Yarmouk, Jordan University of Science and Technology and Al Albayt University in the northern region of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. After applying the study instrument to the sample, the data were entered into SPSS programs for analysis, as the results revealed that there is an intermediate role for digital libraries in enhancing knowledge economies. On the other hand, the results revealed that there are no statistically significant differences due to gender and college variables in the role of Jordanian digital libraries in enhancing the knowledge economy in Jordanian universities from the students’ perspectives. In light of the previous results, the researcher recommended the need to raise awareness about the significance of digital libraries in enhancing the knowledge economy. He also recommended that more studies be conducted on this subject through the application of other segments and comparing the results to achieve an integrated vision of the role of digital libraries in the service of knowledge economies.