New Research Opportunity for Master's Students: Shared Services Success Factors

SCONUL is pleased to launch a new research commission aimed at Master's students interested in library and information services, higher education, and collaborative service delivery.

The commission explores a timely and important question: what are the critical success factors that underpin effective shared services?

As higher education institutions face increasing financial and operational pressures, collaboration and shared services are receiving renewed attention as potential ways to improve efficiency and resilience. Through this research commission, SCONUL's Shared Services Task & Finish Group is seeking a literature review that examines the factors that have contributed to both successful and unsuccessful shared service initiatives within higher education, libraries and the wider public sector.

The project offers an opportunity for a Master's-level researcher to make a meaningful contribution to current sector discussions while gaining valuable research experience. The successful applicant will produce an evidence-based literature review that identifies key success factors, explores lessons learned from existing shared services, and highlights implications for future collaborative developments.

The commission carries a fixed fee of £2,500 and is open primarily to students studying library and information studies, information science, or related disciplines. Applicants are invited to submit a short proposal and CV by 7 December 2026, with the final report due by 15 February 2027.

The full brief, including details of the research questions, eligibility criteria and application process, is available here: Critical success factors for shared services: what does the literature say?.

We welcome feedback from students, educators and member institutions and are keen to ensure that the commission is both meaningful and achievable for prospective applicants.