ERIC ED438769: Breaking Information Barriers through Information Literacy: A Longitudinal and Interventional Study among Small-Firm Managers. Linkoping Studies in Education and Psychology No. 66.

242 Pages·1999·2.7 MB·English

by  ERIC

DOCUMENT RESUME
IR 019 891
ED 438 769
Lantz, Agneta
AUTHOR
Breaking Information Barriers through Information Literacy:
TITLE
A Longitudinal and Interventional Study among Small-Firm
Managers. Linkoping Studies in Education and Psychology No.
66
Linkoping Univ.
INSTITUTION
(Sweden).
ISRN-LiU-IPP-STU-66-SE
REPORT NO
ISBN-91-7219-622-X
ISBN
ISSN-1102-7517
ISSN
PUB DATE 1999-00-00
NOTE
241p.
Department of Education and Psychology, Linkoping
AVAILABLE FROM
University, SE-581 83 Linkoping, Sweden.
Doctoral Dissertations
Dissertations/Theses
PUB TYPE
Books (010)
(041)
MF01/PC10 Plus Postage.
EDRS PRICE
Action Research; Case Studies; Foreign Countries;
DESCRIPTORS
*Information Literacy; *Information Utilization;
*Instructional Development; *Instructional Effectiveness;
*Intervention; Interviews; Middle Management; Qualitative
Research; Training
*Barriers to Information; Linkoping University (Sweden)
IDENTIFIERS
ABSTRACT
The primary aim of this dissertation is to contribute to an
increased understanding of the information utilization process through
studying impeding process determinants, information barriers, and how they
might be tackled by pedagogical means. The study uses a qualitative approach
within the tradition of action research. Case studies were made of the
information situations of 23 managers from small manufacturing wood and
(1) diagnosis (in-depth
mechanical industries. The project comprises:
(2) planning
interviews), focusing on barriers to information utilization;
and implementation of an educational intervention, focusing on how to
(3) evaluation of the intervention (interviews) to
minimize barriers;
ascertain its effects; and (4) follow-up study (in-depth interviews) after
several years. The results are described in terms of antecedent, process, and
outcome variables. Perceived information barriers are analyzed at the
individual, organization, and society level. Results indicate that
information utilization reflects both person and situation. The managers'
information utilization behavior is based on and controlled by his
perceptions of the information situation at hand and memory representations
from the past. It is shown that, mediated by motivational and other affective
states, the quality of these representations, of which perceived information
barriers are important constituents, guide his information utilization
behavior. Results further indicate that educational measures seem to be a
feasible way of minimizing certain barriers through information literacy.
(Contains 346 references.)
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Linkoping Studies in Education and Psychology Dissertation No. 66
Breaking Information Barriers
Through Information Literacy
A Longitudinal and Interventional Study among
Small-Firm Managers
Agneta Lantz
Akademisk avhandling
filosofiska fakulteten vid Linkopings Universitet for
som med vederborligt tillstand av
forsvaras pa Institutionen for
avlaggande av filosofie doktorsexamen kommer att offentligt
november, 1999, kl. 14.00.
pedagogik och psykologi, Sal 22 hus Dagny, fredagen den 26
Abstract
understanding of the information
The primary aim of this thesis is to contribute to an increased
information barriers, and
utilisation process through studying impeding process determinants,
attained by studying the infor-
how they might be tackled by pedagogical means. This would be
Thilee broad questions were to be answered by
mation situations of small-company managers.
perceived as obstructing the information utilisation of
means of the project: Which barriers are
by these barriers? Can barriers be
the managers studied? How is information utilisation affected
eliminated or minimised by pedagogical means?
theoretical construct
'An interactional, cognitive approach to the problems serves as a broad
utilisation is seen as a dyna-
of the study. The effects of barriers on an individual's information
of the user's cognitive
mic interaction between the environment and the organism in terms
in an information setting.
system and the information barriers he encounters
action research. Case studies
The study uses a qualitative approach within the tradition of
twenty-three managers from small manufacturing
were made of the information situations of
diagnosis (in-depth interviews)
wood and mechanical industries. The project comprises: (a)
implementation of an
focusing on barriers to information utilisation, (b) planning and
evaluation of the intervention
educational intervention focusing on how to minimise barriers, (c)
interviews) after several
(interviews) to ascertain its effects, and (d) follow-up study (in-depth
antecedent, process and outcome variables.
years. The results are described in terms of
and society levels.
Perceived information barriers are analysed at the individual, organization
situation. The indivi-
The results indicate that information utilisation reflects both person and
and controlled by his per-
dual's, the manager's, information utilisation behaviour is based on
from the past. It is
ceptions of the information situation at hand and memory representations
quality of these representa-
shown that, mediated by motivational and other affective states, the
guide his information
tions, of which perceived information barriers are important constituents,
this fact.
utilisation behaviour. Different utilisation profiles and styles of action illustrate
feasible way of minimis-
The results further indicate that educational measures seem to be a
continues to change,
ing certain barriers. It is also shown that, as the information environment
lasting changes. This study
there is need for a stable structure of support in order to bring about
information literacy. Theore-
points to the possibility of breaking information barriers through
tical and practical implications of the study are suggested.
literacy, small companies,
Keywords: Information utilization, information barriers, information
managers, libraries, librarians.
Department of Educatibn and Psychology
Linkoping University, SE-581 83 Linkoping, Sweden
ISSN 1102-7517
ISBN 91-7219-622-x
ISRN LiU-IPP-STU--66--SE
3
Breaking Information
Barriers Through
Information Literacy
A Longitudinal and Interventional
Study among Small-Firm Managers
Agneta Lantz
FACULTY OF ART_ S AND SCIENCES
LINKOPINGS UNIVERSITET
Linkoping Studies in Education and Psychology No 66
Linkopings universitet, Department of Education and Psychology
Linkoping 1999
4
Department of Education and Psychology
Linkoping University
SE-581 83 Linkoping, Sweden
ISRN LiU-IPP-STU--66--SE
ISBN 91-7219-622-x
ISSN 1102-7517
Printed in Sweden by UniTryck, Linkoping 1999
To Peter
Et ipsa scientia potestas est
Contents
Acknowledgements
Introduction
1
Chapter 1
3
Being Informed in the Information Age
3
4
a Requirement for Development
Information Use
in Support of our Global Orientation
6
Supply of Information
Information Needs in Enterprises
8
Design of the Study
11
Determining the Objectives of the Study
11
14
The Setting of the Study
The General Outline of the Dissertation
14
16
Chapter 2
The Information Barrier Problem
16
16
The Cognitive View
A Context-bound Holistic Perspective of Research
17
Analysis Model
19
A Description of the Three Levels of Analysis according to the
22
Model
22
Society Level Variables
26
Organization Level Variables
Individual Level Variables
31
a
The Cognitive Processing of Information Barriers
Conceptualization of the Effects of Barriers
39
44
Chapter 3
44
Methodological Considerations
44
Qualitative and Quantitative Research
48
Action-Related Research
The Intervention in the Perspective of Organization
51
Development
52
The Case Study Approach
55
Chapter 4
55
Generating and Analysing Data
55
Choice of Method
Selection of Research Paradigm
55
56
Some Arguments for the Method Chosen
57
Individuals Studied
59
Analysis of Drop-Outs from the Study
60
Conducting the Empirical Study
62
Methods of Data Collection
64
Variables and Data Analysis
7
Chapter 5
68
Individual Level Antecedents
68
The Field of Internal Resources
68
General Individual Characteristics
68
Educational Background
70
Capacity of Information Seeking
72
The Field of Internal Preparedness
77
Opinions about Information Seeking
77
Motives for Information Seeking and Use
80
Perceptions of Libraries
80
Expectations of the Role of Libraries for Small
Companies
81
Opinions about Universities
83
Expectations of the Role of Universities for Small
Firms
84
The Field of External Preparedness
85
The Influence of Norms, Laws and Regulations on
the Individual
85
The Field of External Resources
85
Sources of Information Used
85
Time
90
Economic Resources
92
Chapter 6
93
Organization Level Antecedents
93
The Field of Internal Resources
93
Personnel Resources
93
The Field of Internal Preparedness
95
Organizational Goals
95
Information and Knowledge Needs
97
The Field of External Preparedness
99
The Influence of Norms, Laws and Regulations
on
the Organization
99
The Field of External Resources
101
Economic Situation of the Firm
101
Library and Information Resources
104
Technology
105
Time
108
Chapter 7
109
Society Level Antecedents
109
The Field of Internal Resources
109
Competency in Society
109
The Field of Internal Preparedness
111
Societal Goals and Intentions
111
8
The Field of External Preparedness
113
Laws, Rules, Regulations and other Decrees
113
The Field of External Resources
114
114
Market Conditions
119
Chapter 8
119
The Intervention Program and the Processes of Change
119
Choice of Intervention
120
Aims of the Intervention
120
Major Events in the Intervention Process
Intervention I
121
123
Intervention II
124
Characteristics of the Intervention Program
125
Intervention I
Characteristics
129
Intervention II Characteristics
134
Chapter 9
134
Outcomes of the Intervention Process
Evaluation of Intervention I
135
135
Human-Processual Variables
Personal Development with Respect to Insight and
135
Knowledge
Perceived Changes in Attitudes
138
139
Program-related Outcomes
141
Performance Variables
Effects in Terms of Perceived Behavioural Change
141
Effects in Terms of Perceived Degree of
142
Implementation
145
Evaluation of Intervention II
145
Human-Processual Variables
Personal Development of Insight and Knowledge
145
146
Perceived Changes of Attitudes
149
Program-Related Outcomes
150
Performance Variables
150
Effects in Terms of Perceived Behavioural Change
Effects in Terms of Perceived Degree of
Implementation
151
154
Chapter 10
154
From the Mid 1980's to 1998
154
Stories of Six Small-Company Managers
155
Manager D (Per)
Manager F (Anders)
156
158
Manager I (John)
Manager 0 (Bengt)
160
Manager Q (Lars)
163
9
Manager T (Tore)
164
Interpretations
166
Balancing on a Tight-Rope
166
Internationalization - the New Context of Economy
167
Facing the Information Age
- the Importance of IT
168
New Demands in Knowlddge and Skills
169
Conclusions
170
Chapter 11
175
Discussion
175
A Short Summary of the Study
175
Methodological Limitations
180
Implications for Future Research
182
Practical Implications
183
The Need for Improvements within the Information Supply
183
The Need for Information Literacy Programs
185
The Pedagogical Role of Libraries and Librarians
188
Concluding Remarks
189
References
191
Appendices
10