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Survey results indicate that the largest public library user group is comprised of small business owners in the initial phases of forming businesses. Because the small business sector of the economy is growing, the need for public libraries is also growing., As a major component of present-day economies, small businesses need many different kinds of information if they are to be successful. The role of the public library in providing this [...]

The objective of this research is to discover the path patterns through which users retrieve information in hypertext systems. A pragmatic approach was taken in which the use of a hypertext information retrieval system by a group of subjects was monitored to collect path pattern data. Two frequency distribution models were then developed and tested using these data. Path length followed a shifted negative binomial distribution. The frequency of node visiting followed a Zipf distribution. The influence of search tasks on path patterns was examined and found to have no effect. The models developed and tested in this study can provide a background for examination of systems via simulation studies.

In an attempt to quantitatively measure the contribution of information to business development, two studies were carried out in Shanghai, China: one on small businesses and the other on medium-sized businesses. The LISREL (linear structural relations) model was applied in both studies to determine the magnitude of the contribution. Both studies showed that the use of information does contribute positively and in a statistically significant way to business success, although its contribution is not as important as some other factors such as business environment. A comparison of the LISREL models from the two studies also revealed similarities and differences in the use of information in these two businesses sectors.

As a major component of present-day economies, small businesses need many different kinds of information if they are to be successful. The role of the public library in providing this [...]

This paper attempts to make a comparison between a western culture, Canada, and an eastern culture, China, in the use of business information. As part of a larger project of measuring the impact of information on development, four surveys of the business communities in these two countries were conducted. Two of them were carried out in Shanghai, China, with one aimed at small business and the other at medium-sized business. The other two were conducted in Canada with the same coverage as the corresponding surveys in China. Data were collected on the use of various types of information sources in business operations. Results show that informal information sources are more important and better used than the formal ones in both cultures. However, business people's self-perception of their information use differs between the two cultures. Electronic information sources are currently poorly used in both countries.