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Examines the internationalism of the network marketplace through case studies of the London Stock Exchange and I. P. Sharp Associates, a Canadian computer service bureau. Discussion focuses on the importance of transnational computer networks to the production of information services and marketplace expansion, and global information policy issues. (49 references) (Author/CLB)

Purpose — The purpose of this paper is first to highlight some of the social phenomena that are driving the design of people-centred information solutions; second, to develop a broad ontology of information behaviour research that serves to identify factors that should be taken into account when designing such solutions. Finally, the author illustrates how this knowledge is being applied in the design of people-centred inclusive information products and services. Design/methodology/approach — The author draws on the information behaviour literature to highlight key drivers and to develop and illustrate the ontological framework. The significance of this framework is then demonstrated by providing examples of how this knowledge has been applied in the design of people-centred inclusive information products and services. Research limitations/implications — This is a conceptual paper and based on the informed, subjective analysis of previous research. However, relating theory to practice does provide an indication of the validity of this conception of one's knowledge of information behaviour to people-centred design. Originality/value — The paper helps to provide an overview of information behaviour research, the nature of the domain and the levels of abstraction. The article also makes a direct link between the theoretical world of information behaviour research and the empirical world of people-centred design. Hence, it also presents a case for the importance of the body of knowledge that people in information science refer to as information behaviour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a framework for understanding user requirements for an information service. The framework provided a useful guide for analyzing and organizing data that concerned the information experience of a group of people who needed information, in this case the informal carers. Due to the self-selecting nature of respondents, it was not possible to state that information needs identified in this study are representative of the whole population. However, findings do reflect those of other researchers and in fact provide more detail. Depending on the micro-time line interview technique to gather data did impose some limitations. Choosing a range of techniques to elicit data, such as task analysis to specifically identify tasks and subtasks, would probably have provided more comprehensive data on various parts of the framework. Furthermore, using the micro-time line interview meant that data were gathered on the most memorable or significant situations that carers could recall, which is a strength of this technique. However, this meant that smaller events and the more day-to-day tasks and the associated information needs were probably under-represented.

The article focuses on a study about the information needs of social workers. Questionnaire and semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect data. Results suggest that the social workers were information poor in terms of access to information sources. Lack of the Internet access was a significant barrier to obtaining information. Combining the results achieved from two or more methods is a process known as triangulation. By continuous cross-checking, a deeper insight is acquired and the quality of the findings is improved. As this study was exploratory in nature, both quantitative and qualitative methodological tools were employed. It was clear from the focus groups that information gathering is essential at the point of assessment of the client. This requires liaison with a range of people and services including general practitioners, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, medical and nursing staff, and external organizations such as housing associations and the police. Information is gathered by the social work team from the client about their condition and social circumstances prior to hospitalization.