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MacDonald, J., Bath, P. and Booth, A. (2011) Information overload and information poverty: challenges for healthcare services managers? Journal of Documentation, 67 (2). 238 - 263. ISSN 0022-0418
Abstract
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to gain insight into managers' decision-making practices when challenged by inappropriate information quality, and to test frameworks developed from research to see whether they apply to these managers.
Design/methodology/approach – This exploratory, multiple case study used the critical incident technique in 19 semi-structured interviews. Responses were analyzed using framework analysis, a matrix-based content analysis technique, and then considered with respect to the research literature on information overload, information poverty and satisficing.
Findings – The managers in this study tended to satisfice (terminate the search process and make a good enough decision, while recognizing that information gaps remain). Those challenged by too little information appear to fit descriptions of information poverty, while others described aspects of information overload.
Research limitations/implications – A shortage of information behavior research on managers makes it difficult to conclude whether these results are typical of managers in general or of healthcare services managers specifically. Further research is needed to confirm initial findings and address questions suggested by this paper.
Practical implications – This paper suggests that existing definitions for the concepts of information poverty and information overload can be used to describe managers' experiences.
Originality/value – This paper contributes to what is known about information behavior in managers in general and healthcare services managers specifically. It may serve as an example of how to consider new research findings within existing frameworks.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2011 Emerald. This is an author produced version of a paper subsequently published in Journal of Documentation. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. |
Keywords: | Health services; Managers; Information management; Seeking; Needs; Enough; Systems; Model; Load; Web |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Sheffield |
Academic Units: | The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Social Sciences (Sheffield) > Information School (Sheffield) |
Depositing User: | Miss Anthea Tucker |
Date Deposited: | 23 Apr 2014 11:06 |
Last Modified: | 11 Apr 2017 16:11 |
Published Version: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/00220411111109458 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Emerald |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1108/00220411111109458 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:78452 |
Available Versions of this Item
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Information overload and information poverty: challenges for healthcare services managers? (deposited 29 Mar 2011 11:16)
- Information overload and information poverty: challenges for healthcare services managers? (deposited 23 Apr 2014 11:06) [Currently Displayed]