Dissertation Information for Brian Thomas Detlor NAME: - Brian Thomas Detlor
DEGREE:
- Ph.D.
DISCIPLINE:
- Library and Information Science
SCHOOL:
- University of Toronto (Canada) (2000)
ADVISORS: - Chun Wei Choo
COMMITTEE MEMBERS: - Ethel Auster - Andrew Clement
MPACT Status: Fully Complete
Title: Facilitating organizational knowledge work through Web information systems: An investigation of the information ecology and information behaviours of users in a telecommunications company
Abstract: This dissertation outlines an exploratory research investigation of Web information systems (WIS), such as departmental intranets, corporate portals, and the World Wide Web, and their capacity to facilitate organizational knowledge work--a set of knowledge creation, distribution, and use processes in which information plays a primary role.
As a means of investigating this phenomenon, a case study evaluation of Web information systems usage was conducted on five major sets of users at a large telecommunications company. Emphasis was placed on examining the information needs and uses of participants and the information ecology in which Web information systems were utilized. Data collection involved a wide variety of techniques, namely interviews, Web tracking, field observations, document review, and questionnaires. A modified version of grounded theory served as the primary mode of data analysis; descriptive statistics helped triangulate research results.
Field work findings suggest that WIS do support knowledge work, but in a limited way: primarily for knowledge creation only; and to a lesser extent knowledge distribution and use. Different WIS are utilized for knowledge work in varying ways to resolve diverse problem situations and support disparate information behaviours. Information politics, the WIS development process, and the organization's information culture impact the use of WIS for knowledge work. Further, a person's functional role, general motivation to learn, perception and interest in WIS technology influences the extent to which WIS are adopted and utilized. Findings also suggest that to foster knowledge work, WIS need to: support the tailorability and organization of information; deliver relevant, reliable and timely information; provide collaborative tools; and promote user engagement with these systems.
The central contribution of this research is a model of Web use showing the organizational, user, and interface factors that promote or inhibit the use of Web information systems for knowledge work. Moreover, these factors co-exist in mutual bi-directional relationships with one another. Implications include the need for firms to pay attention to the salient attributes of these shaping factors when constructing Web information systems to help organizational participants create, distribute, and utilize knowledge more effectively.
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MPACT Scores for Brian Thomas Detlor A = 0
C = 1
A+C = 1
T = 0
G = 0
W = 0
TD = 0
TA = 0
calculated 2010-09-28 00:58:07
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