The cultural influences of information flow at work: Manager information behavior documented

Abstract

This empirical study is the third in a series and builds on the results of two previous studies presented at the 2002 and 2003 ASIST Annual Meetings. It focuses on the information behaviors of line-managers. One-on-one interviews were conducted with practicing line-managers from a senior leadership team. Content analysis was used to draw the themes from the interview data. The results revealed that the internal information network was comprised of individual managers who served as information sources for each other. Reciprocity was the norm and power was the reward. Overall, the results of this study offer a different perspective of the social and cultural politics of information flow. Also information theorists and organizational leadership may gain a broader perspective of how closely integrated the flow of information is with the relationships among interacting managers.