Information Finding Practices of Knowledge Workers in the Field of Business and Economics

Abstract

It is important for knowledge workers in the business sector to have access to information on companies, countries, investment opportunities, and projects. Survey of information finding practices of professionals in Kuwaiti companies showed that use of web sites, internal reports, and consulting with colleagues were preferred approaches for finding work related information. Business professionals also frequently used organizational sites, reports from financial analysts, business information services, and social media in seeking information. They listed lack of adequate information in databases and non-availability of information related to local financial situation as barriers to effective information finding. They considered their information finding skills as reasonable but wanted to get more training in searching online databases and web-based sources. The study showed that business organizations ought to make arrangements that frequently used sources were accessible to their employees on regular basis. It is also desirable that training in information skills is arranged by for enhanced information literacy at work.