Seeing Information Cultures

Abstract

Information cultures affect an organization's ability to define and implement a practical and effective information strategy. Just as business culture supports or impedes business strategy, so does information culture support or impede information strategy. Organizations typically have many information cultures, some of which may be contradictory. Unmanaged information cultures can present a significant risk in the knowledge economy. Information culture is reflected in the organization's values, norms, and practices concerning the management and use of information. The information science literature provides insufficient treatment to help us understand the day-to-day impacts of information cultures on business. It also fails to provide an inclusive description of the range of cultures extant in the information management profession and practice. Just like business cultures, information cultures exist and may vary by level of the organization. The authors call out and describe dynamic factors that affect information cultures at all five levels.