Structure and distribution of business information: some problem areas

Abstract

First I should make clear that what I mean by ‘business information’ for the purpose of this paper excludes the technical and scientific information requirements of business and industry. Without attempting a full definition of the term, it is as well that I declare my concern to be with information which assists in the means of buying and selling of goods and services and the means—through the application of economics and management techniques—of their production, but not the technical processes involved therein. There is an area of overlap which has been called the techno‐commercial field, where for example the marketing men and the production men need to come together to establish what is technically feasible and permissible in respect of the sale of their goods in domestic and overseas markets. This is well recognized in the Science Reference Library which, for this reason, cannot be overlooked as a source of business information. But, except in smaller units in the company sector, and in some local authority libraries, the provision of business information is generally distinct from the scientific/technical, and separate staffs are involved.