Technical Information Systems Research Articles

Future information requirements of the third world

The development of effective scientific and technical information systems is of vital importance to the plans and progress of developing countries. The growth of such services is hampered by problems similar to those experienced else where, such as shortages of trained manpower, financial limi tations, inadequate communications, although often much more acutely felt. Nevertheless, considerable efforts are being made to overcome these difficulties. Of more fundamental importance are the types of service most suitable for develop ing countries and the best means to provide them and the kinds of information pertinent to each country's particular circumstances. Developing countries, on the whole, are unable to support large formal research programmes, which would generate information relevant to their particular needs and situations, and therefore the gathering of appropriate information from sources external to the country becomes very important. Conversely each country possesses a large fund of informal information arising from ad hoc develop ment projects, experience and tradition.

A synthesis of pertinent research relating to technical information systems

This article investigates, evaluates, and summarizes pertinent research on technical information systems (TIS) — the vehicle by which technology is disseminated and acquired by potential users of that technology. Since the TIS is a critical element in the transfer process, it is recommended as the place to begin — employing the principles of systems analysis and design — to optimize transfer of technology.

Needed: Executive awareness of information resources

The authors argue that the development of international information markets requires a substantially heightened awareness on the part of executive decision makers of the characteristics of information and the potential of the information industry. They urge that the private and public sectors mount programs that will (1) educate executives in industry, government and academia on the value of scientific and technical information systems and services, (2) formulate strategies that view information and information systems as tradable commodities for national economic and diplomatic goals; and (3) develop marketing techniques for such commodities that take into account the social, economic and political environments of the clients. While these suggestions are aimed at the United States, they are believed to have an almost global relevance.

Uses and Benefits of Technical Information Systems

(1977). Uses and Benefits of Technical Information Systems. Research Management: Vol. 20, No. 5, pp. 37-41.

INFORMATION SERVICES TO INDUSTRY: THE ROLE OF THE TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY

The TUL serves as an information centre, but is in fact a network node which is part of a shared pool. In spite of the decentralization of bibliographic data files the file‐managing documentation centre is still important in maintaining the efficient utilization of available resources. Changes in the management of Scientific and Technical Information Systems and Services may be counter‐productive if policy and planning move away from the broad view; e.g. cost‐effectiveness in the narrow sense cannot always be the condition for financial support. Professional ethics, especially in the distribution of responsibilities for selection and the use of available information, should receive more attention. Vital issues are research on needs for new services and education of both user and custodian in the exploitation of available information resources. This involves an active appreciation of the ethical content, its meaning and implications for professional conduct.

Experiences with an in‐house mechanized information system

Technical Information Systems (TIS) is the department responsible for the flow of techno‐commercial information in the Strip Mills Division of the British Steel Corporation (BSC). To give some idea of its size, the Division employs 64,000 people, has a gross turnover of around £600 million and has a number of steelmaking and finishing plants in the U.K., the majority being in Wales. TIS has been operating in its present form since 1968 when the industry was nationalised, and its initial aim from which it has not deviated was to set up small localised information units at each large works with a major back‐up facility at the Research Centre, Port Talbot.

Summary of research undertaken by Aslib, 1966–1971

In 1966, the Government's Office for Scientific and Technical Information offered to increase its support for Aslib specifically to encourage it to build up a viable research department, to undertake systematic programmes of research into scientific and technical information systems, and to provide consultancy services in this field. In response to an appeal from Lord Kings Norton, then President of Aslib, some twenty member organizations agreed to share with OSTI the cost of this new development during its first three years. The three‐year development period ended in December 1969, and an account of the progress made during this period was published in Aslib Proceedings for May 1970.

Documentation Processing Centre

The Documentation Processing Centre, a Government research and experimental organization, was set up in Manchester towards the end of 1967 as an integral part of the Office for Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI). Its main objective is to enable computers to play a more effective part in the scientific and technical information systems of this country.

Nonconventional Technical Information Systems in Current Use (Book Review)

Nonconventional Technical Information Systems in Current Use (Book Review)