News Release

                     IFORMATION MANAGEMENT PUBLIC LECTURE

"Information Overload & Information Poverty: An example of healthcare services
managers"

BY


Jackie MacDonald, MLS BSc
Manager, Library& Knowledge Management Services Annapolis Valley Health, South
Shore Health, South West Health & Dalhousie School of Nursing - Yarmouth Site;
Research student, Department of Information Studies, University of Sheffield,
Sheffield, UK; Researcher in Residence, Dalhousie School of Information
Management Winter Term 2008

Date: Wednesday March 19, 2008
Time: 11:45-12:45pm
Location: Room 3001, Kenneth C. Rowe Management Building

Abstract
There is little research literature on managers? information behaviour in
general and very little that has focused on healthcare services managers?
information behaviour.  The aim of the research described in this presentation
was to examine the information behaviours of healthcare services managers
particularly in relation to information overload and information poverty.

Organizational information overload involves a widespread perception among
coworkers that the information flow associated with individual work tasks is
too large to manage effectively.  Information poverty is a lack of essential
information arising from the inability to access, interpret, apply and manage
information.

The paper reviews Chatman?s theory of information poverty and the phenomenon
of information overload and considers whether and to what extent information
poverty and information overload are barriers to healthcare managers?
effective information use.   The presentation concludes with discussion of how
information professionals might recognize and address information overload and
information poverty in their organizations.

Bio
Jackie MacDonald has been working in western Nova Scotia healthcare services
since 1995. Previous work experience 1981-1995 includes positions in health
sciences or science libraries at Acadia University, Dalhousie University, and
University of Saskatchewan.

Lecture is open to the public at "no charge."  ALL ARE WELCOME

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Updated: Mar 3, 2008
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School of Information Management
Faculty of Management
Dalhousie University
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