Cognition to Collaboration: User-Centric Approach and Information Behaviour Theories/Models

Abstract

Aim/Purpose: The objective of this paper is to review the vast literature of user-centric in-formation science and inform about the emerging themes in information behaviour science. Background: The paradigmatic shift from system-centric to user-centric approach facilitates research on the cognitive and individual information processing. Various information behaviour theories/models emerged. Methodology: Recent information behaviour theories and models are presented. Features, strengths and weaknesses of the models are discussed through the analysis of the information behaviour literature. Contribution: This paper sheds light onto the weaknesses in earlier information behaviour models and stresses (and advocates) the need for research on social information behaviour. Findings: Prominent information behaviour models deal with individual information behaviour. People live in a social world and sort out most of their daily or work problems in groups. However, only seven papers discuss social information behaviour (Scopus search). Recommendations for Practitioners : ICT tools used for inter-organisational sharing should be redesigned for effective information-sharing during disaster/emergency times. Recommendation for Researchers: There are scarce sources on social side of the information behaviour, however, most of the work tasks are carried out in groups/teams. Impact on Society: In dynamic work contexts like disaster management and health care settings, collaborative information-sharing may result in decreasing the losses. Future Research: A fieldwork will be conducted in disaster management context investigating the inter-organisational information-sharing.

What Is an Information Agent? Looking for a New Approach to the Subject of Information Processes

“…The paradigm shift to the user-centered approach (e.g. Aydin, 2017;Savolainen, 1992;Talja & Hartel, 2007;Vakkari & Cronin, eds., 1992;Wilson, 1981), which began in the late 1970s, did not lead to the rejection of the earlier perspective, which remains widely present in empirical studies (Julien, 1999, 207;Julien et al, 2018). Instead, it introduced new approaches, which, generally speaking, (1) focused on information users seen as individual actors, more or less complex entities potentially able to initiate and realize various relations with information as causative agents, and (2) conceptualized information users as human beings (also in social terms).…”