Moving up the value chain

Abstract

Survey of the use of business information in UK libraries and information services, based on in-depth interviews with leading business information managers. Key findings are:

Expansion of business in India and the Far East is having implications for information infrastructure domestically and in this region.

Business information services staffing is very stable, excepting the offshoring dimension.

Staff development is increasingly being conducted internally.

20 per cent of those sampled offshore some aspects of their information and research services; another 25 per cent are investigating this option.

Knowledge sharing is increasingly recognized as necessary in companies, and most information services are playing their part.

There is a distinct trend for information services to move up the value chain through more evaluation and analysis functions.

The majority (70%) of business information services are involved in supporting compliance work.

Factiva tops the expenditure league.

European private company information is still underprovided.

Business information services are committed to training users.

Social technology tools are not being used much but have great potential.

Improving customer services is still the highest strategic priority.