Role Of Information Science In A Complex Society

The field of Information Science is intertwined with the complexity present in society. The study object in this field refers to data, information, and knowledge generated, mediated, and appropriated by different individuals in the most diverse human activities. Thus, discussing complex issues that are intertwined with information management, knowledge management, innovation management, organizational intelligence, information mediation, information appropriation, and information literacy is essential for understanding the future perspectives of digital humanity. Role of Information Science in a Complex Society presents discussions that can be applied to local, regional, and national policies aimed at economic and social development and supports innovative actions in economic segments that depend on innovation. Highlighting topics that include information literacy, ethics, knowledge management, and organizational learning, this book is an ideal reference source for academicians, professionals, researchers, and students, as well as entrepreneurs from different economic segments.

Doing research is an ever-changing challenge for social scientists. This challenge is harder than ever today as current societies are changing quickly and in many, sometimes conflicting, directions. Social phenomena, personal interactions, and formal and informal relationships are becoming more borderless and disconnected from the anchors of the offline “reality.” These dynamics are heavily marking our time and are suggesting evolutionary challenges in the ways we know, interpret, and analyze the world. Internet and computer-mediated communication (CMC) is being incorporated into every aspect of daily life, and social life has been deeply penetrated by the internet. This is due to recent technological developments that increase the scope and range of online social spaces and the forms and time of participation such as Web 2.0, which widened the opportunities for user-generated content, the emergence of an “internet of things,” and of ubiquitous mobile devices that make it possible to always be connected. This implies an adjustment to epistemological and methodological stances for conducting social research and an adaption of traditional social research methods to the specificities of online interactions in the digital society. The Handbook of Research on Advanced Research Methodologies for a Digital Society covers the different strands of methods most affected by the change in a digital society and develops a broader theoretical reflection on the future of social research in its challenge to always be fitting, suitable, adaptable, and pertinent to the society to be studied. The chapters are geared towards unlocking the future frontiers and potential for social research in the digital society. They include theoretical, epistemological, and ontological reflections about the digital research methods as well as innovative methods and tools to collect, analyze, and interpret data. This book is ideal for social scientists, practitioners, librarians, researchers, academicians, and students interested in social research methodology and its developments in the digital scenario.

Mixed methods research is becoming prevalent in many fields, yet little has been done to elevate mixed methods research in information science. A comprehensive picture of information science and its problems is needed to further understand and address the issues associated with it as well as how mixed methods research can be adapted and used. The Handbook of Research on Mixed Methods Research in Information Science discusses the quality of mixed methods studies and methodological transparency, sampling in mixed methods research, and the application of theory in mixed methods research throughout various contexts. Covering topics such as the issues and potential directions for further research in mixed methods, this comprehensive major reference work is ideal for researchers, policymakers, academicians, librarians, practitioners, instructors, and students.

Innovative methodological approaches are vital for experienced researchers and early-career researchers alike to conduct research. In order to provide them with the best possible resources, the methodologies must be comprehensive and describe the data sources, approaches to data collection, and approaches to data analysis that are typically employed within the given methodological approach. Methodological Innovations in Research and Academic Writing serves as a resource for graduate students and higher education faculty and presents a number of methodological innovations in research as well as applied examples of these methodologies in practice. The chapters focus on the application of methodological approaches (through the presentation of real-world examples) and descriptions of the epistemological foundations of the given methodologies so that researchers can fully articulate and justify their methodological choices in the context of their research design. It is a crucial guide for graduate students who are designing and writing their doctoral dissertations as it introduces them to the best practices related to rigorous research design and academic writing. This book is ideal for graduate students, higher education faculty, researchers, and academicians.

Society faces many challenges in workplaces, everyday life situations, and education contexts. Within information behavior research, there are often calls to bridge inclusiveness and for greater collaboration, with user-centered design approaches and, more specifically, participatory design practices. Collaboration and participation are essential in addressing contemporary societal challenges, designing creative information objects and processes, as well as developing spaces for learning, and information and research interventions. The intention is to improve access to information and the benefits to be gained from that. This also applies to bridging the digital divide and for embracing artificial intelligence. With regard to research and practices within information behavior, it is crucial to consider that all users should be involved. Many information activities (i.e., activities falling under the umbrella terms of information behavior and information practices) manifest through participation, and thus, methods such as participatory design may help unfold both information behavior and practices as well as the creation of information objects, new models, and theories. Information sharing is one of its core activities. For participatory design with its value set of democratic, inclusive, and open participation towards innovative practices in a diversity of contexts, it is essential to understand how information activities such as sharing manifest itself. For information behavior studies it is essential to deepen understanding of how information sharing manifests in order to improve access to information and the use of information. Third Space is a physical, virtual, cognitive, and conceptual space where participants may negotiate, reflect, and form new knowledge and worldviews working toward creative, practical and applicable solutions, finding innovative, appropriate research methods, interpreting findings, proposing new theories, recommending next steps, and even designing solutions such as new information objects or services. Information sharing in participatory design manifests in tandem with many other information interaction activities and especially information and cognitive processing. Although there are practices of individual information sharing and information encountering, information sharing mostly relates to collaborative information behavior practices, creativity, and collective decision-making. Our purpose with this book is to enable students, researchers, and practitioners within a multi-disciplinary research field, including information studies and Human–Computer Interaction approaches, to gain a deeper understanding of how the core activity of information sharing in participatory design, in which Third Space may be a platform for information interaction, is taking place when using methods utilized in participatory design to address contemporary societal challenges. This could also apply for information behavior studies using participatory design as methodology. We elaborate interpretations of core concepts such as participatory design, Third Space, information sharing, and collaborative information behavior, before discussing participatory design methods and processes in more depth. We also touch on information behavior, information practice, and other important concepts. Third Space, information sharing, and information interaction are discussed in some detail. A framework, with Third Space as a core intersecting zone, platform, and adaptive and creative space to study information sharing and other information behavior and interactions are suggested. As a tool to envision information behavior and suggest future practices, participatory design serves as a set of methods and tools in which new interpretations of the design of information behavior studies and eventually new information objects are being initiated involving multiple stakeholders in future information landscapes. For this purpose, we argue that Third Space can be used as an intersection zone to study information sharing and other information activities, but more importantly it can serve as a Third Space Information Behavior (TSIB) study framework where participatory design methodology and processes are applied to information behavior research studies and applications such as information objects, systems, and services with recognition of the importance of situated awareness.

Knowledge management has always been about the process of creating, sharing, using, and applying knowledge within and between organizations. Before the advent of information systems, knowledge management processes were manual or offline. However, the emergence and eventual evolution of information systems created the possibility for the gradual but slow automation of knowledge management processes. These digital technologies enable data capture, data storage, data mining, data analytics, and data visualization. The value provided by such technologies is enhanced and distributed to organizations as well as customers using the digital technologies that enable interconnectivity. Today, the fine line between the technologies enabling the technology-driven external pressures and data-driven internal organizational pressures is blurred. Therefore, how technologies are combined to facilitate knowledge management processes is becoming less standardized. This results in the question of how the current advancement in digital technologies affects knowledge management processes both within and outside organizations. Digital Technology Advancements in Knowledge Management addresses how various new and emerging digital technologies can support knowledge management processes within organizations or outside organizations. Case studies and practical tips based on research on the emerging possibilities for knowledge management using these technologies is discussed within the chapters of this book. It both builds on the available literature in the field of knowledge management while providing for further research opportunities in this dynamic field. This book highlights topics such as human-robot interaction, big data analytics, software development, keyword extraction, and artificial intelligence and is ideal for technology developers, academics, researchers, managers, practitioners, stakeholders, and students who are interested in the adoption and implementation of new digital technologies for knowledge creation, sharing, aggregation, and storage.

Organizations are facing major disruptions in technology, consumer preferences, and in the makeup of their workforce, and as a result, they will need to adapt to these rapidly changing times to stay effective. Organizations that are able to tap into the collective knowledge of their employees and leverage their insights will have an advantage over those that lack this connectivity. Implementing a knowledge management (KM) strategy can help organizations improve operational effectiveness, innovation, and adapt to changes, but the majority of KM implementations fail due to misalignment with the organization's existing culture. Organizational culture can enable effective KM, or it can be a barrier to its implementation. The Handbook of Research on Organizational Culture Strategies for Effective Knowledge Management and Performance defines the relationship between organizational culture and knowledge management and how they impact one another. This handbook also identifies critical business practices to assist organizations in transitioning to work from home while maintaining a strong corporate culture that includes beneficial knowledge-sharing behaviors. Covering topics including knowledge management, organizational culture, and change management, this text is essential for managers, executives, practitioners, leaders in business, non-profits, academicians, researchers, and students looking for research on how organizations can thrive and adapt due to emerging global disruptions as well as local or internal disruptions.

The philosophical foundation of emancipatory knowledge lies in critical theory. In this paradigm, instrumental and communicative knowledge are not rejected but are limited. If we do not question current scientific and social theories and accepted truths, we may never realize how we are constrained by their inevitable distortions and errors. Without the possibility of critical questioning of ourselves and our beliefs, such constraining knowledge can be accepted by entire cultures. The research paradigm that is relevant for constructing this kind of knowledge is the critical paradigm. Data are always qualitative and have specific methods of research. Quantitative research unquestionably has a place and is fundamental to scientific advances, but qualitative research delves into what it is to be human. Through qualitative research, we gain insight into communicative knowledge, its rich nature, and the mechanisms by which communicative knowledge is formed and interpreted. Qualitative research enables the necessary exploration and critical analysis of social systems and uncovers and facilitates critical reflections on the inevitable assumptions, which shape social behavior and interaction, thereby stimulating and empowering change. Promoting Qualitative Research Methods for Critical Reflection and Change provides readers with a comprehensive array of qualitative research methods, which can be implemented in a variety of contexts for a variety of purposes. The chapters explore the impact, uses, and methodologies for qualitative research across various fields of research. This book is ideal for practitioners, researchers, academicians, and students interested in the use of qualitative research methods.