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Scientific and technical information usage in a consumer products company / by Julia Smith Bahlman.

by Bahlman, Julia Smith.

Communication of technical information

Engineering -- Research

Science -- Research

viii, 149 leaves: ill. ; 29 cm.

Review of the literature -- The investigation -- Analysis of the data -- Findings and interpretations -- Conclusions and recommendations -- Bibliography -- Appendices: A) Survey -- B) Summary tables.

The purpose of this work is to explore the scientific and technical information flow within a central research and engineering organization of a consumer products company to gain an understanding of existing usage requirements. In understanding the existing scientific and technical information exchange, the information needs of the user and requirements for future technology transfer can be identified. Review of the existing literature can be summarized in three periods – “mechanism of technical information of transfer”, “mechanization and automation of technical information usage” and the application of technical information systems. The behavioral differences in engineers and scientists were the focus of the initial period which studied the mechanism of information transfer. During the second period, concentration was toward the organization with an emphasis on networks and gatekeepers. Most recent studies are using the fundamentals previously developed to understand particular user groups (industry, application and company specific) to design and manage information systems. This study concentrated on a specific sector of a major consumer products central research and engineering organization. A survey was administered to the population and an audit of several existing information sources within the company was performed. The study group consisted of a diverse population – job descriptions, education, experience in field, and experience with company. The audit tracked usage of the company technical library, research files and engineering files information systems. The results of the survey and audit were compared and contrasted to one another and the results of other information studies. Specific comparison of the data was made to four hypotheses previously developed in prior work by Ritti, Allen, Gertberger, Tushman and Scanlan. The results of these comparison follows: -Scientist within this organization pursue their individual ideas through formal publication of their work more frequently than engineers which is consistent with Ritti’s work. Conversely, the population surveyed did not support Allen’s hypothesis that scientists tend to aspire to more technical education than engineers. -Engineers and researchers similarly prioritize the following factors in order of importance when selecting an information source – technical quality, accessibility, ease of use and experience; however, individual source preference and usage frequency varied for each group. Allen and Gerstberger’s “law of least effort” applied to both groups who selected personal files as the most used and most accessible information source. Several other interesting findings resulted from this comparison. -Both engineers and researchers use informal sources of information most frequently; however, the researchers used formal sources more than engineers which follows Allen’s theory. Engineers tend to seek information sources which involve other colleagues rather than finding answers in the literature. -Unlike Tushman and Scanlan’s description of the typical information gatekeeper, the engineers and researchers within this organization tend to regard peers with more than 10 years of experience with the company and industry which possess a minimum of an undergraduate education as the information gatekeepers. Researchers also use technical leaders with an undergraduate education and peers or technical leaders with a doctorate degree. The analysis of the user habits and experience with electronic tools provided an insight for several recommendations for application of improvements to the technical information system within this company. The study also identified areas where information is unavailable such as engineering standards but is regarded as important. Exposure to marketing research and consumer product testing information will enable the organization the expedite product and process development for the global marketplace. By understanding the differences between the two organizations, improving and expanding the existing information systems and destroying the barriers for external information transfer, this organization can become one of a handful of successful consumer products companies in the world.

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