Contemporary issues in information management: A fresh look for information professionals

Elisha Ondieki Makori

Information Systems Librarian, Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Nairobi, Kenya. E-mail: elishaondieki@yahoo.com.

Accepted 13 October, 2009

   Abstract

To investigate contemporary issues in information management, explore the role of information professionals in adapting to the current information environment, and suggest possible solutions and recommendations. The investigation utilized recently published articles from the internet, conference papers and literature surveys. The paper investigates the contemporary issues or trends in information management and the crucial role of information professionals in provision of information services. These include: knowledge society, emergence of knowledge management, professional competencies, skills and attitudes, information communication technology (ICT) and globalization of information services. In light of this, information professionals face challenging information environment in terms of demand, user expectations and technological innovations. The crucial role of information professionals is to ensure proper management of information services, which is instrumental in bridging the information gap between the information systems and the information managers. Therefore, information professionals need to equip themselves with adequate professional knowledge, skills and competencies to remain relevant in the ever changing information environment. The paper reveals that globally the area of information management is facing tremendous changes that pose serious threats to information professionals. A review of the existing literature carried out identified several contemporary or emerging issues in information management that have a direct bearing on information professionals such as: knowledge society, knowledge management, professional competencies, skills and attitudes, ICT and globalization of information services.

Key words: Contemporary issues or trends, emerging issues or trends, information management, knowledge management, information professionals, information services.