Navigating Business Information Sources: : A Practical Guide for Information Managers

Citation

Chawner, B. (1999), "Navigating Business Information Sources: : A Practical Guide for Information Managers", Asian Libraries, Vol. 8 No. 9, pp. 367-368. https://doi.org/10.1108/al.1999.8.9.367.13

Burke and Hall have written this book to give readers an introduction to key UK print and electronic information sources of business information, while at the same time including an overview of business concepts and the role of information in business.

The book is divided into four sections. The first gives an overview of the environment in which businesses operate, starting with a description of the ways people classify businesses (by industry, by ownership, by location and by size), followed by a brief discussion of the reasons businesses grow and diversify. Subsequent chapters discuss the legal basis for company structures in the UK, as well as registration and reporting requirements; company finance, including understanding company accounts and financial ratios; and investments and financial markets.

The second section looks at the role of information in a modern company, information as a resource, and information formats. The third and fourth sections discuss specific information sources, with separate chapters on company information, marketing information, international trade information, statistical information; advertising and distribution; patents; trademarks; and standards and regulation. Each of these includes an introduction and general description of the area, followed by a list of sources and relevant Web sites.

Burke and Hall acknowledge Kaye’s Information and Business (Library Association, 1991) as their model for this work, and it is effectively a revised and updated second edition, rather than a completely new work. Useful additions are sections on criteria for evaluating business information sources and techniques for keeping up to date with the rapidly changing business information environment.

The book is attractively presented, with bold headings used to distinguish sections and titles. There is an index which includes concepts, organisations and titles. A minor flaw is the lack of consistency in the way Web sites are listed at the ends of chapters ‐ these are sometimes sorted alphabetically by name, but listed randomly elsewhere.

Written as a textbook for lecturers and students of business information management, this book will be useful for those interested in sources of UK business information. The introductory chapters on business concepts are clearly written and free of jargon, making them particularly helpful for those new to the field. The book includes enough general and background material to be useful to business information specialists outside the UK, though the sections on international trade are limited ‐ for example, only US sources are mentioned under North America, and the section on Asia‐Pacific omits Australia and New Zealand.