Two case studies illustrate how institutional researchers have harnessed new information technologies to streamline office functions. At Illinois Institute of Technology, the World Wide Web supports an institutional information clearinghouse and database. At Willamette University (Oregon), an analytical database is coupled with Web technology,…

Lists the six presenters: Pierrette Bergeron, Philippe Clerc, Elisabeth Davenport, Henri Dou, Charles Ramangalahy and Tom Wilson for this planned session on information management and SMEs (small and medium enterprises), including one offering a theoretical framework for small business competitiveness. (LRW)

Considers the role of trust in managing knowledge in organizations. Topics include the problematic nature of the concept of knowledge management; human resource management and information management; personal knowledge and organizational knowledge; collaboration and knowledge sharing; and organizational culture and climate. (Contains 25…

Studied the email use of a set of disparate organizations to devise a multi-dimensional positioning model, for practical use by managers to understand their organizations' present use of email on four dimensions: information management, people influences, corporate culture, and knowledge management. The email questionnaire and interviewing…

Explores how practitioners in records and information management understand the construct of authenticity by examining the concepts and language that they actually use when talking about authenticity. Discusses results from an Internet listserv survey and considers how this preliminary analysis fits within the context of the outcomes of prior…

Examines the increasing use of "digital certificates" to validate computer user identity in various applications on college and university campuses, including letting students register for courses, monitoring access to Internet2, and monitoring access to databases and electronic journals. The methodology has been developed by the…

Describes the characteristics of the transfer point of information management to knowledge management (KM), what information resources management (IRM) does, and compares information and knowledge management and the roles of chief information officer (CIO) and chief knowledge officer (CKO). (PEN)

This article examines an organizational approach to information literacy at the University of Melbourne involving information specialists who bridge information management, teaching, and technology. It discusses the circumstances leading to this approach, the benefits and challenges of the information specialists' mandate, the importance of social…

In this column on digital repository management, the author defines three areas within the sphere of digital repositories that need work. The first two pertain to information architecture, while the last one pertains to taking action. The author's first "wish" is for top-notch library Web sites that act as a gateway to any sphere of knowledge. He…

For the first time ever, Executive Order 12958 signed in 1995 established a process to greatly reduce the huge number of classified federal records accumulated since World War II. Although some progress was made under it, subsequent orders and legislation significantly decreased its effectiveness. The U.S. government must take certain actions now…

This article discusses an issue which is important to technology leaders and for educational leaders as a whole--communications. Clearly if one is to be asked about the importance of effective communications, he would list it near the top of his priorities. However, inevitably when stakeholders are polled about areas where they want their leaders…

As demands on libraries continue to grow, outpacing budget increases, more librarians are forced to make difficult decisions about what materials and services stay and go. Charles R. McClure has written that many librarians use an "adhocracy" method to make these decisions, relying on no data or simple aggregates in determining a course of action.…

The MetaFrame system migration project at WorldPharma, while driven by merger and acquisition, had faced complexities caused by both technical challenges and organizational issues in the climate of uncertainties. However, WorldPharma still insisted on instigating this post-merger system migration project. This project served to (1) consolidate the…

Managing resource usage and data delivery with virtualization devices is a staple of many of today's data infrastructures. By breaking the traditional direct physical access and inserting an abstraction layer, what one sees is what he/she gets, but the mechanics of delivery may be quite different. The reason for the increase in virtualization…

The purpose of this guide is to help district leaders take on the challenge of ensuring that students have equitable access to excellent teachers. It shares some early lessons the Education Trust has learned from districts about the levers available to prioritize low-income students and students of color in teacher quality initiatives. The guide…