How can information providers connect information resources to entrepreneurs to spur innovation in economic development? Co-sponsored by SIG-III and SIG-USE

摘要

Information and knowledge have been recognized as valuable resources for gaining competitivernadvantage, streamlining decision making and improving strategic management. In anrnincreasingly competitive economic environment, the survival of organizations is heavilyrndependent on their recognition of information as an important strategic resource (Choo, 2005).rnEntrepreneurs, who have been regarded as the key drivers of innovation and have frequentlyrnbeen credited with boosting economic development (Timmons & Spinelli, 2009), findrnthemselves in an increasingly disadvantaged position as a result of an inability to compete withrnthe financial power of large companies. The benefits that entrepreneurs reap from having accessrnto quality information resources have been documented in many studies, however, thernaccessibility and preferences of the information resources varies by context. The focus of thernpanel will be exploring how information specialists and institutions help entrepreneurs accessrnand use information resources to support their business ventures. Panellists will shed light onrndifferent international perspectives drawn from research conducted on different types ofrngroups/organizations. Discussion will be geared to illuminate existing approaches that have beenrntaken to meet the information needs of entrepreneurs, with a view to propose future courses ofrnaction.