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19 Bus. Info. Alert 1 (2007)

handle is hein.journals/busiale19 and id is 1 raw text is: Busin Vess . o. The Philosophy of Business Information by SylviaJames have been planning to write an article about the wider context and background to good business informa- tion practice for some time. The New Year and the launching of new content for Business Information Alert seem to be an ideal opportunity. In this article, I will step back and look at several areas of importance that underlie how business information is practiced in companies and other types of organizations. Some critics might well think that there is nothing to get philosophical about when it comes to business information in operation; it is just a modern business function. But, if the definition of philosophy given by the Oxford Dictionary of Philosophy is accepted as critical thinking and philosophical reflection as continuous with the best practice of any field of intellectual inquiry, I believe there is a case for thinking about it in a more theoretical and abstract way, just once in a while. Definition - Nice not Necessary? The whole issue of whether or not there should be some formal information-gathering process in any business is very contentious. If this question is posed to any company director or senior manager, the answer is usually that, of course, there is a place for it in their businesses. In reality, it doesn't take much probing to discover that this research actually amounts to a few Google or other search engine searches on the Internet and perusal of a few trade journals that are received in-house and perhaps a quick consultation around the office. I have just written a long chapter on business In This Issue information for a handbook on information science and pondered long and hard about what is a good, up-to-date definition of busi- ness information. I finally settled on this: 1 The Philosophy of Business information is: Business Information The systematic research into all areas of published information 2 From the Editor used for decision-making in all kinds of business. 8 News and Trends Handbook of Information Science (to be published by Sage Publications) 10 Info Intro This definition makes no reference to who might carry out this continued on page 4 I