The PILKINGTON TECHNICAL COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM: A Formalization of the Role of the ‘Technological Gate Keeper’ Available to Purchase

This paper describes the methods used by the Pilkington Group Technical Communications Centre to ensure that all staff in the Pilkington Organization have clearly defined and easily accessible means of obtaining technical information. As far as we are aware we are the first organization to try to formalize the concept of ‘Technological Gate Keepers’, who have been shown by Professor T. J. Allen to be the major means by which information flows within the organization. A ‘Gate Keeper’ is a person who is usually consulted by his colleagues for information; this consultation takes place as a first step in obtaining information and in spite of any other avenues open to the enquirer.