The link between environmental scanning (ES) and organizational information behavior: implications for research and the role of information professionals

The advent of new information and communication technologies (ICTs) has changed the way information is organized, managed, and acquired in business organizations. It is vital for information managers that the information needs of the organizations in which they serve be satisfactorily fulfilled. Therefore, in order to fulfill these needs, a complete understanding of how businesses seek, adapt and manage information and knowledge is of the greatest importance. The ultimate objective of this process is to ensure the competitiveness and survival of the organization. This process can be accomplished with the help of these same new information technologies but also by means of human resources, if the personnel in question are well versed in the relationship between business, information, and knowledge. This paper presents the concept of environmental scanning (ES) as reviewed from the literature and suggests the implications for research and the role of information professionals.