The Star Trek phenomenon: towards a typology of curricula in information management

Uses the metaphor of Starship Enterprise to elucidate the nature of roles in information management, and as a basis for identifying some key aspects of curricula in information management. The spaceship metaphor is used as a framework to support the identification of three distinct roles: the pilot (or end‐user), the maintenance engineer (or information intermediary) and the designer (or information systems professional). Discussion of both the nature of the discipline of, and curricula in, information management must be driven from the viewpoint of both professional groups and educators associated, respectively, with information systems professionals, and information and library professionals. This article proposes an integrative framework, which in addition considers the role of the end‐user. It discusses curricula which support the development of competencies associated with the delivery of these roles. The framework also accommodates change and convergence, and notes that the roles will change with time and careers.