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Background: Problem-solving competences have evolved into key skills for professionals. Computer-based business simulations enable the analysis of problem-solving processes beyond end results. An important aspect of successful problem-solving is to systematically use built-in tools and process the provided information efficiently. Objectives: This investigation explores the relationship between students' tool use, information retrieval, and problem-solving success in a computerized problem-solving office simulation. Methods: Around 30,000 recorded behavioural log data points of 432 German vocational students were analysed. Results and Conclusion: Distinct user groups are identified and cognitive problem-solving competences are assessed to draw a link between behaviour and performance. An explorative cluster analysis based on student behaviour revealed four clusters. Significant results support the use of two cognitive tools that lead to success. One successful behaviour is using a notepad, a domain-general and voluntary tool. Another successful problem-solving behaviour is the use of a domain-specific and solution-relevant spreadsheet program. Note-taking organizes information and mental processes while the spreadsheet leads to efficient computing. In line with other studies, students with higher problem-solving competences tend to access tools and documents providing information more frequently. Takeaways: Domain-general tool use differs from domain-specific tool use over time. There are two different successful behaviour patterns in complex problem solving. Instructional and simulation designers should provide specific tools to support students as well as tackle problems.

This paper examines literature from the COVID-19 period (2020-2022) to outline prevalent themes and essential competencies in the post-COVID era. Employing informetrics within a quantitative research approach, the study scrutinizes Scopus database data using COVID-19, e-learning, e-commerce, and media and information literacy terms. Results reveal a surge in scholarly focus on e-commerce, online learning, e-health, and ICTs, including social media. Identified were 355 media and information literacy terms, with digital, information, health, and media literacy at the forefront. Moreover, 244 corresponding competencies and skills were noted. The study emphasizes the necessity for comprehensive media and information literacy programs, diverse competencies, and stakeholder engagement in fostering a digitally literate society. Prioritizing skill development for navigating digital landscapes is vital amid the fourth industrial revolution, laying the groundwork for adept usage of media, information, and digital realms.

Self-regulated learning processes have a potential to enhance the motivation of knowledge workers to take part in learning and reflection about learning, and thus contribute to the resolution of an important research challenge in workplace learning. An equally important research challenge for the successful completion of each step of a self-regulatory process is to enable learners to be aware of the characteristics of their organizationally-embedded learning context. In this paper, we describe how a combination of pedagogy and Semantic Web-based technologies can be utilized to address the above two challenges. Specifically, we demonstrate the proposed solution through the Learn-B tool that leverages ontologies to support self-regulation in organizational learning. (Contains 3 tables and 2 figures.)

Purpose: The paper aims to explore the performance of redundancy and novelty mining in the business blogosphere, which has not been studied before. Design/methodology/approach: Novelty mining techniques are implemented to single out novel information out of a massive set of text documents. This paper adopted the mixed metric approach which combines symmetric and asymmetric metrics. Findings: The results show that the novelty mining system can detect novel and redundant blogs in the dataset of business blogs with a very high accuracy. Originality/value: This paper shows that novelty mining techniques can be applied to business blogs to help organizations filter redundant information, and that the cosine and mixed metrics approaches produce better results. (Contains 4 figures and 2 tables.)

The Information Group at Millipore has been successfully using a digital rights management tool to secure the email distribution of archived laboratory notebooks. Millipore is a life science leader providing cutting-edge technologies, tools, and services for bioscience research and biopharmaceutical manufacturing. Consisting of four full-time professional information specialists, The Information Group performs scientific and technical as well as business and market research, publishes several current-awareness products, offers document retrieval services, and handles interlibrary-loan lending. The Information Group assists with in-depth research assignments, but it also offers end-user products and training for those who want to do fact-finding on their own. The group is also responsible for the issuance and archival of Millipore's laboratory notebooks. The purpose of this article is to describe the group's paper-to-microfilm-to-PDF conversions, the reasons and criteria for selecting a digital rights management tool for distribution, and some of the driving factors behind the decision to go digital.

Purpose: The motivation for this investigation is to apply social networking features to a semantic network portal, which supports the efforts in enterprise training units to up-skill the employee in the company, and facilitates the creation and reuse of knowledge in online communities. Design/methodology/approach: The paper provides an overview of an emerging area for work-related research in the field of knowledge management and collaborative online communities. Findings: The growing number of social network online communities requires a systematic assessment of the application and design of social network technologies, which makes this study relevant and timely. Practical implications: This paper gives guidance in an emerging research area with major implications for online communities and human resources management. Originality/value: Fulfils a need, since a lack of literature in the field is apparent. (Contains 2 figures and 2 tables.)

Discusses the integration of knowledge management into business applications. Topics include the difference between knowledge and information; performance-centered design (PCD); applying knowledge to support business outcomes, including context, experience, and information quality; techniques for merging PCD and knowledge management, including context-based information retrieval; and limits of automated support. (LRW)

Reports findings from a survey comparing the use of internal and external information services by businesspeople in Brisbane (Australia). The survey examined where and how business information is currently sourced, how often and why information is sought from any particular source, and any problems people may have in finding business information. (Author/AEF)

Examines mobile agent coordination and presents TuCSoN, a coordination model for Internet applications based on mobile information agents that uses a tuple centre, a tuple space enhanced with the capability of programming its behavior in response to communication events. Discusses the effectiveness of the TuCSoN model in the contexts of Internet retrieval, workflow management, and electronic commerce. (PEN)

Models administrative and operating costs surrounding a hypermedia database and identifies seven conditions for the cost justification of hypermedia. Concludes that cost considerations aside, hypermedia offers significant data retrieval benefits in accessing text, video, still pictures, and sound, and provides substantially better human engineering than traditional transaction-oriented database structures used for business information systems. (PEN)

Explores business-related sites on the Russian Web and estimates usability for the Western user by focusing on the following: type of businesses; language on sites; communication capability; and response time of site servers. Findings suggest the Russian Web is more usable in terms of language and communication capability than ordering capability and response time. (Author/AEF)

Argues that librarians should and can develop new electronic information products to meet their users' needs and describes the development of three such products at the Graduate School of Management Library at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)--the RATIOS file, the REF-LITE Project, and the expert system Who?Biz. (EA)

Four databases--PsycINFO, ERIC, Health Planning and Administration, Public Affairs Information Service--were examined to determine percentage of business journals indexed and degree of business terminology included in controlled vocabulary. Sample searches were compared to same search in Management Contents and ABI/INFORM. A list of business journals indexed is appended. (EJS)

Profiles of online services provided by VU/TEXT, which maintains market access to electronic newspaper databases, highlights scope (newspapers, business information, wire services and nonnewspaper regional information, encyclopedia); search techniques; strengths; and upcoming enhancements. Descriptions of 17 databases and sample searches are included. (EJS)

Describes an information storage and retrieval system for mainframe computer applications and its utilization as a corporate library catalog intended for end-user searching. The changeover from a previous system is discussed and current system features are evaluated. (Author/CLB)

Provides an overview of the Canadian business environment and online sources of business information. The databases described cover the following areas: directories, financial information, stock quotes, investment reports, industrial and economic information, magazines, newspapers, wire services, biographical information, and government information. Printed guides to online services are also described and copyright laws are discussed. (six references) (CLB)

Provides an overview of the Dow Jones News/Retrieval Database, describing its scope, users, history and development, foreign news categories, problems, and searching hints. Also included are an example of a typical search, a tabulated searchguide, and the database specifications. (JD)

Social interest in information as a shared resource is diminishing, while proprietary interest in information as a profitable resource increases. Technological advancement in information processing and services, considerations of cost recovery by public agencies, and opportunities for commercial profit are blurring distinctions between the public and private sectors. (RAA)

A search for stained glass bibliographic information using DIALINDEX identified 57 DIALOG files from a variety of subject categories and 646 citations as relevant. Files include applied science, biological sciences, chemistry, engineering, environment/pollution, people, business research, and public affairs. Eleven figures illustrate the search process and results. (RBF)

Presents overview of NEXIS, an online computer system providing access to the full text of magazines, newspapers, and wire services relevant to public affairs, social science, business, and general news. Describes free text search techniques, system features, and costs. A special NEXIS terminal has been developed by Mead Data Center. (RBF)