The Influence of Information Behaviour on Information Sharing across Cultural Boundaries in Development Contexts

Introduction: Sharing of information across cultural boundaries does not always live up to expectations. Information behaviour is an underlying factor, which can contribute to poor use or non-use of the information or information services at the disposal of indigenous people in a development context. Method: A literature study of information behaviour, cultural contexts and information technologies in the development context follows a previous case study on the transfer of information to rural communities, to investigate whether information behaviour plays a significant role in the sharing of information across cultural boundaries. Analysis: Correlations were built between the findings of the original study of indigenous people's information practices and new evidence in the literature on the shaping effect of information behaviour, cultural contexts and the use of information technologies. Results: Information behaviour seems to evolve as a result of the interplay between elements in cultural contexts. Information behaviour of indigenous people proved to be the underlying factor that determines the outcome of information sharing across cultural boundaries between literate and oral cultures. Conclusions: Marked differences in information behaviour of literate and indigenous people can influence the extent to which information sharing across cultural boundaries can be successfully accomplished. Information-technology-driven information services can constrain access to information for users familiar with oral communication practices only.