The focus of this thesis is information use. Although a key concept in information behaviour, information use has received little attention from information science researchers. Studies of other key concepts such as information need and informationseeking are dominant in information behaviour research. Information use is an area of interest to information professionals who rely on research outcomes to shape their practice. There are few empirical studies of how people actually use information that might guide and refine the development of information systems, products and services. The thesis begins to address this imbalance in information behaviour research by exploring the concept of information use through an empirical study. Fifteen senior managers from two organisations in the cultural industries sector participated in the study. Analysis of interviews revealed that the managers understood and experienced information use in five different ways: as information packaging; as information flow; as developing new knowledge and insights; as shaping judgements and decisions; and as influencing others. These five different ways of experiencing information use are related in a hierarchy that reflects three different views of information: as an object; as a construct; and as a transformative force. Embedded in the hierarchy are different relations between people and information in their work environments, different processes of information use and different criteria for determining the quality of information that is used. The thesis demonstrates that the concept of information use can be explored empirically using phenomenography as the research approach. This approach, which originated in the field of education, has been used infrequently in information behaviour research. It offers potential for the further exploration of not only information use but also other concepts germane to information behaviour. The thesis highlights the richness of peoples' experiences of information use and points to some directions that might be taken by practitioners in developing information systems, products and services to support people as they 'go about their business'.

Thesis (MIS (Information Science)) -- University of Pretoria, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 116-121)

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 1999? / Includes bibliographical references (64 p. ).

Thesis (MPhil) -- Auckland University of Technology, 2004. / Also held in print (115 leaves, 30 cm.) in Wellesley Theses Collection (T 658.4038011 HIL)

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Texas at Dallas, 2008. / Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 81-84)

Thesis (M.S.C.I.T.)--Regis University, Denver, Colo., 2008. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on June 10, 2008). Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--Central Connecticut State University, 1998. / Thesis advisor: Professor John Harmon. " ... in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Geography." Includes bibliographical references (leaves ix-xi.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Drexel University, 2004. / Includes abstract and vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 162-166).

Thesis (J.C.L.)--Catholic University of America, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 75-79).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Minnesota, 1997. / eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 119-127).