Collectivist Information Behavior: Mentoring Circles as Sites for Knowledge Creation

Lisa Given, Wade Kelly

Research output: Book chapter/Published conference paperConference paperpeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)
19 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Information behavior research has typically explored individual-level practices, even within studies of groups and group activities. Although collaborative information seeking has emerged in recent years to explore how people search for and share information, much of this research also focuses on individual-level experiences. Collectivist approaches to information behavior have been conducted in only a few studies in the discipline; however, collectivism offers a unique, holistic way to study information practices at within-group levels. Collectivism also accounts for the social, professional, and other contextual elements that shape group members' information practices when pursuing common shared goals. This exploratory qualitative study used focus groups situated in a constructivist grounded theory methodology to investigate wine industry members' experiences while engaging in peer mentoring circles. Designed as a professional development activity, the mentoring circles provided a platform for the development of long-term relationships among group members to foster information sharing and knowledge creation relevant to their work environments. The emergent results make a significant contribution to the field as they outline key conditions under which collectivist groups support members' information needs. Findings point to the importance of group cohesion developed through shared (industry-based) language and knowledge and development of kin-like relationships to generate unique knowledge communities. Interdependency and reciprocity are shown to play key roles in motivating individual group members to share information with their peers.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 79th Annual Meeting of the Association for Information Science and Technology
Subtitle of host publicationCreating Knowledge, Enhancing Lives through Information & Technology
EditorsAndrew Grove, Diane H. Sonnenwald, Lauren Harrison, Catherine Blake, Christian Schlögl, Isabella Peters, Barbara Endler-Jobst, Colleen Cool, Yin-Leng Theng
PublisherAssociation for Information Science and Technology
Pages1-10
Number of pages10
Volume53
Edition1
ISBN (Electronic)0877155488
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2016
Event2016 Annual Meeting of the Association for Information Science and Technology: 79th ASIS&T Annual Meeting - Crown Plaza Copenhagen Towers, Copenhagen, Denmark
Duration: 14 Oct 201618 Oct 2016
https://www.asist.org/events/annual-meeting-2016/

Publication series

NameProceedings of the Association for Information Science and Technology
PublisherWiley
Number1
Volume53
ISSN (Electronic)0044-7870

Conference

Conference2016 Annual Meeting of the Association for Information Science and Technology
Abbreviated titleCreating Knowledge, Enhancing Lives through Information Technology
CountryDenmark
CityCopenhagen
Period14/10/1618/10/16
Internet address

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