Purpose

This research aimed to investigate the information-seeking behaviour (ISB) and information needs of different professional groups within the pharmaceutical manufacturing sector in the Republic of Ireland (i.e. for what purpose information is acquired), the information sources professional groups use (including in-house documentation, regulations, industry guidelines, standards and colleagues) and the factors, which influence professional groups' choice of information sources. Furthermore, the research explored the perceived level of support that exists towards knowledge and information sharing.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative non-experimental research design, comprising of a self-completion survey questionnaire, was used to examine a number of information-seeking variables: information triggers, information sources and source influencers as well as information sharing enablers. It was related to four professional tasks: process technology/process development, regulatory support and quality/compliance support and engineering.

Findings

The research provides new insights into the ISB of pharmaceutical professionals working within a highly regulated and high-performance production environment, including a greater understanding of the context in which professional groups experience information needs. The levels of agreement observed in relation to employees' perception of information-sharing enablers indicated an overall positive level of information sharing.

Research limitations/implications

The study points to largely echoed previous findings which suggest that individual work role associated tasks prompt particular information needs. Further to this, work role associated tasks have a bearing on information source selection. Pharmaceutical professionals engaged in positive levels of information and knowledge sharing, relying on procedures, other colleagues and internal documentation as information sources. The participants also indicated a high level of agreement in respect to the value of available subject matter experts as information-sharing enablers.

Practical implications

Organisations should aim to create opportunities for adequate time to share information and organisational structures, facilitating an overall organisational culture of sharing. A focus on information sharing through forums, seminars, meetings and working groups could enhance information sharing, through the development of communities of practice.

Social implications

Pharmaceutical professionals relied on trustworthiness and quality as professional' top information source-influencing factors. Furthermore, the study demonstrated that working within a high-performance, target-driven and time-constrained production environment brings a particular contextual impact, where frequent urgent information triggers are experienced. These contextual factors warrant further investigation.

Originality/value

A paucity of information exists with respect to the ISB of professionals, working within the pharmaceutical manufacturing sector, which is a sector known for its high level of information use and production. This paper offered an original empirical investigation of the ISB of professionals, working within the pharmaceutical manufacturing sector in the Republic of Ireland, focussing on key professional tasks. The research also addressed the level of support available for knowledge and information sharing.

中文翻译：

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对在爱尔兰制药行业工作的专业人员的信息寻求行为进行调查

目的

本研究旨在调查爱尔兰共和国制药行业内不同专业群体的信息寻求行为 (ISB) 和信息需求（即获取信息的目的）、专业群体使用的信息来源（包括文件、法规、行业指南、标准和同事）以及影响专业团体选择信息源的因素。此外，该研究探讨了对知识和信息共享存在的感知支持水平。

设计/方法/方法

一个定量的非实验研究设计，包括一个自我完成的调查问卷，被用来检查一些信息寻求变量：信息触发因素、信息来源和来源影响因素以及信息共享促成因素。它与四项专业任务相关：工艺技术/工艺开发、监管支持和质量/合规支持和工程。

发现

该研究为在高度监管和高性能生产环境中工作的制药专业人士的 ISB 提供了新的见解，包括更好地了解专业群体体验信息需求的背景。在员工对信息共享促成因素的看法方面观察到的一致程度表明信息共享的总体积极水平。

研究限制/影响

该研究指出在很大程度上呼应了先前的发现，这些发现表明与个人工作角色相关的任务会引发特定的信息需求。此外，与工作角色相关的任务对信息源的选择也有影响。制药专业人士以程序、其他同事和内部文件作为信息来源，积极参与信息和知识共享。与会者还就现有主题专家作为信息共享推动者的价值表示高度一致。

实际影响

组织的目标应该是创造机会，让他们有足够的时间分享信息和组织结构，从而促进整体的组织共享文化。注重通过论坛、研讨会、会议和工作组共享信息，可以通过发展实践社区来加强信息共享。

社会影响

医药专业人士将可信度和质量作为专业人士的首要信息来源影响因素。此外，该研究表明，在高性能、目标驱动和时间受限的生产环境中工作会带来特定的上下文影响，其中会经历频繁的紧急信息触发。这些背景因素值得进一步研究。

原创性/价值

在制药行业工作的专业人士的 ISB 信息匮乏，该行业以其高水平的信息使用和生产而闻名。本文对 ISB 的专业人士进行了原始实证调查，这些专业人士在爱尔兰共和国的制药行业工作，专注于关键的专业任务。该研究还讨论了可用于知识和信息共享的支持水平。