Self-efficacy and the search for government information: a study of small-business executives

Abstract

A Study of Small-Business Executives A survey conducted on eighty-one small-business executives regarding the role of self-efficacy (their personal assessment of their own competency in using particular sources) in searching for government information found that when users had higher self-efficacy in using a source, they were more likely to use that source. In particular, executives with higher Internet self-efficacy used the Internet more frequently for government information searches than those with lower scores. The greatest increase in Internet use occurred with those who had both Internet access and high Internet self-efficacy. Older executives were more likely to have lower Internet self-efficacy and used the Internet less frequently. Implications for improving Internet self-efficacy and government information service are discussed. As the American becomes ever more competitive and global, businesses seek a competitive edge by acquiring timely and accurate information. Government information (information collected, compiled, and published by the government) is particularly useful. First, it covers a wide variety of subjects, including legal, social, political, economic, and demographic topics, much of which is not available elsewhere. Second, it tends to have high reliability, accuracy, and timeliness. Third, the information is available in multiple formats, such as print, microfiche, and electronic, often with no user cost. Finally, with the introduction of the Internet, government information is more accessible to the general public than ever. Users can retrieve government information from their office or home. And those with no computer access can visit local libraries where Internet access is provided. The increased use of the Internet for publishing and disseminating government information presents new challenges to reference services. All reference librarians, whether in depository or non-depository libraries, now are expected to answer reference questions related to government information. Government information service is becoming an integral part of the reference service in all libraries. Reference librarians need to understand and master various ways to encourage library users to search for government information through a variety of sources, including the Internet. Research on factors related to using government information can help reference librarians meet their new challenges. This study examined the use of various government information sources by small businesses. Two broad questions guided the study: (1) How frequently do small-business executives search for government information through various sources; and (2) What are some of the factors associated with that frequency? In addition to documenting the use frequency of various government sources, the study also considered how frequency relates to what we call source self-efficacy, or a person's belief in his or her own competence in using a given source for acquiring government information. Small businesses were used for this study for two reasons. First, the advantages brought about by the use of the Internet should be especially appealing to small businesses. Unlike their counterparts in large companies who have onsite company information centers and corporate information specialists, small-business executives often have to search for needed information by themselves, and might need assistance from libraries.[1] Second, while there has been active research on the information search patterns of the small businesses in such areas as strategic planning decision making, environmental scanning, and management assistance, little research has been done on their government information searches.[2] Studying small businesses therefore allows us to build upon previous research, compare findings, and advance knowledge in this area. The literature on self-efficacy will be reviewed and the concept applied to government information searches. …

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