The information environment and information behaviour of the Offshore Installation Manager (OIM) in the context of safety and emergency response: An exploratory study

Abstract

The offshore installation manager (OIM) is a unique role in the oil and gas industry with the legal responsibility for the health and safety of individuals on an offshore installation, as well as holding commercial responsibilities. Using exploratory, qualitative data based on 10 interviews conducted with OIMs, the information environment and behaviour of the OIM are described and areas for further research are explored. The OIM’s information environment is one that is complex and relies heavily on both formal and informal sources of information. Two modes of OIM information behaviour are identified: everyday information need, in which the OIM seeks, uses and shares information to maintain safe operations; and emergency information need, in which there is both reliance on information that must be known in order to react to an emergency situation and a need for accessible information about the status of a rapidly changing environment. The OIM is both the user of information and a source of information for others and as such must be trusted, reliable and automotive.

Keywords

Information environments information use offshore oil and gas industry workplaces

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