Tailoring products for the end-user: The influence of user-practitioners

Abstract

The information industry is changing. It is expanding but who are the users? This article explores how the expansion of information use across departments in corporates has led to end users becoming a major user group. Information providers are faced with new dilemmas as they address their varying needs which often include ambitious projects such as data integration. It looks at the growing number of practitioner users — end users with sophisticated and specific research needs. Drawing on Bureau van Dijk’s experience, it concludes with the importance of understanding how to implement information and research processes into corporate life for maximum benefit.