What ICT4D and information management researchers can learn from Paul Otlet’s notion of development

Abstract

While expansive literature of information-related fields presents Paul Otlet (1868-1944) as one of the founders and prolific writers of information research, it displays a lean coverage of Otlet’s works. Indeed, despite his reflections on information and technology as a conduit of human development, Otlet tends to be caricatured with the concept document and related subjects such as book, library, bibliography, etc. One of the reasons for this shortcoming is that development represents one of the least researched themes of information studies on the one hand and of information and communication technology for development [ICT4D] on the other. It follows that, although integral to human actualization, development is seen as alien to or unfit for information-related fields. Another consequence is that development is taken to mean the development of and access to information technologies. Applying qualitative content analysis, the present paper canvasses Otlet’s works, and features the notion of development. Otlet saw information as a service toward people’s development. For him, people’s development implies the totality and expansion of human life. The paper captures some of the salient themes under which Otlet approached development. The goal is to bring to the forefront of information research, the development, not just of information systems and forums, but also that of people.