Information-Seeking Behaviour and Knowledge Transfer: A Case Study of Family Business Owners in Kuwait

Abstract

Information-seeking behaviour is the process of acquiring information from sources in response to a need. The acquired information can then be transferred into knowledge for use, archiving, or sharing. This study investigates the information-seeking behaviour and knowledge transfer among food industry business (fbiz) owners in Kuwait, and how these differ across generations of fbiz owners. Eighteen interviews with 10 large fbiz owners from different generations were carried out. The study found that the information needs of fbiz owners changed at different stages of their business. For information seeking, fbiz members consult a variety of information sources, with the newer generation relying more on online sources than word-of-mouth. Both paper-and-computer-based archiving is used, but information loss remains a threat. Effective knowledge transfer requires better communication between generations and appropriate archiving systems. Each fbiz in Kuwait, irrespective of generation, is required to follow Islamic law. This study brings together the related but differing fields of information behaviour and knowledge management. Most importantly, it contributes two models—a family business information behaviour model and a family business knowledge retention and transfer model that would be useful to the research and practice of information behaviour and knowledge management in family businesses.