Information sources used by technical experts in the New Zealand transport regulation sector : implications for Intranets

Abstract

In order to develop a successful intranet it needs to appeal to its users, encouraging their use and contribution to it. This research examines which characteristics of information sources appeal to users, and discusses how they can be applied to intranets in a way that will increase user satisfaction with intranets as an information source. In order to do this a survey was conducted, asking participants to indicate which information sources they preferred to use, and which characteristics appealed to them. The participants were technical experts involved in the transport regulation sector of New Zealand, employed by the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand (CAANZ), Ministry of Transport (MOT), Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) and Land Transport. The results indicated that there is a preference by these experts to seek information from other experts, technical manuals and internet search engines. Characteristics of these sources which appealed to the participants were ease of use/access, relevance convenience, expertise/authority in field, reliability, accuracy, ease of communication and low cost. Those who preferred to approach another experts wanted reliable expert information as fast and simply as possible. Those participants who referred to technical manuals focused on the quality of content. Those who preferred to use search engines to seek information focused on ease of use. These results were discussed in relation to the ways in which intranets could encompass these characteristics to increase appeal to users.