Information accessibility reconsidered

Abstract What makes information accessible in an organization? Although the conventional wisdom is that information accessibility is of primary importance in explaining information acquisition and use, the determinants and components of such accessibility are not, as yet, well understood. The present paper explores this question and attempts to break through our conventional conceptions. Information accessibility is appraised not only in terms of its obvious virtues, but in terms of its oft-hidden costs. Such costs are typically borne by the provider of information, whose interest in the exchange is likely to be one of organizational influence. Reflecting the need to influence, information will be accessible in an organization in large part because of information-push, not simply in response to information-pull. New digital computer and communications technologies tend to intensify the process, raising the information waters in the organization. Coping with the new information surfeit places a premium on organizational intelligence and good sense making.