Learning from experts: collection development in business

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the types of information useful for the business domain and resources for specific information types. Also, it aims to discuss a methodological approach for identifying core resources in a particular discipline.

Design/methodology/approach

Content analysis of business materials identifies a set of business tasks and questions. Based on the results of content analysis, a survey simulating real reference situations is conducted with academic business reference librarians.

Findings

The paper identifies the types of information most useful both for business as a whole and for the sub‐fields (entrepreneurship, finance, management, and marketing). The resources suggested by participants are summarized for each type of information.

Practical implications

The findings are helpful for academic business librarians for collection development as well as for database selection for a specific query.

Originality/value

The suggested methodology for identifying core resources in a particular discipline has general applicability across other disciplines.

Citation

Kim, S. (2009), "Learning from experts: collection development in business", Collection Building, Vol. 28 No. 2, pp. 62-67. https://doi.org/10.1108/01604950910953107