Information is very vital in decision making; however its “value” has been a topic of debate. Different scholars have divergent views about what value information has.
Considering the value of information on the basis of its usefulness may be limited as what is useful today may not be as useful the next day.
The recent attempt to value information with the online database industry is to consider information as a traffic or channel for achieving desired purposes. Because information is available in many forms and different purposes, its value can be considered in terms of classification or categorization. This is where data obtained can be interpreted on the basis of certain designed attributes. In another way to value information is to consider it as a commodity such that the worth of its exchange can be determined. In this aspect value may be difficult to ascertain as the owner may view differently from expected users of such information. Although, it may be difficult to determine what value an information has, the author opined that it may be better to value information in commodity form.
Critique
It is on the basis of the above submission that one wish to challenge information seekers to always provide adequately for any information as this is very important in decision making.
Budgetary allocation for information should be given top priority if adequate decisions are to be taken.
Any nation or organization that pays lip service to information is heading for doom as the highest bidder would always obtain the best information.
Manpower development in information technology (IT) is a very wise investment and this should be encouraged by any organization or nation.
Information should not be seen as a commodity, it should allowed to be accessible to those in need of it.
Princess Bridget Terfa Ikyembe (Mrs.)
MIM/Educ/12702/2007-08
27/8/08
11.14 am
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