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Much is being written about the change introduced by the Internet and World Wide Web. The Web has changed the business information business; the Web can save the business information business. That may sound a radical view from an established information company like UMI: I'd like to explain why I believe the Web will truly move the business of providing business information to the next level.

Aims to map the Hungarian business information market emerging in the wake of the deep structural changes in the country’s economy. Uses the results of a questionnaire survey conducted among business information providers in 1992‐93 in outlining the actors of the market and their behavioural patterns. States that the demand side of the market consists mainly of small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs), and big, private companies with foreign interests. Notes that large, state‐owned enterprises rarely use business information, and the supply side is represented by government institutions, by chambers, associations and foundations, and by private enterprises providing business information. Observes that many SMEs do not consider business information important and others are unaware of providers and sources. Explains that the type of business information services most in demand is consulting on legal, tax and accounting matters, followed by market and company information. Notes an increasing number of Hungarian business databases, some of them up to standard, and some needing improvement in quality and coverage. Argues that because of their resources and information skills, libraries should play an important role in the Hungarian business information market, not only as service providers, but as intermediaries as well, directing customers to the appropriate suppliers.

Scottish Enterprise was established by the Secretary of State for Scotland on 1 April 1991 by bringing together the functions of the Scottish Development Agency and the Training Agency. Its overall role is to encourage and aid economic development on behalf of the Scottish Office. Part of this role is the provision of business information and advice services to companies in Scotland, particularly smaller companies. This paper aims, firstly, to examine the structure of the Scottish Enterprise network, looking at the roles played by Local Enterprise Companies (LECs) and Local Enterprise Trusts (LETs). It then goes on to look at how Enterprise provides information for businesses in two distinctly different areas of Scotland‐Grampian and Ayrshire. The paper concludes with an overview of current and possible future developments, such as One Stop Shops, and their impact on the provision and uptake of business information.

The Internet financial reporting language known as XBRL continues to develop and has now reached the point where much of its promised benefits are available. The authors look at the history of this project, provide a case study of how Morgan Stanley has made use of the system and predict some developments for the future.

In today's digital economy, information secrecy is one of the essential apprehensions for businesses. Because of the uncertainty and multiple interpretations, most of the reviewed literature regarding business decision‐making revealed that decisions tend to be more fluid, inaccurate, and informal. Recently, the number of organizations that have disclosed their information has been raised. The aim of this research is to theorize and empirically measure the effects of information disclosure on the accuracy of business decision‐making.

This study presents a proposed conceptual framework, which assists businesses in evaluating the extent to which information secrecy has a substantial effect on decision‐making accuracy. The primary research purpose is explanatory and the conceptual framework was empirically tested to measure the effects of the proposed five independent variables: information security rules and regulations, secured internal and external business communication, security consciousness management support, business security culture, and superior deterrent efforts on efficient information security, the consequences of which on accurate decision‐making processes are considered a dependent variable.

The results of this study, which are based on the use of the proposed conceptual framework, indicate that information security has a substantial effect on generating accurate, effective and efficient business decisions. Information security could undermine decision accuracy when information collected has little effect on the purpose and time of decisions.

The findings of this study present some insights into the strategic choices of any organizations and, to improve the efficiency of the decisions taken, they must improve the level and efficiency of information secrecy.

Aims to give a broad overview of the wide range of uses of the Internet for business information. Identifies a selection of key sites, under broad subject categories and examines recent changes which have turned the Internet from an environment where business information was provided, largely for free, to one where much of the most valuable information is now charged for. Concludes that the Internet is a dynamic environment for business information research, where refined search strategies are necessary to maximise productivity and minimise time loss. Recommends an exploration of the guides to sources together with regular use, in order to become proficient in using the Internet for business intelligence.

This article is a result of part of a doctoral study in the University of South Africa on the topic business information systems (BIS) design for Uganda's economic development: the case of small to medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) in northern Uganda conducted between 2004 and 2007. The study was conducted to establish the characteristics of the SMEs, business activities, business information needs and recommend the important business information needs required for BIS for poor country or region. It was carried out on the assumption that businesses in northern Uganda are lagging behind because of lack of a BIS that could facilitate efficient and effective business information access. This article aims to discuss this subject.

The descriptive survey research design was used to collect the required data using structured questionnaires and semi‐structured interview guide. A sample size of 251 SMEs, 75 information providers and 25 business policy makers in northern Uganda were used. Quantitative data obtained were analysed using Epi Info and SPSS while the qualitative data by use of content analysis technique.

The findings reveal that SMEs in northern Uganda have varying background and are engaged in diverse/varied business activities with varying business information needs that require a multifaceted approach in the provision of business information. The study recommends that a BIS unique to the SMEs in northern Uganda be designed to provide among others business legal information, business technical information, business economic information, business contacts information and business management skills information.

No research has been carried out on the business information activities and needs of SMEs in northern Uganda with a view to design BIS. The findings of the study will help to shape the planning and implementation of strategic interventions to transform northern Uganda using information as a catalyst for development.

This is the twelfth article on business and law (BSL) databases in a continuing series of articles summarizing and commenting on new database products. Two companion articles, one covering science, technology, and medicine (STM) appeared in Online & CD‐ROM Review vol. 22, no.4 and the other covering social science, humanities, news, and general (SSH) appeared in Online & CD‐ROM Review vol. 22, no. 5. The articles are based on the newly appearing database products in the Gale Directory of Databases. The Gale Directory of Databases (GDD) was created in January 1993 by merging Computer‐Readable Databases: A Directory and Data Sourcebook (CRD) together with the Directory of Online Databases (DOD) and the Directory of Portable Databases (DPD).

The emergence of business information resources and services on the Internet is discussed and its impact on business librarianship. Important resources in various business areas are identified, such as economics, finance, marketing, international business, and real estate. It is argued that business information on the Internet has become a very important part of business information services and that it poses great challenges to business librarianship. Subject knowledge in business has become increasingly crucial for business librarians to effectively identify, evaluate, select, and organise business information on the Internet. Without subject knowledge, or with a lack of subject knowledge in business, business librarians will not be able to maintain the quality of business information services. The article further argues that, given the fact that a large percentage of business librarians in the USA do not have formal training in business, it is time for library and information science schools and libraries to address this issue by setting high standards for recruiting instructors in business information and by setting high standards for employing business librarians.