The impact of organizational information culture on information use outcomes in policing: an exploratory study

Introduction. The information management practices of an organization along with the information behaviour and values of its personnel impact on organizational performance and the achievement of specific information use outcomes, positively and/or negatively. The aim of this study was to determine whether a theoretical model previously used in other fields to study the information management and information culture of organizations was applicable to policing, and examine which factors had the greatest impact on the achievement of the outcomes of problem solving, creating beneficial work, and information sharing within three Canadian police organizations.Method. A total of 134 sworn officers from various ranks across three Canadian police organizations completed an online survey.Analysis. Factor analysis and regression analysis were conducted using statistical analysis SPSS software.Results. Considering six information factors, regression analysis revealed that information pro-activeness and information management played significant roles in the achievement of the three information use outcomes. Factor analysis, using information management and five information behaviours, uncovered two new factors (information quality control and pro-active collaboration) that accounted for 71% of variance in the achievement of information use outcomes within this policing context.Conclusion. A conceptual framework for future police organization analysis is presented and the need for information use outcome scales is explored.