Information environments and flows in business organizations

Abstract

The organization is understood, by means the systemic approach, as a totality integrated by different levels of relations. It is the result of the interactions and interdependence of its parts; and information and knowledge constitute the input of the organizational activity in its different levels. Information flows are, therefore, the oxygen of organization, because is by means of the information flows that the organizational culture and communication maintain and feed the existing processes. Different information environments exist, which are fundamental for the persons to act more efficiently. However, there is a lack of knowledge on this aspects. The research is generally focused on the managerial aspects and not in the information ones. This paper discusses what are information environments and flows: their concepts, characteristics, levels and their inherent activities. It is concluded that the information environments and flows maintain the organizational activities in all the levels of complexity, and their results are directly proportional to the quality of the existing procedures and the results that are pretended. So, the importance of information and knowledge management for these environments and flows is showed.