English abstract
In a world of information overload, the rapid flow of data, the existence of
misinformation and the difficulty in identifying quality information, it has become essential to
possess information literacy skills. These skills enable individuals to navigate and engage with
this plethora of information in its various forms. Assessing the literature review initially
information literacy's focus was academic. However, in recent years, it has also emphasized its
relevance in the workplace, recognizing that information is a powerful asset when used
effectively.
This research reports on a qualitative study that investigated the experience of
information literacy among employees in Omani government companies. The study aimed to
explore the various ways that employees utilize when engaging with information. To achieve
this, the study applied the phenomenographic research approach, creating a map depicting
diverse employees experiences from data collected through 36 semi-structured interviews.
The study results identified six categories of description that represent critically and
qualitatively different ways in which employees experienced information literacy in the
workplace. These categories include access to information, evaluation of information, sharing
and flow of information, putting information into action, learning by information, and the
impact of the effective use of information on work performance. Additionally, the study’s
findings included an outcome space for the phenomenon of information literacy in the
workplace, which discussed the relationships between the categories of description.
This study is significant because it has provided new knowledge about employees’
engagement with information for completing work tasks and explained the different ways to
deal with information. The study also proposed a framework that reflects practical outcomes
and highlights the key aspects that should be considered to facilitate the flow of information
and maximize its utility. The findings provide empirical knowledge on which the
recommendations are based.
