Connecting Information Science and management: a new look at the initial perspectives of information management

Abstract

Objective: To analyze perspectives on Information Management (IM) in Information Science (IS) and Business Administration, identifying differences, similarities, and possibilities for dialogue between these fields.
Methodology: Analytical qualitative literature review structured in three stages: mapping definitions, models, and practices of IM in IS; mapping definitions, models, and practices of IM in Business Administration; and comparative analysis of differences and similarities, supported by graphic schemes that synthesize the main aspects identified.
Results: The analysis showed that, in IS, IM is predominantly associated with the organization, retrieval, preservation, and analysis of documents and other informational records, aiming to create informational environments favorable to research and knowledge sharing. In Business Administration, IM assumes a strategic role linked to information policies, development and maintenance of systems and services, and optimization of information flows to support decision‑making and organizational performance. Common processes were also identified in both areas, such as information generation, planning, organization, preservation, and dissemination, as well as the design of IM policies, practices, and systems oriented toward individuals and organizations.
Conclusions: It is concluded that IS and Business Administration share a common conceptual core around IM but differ in analytical emphases and practical applications, reinforcing the interdisciplinary potential of the field. The results suggest the need to deepen empirical studies on IM practices in different types of organizations and to expand theoretical‑methodological dialogue among IS, Business Administration, and other areas that also address IM, such as Economics, Production Engineering, and Computer Science.