Information Needs of Tanzanian Industries: Problems & Prospects

Abstract

Discusses the importance, problems and prospects of satisfying information needs of industries in Tanzania. Industries in Tanzania being small and medium in size need a planned industrial information network which will enable them to acquire new ideas central to industrial progress. Major problems encountered in trying to meet industrial information needs in Tanzania, brought up, include; greater emphasis put on agriculture, lack of funds, lack of awareness on the part of decision makers of the important role information plays in industrial development, low status accorded to information units in industries, unwillingness among industries to share vital know-how, complexities of industrial information needs and lack of staff trained in library and information science work. Recommends that information units be established in major industries in Tanzania, identifying their functions.