The prevailing models of information literacy education (ILE) are contextually grounded in Western social and intellectual structures. For the most part these models follow the taxonomy developed in the 1950s by Bloom, which has been adopted as appropriate for developing societies without considering the contexts from which they are derived, and in which they are being applied. For ILE to be meaningfully embedded in the educational fabric of a developing country, it is important to take account of a range of contextual variables that affect how and why individuals learn. Focusing on ILE through the lens of cultural contextuality, this paper addresses three questions in relation to ILE in developing countries: How do we defi ne information literacy in a developing country context? How do we best determine the educational objectives of information literacy education in a developing country context? How can cultural awareness improve information literacy education?

PurposeThe paper aims to explore the overall state of information and digital illiteracy (IDL) in developing countries and how it hampers the growth of individuals and nations. The case of Pakistan is to be used as an example to illustrate the endemic state of poor information and digital literacy. It also aims to discuss the general drawbacks to effective IDL in developing Asian countries.Design/methodology/approachTo achieve the objectives of the study, the literature review and result of Pakistan‐based surveys are used to indicate the state of IDL among university students and faculty in one country while integrating these findings with discussion.FindingsIt was found that in Pakistan, as elsewhere, IL/IDL practice and training are not the norm in libraries or in education; they are not operational priorities. The low level of IL/IDL among the educated classes contributes to the status quo of information illiterate citizens. It also establishes that becoming “critical consumers” of information is essential for personal and national empowerment.Originality/valueThe study explores the overall status of IDL in the developing countries using case of Pakistan as example. It suggests conducting local research on contextually relevant literacies and IL/IDL. The paper invokes the appreciation for making IL/IDL an integral part of learning programmes at all levels.

If you would like to write for this, or any other Emerald publication, then please use our Emerald for Authors service information about how to choose which publication to write for and submission guidelines are available for all. Please visit www.emeraldinsight.com/authors for more information. About Emerald www.emeraldinsight.comEmerald is a global publisher linking research and practice to the benefit of society. The company manages a portfolio of more than 290 journals and over 2,350 books and book series volumes, as well as providing an extensive range of online products and additional customer resources and services.Emerald is both COUNTER 4 and TRANSFER compliant. The organization is a partner of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and also works with Portico and the LOCKSS initiative for digital archive preservation. AbstractPurpose -This paper seeks to look at the question of accuracy of content regarding Wikipedia and other internet encyclopaedias. Design/methodology/approach -By looking at other sources, the paper considers whether the information contained within Wikipedia can be relied on to be accurate. Findings -Wikipedia poses as an encyclopaedia when by no stretch of the definition can it be termed such; therefore, it should be subject to regulation. Originality/value -The paper highlights the issue that, without regulation, content cannot be relied on to be accurate.

Purpose-The specific aim of this paper is to explore the multidisciplinary academic antecedents of KM in order to better understand KM. By doing so, it is suggested that KM can be more effectively applied in real-world situations, such as professional occupations. Design/methodology/approach-The approach is conceptual: five core antecedents of KMphilosophy, sociology, psychology, computing and information systems, and management-are explored and associated with the criminal investigation process. Findings-KM antecedents can be applied to the professional discipline of criminal investigation to create a conceptual model of knowledge management for the criminal investigative process. The model offers guidance on ways in which KM can be understood in terms of the criminal investigative process. Research limitations/implications-KM has been considered a somewhat nebulous subject, so there is value in exploring its multidisciplinary roots to gain a better understanding of it and how it can be more effectively applied in specific organizational or practitioner contexts. Practical implications-By mapping the KM antecedents to the criminal investigation process a conceptual model has been developed, which it is believed could prove useful in helping police organizations, as well as academics studying the criminal justice system, to better understand the discipline of KM in the context of law enforcement-related work. Originality/value-While KM antecedents have been identified, the paper is one of the first to explicitly show how they can be used to link KM to real world situations-in this case the criminal investigative process.

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