Asia-Pacific Conference on Library & Information Education & Practice, 2006 105 GLOBALISATION AND EDUCATION FOR THE INFORMATION MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONS: CHALLENGES FOR SMALL COUNTRIES GILLIAN OLIVER School of Information and Social Sciences, The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand, Wyndrum Avenue, Lower Hutt, New Zealand E-mail: gillian.oliver@openpolytechnic.ac.nz Abstract. Globalisation raises many issues which are relevant to information management. These include the creation and implementation of international standards, records management, archives and library operational needs of multinational companies and international organisations, the transborder flow of information and the increasing international mobility of information management professionals. This paper considers the tensions that ensue from increasing globalisation in terms of small countries, specifically New Zealand, in terms of the provision of education for information management. Introduction Globalisation raises many issues which are relevant to information management. These include the creation and implementation of international standards (for example, ISO15489 Records Management), records management, archives and library operational needs of multinational companies and international organisations, the transborder flow of information and the increasing international mobility of information management professionals. This paper considers the tensions that ensue from increasing globalisation in terms of small countries, specifically New Zealand, endeavouring to provide education for the management of information that is appropriate for the needs of that country, and at the same time attempting to equip graduates with internationally recognised qualifications. Firstly, definitions of key terms are provided. This is followed by a description of the New Zealand situation, and discussion considering the reasons why this situation has arisen and its consequences. Finally, the conclusion suggests a way forward. Key Terms Globalisation The sociologist Anthony Giddens refers to globalisation as something that affects almost every aspect of what we do in today’s world, and emphasizes its nature as being economic, political, technological and cultural (Giddens, 2002). Key features of globalisation that are relevant to this paper are “…the emergence of new kinds of trade in services, a technological revolution in communication that makes the globe itself the site of operations for major companies and the growing influence almost everywhere of market forces. “ (Firth, 2000, p.179). A particular feature of globalisation that is of concern to educators is the mobility of the information management workforce. This can be both employee and employer driven - because of a need or desire of individuals to seek employment on a permanent or temporary basis overseas or because requirements for skilled professionals cannot be met locally. It can also be an outcome of political changes as national allegiances shift and change. The European Union provides an example of this situation, particularly since the Bologna declaration. This declaration established the need for a European-wide higher education system with common qualifications and cross crediting arrangements. The impact of the Bologna declaration on education for information managers is explored by Boekhorst and Owen (2003), Kajberg (2003), Juznic and Badovinac (2005) among others. Information Management The complexity of information management, and the involvement in it of multiple occupational groups means that the definition of information management as a discipline has been subject to considerable debate. There is a tendency to define it from the perspective of a single occupational group active in this domain (see, for example, Rowley & Farrow, (2000)), and it has also been claimed that because of the involvement of multiple professions it is unrealistic to expect to find a single definition that covers the entire spectrum of information management (Lewis & Martin, 1989). Leading scholars such as Oliver, G. (2006). Globalisation and education for the information management professions: Challenges for small countries. In C. Khoo, D. Singh & A.S. Chaudhry (Eds.), Proceedings of the Asia- Pacific Conference on Library & Information Education & Practice 2006 (A-LIEP 2006), Singapore, 3-6 April 2006 (pp. 105-110). Singapore: School of Communication & Information, Nanyang Technological University.