Air Force Information Management (IM): A 1993 Snapshot of Current and Projected Roles of Enlisted Information Managers

Author

Mary E. Duncan
Ted L. Roberts

Date of Award

12-1993

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Abstract

This study provides a preliminary view of the level of familiarity enlisted information managers have of changing roles, responsibilities, and initiatives within the Information Management career field. Using a three-phase investigative methodology that combined e-mail, interviews, and mail surveys, the authors addressed the changing roles and responsibilities of enlisted information managers and their familiarity with these changes. This study found that although individuals agree that the role is changing and expanding, many are performing the traditional administrative taskings. The lower ranks still perceive themselves as clerks, whereas senior enlisted members consider themselves managers. Although the career field name changed to Information Management, the supporting attitude has not. The greatest changes of responsibility focus on the use of new automated tools. From the results of our survey it is apparent that enlisted members in the field are not familiar with concepts and initiatives which are being projected as future responsibilities. Knowledge level tends to increase as rank increases, but this familiarity-level is attributed primarily to personal research. Respondents perceived on-the-job training to be the most appropriate training method for teaching future concepts. The major recommendation from this research is to increase the level of communication to career field members. Another recommendation focuses on the need to provide additional training to the NCO ranks in particular. Individuals would benefit from the development of other educational avenues besides Air Force technical training, such as courses at AFIT or through the Community College of the Air Force.

AFIT Designator

AFIT-GIR-LAR-93D-5

DTIC Accession Number

ADA275931

Comments

Co-authored thesis.

The authors' Vita pages are omitted.

Presented to the Faculty of the School of Logistics and Acquisition Management of the Air Force Institute of Technology.

Recommended Citation

Duncan, Mary E. and Roberts, Ted L., "Air Force Information Management (IM): A 1993 Snapshot of Current and Projected Roles of Enlisted Information Managers" (1993). Theses and Dissertations. 6826.
https://scholar.afit.edu/etd/6826