The Information Environments of New Managers

This research looked at the mechanisms newly-assigned managers used for handlingpersonnel problems. The study compared the perceptions and information behaviors ofnew managers who were coping with personnel problems versus those dealing withother types of workplace problems. Subjects handling personnel problems were moreuncertain about the situation, and used the rich media channels of supervisors andpeers significantly more often than did subjects dealing with non-personnel problems.Demographic characteristics that affected the choice of information sources includedwhether the new manager had been appointed from inside or outside, sex, age, hierarchical level, and the type of business. Input from the subjects stressed the need formore effective information linkages, especially for managers appointed from outside ofthe organization; frequent communication with superiors, improved liaison with peers,and the development of subordinates as information providers.