I really enjoyed the presentations made by Shanton Chang last month and have been applying a couple of his frameworks in my thinking at work. You might find them useful too.

1. On Information needs: -From Alzougool, Chang and Gray (2013)
   Definition: Information that is essential to individuals as a result of the context in which they act.
   Four states of information need:
   1. Recognised-demanded state
      Aware of information needs and ready to take actions to obtain the information to meet these needs
   2. Recognised-undemanded state
      Aware of information needs but do not desire to have information to fulfil these needs
   3. Unrecognised-demanded state
      Not aware of their specific information needs, but they have the desire to have information
   4. Unrecognised-undemanded state
      Not aware of their specific information needs, nor do they desire information

2. Hofstede’s cultural dimensions  – For an introduction and further reading there’s a pretty good Wikipedia entry

• Power distance index
• Individualism vs collectivism
• Uncertainty avoidance index
• Masculinity vs femininity
• Long-term orientation
• Indulgence vs restraint