SEARCHING FOR THE END-USER - ON THE DEMYS TIFICATION OF A PHENOMENON

End-users of online databases in companies are much more numerous than generally assumed. In this study end-users in German companies are em pirically analysed. The different requirements of end-users and interm ediaries are outlined. It becomes clear that end-users of electronic i nformation services are found not only in small companies but even mor e in large ones. The services of information centers and end-users' ne eds should be systematically managed. In this context the question whe re the limits of end-user competences are, must be thoroughly consider ed.