'area of information'

[Abc123]

Hi,

What does 'an area of information' in the following sentence mean?

'Environmental scanning can be accomplished by keeping in touch with an area of information via surveillance or by actively seeking out information via search.'

(This sentence is extracted from a Marketing book)
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Please help correct my mistakes whenever you see them. Many thanks :)

[Mister Micawber]

Just 'a place that provides or a source of information', I suppose.
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Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's