Work and information : which workplace models still work in modern digital workplaces?

Introduction. In this paper, we outline some theoretical background for workplace studies in LIS to facilitate an understanding of what is new in the phenomena and how early frameworks may inform us about the modern digital workplaces. Method. We first characterise modern workplaces and discuss why new digital workplaces raise important questions for in relation to information-related activities in workplace. We explore significant, earlier frameworks on workplace information issues to question their utility in researching digital workplaces. Analysis. Our approach is to analytically examine the major trends and themes in early frameworks to present a discussion of which features may still be relevant to studying modern workplaces. Results. We see the continuance of this broad understanding of workplace information as a fruitful base for present and future studies of digital workplace information. This richness of views on workplace information leads to different understandings of information-related activities, which can create deep understandings but also conceptual confusion. Conclusion. Our workplaces have changed radically since the early frameworks; whilst some aspects may provide the underpinning for research in modern workplaces there is a need for further conceptual analyses and clarifications to facilitate future research and compile their findings

Cultural Patterns of Information Source Use: A Global Study of 47 Countries

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between national culture and information source use (ISU) on a global level. A secondary analysis was carried out on three different data sets. They were (a) country-level data on ISU from World Values Survey (2005–2009); (b) country-specific mean scores of Hofstede's national culture dimensions (HNCD) of individualism (IDV), power distance (PDI), time orientation, uncertainty avoidance (UAI), masculinity (MAS), and indulgence (IVR); and (c) measures of wealth. The analysis showed the importance of three national culture dimensions of PDI (the way people of a nation interact with authorities), IDV (the degree of centrality of person or groups in a country), and IVR (the agreeableness of joy and happiness in a country) for explaining the cross-cultural differences of ISU. The findings were explained through HNCD, and four cultural patterns of ISU were identified. However, further research is required to better understand the complex relationships of cultural factors, ISU, and other societal variables.publishedVersio

Task complexity, information types and information sources : examination of relationships

In this study, the effects of perceived task complexity on the relationship between information types and information sources were examined. The information activities focused on were seen as a sub-process in task performance process. The information types to be acquired were expected to determine types of information sources used. Further, the perceived complexity of task was expected to determine what types of information were needed. This was considered in a real life work setting where the observation units were the actual work tasks of municipal administrators in two Finnish towns. By concentrating the analysis on the individual work tasks, the action-centred orientation was emphasised with the understanding that both individual as well as social aspects place constrains on these processes. The main research data consisted of 80 task diaries recorded by 39 participants. This material was supplemented through subsequent interviews. Additional background data were collected by unstructured observations, document review and by an e-mail questionnaire. The data were analysed according to a process-analysis method that focuses on the identification of different aspects of task performance, their classification and finally their cross-tabulation. Both qualitative and quantitative techniques were utilised in the data collection and the analysis. The statistical significance of the findings was not tested. The research results show that there is a clear relationship between information types needed and information sources used, and that the effects of task complexity are mainly related to the need for information types during task performance. However, there are also indications that task complexity leads to a preference for people as information sources, especially general-purpose sources such as experts and meetings. Contrary to expectations task complexity or the need for multiple information types was not related to the increase in external information source use generally. However, the growing task complexity especially seems to increase the use of people inside the organisation and to decrease the use of internal documentary sources. The increase of information source use was almost linear when more information types had to be acquired. The number of information sources used also increased in relation to task complexity, but much less steadily. The study elaborated the relationships between task complexity and information source types by introducing information types into the analysis. The findings of this and earlier studies by the present author indicate that there are common information related patterns of how perceived work task complexity is coped with. Additional studies are needed to further clarify these patterns.In this study, the effects of perceived task complexity on the relationship between information types and information sources were examined. The information activities focused on were seen as a sub-process in task performance process. The information types to be acquired were expected to determine types of information sources used. Further, the perceived complexity of task was expected to determine what types of information were needed. This was considered in a real life work setting where the observation units were the actual work tasks of municipal administrators in two Finnish towns. By concentrating the analysis on the individual work tasks, the action-centred orientation was emphasised with the understanding that both individual as well as social aspects place constrains on these processes. The main research data consisted of 80 task diaries recorded by 39 participants. This material was supplemented through subsequent interviews. Additional background data were collected by unstructured observations, document review and by an e-mail questionnaire. The data were analysed according to a process-analysis method that focuses on the identification of different aspects of task performance, their classification and finally their cross-tabulation. Both qualitative and quantitative techniques were utilised in the data collection and the analysis. The statistical significance of the findings was not tested. The research results show that there is a clear relationship between information types needed and information sources used, and that the effects of task complexity are mainly related to the need for information types during task performance. However, there are also indications that task complexity leads to a preference for people as information sources, especially general-purpose sources such as experts and meetings. Contrary to expectations task complexity or the need for multiple information types was not related to the increase in external information source use generally. However, the growing task complexity especially seems to increase the use of people inside the organisation and to decrease the use of internal documentary sources. The increase of information source use was almost linear when more information types had to be acquired. The number of information sources used also increased in relation to task complexity, but much less steadily. The study elaborated the relationships between task complexity and information source types by introducing information types into the analysis. The findings of this and earlier studies by the present author indicate that there are common information related patterns of how perceived work task complexity is coped with. Additional studies are needed to further clarify these patterns

Task complexity, information types and information sources : examination of relationships

In this study, the effects of perceived task complexity on the relationship between information types and information sources were examined. The information activities focused on were seen as a sub-process in task performance process. The information types to be acquired were expected to determine types of information sources used. Further, the perceived complexity of task was expected to determine what types of information were needed. This was considered in a real life work setting where the observation units were the actual work tasks of municipal administrators in two Finnish towns. By concentrating the analysis on the individual work tasks, the action-centred orientation was emphasised with the understanding that both individual as well as social aspects place constrains on these processes. The main research data consisted of 80 task diaries recorded by 39 participants. This material was supplemented through subsequent interviews. Additional background data were collected by unstructured observations, document review and by an e-mail questionnaire. The data were analysed according to a process-analysis method that focuses on the identification of different aspects of task performance, their classification and finally their cross-tabulation. Both qualitative and quantitative techniques were utilised in the data collection and the analysis. The statistical significance of the findings was not tested. The research results show that there is a clear relationship between information types needed and information sources used, and that the effects of task complexity are mainly related to the need for information types during task performance. However, there are also indications that task complexity leads to a preference for people as information sources, especially general-purpose sources such as experts and meetings. Contrary to expectations task complexity or the need for multiple information types was not related to the increase in external information source use generally. However, the growing task complexity especially seems to increase the use of people inside the organisation and to decrease the use of internal documentary sources. The increase of information source use was almost linear when more information types had to be acquired. The number of information sources used also increased in relation to task complexity, but much less steadily. The study elaborated the relationships between task complexity and information source types by introducing information types into the analysis. The findings of this and earlier studies by the present author indicate that there are common information related patterns of how perceived work task complexity is coped with. Additional studies are needed to further clarify these patterns.In this study, the effects of perceived task complexity on the relationship between information types and information sources were examined. The information activities focused on were seen as a sub-process in task performance process. The information types to be acquired were expected to determine types of information sources used. Further, the perceived complexity of task was expected to determine what types of information were needed. This was considered in a real life work setting where the observation units were the actual work tasks of municipal administrators in two Finnish towns. By concentrating the analysis on the individual work tasks, the action-centred orientation was emphasised with the understanding that both individual as well as social aspects place constrains on these processes. The main research data consisted of 80 task diaries recorded by 39 participants. This material was supplemented through subsequent interviews. Additional background data were collected by unstructured observations, document review and by an e-mail questionnaire. The data were analysed according to a process-analysis method that focuses on the identification of different aspects of task performance, their classification and finally their cross-tabulation. Both qualitative and quantitative techniques were utilised in the data collection and the analysis. The statistical significance of the findings was not tested. The research results show that there is a clear relationship between information types needed and information sources used, and that the effects of task complexity are mainly related to the need for information types during task performance. However, there are also indications that task complexity leads to a preference for people as information sources, especially general-purpose sources such as experts and meetings. Contrary to expectations task complexity or the need for multiple information types was not related to the increase in external information source use generally. However, the growing task complexity especially seems to increase the use of people inside the organisation and to decrease the use of internal documentary sources. The increase of information source use was almost linear when more information types had to be acquired. The number of information sources used also increased in relation to task complexity, but much less steadily. The study elaborated the relationships between task complexity and information source types by introducing information types into the analysis. The findings of this and earlier studies by the present author indicate that there are common information related patterns of how perceived work task complexity is coped with. Additional studies are needed to further clarify these patterns

Information Challenges, Challenging Information in Digital Workplaces: Report from the European Network for Workplace Information Symposium 2015

<p>Information Challenges, Challenging Information in Digital Workplaces: Report from the European Network for Workplace Information Symposium 2015</p><p>（Long Abtract）</p

Information Access and Workplace Learning in “Peopleless Offices” by “Officeless People” Proposed Research Platform for Digital Workplace Development

<p>Information Access and Workplace Learning  in “Peopleless Offices” by “Officeless People” Proposed Research Platform   for Digital Workplace Development</p><p>(Long Abstract)</p

Vertical and horizontal relationships amongst task-based information needs

In this article, we present a conceptual framework of information needs for task-based information studies. The framework accounts for both vertical and horizontal relationships between information needs as fluid activities in work-task performance. As part of task performance, pieces of information are gathered from various, heterogeneous sources, not primarily to fulfil any expressed formulation of information needs, but in order to make progress in the task. The vertical relationships pinpoint connections between general and specific, from the workplace context to the interaction with an information source, and the horizontal relationships between parallel information needs. These relationships enrich the conceptual understanding of information needs in information studies, which previously has focussed on sequential relationships. The sequential, vertical and horizontal relationships form an analytical network that allows a departure from the black-box depiction of information needs