@article{Huvila2008a,
  keywords = {, work roles, work, tasks, LIS research, information science, task analysis},
  author = {Isto Huvila},
  title = {Work and work roles: a context of tasks},
  abstract = {Purpose: Both task-based and work oriented research approaches~have proved their value in information science research. A task is a~workable analytical unit of human activity, which brings the level of~explication close enough to cater for individual actions and their~consequences. Similarly, work and work roles have been effective~concepts at explicating the broad patterns of professional information~activity. Major issues of the existing approaches are the difficulty of~conceptualising the contexts of tasks and the relatively high level of~abstraction of a work level scrutiny. The purpose of this paper is to~discuss how the concepts of {\textquoteleft}work{\textquoteright}, {\textquoteleft}work role{\textquoteright} and {\textquoteleft}task{\textquoteright} might be~integrated into a common research agenda. We suggest that the~explication of work and work roles might serve in providing additional~understanding on the formation of the purposes, meanings and values,~which guide the shaping of the activities conceptualised as tasks.Methodology/Approach: The issue is discussed in general with a~reference to an empirical study of information work of archaeology~professionals informed by the notion of work role.~Findings: It is suggested that the broader notions of work and work~roles are useful concepts for explicating the context of more specific~tasks.Research limitations/implications: The suggested approach brings~together task and work {\textendash} work role-based research and provides a basis~for exploring human information activity from a broader perspective than~before and thus improving the general understanding of why and how~information is used as it is used.Practical implications: The study provides an approach to~conceptualise the ways how people work with information and lays the~ground for improving information management and organisation~practices.Originality: There has been little prior discussion about integrating~the task and work-based approaches. We suggest that the explication of~work and work roles might serve in providing additional understanding on~the formation of the purposes, meanings and values, which guide the~shaping of the activities conceptualised as tasks.},
  year = {2008},
  journal = {Journal of Documentation},
  volume = {64},
  number = {6},
  pages = {797{\textendash}815},
  issn = {0022-0418 },
  url = {http://www.emeraldinsight.com/10.1108/00220410810912406},
  doi = {10.1108/00220410810912406},
  language = {eng},
}