Workplace information environment – challenges and opportunities for research

Work is central to most of what we care about as individuals and as communities. Work provides a sense of identity expressed through work roles; most of would answer the question 'What are you' with a line such as a 'I am a journalist/doctor/lawyer/regional manager/coastal zone advisor'. It provides a sense of purpose 'I make sure the public is informed; I save lives; I help create a fair justice system; I make sure the environment is protected; I monitor our coastlines' that may take years of training to achieve and must be constantly nurtured with new information. Work also provides economic gain that funds education, health services, the arts and most areas of civic life.