Information and knowledge worker productivity

Abstract Information is an essential ingredient in office work, in management decision making, and in knowledge worker productivity. Automated office information systems are designed to process information more efficiently and more effectively so as to increase the productivity of the office staff and the profitability of the organization. The rationale and the functions of automated office information systems are reviewed along with the methods used and difficulties encountered in measuring office productivity. Information science can and should be applied to study the economic benefits of office information systems, to investigate the social and behavioral implications of this new technology, and to help plan governmental policies resulting from the changes now taking place in the environment and in the storage, transfer, display, and use of information.