2011, 31(4): 56-61.
A consensus has been formed that information technology as an indispensable tool for enhancing the efficiency and quality of knowledge work. However, knowledge workers have their own utility evaluation for kinds of information technology as for the diversity of working properties and technical composition. By the empirical research on knowledge worker’s usage of software systems and networks, this paper concluded that, a significant difference existed in the utility evaluation of information technology for different knowledge workers, and this difference is largely due to the different usage frequencies of information technology in the work process. The higher usage frequency of software systems and networks, the higher evaluation for them, and information technology is regarded as a "necessity" for knowledge work. While a lower usage frequency of software systems and networks, the evaluations for information technology are relatively conservative, and the role of information technology in support of their work is limited. The conclusion provides a reference for the focused investment, development and application of information technology for different work fields. Moreover, it also puts forward a perspective for the efficiency improvement of knowledge work.