Use of information systems in professional work practices

Organisations have been more knowledge intensive and professional during the last decades. Professional work generally has certain specific properties related to its working context. Two different case studies have been conducted within two different work disciplines; aircraft maintenance and emergency healthcare. This paper explores different characteristics for the different types of professions in the time and life critical work practices studied. The two different types of professions are called T(hing) and L(ife) professions. The aim of this paper is to highlight the specific characteristics for the two different types of professions, T and L, and their use of the information systems. The aim is also to derive the general challenges met according to the professionals’ use of the information systems.