Epistemic work and knowing in practice as conceptualizations of information use

Introduction. The study contributes to the conceptual investigation of information use by reviewing the conceptions of epistemic work proposed by Cook and Brown, and knowing in practice proposed by Orlikowski. The above conceptions are developed in the field of organization science. Method. The key articles by Cook and Brown, and Orlikowski were scrutinized by means of in-depth conceptual analysis. The main focus was placed on the comparative analysis of the conceptions of epistemic work and knowing in practice. Results. The approach to epistemic work conceptualizes information use as the employment of tacit and explicit knowledge in the service of knowing. Knowing is understood as epistemic work that is done as an inherent part of action. Orlikowski approaches information use as construction and reconstruction of knowledgeability in and through action. Conclusions. The conceptions of epistemic work and knowing in practice provide holistic frameworks for the study of information use in context, while not probing the details of information use processes per se.