Indexing challenges in work place information retrieval

Workplace environments are characterised by fluid collection definition, diversity in document types, and the need to search information from diverse repositories and file systems. Workplace retrieval systems cover a large variety of document formats, document genres, and languages, such as English and Danish and professional jargons (Abrol et al., 2001). Most workplace search technologies offer advanced indexing algorithms and search facilities, and there is an attempt to automate as much as possible, including indexing (Mahon, Hourican, Gilchrist, 2001). When indexing is carried out manually, it is often the document producers that perform the indexing task rather than professional indexers such as information specialists and librarians. Altogether, these characteristics provide another framework for indexing and information retrieval compared to traditional bibliographical retrieval systems in library settings from where we have most knowledge about the indexing process.