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KNOWLEDGE NETWORK OF KNOWLEDGE WORKERS Knowledge workers work in an environment described as a Knowledge Network . Popper (1963) states there is always an increasing need for knowledge to grow and progress continually, whether tacit ( Polanyi, 1976 ) or explicit. Knowledge grows like organisms, with data serving as food to be assimilated rather than merely stored ( Weiss , 1960). All knowledge workers, particularly R&D project managers, need to easily access, and be able, to search external Knowledge Bases as well as internally embedded Organizational Knowledge . Toffler (1990) observed that typical knowledge workers (i.e. all R&D scientists and engineers as well as Technology Manager s) in the age of knowledge economy and knowledge society must have some system at their disposal to ''create, process and enhance'' their own technological knowledge. In some cases they also manage the technical knowledge of their co-workers. MANAGEMENT OF KNOWLEDGE WORKERS Knowledge workers are believed to produce more when Empowered to make the most of their deepest skills; they can often work on many projects at the same time; they know how to allocate their time; and they can multiply the results of their efforts through soft factors such as Emotional Intelligence and Trust ( Francis Fukuyama , Manuel Castells ). Organizations designed around the knowledge worker (instead of just machine capital) are thought to integrate the best of hierarchy, self-organization and networking rather than the worst. Each dictates a different communications and rewards system, and requires activation of knowledge-sharing and action learning. A basic pattern rule of human systems is that when you mix them you will get the worst of each unless you contextually and carefully attend to connecting the best. THE KNOWLEDGE AGE The third wave of human socio-economic development is described by Charles Savage in "Fifth Generation Management". The first wave was the Agricultural Age with wealth defined as ownership of land. In the second wave, the Industrial Age, wealth was based on ownership of Capital, i.e. factories. In the Knowledge Age, wealth is based upon the ownership of knowledge and the ability to use that knowledge to create or improve goods and services. Product improvements include cost, durability, suitability, timeliness of delivery, and security. In the Knowledge Age , 2% of the working population will work on the land, 10% will work in Industry and the rest will be Knowledge Workers ( Ann Andrews ). SEE ALSO |
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