Lost in Digital Wonderland - Finding a Path in the Global Knowledge Society - Essay Example

Lost in Digital Wonderland – Finding a Path in the Global Knowledge Society" Table of Contents Introduction 3 Discussion 4 What is knowledge? 4 Whatis knowledge society? 4 The prime driving forces responsible for the development of Knowledge based societies 5 Analysis 7 Why the need for knowledge is increasing to meet the learner’s lifelong needs? 7 Findings 9 Is global Knowledge society helps to maintain a balance with the changing world? 9 Conclusion 10 References 11 Introduction In this age of communal and political globalization and information revolution, the concept of knowledge-based economy or society is changing rapidly. This means, in this information age, the knowledge –based societies or the individual employees utilise their ideas to develop new products or services rather than physical capabilities or expertise (Ritzer, 2011, pp. 278-289). Other than this, now a day, maximum extent of the labours or individual makes use of advanced technologies to introduce new product lines as compared to extensive use of raw materials. Such a transformation took place mainly due to the increased need for innovation. As the rate of trade dealings is enhancing in the entire globe, the ratio of competitiveness is also expanding. However, in order to cope up with such type of competitive needs or demands of the citizens, the labours or the producers need to develop highly extensive abilities and knowledge (Max-Planck institute for history and science, n. d.). Such type of demanding skills and knowledge might be attained only through varied types of learning programs, training programs such as on-the –job, household trainings etc. Only then, the employees or the individual might easily cope up with the risks or changing demands of the citizens in global economy. By doing so, the producer or the employees might position itself as a successful individual or organization in this global knowledge society as compared to others. The rationale of this essay is to specify the importance of attaining a specific place in a global knowledge society so as to compete with the global competitive forces or threats. Discussion What is knowledge? Knowledge is described as a resource that helps to generate values and creativity. In this age of digitalisation, it is the knowledge that helps in enhancement of the dealings of trade leading to economic growth and development of a nation in the entire globe among others. Other than this, it is the knowledge that helps an individual entrepreneur to cope up with the changing requirements of the citizens by presenting inventive products. However, the inventive products are mainly developed with the help of new ideas and suggestions as well as advanced technologies (Huws, 2005). Only then, the employer or the employees in this revolutionary age might create a specific position for itself. Thus, it might be stated that knowledge is the prime requirement of an employee or employer to tackle global competitiveness. What is knowledge society? Knowledge society is recognised as a place, where all sorts of activities or actions take place with the help of both tacit and codified knowledge. Both tacit as well as codified knowledge is utilised in order to perform the knowledge works in this information age such as IT works, librarians, call-centres, musicians, bankers, insurance workers etc. Other than this, in a knowledge society, the level of knowledge of a worker needs to be enhanced constantly in order to perform the activities in an effective way. However, in order to do so, it is extremely essential to offer high concentration over implementation of varied types of training and developmental programs in order to amplify the inner skills and talents (Alvesson & Due, 1997, pp. 662-664). The prime driving forces responsible for the development of Knowledge based societies The prime forces that are mainly responsible for changing the policies and strategies of the nation and business are stated below: Globalisation: globalization is recognised as a concept that changed the rules and regulations of the business and trade dealings (Robins, 2000., pp. 195-201). For example: (Ritzer, 2007, pp. 110-124) due to improved complexities of responsibilities, the organizations of this age are trying to recruit highly creative and knowledgeable workers so as to tackle varied types of challenges (Schirato & Webb, J. 2003, pp. 289-317). Other than this, the demand of knowledgeable workers is increasing rapidly in this age of globalization in order to enhance the trust, position and performance of the organization in the market among others (Scholte, 2000, pp. 356-367). Information or knowledge intensity: this era, is considered as a knowledge era. This means, in this age, almost 70 to 80 percent of the workers makes use of their inner knowledge and talents to complete the assigned tasks rather than their hands. As a result of which, the rate of accuracy is quite high as compared to previous age that enhances the rate of productivity and profitability of the organization in the market (Beatty & Schneier, 1997, pp. 812-823). Other than this, the workers of this age make use of varied types of improved techniques as well as technologies so as to enhance their efficiency rate among others (Arthur & Rousseau, 1996, pp. 210-223). However, in order to precede their operation, maximum extent of the workers requires improved knowledge or high level of abilities in order to complete the tasks. Due to these underlining causes, the intensity of knowledge is enhancing at a rapid pace in this age of information revolution as compared to previous era (Cappelli & Neumark, 2001, pp. 221-234). Networking and connectivity: introduction of internet or information technology also proved extremely effective for the organizations as well as the workers (Brynin, 2005, pp. 331-334). However, due to information technology, it became extremely easier for the workers or the employers to increase their inner skills and knowledge. As a result of which, they might accomplish their tasks in a more efficient and effective way as compared to others (Arthur & et. al. 1999, pp. 112-123). High influence over learning and education: the learning and education in today’s organizations are changing rapidly due to the introduction of ICT strategies and rules (Antonelli & et. al. 2000, pp. 75-94). Due to which, the workers of this age are always trying to make use of their inventive ideas and knowledge so as to preset varied types of innovative products and services to its customers (Caroli & et. al. 2001, pp.481-506). As a result of which, the rate of portfolio and demand of these technical products or services is extremely high as compared to the products of previous era. Other than this, high influence is presented over learning and training programs in order to amplify the level of performance of the employees (Amin & Cohendet, 2004, pp. 712-723) so as to increase the productivity of the organization in the market among many other rival players (Caroli & Van, 2001, pp. 1449-1492). This is extremely essential for an organization or an employee to retain its portfolio and image in this aggressive market and high competitive rivalry. Changes in Work: in this age, the rule and regulations of work is also changing rapidly. Now a days, varied types of flexibilities are offered such as working hours flexibilities (Anxo & O’Reilly, 2000, pp.61-90), equal opportunities for both genders team work etc in order to amplify the scope of growth and development of the individual employees (Cockburn, 1988, pp. 29-42) within the organizations (Atkinson & Meager, 1986, PP. 289-314) so as to amplify their rate of retention. This is because; these experienced and talented employees are extremely essential for an organization to improve its product lines and services (Sims, 2002, pp. 423-434). Cultural fragmentation: now a day, numerous individual of different culture resides within a single nation or society. As a result of which, an individual had to remain aware about the rules and regulations of all the religions and cultures so as to cope p with them. Only then, all of the individual within a society might live in a uniform and coordinated way that may amplify their rate of knowledge and talents and thus the social inequality might get reduced (Arum & Müller, 2004, PP. 312-323). Thus, all these above mentioned factors are entirely responsible for the development of knowledge based societies in this age of information technology. However, due to the introduction or development of these type of societies, the relationships within different forms of work and types of knowledge requirement eased that proved worthy for the organization and the employees or individual of the societies (Auer & Cazes, 2003). Analysis Why the need for knowledge is increasing to meet the learner’s lifelong needs? In today’s age, most of the private sector organizations are trying to offer more concentration over education and training programs (Schneier, 1994, pp. 245-256). This is because; it is through education and training programs, the inner skills and talents of the employees might get enhanced to a significant extent. As a result of which, the employees might perform their duties or tasks in a more effective way thereby amplifying their position and dominance within the organization (Snell & Bohlander, 2010, pp. 289-312). Moreover, due to implementation of varied types of training programs, the level of thinking power and capability of the employees might get enhanced and they may develop varied types of new product lines for its customers. As a result of which, the highly advanced products lines might easily satisfy the changing requirements of the customers that may amplify its brand image and demand in the market among others (Saks & et. al. 2010, pp. 267-278). Other than this, now a day, maximum extent of the employees makes of both tacit and codified knowledge at the time of resolving his or her assigned tasks (Belt, 2002, pp. 213-223). As a result of which, he or she attains varied types of inventive information and ideas from internet that amplifies his inner knowledge and skills. Apart from this, internet might prove effective in enhancing the concepts regarding cultural, socio-cultural as well as techno-cultural knowledge. Such type of knowledge is extremely essential for an individual, residing in a society among many other members of different cultures and religious background (Berg & et. al. 2004, pp. 331-349). Other than this, with the help of internet or varied types of training or learning programs, the individual might very easily cope up with the members (Carnoy, 2000, pp. 412-423) with high technical knowledge, socio-cultural knowledge, techno-socio knowledge, cultural knowledge etc as presented in the below diagram. (Source: Huws, 2005). Thus, it might be clearly depicted that in order to cope up with the changing demand and requirements of a knowledge society, the individual need to enhance their level of knowledge and abilities through learning and training sessions. Only then, an individual might become successful in attainment of a place in global knowledge societies in this age of information revolution (Swart & et. al. 2012, pp. 315-323). Findings Is global Knowledge society helps to maintain a balance with the changing world? Yes, global knowledge societies prove effective in maintaining a balance within flexibility and instability. This is because; the employees or the individual residing in knowledge societies are highly talented and knowledgeable and may easily cope up with varied types of challenges or situations. Moreover, the individual of knowledge societies are constantly upgrading their inner skills and talents so as to develop varied types of inventive product lines that may easily satisfy the changing requirements of the customers (Bosch & Lehndorff, 2005, pp. 512-523). As a result of which, the brand image and portfolio of the organizations get enhanced to a significant extent that also amplifies the inner trust and confidence of the customers. Apart from this, due to the presentation of varied types of inventive product lines with the use of knowledge rather than resources, the productivity and profitability of the organizations also enhances as compared to others (Tushman & Anderson, 2004, pp. 123-134). Thus, it might be stated that due to the constant learning programs among the individual of knowledge societies, a balance might be maintained with the changing world (Bresnahan, Brynjolfsson & Hitt, 2002, pp. 339-376). In addition, due to the implementation of varied types of knowledge or information, an employee (Brynin, 2002, pp.637-654) might be used in varied types of departments within an organization such as sales, marketing, branding etc. Due to his or her extensive knowledge and expertise, the employee might easily present varied types of ideas and suggestions to other members (Tidd & Bessant, 2005, pp. 223-234) of the organization or society thereby amplifying the results. Hence, due to these reasons, the individual of knowledge societies might easily maintain a balance (Techknowlogia.org, n. d.) Therefore, it might be stated that constant improvement of the knowledge is the prime essence of the individual of knowledge societies in this age of information technology (Brown & Hesketh, 2004, pp. 123-145). Conclusion Conclusively, it might be stated that in order to remain competitive in this market of information technology, constant improvement of the inner skills and talents is extremely essential. This is because; it might prove effective in amplifying the level of performance and quality of work that may amplify the portfolio and dominance of the organization or the employee. In addition, improvement of knowledge also helps in production of varied types of inventive product lines and services that may satisfy the changing requirements of the customers (Unesco.org, n. d.). As a result, the demand and brand image of the organization as well as the products enhances to a significant extent as compared to many others. Moreover, due to improvement of the knowledge levels, the employees or individual might easily tackle the changing requirements thereby amplifying the dominance and portfolio of the organization in the market. 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