Privileged Position of Knowledge Workers - Essay Example

Knowledge workers occupy a privileged position as workers KNOWLEDGE WORKERS OCCUPY A PRIVILEGED POSITION AS WORKERS GRACE SARKAR Order No. 419936 11 March 2010 Table of Contents Introduction 3 The Review 4 The Barriers 7 Conclusion 9 Sources 11 KNOWLEDGE WORKERS OCCUPY A PRIVILEGED POSITION AS WORKERS Introduction The knowledge worker's importance is attributable to the information technology. This close link is established for two reasons. The first reason is that the information technology is responsible for highlighting the role of the knowledge worker. Secondly, the knowledge worker has little to perform without the information technology. The industry is aware of the importance of the knowledge worker. The problem lies in defining the knowledge worker's role (Collins, David; 1998). The industry lacks the clear cut idea of who a knowledge worker is. This reason does not put only the industry in a difficult position it also leaves the knowledge worker nonplussed about his role in the industry. The Singapore example throws ample light on the situation arising with knowledge workers. Singapore was a manufacturing economy until changes in economy began taking shape in the last decades of the 20th century. Countries such as China, India and Korea emerged with better skills to manage the changes in economy (Judy, Richard W; 2002, p32). "In Singapore, most of its policies and practices are centred towards the incorporation of technology . This implies that majority of their employees receive very little attention. What this does is that employees are not motivated to improve. They do not tap all their potential and end up underperforming" (Smith, Carolyn; 2010). The Review The Singaporean example highlights the need to maintain an open policy to changes so that changes could be incorporated when needed. The mindset even in the management was not conducive to change because of the working culture that prevailed at the critical time (Smith, Carolyn; 2010). Changes did take place, but rather slowly. The government changed the Ministry of Labor to Ministry of Manpower. Once the steps to reforms were introduced at the top level, the rest of the changes happened in due course. Changes in economy happened when the Singaporean government looked to emigrants from Canada, the United States, China, India, Malaysia and other growing economies to make up for the shortage in skilled knowledge workers. "In May 1997, the Committee on Singapore's Competitiveness (CSC) set out to critically assess Singapore's economic competitiveness in the early twenty-first century, taking into consideration global trends and development of existing and emerging competition. The CSC was tasked to identify the problem areas and propose appropriate strategies and policies with a view to maintaining and strengthening Singapore's competitive position" (Judy, Richard W; 2002, p32). The CSC decided to "develop in the next ten years into an advanced and globally competitive knowledge economy, with manufacturing and services as the twin engines of growth. In a knowledge economy, the basis for competitiveness will be the capabilities and intellectual capital to absorb, process and apply knowledge" (Judy, Richard W; 2002, p33). With aging economy and culture, it was not possible for Singapore to transform their economy without importing manpower skilled in intellectual applications. The importance of knowledge workers is currently felt because of the exponential growth of information technology. This growth has left a vacuum and this vacuum can be filled involving knowledge workers (Davenport, Thomas H; 2005). There cannot be any doubt that the knowledge worker occupies a privileged position as worker. Classified as a knowledge worker, he or she is supposed to be knowledgeable in his or her stream and capable of handling a project that come under his or her capabilities. Indeed, the situation is such that knowledge workers are being given responsibilities the knowledge for which may exceed the knowledge of the management. The qualifications of a knowledge worker are high level formal education and training to acclimatize with the industry. The high level formal education helps with better grips on specific issues. It also serves as a good foundation in career orientation. A good education also helps the knowledge worker with strong background to handle work pressures (Brinkley, Ian et al). Empowerment of knowledge workers and their assimilation to the job requirements are changing the work culture in the developed and the developing economies. Downsizing, globalization, mergers and acquisitions are providing knowledge workers the right environment to carry out their work with entrepreneurial and networking skills. Knowledge workers operate as a team. It is difficult to expect knowledge workers to operate individually. "The new economy is entrepreneurial and highly networked. Managing networks, convening them, expanding, perpetuating and ending them will become a growing part of commerce, politics, and cultural life" (Bawany, Professor Sattar; 2009).Thus, in order to be equal to the tasks, knowledge workers must be alert and innovative. Knowledge workers are privileged lot because of the high respect and pay packets they receive as compared to the regular worker. Knowledge workers are sub-divided into three categories. There are those that are intensely involved in knowledge-based projects alone. Then there are those that combine knowledge with regular commercial or shop floor activities. Finally, there are those workers who may combine 20% knowledge with regular activities. Knowledge workers receive appropriate training from time to time to fine tune them with the latest in the industry. They are known for their commitment to excellence, challenging work environment and conversance with the industry. The current growth of the industry largely depends on the skills of the knowledge worker. The knowledge worker's acquaintance with information technology as well as the industry provides him unique abilities to reach on-the-spur-of-the-moment decisions (Brinkley, Ian et al). The information technology is a fast evolving industry because of constant research to upgrade applications and introduce path-breaking technologies. The only way to grow in the information industry is to achieve technological breakthroughs to address issues like quality enhancements and cost cutting. The networking and negotiation skills of the knowledge worker enable the company to quickly diversity and branch out as sole entities or joint ventures. The need for these skills is colossal because of globalization, merger and acquisitions, and expansions. Information technology enables production of better goods at cheaper rates. Availability of mass information also helps to innovate better and produce environment-friendly products. There are tremendous possibilities to create better value through exclusive features and user-friendly applications. Industries across the board benefit through the sustained and innovative efforts of the knowledge worker (Rylander, Anna; 2008) The need for new and environment-friendly technologies is colossal and knowledge workers are under social obligations to usher in an era of environment-friendly technologies to restore ecological balance. Industries such as travel and tourism, telecommunications, and construction have changed the way the world moves and communicates. These industries have the responsibility to create the benchmark for better environment (MacEachen, Ellen et al; 2007).The work of the knowledge worker has evolved to such an extent that he is entrusted with responsibilities The Barriers In spite of the huge benefits of the knowledge workers there are barriers that must be constantly worked at to prevent stockpiling redundant wastes. The arrival of knowledge workers have resulted in production of millions of new consumables that has in turn created wastes out of old products. Any kind of waste is detrimental to the environment. Hence, it is important to have in place mechanisms to recycle or eliminate wastes without harming the environment. Electronic hardware wastes are particularly dangerous and billions of tons of such wastes continue to pile at municipal dumping sites. We live in an era of information technology that necessitates education for all. It hands governments the tough task of ensuring education for all. Free education of illiterate adults is a challenge faced by governments around the world. Also, in this scenario, there is the ironic situation where the knowledge worker could lose track of his identity. The job description of knowledge worker is new and he may lose track of his identity without adequate job description. This leads to job insecurity and the knowledge worker may spend time without work if he does not get any project on hand (Collins, David; 1998). There is the need to streamline the office of the knowledge worker. Peter Drucker predicted the eminence of the knowledge worker about forty years ago (Drucker, Peter; 1966). However, the industry is still grappling to come to terms with the job description for the knowledge worker (Batista, Ed; 2008). The problem lies not in the management's inability to streamline the knowledge worker's job description but in the nature of the current industrial scenario. The global economic conditions have changed and are continuing to change phenomenally. The inability of the industry to pinpoint the direction of change is the main cause of the knowledge worker's instability. The knowledge worker sometimes suffers setbacks due to slowdown in economy when new projects are put on the backburner. The path of a knowledge worker is not the bed of roses that it is made out to be (Garrick, John and Clegg, Stewart; 2000). "One unanticipated finding is that contingent IT knowledge workers had fewer expectations of their employers compared to the other contingent knowledge workers (CKW). Some were concerned about lack of benefits and security, and opportunities to develop their skills, but were generally well-paid and able to work on interesting projects. Additionally, IT CKWs viewed their relationship with the employer as an equitable one. They liked the organizations, their work within them, and the way they were treated. They attributed their positive experiences to being in a team-based, results-oriented culture; personal and professional standards and ethics drove them to contribute their best efforts" (Redpath, Lindsay et al; 2007). The knowledge worker and his team must work hard and take care that they are not short of work at any point of time. The team must have enough work on hand to last for at least one year. Knowledge work is a new phenomena and the knowledge workers team is responsible for its status of work on hand and must not depend on anyone else to provide them with work (Knights, David et al; 2007). There are many cultures around the globe where change is not a welcome feature. Nonetheless, the knowledge worker must make it his business to set the trend for change. Once people see the difference, they will follow suit with enthusiasm and gratitude (Kaur, Amarjit). Conclusion The knowledge worker is basically a trend setter. He knows his way around in a difficult situation. The benefits of his knowledge and his abilities to apply his knowledge at the right time in the right place and in the right manner endow him with leadership qualities (Brinkley, Ian et al). We live in a world of mass movements. We have unwittingly created situations of large scale disasters. When there are earthquakes, flooding and tsunamis it is important to try and understand our extent of responsibility in such acts of nature. Our wildlife is shrinking and rivers are drying up. The results are large scale destruction due to earthquakes and hurricanes. We need knowledge workers who will bring our wildlife and rivers back. "The knowledge-based economy is one in which information and knowledge, rather than material resources, drive business activities while creating key sustainable competitive advantage" (Bawany, Dr Sattar). Sources: Batista, Ed; 10.06.2008, Peter Drucker on Knowledge Workers, Management and Leadership, http://thecustomercollective.com/TCC/24326 Bawany, Professor Sattar; 04 November 2009, Securing your future in the New Knowledge Driven Learning Economy, http://www.ipma.com.sg/ Bawany, Dr Sattar; Singapore Job Guide, One head many hats, A knowledge-based worker has to be a critical thinker, lifelong learner and entrepreneur, http://jobs.st701.com/articles/One-head-many-hats.html Brinkley, Ian et al; Knowledge Workers and Knowledge Work, http://www.theworkfoundation.com/Assets/Docs/Knowledge%20Workers-March%202009.pdf Collins, David; March 1998, Ambiguity and Confusion in the Analysis of the "Knowledge Age", http://www.tlainc.com/article7.htm Davenport, Thomas H; 09.12.2005, Why Office Design Matters, http://hbswk.hbs.edu/archive/4991.html Drucker, Peter; 1966, The Knowledge Worker, http://www.nwlink.com/donclark/history_knowledge/drucker.html Garrick, John and Clegg, Stewart; 2000, Knowledge work and the new demands of learning, http://www.emeraldinsight.com/Insight/viewContentItem.do;jsessionid=A25322E40476315FD6AD6BA1BC44F7CEcontentType=Article&hdAction=lnkhtml&contentId=883711 Kaur, Amarjit; Competition for Knowledge Workers and Skilled Migrants in the Asia-Pacific region: A comparison of immigration policies in Australia and Singapore, http://www.crsi.mq.edu.au/documents/Kaur_KnowledgeWorkers.pdf Knights, David et al; 05 May 2007, Networking as Knowledge Work: A Study of Strategic Interorganizational Development in the Financial Services Industry, http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/119293743/abstractCRETRY=1&SRETRY=0 Judy, Richard W; 11 February 2002, Workforce Planning in the Knowledge-based Economy, http://www.workforceassociates.com/products/AbuDhabi.pdf MacEachen, Ellen et al; 2007, "You are free to set your own hours": Governing worker productivity and health through flexibility and resilience, http://www.sciencedirect.com/science_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6VBF-4RH2SYK-1&_user=10&_coverDate=03%2F31%2F2008&_rdoc=1&_fmt=high&_orig=search&_sort=d&_docanchor=&view=c&_searchStrId=1243971286&_rerunOrigin=google&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=5f93d8bdd8621164f1e0f557823c7b9d Redpath, Lindsay et al; September 2007, Contingent knowledge worker challenges, http://www.entrepreneur.com/tradejournals/article/169413775.html Rylander, Anna; 14-15 April 2008, Design Thinking as Knowledge Work: Epistemological Foundations and Practical Implications, http://www.dmi.org/dmi/html/conference/academic08/papers/Rylander/Rylander_DMI%20Design%20Thinking%20as%20Knowledge%20Work_Sub.pdf Smith, Carolyn; 24 February 2010, Comparative Analysis of Employee Relations Systems in Singapore and Eire, http://www.articlesbase.com/human-resources-articles/comparative-analysis-of-employee-relations-systems-in-singapore-and-eire-1903072.html Read More