Knowledge worker 2.0

Knowledge worker 2.0 is a term coined by a group of Australian information architects in 2007, although the principles were established years before - see Knowledge worker for a description of Knowledge workers - what they do, how they do it, and how best to manage them.

Definitions: Knowledge worker 1.0 vs Knowledge worker 2.0

Defining characteristics of Knowledge worker 1.0 are:

  • worked in and around rigid/hierarchical taxonomies
  • helped to define, create, manage and use those taxonomies
  • was GeneRally identifiable as a knowledge worker in corporate areas such as records and information management or library/information services
  • generally enforced the process work of knowledge
  • need extrinsic motivation, like pay rewards, to reinforce knowledge sharing behaviour

Characteristics of knowledge worker 2.0 are:

  • uses taxonomies as one categorisation strategy/tool - but knows that they are only a part of a total solution that includes folksonomies and folk taxonomies.
  • designs/uses information systems that recognise that different people find things in different ways
  • has heightened sensitivity to organisational culture
  • high awareness of information sharing and distribution
  • recognises that centralised control of information is an option but not the only option
  • may work in "traditional" knowledge worker domains such as records and information management but is just as likely to be found within development project teams, marketing, or human resources areas.
  • have intrinsic motivation to sharing knowledge and information

References

Knowledge worker