Knowledge Worker Work The knowing-learning-doing nexus

Knowledge Worker Work The knowing-learning-doing nexus Dr Kate Andrews Partner, Intellectual Capital BDO Kendalls kandrews@bdokendalls.com.au

Overview • The Project Methodology • Insights • The knowing-learning-doing nexus: implications

Project Methodology Knowledge Worker Interviews Review of Knowledge Literature ANTA-funded research 2003 New Models for PD that take into account how knowledge workers maintain and upgrade their skills Discussion Paper: Capabilities for the Knowledge Era Assumptions and Key Questions Commissioned Thought Pieces Expert 1 Expert 2 Expert 3 Expert4 Discussion Paper: Models for PD in the Knowledge Era

Literature Review Distinguishing characteristics of the knowledge era: • Knowledge as a strategic variable • Time span of discretion • Complex relationships • Pervasive ICT

Literature Review Knowledge Worker Capabilities • Problem-solving and sense-making • Pattern recognition to manage information overload • Productive, creative and committed to learning • Flexibility and tolerance for ambiguity

Knowledge Worker Interviews Knowledge Worker Capabilities • Think deeply about their work and organisation in the broadest context • Scavenge for development opportunities – hyper-vigilant • Work with ambiguity and clarity: each is appropriate

Knowledge Worker Interviews Maintaining and developing capability • Self-motivated learning • Exposure to new ideas • Learning by doing • Networking • Challenge • Consolidation of learning

Thought Piece Prompts The purpose of your paper is to describe groundbreaking approaches to professional development in the knowledge era. • Context: How will the world of knowledge be different in 2013? • Based on your theoretical perspective, present your two or three challenging / groundbreaking ideas for professional development of knowledge workers in 2013

Thought Piece - Poell Put learning explicitly on the agendas of organisations and individual knowledge workers • Improving the knowledge worker’s learning repertoire • Improving the knowledge worker’s learning environment

Thought Piece - Sveiby • Management of knowledge workers and their knowledge is very poor • HR’s contribution to knowledge worker development needs to be strengthened • Desperate need for physical spaces that promote knowledge flows

Thought Piece - Woog • Knowledge is emergent rather than constructed • Insight, intuition and improvisation • Value insightful knowledge • Importance of communicative understanding • Others need to understand the patterns • Relationships as the critical factor • Design a richer learning environment

Thought Piece: Granville • Focus on knowing – the activity of knowing • Conversations establish shared meanings • Generosity and trust • Knowledge workers as ‘designers’ – producing something new

The Essence of Knowledge Work • Knowledge work is a new way of knowing • Outcomes are emergent expressions of originality supported by contextual understanding • Knowledge workers are designers, working with complexity, imprecision, ambiguity and potential conflict

Implications for Managing Knowledge worker PD is multi-faceted and the integration of working and learning is definitional • Active learning and relationships • Challenge, novelty and conversations • Catalysts for intrinsic motivation

Full Papers Working and Learning in Vocational Education and Training in the Knowledge Era • Review of selected knowledge-focussed literature • Capabilities for the knowledge era • Contemporary models for professional development in the knowledge era • Thought pieces responding to key prompts • Robert Poell (systems thinking); Karl-Erik Sveiby (knowledge management); Robert Woog (chaos and complexity); Ranulph Glanville (learning systems) • All at http://www.flexiblelearning.net.au/projects/pdfuture.htm#report

Related Article Whicker, L.M. & Andrews, K.M. (2004). Human Resource Management in the knowledge economy. Asia-Pacific Journal of Human Resources 42, 2, 156 - 165

Knowledge Worker Work The knowing-learning-doing nexus