
Mats Alvesson
Professor

Knowledge work : Ambiguity, image and identity
Author
Summary, in English
This article takes a sceptical view of the functionalist understanding of the nature and significance of ‘knowledge’ in so-called knowledge- intensive companies. The article emphasizes the slipperiness of the concept of knowledge, the ambiguity of knowledge, its role in what is constructed as knowledge work and the evaluation of work outcomes. Given this ambiguity, the management of rhetoric, image and social processes appears crucial in organizations of this kind. Difficulties in demonstrating competence and performance - as well as the significance of producing the right impression - make work identity difficult to secure. However, this is a key element in doing knowledge work. Successful rhetoric, image production and orchestration of social interactions call for the regulation of employee identities.
Department/s
- Department of Business Administration
Publishing year
2001
Language
English
Pages
863-886
Publication/Series
Human Relations
Volume
54
Issue
7
Document type
Journal article
Publisher
SAGE Publications
Topic
- Business Administration
Keywords
- ambiguity
- identity
- knowledge-intensive companies
- professional services
- rhetoric
Status
Published
ISBN/ISSN/Other
- ISSN: 0018-7267