The precariousness of knowledge workers (Part 2): forms and critiques of autonomy and self-representation. (1st April 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Is Part Of: Work, organisation, labour & globalisation. Volume 11:Number 1(2017)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 9
• Publication Date: 2017-04-01
• Subjects: Work -- Periodicals; Labor -- Periodicals; Division of labor -- Periodicals; Industrial relations -- Periodicals; Division of labor; Industrial relations; Labor; Work; Periodicals; 331
• DOI: 10.13169/workorgalaboglob.11.1.0001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1745-6428

Abstract

Abstract : This article introduces the second of a two-part Special Issue of this journal on the precariousness of knowledge workers. It aims to explore the ambivalences and liminal relations among autonomy, identification and task orientation, which – for knowledge workers – represent both a source of self-realisation and a generator of multiple and distinctive forms of precariousness. In particular, we focus on the forms and critiques of autonomy and self-representation that, in knowledge societies, extend far beyond the fact of being a self-employed worker. We argue that knowledge work is in fact sustained by devices of subjectivity which derive their power from being self-constructed and which provide tools for managing precarious lives.