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Peter Drucker coined and broadly defined the term knowledge worker in his 1959 book, Landmarks of Tomorrow. Although the term has since become widely used, it’s typically defined in a variety of ways.

Does a clear, concise description of what a knowledge worker is and does really exist, or is the term referring to a nebulous concept that defies definition?

Speaking in general terms

The terms knowledge worker and knowledge economy have both been criticized as being largely the “speech-padding buzzwords” used by politicians. However, an article by Bill Gates presents a somewhat different viewpoint regarding the “realness” of the knowledge economy.

Because knowledge worker is used primarily as a general term, rather than a reference to a specific occupation or workers in a specific industry, most definitions are very broad. For example, a Wikipedia article defines a knowledge worker as “one who works primarily with information or one who develops and uses knowledge in the workplace.” Obviously, this definition could refer to many different types of workers working in various occupations, in different industries.

Will the real knowledge worker please stand up?

The Web article, What is a knowledge worker?, provides some additional insight, listing examples of definitions of the term from several different perspectives. SearchCRM.com’s definition of a knowledge worker adds more information, providing a list of tasks typically preformed by such a worker and citing occupations typically regarded as knowledge workers.

Those willing to read a more lengthy discussion of the knowledge economy and knowledge workers will find the research paper, Defining the knowledge economy, an informative read. Hugh McKellar’s article, The knowledge (worker) economy, is a much shorter read, providing additional perspective on the subject.

Kit Sims Taylor’s paper, Information Technology and Technological Unemployment, offers even more mental food for thought. raising the question, “What comes after knowledge work?”