Introduction New Worlds of Work
In the information-intensive economy competitive advantage is dependent upon the degree to which information workers identify themselves with the vision and the possibilities of
The New World of Work.
The New World of Work involves:
- making a conscious choice between physically coming together and working together virtually ;
- support of information workers by making information accessible ‘any time any place’ ;
- the development of an enterprise architecture and IT infrastructure which makes it possible to support agility of processes and people;
- within a culture and management style which embraces
The New World of Work and integrates it into the HRM policy.
In addition to employee satisfaction, productivity, innovation and decisivenes
s The New World of Work can also contribute towards the solution of social challenges such as mobility and sustainability. Organizations find themselves in different stages in the implementation of
The New World of Work. Both prior to the implementation hereof and after an implementation which fits in with this vision, it is necessary to determine the status and prepare an inventory of possibilities for further improvement.
Research 2007
In 2007 a team of researchers from the Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University, has conducted a study commissioned by Microsoft Netherlands into
The New World of Work as it is implemented within Microsoft Netherlands. This coincides with the move to a new building at Schiphol early 2008. Two clients of Microsoft (Rabobank and labor union The Unie) have joint this research project as partners. The number of partners will be extended in 2008.
Our initial research has focused on the following elements:
- How can we define work? Which dimensions are relevant for knowledge workers? For this we have developed a multi-dimensional model of work
- What effects do we expect of Introducing New Work Concepts on knowledge worker productivity, flexibility, job satisfaction, innovation. For this we have developed a survey instrument.
- Is there a typology of types of information workers (e.g. office workers, planners, account/sales managers, IT architects, salespersons etc.) in which the relationship between core competencies and use of innovative ICT is recognized? This typology is based on Microsoft’s Persona’s
- Which factors determine adoption and implementation success of
The New World of Work – depending upon the type of organization and type of information worker? For this we have developed a survey instrument.
- What role does enterprise IT architecture have as enabler for new work concepts and how should these be aligned?
- Social network analysis of knowledge worker media choice and media effectiveness. For this we have developed a survey instrument.
- Role of management in the implementation of New Work Concepts
The central research framework is shown in the figure below:
Involvement in research in 2008
Companies can sponsor this research and become involved in this challenging journey to explore the future of Work. Participation in the study will provide each participating company with valuable information:
- insight into the willingness for adoption of
New Worlds of Work concepts within your Organization
- insight for management into the dimensions which influence productivity, job satisfaction, innovation and flexibility.
- insight into the gaps between managers and employees and the differences between pre- and post implementations of New Work Concepts on various dimensions
- company specific research in the field of New Worlds of Work, e.g. on knowledge sharing
In addition, the possibility is offered to learn from other organizations in workshops and to exchange experiences during the course of the project. The study will result in a short report with findings (in English). If desired it is also possible to participate in media attention, which will be organized at the end of the study on the basis of the results from the study within Microsoft and the case companies. If desired, (part) results can be anonymized and agreements can be made with regard to possible confidentiality.
The research is executed by a team of researchers from the Department of Decision and Information Sciences (
Prof. Dr Ir E. Van Heck,
Dr P. Van Baalen,
Drs Marcel van Oosterhout,
Prof. Dr Ir J. Van Nunen) and the department of Marketing Management (
Prof. Dr F. Go)). The field research is performed per client case by a final-year Business Administration Master’s student of RSM Erasmus University within the framework of their Master Thesis. The results of the project will be published in academic journals and a book aimed at managers.
Contact Persons RSM Erasmus University
If you are interested to participate, please contact:
Prof. dr ir Eric van Heck
Professor of Information Management and Markets
Director of Doctoral Education
Tel: +31-10-4082032
Email:
evanheck@rsm.nl
Drs Marcel P.A. van Oosterhout
Projectmanager
Phone: + 31 (0)10-408 8816
E-mail:
moosterhout@rsm.nl
