A Soft Systems Approach to Knowledge Worker Productivity: A Purposeful Activity Model for the Individual

This research attempted to find and define holistic systems that affect the productivity of the knowledge worker (KW), using the soft systems methodology (SSM). It is not enough to look at the management and improvement of knowledge worker productivity (KWP) from the viewpoint of the organization. T...

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Main Authors: Helga Guðrún Óskarsdóttir, Guðmundur Valur Oddsson, Jón Þór Sturluson, Rögnvaldur Jóhann Sæmundsson
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2021-10-01
Series:Administrative Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3387/11/4/110
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author Helga Guðrún Óskarsdóttir
Guðmundur Valur Oddsson
Jón Þór Sturluson
Rögnvaldur Jóhann Sæmundsson
author_facet Helga Guðrún Óskarsdóttir
Guðmundur Valur Oddsson
Jón Þór Sturluson
Rögnvaldur Jóhann Sæmundsson
author_sort Helga Guðrún Óskarsdóttir
collection DOAJ
description This research attempted to find and define holistic systems that affect the productivity of the knowledge worker (KW), using the soft systems methodology (SSM). It is not enough to look at the management and improvement of knowledge worker productivity (KWP) from the viewpoint of the organization. The viewpoint of the individual KW needs to be considered as well. The KW owns the means of production; they carry their knowledge in their heads and take it with them when changing jobs. This paper proposes a conceptual framework that describes the process in which the KW uses resources to execute actions to create tangible or intangible artifacts with the intention of generating value. It was based on interpretations and inferences made from an extensive literature review using the snowballing method. This paper highlights what implications the lessons learned from the conceptual framework have on managing and improving KWP and delves deeper into four key concepts: value in knowledge work, knowledge, personal resources, and competencies.
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spelling doaj.art-916bf31135ae4f2aa977b222e2aeb0962023-11-23T03:16:54ZengMDPI AGAdministrative Sciences2076-33872021-10-0111411010.3390/admsci11040110A Soft Systems Approach to Knowledge Worker Productivity: A Purposeful Activity Model for the IndividualHelga Guðrún Óskarsdóttir0Guðmundur Valur Oddsson1Jón Þór Sturluson2Rögnvaldur Jóhann Sæmundsson3Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Iceland, 101 Reykjavik, IcelandDepartment of Industrial Engineering, University of Iceland, 101 Reykjavik, IcelandDepartment of Business Administration, University of Iceland, 101 Reykjavík, IcelandDepartment of Industrial Engineering, University of Iceland, 101 Reykjavik, IcelandThis research attempted to find and define holistic systems that affect the productivity of the knowledge worker (KW), using the soft systems methodology (SSM). It is not enough to look at the management and improvement of knowledge worker productivity (KWP) from the viewpoint of the organization. The viewpoint of the individual KW needs to be considered as well. The KW owns the means of production; they carry their knowledge in their heads and take it with them when changing jobs. This paper proposes a conceptual framework that describes the process in which the KW uses resources to execute actions to create tangible or intangible artifacts with the intention of generating value. It was based on interpretations and inferences made from an extensive literature review using the snowballing method. This paper highlights what implications the lessons learned from the conceptual framework have on managing and improving KWP and delves deeper into four key concepts: value in knowledge work, knowledge, personal resources, and competencies.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3387/11/4/110knowledge workersoft systems methodologyproductivitypersonal resourcesvalueknowledge
spellingShingle Helga Guðrún Óskarsdóttir
Guðmundur Valur Oddsson
Jón Þór Sturluson
Rögnvaldur Jóhann Sæmundsson
A Soft Systems Approach to Knowledge Worker Productivity: A Purposeful Activity Model for the Individual
Administrative Sciences
knowledge worker
soft systems methodology
productivity
personal resources
value
knowledge
title A Soft Systems Approach to Knowledge Worker Productivity: A Purposeful Activity Model for the Individual
title_full A Soft Systems Approach to Knowledge Worker Productivity: A Purposeful Activity Model for the Individual
title_fullStr A Soft Systems Approach to Knowledge Worker Productivity: A Purposeful Activity Model for the Individual
title_full_unstemmed A Soft Systems Approach to Knowledge Worker Productivity: A Purposeful Activity Model for the Individual
title_short A Soft Systems Approach to Knowledge Worker Productivity: A Purposeful Activity Model for the Individual
title_sort soft systems approach to knowledge worker productivity a purposeful activity model for the individual
topic knowledge worker
soft systems methodology
productivity
personal resources
value
knowledge
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3387/11/4/110
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