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

Author

Listed:
  • Helga Guðrún Óskarsdóttir

    (Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Iceland, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland)

  • Guðmundur Valur Oddsson

    (Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Iceland, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland)

  • Jón Þór Sturluson

    (Department of Business Administration, University of Iceland, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland)

  • Rögnvaldur Jóhann Sæmundsson

    (Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Iceland, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland)

Abstract

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Helga Guðrún Óskarsdóttir & Guðmundur Valur Oddsson & Jón Þór Sturluson & Rögnvaldur Jóhann Sæmundsson, 2021. "A Soft Systems Approach to Knowledge Worker Productivity: A Purposeful Activity Model for the Individual," Administrative Sciences, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-26, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jadmsc:v:11:y:2021:i:4:p:110-:d:651787
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Helga Guðrún Óskarsdóttir & Guðmundur Valur Oddsson, 2017. "A Soft Systems Approach to Knowledge Worker Productivity—Analysis of the Problem Situation," Economies, MDPI, vol. 5(3), pages 1-27, August.
    2. Denise Albieri Jodas Salvagioni & Francine Nesello Melanda & Arthur Eumann Mesas & Alberto Durán González & Flávia Lopes Gabani & Selma Maffei de Andrade, 2017. "Physical, psychological and occupational consequences of job burnout: A systematic review of prospective studies," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 12(10), pages 1-29, October.
    3. Ronald Maier, 2007. "Knowledge Management Systems," Springer Books, Springer, edition 0, number 978-3-540-71408-8, June.
    4. Grace Shalini A/P Radhakrishnan & Abdul Basit & Zubair Hassan, 2018. "The Impact of Social Media Usage on Employee and Organization Performance: A Study on Social Media Tools Used by an IT Multinational in Malaysia," Journal of Marketing and Consumer Behaviour in Emerging Markets, University of Warsaw, Faculty of Management, vol. 1(7), pages 48-65.
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    6. Ikujiro Nonaka, 1994. "A Dynamic Theory of Organizational Knowledge Creation," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 5(1), pages 14-37, February.
    7. Philip Ebert & Wolfgang Freibichler, 2017. "Nudge management: applying behavioural science to increase knowledge worker productivity," Journal of Organization Design, Springer;Organizational Design Community, vol. 6(1), pages 1-6, December.
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