Knowledge Worker

Knowledge Worker is “Individual/Employee who consistently develops their knowledge & utilizes it in their field of work.” (Peter Drucker, 1969)

The characteristics of a Knowledge Worker are summarized in the SMART Knowledge Worker as follows:

• S=Self Confident; have clear goals and plans.
• M=Motivation; have high motivation and passion.
• A=Action; Have Discipline and Consistency.
• R=Responsible; have professional responsibilities.
• T=Team Player; build collaboration within and between teams.

Knowledge is the ability to carry out work efficiently and effectively. Knowledge or Knowledge owned by employees is a very valuable asset in a company (Intangible Asset). Knowledge is divided into 2, namely:

1. Explicit Knowledge; Formal knowledge that is easy to learn and impart to others. Example: Books, Videos. SOP/Regulations, specifications, and formulas.
2. Tacit Knowledge; Knowledge that lives within a person, which is contained in a person’s brain or mind and is not easily conveyed to others. Examples: technical knowledge, insight, intuition that is formed from experience.

“Knowledge Management” according to Karl Eric Syeiby is creating value by utilizing intangible assets. “Knowledge Management” will increase the added value and competitiveness of the organization. According to Ikujiro Nonaka “in an economy where the only certainty is uncertainty, the one sure source of lasting competitive advantage is Knowledge”.

Knowledge Management Practices in an organization include;

• Subject Matter Experts (SME); Identification of Expert Resource Persons in related fields
• Community of Practician (CoP); Practitioner Community Strategic Forum
• Knowledge Management System (KMS); which includes, among others, Repository Lesson Learn, Knowledge Map, Knowledge Exchange, Innovation Activities, Knowledge Exchange and Online Learning as we use at JIWA today.

Knowledge is an Asset and Power that must be Managed Wisely in an Organization. Let’s be Knowledge Workers who always develop knowledge and use it for work.