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Digitalization in knowledge work: the dream of enhanced performance

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A Correction to this article was published on 21 February 2019

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Abstract

The landscape and nature of knowledge work is changing due to digitalization. There are many expectations set for the digitalization and its impact on knowledge work performance. In this paper, the purpose is to critically examine the effects of digitalization on knowledge work performance through an empirical study consisted of multiple datasets representing knowledge workers in four different professions and three vocation sectors. The study is able to show that even though knowledge workers gain several benefits from digitalization, the effects of opposite, value destroying factors, are still stronger. This study contributes to the timely discussion on modern work by identifying the potential restraints and showing their relation to performance. Moreover, based on the results of the study, the critical areas that need managerial attention in digitalizing knowledge work are highlighted.

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Change history

  • 21 February 2019

    According to decision by the rector of University of Tampere, a version of the paper was submitted and published due to negligence.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Industrial and Information Management, Tampere University of Technology, P.O. Box 541, 33100, Tampere, Finland

    Vilma Vuori & Nina Helander

  2. School of Information Sciences, University of Tampere, 33014, Tampere, Finland

    Jussi Okkonen

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  1. Vilma Vuori
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  2. Nina Helander
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  3. Jussi Okkonen
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Correspondence to Vilma Vuori.

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Vuori, V., Helander, N. & Okkonen, J. Digitalization in knowledge work: the dream of enhanced performance. Cogn Tech Work 21, 237–252 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10111-018-0501-3

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