Paper presentation from OKLC 2005 Boston On doing knowledge work and being a knowledge worker: a discursive analysis of the accounts of HR professionals Note: data removed from this version

1. OKLC 2005 OKLC 2005 Katrina Pritchard and Gillian Symon Department of Organizational Psychology Birkbeck College, University of London On doing knowledge work and being a knowledge worker: A discursive analysis of the accounts of HR professionals

7. About the study About the study Overview of the tracer study for the HR project investigated Business Area Off-site HR project established Responsibilities assigned and logged on HR system Workstream meetings held Individuals research topics and prepare plans Expert input provided on key aspects Plans presented to steering committee Plans prioritised and imp’n assigned Plans communicated to employees Teams develop detailed plans and commence priority activities JULY 04 AUG 04 SEP 04 OCT 04 NOV 04 DEC 04

8. About the study About the study Overview of the tracer study for the HR project investigated Business Area Off-site HR project established Responsibilities assigned and logged on HR system Workstream meetings held Individuals research topics and prepare plans Expert input provided on key aspects Plans presented to steering committee Plans prioritised and imp’n assigned Plans communicated to employees Teams develop detailed plans and commence priority activities JULY 04 AUG 04 SEP 04 OCT 04 NOV 04 DEC 04 Tracer study commenced mid-October. Initial review of activity record (the tag) Participants identified Semi-structured interviews held Further on-going tracing of activities

9. Summary of findings Summary of findings How are accounts of knowledge work constructed by those involved? NOT INCLUDED ON SLIDE SHARE VERSION

10. Summary of findings Summary of findings How are accounts of knowledge work constructed by those involved? NOT INCLUDED ON SLIDE SHARE VERSION

11. Summary of findings Summary of findings How are accounts of knowledge work constructed by those involved? NOT INCLUDED ON SLIDE SHARE VERSION

12. Summary of findings Summary of findings How do individuals position themselves in relation to their descriptions of this work? The Specialist “ TP kind of mentioned it in passing and I said the usual thing you know, anything I can help with…. I think TP was trying to tap into my knowledge base so I could….you know really give TP a bit of guidance and say perhaps… [what] TP should focus on and things like that” “ giving TP any information and really letting TP run with it ‘cos it was TP’s thing but I guess just being there, TP knew to answer any questions or help…‘cos it’s huge, it can be a huge area” The specialist is not in control of the work itself but is in control of the knowledge. Position created is that of the all-knowing sage, almost sounds like a parent-child relationship.

13. Summary of findings Summary of findings How do individuals position themselves in relation to their descriptions of this work? Not included on slide share version

14. Summary of findings Summary of findings How do individuals position themselves in relation to their descriptions of this work? Not included on slide share version

15. Summary of findings Summary of findings What means are used to establish credibility of a) the work and b) the individuals’ role? Not included on slide share version

16. Summary of findings Summary of findings What means are used to establish credibility of a) the work and b) the individuals’ role? Not included on slide share version

17. Summary of findings Summary of findings What means are used to establish credibility of a) the work and b) the individuals’ role? Not included on slide share version