Question

In general, how compatible are the interests of workers and their employers over how workers’ knowledge is used? Does the requirement by organizations to derive economic value from it mean conflict is likely or inevitable?

Answer 1

The knowledge and skills of the worker are his/her own assets and he/she would wish to utilise them for personal development, financial growth, etc. The organisation utilise the workers' knowledge and skills to generate economic gains keeping in view the organizational perspective. Often times, their may be conflict between the manner in which the worker and the organization want to utilise the worker's knowledge.

However, this conflict is not inevitable if the organization puts effort into taking care of the aspirations and development of its workforce while keeping the organisational goals in view. The management (and specifically HR) must interact with the workers on a regular basis to understand what are their personal goals and aspirations and discuss how to align these with the overall organisational perspective, followed by some concrete plan and action. The management must also ensure to communicate to the workforce how working the organisational growth can contribute their own personal growth as well. Such steps will ensure that the interest of workers and organisations complement each other rather than contradict with regards to use of workers' knowledge.