Net Working in the Knowledge Economy

It is widely considered that by implementing ICT (Information and Communication Technologies)-enhanced networks, economic performance will further increase. However, when it is established that work can be done more efficiently—shouldn’t that also allow people to work less? The article addresses a new vision of developments concerning work relations, work organisation and the distribution of work and wealth in the Information Society. The analytical approach chosen derives from the concept of the “knowledge economy“ distinguishing the Information Society from the Industrial Society in terms of new economic principles in operation. The contribution presented here draws on the results of the ACTS project DIPLOMAT (“The European Charter for Telework“, AC222), and expands into the profile and activities of the “W.I.S.E. Forum“, a follow-up organisation established to continuously exploit the project‘s results and to facilitate best practice implementation of new methods of flexible working.