From the knowledge worker to the knowledge economy : Six billion minds co-creating the future

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify recent trends in how the global knowledge workforce is changing and, in particular, organizing, on a massive scale. Knowledge workers have become highly mobile, with a distinctly global orientation.Design/methodology/approach – These new trends are presented within the established four‐pillar framework for enterprise transformation. Particular emphasis is placed on the dissolution of traditional organizational boundaries (organization pillar), and creating, on a large scale, living, working and learning environments for attracting, retaining, and growing talent (learning pillar). Supporting infrastructure elements are also addressed (technology pillar).Findings – Attracting, retaining, and growing talent is no longer an issue that can be addressed solely from the viewpoint of a single organization. Knowledge workers are highly mobile, and are tending to be more loyal to their peer communities than to an employer. This requires that organizations look beyo...