ABSTRACT
In Chapter 7, by Astrid Depickere, the relation between control and commitment processes is explored. It is noted here that while traditional Taylorist-bureaucratic organisations emphasised control strategies in managing labour – close supervision and the standardisation of work – new forms of work, such as virtual working, emphasise the importance of commitment strategies and practices. The chapter draws upon empirical work undertaken on skilled, professional workers – or knowledge workers – working for a single employer. The author points out the importance of such empirical work, given that much of what has been written in this area has thus far been largely theoretically-based.
