ABSTRACT
This chapter presents the Effective Knowledge Worker as one of the Digital Capabilities required for Digital Enterprises. Google is used as a case study to illustrate how having a high maturity level of the Effective Knowledge Worker capability contributes to continuous digital transformation and organizational productivity in the digital economy. The Effective Knowledge Worker Maturity Model is applied to Google, where we illustrate the use of digital technologies by Google's knowledge workers in carrying out their tasks effectively, efficiently and creatively. Knowledge workers are regarded as autonomous individuals who enjoy occupational advancement and mobility. They 'think for a living', where their knowledge can be seen as an asset to any organization as it enables corporations to achieve sustainable and competitive advantage in hyper-competitive environments. The advancement of digital technologies such as robotics as well as predictive and prescriptive analytics is revealing the potential for automating human cognitive work altogether, thereby questioning the need for knowledge workers in future Digital Enterprises.
