Introduction to 'New Thoughts about Work: Theoretical and Practical Aspects'

The chapters in this ebook were developed from papers presented at the Second Global conference, The Value of Work: Exploring Critical Issues in Prague on Monday 31st October to Wednesday 2nd November. The Conference was organised by Inter-Disciplinary.Net which is a global network for dynamic and transdisciplinary research and publishing. The papers presented at the conference were a thought provoking mix of theoretical and practical aspects of work. Academics and practitioners from many disciplines and countries discussed the presentations. The chapters of this ebook are a result of the serious reflections by the authors of those discussions. This ebook makes a worthwhile contribution to the study of work because some chapters offer new insights about work and other chapters extend the boundaries of knowledge areas of work. As a transdisciplinary approach to work the collection of chapters provides much to connect many of the disparate disciplines that have to date dominated the publications in this field. Within the parts of the ebook two general themes emerge from the papers: changes and constancies of work and the meaning of work as self-fulfilment or oppression. The authors' methods of handling their subject matter have shown that these themes exist in the context of both knowledge-based work that characterises work in this century and manufacturing work that still exists but dominated 20th century work. ... This collection of papers represents thoughts from new scholars in the transdisciplinary area of work as they prepare their doctoral studies and undertake post doctoral research. It also brings to the fore thoughts of seasoned researchers and practitioners about work and its value. It is a significant contribution to the field and as such will be useful for those interested in new trends in the study of work.