A society increasingly dependent on technology, networks and innovation will set new demands on its citizens and contemporaries to update their skills. A gap could exist, for example, between people that use information and communication technologies (ICT) in their professions and free time and people who don’t (digital literacy vs. digital illiteracy).

What is the Future of Work? Regarding this issue I was interviewed by Welcome to Finland magazine some months ago (Summer/2010). It seems clear that work of the future is defined by more than just money, status or organizational position. To cite the article:

”Work of the future is a subject that has been widely written about and every study seems to put the emphasis on certain things. The significance of communication is often mentioned. The focus in the future will be more and more on interaction and communication between people.”

Agricultural and industrial societies were paced by precise schedules, strict hierarchies and sharp, specified tasks based on planning, predictability and repetition (cf. Frederick Taylor's Scientific Management). In today’s and tomorrow’s knowledge work, global processes and creative working environments, work doesn’t necessarily take place during typical and traditional office hours. The on-going developments were crystalised in the WtF article as follows:

”Different networks will gain importance when work consists more and more of gathering information, organising, analysing and distributing. This kind of work is based on creative processes, information technology, communication skills and mental alertness. It’s not a coincidence that open innovation has become a primary concept in the discourse.”

In the new culture of work and collaboration, working hours are more flexible than before. On the other hand, people have to be available nearly all the time for their superiors, clients and stakeholders. The nature of working becomes more impulsive, spontaneous and liberated. The ideal vision of pleasant, positive and creative work has become more common in many organisations.

In the society and companies, temporary and project-based jobs have grown in numbers. Very few people can imagine having the same employer for the rest of their life and career. Freelance type of work (based on social and technological networks) is booming.

The reformation of work, however, is filled with paradoxes. Many organisations still seem to appreciate physical presence and their employees sitting by office desks and computers. Working hours are still often clearly defined, even though the surrounding society is shifting towards 24/7 and non-stop principles.