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Foucault's corollary: agency theory and the economics of self-monitoring

Published: 01 March 2009 Publication History

Abstract

In a knowledge economy, the management of an organisation's human capital is critical and prudent management often translates into the attainment of a sustainable competitive advantage. The interaction of knowledge workers with Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) has presented a particularly interesting dynamic to researchers who study changes in related behavioural phenomena. One such phenomenon is self-monitoring. This paper examines the economics of self-monitoring and the integral role of ICTs in enabling knowledge workers to self-monitor. By merging Foucault's power/knowledge ideas with classical agency theory, we gain a richer understanding of human capital dynamics in a knowledge economy.

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  1. Foucault's corollary: agency theory and the economics of self-monitoring

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    Published In

    cover image International Journal of Networking and Virtual Organisations
    International Journal of Networking and Virtual Organisations  Volume 6, Issue 3
    March 2009
    106 pages
    ISSN:1470-9503
    EISSN:1741-5225
    Issue’s Table of Contents

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    Inderscience Publishers

    Geneva 15, Switzerland

    Publication History

    Published: 01 March 2009

    Author Tags

    1. Foucault
    2. ICT
    3. agency theory
    4. human capital
    5. knowledge economy
    6. knowledge workers
    7. power
    8. self-monitoring

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