Knowledge workers are workers whose main capital is knowledge.

Knowledge work can be differentiated from other forms of work by its emphasis on “non-routine” problem solving that requires a combination of convergent, divergent and creative thinking.

Many offices are still designed on 150 year old production line principles, but these are not appropriate for the modern knowledge worker.

The workspace needs to be seen as an investment to unlock the value of knowledge worker capital. They enjoy more autonomy than other workers and much of their work is invisible and goes on inside their heads or outside the office. Due to this, knowledge workers can adapt very easily to agile working techniques and through allowing workers in this category to be agile, you can make important steps to unlocking their full potential.

Further reading:

A great piece on the management of knowledge workers
Quotes from The Economist about knowledge workers
Tips on how to effectively manage office workers
Change in the Workplace –what motivates people at work?