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Mapping the intellectual labour process

University of Sydney, r.connell{at}edfac.usyd.edu.au

June Crawford

University of New South Wales, june.crawford{at}unsw.edu.au

The sociology of intellectuals needs analysis of the intellectual labour force. A survey of 500 intellectual workers identified three distinct dimensions of the labour process: involvement with technology, autonomy, and involvement in the organizational world. Clear differences between institutional sectors negate the `convergence' thesis. A degree of proletarianization in the intellectual work-force occurs, but only in limited groups. An alternative pattern of marginalization is associated with non-standard employment conditions. Workplace egalitarianism and extensive connectedness are found, but are not linked, partly disconfirming the `democratization' thesis. Autonomy emerges as a key issue within a collective labour process. The data emphasize the importance of the organizational context of intellectual labour. Directions for a new understanding of intellectuals and cultural politics are identified.

Key Words: autonomy • globalization • intellectuals • knowledge work • labour process • profession

Journal of Sociology, Vol. 43, No. 2, 187-205 (2007)
DOI: 10.1177/1440783307076895


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