Spaces to control creative output of the knowledge worker: A managerial paradox?

Due to technological advances, knowledge workers have become more mobile, expanding the variety of environments in which they may complete work. Despite the affordances of technology, however, knowledge workers may not have the autonomy to use these alternative work sites. Autonomy is a key criterion to producing creative work as well, so limits to autonomy are especially troubling for creative knowledge workers tasked with generating creative solutions-an increasingly important output to organizations given the turbulent environment. This paper draws on labor process theory to explore the sources that may be playing a role in diminishing the autonomy of these workers. Several propositions are presented relating forms of control, work environment options, autonomy, and creative performance.