| Using secondary survey analysis and qualitative interviews with Seattle area high-tech workers, this thesis explores how high-tech workers experience their positioning within and reaction to the wider political economy and what these data can contribute to theories of post-industrial society. Looking at the historical, cultural and socio-economic context of high-tech work as well as contemporary production processes including cost-cutting labour strategies and the outsourcing of professional high-tech work, it is argued that these are essentially restrictive employment strategies that benefit employers at the expense of employees. It is further argued that these data indicate theories of post-industrial society overlook the alienating and exploitative nature of knowledge work in contemporary capitalism. |
