International Journal of Human Resource Management and Research (IJHRMR) ISSN(P): 2249-6874; ISSN(E): 2249-7986 Vol. 4, Issue 1, Feb 2014, 1-8 © TJPRC Pvt. Ltd. QUALITY OF WORK-LIFE OF PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE WORKERS (CHALLENGES AND SATISFACTORY FACTORS) NUZHATH KHATOON Assistant Professor Padala Rama Reddi College of Commerce & Management (Affiliated to Osmania University), Hyderabad, India ABSTRACT The Professional knowledge worker is often employed in a knowledge intensive organization whose primary concern is intellectual work [Alvesson 2001]. Professional knowledge workers always work in organizations that recognize the value of knowledge and have processes and technology that support and leverage the creation and application of it. Most of the knowledge workers work in IT industry and these workers are intrinsically motivated and perceived their jobs as important and worthy for themselves as well as for the IT industry. The present study is based on the IT Team leaders. The sample size is 30 IT professionals. The objectives of the study are to find out the challenges of these workers in dynamic environment and factors of satisfaction with the quality of work life. Due to change in technology the challenges are fast and efficient, hence they require cognitive learning. The study shows that much of the knowledge workers achieve the satisfaction with growth opportunity and involvement in decision making. KEYWORDS: Cognitive Learning, Professional Knowledge Worker, IT Industry INTRODUCTION The term knowledge worker seems to have become common after 1973 when [Peter Drucker1973] first presented it. [Thomas H Davenport 2005] defined it as “Knowledge workers have high degree of proficiency, education or understanding and the fundamental purpose of their job involves the creation, allocation or application of knowledge”. Knowledge workers endeavor to establish the appropriate knowledge from various sources such as others people, through literature and through knowledge database. Among these knowledge workers those with high and good knowledge can create the innovation which necessary for the growth of the business. Knowledge workers are competent, specialized in their field, well informed and aware of their values and role [Morawski 2005] Due to globalization, expansion of market and change in information technology business and exchange of information being conducted through internet, there has been distinctive demand for a workforce who is capable of performing such task which requires fast and frequent learning and expansion of knowledge. A knowledge organization’s future lies in designing new and revolutionary product and services, devising innovative, efficient transformation and maintenance processes and establishing a unique means of getting these product and services to markets and customers. Review of Literature The Professional knowledge worker is often employed in a knowledge intensive organization whose primary concern is intellectual work [Alvesson 2001]. These knowledge intensive organizations are at the heart of the knowledge economy, a rapidly developing part of the business environment[Kim & Mauborgne 1999].Professional knowledge work is of increasing concern to researchers whose interest in knowledge work and sharing knowledge in the 21 st century