People as a Key Resource of the Global Economy

Abstract

In this paper the author discusses the issue of treating people as a resource in the conditions of global capitalism. The new era, marked by fast changes and technology development, has ranked people as the most important factor in achieving competitiveness. What differentiates people as a resource from other resources is primarily their knowledge and capability to initiate changes through innovation. Technology requires knowledge workers who are growing in numbers and represent a particular class. This new middle class, as knowledge owner and distributor, has become the driver of capitalism of the new era. In spite of the growing importance of knowledge and innovation, people as a resource remain subjected to market interests and, ultimately, profits. Networks as relations of cooperation and belonging are only one of the answers to this situation and an attempt to alter it.competitive advantage, human resource, knowledge, new middle class, network.