This book investigates how the transition to a knowledge-based economy fundamentally alters the structures of business, the nature of labor, and the requirements for professional learning. Alan Burton-Jones utilizes a multidisciplinary framework, drawing upon economic theory, management science, and knowledge-based organizational models to analyze the shift away from physical capital. He argues that the modern capitalist landscape is defined by the acquisition and application of intellectual assets rather than traditional resource extraction or manufacturing dominance.

Experts recognize this text as a foundational exploration of the knowledge economy during its early conceptualization phase. Readers frequently note that the prose maintains a high level of academic rigor while providing a clear synthesis of management and economic theory.