Os trabalhadores do conhecimento num setor tradicional: o caso dos designers do vestuário

The restructuring of work in the industrial sector brought about by the development of the “knowledge society” has led important changes in organisations and their workers. The transforming industry is one of the main sectors that have undergone abrupt changes in the last few years. The clothing subsector was one of the first to use different forms of flexibility in order to remain competitive. This article analyses this change process and its effects on the industry's “knowledge professions”, particularly in terms of its application to the professional group “clothes designers”. In order to understand the impact that the restructuring of their work has had on this group, the authors analyse the changes that have taken place in their working conditions, qualifications and skills, use of knowledge, professional identity and career trajectories.