The intended focus of the research proposal is a study of identity construction, how we create, recreate and express our ideas and interpretations about ourselves and our place in society - , as seen in relation to contemporary post-industrial work relati ons. It questions how the new ways of organizing work may have affected our self-understanding, and whether the role of work as "point of orientation" for us has changed. The overall issue here is that understanding work in a global context, and how it is experienced in particular times and places are vital issues of the day.