The foundations of knowledge by tradition have been treated analytically, and knowledge has been characterized as a theoretical subject. This article introduces a steering mechanism as the prerequisite for a study of knowledge work and maintenance on empirical grounds. Knowledge is treated synthetically, that is, as something that exists only through the individual's cooperation with its environment, which implies that criteria can be formulated for the isolation of knowledge processes. Specific processes may then be studied and interpreted with reference to manipulable factors and to the influence of these factors on measuring processes and theory construction. (Author)