Abstract : The academic literature on the so-called " creative class " and the flourishing of freelance, " knowledge workers " is today overabundant. However, by elaborating on the concept of reputation, A. Gandini brings to light a " missing element " in the theory of the knowledge economy. Following a cross-disciplinary approach (economics, sociology, anthropology, and political science), the author explains how reputation has become the vital, intangible asset of independent knowledge workers.