- 02 the Knowledge - Based Economy : Facts and Theories

Measuring Knowledge Assets, 00-01, Nick Bontis This paper provides an overview of the literature pertaining to the measurement of knowledge assets, including intellectual capital. Bontis builds a framework to classify research in this area and identifies key challenges and opportunities for future work. This paper reviews the concept of a knowledge-based economy and the role of knowledge and technology in driving productivity and economic growth. Staples and McKeen set out to build a research framework in directing the KBE Centre to understand all of the research areas that collectively inform the management of knowledge-based enterprises. This paper examines approaches used to guide thinking with respect to the role of knowledge management systems. This paper reviews the literature to establish a research framework to guide future investigations into key HR issues surrounding knowledge-based enterprises including motivation and reward. Reid's paper reviews the current status of knowledge exchange between firms and integrates key themes from disciplines such as strategic management, international business and the study of networks. ABSTRACT: The paper reviews the theories and empirical evidence behind the concept of the 'knowledge-based economy'. Various theoretical frameworks are examined including the production of knowledge, knowledge as a driver for productivity growth, knowledge markets and goods, knowledge as learning and networks, and lastly knowledge as a determinant of the distribution of income. These theories are still rapidly evolving and none has yet attained a dominant intellectual position. The second part of the paper looks at the empirical evidence in support of various knowledge-based theories of production and growth. In particular, evidence on knowledge as a factor of production and its role in economic growth appears to be growing rapidly. The final part of the paper looks at how various official agencies have attempted to measure and classify the knowledge-based economy, and in particular for Canada. All such exercises show that as of the mid 1990's it was quite small relative to the total economy, but appears to be growing very rapidly. 5 "The OECD economies are increasingly based on knowledge and information. Knowledge is now recognised as the driver of productivity and economic growth, leading to a new focus on the role of information, technology and learning in economic performance. The term " knowledge-based economy " stems from this fuller recognition of the place of knowledge and technology in modern OECD economies." OECD, Paris 1996 1. Introduction Let's start with a confession. The knowledge-based …