The Globalizing Learning Economy

This volume analyses some of the major current trends and policy challenges in the 'new economy' from the point of view of technical innovation and competence building. It brings together the leading European expertise on different topics in this field. Together the authors give a picture of the most dramatic new challenges in a world where competition is becoming increasingly knowledge-based and global. Why has the US economy been able to realise a so-called new economy based on the effective exploitation of information technology while Europestill suffers from chronic high rates of unemployment? How is it that contemporary economic systems have become more knowledge-intensive but social inequality, both within and across countries, is increasing?The contributors to this volume share the belief that knowledge is a fundamental component of economic growth and welfare. However, the ways in which knowledge is transmitted and distributed among economic agents requires shaping by public policies. The individual chapters report on the mostsignificant policies adopted and assess them in the light of the European experience in comparison with the United States and Japan.

Daniele Archibugi is a technological director at the Italian National Research Council and a commissioner in the Authority for Public Services, Rome City Council. He has written extensively on the globalization of technology, the measurement of innovation, and the impact of innovation on economic performance. Bengt-Ake Lundvall is Professor of Economics at the Department of Business Studies, Aalborg University. He was Deputy Director of the Directorate for Science, Technology, and Industry at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development from 1992-5. Since 1995 he has been Research Manager for the nationwide Danish network DRUID (Danish Research Unit for Industrial Dynamics).