The Six Pillars of Knowledge Economics

The purpose of this paper is to extend our earlier work on the contributions to the mini-track on Knowledge Economics at the Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences (HICSS). In the present work, we analyze 16 contributions from 2012 to 2016 and based on our analysis, we propose the Six Pillars of Knowledge Economics framework. The proposed framework articulates that six elements are essential to generate knowledge outputs: Innovation Capability, Leadership, Human Capital, Information Technology Resources, Financial Resources, and Innovation Climate. Additional major findings are that organizations are the most common unit of analysis, while the individual level is hardly considered. Journals represent the major source of citations. Conference proceedings were less cited, though more current. We recommend major conferences to be indexed by services like Scopus and provide open access to peer-reviewed proceedings

Introduction to Knowledge Economics Minitrack

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Innovation capability development in regional entrepreneurship : the case of economies in transition

Purpose: The first purpose of this study is to identify and explore IT professionals’ innovation capability (IC) in terms of two dimensions: organizational and individual, in regional, micro-sized, and small organizations (RMSOs) in Poland, a transition economy. The second goal is to find demographic and organizational factors which may influence IC. Design/Methodology/Approach: The authors unites an analysis comprised multiple-case studies based on mixed methods. The study employed qualitative and quantitative methods such as the method of competent judges, in-depth interviews and a structured survey as well as a combination of random and snowball sampling. On the basis of a survey among 60 IT professionals (supervisors and subordinates) the authors identified individual IC factors such as social competences, knowledge and skills, as well as organizational dimensions, such as the type of innovative change and ICT innovations. Factors influencing IC on an individual basis include position, education, age, and gender, while organizational determinants are related to organization size and location. Findings: The proposed methodology let to find the benefits for management practices in transition economies, an underestimated problem within RMSOs. Practical Implications: The current research expands the existing knowledge stream on ICT innovation capability in relation to individual socio-demographic factors and organizational factors, affecting its development in RMSOs in transition economies. This study adds potential to the implementation of the management practices in transition economies, an underestimated problem within RMSOs. Originality/Value: The authors purpose, as the novelty, the new approach of ICT innovation capability at the organizational and individual levels of an enterprise tool. We developed our previous tool – the Questionnaire of Innovation Capability (QIC). The authors defined its two dimensions, as organizational innovation capability and individual innovation capability. The use of RMSOs in transition economies yielded rich data for further research.peer-reviewe

Business Dynamics, Knowledge Economy, and the Economic Performance of African Countries

This paper develops a framework (a) to examine whether or not the African business environment hinders or promotes the knowledge economy (KE), (b) to determine how the KE affects economic performance, and (c) how economic performance relates to the inequality-adjusted human socioeconomic development (IHDI) of 53 African countries during the 1996-2010 time period. We estimate the linkages with three related equations. The results support a strong correlation between the dynamics of starting and doing business and variations in KE. The results also show that there exists a weak link between KE and economic performance. Nonetheless, KE-influenced performance plays a more important role in socioeconomic development than some of the conventional control variables like foreign direct investment (FDI), foreign aid, and even private investment

Business Dynamics, Knowledge Economy, and the Economic Performance of African Countries

This paper develops a framework (a) to examine whether or not the African business environment hinders or promotes the knowledge economy (KE), (b) to determine how the KE affects economic performance, and (c) how economic performance relates to the inequality-adjusted human socioeconomic development (IHDI) of 53 African countries during the 1996-2010 time period. We estimate the linkages with three related equations. The results support a strong correlation between the dynamics of starting and doing business and variations in KE. The results also show that there exists a weak link between KE and economic performance. Nonetheless, KE-influenced performance plays a more important role in socioeconomic development than some of the conventional control variables like foreign direct investment (FDI), foreign aid, and even private investment

Knowledge-Based Economy in Developing Countries: Measurements and Impacts

The traditional factors of production, such as land, labour, and capital, have typically determined a nation’s comparative advantage. However, in the context of a global Knowledge-Based Economy (KBE), a nation’s prosperity is now determined by its knowledge assets. This transition to a KBE offers endless advantages and is desirable for all countries. However, developing countries face significant challenges in adopting this new development paradigm, where knowledge is the key driver of economic growth. Yet, to effectively measure the extent to which a country is considered knowledge-based on the international level, a robust framework is needed. Although the burgeoning literature, existing KBE measurement frameworks have limitations and may not accurately reflect the progress and efficiency of the transition to a KBE, especially in developing countries. Consequently, relying on these frameworks can lead to misleading policy directions that hinder the necessary rapid transition in developing countries. This thesis aims to fill the gap in understanding the KBE within developing countries through an extensive analysis. To achieve this, the thesis begins by reviewing the conceptual and theoretical literature on the KBE. It then critically examines existing measurement frameworks and empirical studies related to the KBE, specifically evaluating their suitability for developing countries. In response to the limitations found, a new and more effective measurement framework is proposed. This framework focuses on input-output indicators across four dimensions of the KBE: acquisition, distribution/dissemination, production, and utilization. Notably, it utilizes a non-parametric approach known as Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), which differs from conventional econometric analysis. The DEA empirical results are then compared with those obtained from other existing KBE measurement frameworks, allowing for a comprehensive assessment of the advantages offered by DEA. Based on the DEA empirical findings, knowledge production is identified as the weakest aspect, despite its utmost importance among the four KBE dimensions. As a result, this thesis places special emphasis on enhancing innovation development in selected developing countries through effective innovation policies tailored to their specific circumstances and utilizing country-specific innovation policy instruments

The role of the public library towards a knowledge economy of Namibia

Philosophiae Doctor - PhDAccess to knowledge and information is found to be the cornerstone in the road to knowledge economy transformation whereby the utilization of knowledge is the key engine of economic growth, where knowledge is acquired, created, disseminated and used effectively to enhance economic and social development. This means that the more people acquire knowledge, the more they will begin producing new products or improving systems and existing products, thus adding value to local products and improving the GDP of the country, as well as improving their social livelihood. Therefore, the primary role public libraries have is being the knowledge hubs, to make provision of higher quality knowledge and to make information accessible to the public to equally contribute to all NDPs towards achieving the Namibia Vision 2030 for a knowledge economy. This research study discusses “The contribution of the Public Library services towards a knowledge economy transformation readiness which is envisaged by the Namibia Vision 2030. In achieving that, the study has investigated the state of the Namibia legislative and policy framework reflections of access to knowledge and information as provided by libraries. The study further examines the availability and accessibility of knowledge and information resources, including ICT infrastructure at public libraries in remote rural areas. Moreover, it discusses the types of education and training programmes conducted by public libraries in ensuring that users have the necessary information and retrieval searching competencies and skills for accessing and navigating available information infrastructural resources. Finally, it explores innovation systems, technologically and non-technologically initiated by librarians for library services enhancement, and how library users have tapped into the growing stock of knowledge and information, and adapted them to local needs for economic and social development. The study has employed the four pillars of the World Bank Knowledge Economy Framework, namely an economic and institutional regime; information, knowledge and ICT infrastructure; education and training, and an innovation system as the lenses through which to investigate the research questions understudied