Competing for Knowledge

With the buzzwords of knowledge-based economy and knowledge-driven economy, policy-makers, as well as journalists and management consultants, are pushing forward a vision of change that transforms the way advanced economies work. Yet little is understood about how the knowledge-based economy differs from the old, traditional economy. It is generally agreed that the phenomenon has grown out of the branch of economic thought known as new growth theory. Digesting up-to-date thinking in economics, management, innovation studies and economic geography, this significant volume provides an account of these developments and how they have transformed advanced economies.

"The book deserves the attention of regional economists, management scientists and economic geographers. Since it provides a broad overview on diverse aspects of the knowledge-based economy, it is suitable for advanced students as well. Most important, it offers instructive and well-reflected recommendations for practitioners in regional and technology policy and business. The book can be recommended because it is scientifically ambitious and practically relevant—a balance that is rarely achieved."Oliver Ibert, University of Bonn (Economic Geography) , "The book deserves the attention of regional economists, management scientists and economic geographers. Since it provides a broad overview on diverse aspects of the knowledge-based economy, it is suitable for advanced students as well. Most important, it offers instructive and well-reflected recommendations for practitioners in regional and technology policy and business. The book can be recommended because it is scientifically ambitious and practically relevant—a balance that is rarely achieved."Oliver Ibert, University of Bonn (Economic Geography) "I probably could not have asked for a better primer on the importance and impact of regional clusters in general, and Silicon Valley in particular, within the wider context of the global knowledge economy where innovative small and new firms are clearly important actors. The authors are to be commended for their contribution throuth this book, which suggests a number of avenues for fruitfull small business research."Shameen Prashantham, University of Glasgow (International Small Business Journal)