Technical change and its relationship to economic growth are now at the forefront of research in economics. This important book - which contains contributions from leading economists - provides an invaluable state-of-the-art survey and analysis of the most recent work in this area. The book sheds new light on such major themes and issues as: the sources of technological knowledge and growth and time patterns in the growth and innovation process. It also addresses the role of national institutions and social infrastructure in growth, convergence and divergence in the world economy from both the modelling and the empirical perspectives, and the microfoundations of technology diffusion and learning by doing.The Economics of Growth and Technical Change will be essential reading for all economists with an interest in the economics of innovation and economic growth.

This book explores the drivers of technological upgrading and catch-up in the emerging economies, paying specific attention to technology and innovation policies, national innovation systems, the role of foreign direct investment and small and medium enterprises. It provides practical implications for other developing countries

Massive technological development has changed the face of industry drammatically. This text provides an analysis of the trends and dynamics of innovation in industry. It has been updated with recent statistical information and examples. A new section explores the debate surrounding macroeconomics in an analysis of the impact of globalization on industrial change. This book covers such topics as: the rise of science-related technology; innovations and the firms; macroeconomics of innovation; and innovation and public policies.

This innovative book focuses on the most important concept underpinning current European Union research policy. It describes the history and concept of the European Research Area (ERA), analyses some of the underlying assumptions, assesses some of its achievements, and takes a brief look at its future. European Science and Technology Policy deals with the notion of the ERA, a coordinated and effective European Research Area, the successful achievement of which is the main objective of EU research policy under the Lisbon Treaty. The book demonstrates that almost ten years after the formal launch of the ERA concept, little top-down progress seems to have been made in terms of achieving better governance of the European research landscape. However, tangible bottom-up progress has been made towards harmonizing research beyond the existing uncoordinated national, intergovernmental and supranational policy schemes. Given the current ongoing ERA debate, this timely publication will be an invaluable tool for technology and innovation policymakers and practitioners in Europe. It will also appeal to scholars and students in the fields of science, technology and innovation.

First published in 1997. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

This innovative book focuses on the most important concept underpinning current European Union research policy. It describes the history and concept of the European Research Area (ERA), analyses some of the underlying assumptions, assesses some of its achievements, and takes a brief look at its future. European Science and Technology Policy deals with the notion of the ERA, a coordinated and effective European Research Area, the successful achievement of which is the main objective of EU research policy under the Lisbon Treaty. The book demonstrates that almost ten years after the formal launch of the ERA concept, little top-down progress seems to have been made in terms of achieving better governance of the European research landscape. However, tangible bottom-up progress has been made towards harmonizing research beyond the existing uncoordinated national, intergovernmental and supranational policy schemes. Given the current ongoing ERA debate, this timely publication will be an invaluable tool for technology and innovation policymakers and practitioners in Europe. It will also appeal to scholars and students in the fields of science, technology and innovation.

What is the potential of the new information and communication technologies? This book assesses the relationship between technological change and employment in all its dimensions, focusing on contemporary economies in Europe.The authors discuss patterns of growth, and the type of employment that countries might expect to be created following the introduction of these new technologies. Also analysed is the extent to which firms should adjust to more favourable production and distribution patterns. Institutional change is another issue addressed in detail as this encompasses the organisation of working time, systems of education and innovation and the welfare state. The final section of the book addresses the future of European employment not only from the competitive position of Europe in a global economy but also the new societal and demographic contexts that will challenge European economies in the future. Technology and the Future of European Employment ends with an overview of the many policy priorities that European societies will have to address. As such, this book will be of interest to scholars of economics, sociology and politics as well as those involved in European studies, technology and innovation, and labour economics. Civil servants in relevant national departments and organisations will also find the book of interest and value.

This important book presents a unique body of research into the economics of the digital society. It questions how modern economies have been transformed as a result of digital goods and markets, and explores the policy implications and challenges of this revolution. Luc Soete and Bas ter Weel have assembled leading economists and social scientists to provide an invaluable insight into the influence of the digital society in the core fields of economics. They offer a comprehensive overview of the changes that information and communication technologies (ICTs) have brought about in our analysis and understanding of society, focusing particularly upon welfare economics, networks, the diffusion of new businesses and new forms of entrepreneurship, the auctioning of licences, the much-debated role of intellectual property rights and the emergence of free software in the open-source movement. There are however a number of more indirect economic developments influencing the technological society that are also taken into consideration. These include the increased work pressure and new diseases affecting the workforce, the economics of digital content, the effects of computer use on the wage structure, the impact of ICTs on goods and labour markets, and the macroeconomic consequences of ICT investment in terms of knowledge accumulation and economic growth. Distinctive and comprehensive in its coverage of the critical issues associated with the digital economy, this book will appeal to academics, policy makers and students alike.

The 'knowledge economy' is a concept commonly deemed too ambiguous and elusive to hold any significance in current economic debate. This valuable book seeks to refute that myth. Presenting an important collection of views, from a number of leading scholars, this innovative volume visibly demonstrates that knowledge and information are a prime resource in driving the dynamics of an economy. It is argued that in order to understand the knowledge economy a diverse set of insights and approaches are required, which shed new and striking light on the roots of present-day economic dynamics. Using both theoretical and empirical material, this interdisciplinary collection offers a range of micro and macro perspectives. It draws on a variety of scientific backgrounds, and uses and develops a number of different methodologies, some of which may not be familiar in mainstream economics. The approaches adopted by historians, economists, systems theorists, management scholars and geographers which are explored in this book are central to encouraging a new and practical way forward in reading the dynamics of the knowledge economy. In offering these key insights, this important volume makes an invaluable contribution to the lively debate surrounding the knowledge economy. An essential read for economists, this book will also find widespread appeal amongst scholars of management, cultural studies and geography.

What is the potential of the new information and communication technologies? This book assesses the relationship between technological change and employment in all its dimensions, focusing on contemporary economies in Europe.The authors discuss patterns of growth, and the type of employment that countries might expect to be created following the introduction of these new technologies. Also analysed is the extent to which firms should adjust to more favourable production and distribution patterns. Institutional change is another issue addressed in detail as this encompasses the organisation of working time, systems of education and innovation and the welfare state. The final section of the book addresses the future of European employment not only from the competitive position of Europe in a global economy but also the new societal and demographic contexts that will challenge European economies in the future. Technology and the Future of European Employment ends with an overview of the many policy priorities that European societies will have to address. As such, this book will be of interest to scholars of economics, sociology and politics as well as those involved in European studies, technology and innovation, and labour economics. Civil servants in relevant national departments and organisations will also find the book of interest and value.