A Policy Framework for Developing Knowledge Societies
International Journal of Knowledge Society Research, Vol. 1, No. 1, pp. 22-45, Jan- Mar 2010
Posted: 30 Dec 2009 Last revised: 12 Oct 2010
Date Written: December 29, 2009
Abstract
In this article, we explore what it means to be a knowledge society and why such a society is desirable in the development of nations. First, we review the literature on knowledge societies and note a gap in qualitative approaches which are amenable for framing development knowledge policies. We then describe a conceptual framework that depicts a knowledge society in terms of 16 dimensions that span infrastructure, governance, human capital and culture. This framework is validated with published proxy indicators from reputable sources such as the United Nations and the World Bank. In a field exercise, we determine the usability of the framework for policy discussion using Singapore, Nigeria, the United States and the United Arab Emirates as the foci of our analysis. We conclude by suggesting that such a qualitative framework is useful for policy-makers and other stakeholders to understand that the evolution to a knowledge society is a journey that requires benchmarks, environmental intelligence and an emphasis on the tacit structure of knowledge for sustainable advantage.
Keywords: National Intellectual Capital, Sustainable Development, Knowledge Assets
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