Section Two

Abstract

Much of the discussion about the role of knowledge in the economy focuses, as many contributors to Section 1 indicated, on either the contribution of researchbased knowledge to economic productivity or firms’ demand for people with higher levels of knowledge (as represented by qualifications). The problem with both of these approaches is that if we use quantitative evidence about the use of research-based knowledge and so-called knowledge workers as the primary indicators to discuss the argument about knowledge economies/societies, then we miss an important dimension of such societies and economies. Specifically, we overlook that both presuppose the existence of knowledge culture and practices in economic activity and that such cultures and practices are, in principle, an integral part of all sectors in the economy.