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The knowledge economy/society: the latest example of “Measurement without theory”?

Author

Listed:
  • Les Oxley

    (University of Canterbury)

  • Paul Walker

    (University of Canterbury)

  • David Thorns

    (University of Canterbury)

  • Hong Wang

    (University of Canterbury)

Abstract

The world has embraced a set of concepts (knowledge driven growth) which are seen as the ‘core of future growth and wellbeing’ without any commonly agreed notion of what they are, how they might be measured, and crucially therefore, how they actually do (or might) affect economic growth and social wellbeing. The theory of how the mechanism works lacks important detail.

Suggested Citation

  • Les Oxley & Paul Walker & David Thorns & Hong Wang, 2008. "The knowledge economy/society: the latest example of “Measurement without theory”?," The Journal of Philosophical Economics, Bucharest Academy of Economic Studies, The Journal of Philosophical Economics, vol. 2(1), pages 20-54, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:bus:jphile:v:2:y:2008:i:1:p:20-54
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Romer, Paul M, 1986. "Increasing Returns and Long-run Growth," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 94(5), pages 1002-1037, October.
    2. Hart, Oliver & Moore, John, 1990. "Property Rights and the Nature of the Firm," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 98(6), pages 1119-1158, December.
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    10. Kenneth Carlaw & Les Oxley & Paul Walker & David Thorns & Michael Nuth, 2006. "Beyond The Hype: Intellectual Property And The Knowledge Society/Knowledge Economy," Journal of Economic Surveys, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 20(4), pages 633-690, September.
    11. Cowan, Robin & David, Paul A & Foray, Dominique, 2000. "The Explicit Economics of Knowledge Codification and Tacitness," Industrial and Corporate Change, Oxford University Press and the Associazione ICC, vol. 9(2), pages 211-253, June.
    12. Sanford J. Grossman & Oliver Hart, 1987. "Vertical Integration and the Distribution of Property Rights," Palgrave Macmillan Books, in: Assaf Razin & Efraim Sadka (ed.), Economic Policy in Theory and Practice, chapter 14, pages 504-548, Palgrave Macmillan.
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    Cited by:

    1. Alexandra Luciana GUȚĂ, 2018. "Organizational learning: cognitive and behavioural changes and implications in higher education institutions," CES Working Papers, Centre for European Studies, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, vol. 10(2), pages 198-212, August.
    2. Alexandra Luciana Gu??, 2015. "An analysis of factors that influence organizational learning: The case of higher education institutions," Proceedings of International Academic Conferences 1003387, International Institute of Social and Economic Sciences.
    3. Paul Walker, 2010. "The (Non)Theory Of The Knowledge Firm," Scottish Journal of Political Economy, Scottish Economic Society, vol. 57(1), pages 1-32, February.
    4. Alexandra Luciana Guta, 2012. "The Learning Organization – An Answer To The Challenges Of The Actual Business Environment?," CES Working Papers, Centre for European Studies, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, vol. 4(3), pages 340-355, September.
    5. repec:jes:wpaper:y:2012:v:4:p:340-355 is not listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    knowledge economy; knowledge society; theory of the firm;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • B41 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - Economic Methodology - - - Economic Methodology
    • B59 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - Current Heterodox Approaches - - - Other

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