What 'knowledge-based' stands for? A position paper

This conceptual paper discusses at several descriptive features of the KBD field before an account of alternative perspectives on the theoretical and methodological identity is summarised. On these bases, an exercise in characterising KBD in a distinct way from current uses that might render it redundant or irrelevant is carried out. Under this perspective, KBD most significant challenge and opportunity are to contribute to engender and shape a new culture based on knowledge-intensive economics and politics. The core issue is the characterisation of 'knowledge-based' and what it might imply for the upgrade of human experience and coexistence. These views are a recollection of the author's involvement in the field and constitute a review of the literature with an emphasis on the broader social, economic and cultural issues. Such views are not to be regarded as an editorial statement, but rather as an input that might contribute to better understand the distinctive nature of KBD and maybe also to promote its relevance to science and society at large.