The Fabric of Knowledge: The Role of Large Corporations in Knowledge Production and Dissemination

Economic and sociological studies, public discourses and governmental blueprints have put particular emphasis on knowledge and information, their production, use and dissemination since the beginning of 1990s. In the age of the ‘informational mode of development’, as Manuel Castells characterizes our times, knowledge produces more knowledge which, in turn, accelerates growth and productivity (Castells, 1989: 10). Briefly, knowledge and information reconstruct our economic and social realities. Therefore the production, transformation, acquisition, exploitation, spread and distribution of knowledge and information constitute the most important elements of the dynamics of social and economic development. The notions of a knowledge-based economy and society, information society, post-industrial economy, network economy, learning economy and learning society are commonly rooted in the firm belief of the pivotal role of knowledge and information in the course of economic and social development.