Wealth Creation in the Knowledge Economy: Reflections on the Crisis of Spain and Portugal

摘要

Following the principles and theory of wealth creation in the knowledge economy, the purpose of the paper is to enable an in-depth diagnosis of a nation's actual knowledge driven competitiveness foundations, with the aim to aiding in the definition of the possible vision, objectives and lines of action to embrace in order to enable innovation and sustainable economic growth. In order to perform the in depth diagnosis a thorough review of diverse studies and methodologies will be carried out. Among them we will specially consider the "Global Competitiveness Index" (WEF), the "World Competitiveness Yearbook" (IMD), and the different IC models that apply to the IC macroeconomic dimension. As a consequence of the review and thinking on the specific requirements of peripheral countries of the European Union, the suitable methodology or combination of methodologies will be chosen and later on will be used for reflecting on the cases of Spain and Portugal. The reflections arising from the paper have mainly practical implications and will guide in the decision making process not only savers and investors but also government and institutional authorities.