Expanding the Definition and Measurement of Knowledge Economy - Integrating Triple Bottom Line Factors into Knowledge Economy Index Models and Methodologies

摘要

The application of knowledge is a primary source of growth in the knowledge economy. The World Bank Group has developed a rigorous assessment methodology for assessing a country's ability to access and use knowledge to become more competitive in the knowledge economy of the 21st century. This assessment methodology annually produces the Knowledge Economy Index. The World Bank's Knowledge Economy Index is grounded on a four pillar model. The four pillars include: (1) Economic Incentives and Institutional Regime; (2) Education and Skills; (3) Information and Communication Infrastructure; and (4) Innovation Systems. While the indicators are robust and the data collection methodology is rigorous, an argument can be made that the model lacks coverage of some key factors that pertain to intellectual capital and to the production and consumption of knowledge. Some might argue that heavy focus on economic incentives and open institutional regimes comes at a societal cost. While the goal of investments in information and communication infrastructure may be greater access to economic opportunities, they may be used to exploit natural capital or to increase disparities in the digital divide. This paper considers investigates what happens when a Knowledge Economy Index exercise is placed in a more holistic and balanced view of the Knowledge Society. Adopting the perspective of Triple Bottom Line shifts the purpose and design of a knowledge economy index. The shift is from one of aggregation and reporting, to action and involvement. There are acknowledged challenges involved in applying the Triple Bottom Line as an accounting method. The World Bank's scorecard and indexing methodology is adaptable to this new perspective and a new set of indicators.