ABSTRACT
The term ‘the new economy’ is used in public debate to refer to the changed nature of modern economies resulting from globalization and the commercial application of technological advances. In the context of the new economy, there is an increased awareness of the importance of knowledge resources and learning (Lundvall 1992: 1); growth and employment appear to be linked to the capacity of firms to innovate, through the introduction of new organizational processes and, particularly, new products (Edquist, Hommen and McKelvey 2001). Investment in knowledge and learning and the ability to innovate seem to be closely associated with high-quality, high-skilled employment growth. Therefore it is not surprising, that the study of work and employment is also concerned with the processes of technology development and diffusion, and the innovative capacities of firms and industries (Michie and Reati 1998).
