ABSTRACT
It is a commonplace that the world is rapidly changing. A new economy is emerging from the opening up of national borders, globalisation, and the application of information and communication technologies in manufacturing and services. Whatever term we use to characterise this new regime of accumulation and development, ‘new economy’, ‘knowledge-based economy’, ‘innovation economy’, it is certain that it stands on the association between R&D, innovation, and competitiveness, which means that the creation and application of knowledge are among the most important drivers of contemporary development and wealth.
