Lindley, Robert M. --- "Knowledge-based economies: the European employment debate in a new context" [2002] ELECD 73; in Rodrigues, João Maria (ed), "The New Knowledge Economy in Europe" (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2002)

Book Title: The New Knowledge Economy in Europe

Editor(s): Rodrigues, João Maria

Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing

ISBN (hard cover): 9781840647198

Section: Chapter 4

Section Title: Knowledge-based economies: the European employment debate in a new context

Author(s): Lindley, Robert M.

Number of pages: 51

Extract:

4. Knowledge-based economies: the
European employment debate in a
new context
Robert M. Lindley


INTRODUCTION

Knowledge is the basis of much behaviour: the search for and exploitation
of it have been at the heart of social and economic development for centu-
ries. Yet there are now claims that radical changes are afoot which will
greatly increase the significance of and alter the pattern of knowledge pro-
duction, dissemination and use. Countries and organisations that under-
stand this and adapt to take advantage of the enormous opportunities in
prospect will, it is argued, place themselves in strong positions to compete
effectively in the global economy. `Knowledge workers' will emerge as the
dominant occupational group with high levels of education, continuing
professional development and autonomy. They will be the first to connect
to the evolving global community ­ many already are.
Social exclusion occurs when a society fails to organise itself to ensure
that all its members can participate. Those excluded suffer from a cumula-
tive disadvantage which goes well beyond their individual characteristics
and experience and extends to the local communities in which they live.
There are personal, family and wider collective ingredients to the process
of their exclusion. They will be the last to `get connected' electronically as
well as socially.
Knowledge workers and the socially excluded seem destined to live in
different worlds. But where will the rest of the population who fall into
neither group live and work? What are the mechanisms by which the knowl-
edge-based ...