TY - JOUR
T1 - The knowledge economy and urban economic growth
AU - Raspe, Otto
AU - Van Oort, Frank
PY - 2006/10
Y1 - 2006/10
N2 - In this paper we contribute to the longstanding discussion on the role of knowledge to economic growth in a spatial context. We observe that in adopting the European policy strategy towards a competitive knowledge economy, the Netherlands is - as most European countries - mainly oriented towards industrial, technological factors. The policy focus is on R&D specialized regions in their spatial economic strategies. We place the knowledge economy in a broader perspective. Based on the knowledge economy literature, we value complementary indicators: the successful introduction of new products and services to the market ("innovation") and indicators of skills of employees ("knowledge workers"). Using econometric analysis, we relate the three factors "R&D", "innovation" and "knowledge workers" to regional economic growth. We conclude that the factors "innovation" and "knowledge workers" are more profoundly related to urban employment and productivity growth than the R&D-factor. Preferably, urban research and policy-makers should therefore take all three knowledge factors into account when determining economic potentials of cities.
AB - In this paper we contribute to the longstanding discussion on the role of knowledge to economic growth in a spatial context. We observe that in adopting the European policy strategy towards a competitive knowledge economy, the Netherlands is - as most European countries - mainly oriented towards industrial, technological factors. The policy focus is on R&D specialized regions in their spatial economic strategies. We place the knowledge economy in a broader perspective. Based on the knowledge economy literature, we value complementary indicators: the successful introduction of new products and services to the market ("innovation") and indicators of skills of employees ("knowledge workers"). Using econometric analysis, we relate the three factors "R&D", "innovation" and "knowledge workers" to regional economic growth. We conclude that the factors "innovation" and "knowledge workers" are more profoundly related to urban employment and productivity growth than the R&D-factor. Preferably, urban research and policy-makers should therefore take all three knowledge factors into account when determining economic potentials of cities.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=33750316863&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/09654310600933322
DO - 10.1080/09654310600933322
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:33750316863
SN - 0965-4313
VL - 14
SP - 1209
EP - 1234
JO - European Planning Studies
JF - European Planning Studies
IS - 9
ER -