A Socio-Economic Analysis of National Competitiveness in the Era of Knowledge-Based Economy
Resource
國家發展研究, 1(1), 027-061
Journal
國家發展研究
Journal Volume
1
Journal Issue
1
Pages
027-061
Date Issued
2001-12
Date
2001-12
Author(s)
Lee, B.H.
Abstract
This study conducts a socio-economic analysis of national competitiveness in the age of globalization and knowledge-based economy. It is argued that ever since the beginning of the 1990s, the globalizing characteristics of the knowledge-driven economy has reshaped countries' business competitive advantages, technological innovations and employment relations. It also challenges the capacity and functions of national states, and thereby raises a view on the increase of national competitiveness. Furthermore, this paper analyzes that economic globalization brings about the internationalization of corporations and the flexibility of labour markets, so that it restructures the socio-economic features and aspects required to achieve a higher ranking of national competitiveness. By utilizing the two concepts of structural competitiveness and social embeddedness of the economy, this paper points out that surveys of national competitiveness need an integration of economic and extra-economic factors. This study also examines two existing important reports of national competitiveness, the World Competitiveness Yearbook and the Global Competitiveness Report, as well as Porter's book, the Competitive Advantage of Nations. In conclusion, we argue that it is required for national states to consider national competitiveness from a macro and socioeconomic perspective. In other words, factors concerning sociocultural institutions, values, and national regimes and policies, except economic, are all critical to the growth of national competitiveness. We also hope this social-embeddedness discussion on national competitiveness can avoid its contemporary bias of a solely economic argument.
Subjects
國家競爭力
經濟全球化
知識經濟
民族國家
社會鑲嵌性
結構競爭力
National Competitiveness
Economic Globalization
Knowledge-Based Economy
National State
Social Embeddedness
Structural Competitiveness
SDGs
Type
journal article