The Governance of Knowledge

Evers, Hans-Dieter (2013): The Governance of Knowledge.

Abstract

Knowledge has been defined as a major resource for development. Especially countries without natural resources have found this idea attractive and have embarked on development strategies to develop a knowledge-based economy. In doing so they may fall into a “knowledge trap”. The paper postulates an “epistemic backlash”, because an increase of knowledge leads to an even greater increase of ignorance, which is accompanied by an increase of risk and an increase of necessary research funds for the next stage of development. A shortage of high-level manpower is likely to occur, which will reduce the chances for further knowledge-based development. A careful governance of knowledge is needed to avoid the “knowledge trap”. Five knowledge strategies are discussed: developing an ICT infrastructure, creating knowledge-clusters, creating knowledge-hubs and centres of excellence and creating comparative advantages through the use of local knowledge. Examples are drawn and data presented from Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore.

• Item Type: MPRA Paper
• Language: English
• Keywords: knowlegde governance, knowledge and development, knowledge management, develoment, policy, Brunei, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore
• Subjects: O - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth > O1 - Economic Development; O - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth > O2 - Development Planning and Policy; Z - Other Special Topics > Z1 - Cultural Economics ; Economic Sociology ; Economic Anthropology; Z - Other Special Topics > Z1 - Cultural Economics ; Economic Sociology ; Economic Anthropology > Z13 - Economic Sociology ; Economic Anthropology ; Social and Economic Stratification; Z - Other Special Topics > Z1 - Cultural Economics ; Economic Sociology ; Economic Anthropology > Z18 - Public Policy

References

Evers, Hans-Dieter, Solvay Gerke, and Thomas Menkhoff. 2010. "Knowledge Clusters and Knowledge Hubs: Designing Epistemic Landscapes for Development." Journal of Knowledge Management 14(5):678 – 89.

Evers, Hans-Dieter, and Solvay Gerke. 2012 in "Globalisation of Social Science Research on South-east Asia." Chapter 5 in Knowledge and Social Science in a Globalising World, edited by Wan Zawawi Ibrahim. Kuala Lumpur: Persatuan Sains Sosial Malaysia (Malaysian Association of Social Sciences).

Evers, Hans-Dieter, 2011. "Knowledge Cluster Formation as a Science Policy: Lessons Learned." Paper, Science, Technology and Society Workshop, 23-24 September 2011 Bandar Seri Begawan: Universiti of Brunei Darussalam.

Menkhoff, Thomas , Hans-Dieter Evers, Yue Wah Chay, and Eng Fong Pang (Eds.). 2011. Beyond the Knowledge Trap: Developing Asia's Knowledge-Based Economies. New Jersey, London, Singapore, Beijing: World Scientific.