Benchmarking Knowledge-based Economies: OECD Science, Technology and Industry Scoreboard 1999

Examines the knowledge-based economy, the challenge of globalisation, and economic performance and competitiveness of OECD countries under twelve main headings. It allows Member countries to compare their performance to that of other countries and to see how well prepared they are to meet future challenges and where greater efforts will be needed.

The first presents selected indicators for knowledge-based economies. It examines the importance of investment in intangibles in OECD economies, compares the weight of knowledge-based industries across countries, highlights the role of information and communication technologies, and looks at expenditures on science and technology.

The second focuses on the globalisation challenge. It highlights recent trends in international trade, foreign investment, and the internationalisation of technology and examines the role played by foreign affiliates of multinational firms in their host countries.

The third part examines selected indicators of economic performance and competitiveness. It compares countries in terms of productivity and unit labour costs, of scientific and technological output, and of international trade.

The picture that emerges is that countries remain internationalised to different degrees, and that they differ substantially in their march towards a knowledge-based economy. [author]

Report also suggest indicators for assessing national capacity to disseminate/consume knowledge, and for the ability to make economic use of knowledge