**5.2 National Knowledge Governance (NKG)**

Although the term itself is rarely used, the national (and local, regional) knowledge governance discourse is very old starting with the thousand years old brain drain practices (Dedijer, 1968). National Knowledge Governance sometimes a simple reformulation of traditional policy discourses (see for example the bright analysis about the monopoly of knowledge production and diffusion in China since 1949 (Zhenglai (2000), sometimes it generates innovative approaches - as Johann Peter Murmann discovered the role of applied scientific knowledge and the national institutions in the dawn of industrial era in his classics (Murmann, 2003).

#### **5.2.1 Fields and topics: A first look**

Since the number of relevant fields are too high and the narratives are well-known, there is no time and reason for systematic mapping of National Knowledge Governance issues. But it can be very useful to illustrate the changing face of traditional discourses listing recent,

Transcending Knowledge Management, Shaping Knowledge Governance 235

According to the Obama administration, the major question is how employees are able to benefit from the kinds of skills and abilities which will ensure their competitiveness in the labor market of the future. The number of jobs requiring higher education degrees will increase twice as fast as the number of jobs not necessitating such qualifications; therefore, says Obama, it has never been more important to ensure that learning continues past the secondary school stage. The goal, then, is for the United States to be the world's leader in advanced professional training by 2020. Thanks to an impressive development program providing schools with funding for infrastructure development, asset purchases and online courses, the number of students graduating from the community colleges of specific states will increase by five million. The schools themselves will become 21st century job training

Great Britain also found a similar point of departure, reaching eerily similar conclusions5. They simply placed their basic structural data from the past forty years next to each other. The figures indicate that the percentage of the population employed in knowledge-based sectors increased from 25% in 1970 to 50% today. This sector was also the creadle of new job creation, increasing the share of value-added activities and exports (specifically: business, finances, high-tech services, creative and cultural industries, advanced technology manufacture, education and healthcare). In 1970, the share of investments in intangibles was only 40% of the amount put toward buildings, vehicles and machinery. In 2004, investments in design, software, databases, research and development, as well as human and organizational capital have reversed the previous figures, and – at 120% – have taken the lead. In 1970, 60% of the labor force did not possess appropriate qualifications; their numbers dropped to 10% by 2005. For Great Britain, the findings led to the following results: the launching of business and employment development programs centered on the pivotal role of the knowledge sector, together with the increase of the numbers and quality of

Ireland's latest action plan, *Technology Actions to Support the Smart Economy*, aims to create 30 thousand new jobs in the next decade. These would all be created in the field of smart economy – digital industry and network technologies. The International Content Services Center, to support over one thousand Irish companies, is expected to create ten thousand new jobs by 2020, primarily in the world of creative digital arts (film, games, music and

It is hardly surprising that the same focal points are seen in China's latest initiatives in the field of scientific policy: new and improved innovations capacities are expected to support economic restructuring and transform development practices. China's State Council augmented its fifteen-year medium-term science development plan, adopted in 2006 for the period 2006-2020, with a fifty-year long-term plan adopted in July 2009 (and compiled by the Chinese Academy of Science). The long-term plan was designed in the understanding that the next 10-20 years will see yet another "technological and industrial revolution" in many areas of science, and that these must be identified in due course. The plan recognized the fostering of innovation as the strongest possible answer to the global economic crisis. The plan points to 18 focus areas, demonstrating a strong "green" commitment: agriculture,

<sup>5</sup> Based on the latest report (*The Knowledge Economy Programme*) of the strategic U.K. think tank Work Foundation; the report outlines plans to restore and develop the knowledge economy of the United

Kingdom by 2020. http://www.theworkfoundation.com/research/keconomy.aspx

centers.

higher education programs and graduates.

animation) and in communications, legal and other services.


"hot" topics, and reviewing nation state employment strategies as knowledge governance responses for the economic crisis.

Table 4. National Knowledge Governance discourses - examples (Dalal-Z. Karvalics, 2009)

### **5.2.2 How to increase knowledge-based employment? A case study4**

As a special response for the worldwide economic crisis, lot of nations turned to a radical increase of employment in research and development, accepting, that it is critical for business, innovation, higher education and the political, economic and media elite, would be timely and could serve as a strategic point of departure in and of itself.

In the United States, one key element of the *American Reinvestment and Recovery Act* package (ARRA), launched in response to the economic crisis, was the supplemental support to be given to the sciences (Lane, 2009) in the form of billions of dollars provided to various scientific agencies. This support was granted based on the conviction that the new value produced as a result of scientific activities serves as the basis of economic growth and results in the creation of new workplaces. Decision-makers were convinced that investing in science leads to more competitive firms, as well as more and better workplaces. Naturally, they were able to rely on forecasts from organizations such as the *Information Technology and Innovation Foundation*; ITIF's report suggested that an extra investment of 20 billion USD in the sciences leads to the creation of over 400 thousand new jobs within one year. Julia Lane quotes a study showing that 50 thousand new jobs in the biotechnology and electronic sectors – in the high-tech zone outside San Diego – may be traced back to the work of four (!) scientific researchers at the University of California in San Diego.

It is stunningly insightful that the real questions for Lane are how money can be well spent and how its use may best be measured. Given, however, that sufficient information was not yet available to answer these questions, or to explore the subtle correlations between scientific development and economic growth, an NSF program was immediately established to provide scientific policies with appropriate input in the matter.

 4 Excerpt from my brochure on "*dual flue effect*" of knowledge-based employment (Z.Karvalics, 2011).

"hot" topics, and reviewing nation state employment strategies as knowledge governance

**"Traditional" policy fields New type of narratives and interventions**  Innovation policy Capacity building, data and knowledge

Science policy Planning the structure and resource map of

Education policy and literacy Information literacy, talent management,

Copyright, patent issues Indigenous knowledge management,

**5.2.2 How to increase knowledge-based employment? A case study4**

be timely and could serve as a strategic point of departure in and of itself.

to provide scientific policies with appropriate input in the matter.

Table 4. National Knowledge Governance discourses - examples (Dalal-Z. Karvalics, 2009)

As a special response for the worldwide economic crisis, lot of nations turned to a radical increase of employment in research and development, accepting, that it is critical for business, innovation, higher education and the political, economic and media elite, would

In the United States, one key element of the *American Reinvestment and Recovery Act* package (ARRA), launched in response to the economic crisis, was the supplemental support to be given to the sciences (Lane, 2009) in the form of billions of dollars provided to various scientific agencies. This support was granted based on the conviction that the new value produced as a result of scientific activities serves as the basis of economic growth and results in the creation of new workplaces. Decision-makers were convinced that investing in science leads to more competitive firms, as well as more and better workplaces. Naturally, they were able to rely on forecasts from organizations such as the *Information Technology and Innovation Foundation*; ITIF's report suggested that an extra investment of 20 billion USD in the sciences leads to the creation of over 400 thousand new jobs within one year. Julia Lane quotes a study showing that 50 thousand new jobs in the biotechnology and electronic sectors – in the high-tech zone outside San Diego – may be traced back to the work of four (!) scientific researchers at the University of California

It is stunningly insightful that the real questions for Lane are how money can be well spent and how its use may best be measured. Given, however, that sufficient information was not yet available to answer these questions, or to explore the subtle correlations between scientific development and economic growth, an NSF program was immediately established

4 Excerpt from my brochure on "*dual flue effect*" of knowledge-based employment (Z.Karvalics, 2011).

models

Humanities

hunting

copyleft

lifelong learning schemes

asset policy, "national crowdsourcing"

Natural-, Life-, Technical Sciences and

Nation-state reactions on current brain drain, brain gain, and brain sharing issues

Competition in creative industries, talent

responses for the economic crisis.

Media and dissemination of scientific

Knowledge Industry Development (Fostering attractivity and visibility)

information

in San Diego.

According to the Obama administration, the major question is how employees are able to benefit from the kinds of skills and abilities which will ensure their competitiveness in the labor market of the future. The number of jobs requiring higher education degrees will increase twice as fast as the number of jobs not necessitating such qualifications; therefore, says Obama, it has never been more important to ensure that learning continues past the secondary school stage. The goal, then, is for the United States to be the world's leader in advanced professional training by 2020. Thanks to an impressive development program providing schools with funding for infrastructure development, asset purchases and online courses, the number of students graduating from the community colleges of specific states will increase by five million. The schools themselves will become 21st century job training centers.

Great Britain also found a similar point of departure, reaching eerily similar conclusions5. They simply placed their basic structural data from the past forty years next to each other. The figures indicate that the percentage of the population employed in knowledge-based sectors increased from 25% in 1970 to 50% today. This sector was also the creadle of new job creation, increasing the share of value-added activities and exports (specifically: business, finances, high-tech services, creative and cultural industries, advanced technology manufacture, education and healthcare). In 1970, the share of investments in intangibles was only 40% of the amount put toward buildings, vehicles and machinery. In 2004, investments in design, software, databases, research and development, as well as human and organizational capital have reversed the previous figures, and – at 120% – have taken the lead. In 1970, 60% of the labor force did not possess appropriate qualifications; their numbers dropped to 10% by 2005. For Great Britain, the findings led to the following results: the launching of business and employment development programs centered on the pivotal role of the knowledge sector, together with the increase of the numbers and quality of higher education programs and graduates.

Ireland's latest action plan, *Technology Actions to Support the Smart Economy*, aims to create 30 thousand new jobs in the next decade. These would all be created in the field of smart economy – digital industry and network technologies. The International Content Services Center, to support over one thousand Irish companies, is expected to create ten thousand new jobs by 2020, primarily in the world of creative digital arts (film, games, music and animation) and in communications, legal and other services.

It is hardly surprising that the same focal points are seen in China's latest initiatives in the field of scientific policy: new and improved innovations capacities are expected to support economic restructuring and transform development practices. China's State Council augmented its fifteen-year medium-term science development plan, adopted in 2006 for the period 2006-2020, with a fifty-year long-term plan adopted in July 2009 (and compiled by the Chinese Academy of Science). The long-term plan was designed in the understanding that the next 10-20 years will see yet another "technological and industrial revolution" in many areas of science, and that these must be identified in due course. The plan recognized the fostering of innovation as the strongest possible answer to the global economic crisis. The plan points to 18 focus areas, demonstrating a strong "green" commitment: agriculture,

<sup>5</sup> Based on the latest report (*The Knowledge Economy Programme*) of the strategic U.K. think tank Work Foundation; the report outlines plans to restore and develop the knowledge economy of the United Kingdom by 2020. http://www.theworkfoundation.com/research/keconomy.aspx

Transcending Knowledge Management, Shaping Knowledge Governance 237

**"Phenomena" to reflect Scientific domain Development/ Policy/** 

Cultural politics, Communication politics

> Knowledge Management

Demography, Sociology

Library and Information Science

UNESCO, a specialized organization of the UN has been the symbol of cultural progress and dialogue since its foundation in 1945, as "antithesis" to the war. In the past decades it has contributed significantly to the dissemination of basic civilizational values, it has helped raise awareness regarding the universality of the cultural heritage, has launched several successful projects aiming at the preservation, popularization of this heritage, as well as at ensuring the accessibility of the same. It has established (more than fifty) institutions of long-lasting impact, has helped achieving significant scientific results, has tried, with steadfast policy and dedicated action, to balance differences in the development of groups of countries. All these have probably contributed to the fact that, in a world burdened with fear, insecurity and mutual distrust, it managed to become a highly supported trans-national institution, and could maintain its crucial role in the long

However, in case we wish to scrutinize UNESCO regarding the importance of its role in key areas (natural sciences, social sciences and humanities, public education, and the world of culture and information and communication networks) and compare it to the goals set in its Mission Statement, we see that apart from its success at emblematically successful areas, its position has been increasingly weakening, the organization has been losing its reputation and significance in almost every respect. We witnesses a process

On the latest goals, programs, organizational structure see UNESCO's exemplarily well maintained

Table 5. Mapping the Global Knowledge Governance scene (Dalal-Z. Karvalics, 2009)

International cooperation in the fields of education, science and communication

> Collaborative Research Megaprojects

Knowledge readiness (knowledge development indicators)

Global Conference and Publication Industry

Globalized higher education, virtual universities

"Global" libraries, common scientific repositories (data silos)

run7.

 7

Circulation of Brains (Im)migration,

**5.3.2 Case study: Approaching the future of UNESCO** 

website at http://www.unesco.org/new/en/unesco/

**Planning issues** 

Reengineering of UNESCOtype global coordination

tools, Regulation challenges

the developed and underdeveloped nations and regions

Re-thinking of the channels of distribution of knowledge

> Equation mechanisms, regulation, monitoring

equivalence and interoperability issues

Regulation, standardization

Sociology of Science New generation workflow

Pedagogy, Economy Quality management,

General politics Narrowing the gap between

ecology, environment, health, oceanography and "clean" and renewable energy resources are in the center. Certainly, the areas selected are not limited to the specific supporting sciences: multidisciplinary teams stand the greatest chance of arriving at solutions to particular problems (in the case of healthcare, for instance: biology, environmental sciences, psychology and social sciences). The two most important motives are talent programs and institutional reform. The central question as far as China's scientific and technological future is concerned is how talented young people can be drawn toward the sciences and how their talents may best be used. The answer is fairly general, but certainly points in the right direction: the kind of fertile environment must be created for them which will bring forth their "best creative thoughts."

In Japan, the state has shown extraordinary planning and care in its expansive central developments of the past decade (science towns, intellectually creative society, "ubiquitous Japan"); the efforts of Japanese companies also point in much the same direction. A survey of 253 large Japanese companies (Rowley, 2009) showed that despite difficulties in sales, companies keep their contributions to research and development activities high. Much of these funds go toward alternative energy and environmentally friendly technologies; and while unemployment has increased in virtually every sector, research and development has continued to see high rates of employment.

#### **5.3 Global knowledge governance (GKG)**

The very popular Global Knowledge Managament (GKM) discourse is not else than a knowledge management practice of *global companies* (Gu, 2004). In contrary, the Global Knowledge Governance is not else than managing *global issues, raised in and connected to the knowledge domain*.

On the economic scene the discourse is an organic continuation of the worldwide economic development planning efforts, that's why the University of Oxford's Global Economic Governance Programme has recently (in November, 2009) launched it's independent *Expert Taskforce on Global Knowledge Governance6* to propose a "*set of principles and options for the future of global knowledge governance*". However, the "scope" is much more broader, than the "economy" itself: there are lot of knowledge-related relevant cultural, scientific, media and technology challenges at the global level, including the need for new generation *international knowledge institutions* (Miller, 2007).

#### **5.3.1 Towards a knowlege governance-based new vocabulary of global issues**

Knowledge Governance issues are mainly reinterpretations and re-integrations of old problems (see Deere Birkbeck's forthcoming book on intellectual property management from global knowledge governance aspects (Birkbeck, 2012), combining this "texture" with fresh reflections and reactions to the emergent, new fields, like the globalization of the scientific community and it's knowledge infrastructure, the global library building efforts from Project Gutenberg to Google Books. The results of this hybridization are new terms and tools: we will be able to talk about a set of the main civilization problems in a new language.

<sup>6</sup> http://www.globaleconomicgovernance.org/wp-content/uploads/KnowledgeTaskforceoverview-8- Dec. pdf

ecology, environment, health, oceanography and "clean" and renewable energy resources are in the center. Certainly, the areas selected are not limited to the specific supporting sciences: multidisciplinary teams stand the greatest chance of arriving at solutions to particular problems (in the case of healthcare, for instance: biology, environmental sciences, psychology and social sciences). The two most important motives are talent programs and institutional reform. The central question as far as China's scientific and technological future is concerned is how talented young people can be drawn toward the sciences and how their talents may best be used. The answer is fairly general, but certainly points in the right direction: the kind of fertile environment must be created for them which will bring forth

In Japan, the state has shown extraordinary planning and care in its expansive central developments of the past decade (science towns, intellectually creative society, "ubiquitous Japan"); the efforts of Japanese companies also point in much the same direction. A survey of 253 large Japanese companies (Rowley, 2009) showed that despite difficulties in sales, companies keep their contributions to research and development activities high. Much of these funds go toward alternative energy and environmentally friendly technologies; and while unemployment has increased in virtually every sector, research and development has

The very popular Global Knowledge Managament (GKM) discourse is not else than a knowledge management practice of *global companies* (Gu, 2004). In contrary, the Global Knowledge Governance is not else than managing *global issues, raised in and connected to the* 

On the economic scene the discourse is an organic continuation of the worldwide economic development planning efforts, that's why the University of Oxford's Global Economic Governance Programme has recently (in November, 2009) launched it's independent *Expert Taskforce on Global Knowledge Governance6* to propose a "*set of principles and options for the future of global knowledge governance*". However, the "scope" is much more broader, than the "economy" itself: there are lot of knowledge-related relevant cultural, scientific, media and technology challenges at the global level, including the need for new generation *international* 

**5.3.1 Towards a knowlege governance-based new vocabulary of global issues** 

Knowledge Governance issues are mainly reinterpretations and re-integrations of old problems (see Deere Birkbeck's forthcoming book on intellectual property management from global knowledge governance aspects (Birkbeck, 2012), combining this "texture" with fresh reflections and reactions to the emergent, new fields, like the globalization of the scientific community and it's knowledge infrastructure, the global library building efforts from Project Gutenberg to Google Books. The results of this hybridization are new terms and tools: we will be able to talk about a set of the main civilization problems in a new

6 http://www.globaleconomicgovernance.org/wp-content/uploads/KnowledgeTaskforceoverview-8-

their "best creative thoughts."

*knowledge domain*.

language.

Dec. pdf

continued to see high rates of employment.

**5.3 Global knowledge governance (GKG)** 

*knowledge institutions* (Miller, 2007).


Table 5. Mapping the Global Knowledge Governance scene (Dalal-Z. Karvalics, 2009)
