What policy initiatives are required to develop a knowledge-based economy in Ireland?

Abstract

Title of Thesis: What policy initiatives are required to develop a knowledge-based economy in Ireland? Author of Thesis: Brendan Cannon, B.Sc. (Mgmt), M.B.A. Summary of Thesis: The purpose of this study was to investigate the necessary policy initiatives and requirements to develop a knowledge-based economy within the unique system represented by Ireland?s small-scale economy. This examination was done within the context of Ireland?s ongoing transition to a knowledge-based economy, a fundamental premise being that such a transition was in progress and inevitable and that therefore, the only real question was how policy would be created and enacted to accelerate or inhibit the process. Ireland is one of the most FDI-intensive economies in the OECD and beyond. The changing economic landscape was identified as increasingly supported by a knowledge-based economy that required new strategies from the government. The nature of this study was then identified as qualitative and informed by a case study research design. The research objective was to discover the relationship between knowledge-based economies? installed base of advanced manufacturing and industrial policy within the context of multinational companies, both foreign direct investment and indigenous. The data was gathered by interviewing CEOs and senior managers of advanced manufacturing companies in Ireland and senior executives responsible for the development and execution of industrial policy. Interviewees provided information about policies and practices necessary to create and sustain this type of economy through the building of an advanced manufacturing foundation. To conclude, Ireland?s transition to a knowledge-based economy, as the participants in the study noted, is both necessary and inevitable, and will be extremely beneficial to the country?s economy, culture, and standing in the world. The only real issue, then, is how to bring that transition about.