Synopses & Reviews
Economic and social change is accelerating under the twin impact of globalisation and the new information technologies. But how are these processes interrelated? Are they impelling us towards a common socio-economic future? What can governments do if they want to manage and steer the direction of development? This book addresses these questions with particular reference to the European Union, which has made the development of a socially cohesive, knowledge-based economy its central task for the present decade. It assesses both the challenges and the policy instruments that are being deployed, focussing in particular on the dynamics of the 'new economy'; the new organisational architectures associated with rapid innovation; the transformation of education and training; the implications for social cohesion and exclusion and the role of policy benchmarking in promoting policy learning and enhancing national performance. vbTab]The European Challenge presents the most up-to-date research on the development of the knowledge-based economy and its social and policy implications. Its accessible and integrated treatment of the processes of economic, social and technological change make it an invaluable resource for those studying and researching in the fields of public and social policy, organisational and technological change and innovation. It is also highly relevant to policy-makers who need to understand and manage this change.
Review
The European challenge addresses highly topical issues and offers original insights and contributions to the ongoing debate on the knowledge-based economy and the Lisbon strategy. Maurizio Ferrera, Department of Labour and Welfare Studies, University of Milano, Italy
Review
By examining and evaluating the 'quantitative' aspects of the European response to the challenges of the 'knowledge-based economy', the book sets a good basis for further (more qualitative) research. Journal of Common Market Studies, 2006
Review
[caters] for both newcomers to the field of policy studies in modern Europe and for experienced policy-makers wishing to keep abreast of new trends and patterns. Journal of Social Policy, Vol. 35 (4), Oct 2006"This book is a good read." Journal of European Social Policy, 2006, no 16
Synopsis
The EU has defined the development of a socially cohesive, knowledge-based economy as its central task for the present decade. Progress has been mixed. This book assesses the challenge and the policy instruments which are being deployed. It offers an integrated treatment of these economic, social and policy-related changes, in a form accessible to those who need a broad-based appreciation of their implications. It is addressed to the policy generalist but it also points towards more specialist literatures for those who require them. Additionally, The European Challenge looks at four key aspects of socio-economic transformation and policy response, explores what indicators may be used for policy benchmarking, and examines how different national communities can make effective choices.
Synopsis
Economic and social change is accelerating under the twin impact of globalisation and the new information technologies. This book addresses questions of change with particular reference to the European Union, which has made the development of a socially cohesive, knowledge-based economy its central task for the present decade.
Synopsis
Economic and social change is accelerating under the twin impact of globalisation and the new information technologies. But how are these processes interrelated? Are they impelling us towards a common socio-economic future? What can governments do if they want to manage and steer the direction of development? This book addresses these questions with particular reference to the European Union, which has made the development of a socially cohesive, knowledge-based economy its central task for the present decade.
About the Author
Graham Room, Department of Social and Policy Sciences, University of Bath, in collaboration with, Jacob Dencik, University of Bath, Nick Gould, Department of Social and Policy Sciences, University of Bath, Richard Kamm, School of Management, University of Bath, Philip Powell, School of Management, University of Bath, Jan Steyaert, University of Bath, Richard Vidgen, School of Management, University of Bath and Adrian Winnett, Department of Environmental Science, Policy & Planning, University of Bath