Glossary of definitions on R&D in the developing world

Monday, 28 May 2012

Knowledge economy

Definitions

Definitions have been adapted from three main sources: Cordis (ECC), the Frascati Manual (FM) and the Oslo Manual (OM), with thanks to the providers.

I

Intangible assets

That part of a company's value that is made up of its staff and their skills, knowledge and creativity, the fundamental sources of wealth and value in a knowledge-based economy (see also tacit knowledge) (ECC).

K

Knowledge base

The body of knowledge on which a particular industrial sector relies for its advancement. The knowledge base can include not only codified knowledge but also tacit knowledge and knowledge embedded in plant and equipment (ECC).

S

Spin-off/spin-out

A company established to commercialise the knowledge and skills of a university or corporate research team (ECC).

T

Tacit knowledge

Knowledge that has not been codified, but remains held in the heads and embodied in skills of researchers, and in the owner/managers and key employees of companies (see also intangible assets and codified knowledge) (ECC).

Technological capability

The ability to make use of knowledge to acquire, assimilate, adapt, and change existing technologies and develop new products and processes (see also technological learning).

Technological learning

The process of accumulating the capability to innovate (see also technological capabilities and innovation

U

University-industry links

Open and continuous interaction between industry and higher education institutions, which is now acknowledged to be a critical element of a successful innovation system. Universities are now adding the diffusion of knowledge to their traditional missions of education and research (see also industrial liaison office) (ECC).

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