The Development of Knowledge-Based Economy in Taiwan, China, and Hong Kong: A Comparative Study

• Main Authors: Jo-Ning Chen, 陳若寧
• Other Authors: Monchi Lio
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2002
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/84920336742713618703

碩士 === 國立中山大學 === 大陸研究所 === 90 === Abstract The purpose of this study is to investigate and compare the development of knowledge-based economy and related policies in Taiwan, China and Hong Kong. Furthermore, a cross-country analysis of knowledge-based economy is conducted. The meaning and content of knowledge-based economy are firstly analyzed in the light of innovation theory and human capital theory. A cross-country empirical study is then conducted. The data source is 2001 World Development Indicators CD-Rom published by the World Bank. Utilizing the method of factor analysis, we extract two important factors characterizing knowledge-based economy. The first is the efficiency of communication and exchanging information, which represents the efficiency of delivering knowledge, and the level of human capital, which represents the stock of knowledge. The regression method is used to analyze the relationships between the two factors and productivity. It is found that both factors have strong positive effects on GDP per capita, agriculture value added per worker, and research and development expenditure. Individual indicators in the two factors are used to evaluate and compare the performance of Taiwan, China, and Hong Kong. It is found that Taiwan’s level of knowledge-based economy is similar to the average level of APEC memberships, but better than that of East Asia, of Pacific countries, and of upper-middle income countries. China’s level of knowledge-based economy is obviously not able to catch up with the average level of APEC memberships, that of East Asia, that of Pacific countries, and that of low-middle income countries. The performance of knowledge-based economy of Hong Kong is much better and equal to that of OECD and of G8 memberships. Our findings imply that the performance of knowledge-based economy of Taiwan is better than that of China, but inferior to that of Hong Kong and that of Japan, Singapore, and Korea. The reason might be that Taiwan’s implementation of related national policies falls behind these countries. We suggest that the government should put more emphasis on implementing information and communication infrastructure in order to enhance the efficiency of delivering, stirring up, and diffusing of knowledge.