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Knowledge Society

The transformation of existing societal structures--- by knowledge as a core resource for economic growth, employment and as a factor of production, constitutes the basis for designating advanced modern society as a "knowledge society." In a knowledge society the older measures of competitiveness such as labour costs, resource endowments and infrastructure get superceded by dimensions such as patents, research and development, availability of (or availability to afford) knowledge workers. 

The transformation of global economies to knowledge economies however does not guarantee economic growth with "equity" either within or between nations. This is because knowledge (inspite of its public good characteristics) becomes a much valued resource to be possessed and harnessed for its economic benefits. Further, the  value accrued to individual users through the availability of information is different and this has the potential to further widen the economic and knowledge gap-- as people are often not conscious of the global value of what they know or the potential value of absorbing the available information.

Creation of Knowledge Society with "Equity" : where does the answer lie?

The answer may lie in working towards a perfect knowledge society where all forms of knowledge get recognised and valued especially from where they originate, and also end up benefiting that society. It is a kind of dynamic process where it is not only the people who access information and knowledge, but also the same finds its way to the probable users.

The other factors which distinguish a knowledge society from a perfect knowledge society is that in the latter, all people have :

• Open and timely access to Information and Knowledge.

• The capacity to absorb and interpret information.

• Avenues and opportunities to use knowledge for informed decision-making and for transformation to higher quality of lives.

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