Wong, Caroline, and Millar, Carla (2013) Singapore: a knowledge based city in transition. In: [Presented at the EURA 2013 Conference]. From: EURA 2013 Conference: cities as seedbeds for innovation, July 4-6 2013, Enschede, The Netherlands.

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Abstract

This paper presents a conceptual approach to the knowledge-based economy that focuses on the developmental synergies between technology, culture and place as expressed in the innovative milieu of the inner city. It draws on research in city and urban planning, which emphasizes the importance of quality of a place and the more intentional emphasis given to development of human and social capital, which is conducive to innovation, learning, creativity and change in a knowledge-based economy.

The Singapore experience is a very unique one in that institutional involvement plays a key role in positioning social and human capital as a strategic factor for its economic competitiveness and survival. In reality, Singapore's development approach has been and is very much built and based on a factor-driven strategy, institutional set up and the business environment. Although Singapore displays many characteristics typical of a knowledge-based economy in which people, their ideas and capabilities are the key sources of wealth and opportunities, yet there is seemingly the lack of cultural and environmental stimulation, which can determine the quality of life and buzz of the city-state. The urban cosmetic form (with its seemingly sterile and nanny state approach) belies a lack of network externalities, which can provide a platform for creative and innovative activity.

The originality and value of the paper lies in the analysis, which concludes that although Singapore’s developmental model had created benefits in many ways, it had also negatively constrained its development, particularly in the area of knowledge creation and application to entrepreneurship, innovation and creativity. There is seemingly a paradox in the transition from the technology-based economy to the knowledge and cultural creative economy and this might have implications for Singapore’s effort towards establishing itself as a renaissance city using culture to re-position its international image as a global city for the arts.

Item ID:	39621
Item Type:	Conference Item (Presentation)
Keywords:	KBE, ICT, culture, place, developmental state
Date Deposited:	21 Aug 2017 02:47
FoR Codes:	15 COMMERCE, MANAGEMENT, TOURISM AND SERVICES > 1503 Business and Management > 150308 International Business @ 100%
SEO Codes:	97 EXPANDING KNOWLEDGE > 970115 Expanding Knowledge in Commerce, Management, Tourism and Services @ 100%
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