Norwegian position regarding the role of RTD related to
The Knowledge Society
Realising the Human, Social and Cultural Capital
in Reforms, Innovation and Social Change
1) Contribution to policy: A proposal for European research on the new framework
for work, health, welfare, growth and democracy
Europe is facing a period of social and institutional changes. Continued efforts to implement the
Lisbon strategy is followed up by initiatives where national institutions are facing the challenge
of entering European cooperation and common decision making. Traditional democracies must
develop new ways of working in a globalised and multicultural society at the same time as a new
Constitution for Europe is discussed. A series of new phenomena has to be followed up by
changes in policy directions. However, the necessary knowledge base for common European
positions and information to the society at large, is not yet properly develop. The aim of this
proposal is to provide an input to further development of a European Knowledge System.
The concepts of human, social and cultural capital can be related to studies of The Knowledge
Society and uncover new relations as basis for developing models and joint actions:
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Social capital refers to the institutions, relationships, and norms that shape the quality and
quantity of a society's social interactions. Social capital is not just the sum of the
institutions which underpin a society – it is the glue that holds them together.
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Social capital consists of the stock of active connections among people: the trust, mutual
understanding, and shared values and behaviours that bind the members of human
networks and communities and make cooperative action possible.
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In a rapidly changing world, the success of nations, communities and individuals may be
linked, more than ever before, to how they adapt to change, learn and share knowledge.
Although the evidence on social capital is less developed, reflecting the novelty of the
concept in economic and social science, there is a number of empirical studies which
suggest potentially important linkages between human and social capital.
(Source: Cohen and Prusak, World Bank, OECD)
A new understanding of knowledge as a dynamic element in social and economic development
has evolved over the last decade. The concepts of Knowledge Society and Knowledge Economy
are today widely accepted and used as a basis for research, policy development and in
understanding innovation systems.
As a dynamic element, knowledge is inextricably related to individuals and the human, social
and cultural dimensions. Following up the Lisbon Strategy to develop a competitive and dynamic
knowledge-based economy, the human, social and cultural dimensions should be considered a
capital. However, this capital is not evenly distributed in Europe and the basis for developing
policy towards knowledge institutions is not yet clearly understood - there is a European added
value in joint initiatives.
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Investing in economic and social sciences and the humanities, would contribute to the Lisbon
objectives and give input to a common knowledge base for policy and actions. In some regions
research institutions have established good and working relations between science, society and
industry, and these models should be further developed on the European level where there is still
an unrealised potential. Knowledge institutions in the economic and social sciences and the
humanities should be challenged in an effort to better understand National and European
Knowledge Systems.
2) The basic investments for social and economic growth: Research and education
Implementing the Knowledge Society must include reforms, innovations and change in Europe.
Public sector as well as private sector use research based knowledge as a platform for action.
However, we still have but a vague understanding of how to invest in knowledge, how to manage
knowledge flows, and how these areas relate to incentive structures and individual competence
or skill. Hence there is a need for better understanding of the human, social and cultural factors
that contribute to building the Knowledge Society. New research tasks on the European level
could be:
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The Knowledge Society and new relations between public and private sectors.
Better understanding of distribution and access to knowledge as a social good.
Research on learning cultures, education and lifelong learning related to social change
and processes of innovation.
One condition for effective social change is that the knowledge base for decision making
underpins changes introduced and that they are perceived as legitimate and necessary. Trust
between citizens, government and trade and industry, forms a basic triadic relation in societal
development. Understanding new relations between these institutions in the public and private
sectors, is of prime concern to The Knowledge Society, institutions in the higher education and
research sectors are of special concern. A new focus is needed on the following research areas:
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The role of knowledge institutions and how knowledge flows can be supported or
hindered.
Knowledge as a basis for equality related to an ideal of equal access to and distribution
of knowledge.
Knowledge production in Europe and the social contract between science and society
related to the basic set of ideals and values for modern democracies
3) Knowledge Society: New perspectives on work, welfare, family and gender
Future European welfare systems face the challenge of a changing environment, from a postindustrial to a knowledge based economy. Citizen's investment in education and competence is
rooted in mutual trust and expectations between individuals and society, and can be seen as a
quality criteria for democracy.
But modern societies have created new values, preference structures, and changes in family life
and gender relations. Women's participation in society contributed to economic growth, and it
created a new group of consumers. However, the fertility rate is now decreasing. The challenge
to comparative research is to study these changes and provide a better understanding of
similarities and differences between regions and cultures in Europe. The so-called Nordic model
is one amongst many in a diverse Europe. The variety of models could be studied and a
knowledge base for future policy choices be established. Some relevant research tasks could be:
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The relation between growth, knowledge, education, work and welfare.
Human, social and cultural capital in a rapid changing work market.
Women's participation in working life, and implications for economy, innovation,
equality and childhood in a knowledge based society.
Competitiveness in a knowledge based economy with a demographic trend showing an
ageing population.
4) Quality of life, health and health services: A platform for the knowledge society
The Knowledge Society must include all citizens and at the same time provide the most
favourable environment for innovation and knowledge production. The well-being of societies
and of its citizens are two sides of the same coin. The interdependence of individual behaviour
and the societal context with collective goods and infrastructures, can be considered a decisive
framework for an inclusive knowledge society. Welfare systems, health determinants and high
quality health care services are some of the important elements of this context. Knowledge is a
positive driver for growth, but it can also be a new mechanism for inequality and social
exclusion. In order to deepen understanding of these processes and prevent unintended
consequences, comparative and multidisciplinary research could be initiated in several areas:
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Health and health care systems as a basis for an inclusive knowledge society for all
citizens.
Disease prevention and organised dissemination and use of new knowledge.
Comparative studies of various models for organising health care systems.
5) Knowledge Society and the cultural dimension: Identity, language, history and values
Research in the humanities has a long tradition in shaping and contributing to the European
knowledge base. Philosophy, history, language and education represent the roots of ideas, ideals
and culture having shaped modern democracies, identities and to a large extent the European
Knowledge System. However, new technologies and multidisciplinary research have created
arenas for co-operation. Research related to language-technologies or the new software
development called creative industries are recent examples.
The future development of EU as a community is difficult to understand unless research in the
humanities is included as a priority. Important contributions from the humanities to the
European project can be made along a wide range of research themes, and some of them are:
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How are the basic democratic values maintained as a commonly accepted basis for
national and international societies.
Is there a common cultural platform in EU when including a diversity of cultures,
religions, and languages within a single European institutional framework
The enlargement of EU and the future of European languages
New research arenas linking the humanities, new technology and other disciplines
6)The new public-private relation: Innovation, human and social capital
Future growth and development of democracy, economy and welfare, depends on value creation
and a society's potential for social change and innovation. Innovation in trade and industry is
related to investments in research, learning and knowledge cultures as a basic human and social
capital. There is a need for better understanding of how this new type of investments can be
implemented, how to stimulate processes involved and relevant instruments for action .
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But innovation is also a challenge to public sector. On the European level reforms are prepared
and a new Constitution discussed. New relations will be established between European and
national institutions as part of a new system for policy development and decision making. The
knowledge base for creating visions, innovations and future decisions, must include social,
cultural and political dimensions. A long term innovation policy will also presuppose knowledge
about the fundamental conditions for European democracies and how to balance between
continuity and change. Relevant research tasks could be:
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The organisation of national systems of research and education, and the impact on
innovation, the value chain and the human and social capital.
Innovation systems in the knowledge society and the importance of human capital and
learning cultures.
The interplay between and new roles for public and private sector in defining innovation
policies for a knowledge based economy.
Innovation in public sector and new interinstitutional links on the local, regional, national
and European level.
7) Security, insecurity and risk
Security is a broad and multifaceted area related to complex technological systems as in the
transport sector and energy supply, as well as religion and the globalised multicultural society.
Research in this area should be based on an open definition of security including risk, insecurity,
accidents, natural disasters, organised crime and terrorism. The research should aim at
understanding these situations, but also consider mechanisms and actions to prevent them and
reduce undesirable consequences. Analysis could include a wide range of research areas such as
economy, technology, politics, culture, but also institutional and organisational arrangements.
Research focus could include:
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Human, social and cultural, as well as technological aspects of security and risk in
complex societal infrastructures.
Better understanding of social, regional and global changes with impact on security.
Environmental changes, health hazards and diseases in a globalised world.