Knowledge Based Economy Perception in Romanian Companies: An Empirical Study

Knowledge and ability to create it, access and use effectively, has long been both an instrument of innovation and competition and a key economic and social development. However, a series of dramatic changes in recent years have increased the importance of knowledge for generating competitive advantage. Ability to process and use information globally and instantly increased exponentially in recent years due to a combination of scientific progress in computing and distributed computing, exacerbation of competition, innovation in all its forms and cuts of operating costs in global communication networks. As barriers to access knowledge regarding a process, product or market are gradually decreasing (distance, geographical features, and costs), knowledge and skills are becoming increasingly a key to competitiveness, both locally and globally. This paper, based on a survey of 551 Romanian companies, address a sensitive issue of both business and academic fields perception of knowledge based economy in Romanian companies. Its conclusion can guide decision makers in Romania to develop an integrated approach to foster knowledge based economy in our country.