Knowledge economy in transition: the case of Singapore

Abstract

This chapter presents Singapore as a case study for the management of change as Singapore transits from a knowledge-based economy to the creative economy. Analysis of the knowledge-based economy suggests that competitive advantage is increasingly derived from investment in intangibles, particularly information and knowledge-based competencies. The film industry is chosen as a microcosm level of analysis to examine the state of the creative economy as the latest phase in Singapore’s economic development as technology and information are increasingly used to navigate and mediate its people, resources and capital. The objective of this research is to examine the types of competencies that enable firms in the industry to stay competitive in the contemporary knowledge-based economy in the light of technological development in the industry. In so doing, it seeks to shed light on what matters for the industry and the role that government has in shaping the creative economy.