Communities of practice and purpose: Making knowledge work in the university industry interface

Tony Hall, Deirdre Hogan, Eamonn McQuade, Emma O’Brien, Rhona Sherry

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

Abstract

The recent history of Ireland’s economic development has been characterised by unprecedented growth and expansion. The key indicators combine to paint a very positive picture for the current status of the Irish economy. At the time of writing, there is full employment in the Irish economy (unemployment is less than 5 per cent); government debt (as a percentage of GNP) is at 34 per cent, down from 93 per cent in 1993; and GDP and GNP per capita are ahead of the related EU-15 measures. Furthermore, notwithstanding the recent economic downturn, which particularly affected software engineering and internet-related sectors, the Irish economy has continued to demonstrate impressive growth, and furthermore continues to attract considerable FDI (foreign direct investment) in the high value adding areas of information and communications technology (ICT), biomedical engineering and pharmaceuticals. However, there are growing concerns, despite these successes, about Ireland’s ability to maintain this level of economic growth, and also remain competitive in the face of intensifying international competition, particularly in the manufacturing and services sectors.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationSocial Capital, Lifelong Learning and the Management of Place
Subtitle of host publicationAn International Perspective
PublisherTaylor and Francis
Pages111-123
Number of pages13
ISBN (Electronic)9781134089505
ISBN (Print)0415427959, 9780415427951
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2007
Externally publishedYes

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