Knowledge economy
In 2006, The Work Foundation - a
not-for-profit organisation that brings organisations together to
improve economic performance and the quality of working life -
identified Edinburgh and London as the UK's 'Ideopolises' - cities
that have adapted most rapidly to the demands of the knowledge
economy and that drive growth in the wider city-region. The study
was the culmination of a year-long research project covering ten UK
and four international cities.
Nearly half of Edinburgh's population are
employed in ‘knowledge jobs’ - including science and technology, education,
communications, financial services, business services and
research. Only Oxford and Cambridge have more graduates in their
workforces.
Research shows eastern Scotland's distribution
of employment in knowledge intensive sectors is heavily
concentrated in the following areas;
- Edinburgh 62.7%
- Dunfermline 6.9%
- Falkirk 5.3%
- Kirkcaldy 4.8%
- Stirling 4.1%.
Knowledge intensive sectors are
industries that are defined by the intrinsic nature of their final
outputs – technology, publishing and communications, finance
and business services, scientific research and development and
education (including libraries), cultural and creative
activities.
