FDI and Transition to Knowledge Economy With Special Reference to India

Abstract

Economy consists of several economic activities like production, consumption, distribution etc. Nowadays, a new concept of knowledge economy has been introduced. A knowledge economy is an economy in which the production of goods and services is based primarily upon knowledge-intensive activities. At this phase, development has two aspects – quantitative and qualitative aspects. In qualitative aspects, concept of human development index (HDI) is included. HDI has been constructed on the basis of education index (EI), health index, and standard of living index. This education implies research and development. New growth theories emphasize the potential for human capital and increase knowledge to provide new sources of economic growth and high levels of productivity. Knowledge is a familiarity, awareness, or understanding of someone or something, such as facts, information, descriptions, or skills, which is acquired through experience or education by perceiving, discovering, or learning.In this paper, the HDI and EI of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries, in particular India, are taken into consideration. To study the knowledge economy as well as human capital, Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) is used. On the other hand, for analyzing the development of any sector of the economy, the role of FDI is important. Whether the role of FDI is still there in transition to knowledge economy or not, relationship between FDI confidence index and EI is taken into consideration. Data are used from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), World Investment Report, AT Kearney etc.