This volume analyses some of the major and current trends and challenges in the "new economy" from the point of view of technical innovation and competence building.It brings together the leading European expertise on different topics in this field.The contributors to this volume share the belief that knowledge is a fundamental component of economic growth and welfare. However, the ways in which knowledge is transmited and distributed among economic agents requires shaping by public policies.The individual chapters report on the most significant policies adopted and asses them in the light of...