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Knowledge-based economies and basing economies on knowledge: skills a missing link in GCC countries

While an information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure is a crucial ingredient of a knowledge-based... Show more
While an information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure is a crucial ingredient of a knowledge-based economy (KBE), a skilled labor force (human capital) and a supportive institutional and business environment are equally important ingredients to facilitate the appropriate use of knowledge for an economy’s level of development to increase productivity in all its activities. While skills, education, and training are given their own importance in many countries, these factors are not given as much attention as technologies in discussions of the knowledge economy. Without sufficient human capital and the appropriate policies in place to take advantage of adopted technologies, their potential is unlikely to be realized. In this paper, [the authors] adopt a cross-country perspective to assess the progress of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries on various dimensions of a knowledge economy, using indicators and sub-indicators developed by various organizations. [The authors] find that the GCC countries have performed well in providing a physical ICT infrastructure, but need to focus more on human capital and the business environment in order to foster the balanced development of their knowledge economies.
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Authors: Kumar, Krishna B.; Welsum, Desiree van

Date: 2013

Geographic subjects: Arab countries; Middle East

Resource type: Report, paper or authored book

Subjects: Economics; Technology; Workforce development ... [+] Show more
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Opportunities for all: mutually beneficial opportunities for Syrians and host countries in Middle Eastern labor markets

The Syrian Civil War has displaced 60 per cent of the country's population. Six million refugees live in neighborin... Show more
The Syrian Civil War has displaced 60 per cent of the country's population. Six million refugees live in neighboring countries in the Middle East. Such a large refugee influx has been a severe strain to these countries' labor markets, public services, and social cohesion. This RAND report examines the problems of and opportunities for the labor market for displaced Syrians in Turkey, Jordan, and Lebanon. The authors used multiple methods: interviews with stakeholders, focus groups with Syrian and host country workers, in-depth interviews with firms, and surveys of firms and Syrian households. The existing skill sets of the Syrians are compared to the needs of each country's labor market; and the steps needed to improve the overall economic climate and strategies for preserving and improving social cohesion of refugees and host communities are examined. Each country has its specific challenges. For example, in Turkey a key barrier for the refugees was the ability to speak the language. In Jordan and Lebanon, the existing economic slowdowns and lack of jobs were exacerbated by the arrival of the refugees. Working legally was a challenge in all countries. The authors conclude with recommendations tailored to each country. Some of these include offering language classes (in the case of Turkey); assessing geographic areas where jobs are needed and enabling migrants to move to these regions; improving each country's worker certification process so that qualified migrants can get jobs within their area of expertise; investing in infrastructure projects and better training courses; and improving the business environment for all.
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Authors: Kumar, Krishna B.; Culbertson, Shelly; Constant, Louay; Nataraj, Shanthi ... [+] Show more

Date: 2018

Geographic subjects: Syria; Lebanon; Jordan ... [+] Show more

Resource type: Report, paper or authored book

Series name: RAND research report

Subjects: Culture and society; Equity; Employment ... [+] Show more

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Knowledge-based economies and basing economies on knowledge: skills a missing link in GCC countries

Opportunities for all: mutually beneficial opportunities for Syrians and host countries in Middle Eastern labor markets