Knowledge and Innovation for Competitiveness in Brazil

The research presented in this volume explains how well-educated workers can interact with physical capital inputs to innovate and add value to processes, products and services, ultimately creating a multiplier-effect on macroeconomic growth. It fills a significant gap in the existing literature by providing a detailed map of the relationship between microeconomic inputs such as health and education services and macroeconomic outputs such as growth. Grounded in economic theory and backed by economic analysis, Knowledge and Innovation for Competitiveness makes a compelling argument that human capital is one of the main keys to growth in an increasingly knowledge-driven global economy. The volume goes on to detail specific steps authorities can take to better prepare citizens and workers to innovate and compete. Using Brazil as a case study, it explains why some policies are effective, or ineffective, in training citizens and workers to adapt and apply new technologies in a fast-changing global economic environment. Starting with pre-school and extending through university and the workplace, Knowledge and Innovation for Competitiveness argues that it is possible to foster or frustrate competitiveness at any stage. As such, it should serve as an important sourcebook of pro-growth policy recommendations for authorities, both inside and outside Brazil.