Economic Competitiveness and International Knowledge. A Regional Project on the Global Economy and Higher Education in New England. Staff Paper II.

International knowledge and economic competitiveness are linked from three perspectives because appropriate connections are currently not being made between global economic change, the competitiveness of the American economy, and the international aspects of American higher education. Sections provide discussions of the following: an introductory metaphor; international knowledge defined; competitiveness defined; the problem of American competitiveness; New England in the pattern; strategies for competitiveness; lessons from Japan (international knowledge as business strategy); New England leaders' confirmation that international knowledge is a strength; eight linkages of competitiveness and international knowledge (e.g., the need for knowledge to compensate for a weak tradition, linkage of productivity lag and parochialism, increased export activity requiring international knowledge, and global perspective as essential); other studies and reports; and the New England leadership survey. New England leaders perceive a need to refocus what higher education is doing, so there is a challenge ahead for educational leadership and creativity with regard to both business preparation and citizenship education for the global economy. Tables are included. (SM)