Expanding the Definition and Measurement of Knowledge Economy： Integrating Triple Bottom Line Factors into Knowledge Economy Index Models and Methodologies

The application of knowledge is a primary source of growth in the knowledge economy. The World Bank Group has developed a rigorous assessment methodology for assessing a country＇s ability to access and use knowledge to become more competitive in the knowledge economy of the 21st century. The World Bank＇s annual knowledge economy index is grounded on a four-pillar model： （1） economic incentives and institutional regime; （2） education and skills; （3） information and communication infrastructure; and （4） innovation systems. An argument can be made that the model lacks coverage of some key factors that pertain to intellectual capital and the production and consumption of knowledge. The model＇s heavy focus on economic incentives and open institutional regimes comes at a societal cost. This paper proposes an alternative knowledge economy index which is grounded in a more holistic and balanced view of a knowledge society. Adopting the perspective of triple bottom line shifts the purpose and design of a knowledge economy from one of aggregation and reporting to action and involvement. The World Bank＇s scorecard and indexing methodology are adaptable to this new perspective and a new set of indicators.

A Literature Review on Sustainability of Bio-Based and Biodegradable Plastics:Challenges and Opportunities

This study examines the literature on bio-based and biodegradable plastics published between 2000 and 2021 and provides insights and research suggestions for the future.The study gathers data from the Scopus and ISI Web of Science databases,then picks 1042 publications objectively and analyses their metadata.Furthermore,144 papers from the Web of Science are analysed to present insights and classifications of the literature based on content analyses,including assessment/evaluation of the sustainability of bio-based and biodegradable Plastics,sustainability of biodegradable Plastics,and factors driving the uptake of biodegradable plastics.The study finds that most research on bio-based and biodegradable plastic film evaluations considered only one dimension of sustainability,few considered two dimensions,and very few considered three dimensions.Though,in recent years,academic and industrial interest has grown dramatically in biodegradable plastics towards sustainability.The triple bottom line method in this report(economic benefit,social responsibility,and environmental protection)was employed to assess the biodegradable plastics towards sustainability.Top journals,Influential authors,top contributing institutions,top contributing nations,and contributions by fields are all identified in this study.This research gives a detailed but straightforward theoretical design of bio-based and biodegradable polymers.The study’s results and future research initiatives provide a new path for further investigation and contribution to the field.