Placing Irelands transition to a knowledge economy within a global context

Throughout most of the 20th century the Republic of Ireland suffered from persistently high unemployment and chronic emigration and as a result employment creation drove industrial policy. During a period of rapid growth in the 1990s, Ireland achieved near full employment and the focus of industrial policy shifted from employment creation to actual development. This chapter demonstrates how a combination of endogenous and exogenous factors and conditions contributed to Ireland’s emerging knowledge economy. It argues that while Ireland is not on par with the world’s most advanced technology districts, there is nevertheless evidence that a solid foundation necessary to support more knowledge-driven activities is now in place