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Composite indicators are a remarkably useful tool in policy analysis and public communication for assessing phenomena, such as Knowledge-Based Economy (KBE), that cannot be expressed by means of a simple indicator. The objective of this study is to propose and compare three MCA-DEA models from a "Benefit of Doubt" (BoD) approach in order to build KBE Composite Indicators. To show the effectiveness of the models, this paper proposes a case study of 36 European countries to assess the degree of development of KBE. The results revealed differences with respect to the optimal weights assigned to the sub-indicators, the discriminating power, the operability, and the participatory nature of the models. Model 1 yielded high scores for every country and low discriminating power. Model 2 favored the most efficient countries in terms of KBE and allows for the incorporation of expert knowledge, thereby giving flexibility to the process. Model 3 made it possible to construct composite indicators from an optimal balance approach and yielded low results overall. These results demonstrate the necessity to analyze the different choices for measuring KBE in order to determine which indicator is more suitable for each context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article provides fresh insights into the link between brand equity and firm-level productivity, including the direct effect and the potential interaction effect with research and development (R&D) and human capital. A panel data model using Chinese listed companies' accounting data from 2012 to 2017 is constructed to test our hypotheses. The main findings are as follows: First, both the direct effects and the potential interaction effects with R&D and human capital are significant. Second, a larger direct effect exists in large enterprises, state-owned enterprises, and manufacturing sector enterprises when considering firm heterogeneity. Third, when it comes to the interaction effect, firms are able to use R&D and human capital to enhance the impact of brand equity on firm productivity, while this effect is insignificant in non-state-owned and service sector enterprises. Overall, our results suggest brand equity will play an important role in future growth in China, and proper attention should be devoted to it in terms of policy and regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the relationship among engineers' basic skills, problem-finding and -solving capabilities, and innovation outcomes, using questionnaire survey data for Lao P.D.R., Thailand and Vietnam for the period 2016 to 2017. We perform two-stage least squares (2S.L.S.) estimations, which use the variables for engineers' basic skills and capabilities for finding and solving problems within the firm as instruments, and the indicators for capabilities for finding and solving problems of suppliers and customers as endogenous variables. The estimation results reveal the relationship between problem-finding and -solving capabilities and process innovation. The findings from the empirical analyses suggest a possible upgrading strategy for firms to transform quality control management into innovative abilities. The estimation results also support the necessity of policy support for nurturing both engineers' basic technological and managerial skills and capabilities for problem-finding and -solving. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]