Knowledge Intensive Production: The Case of the Furniture Industry

Abstract

New Zealand is currently debating its potential to contribute to what is commonly known as the "knowledge economy". In discussing the knowledge economy, politicians and certain academics tend to reduce it to industries such as information technology and biotechnology. However, both skill and design are forms of knowledge that are incorporated into value-added products such as high quality furniture. Denmark and Italy are two countries that have taken the lead in the export of such products.

This paper explores the role of skill and design in the Italian and Danish furniture industry in comparison with developments in the NZ furniture industry.