A rchive Date
[ 19-02-2004 ]
Category
[ International Relations ]
sub-Categoy
[ U.S ]
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[http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/business/2405323
Study says Europe gaining edge on U.S.
`Tolerance' at issue for creative talent
Copyright 2004 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Feb. 16, 2004, 8:24PM
The United States is losing its technological edge over some European countries because of policies and perceptions that put the nation at a disadvantage in competing for creative workers, according to a study being released today.
The study, by economic development expert Richard Florida, contends that Sweden and Finland pose greater threats to America's economic leadership than China or India. Instead of worrying about large countries with low-cost manufacturing and business processing, Florida reasons, U.S. policy-makers need to pay attention to places that are attracting and mobilizing the talent needed for knowledge-based industries.
"For years the United States possessed an unchallenged competitive advantage in its ability to attract the best and brightest from Europe, Scandinavia and around the world," Florida writes. "For the first time, that advantage seems to be imperiled."
According to Florida, the United States is most vulnerable to European competition for talent when it comes to a factor he calls "tolerance." In a conference call last week with reporters, he said that policies restricting stem cell research and tightening visa requirements, as well as controversy over gay marriage, all send negative signals about the open-mindedness he considers instrumental to creative environments.
The study, from the Software Industry Center at Carnegie Mellon University, where Florida is a professor of economic development, compares the U.S. creative climate with what Florida and researcher Irene Tinagli found in 14 European countries.
The findings suggest that the United States continues to be the world's leader in technology and drawing top talent in such fields as science, research, the arts and technology-based industries.
But the report also shows rising competition from Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Belgium and the Netherlands, saying those countries "have considerable technological capabilities, have invested and continue to invest in developing creative talent and also appear to have the values and attitudes that are associated with the ability to attract creative people from the outside." The study also identifies Ireland as "up-and-coming."
At issue is Florida's belief that creativity has become the engine for economic growth and that regions can prosper by figuring out how to draw, keep and nurture creative workers. His book, The Rise of the Creative Class, has developed a wide and influential following.
 World Fact Book (CIA)
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