earticle

영어

This paper compares creativity capacities of 15 major OECD countries including Korea by measuring ‘Creativity Index’. Richard Florida has first developed Creativity Index. By comparing Creativity Indices of 15 countries, this paper aims to find the current status of Korea in knowledge-based or the so-called creative economy. To measure Creativity Index, the paper introduces almost same methodology used in Florida & Tinagli (2004), and improves it with recent data. In Florida & Tinagli (2004), Creativity Index was comprised of Talent Index, Technology Index, and Tolerance Index(3Ts) from 9 sub-indices. This paper modified the 9 sub-indices into 8 for more clarity in measuring. To measure one country’s relative position, the authors also employ '15 points grading'. The grading is to give 15 (points) to the country which has the highest value. Talent Index is comprised of Creative Class Index, Human Capital Index, and Scientific Talent Index. Finland is on the top among other countries. Sweden, Norway, and Switzerland are just behind the first one. For Korea the country is ranked 10th, because the country’s creative class index is not high. Technology Index is based on Innovation Index, High Tech Innovation Index, and R&D Index. Switzerland is the highest country defeating other countries. Sweden, Finland, and Japan are the second group members. Korea is the 6th because of its heavy R&D investments. In Tolerance Index, Sweden is the very tolerant country to minorities and non-traditional behaviors. Norway, the Netherlands, and Slovenia are the 2nd group. Korea, on the contrary, shows no excellence in‘tolerance’ ranking the bottom of the index. When the 3Ts are aggregated, Sweden is the top position in Creativity Index. In the 2nd group there are Switzerland, Finland, the Netherlands. Because of the country’s poor value of Tolerance Index. Korea is down there ranking the 11th. In conclusion, Korea’s Creativity Index is somewhat poor. In order for improving competitiveness in Creativity Index, authors recommend the following measures. First of all, society of Korea should be tolerant to minorities and non-traditional ideas & behaviors. Second, Korean government needs to pay more attention in promoting creative class in the longer term with large investments.