The Importance of Globalisation and Learning Capital for Economic Growth

Abstract

Research background: In our paper, we focus on two important phenomena that are currently culminating and bringing their positive as well as negative consequences. They are globalization and the learning capital. In research, experts are primarily oriented on globalization, which we perceive so intensely in our daily lives. There exist extensive studies developed on a theoretical, methodological as well as empirical basis. Experts are intensively dealing also with the human capital and, above all, with its impact on various socio-economic phenomena. However, they are paying less attention to the learning capital, which we consider one dimension of the human capital. Purpose of the article: Link between the human capital and the economic growth has long been clarified, but the relation between the learning capital is not remained at forefront of the research intentions. For this reason, we have decided to examine the interconnectedness between globalization and the learning capital in selected EU countries and to determine its contribution to the economic growth. Methods: In quantification of globalization, we use the overall KOF Globalization Index, which consists of 3 components: the economic, social and political dimensions. There does not exist uniform procedure for examining the learning capital. For this reason, we rely on Human Development Index data. Findings & Value added: In the empirical analysis, we focus on the evaluation of the current state of globalization as well as the learning capital in the Slovak Republic and verify the established hypotheses concerning the interconnection of these two phenomena and their impact on the economic growth.