1. To review of the Knowledge-Based Economy (KBE) experience in Europe as well as to propose a European research programme evaluating and promoting prospects in the field of KBE - this was the general aim of the study. In the context of the Lisbon Strategy, methodology, conclusions and recommendations presented by the OECD, the European Commission, the World Bank and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe have been exploited. In particular, the Knowledge Assessment Methodology (KAM), offered by the World Bank Institute in the Internet, has been applied in the analytical exercise on country level. 2. Detailed aims of this study read as follows: * determining the present stage of development of the KBE in 8 countries - 4 EU member states: the Netherlands, Sweden, the United Kingdom and Germany as well as 4 the Visegrad countries: the Czech Republic, Hungary, the Slovak Republic and Poland (the analysis on a country level has been followed by a representative sample of regions - in a comparative analysis of KBE indicators); * providing an insight into future challenges and possible actions / trajectories on country and regional levels, including TNCs and SMEs interdependence in knowledge management and KBE development (including the impact of foreign direct investment on creation and maintenance of social capital); * drafting an international, multiregional research programme. 3. The proposed international, multiregional research programme includes three perspectives of contributions: * the theoretical and conceptual reflection, * the empirical studies and monitoring process, * the pragmatically oriented activities, especially the advisory mission. Within trajectories of 22 regions of the 8 European countries, we have foreseen monitoring of interactions of three communities creating knowledge-based economies and knowledge-based societies: * the business community, * the academic community, * the community of public authorities (self-governmental and governmental). A sample set of basic indicators - ...