Denmark is considered a role model with regards to knowledge transfer and collaboration between researchers and companies.

It is not science but a simple arithmetical problem which teachers, business managers and politicians ought to remember: a country with highly developed knowledge transfer scores higher in the total rankings over competitiveness.

To beginners this is formula that does not function in each case, but to minor countries with a population under 20 million such as for example Denmark this principle generally holds as the minor countries have the advantage of being more flexible with regards to the transfer of knowledge to society than major countries with large populations, writes Peter Lorange who is president of IMD to Børsen Business Daily.

Research and development play a significant role in this knowledge transfer. However, just as important as contents and ideas in research and development are the rate and efficiency with which it is spread out and shared with society.

Financial means for education, research and development from the private sector and flexible legislation are some of the decisive components which demonstrate why the above-mentioned countries to various degrees have been successful with this knowledge transfer.

The countries ought to consider it their duty to invest in education. Denmark, Iceland, Finland and Sweden are the top 5 leaders in the world with regards to invest their GNP (over 7 per cent) in education.