An international comparison of competitiveness in knowledge services

•We comparatively analyze the knowledge services industry in four countries.•Input-Output Tables published by each government are used as statistical data.•We use exogenous models that externalize the knowledge services industry.•We provide policy suggestions that will boost the knowledge services industry.

Knowledge services is a field that is expected to greatly invigorate the national economy, as it is considered a new growth engine for a world economy that is facing growth without employment. This study aims to comparatively analyze the present state of the knowledge services industry in Korea, the United States, the United Kingdom and Japan, and based on the analysis, to derive implications for policy that will boost the knowledge services industry in Korea. The most recent Input-Output Tables published by each government are used as statistical data, and serve as the reference for the comparative analysis.