Study again calls Mass. an economic leader

Massachusetts again topped a list of states making the transition to global, knowledge-based, and information-based economies, according to a study from two foundations.

The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, of Missouri, and the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, of Washington, D.C., compiled a "state new economy index" that charts the progress of states in moving from an old industrial model to new, more entrepreneurial economic models. They examined 26 indicators.

In the 2007 index, Massachusetts placed first, followed by New Jersey, Maryland, Washington state, and California, the foundations said; Massachusetts also held the top spot when the index was released in 1999 and 2002.

In the 2007 index, the five states that lagged the most in making the transition to newer economies were, in reverse order, West Virginia, Mississippi, South Dakota, Arkansas, and Alabama.

The study can be found at http://www.itif.org/index.php?id=30.
(By Chris Reidy, Globe staff)