We study the paradigm shift from the material and monetary base of the industrial culture to intangible concepts (ideas and emotions) of the knowledge culture. This new field relies on several specialized areas of knowledge: ethics, epistemology, history of knowledge, economics, sociology of knowledge, political science and psychology as well as technology ¿particularly ITC and the digital ecosystem¿ and law. On these grounds, applications are developed for: studies of science and technology, knowledge and innovation management, scientific and technological intelligence, knowledge economy, knowledge-based development and knowledge cities, cultural and legal aspects of technology, ethics and economic culture.