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Information Society & Definition
Original course & content comes from Washington State University Extension, Center to Bridge the Digital Divide.
Information Society Definition
The information revolution and the applications of information and communication technologies are fundamental in conceptualising information society. The concept of the information society is defined through various perspectives. The key features of this 'society' are outlined in various academic writings, seminars, conferences, policy documents of government and several regional, international and global organizations. For example, the European Union High-Level Expert Group report of 1997, defines information society as:
Furthermore, information society embodies the utilization of this information in the creation of knowledge. Webster (1997: 1) comments that the information society is noted in:
Dennis McQuail (1997: 87) states that in the information society, "information work predominates, and information is the most valuable resource". He further notes that the characteristic of information society is an exponential increase in the production and flow of information of all kinds. One of the most explicit definitions of information society is the one offered by the Finland's Council of State. Information society is seen as a:
Based on our explanation of the concept of information society, we can identify various cogent points that characterize the 'information society' as enumerated by Nassimbeni (1998):
Technological Definition
The technological definition of the information society highlights the huge innovations in technology. The key innovations being technological advancements in information creation, processing, storage and transmission that have impacted the application of information and communication technologies in every sphere of society. Some of these technologies include computer technology and telecommunications technologies, which have revolutionized the socio-economic milieus of modern society.
Economic Definition The economic approach defines the 'information society' by attempting to analyze the information industries in statistical terms. This approach looks at the role of the information industries and traces their contribution to the Gross National Produce (GNP) and the economic viability of a nation. Five broad information industry groups are identified:
Working with these different categories and groups, Webster (1997: 11) suggests
Occupational Definitions This measure highlights occupational change as a basis for a new form of society. The point here is that there is an emergence of the information society when the preponderance of occupation is found in information work. The contention is that:
Spatial Definition The spatial approach to the concept of information society emphasises the role and importance of information networks, which connect locations and consequently impact on the organisation of time and space. The effects of these networks and the reordering of time and space can be seen in four interrelated elements in the transition to an 'information society':
Cultural Definition
The cultural approach points to the extraordinary increase in information in social circulation and how it affects the pattern of our everyday lives. Webster (1997: 22) notes that: Contemporary culture is manifestly more heavily information laden than any of its predecessors. We exist in a media-saturated environment, which means that life is quintessentially about symbolisation, about exchanging and receiving - or trying to exchange and resisting reception - messages about ourselves and others. It is in acknowledgement of this explosion of signification that many writers conceive of our having entered an information society.
Defining Scope of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs)
The driving forces of the information revolution and the 'information society' are the development, diffusion and use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in contemporary societies. The diffusion of ICTs has contributed enormously to the growth of economies in developed nations and developing nations are earnestly facilitating policy frameworks to ensure an equitable diffusion of these technologies.
ICTs refer to the various technologies that enhance the creation, storage, processing, communication and dissemination of information. ICTs also refer to the different infrastructures used in these processes, their applications and the numerous services these infrastructures render. We identify the following technologies as the elements of ICTs:
The development in telecommunications has impacted enormously on the applications of ICTs and their uses. Telecommunications technologies, coupled with computer technology have enhanced network-based information and communication platforms, such as the Internet. Telecommunications infrastructures in particular have become the driving forces of ICTs; they have the capability to link all various ICT elements together irrespective of locations and to provide a converging platform for these elements. The convergence of the various elements of ICTs has enhanced development in all spheres of human activities. Robin Mansell and Uta When (1998: 1) state, "advanced microelectronics-based information and communication technologies (ICTs) are at the heart of recent social and economic transformations in both the industrialised and many developing nations".
In 1995 and 1997, the United Nations Commission on Science and Technology for Development (UNCSTD) investigated the benefits and risks of ICTs. The result of this investigation showed many instances where the use of ICTs affords widespread social and economic benefits. There were also many instances where ICTs were making no differences in the lives of people in the developing countries. The result also showed that the diffusion of these technologies is extremely uneven throughout the developing world. As a result of this, there is a high risk that technologies and services will deepen the disadvantages of those without the skills and capabilities to make the investments required for building innovative ICT-based societies (Mansell & Wehn, 1998:1).
Information Society Definition
The information revolution and the applications of information and communication technologies are fundamental in conceptualising information society. The concept of the information society is defined through various perspectives. The key features of this 'society' are outlined in various academic writings, seminars, conferences, policy documents of government and several regional, international and global organizations. For example, the European Union High-Level Expert Group report of 1997, defines information society as:
The society that is currently being put in place, where low-cost information and data storage and transmission technologies are in general use. The generalisation of information and data use is being accompanied by organisational, commercial, social and legal innovations that will profoundly change life both in the world of work and in society generallyInformation society refers to a situation where information and communication technologies are integrated in industrial production and information dissemination in all fields. Technology instigates a new approach to the production, distribution and consumption of information. Information society refers to a situation where information becomes a source of income generation; where employment is found mostly in the information sector.(Nassimberi 1998: 154).
Furthermore, information society embodies the utilization of this information in the creation of knowledge. Webster (1997: 1) comments that the information society is noted in:
The emergence in recent years of an apparently new way of conceiving contemporary societies. Commentators have increasingly begun to talk about 'information' as a defining feature of the modern world. Much attention is now devoted to the 'informatisation' of social life.
Dennis McQuail (1997: 87) states that in the information society, "information work predominates, and information is the most valuable resource". He further notes that the characteristic of information society is an exponential increase in the production and flow of information of all kinds. One of the most explicit definitions of information society is the one offered by the Finland's Council of State. Information society is seen as a:
society which makes extensive use of information networks (meaning systems of IT hardware and services which provide users with delivery and retrieval services in a given area, e.g. electronic mail, directories and video services) and IT (information technology meaning the hardware, software and methods used for the automatic processing and transfer of data, and skills needed to use them), produces large quantities of information and communication products and services, and has a diversified content industry (Nassimbeni, 1998: 154).
Based on our explanation of the concept of information society, we can identify various cogent points that characterize the 'information society' as enumerated by Nassimbeni (1998):
- The importance of information and the creation of knowledge,
- The prominence of the role of IT in the production and dissemination of information,
- The use of information networks for the distribution of information;
- The radical changes in people's lives as a result of increasing integration of information and communication technologies (ICTs) into all spheres of public and private lives; and
- The necessity for citizens to be trained in new skills to allow them benefit from the access to a massively expanding store of information
Technological Definition
The technological definition of the information society highlights the huge innovations in technology. The key innovations being technological advancements in information creation, processing, storage and transmission that have impacted the application of information and communication technologies in every sphere of society. Some of these technologies include computer technology and telecommunications technologies, which have revolutionized the socio-economic milieus of modern society.
Economic Definition The economic approach defines the 'information society' by attempting to analyze the information industries in statistical terms. This approach looks at the role of the information industries and traces their contribution to the Gross National Produce (GNP) and the economic viability of a nation. Five broad information industry groups are identified:
(a) Education (e.g. schools, libraries and colleges)
(b) Media of Communication (eg. radio and television, advertising);
(c) Information machine (e.g computer equipment, musical instruments);
(d) Information services (e.g law, insurance, medicine)
(e) Other information activities (e.g research and development, non-profit activities).
Working with these different categories and groups, Webster (1997: 11) suggests
it is possible to ascribe an economic value to each and trace its contribution to gross national produce (GNP). If the trend is for these to account for an increased proportion of GNP, then one may claim to chart the emergence through time of an information economy.
Occupational Definitions This measure highlights occupational change as a basis for a new form of society. The point here is that there is an emergence of the information society when the preponderance of occupation is found in information work. The contention is that:
It appears obvious that as work which demands physical strength and manual dexterity such as hewing coal and farming the land declines to be replaced by more and more manipulation of figures and text such as in education and large bureaucracies, we are entering a new type of society (Webster, 1997: 14).
Spatial Definition The spatial approach to the concept of information society emphasises the role and importance of information networks, which connect locations and consequently impact on the organisation of time and space. The effects of these networks and the reordering of time and space can be seen in four interrelated elements in the transition to an 'information society':
- Information comes to occupy centre stage as the 'key strategic resource' on which the organisation of the world economy is dependent.
- Computer and communications technologies provide the infrastructure which enable information to be processed and distributed
- There has been a rapid growth of the 'tradeable information sector' of the economy in services such as the new media (satellite broadcasting, cable, video) and online databases
- The growing 'informatisation' of the economy is facilitating the integration of national and regional economies.
Cultural Definition
The cultural approach points to the extraordinary increase in information in social circulation and how it affects the pattern of our everyday lives. Webster (1997: 22) notes that: Contemporary culture is manifestly more heavily information laden than any of its predecessors. We exist in a media-saturated environment, which means that life is quintessentially about symbolisation, about exchanging and receiving - or trying to exchange and resisting reception - messages about ourselves and others. It is in acknowledgement of this explosion of signification that many writers conceive of our having entered an information society.
Defining Scope of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs)
The driving forces of the information revolution and the 'information society' are the development, diffusion and use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in contemporary societies. The diffusion of ICTs has contributed enormously to the growth of economies in developed nations and developing nations are earnestly facilitating policy frameworks to ensure an equitable diffusion of these technologies.
ICTs refer to the various technologies that enhance the creation, storage, processing, communication and dissemination of information. ICTs also refer to the different infrastructures used in these processes, their applications and the numerous services these infrastructures render. We identify the following technologies as the elements of ICTs:
- Media of Communication (e.g radio, television,)
- Information machine (e.g Computers)
- Telecommunications technologies and equipment (Satellites, fibre optic cables, phones, Facsimile machines)
The development in telecommunications has impacted enormously on the applications of ICTs and their uses. Telecommunications technologies, coupled with computer technology have enhanced network-based information and communication platforms, such as the Internet. Telecommunications infrastructures in particular have become the driving forces of ICTs; they have the capability to link all various ICT elements together irrespective of locations and to provide a converging platform for these elements. The convergence of the various elements of ICTs has enhanced development in all spheres of human activities. Robin Mansell and Uta When (1998: 1) state, "advanced microelectronics-based information and communication technologies (ICTs) are at the heart of recent social and economic transformations in both the industrialised and many developing nations".
In 1995 and 1997, the United Nations Commission on Science and Technology for Development (UNCSTD) investigated the benefits and risks of ICTs. The result of this investigation showed many instances where the use of ICTs affords widespread social and economic benefits. There were also many instances where ICTs were making no differences in the lives of people in the developing countries. The result also showed that the diffusion of these technologies is extremely uneven throughout the developing world. As a result of this, there is a high risk that technologies and services will deepen the disadvantages of those without the skills and capabilities to make the investments required for building innovative ICT-based societies (Mansell & Wehn, 1998:1).
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