Jacques Berleur - Böcker

Governments, the media, the information technology industry and scientists publicly argue that information and communication technologies (ICT) will bring about an inevitable transition from "industrial" to "information" or "knowledge-based" economies and societies. It is assumed that all aspects of our economic and social lives, in both the public and private spheres, will be radically different from what they are today. The World Summit on the Information Society (Geneva 2003 - Tunis 2005) shows the importance of a worldwide reflection on those topics. Perspectives and Policies on ICT in Society explores the ICT policies of different nations and regions such as Africa, China, Europe, and India. The authors assess the arguments surrounding the impending new age, as well as some of the more sensitive issues of its developments. This progress will signal an expansion of ICT in many domains - the so-called ubiquity - such as in the workplace, the home, government, and education and it will affect privacy and professional ethics. The expansion will also encompass all parts of the earth, particularly developing countries.Such growth must take place in the context of historical dimensions and should underscore the accountability of professionals in the field.The intent of this book is to address these issues and to serve as a handbook of IFIP's TC9 "Computers and Society" committee. Thirty authors from twelve countries consider the ICT policies with their associated perspectives and they explore what may be the information age and the digital society of tomorrow. The book provides reflection on today's complex society and addresses the uncertain developments rising from an increasingly global and technologically connected world. Jacques Berleur is at the University of Namur, Belgium, and Chrisanthi Avgerou at the London School of Economics, United Kingdom.

The principal message of the 'Human Choice and Computers' (HCC) tradition and its associated conferences over the years is that there are choices and alternatives. In this volume, Social Informatics takes two directions. The first supports readers in interpreting of the meaning of Social Informatics. The second, more extensive part develops an overview of various applications of Social Informatics. Researchers inspired by Social Informatics touch many areas of human and social life.

UR Reader consists of a set of essays written by international authors many 0 of whom are acknowledged experts in one or more aspects of information technology (IT) and its implications for society. The contents have been influenced by the fact that the relationship between IT and society has to be considered in an holistic context. Our purpose has been to present this series of essays in the loosely related perspectives of landscapes which reflect that holism. As editors, we have chosen to leave people free to select the different perspectives and traverse the landscapes in any manner they choose. The Reader seeks to raise social awareness of the issues at stake when we talk 1 about computers and social accountability and aims to encourage wider discus­ sion of the issues involved. It has a normative set of aims and indicates a determi­ nation to explore a possible reshaping and restructuring of information technol­ ogy according to human needs. In an Epilogue, new pointers are given for action. In what follows, we describe the rationale behind "The Information Society: Evolving Landscapes"; we move from the conference held at the University of Namur in June, 1988, which shaped the perspectives, then on to the various routes by which the landscapes can be traversed.

The developments of information and communication technologies (ICT) are not always continuous, but may be influenced and shaped by unforeseen events and are therefore difficult to predict and control. This applies especially to the events of September 11 2001 and how ICT is used in economic and public applications. But even under pressures of terrorist actions, it is essential that human choice dominate how information and communication technologies are shaped, applied and used. This text presents different views about how terrorist actions are influencing political and social discussions and decisions, and it covers questions related to legitimacy and power in the information society. Ethical principles are important guidelines for responsible behaviour of IT professionals. But even under strong external pressure, long ranging aspects such as education and the roles of developing countries in the information society are important to discuss, especially to enable all to actively participate in information processes.

Governments, the media, the information technology industry and scientists publicly argue that information and communication technologies (ICT) will bring about an inevitable transition from "industrial" to "information" or "knowledge-based" economies and societies.  It is assumed that all aspects of our economic and social lives, in both the public and private spheres, will be radically different from what they are today.  The World Summit on the Information Society (Geneva 2003 - Tunis 2005) shows the importance of a worldwide reflection on those topics. Perspectives and Policies on ICT in Society explores the ICT policies of different nations and regions such as Africa, China, Europe, and India.  The authors assess the arguments surrounding the impending new age, as well as some of the more sensitive issues of its developments.  This progress will signal an expansion of ICT in many domains - the so-called ubiquity - such as in the workplace, the home, government, and education and it will affect privacy and professional ethics.  The expansion will also encompass all parts of the earth, particularly developing countries.  Such growth must take place in the context of historical dimensions and should underscore the accountability of professionals in the field.The intent of this book is to address these issues and to serve as a handbook of IFIP's TC9 "Computers and Society" committee.  Thirty authors from twelve countries consider the ICT policies with their associated perspectives and they explore what may be the information age and the digital society of tomorrow.  The book provides reflection on today's complex society and addresses the uncertain developments rising from an increasingly global and technologically connected world.Jacques Berleur is at the University of Namur, Belgium, and Chrisanthi Avgerou at the London School of Economics, United Kingdom.

The principal message of the 'Human Choice and Computers' (HCC) tradition and its associated conferences over the years is that there are choices and alternatives. In this volume, Social Informatics takes two directions. The first supports readers in interpreting of the meaning of Social Informatics. The second, more extensive part develops an overview of various applications of Social Informatics. Researchers inspired by Social Informatics touch many areas of human and social life.