The Information Society: An International Perspective

(Hardback)

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While most industrial nations have already begun to adapt to the information explosion, developing countries have suffered a lag in keeping up. The Information Society: An International Perspective examines many of the issues facing all nations, but especially the Third World, as information continues to assume a more central place. Critical analyses of the political and economic impact resulting from the diffusion of information are provided throughout by author Raul Luciano Katz. The international workforce is given close attention as internal structural similarities between countries are highlighted. Other subjects covered include communications and industrial policies, mass communication, and modernization. American Libraries Katz examines the development of the information society in developing countries and offers a comprehensive comparison of how such a society evolves in developed and developing nations. Among the issues explored are: the emergence of a sizable information workforce across countries; the occurrence of internal structural similarities of information workforces in different countries; and the existence of global trends in the diffusion of information techniques. In the absence of common trends and development patterns, the author offers an explanation of the factors causing different evolutional paths. Based on his analysis, Katz derives new hypotheses for the diffusion of information technologies and the expansion of information workforce in developing countries.

Reviews

Katz, a professional consultant, extends the research of others on the growth and development of information societies. Beginning with comparative data on the structure and size of the information work force in developed and developing countries, he examines the importance of the socioeconomic and political environment on the adaptation of contemporary information technologies. The author concludes that the development and significance of information resources changes according to different historical periods and that on a worldwide basis the diffusion of electronic-based information technologies varies widely. The volume is succinctly written and contains voluminous tabular and graphic presentations. Appendixes provide information necessary for understanding the statistical measurements. Katz's analysis is a unique and important addition to other recent, more narrowly focused works.-Choice
This book examines how the employment and utilization of information workers are influenced by the economic and political forces in developed and developing countries. . . . This is a good scholarly work and should be of interest to any academician investigating this area.-Information Science
"This book examines how the employment and utilization of information workers are influenced by the economic and political forces in developed and developing countries. . . . This is a good scholarly work and should be of interest to any academician investigating this area."-Information Science
"Katz, a professional consultant, extends the research of others on the growth and development of information societies. Beginning with comparative data on the structure and size of the information work force in developed and developing countries, he examines the importance of the socioeconomic and political environment on the adaptation of contemporary information technologies. The author concludes that the development and significance of information resources changes according to different historical periods and that on a worldwide basis the diffusion of electronic-based information technologies varies widely. The volume is succinctly written and contains voluminous tabular and graphic presentations. Appendixes provide information necessary for understanding the statistical measurements. Katz's analysis is a unique and important addition to other recent, more narrowly focused works."-Choice

Author Bio

RAUL LUCIANO KATZ is a consultant with Booz, Allen and Hamilton, Inc., specializing in strategic applications and management of information technologies.