Information and Knowledge Societies: Impact of Technology
Information Society
The Information Society is a stage of social development characterized by the ability of its members (Users, Infrastructure, Contents) to create, access, and share information instantly, from anywhere, and in any desired manner.
Key Features
- Information is the primary resource and is multi-focal.
- Outsourcing is a prevalent characteristic.
- Complexity and media presence increase after automation.
Components
Users
Individuals or organizations accessing content or services offered through the communications infrastructure.
- Citizens: Individuals who use the infrastructure.
- Businesses: Entities applying non-profit management procedures within their organization and operations.
- Governmental Organizations: Entities that aim to serve the public and manage public property.
Infrastructure
The set of technical means providing users access to information and telecommunications services.
Contents
All goods and services that users access through the infrastructure.
- Suppliers of tangible goods and products.
- Intangible Content Providers.
- Content services (e.g., online banking).
- Infomediation: Providing users with the means to search for other content.
Knowledge Society
The Knowledge Society is a stage of social development encompassing social, cultural, economic, political, and institutional dimensions, emphasizing personal and group development through knowledge. It focuses on humans, their cultures, their organizational and communication methods, using technology only as support. It represents an ideal or developmental stage towards which humanity is progressing, succeeding the current information age, achievable through media opportunities and the humanization of societies.
Identifying Elements
- Technological Revolution: Technological advances are significantly altering our way of life and communication.
- Economic Globalization: An economic process involving the increasing integration of individual national economies into a single global market economy.
- Network Organizations: An intelligent organizational method fostering self-generated growth and simplifying feedback cycles.
Impact of Technology
Technological Determinism
In its strongest form, it posits technology as the primary driver of societal change, relegating humans to a secondary role.
Luddism
A labor movement that gained momentum in England from 1811, characterized by spontaneous and disorganized revolts, often targeting means of production. Its followers, called Luddites, opposed any form of technology that, in their view, diminished human work capacity and creativity, favoring forms of technology that prioritized speed and productivity over human capital.
Information Literacy
Information literacy is knowing when and why information is needed, where to find it, and how to evaluate, use, and communicate it ethically. It is considered a prerequisite for effective participation in the Information Society.
Key Features
- Commonly used in professional circles.
- Includes media, technological, digital, and scientific literacy.
- Relates to constructivist learning approaches, empowering individuals to develop their critical thinking abilities.
- Also known as “Information Literacy Skills” or “Development of Information Literacy Skills.”