Communication by Design The Politics of Information and Communication Technologies

by Mansell, Robin; Silverstone, Roger

• ISBN13: 9780198294009
• ISBN10: 019829400X
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1998-04-30
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

The information revolution has been described as 'the biggesttechnological juggernaut that ever rolled' and every day we hear more about theInformation Super Highway. The information and communications technologies(ICTs) of the 1990s enable the electronic production and consumption ofincreasingly vast quantities of information. They affect business and consumer,educational and leisure activity. The consequences of these changes areunpredictable and contradictory and raise issues for governments, business,organizations and individuals.This book attempts to get to grips with some recent developments and offer someunderstanding of the likely effect. Because of the pervasive impact and quiteunique characteristics of ICTs as technology, the authors argue that it is onlythrough an interdisciplinary approach that we can grasp the implications andfully explore the uncertainties of the inter-relationship between the technicaland the socio-economic.Moving from economics to sociology and political science in its study ofinformation and communication, this book will be essential reading for all thosein these disciplines concerned to understand the ICT challenge. Two centralconcepts of design and capability run through the book, and the authors applythem to developments from the micro (domestic) level to the macro(international) level.Based on work done in the major UK research programme PICT (the Project onInformation and Communication Technology), the book is probing and reflective;its purpose is to provide tools of analysis rather than a catalogue ofdevelopments. Throughout the authors argue that the information age is aboutpeople, social organization, adaptation and control and not justtechnologies.

Table of Contents

Introduction

The Domestication of ICTs: Households, Families, and Technical Change

The Characteristics of Software and Systems Development Processes, Structures

Electronic Networking: Designing New Inter-firm Relationships

Designing Surveillance into the Public Switches Network

Standards and Communication Technologies: The Mediation of Institutions and Technical Complexity

Governance Institutions and ECT Regulatory and Trade Regimes

Conclusion

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