Globalisation, Knowledge Economy and the Information Profession

The terms 'Information Society' and 'Globalisation' have been in vogue for sometime now. These have primarily been employed to emphasize the transformations that have been taking place in recent decades in the society. 'Information society' is a society in which the creation, distribution, diffusion, use and applications of information is a significant economic, political, and cultural activity. More specifically it refers to the changes that are takmg place as a direct consequence of the impact of ICTs on activities and processes related to information and knowledge including generation, accessing, transfer and communication, use and application. While there is no universally accepted definition of what an 'information society' is, most people agree that there has been a transformation which started some time between Ae 1970s and today and is brining about fimdamental changes in the ways societies work. Information Society is seen as "a society that makes extensive use of information networks and information technology, generates large quantities of information and communication products and services, and has diversified content industry". The sociologist Roland Robertson defined it as 'the tempering effects of local conditions on global pressures', popularized the term, which became prominent in delate 1980s. A third and related term is 'Knowledge Economy'. This refers to the use of knowledge and information to generate wealth and produce economic benefits. The phrase was popularised by Peter Drucker. Knowledge economy is the economic counterpart of tfie 'information society' in;which the ability to access and apply information is a major economic factor. Globalisation' and 'Knowledge Economy' clearly share a mutual 'cause and effect' relg^tion provided countries and organizations put in place effective mechanisms to derive positive benefits fix)m these developments.