ICT in the Development of Society

While Information and communications technology have been applied as strategizing technology for the development of a country and society; we rarely hear any critical review about its role as a catalyst or in support of human development. Tengku Mohd. Azman (1988often emphasize that the use of any technology couldn’t be considered as neutral in terms of the human values its prescribed. On the contrary, technology is value intensive.

As such, information and communications technology, needs to be introduced and applied in accordance to the objectives and social structure of a prescribed society. As emphasized by OECD (1988), the change in technology is a social process and should be seen merely as a technical process that is free from the values upheld by its society. Such a process must acknowledge the inter-relationship between technical change, economic and social issues and must therefore be introduced through “institutional adaptation and a process which mediates between differences of interest”.

The evaluation of technology has become very important and this is the case with countries that choose to be the creative initiator in an environment that emphasizes deregulation. Therefore the introduction of a technology that is high in absorption rate such as information and communications technology needs to be carefully planned to ensure optimum benefit and thereby minimize all possible risks and ill effects. (Tengku Mohd Azman 1988, 1991b)

According to an analysis by Tengku Mohd Azzman (1988), one of the effects of information and communications technology is the communication via computer through the channel of telecommunications to create information networking that covers the whole world. In the OECD report (1989), the rise in this networking can be seen as the enhancement of human capability in two basic dimensions. First, the electronic infrastructure makes modern information flow easier and more effective. New opportunities arise for easier and more effective production and distribution of products. Next is the information network that enhances the optimization capability of factor inputs to satisfy the needs of consumers, to allow information and communications

technology moves to the “positive technology paradigm.” At this stage, economic growth rests largely on the use of intelligence and creativity of the human mind rather than the use of physical resources, which continues to be depleted. Finally economic growth takes place in an environment of intensive information and communications technology that is qualitative rather than quantitative. Therefore information and communications technology has the potential to bring about revolutionary change in any society. This resulted in both the automation of several simple operations and leads to qualitative changes to the basic thinking of the society together with its economic and social structure.

There are three impacts that need to be emphasized. First, the information and communications technology has the capacity to elevate human capital.

This makes opportunities for the people to be educated and gain knowledge are more easily achievable. This would eventually lead to greater potential to use the human capacity more effectively, particularly the ability to think, in achieving national development. The participation of each individual would be made easier and this would eventually ensure more equal distribution of wealth. This is followed by opportunities presented by information and communications technology to provide infrastructure and basic social facilities more effectively. It may happen directly, through education and electronic training, or even indirectly, through health and social services. Finally, information and communications technology allows for the networking of various organizations and groups without being restrained by the confines of time and space thus enabling management to plan for development more effectively. Close communication rapport between the participants in development is the only way to enhance everyone’s performance.

According to Tengku Mohd, Azzman (1990), the actual potential and effects of information and communications technology does not only rests on the ability of industry to generate economic growth. More importantly is the capability of information and communications technology to enhance human capability in handling information and knowledge, eventually use information and

knowledge to improve the social and economic status of the individual, family, society and the nation. Socio-economic progress in the future will depend on the ability of the individual in society to use and apply intelligence and creativity and benefits from it, rather than the use of physical strength and raw materials. In the context of human and society’s development, the prospect for information and communications technology can be seen from two perspectives. Initially information and communications technology will create opportunities for development. Subsequently, information and communications technology present the most effective way to exploit these opportunities.

We have for along time been confined to thinking that the development of society relies solely on economic growth. Economy has been said to be the source for all development efforts in a country and society. In fact, the World Bank is one of the international agencies that propagate the fact that per capita income is the indicator of development. This concepts neglects other factors which may be more important than economy, particularly when we are discussing the role of information and communications technology. The present environment for development has changed. Economy, industrialization, social development and other factors have been acknowledged as part of human wealth that lays the foundation for each society. The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) states: “human development is the process of enlarging people’s choices” and the “most critical of these choices are to live a long and healthy life, to be educated and to have access to resources needed for a decent standard of living.”

Developing countries have achieved a high rate of success in the development of man resulting from efforts to provide supply of food, health services, education and basic social services. The North-South development gap in terms of its effects, have been narrowed. Nevertheless the income gap between them continues to grow. The UNDP report emphasized several development trends and misconceptions that are related to human development.

First, on the average, human development in developing countries protects unequal development between urban and rural areas, men and women, as well as the rich and poor. Second, satisfactory human development can be achieved at a medium rate of income. Third, the inter-relation between economic development and human progress is not automatic. Economic development has to take place parallel to equal distribution and careful planning of public spending. Fourth, a developing country is not too poor to finance planning of human development, and at the same time implement economic growth. Fifth, an approach that emphasizes participation is very important for the implementation of a strategy to ensure successful human development. In other words, a country must provide a suitable environment and infrastructure to pave the way for development, efficient production and equitable distribution, but it must not be linked to the open market mechanism.

The concept of human development emphasizes once again the role of the human being in development.