Information and Communication Technology - Research Paper Example

?Marketing Table of Contents Introduction 3 Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Policies 4 Promotion of ICT Policies 5 Benefits of the promotion of the ICT policies 7 Implementation of the Government ministries and Institutions 8 Conclusion 10 Works Cited 11 Name of the Student: Name of the Professor: Course Number: Date of the Paper: Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Introduction Information and communication are regarded as the integral part of human society. In many places around the world retrieval of information and presenting them has been done through painting, drama, song and dance. The introduction of writing changed the whole scenario enormously. The invention of the printing press allowed communication at massive scale through the use of magazines and newspapers. Then the technological invention made them speeded up the communication with the digital technology. The new inventions in the communication and technology are grouped into three categories: • Telecommunication technologies - telephones (with the fax system) and television and radio broadcasting which are often done through satellites. • Use of computers in Information technology has become crucial in the modern societies for processing of data and thus save effort and time. • Networking technologies includes internet which is the best source of information and also the best way of communication. Further network communication includes the mobile phone technology, satellite communication, Voice over IP technology (VOIP) and other forms of technology. The new technologies have become very important part of the society and people are using it at every second of their life. The use of ICT is very crucial for the large and small industries as well as the government. It is important for the industries to understand the ICT policy that are set by the government or the ruling authority. The Research Paper elaborates the promotion process of the ICT policies. The benefits that are achieved from communicating the ICT policies are also identified in the paper. The right execution of the ICT policies by the government is critical for the well being of the whole nation. The importance of the execution is further elaborated in the paper. The public is also affected by the ICT policies, so not only the organizations; they also need to know the details of the ICT policies that are developed by the government. Being a specialist of policy standards developments section, it is important to make strategies for promoting the ICT policies so that the mass and the industries are well aware of the policies that are set to be followed by them (Stoyles and Demant 165). Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Policies ICT policies can be defined as the course of action that are adopted and pursued by a government, party, ruler, statesman, etc. or any course of action which are followed by the organizations. The definition itself suggests that the policy is within the domain of those who are in power like the government officials or the official institutions. ICT policy covers three main areas, such as telecommunications (that signifies telephone communications), broadcasting (that includes television and radio) and lastly the internet. The ICT policies can be regional, national or international. Each of the areas has its own decision making bodies, which are involved in making policies for the concerned areas. Sometimes they from different policies and they may even form policies, which are contradictory. The polices are primarily made by the government officials but the different stakeholders and even the private sectors do have the authority to make little changes in the policy process and enjoy the outcomes (Watterville and Gilbert 193). For example, International Telecommunications Union of Nigeria, which is an intergovernmental body for governments have given the update that the policies are often modified by the multinationals. Promotion of ICT Policies It is important to promote the ICT policies. The following are the ways of promoting the ICT: 1) By facilitating ICT permission in devising promotion strategies of ICT policies, execute the ICT programs for promotion and leading the international ICT cooperation bodies. It is undertaking for related functions by the ICT Governance Policy and Planning Groups and thus leads the development of the multi-stakeholder policy. Efficient ICT policies and planning is the foundation of good Governance. The good communication of the ICT policies will make the societies ICT enabled and digital inclusion in all the communities and the sectors. ICT Governance Policy and Planning Group is important in playing a key role in examining, progressing and advocating the ICT related programs , projects, plans and standards. Thus, it provides research support for the Government, business and also to the society. 2) National Connectivity and Broadband Development Plan: Many international studies have related penetration of broadband in a country to its economic development. The right to use secure internet and access it at the maximum speed possible has been identified as the key driver of equity and participants by the different countries. The promotion for the universal accessibility of the broadband is ensured by government of the nations so that the benefit is enjoyed by the mass of the nation (Tatnal and Osorio 9). 3) Digital Strategy Implementation Plan: The Digital Strategy Implementation Plan is an important national roadmap for the promotion of ICT for the period from 2011 to 2016. The promotion strategies are paving way for full implementation and adaptation of the ICT along with the coordination from the government entities, civil society stakeholders and the private industry. 4) Cyber security and data privacy campaign: For the approaching threat to the cyber crime, the Data Privacy and Cybercrime Prevention Acts have been more stringent and provide support to prevent cyber crime. The cyber security and data privacy campaign is initiated to provide technical support to prevent cyber crime and protect the data from vulnerable usage. 5) ICT Procurement Standards: Initiatives are to be taken for the development of the standard bidding documents and the ICT Procurement Manuals. The ICT departments of organizations are seeking approval from the Government Procurement Policy Board for promotion of the ICT standards. 6) Digital TV Migration: Government of different countries should concentrate on introducing the use of Digital TV and thus focus to develop the policies for the issuance of the introduction plan. Promotion is to be done by the government to attract telecommunication industry. 7) ICT Standardization: Government helps in standardizing the ICT related processes and ICT products in alliance with the Department of Trade and Industry Bureau of Product Standards for promoting the National ICT Standards. 8) ICT Statistics Portal: The portal is the gateway for the government to get the regular update of the ICT related statistics. The updates help the government to promote the ICT policies, which will contribute to the national competiveness. Benefits of the promotion of the ICT policies ICT is an important driver behind the economic success of a developing country. The capacity of the developing country to prosper in the global economy is dependent on the objective of the ICT policies. It also depends on the ability for the proper execution of the policies. The main block in the advancement of progress is in the adaptation and execution process of the ICT policies, which is due to the difference in government towards the adequate investment on the ICT. The major hindrance towards the development of telecom service is the outlook of government and also the aspiration to control the population. Many only look at the expenses and do not give emphasis on the benefits that it brings to the developing countries on establishing a sound telecommunication structure. The economic benefits of the ICT Policies are the following: There are many economic benefits of the telecom both as the growing industry and also in terms of influence that it has on economic development. Telecommunications has brought the world under a single umbrella and has created new highways for high speed electronic data exchange. The economic influence of the ICT has been far reaching such as use of mobile phone, satellite television, telephones and also automatic teller machines. This is how ICT is changing the process of communication among people both formal and informal (Bouwma, Bart, Lidwien, and Jan 22). Various studies have shown that there has been close relation between the ICT and the economic development of the country. Researchers have found that there has been a mutually dependent relationship between the economic activities and the ICT infrastructure of the country (Etta and Elder 317). The social benefits of ICT policy are the following: There have been invaluable social benefits of ICT and all the benefits cannot be easily listed. The most important benefit is the social interaction. It describes the connection that is created between friends and relatives. ICT has changed the way of transaction that is being conducted, the way information is circulated and has also changed the way of education for the individual and group. ICT is successful in reducing the inequalities of opportunities between the rural and urban areas as internet has helped the rural areas to get access to the latest opportunities and the benefits that are available in different fields. The internet has made them educated and advanced in the changing world. The educational institutions have become more dependent on the telecommunications. Telecommunication has paved the way for the concept of distance learning which has helped in educating the rural areas (Doyal, Stephen 197). Implementation of the Government ministries and Institutions The privatization of the state owned companies has given the indication that the governments cannot control the telecommunication industry directly. The privatized telecommunication companies have been partially controlled by the foreign shareholders who look after their own interests. The large and rich corporations are more powerful than the developing countries in formulating policies and executing them properly. There are two sets of issues in the ICT policy that are critical to the civil society; they are access to the civil liberties and traditional media. It is important to make ICT accessible to everyone. In the areas where there is little access to telephones there is a huge challenge for ensuring the use of internet in that area. The responses in this places lie on the public access centers. In the richer areas, the basic access to the ICT is available to all and even broadband connections have become wide spread. Access to the traditional media is a crucial issue for the development of ICT. ICT network helps in spreading information among the industries. They even play an important role in distributing information to the agriculture and commerce related avenues. Industrial development needs the management of series of operations like control of the stocks, processing of materials, acquisition of supplies, recruitment of labor, delivery of goods to the buyers and most importantly billing and record keeping. The ICT plays a vital role in controlling and developing the operations efficiently (Roy 61). 1) Implementation of ICT policies in the healthcare: The implementation of ICT policies has helped in reducing costs and improving competency in the delivery of health care. The record regarding the numbers of patients per day can be sorted with the help of ICT. ICT helped in transmitting data electronically to the doctors, so that they can use the right medication process. Through the internet they also come to know about the recent developments in medicine and become aware of the newer techniques and instruments that are used in the medical process. 2) The implementation of ICT policies in the business: It has provided the businesses with latest information about competitors and helped in developing strong foundation. With the advent of information technologies, new avenues to socio economic and political development have been opened in many countries. Researchers have affirmed that ICT has certainly brought the forefront of domestic clash between each of the countries, among the capital and labor forces (Shimp 48). Conclusion It can be concluded that the development of ICT policies for the industries does not happen in isolation rather it happens according to the industrial environment that it encounters. If this does not happen, then the impact of ICT is unimportant on the economy of the nation. Works Cited Bouwman, Hary, Bart Van Den Hoof, Lidwien,Van De,Wijngaert and Jan, Van, Dijk. Information and Communication Technology in Organizations. California: Sage Publications. 2005. Print. (http://books.google.co.in/books?id=FzaHAcHhOHYC&printsec=frontcover&dq=Information+and+Communication+Technology&hl=en&sa=X&ei=PDcfUp-IBMqo0QXo04HICw&ved=0CC8Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=Information%20and%20Communication%20Technology&f=false) Doyal, Stephen. Understanding Information and Communication Technology. Cheltenham: Stanley Thornes Ltd. 2000. Print. (http://books.google.co.in/books?id=QtbSZDbRCzgC&printsec=frontcover&dq=Information+Technology&hl=en&sa=X&ei=qi8fUoWXFImRtQb_z4HgBg&ved=0CD4Q6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=Information%20Technology&f=false) Etta, Florence and Elder, Laurant. At the Crossroads: ICT Policy Making in East Africa. Kampala: East African Educational Publishers. 2005. Print. (http://books.google.co.in/books?id=GWWU6S7hXToC&printsec=frontcover&dq=Information+Technology&hl=en&sa=X&ei=qi8fUoWXFImRtQb_z4HgBg&ved=0CEoQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=Information%20Technology&f=false) Roy, Sumit. Globalization, ICT and Developing Nations. California: Sage Publications. 2005. Print. (http://books.google.co.in/books?id=HGoKcfdYqeMC&pg=PA60&dq=4.%09Roy,+Sumit.+Globalization,+ICT+and+Developing+Nations&hl=en&sa=X&ei=PTYfUrm2KoyxhAeAoYHgBw&ved=0CC8Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=4.%09Roy%2C%20Sumit.%20Globalization%2C%20ICT%20and%20Developing%20Nations&f=false) Shimp, Terrance. Integrated Marketing Communications in Advertising and Promotion. California: Thomson Southwestern. 2007. Print. (http://books.google.co.in/books?id=gWfVlJAp31wC&pg=PA48&dq=5.%09Shimp,+Terence.+Integrated+Marketing+Communications+in+Advertising+and+Promotion&hl=en&sa=X&ei=czYfUoXuFqWw7Ab9-ICgBQ&ved=0CDgQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=5.%09Shimp%2C%20Terence.%20Integrated%20Marketing%20Communications%20in%20Advertising%20and%20Promotion&f=false) Stoyles, Pennie and Demant, David. Information Technology. South Yaara: Macmillan Educational Australia Pvt. Ltd. 2004. Print. (in/books?id=nBAjkLZBzCIC&pg=PT5&dq=6.%09Stoyles,+Pennie+and+Demant,+David.+Information+Technology&hl=en&sa=X&ei=uTYfUuv5J8XN7AbCzIHgCg&ved=0CC0Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=6.%09Stoyles%2C Pennie and Demant%2C David. Information Technology&f=false) Tatnal, Arthur and Osorio, Javier. Information Technology and Educational Management in the Knowledge Society. Berlin: Springer. 2005. Print. (http://books.google.co.in/books?id=GWWU6S7hXToC&printsec=frontcover&dq=2.%09Tatnal,+Arthur+and+Osorio,+Javier.+Information+Technology+and+Educational+Management+in+the+Knowledge+Society&hl=en&sa=X&ei=EDYfUq2uOcm2hAfuv4Bo&ved=0CDEQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=2.%09Tatnal%2C%20Arthur%20and%20Osorio%2C%20Javier.%20Information%20Technology%20and%20Educational%20Management%20in%20the%20Knowledge%20Society&f=false) Watterville, Alastair and Gilbert, Lester. Advanced Information and Communication Technology. Oxford: Heinemann Educational Publishers. 2000. Print. (http://books.google.co.in/books?id=p42Clyi-aWMC&printsec=frontcover&dq=Advanced+Information+and+Communication+Technology&hl=en&sa=X&ei=GjcfUp2xKIqt7QaUtYGIBg&ved=0CDgQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=Advanced%20Information%20and%20Communication%20Technology&f=false) Read More