What Role Does Technology Play in General Development - Literature review Example

What role does technology play in development? Introduction Technology plays a huge role in the development. Technology has influenced not only society; it has shifted accents from technology as means of development to technology as a core issue of the society. Revolutionary developments of technology, innovations in fields of communications and information have influenced the society to the greatest extent. Currently there is a need in clarifications of the core role of information and communication technologies (Mansell, 1998; James, 2004). In case information field is equally distributed in developed and developing countries, the latter would have a chance to struggle with poverty, which is an evil of a modern society. Knowledge and technology should be considered together otherwise development is hampered. Nowadays information and communication technologies are the potential for the development. Therefore it is necessary to pay attention to distribution and application of these technologies in order to give equal rights to developed and developing countries (Wehelive, 2005, p. 39). This research paper considers technology and development with regard to information society. The works by Bell, Schumacher, Smith, Ovitt, Steinberg, Castells and others are focused on thee discussion of connection between technology and development. The majority of researchers claim that technology and development are closely connected and technology is considered to be a crucial factor in a modern society. On the other hand, inequity of technology distribution between developed and developing countries may be a drawback of development. Moreover, technological progress may be an obstacle to development. Thus it is relevant to discuss not technology, but intermediate or appropriate technology as it is suggested by Schumacher and Ovitt. Daniel Bell is focused on the study of the information society. His writings are mainly focused on three main issues: post-industrial information and workforce; the second one is about information flows; the third is focused on the discussion of connection between computers and the information revolution. Bell has always connected the society first with goods and then with services. Furthermore, Bell draws parallels between information and knowledge (Duff, 1998, p. 373). He emphasizes the significance of theoretical knowledge and its importance for a modern society. Thus Bell’s claim about the post-industrial society concerns theoretical knowledge as the only way to successful development. He suggests knowledge to be codified into symbols and be applied in any situation. Technology has always been of high importance for Bell. He was focused on technology as an initial point for future development. Thus Bell studies ‘futurology’ and makes an emphasis on a robotized service sector and “a new, automated economy” (Duff, 1998, p. 389). In such a way, it is possible to conclude that Bell makes an emphasis on technology and claims its priority with regard to society. Schumacher in his study claims that the developing societies should concentrate all their efforts on development of new technologies. Though there is a lack of working places, the developing countries are “in a process of accelerating decay” (Schumacher, 1973, p. 184). The main reason for a low-speed development is a lack of capital among unemployed. Thus unemployment leads to a low-speed development. Consequently, it is necessary to create “small-scale, more decentralized, more labourising forms of organization” (Schumacher, 1973, p. 185). Workplaces should be created in areas where people live; demands for workforce and skills required should be minimized; production from local material for local use should be developed. Moreover, costs saving is possible in the developing countries while modern equipment requires proper organization, finance etc, which doesn’t exist in the developing countries. Thus, ‘labor-intensive’ industries should be chosen by the developing countries. What is more important is a choice of appropriate technology. Schumacher speaks about intermediate technology, which requires as few finances as possible. Schumacher figuratively speaks about technology of developing countries: a $1 technology and technology of developed country-a $1000 technology (Schumacher, 1973, p.191). There is a necessity to work out a $100 technology. Cheaper equipment and exact specifications adaptable to market fluctuations are the best way to find a golden mean. In such a way “the whole community would have been set on the path of development” (Schumacher, 1973, p. 199). Dynamic approach to development, which is focused on intermediate technologies’ development, is needed for developing countries. Though there is no a strong claim that production of intermediate technologies would be good for export, there is a suggestion that these goods will be efficient for local use. Such alternative fields for intermediate technologies as: initial processing of agricultural products; production of building materials, clothing, household goods etc are relevant to developing countries (Schumacher, 1973, p. 200). In order to find out the best way for intermediate technologies’ development it is relevant to refer to experiences of developed countries. Therefore it is possible to conclude that intermediate technology is the technology which recognizes economic boundaries and limitations of poverty. Smith discusses a close connection between technology and development, technology and the society. From historical perspective, technology and development have always been discussed together. Their mutual linkage concerns their successes and failures (Smith, 2009). Technology is usually considered with regard to one or another inventions or technological areas. Nevertheless it is relevant to consider technology more globally: people are ‘embedded’ in technology; they produce and consume it. Society and technology are closely connected (Smith, 2009, p. 3). Science technology and development are often considered together as well. Economic growth is correlated with the development of the technology too. As a matter of fact, theoretically this interrelation is possible, but practically there are a lot of obstacles preventing economic growth, which is solely based on technological development. Two case studies presented by Smith, one about Asian Tigers and the second about Tanzanian telecentre, clearly show that modernization theory can clarify development process in different countries though there are particular ways of development relevant to a particular country. Moreover, it is necessary consider the article by Ovitt. Next to Schumacher, the author talks about alternative technology (AT). The main sense of this kind of technology is to reach greater political possibilities through technology (Ovitt, 1989, p. 2). Ovitt suggests local production for local purposes/consumers. Local production could be locally produced from raw materials. In such a way a possibility of dependency on foreign capital, spare parts and expensive energy inputs is reduced. Ovitt gives an example of Nicaragua when dependency on Western world was reduced by government. Ovitt next to Schumacher and their co-thinkers develops the idea that technological progress is a road to the development of the world of poor. A concept ‘development’ includes such issues as financial and intellectual capital import, the adoption of measures to control Labor and Labor unions and obligation of lower import duties (Ovitt, 1989, p. 5). Schumacher is a supporter of “technology for the masses”, Ovitt and his followers tend to think that AT is more practical than intermediate technology suggested by Schumacher. Schumacher’s theory suggests the ways for inequities’ reduction on an international level, where expensive technology prevails. Therefore in accordance with followers of AT theory, technology is the way to development that will be initiated on the lowest level, i.e. underprivileged representatives of the society will be the one who launch another step of development. Moreover, practical aspect of AT may be concluded in the following way: low capital costs of AT; local materials usage; creation of local jobs; employment of citizens locally; AT flexibility; collective work. The article by Steinberg suggests ICT (Information and Communication Technology) implementation in the developing countries as a right way to development. Nevertheless this kind of development is hard to be brought to life (Steinberg, 2003, p. 45). First of all, developed countries are more interested not in their assistance to the poor but in their own profits’ growth. Thus the author claims that not technology (hardware in this case) itself is a valuable contribution to the developing countries, but development of training programs, sharing expertise etc is preferred. Thus not technology itself, but knowledge about technology is relevant for further development. Another researcher, who pays attention to the importance of information in the society and information society itself, is Castells. Castells makes an attempt to get a unified, huge theory covering different aspects of different knowledge about society and humanity. In spite of the fact that Castells discusses different spheres of human activities (starting from architecture till programming) he reaches deep insights (Castells, 1996, p. 18). He invents new terms, such as ‘technopoles’, ‘milieux of information’ and others ; he combines different data and wants to reach common conclusion. Sometimes the author succeeds, sometimes he doesn’t. Long paragraphs and split ideas are hard to be totally perceived by the readers; on the other hand he underlines peculiarities from different spheres making these ideas not a smash, but a synthesis. Castells is a multi-sided intellectual, who offers a magnificent journey to his readers. He explains current trends in the society by technological and informational progress. Historical changes he also explains by development of information and technology. He even re-names capitalism into ‘informational capitalism’. Castells defines network society on the basis of productivity determination, which, in its turn, is “determined by the number of goods created by labor” (Castells, 1996, p. 41). Regions are able to progress on the basis of its growth and development. Castells also mentions about uneven development of different regions, just like Schumacher and Ovitt mention about developed and developing countries. Castells correlates technology and society in the following way: “Since productivity and development depend on symbolic communication, information processing and a technological skill, information and technology become the crucial factors in a developed society” (Castells, 1996, p. 42). Therefore he talks about informational development. Informationalism era is concerned about technological development. Castells, like Steinberg, talks about the importance of technological development nowadays and a lack of knowledge concern. Conclusion A connection between technology and development is direct and can’t be questioned. The only point, which has to be clarified is technology progress assisted by knowledge development. Under the circumstances of modern globalization, it is relevant to refer to appropriate information on new technology and its equal distribution, availability and affordability to both developed and developing countries (Sheasley, 2003, p. 38). Technology plays a crucial role in development in case it has a proper financing, performs social and informative function. In order to conclude what role technology plays in development, we’ll try to evaluate the main claims of the authors considered above. Bell draws parallels between information and knowledge, his ideas concern informative aspect of technology. Development for Bell is knowledge enrichment and modern society should strive for developing its knowledge. Schumacher makes an emphasis on crucial role of technology in development, only it is necessary to invent intermediate technology which will satisfy the needs of developing countries. He emphasizes the significance of theoretical knowledge and its crucial role for the modern society. Smith discusses technology from a global perspective. He underlines a close connection between society and technology. Ovitt complements ideas of Schumacher and discusses alternative technology, directed on development of production and consumption of the produced goods on a local level. Steinberg underlines relevant informative support of technology progress; knowledge about technology is as much important as technology itself. In the book by Castells we can see a lot of synthesized ideas about technology and development. He is more focused on information technology, while it provides society with means of communication. Therefore in the process of current study it is found out that there is a connection between technology and development. Technology influences the society, it directs its way of development. Technology is a way to struggle with poverty and to create a strong workforce and efficient production on local level in the developing countries. The only challenge is an efficient informative support of technology, availability of knowledge gaining throughout the world. In case these conditions are fulfilled, technology is a strong background for development. Works cited 1. Castells, M. (1996). The Rise of the Network Society. Wiley. 2. Duff, A.S. (1998). Daniel Bell’s theory of the information society. Journal of Information Science, 24 (6), 373-393. 3. James, J. (2004). Information Technology and Development: A New Paradigm for Delivering the Internet to Rural Areas in Developing Countries. New York: Routledge. 4. Mansell, R. (1998). Knowledge Societies: Information Technology for Sustainable Development. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 5. Ovitt, G. Jr. (1989). Appropriate Technology. Development and Social Change 40 (9), 1+. 6. Schumacher, E.F. (1973). Small is Beautiful: Economics As If People Mattered, Part III, Chapter 2, 181-201. 7. Sheasley, D. W. (2000). Taking an Options Approach to New Technology Development. Research Technology Management, 43 (6), 37+. 8. Smith, J. (2009). Science and Technology for Development (Development Matters). 9. Steinberg, J. (Spring 2003). Information Technology & Development: Beyond "Either/or". Brookings Review, 21 (2), 45+. 10. Wehelive, A.G. (December 1, 2005). A New Groove: Black Culture and Technology Development. Diverse Issues in Higher Education, 22 (21), 39+. Read More