Beyond the Digital Divide: A Conceptual Framework for Analyzing Knowledge Societies

Abstract

The research reported in this on-going study investigates the notion of knowledge assets developed within digital communities in the course of their economic or leisure activities. Ideally, the resulting knowledge is universal, affordable and relevant; this inclusiveness is a hallmark of any information or knowledge society. We rst synthesize the related research literature covering the areas of knowledge-based economies, knowledge societies and knowledge policies. We then develop a model using 13 dimensions that we claim are critical for creating a knowledge community in the digital economy. The model is validated against critique from a Delphi panel of researchers in the area. While creating a knowledge society encompasses dimensions pertaining to infrastructure, governance, talent and culture, the intangible assets are key to sustaining such societies. Governance and culture are instances of such intangibles. Talent may seem to be tangible but the human capacity for learning and development which leads to an innovative culture is less so. In any case, time is the essential ingredient for a knowledge culture to come about. Knowledge societies are not measurable constructs which may be quantitatively described and benchmarked with weighted summations of scores along prescribed dimensions. It would be a fallacy to treat the notion of a knowledge index as a socio-economic measure of success. We conclude with a practical view of how the dimensions may be best exploited in the course of a policy discussion on sustainable knowledge societies. It is hoped that the research will provide a framework for policy-makers and analysts to conduct qualitative discussions on creating and sustaining knowledge societies.

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