Information and Communication Technologies are widely considered to be enablers of globalisation processes, that is processes which cut across national boundaries, integrating and connecting communities in new space-time combinations, and making the world in reality and in experience more interconnected. This track is intended to explore the way information and communication technologies are involved in the complex globalisation process. There are both theoretical and practical issues that need to be addressed. Globalisation is not a homogeneous process.
Local culture mediates the globalisation processes.
The role of information and communication technologies in such a complex process, where the local is intertwined with the global and cultural aspects are combined with technical rationality are not well understood. The research and practice of information systems often assume that 'best practice' in the application of new technologies is transferable across organisational and national boundaries. Moreover, information and communcation technology is expected to lead organisations to adopt new and more effective structires and practices according to 'global' standards. Yet, research which examined the use of information technologies in specific contexts has shown that organisational actors are not restricted to following the formally determined ways of acting that are inscribed in information technology systems, but they improvise in ways which are maningful in their context. Last updated on Tuesday October 19th, 1999.