Object and Principles of Digital Policy Implementation

Abstract

The paper discusses digital policy as a qualitatively new stage of information policy. Digital policy is presented as a set of organizational measures based on the scientifically justified introduction of digital technologies into the economy. The paper presents the object of digital policy as a derivative of the essence of digital economy. The authors argue that the object of digital policy includes such phenomena of the digital economy as the assessment of quantitative results of digitalization; the specifics of digital divide and its forms; synergistic and diversified nature of today's digital life; the inconsistency of the impact of information resource on economic growth, economic structure and social processes; and the systematic quality development of the information society. Besides, four principles of building a digital policy are revealed. 1) Segmentarity implies that the essence of digital policy should depend on: a) its object and the sector that is the object of digitalization (for example, agriculture or the banking sector); b) the nature of the information technologies used (cellular communication or convergent technologies). 2) Multivariance implies the dependence on the chosen model of the digital society. Three possible models of information economy formation are identified: small-scale digitalization, large-scale digitalization, and a full-fledged information society. 3) Interlinking with the structural and innovative nature of the changes that are taking place is relevant since information technologies are innovative products and they have a contradictory impact on the economy. 4) Digital policies must combine a discretionary and nondiscretionary nature to ensure that the positive and negative effects of digital technologies are adequately reflected. Conclusion: The proposed principles should be taken into account in the implementation of digital policy.

Digital quality: from necessity to opportunity

“…For its successful formation and development, digital society needs a relationship of digital equality. Digital inequality is a barrier to the digital society and economy, while digital equality is suitable to its essence [9]. The problem of information equality/inequality in the new economy is not limited to indicators of accessibility of even the use of digital technologies.…”