The impact of global information on Africa

Abstract

Griffith and Smith (1994) believe that global information is a telecommunication infrastructure that links homes, businesses, schools, hopsitals and libraries to one another and to the vast array of electronic information resources. While in the UK most people have access to the Internet through the Joint Academic Network ( JANET), which links universities, research centers and government establishments, in Africa Fidonet is gaining popularity among professionals because it does not require powerful computer hardware and it can tolerate poor telephone lines. It is a "low-tech" and "lowcost" way of meeting communication needs (AAAS, 1995). It should be noted nevertheless that a low technology and low cost information system is not necessarily the best. I believe, this is the kind of deficiency that led Lau (1989) to declare that the developing countries will miss the "information revolution" too, given that they seem to be caught up in a "scarce-knowledge trap."The "information revolution" is about the transition from a material to an information society. In some countries, it marks the beginning of a process of de-industrialization and the transition from industrial to the information society. Brock et al. (1996) believe that there are three dimensions to this change:(1) The upgrading of processing information rather than materials as objects of economic activity. This underpins the technological dimension of the process. (2) The involvement of global communications networks, which is a pointer to sociocultural dimensions.(3) The change of the nature of work, which has profound socio-economic dimensions.

Global Information issues: LIS educators and the public good

“…In answer to the question,``does the highway go South?'' (Gilbert et al, 1994, in Thapisa, 2000), this paper is obvious proof of it having reached the southern tip of Africa. As educators in the post-apartheid era, we are enjoying fostering South-South links in matters, for example, pertaining to external examining, the publication of South-South journal articles (for instance in the African Journal of Library Archives and Information Science and Innovation) and in the sharing of this exchange through an Internet conference.…”

“…On the other side of the coin is the problem of the implications for those who, even in this high-tech age, are unable to gain efficient access? This relates to Lau's (1989) point in Thapisa (2000) about developing countries missing the information revolution. Budd (1995Budd ( /1996 quotes Karl Marx on the transformative power of technology.…”

“…As educators in the African context, our concern is how to achieve a balance of global and regional socio-economic concerns if power is located in the northern countries of the world. Thapisa (2000) notes the necessity to address the needs and concerns of African people on a sustainable basis. Part of this links to Diana Rosenberg's observation that:…”

The Neglected Continent of IS Research: A Research Agenda for Sub-Saharan Africa

“…Fidonet grew as a bulletin board, "store and forward" system running on PCs using dial-up lines and legacy systems for exchanging email, files, and news briefs. It was from the Fidonet gateway that the South African UNINET-ZA, Worknet/Sangonet evolved as one of the early academic networks using this "low-cost," "low-tech" approach (Thapisa, 1996). Unfortunately, few such applications have emerged.…”

“…IT policies or strategic buying plans that are necessary to relate IT acquisition to socioeconomic benefits are generally non-existent (Odedra et al, 1993). Unable to utilize or mobilize existing infrastructure resources, SSA seems to be caught in a "scarce-knowledge trap" (Thapisa, 1996). As Odedra et al (1993 p. 28) had rightly remarked, "At present, the most pressing need in SSA is not new systems, but rather the know-how to effectively use what is already there.…”