Measuring and Meta-measuring: In Search of New Pathways for Modelling Impacts of ICT-Enabled Services on the Information Society

Abstract

Measuring the development of the Information Society is not an easy issue. And it is further complicated when it comes to measure how Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) contribute effectively to socio-economic impact. As a matter of fact we can even observe a paradox with regard to how the Information Society developments are measured: in fact, despite large volumes of data, the quality inference is very limited. Within this context, the paper first presents an appraisal of the history and debate on this topic and track record of ICT and Information Society measuring, discussing limiting factors and blind spots as well as new perspectives worth pursuing. It further suggests some concrete emerging steps in the couple measuring-modelling and discusses the most promising tracks to tackle grand challenge level issues. In doing so the paper claims there is a need for developing meta-measuring and multi-modelling approaches addressing macro-economic needs informed by micro-economic indications. In this regard the paper concludes outlining how user-driven dynamics and transformational compass indications can lead us to a better understanding and measurement of divergent Information Society dynamics such as for example: participation and democracy, computer access and literacy and welfare, information and knowledge society, vulnerabilities and governance.