The role of information and communi

The role of information and communication technologies(ICT) has been growing in the economic and social liferecently. Information and communication technologies areone of the basic priorities of research and development(R&D) in the information society. In recent years,analyses on the impact of ICT on business and economicenvironment have been widely addressed by policymakers, technology developers, and science and businesssocieties more and more often. Studies of the socioeconomicimpact of ICT cover a wide spectrum ofquestions. The Institute for Prospective TechnologicalStudies (IPTS) defines five important thematic trends inICT research: macroeconomic and social conditions forICT-based innovations; ICT, organizational changes andtransformation of work processes; the social dimension ofICT; political instruments related to ICT development.In the case of ICT-related research, different visionsby information society of what ICT is and what role itshould play in directing research. Although variety ofpositions exists, ICT socio-economic impact remains one ofthe most often discussed issues. The spectrum of problemsdefined by IPTS shows that the impact of ICT is importantboth at macroeconomic and microeconomic levels as wellas on social and political processes affecting all economicsubjects’ activities.Consumers and producers form private sector andgovernment – public. ICT development has conditioned thefact that ICT is used by all economic entities in theiractivity. ICT creates opportunities for an economic entityand transforms its methods and techniques of activitysimultaneously.Evaluating the impact of ICT on business, it isnecessary to indicate that the implementation of ICTenabledsolutions is related to both internal and externalfactors. The implementation of ICT does not only meanacquiring certain software; it also affects different processesof the enterprise. The enterprise has to be able to change,because the implementation of ICT requires primarilytransformations inside the enterprise.Changes conditioned by ICT are closely related to theimpact of ICT on consumers. One of the main impacts ofICT is the capacity “to move people to the centre”. In thiscontext the European Union declares a possibility “tomove every citizen, home and school to the digital century;create literate Europe in digital systems supported bybusiness culture ready to finance and develop new ideas;ensure that the process is socially comprehensive,creating consumer reliance and enforcing social cohesion”.This includes efforts like the development of e-learning,e-government, e-health, etc.Usually e-Government is defined as the usage of ICTto provide public services (therefore, it is closely related toan administrative management unit); however, ICTenabledsolutions are also applied at various administrationlevels – international, national, regional or local. Theapplication at the local level is related to the concept of e-City. The concept of e-City is based not only on theprovision of information, but also on the possibility toinclude citizens into the life of a city more actively andmutually usefully. E.g. digital technologies (remotenetwork systems, internet and mobile technologies) areused to facilitate the process of decision-making for publicinstitutions, improve public policy in local communitiesand transform relations with citizens, business and otherpublic institutions.