E-Policies and the Diversity of European Information Cultures

Abstract

The new information and communication technologies (ICTs) support and broaden access to information and are therefore the essential infrastructure in modern information societies. But why is it, that ICT usage patterns differ between countries and why is the Internet welcomed as a new source of information and knowledge, while in other countries the Internet is firstly associated to information overload and dangerous content? Why is it, that politics and administration in some countries quickly found a way to establish a better relationship with their citizens, while others feel disturbed in carrying out political practice and administrative power?

This paper aims to provide insights into predominately invisible and embedded information cultures and their influence on the diffusion and adoption of ICTs and the Internet in certain European countries. Therefore, an empirical approach to measure information culture and to cluster European countries according to different dimensions considered relevant for a countrys’ information culture. Disparities of different European communication cultures will be analyzed and special emphasis will be put on the question, which European countries can be labeled as most “open” (information-friendly) or restricted in terms of communication and information culture. The main focus of this paper will be put on the comparison of information society policies/e-policies in EU-Europe. Based on a model for cultural sensitive e-policy, the strategies and actions of e-policies in 8 selected countries have been analyzed. There is evidence, that in so-called information-friendly cultures, strategies and actions regarding information society development differ from information-restrictive cultures.

Keywords: E-Policy, Information Cultures, Internet, Culture, European Information Society, Comparative Policy Analysis