What is the impact of information technology on economic development?
Friday, March 07, 2003
A new report from the Brookings Institution tries to answer that question.
The answers are surprising, but understandable. The best way to think about regional clusters is not clusters of companies, but clusters of functions (like data processing or distribution, for example). Different functions can be gloabally connected easily. That opens the door for regions to focus on key niches and to build global networks based on these functional niches.
Perhaps most significantly, the report signals that the old formulas of recruitment -- target relatively broad industry groupings -- are running out of steam.
The researchers interviewed the CIOs and information architects of 28 companies in five metropolitan areas and found that even "old" manufacturing industries were accelerating their use of information technology to automate tasks and scatter operations around the world.
posted by Ed Morrison |
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Some Background on EDPro Weblog
The purpose of this weblog is to help economic development professionals -- EDPros -- keep up with the changes sweeping our profession. Strap on your goggles. It's a whole new game. There are no experts any more. The only place to learn about economic development is from other EDPros who are doing it.
One other point: the prevaling approach (paradigm, if you like) in economic development is shifting from competition to collaboration. There are a lot of reaasons underlying this shift, but here's the important insight: You, your community, and your region will do better by collaborating and sharing information.
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Speaking and workshops on Open Source Economic Development
As the idea of Open Source Economic Development starts spreading, more people are asking about it. Visit the I-Open web site to learn more. My colleagues and I are happy to explain the basic concepts in a talk or a workshop. E-mail Susan Alshuler if you'd like to learn more about workshops and speaking.
Background on Ed Morrison
Download some background information on me here.
What is the impact of information technology on economic development?
