Introduction

The Internet is rapidly transforming and enhancing many aspects of modern society including education, social and cultural structures, politics, health care, and economics. The Internet is quickly becoming the mainstream media because of the many positive effects that it has on the way that users communicate, receive and disseminate information.

Through the Internet, information can be obtained or sent around the world instantaneously, with the simple click of a mouse. The Internet allows information to be accessed, produced, transmitted, and disseminated at an extremely fast pace.

The recent rise and adoption of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), such as the Internet, raise a variety of questions and concerns. The digital divide is rapidly increasing because developed countries continue to adopt ICTs and improve technologies while developing countries fall behind because they do not have the resources to provide access to ICTs. There are an estimated 429 million people online globally, but this represents only 6% percent of the worlds entire population. The United States leads in Internet use and has more computers than the rest of the world combined.

Universal access to ICTs is needed in order for all people to benefit from the Internet. Through initiatives and programs led by developed countries and international organizations, universal access could eventually become a reality. Regulations and laws concerning content on the Internet are hard to establish because the Internet crosses international borders. This research project will study the international impact of information and communication technologies such as the Internet. All of the previous mentioned issues are briefly discussed in the following essays.

The Digital Divide

There is an increasing division in information and communication technologies (ICT) between developed and developing countries. This division, called the digital divide, has many negative consequences. According to the 2002 World Telecommunications Development Report, sponsored by the International Telecommunications Union, the digital divide between rich and poor countries is growing at a rapid and steady rate. The digital divide is caused by numerous socio-demographic factors including class, sex, generation, region, economic power, social status, education level, and occupation. As developed countries continue to increase and improve their accessibility and use of technologies, such as the Internet, developing countries continue to fall further and further behind. There is also a great disparity in the quality of Internet access in countries around the world. This contributes to the growing digital divide.

According to the article "Digital Divide: Conceptual Discussions and Prospect" by Mun-Cho Kim and Jong-Kil Kim, "90 percent of Internet servers in the world are located in developed countries and New York City has more Internet servers than all the servers in Africa combined." The United States is leading the world in the ICT revolution and continues to improve and adopt new technologies. As the United States and other developed countries, such as those in the European Union, improve in technological development, other countries remain far behind.

Through the Internet, a vast amount of information can be transmitted, transformed, and obtained in a small amount of time. According to an article by Kimberly Speight on "Gaps in the Worldwide Information Explosion: How the Internet is Affecting the Worldwide Knowledge Gap" published in the "Telematics and Informatics" journal, there is a difference in accessibility among countries with higher and lower economic status, and also within individual countries. Those countries with a higher economic status get information easier and faster, causing the digital divide to increase. Economic inequality leads to the digital divide, but economic access does not guarantee that a particular country or region has access or the skills required to use communication technologies.

The article "Digital Divide: Conceptual Discussions and Prospect" by Mun-Cho Kim and Jong-Kil Kim discusses the digital divide and the effects that it has on individual countries and international relations. "Class and regional differences are clearly manifested in the use of the new medium, resulting in social and regional gaps in information distribution." Technology is informative, entertaining, expensive, and complicated. The advent of the Internet has led to an increase in the amount and quality of information that is available to members of a society. The Internet has also revolutionized ways of using, finding, and exchanging information. Countries that are behind in technological development cannot reap the many benefits and positive effects of new communication technologies, such as the Internet.

Kim argues that the digital divide is multidimensional and can be divided into three levels. The three levels are access to information devices and information (media accessibility), the ability to utilize information resources (information mobilization), and the eagerness of a population to use information devices and information resources (information consciousness). These levels have an enormous effect on the increasing digital divide.

Media accessibility plays a large role in a countrys ability to participate in the information revolution. Economic resources are necessary for a particular country or region to be able to purchase the necessary equipment to use ICTs. The access or lack of access to a PC modem, phone lines, Internet equipment, and information providers determines the countrys ability to participate. Those who are connected must purchase a computer, modem, and pay for the access to information. This limits the opportunity to access ICTs and excludes the poor because media accessibility depends on economic resources.

Information mobilization refers to all activities involved in using communication technologies such as the operation of devices, familiarity with software and programs, and the ability to search and find valuable information. Access to ICT does not guarantee that the user will be intelligent enough to need and use the information. Kim calls this a "utilization divide." The article states: "with an increase in quantity of information, there emerges the demand for enhanced information utilization and for information equipment with a bigger capacity and better performance."

Information consciousness is the ability to judge between good and bad information. People cannot benefit from access to information if they cannot decipher between what is good and bad. Non-economic factors, such as social and cultural needs, are important because users must be able to use the information to benefit them in some way or to better their quality of life.

Kim suggests that in order to narrow the digital divide, all of the three levels must be addressed. To increase media accessibility, we need to enhance the availability of information media. The price of PCs, modems, and Internet services needs to be drastically reduced. In order to ensure information is utilized, formal education including technological training should be implemented and strongly encouraged. A continuing education program will be necessary for the older generations. People must be educated in order to increase their information consciousness to a level in which they can use the information that is available for their personal benefit.

Information access is linked to economic conditions and information utilization is linked to the social environment. Both are indicators of the digital divide.

In the article "Why the Digital Divide Must be Reduced" in "Financial Times Information," Ronald Roach describes the negative consequences of the digital divide. He argues that technology "delivers basic services in more efficient and innovative ways." These services include better health care, more efficient government, and improved social structures because of the many advantages and timesaving characteristics of the Internet. Developing countries remain isolated and far behind, while developed countries continue to improve and prosper in many different ways. Roach discusses the barriers that inhibit international Internet access, such as language (most web pages are in English), gender, economics, accessibility, and legal and regulatory structures.

The 2002 World Development Report urges the developed world to begin funding grass-roots projects that use communication technologies to improve conditions in developing nations. It also suggests building infrastructure and starting technical start-ups in developing nations.

An article by Jeffrey Sachs on "A New Map of the World" located in "The Economist Newspaper," suggests that the world is divided by technology and it is the responsibility of rich countries to help the poor countries catch up. Sachs says that nations need to rethink globalism in order to develop a "technologically driven character of global economy." He also suggests that the governments of rich countries need to participate in international assistance by adopting aid programs that will assist poor countries in acquiring and adopting ICTs.

Developed Countries

Developed countries are leading the technological revolution in which access to ICT is becoming much easier. Countries with the most economic power also have the greatest access to and best technologies. Developed countries have the resources to adopt and improve new and existing technologies. The adoption of new technologies leads to an increase in economic power because of the advantages of ICTs, such as the Internet.

Having the ability to use communication technologies within a society has many advantages. Electronic Commerce (EC) allows businesses to sell products and services to customers quickly, easily, and without the concern of distance. Consumers can view and purchase products and services on the Internet, rather than having to actually go to a particular business for the transaction. The Internet also simplifies business-to-business transactions, which can have a positive effect on the economy. Electronic mail allows for quick and easy communication. All of these advantages improve economic conditions and simplify daily activities for users. Developed countries can adopt the required technology to improve and simplify business and communication, which leads to economic improvement.

The advantages of ICT are discussed in the article "Social Trends of the Information and Communication Technologies in Spain," by Jose Antonio Diaz Martinez. The Universidad Nacional de Educaciòn conducted a study to examine how ICT has impacted society and the future of Spain. The study found that ICTs allow users to obtain, reproduce, modify, transmit, and transform information. There are many advantages to ICTs, such as electronic-commerce, "intelligent homes," safer cars, tele-work, and human-technology interface. Electronic-commerce provides a secure system for commercial transaction that is easily accessible. The home, which was once a private place, now has the ability to become an open or public space. Individuals can carry out many types of social and economic activities from the comfort of their own "intelligent homes." Cars are safer because of the insertion of interactive guidance systems with autopilot navigation and collision warning devices.

The United States has become a "New Economy" in which business firms use the ICT revolution and globalization of business to improve productivity. The article "Economic Growth in the New Economy from Advanced Economies" by Jukka Jalava and Matti Pohjola states the advantages and causes of the ICT revolution for developed countries. The ICT revolution has led to a sharp decline in the prices and improvement in the quality of equipment and software. Leading countries in the ICT revolution include the United Sates, Sweden, Japan, and the Republic of Korea.

According to the article by Ezter Hargittai entitled "Weaving the Western Web: Explaining the Difference in Internet Connectivity Among OECD Countries" in "Telecommunications Policy," economic wealth and telecommunications policy are the best predictors of Internet accessibility. Hargittai argues that the level of diffusion on the Internet in a particular country can influence that countrys place in the global economy. Because a country must have a certain amount of economic wealth to purchase and adopt new communication technologies, economic status affects Internet diffusion. Hargittai discusses the factors that can influence a countries access to technology. These factors include human capital, education, knowledge of the English language, the legal environment, and existing technologies within a country.

The positive effects of having the resources to access communication technologies are discussed in the article "Closing the Digital Divide in Rural America" by Edwin Parker. "As the global economy converts to a highly interconnected information-intensive economy, communities left off the new broad-band network will inevitably suffer economic decline." Therefore developed countries, who already have prospering economic conditions, will not only have the ability to adopt and improve new and existing technologies, but will become more and more powerful in the global economy, leaving underdeveloped countries far behind.

In the article "Internet Access in the European Union and in the US" located in "Telematics and Informatics," Johannes M. Bauer, Michel Berne, and Carleen Maitland argue that there is a link between "income level and distribution of a nation and Internet access." The article states the following: "within a given regulatory and institutional setting, individual demand for Internet access is dependent on the utility driven from access, the price of access, and disposable income." Obviously, countries with higher average income levels are more likely to have higher numbers of Internet users because the people can afford to buy the required technology. The article suggests that the United States and Europe lead in Internet use because the governments provide the correct technology and the people can afford to purchase it.

Developed countries continue to improve their access to technology. According to an article by Roel Janssen, "EU and the Internet: An overview of current events and trends in Europes capitals" in the "Europe" journal, the countries in the European Union are quickly increasing their use of the Internet. Although some have been slow to adopt the Internet, such as Athens and Paris, the number of Internet users in developed countries continues to rise at a steady pace.

There is a growing concern that the Internet will lead to an increase in United States cultural dominance. Westernization, or the influence of western ideas on other countries, will continue to increase because of the nature of the information that is available on the Internet. Because the Internet was started in the United States, the majority of web pages are in English. US products and services dominate the Internet market. Western transnational firms continue to grow and increase in size. All of these factors lead to a western cultural dominance. Hamid Mowlana discusses the idea of western cultural dominance in the article "The communications paradox: globalization may be just another word for Western cultural dominance" found in the "Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists." Mowlana argues that countries that lead in use of technology, such as the US and European countries, dominate the societies and cultures that fall behind. This increases the digital divide between developed and developing countries.

Underdeveloped Countries

Countries that are still developing, or underdeveloped countries, are far behind developed countries in terms of information and communication technologies (ICTs). These countries are poor and do not have the resources to adopt new technologies that would allow them to catch up to the developed countries. Underdeveloped countries that do not have access to the Internet have many disadvantages. They are more likely to have extensive poverty, poor education, high illiteracy rates, lacking healthcare, and diminutive access to information. This lack of accessibility causes these countries to remain powerless in terms of economy because they cannot fully participate in the global market.

Underdeveloped countries are at a disadvantage because they do not have the ability to provide access to important technologies. Because they cannot increase their participation in the global market, they remain economically powerless. The relationship between poverty and technology is a continuous cycle. Poor countries cannot participate in the technological revolution in order to improve their economic and social development. This increases the digital divide at a continuous and exponential rate.

According to the article "New Economy and ICT development in China" in "Information Economics and Policy" by Qingxuan Meng and Mingzhi Li, there are many reasons why developing countries remain far behind in terms of technology. Using the example of China, which is slow in industrialization, has a huge population, and a low level of computer literacy; the authors discuss the reasons why some countries are slow to adopt new technologies. Many technologies replace labor and can lead to unemployment. The rise of global markets is also important to the adoption of new technologies. China is slowly developing a new economy, which is market-based and industrial. There remains, however, a huge gap in the ICT industry.

Jacques Bonjawo describes the current situation in Africa in the article "Bridging the Digital Divide Between Africa and the Rest of the World" in "Africa News Service." He says that ICTs impact the economic and social development of a country. Africa is currently improving access to the Internet through the development of cheaper technologies, better education, and economic integration. Hopefully, this will alleviate poverty and will allow Africa to grow economically.

According to a report by the International Telecommunications Union discussed in the article "Digital Divide Widest in Africa but Focus on Digital Development" by Charles Cobb Jr., Africa currently has one percent of the worlds Internet users. Every country in Africa is now online and the usage of the Internet is increasing. The digital divide in Africa can be linked to economic and social transformation. Cobb argues that there are many complex problems in Africa that inhibit and decelerate the adoption and improvement of communication technologies. Even as Africa attempts to improve access and use of these technologies, complex problems remain that will not be solved through the adoption of ICTs. As underdeveloped countries race to keep up with developed countries, they may be hindered by problems that are not of concern to developed countries. "The race to parity with the developed world does not secure the developing world."

Socio-economic realities of Africa inhibit the development of the Internet as a mass medium. The cost of accessing the Internet is far beyond the income of the majority of the population in Africa, making it expensive and almost impossible. Language is another barrier. According to the article "The Development of the Internet in South Africa" by Marcia Wilson, only nine percent of the population speaks English, which is the language of the majority of websites. The access to and level of education provides another barrier because many of the people are not educated enough to need or use the Internet. The Internet has emerged within the academic communities, but remains foreign and unnecessary to the majority of the population.

Cobb suggests that in order for digital development to occur, Africa needs to develop "effective strategies that foster conditions necessary for innovation and the productive, efficient deployment of technology." Efficient infrastructure and affordable access to communication technologies are imperative for digital development. Cheaper computers and equipment, training in technology, and improved telephone reliability are essential to make the Internet a mass medium in Africa. This will require a great deal intellectual and financial capital.

In the article by Jeffrey James "Low Cost Information Technology in Developing Countries: Current Opportunities and Problems" in "Habitat International" he argues that low-cost versions of information technologies are needed to diminish the divide between rich and poor nations. He explains the situation in which "innovations have emerged in India as a result of deliberate research efforts to design telecommunication technologies for socioeconomic conditions prevailing in rural areas." The Indian Centre for Development of Telelmatics developed cheaper and more accessible technologies for the rural areas of the country, such as digital switch and the CorDect, both of which replace expensive equipment and increase access to technologies.

The article "The Internet in Saudi Arabia" by Khalid Al-Tawil, discusses the improvements and problems in the development of the Internet in Islamic countries. Saudi Arabia has a department called the Internet Service Unit, which was developed in 1998, that provides Internet access to universities and licensed commercial Internet Service Providers (ISPs). The ISPs provide access to individuals, companies, organizations, and government agencies. Saudi Arabia developed the National Backbone, which is a high-speed network. There are extremely severe restrictions on international traffic, which is monitored by Internal Link. Saudi Arabia is involved and concerned with the censorship of information that is available to the population. The protection of religious values and national security are among the main concerns.

The dissemination of news is also carefully censored by the King Abdulaz City for Science and Technology (KACST). All newsgroups come from a central news server that is severely censored before it is released.

Saudi Arabia has numerous problems that slow digital development. Limited international bandwidth, limited access to the Internet backbone, and the limitation of a single international gateway to the country. All Internet traffic comes in though KASCT, due to tight security and control.

Kuwait is another example of an Islamic country that is trying to improve access and use of the Internet. The article "Global culture or culture clash: new information technologies in the Islamic World - a view from Kuwait" by Deborah Wheeler, says that the government of Kuwait is actively promoting the Internet, but is very concerned about the effects of foreign values on the Islamic community. Wheeler discusses the idea that western knowledge leads to power. Power leads to economic prosperity, which provides resources necessary for rapid technological change. Islamic countries are skeptical about the dissemination of western ideas on their society. Gulfnet is the sole provider of Internet access, with approximately 45,000 Internet users. Local cultural frameworks play an important role in networked communications and adaptations to the global economy. Kuwait differs from developed countries in many ways. These include the adaptations to global networked communications, government censorship, companies using the Internet to reinforce a local identity, and the use of the Internet to spread Islamic conservatism.

Special Situations

Asia has attempted to regulate content on the Internet in order to protect the public from harmful materials. The Chinese and Singaporean government have emphasized the need to prevent criminal behavior and the spread of harmful information. Continuing the tradition of guarding against harmful media content, the importance of freedom of information and freedom of speech are undermined for the sake of social harmony and political stability. National sovereignty has also played an enormous role as these governments attempt to maintain their own cultural identity and autonomy by monitoring and censoring the Internet.

The development of the Internet in China has been extremely rapid. It continues to grow exponentially. Research and education institutions have quickly started using computer networks. The first network in China is the CAnet and was established in 1987. Its first Internet E-mail link to the rest of the world was established in the Institute of High Energy Physics (IHEP) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

The article "Great lead or long march: some policy issues of the development of the Internet in China" by Wei Wu, describes the backward information infrastructure that has been a major barrier to the development of the Internet in China. Major obstacles have limited the ability of the Chinese people to access the Internet. Low teledensity, or a shortage of telephone lines is one of these obstacles. A low computer penetration rate also keeps many families from being able to afford access to the Internet. Slow speed and congested networks, inadequate information databases, and inadequate funding have also contributed to the lack of access and small usage percentages. Other barriers include high illiteracy rates, poor computer skills, lack of trained personnel, increasing disparities between haves and have-nots, immature markets, and inadequate policymaking.

The article "Regulating network communication in Asia: a different balancing act?" by Georgette Wang describes regulations concerning the Internet in Asia. The Chinese government took the first step to ensuring security on the net through self-censorship in 1994. Chinas State Council issued Executive Order No. 147, "Security Regulations for Computer Information Systems in the Peoples Republic of China." This requires owners of computer information systems to implement access control, administrative control, and personnel control. In September 1996, the Chinese government blocked access to a hundred sites that contained pornographic material, "Western decadent culture," and information with political implications such sites run by the Taiwanese government or Tibetan exiles. They also monitor content from foreign media such as CNN and The Wall Street Journal.

Singapore has a unique approach to adopting and improving ICTs. This unique island city-state is home to 4 million people and is one of the most wired nations in the world. The availability and accessibility of broadband and Internet connectivity in Singapore is unparalleled in Asia. The government and citizens embrace ICT positively. New and improved technologies are introduced on a rapid and broad scale. The government in Singapore embraces and invites change. They have committed billions of dollars to developing education, technology, and infrastructure.

In order to survive in global marketplace, countries such as Singapore need to be flexible and adapt to rapidly changing technological environments. In the interconnected world of today, the ability to access and use information is extremely valuable.

The approach to adopting and improving ICTs in Singapore is based on the idea that wealth is generated by the creation of new ideas. The article "Science in Singapore - Riding the Knowledge Wave" located in "Science Next Wave" by Jennie Wong, states "the knowledge wave is gaining momentum by the day." Niche areas include information technology, telecommunications, software solutions, education, technological innovations, environmental management, and biomedical science. Singapore has a great deal of competition in all of these areas from emerging Asian economies. Because Singapore has no natural resources, the government is starting initiatives to reach a knowledge-based economy, in which science systems play an important role.

The article "Government Initiatives and the Knowledge Economy: Case of Singapore" by Chew Lay Lek and Suliman AL-Hawamleh, offers explanations of initiatives that have been established in Singapore. The government in Singapore developed initiatives, such as IT2000, that "aim to transform Singapore into an intelligent island" where the use of technology will be pervasive in every aspect of society. The strategies are to develop Singapore into a global hub, boost economic engines, enhance the potential of individuals, link communities locally and globally, and improve the overall quality of life. Initiatives in Singapore are intended to develop a knowledge infrastructure and human and intellectual capital within the country by promoting production and transformation of knowledge within the economy.

National infrastructures, such as Singapore ONE, are comprehensive knowledge infrastructures that support sharing and exchanging of knowledge and information. Singapore ONE is a legal and policy framework to support multi-media applications and services. It also supports e-commerce and expands the available resources for a network of educational and research initiatives. It consists of physical networks and interconnection with knowledge or "thought" centers. Singapore ONE is linked to major knowledge and business centers around the world and allows knowledge to be transmitted, shared, and created.

Manpower 21 Initiative is a vision for Singapore to become a center of ideas, innovation, knowledge, and exchange. It allows the government, employers, unions, and communication organizations to work in unison. The strategies for this initiative include integrated manpower learning, lifelong learning for lifelong employability, augmenting our talent, transforming the work environment, developing a vibrant manpower industry, and redefining partnership.

Lek offers suggestions for needed initiatives in Singapore. The government needs to leverage resources to move ahead competitors in the global market. The population must be educated in order to be skilled and competent workers. Other knowledge-based initiatives need to be acquired. The "capacity to absorb, process and apply knowledge or intellectual property and translate this into a source of competitive advantage," together with the basic factors of production, which continue to be important in the knowledge-based economy. These initiatives should emphasize intellectual capital or knowledge as a source of wealth.

The article by Tan Wee Hin Leo and Dr. P. Subramanian entitled "Science Education: The Paradigm Shift" found in "Science Next Wave" discusses the need for education reform in Singapore. Singapore has officially recognized that education reform is important for the country to remain relevant in this information age. Technological progress furthers innovations in industry, creating new jobs, products, and services. Education should be the main focus in order to obtain "information industries" which are a result of a knowledge economy. Leo suggests a pupil-centered learning approach in which students use Internet resources to expand their learning experiences. Students should be taught to use a variety of technologies such as personal computers, the Internet, software tools such as word processing, slide presentations, email, interactive video-conferencing, and CD-ROMs.

The government in Singapore is investing heavily in educating and training the young. ICTs are available in all schools through a broadband connection with Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ASDL) and asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) technologies.

Small countries, such as Singapore, can become a global player and add value to the global economy by making themselves relevant to the rest of the world. They must increase access to ICT and strengthen other capabilities such as manufacturing.

The Impact of Technology on International Business

The rapid development of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) has had an enormous impact on international business. ICTs, such as the Internet, create new possibilities for transmitting messages and provide a great amount of diverse information from around the globe. The Internet has quickly opened up new opportunities for trade and information exchange.

Electronic Commerce (EC) is the process of conducting business electronically among various entities in order to satisfy an organizational or individual objective. EC applies to the sale of goods, such as consumer goods or industrial products, and service delivery. EC has also created digital products and services such as books, periodicals, compact discs, software, and banking services.

EC allows the dissemination and exchange of digital data, electronic funds transfers, electronic stock exchange activities, commercial auctions, design and engineering, electronic bidding, and direct customer sales.

EC is carried out by a variety of enterprises, governments, and individual consumers. Advertisement and distribution of goods and services over the Internet has increased dramatically. The Internet, because it is an electronic medium that exceeds spatial distances, has the potential to reduce actual transaction time and processing time of business while simultaneously making information, goods, and services available globally.

The article "The Economic Geography of the Internet Age" by Michael Storper found in the "Journal of International Business Studies," describes the impact of the Internet on international business. Storper argues that the Internet-based EC has become a means to reduce operational cost and a high potential means for generating revenue. "EC provides new channels for the global marketing of tangible goods. It also presents opportunities to create new businesses providing information and other knowledge-based intangible products." The Internet-based electronic marketplace will improve the productivity and competitiveness of participating companies at a significant and rapid pace. The on-line global marketplace operates 24 hours a day and has millions of products, services, buyers, and sellers. Companies are provided new, cost effective, time-efficient means for working with customers, suppliers, and development partners.

Storper lists many advantages to EC. Companies will be able to shorten procurement cycles through the use of on-line catalogues, ordering, and payment options. Companies can cut costs on both stock and manufactured parts through competitive bidding. Collaborative engineering, product, and process design will reduce development cycles and accelerate time-to-market, regardless of the location of participants. Consumers can access worldwide markets at a fraction of traditional costs. EC also ensures that products, marketing information, and prices are always up to date. It significantly increases the speed of communication, especially international communication. Purchasing and production cycles are drastically reduced. The cost of communications is reduced because E-mail and EDI save on postage. The ability to send messages instantly across the globe can reduce inventory and related inventory and purchasing costs. EC also promotes a closer relationship with customers and suppliers and provides a quick and easy way of exchanging information about a company and its products, internally and externally. Companies also have the opportunity to take advantage of alternative sales channels and tap new markets or markets niches.

The article "Introduction to the symposium e-commerce and global business: The impact of the information and communication technology revolution on the conduct of international business" by Jose de la Torre and Richard W. Moxon, found in the "Journal of International Business Studies," says that ICT advances will transform the business world. By eliminating the concern of geography and physical location, EC allows the immediate delivery of service to customers all around the globe. Companies now have the ability to combine extensive databases on customer preferences with specialized producers. The Internet also allows products and services to be specifically tailored to different cultures or nations. Corporate boundaries are redefined, leading to a reconfiguration of conglomerates and multinational firms into virtual corporations and networks of alliances. Some companies will be "born global" and will be able to avoid the process of building an international network of affiliates and personnel. The ICT revolution will transform business processes, customer relationship management, supplier and procurement systems, the structure of industries, and the very nature of companies and firms.

Universal Access

The Internet is quickly becoming an essential part of the daily lives of millions of people around the globe because it affects almost every aspect of the modern society and has numerous advantages for those who have access. The Internet has social benefits because it allows quick and easy communication. It gives citizens the opportunity to become active in their communities and obtain information at a quick and rapid rate. The Internet also had many economic benefits including improvement in productivity, reduction in costs, increase in trade, and the ability to access new markets. It also has important educational benefits. The Internet gives users access to vast amounts of information around the globe. It allows quick and effective communication, while exceeding the concern of spatial distances.

The developed world continues to benefit from the Internet by accessing the increasing market power of electronic commerce (EC). The underdeveloped countries are being left far behind. Achieving universal access is extremely important for the education, socialization, productivity, and well being of nations around the world.

Universal access to information and communication technologies (ICTs) is imperative. To achieve this many things must occur. Broadband access to the Internet is necessary and people must be able and competent enough to use the technology. Education and training is also essential. The content on the Internet must be interesting, informative, and available in other languages besides English.

The article "G-8 Nations Highlight Need for Universal Internet Access" by Luke Johnson, describes recent initiatives taken to bridge the digital divide. The worlds largest nations have agreed to the formation of a global task force to address the digital gap between the information haves and have-nots. The Digital Opportunity Task Force, also known as "the dot force" will mobilize and coordinate the efforts of governments, the private sector, foundations, multilateral, and international institutions to bridge the digital divide. The task force has implemented numerous initiatives that focus primarily on "creating policies conducive to the spread of information technology and extension of credit specifically for e-commerce and digital divide projects at the international level." Microsoft, StarMedia, Intel, AOL, and Cisco Systems are also supporting and administering private sector programs that concentrate on supplying hardware and training to developing countries on a grassroots level. These initiatives are committed to building IT infrastructure in developing world nations, enabling technology transfer, and training both technicians and users on how to use, establish, and maintain Internet connectivity.

The United States is actively involved in promoting universal access to the Internet. The Federal Communications Commissions Kennard Initiative aims to provide telecom policy and regulatory assistance to developing countries. The FCC is currently working on a Works Program with developing countries such as Peru, Uganda, Ghana, and Argentina. USAIDA has initiated a five-year, $15 million Leland initiative that intends to extend full Internet connectivity to 20 or more African countries. These programs and initiatives offer the possibility and hope that universal access to information technologies with soon become a reality. The Okinawa Charter states that "everyone, everywhere should be enabled to participate in and no one should be excluded from the benefits of the global information society."

The United Nations is attempting to bridge the digital divide by increasing overall access to ICTs. The United Nations have adopted a resolution, which welcomes the organization of the World Summit on the Information Society. The Summit is expected to promote access, for all countries, to information, knowledge, and communication technologies for development. The Summit will have two phases, the first in Geneva in 2003 and the second in Tunisia in 2005. These will be under the patronage of UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan.

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) will lead the Summit preparations along with a variety of interested organizations and partners. The resolution calls on governments to participate in Summit preparations and to be represented at the highest possible level. The ITU will work to create synergies and develop cooperation among the ICT initiatives at both regional and global levels. The proposed themes of the Summit address the following issues: building infrastructure, opening the gates to achieve universal and equitable access to the information society, service and applications, the needs of the user, developing a framework, and ICT and education. The relevant developmental, economic policy, social, cultural, and technological aspects will all be considered.

Through the cooperation of developed countries around the world, and continuing initiatives to improve and increase the availability of ICTs, universal access to the Internet is feasible.

Legal Issues - Crossing International Borders

The Internet is a resource that is available instantaneously to nations around the world that have the ability to access it. It can be described as a nation to which the entire worlds population belongs. The Internet transcends national boundaries, making regulations virtually impossible. The representation and rights of Internet citizens raises a variety of questions. Courts and corporations around the world are attempting to control and regulate cyberspace, thus prohibiting the Internets potential to foster worldwide democracy and economic growth.

Many different restrictions concerning content on the Internet have been implemented around the world. Countries have different opinions about what material is inappropriate or unsuitable for minors. Regulations have addressed many issues such as pornography, libel, slander, cyber-crime, and other regulatory and legal issues.

Governments around the world have been concerned about material on the Internet that is illegal under their laws and that is harmful or unsuitable for minors. The Electronic Frontiers Australia is an organization devoted to promoting civil liberties on line. Their research outlines four categories of government policies concerning censorship. The first is a government policy to encourage Internet self-regulation and end-user voluntary use of filtering/blocking technologies. This approach to regulation is taken in the United Kingdom, Canada, and some Western European countries. The second category is criminal law penalties applicable to content providers who make content "unsuitable for minors" available online. This has been attempted, but not enforced, in some Australian state jurisdictions and in the United States. Laws of general application apply to content that is illegal for reasons other than its unsuitability for children. The third category is government mandated blocking of access to content deemed unsuitable for adults. This is taken in Australian Commonwealth law and in China, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates and Vietnam. Some countries require Internet access providers to block material. Others only allow restricted access to the Internet through a government controlled access point. The fourth category is government prohibition of public access to the Internet. Some countries outlaw public access or require users to be registered or licensed by a government authority before they can have restricted access. Nations around the world differ dramatically in the steps they have taken to regulate content on the Internet.

There are many computer-related offences, often called cyber-crime or computer crime, that have been regulated by jurisdictions around the globe. Many countries do not have legislation that covers all of these crimes. These offences include the unauthorized access to computers or secure material, damaging information, computer fraud, hacking, trafficking in computer passwords, manufacturing or selling pirated copies of software, the production and distribution of computer-generated information, sexual images of minors, and hate speech. Identity theft is a big concern for Internet users. It has reached epidemic proportions in the United States.

Cyber-crime is a huge problem because it cannot be subject to geographical restraint. Countries have attempted to pass regulation to prevent cyber-crime, but they are usually not broad enough to cover all types of cyber-crime. Criminals can easily find safe-haven for criminal activities in other parts of the globe. Universal harmonization of laws regarding cyber-crime would be the only way to ensure that all countries are protected from computer-related crimes. If such laws were broad enough to include all types of cyber-crime and were adopted universally, criminals would not be able to find safe places to conduct criminal activities and could be fairly punished. To keep the Internet secure, research and development of innovative security measures is imperative.

Publishers now have the ability to reach mass audiences worldwide for a fraction of the cost. George Pike discusses libel and slander issues in the article "Better watch what you write: Recent court rulings apply worldwide libel to the World Wide Web" found in Information Today. Publishing on the Internet raises a variety of new problems and challenges. The law of defamation permits an individual to recover damages for injury to his or her reputation. Slander is spoken defamation and libel is written defamation. Libel is of great concern in the publishing industry, raising new questions in terms of the law.

Copyright restrictions have been established in order to secure the work of artists and writers for a limited time. In 1998, Congress passed the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) which banned technologies designed to circumvent copyright protection technologies and created incentives for ISPs to remove any material that violated copyright from their sites.

Governments around the world continue to develop regulations concerning content on the Internet, cyber-crime, and copyright restrictions. These regulations concerning access to content on the Internet vary dramatically. In the past, laws have always been applied geographically and now, that is virtually impossible. The Internet continues to raise many questions concerning legal issues.

Conclusion

The Internet is rapidly transforming society. The technological revolution that includes information and communication technologies (ICT) has the potential to improve all aspects of life. ICT allows users to obtain, develop, transform, and transmit a broad range of information at an extremely rapid pace. ICT is a source of development for the 21^{st century. The entire world should have the privilege of access to new}

^{technology. Global efforts from the developed nations of the world are imperative to bridge the digital divide, achieve universal access to ICTs, and establish universal regulations concerning content on the Internet.}

Through global efforts to bridge the digital divide, the entire worlds population will hopefully be able to participate in the global information society.