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Mathew’s Theory
(Verbatim reproduction from the Collection of Papers on Theoretical Problems of Informatics published in 1985 from Moscow by FID Committee under the Chairmanship of Prof A. I. Mikhalov)

SOCIAL ANALYSIS OF INFORMATION PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION:  
THE NEW CHALLENGES AND TASKS OF THIRD WORLD COUNTRIES

Raju M. Mathew  

1. INTRODUCTION  

Information has become a strategic resource or com­modity for consumption and production in all advanced industrialized societies. The informatization of a socie­ty depends on its ability to treat information as a re­source, rather than as a sacred cow to be worshiped. Most of the Third World Countries (TWC) still prefer to treat information in its higher levels, viz, wisdom or knowledge which cannot be easily applied immediately in solving developmental problems. In short, wisdom or knowledge do not have any material value or use in these societies. It can further be seen that the informatization of a society is closely related to its development.

Information consumption and production are superior forms of human activities. From the social point of view, information consumption and production (ICP) are a complex process that cannot be fitted within a single or set of existing theories. Every advancement necessi­tates the production of new and complex information, which is the result of an advanced form of information consumption. In order to improve the overall efficiency and productivity of a nation, its ICP capacity must be improved substantially owing to its impacts on all the other sectors of the economy like industry, agriculture, governmental administration, education etc. The ICP ability of a nation or society can be increased subs­tantially by employing information and communication technologies, in a proper and systematic manner and also by improving information literacy.

  2.INFORMATICS AND DEVELOPMENT

  Recent advances in the field of electronics and com­puters have given new dimensions to informatics and its use in economic and social, development. Through its wide application possibilities in almost all sectors of human activity, informatics offers a powerful tool for the management of technological development and opens up new possibilities for cultural and educational development. Here informatics can he viewed as the effective handling of information. For socio-economic development, through the application of electronic and computer technology and infrastructure. Effective use of information requires the mastering of the capacity to generate and process information, which constitutes information production. The most important element in this respect is not only the tool itself, but also the content of information and the economic and socio-cul­tural context that conditions its receptivity and rele­vance. Capacity to capture and process information and a managerial and administrative infrastructure are the major determinants of development. Informatics, according to the Intergovernmental Bureau for Informatics, is a discipline for the efficient creation of such structures and for the creation of the capacity to capture and pro­cess information. In development planning and other efforts, informatics should be given equal priority with power projects, roads, airports, education, etc.

3. THEORETICAL FORMULATIONS  

The basic problem, in the methodological sense, in conducting advanced study and research in the area of in­formation consumption and production is the absence of suitable theories. But theoretical advancements in these areas is required to conduct further studies and also to formulate sound strategies and policies from the so­cietal point of view. This has become all the more important now that the close relationship between socio-­economic development and information consumption and production has been established. Here, the term infor­mation should not be delimited to science and technolo­gy alone, but should encompass all discip1ines of human thought. A methodological study of ICP is strategically important for the development of Third World Countries. All the existing theories of development have ignored or not taken into account this strategic factor of economic development, viz, information consumption and production. Consequently, one may find it very difficult to make use of the contributions made by Daniel Bell (1973) or Alvin Toffler (1980) in the case of TWC.

In formulating theories of ICP, especially within the context of development, .the cognitive science approach is quite inadequate. Yet the contributions made by Bru­ner (1973) and Gagne (1974) are useful in understanding the psychological process of learning and also, indirectly, the process of information consumption and pro­duction. Kitagawa (l984) has pointed but the possibilities of knowledge engineering approaches in this regard in his recent FID/RI Committee contribution. Both quantitative and qualitative measurement and categori­zation of information are major stumbling blocks in developing theories in this respect.

  3.1 BASIC CONCEPTS  

By taking into account the lacuna of a generalized theory of information consumption and production so as to make social analysis and policy recommendations, Mathew (1984) has formulated two theories that have been presented for the 42nd FID Congress. Later, in a recent issue, "the Outlook on Research Libraries" has also elaborated these theories. Even though the final versions of them have yet to be developed, they can be treated as the initial step in analyzing or ex­plaining the complex process of information consump­tion and production and their mutual relationships or interactions. The basic concepts underlined in these theories need to be explained. They are:

Information Consumption is the process of acquiring or collecting data or information, on the one hand, and grasping, assimilating or analysing them for concept, formulation, clarification, formulating questions or un­derstanding the problem to he solved or arriving at conclusions. Information consumption can be categorized as final consumption and intermediate consumption, Librarians or information professionals may be considered as intermediate consumers of information while they are collecting and processing information for others. Final consumers use information for their own pur­poses. As far as teaching or research or decision-ma­king is concerned, the teacher or researcher or decisi­on-maker is a final consumer, even though the teaching or research or decision-making is done for the benefit of others. In the decision-making process, those who are preparing decisions (Foldi, 1976) can be treated as intermediate consumers of information.  

Information Production is the creation or invention of new ideas, theories, facts, devices or machines; finding new relationships between variables or phenome­na or providing new interpretations or explanations for known phenomena or facts; application or innovation of theories and principles or ideas in real world situations, all that are brought to light or disseminate by various means of communications so as to reach potential information consumers. In other words, generation of information and its communication constitute informa­tion production. Knowledge and data transformed or made available for consumption become information as a product or commodity.

Rate and Level of ICP: The quantitative and qualita­tive aspect of ICT can be represented by the terms, "rate'" and "level" respectively. Based on the volu­me or quantity of information consumed or produced, disregarding the quality, one can' be a low/high rate in­formation consumer or producer. 'Further, all information cannot be treated as being of the same quality; the same applies to information consumption or production. By using the term "level', we can distinguish low/high level information consumers or producer.

Low Level Information Consumption is the process of acquiring or collecting elementary information to get some basic idea or understanding of a broad, general nature. The purpose may, be curiosity, to do some simp­le thing, entertainment, or to get through tests or examinations that are not advanced.        

High Level Information Consumption is the process of acquiring or collecting highly specialized or' technical information or the latest developments in a particular area, for problem-solving or application for a specific and, predetermined purpose, including planning, decision­ making, advanced level teaching or research or publication, innovation, or invention.

3.2 STATEMENT OF THEORIES  

Theory of Information Consumption –Production Correlation  

By, observing and studying the behaviour and nature of a series of information, consumers and producers in almost all disciplines and activities with, the help of elaborate data, it is possible to draw certain conclusions that can be stated in the form of a theory and its propositions. They can be further tested in real life situations so as to prove their validity.

The following basic propositions can be made in this regard:  

i)                    High level information consumption is a precondi­tion for high level information production, since the basic motive behind high level information consump­tion is high level information production.

ii)                   Acquiring a minimum level of information skill is an essential condition for high level information consumption and production. Informatics or informa­tion technology may act as a catalyst for high level information consumption and production.

iii)                 High level information is always accompanied by a high rate of information consumption; but merely a high rate of information consumption does not guarantee a high level of information consumption.  

Statement of the Theory    

There exists a direct correlation between high level information consumption and high level information production. Such correlation may not exist in the case of low level information consumption.

It can be seen that all high level information pro­ducers are high level information consumers too, and all high level information consumers are high level information producers too, owing to this direct correla­tionship. Further, all high level information consumers are experts, specialists or top level decision-makers.  

Policy Implications of the Theory

The theory provides an explanation of the disparity between people with regard to information production. It assumes that all high level information consumers have a minimum level of intellectual calibre and infor­mation skill. Yet not all people who have similar intellectual calibres and information skills become equal­ly high level information producers or experts. In other words, the disparity in high level information production for people of the same intellectual calibre and information skill is due to to disparity in high level in­formation consumption. In order to create an adequate number of experts or high level information producers, .the most effective means is to create an adequate num­ber of high level information consumers with in a specified time, by deliberate and planned actions.  

The failure of higher educational systems in most Third World Countries to produce adequate numbers of experts can be attributed to their failure to create suf­ficient numbers of high level information consumers. In these countries, high level information consumption has not yet been recognised as one of the major objec­tives of higher education. Consequently, students and scholars who are leaving universities with higher edu­cational qualifications, including Ph.Ds, do not reach, high level information consumption in a sustained man­ner. The majority, of doctoral theses are substandard owing to the fact that the scholars are preparing their doctoral theses without becoming high level information consumers. That is why most doctoral degree holders fail miserably to become experts in their own fields. Out of the hundred or five hundred doctoral  degree hol­ders in economics, only a handful become economists, and the others are mere doctors without any expertise. But this handful of experts has already attained high level information consumption.  

Policy Recommendations

The governments in TWC, including India, should recognise the value of information as a resource or commodity for consumption and production in formulating policies and planning, including higher education. Transforming low level information consumers into high level information consumers must be accepted as one of the major objectives of higher education. Emphasis should also be laid on attaining the specified level of information skill in the whole educational process. By taking into account the strategic role of informatics in ICP, necessary measures should be taken for buil­ding up the informatics infrastructure and its effective application and utilization. Developing information awa­reness in all walks of life should be given top priority, so as to link every activity with information handling with a view to increasing overall efficiency and effec­tiveness. 

Stage Theory of Information Consumption Growth

As a corollary of the theory of the information con­sumption-production c correlation, the stage theory of in­formation consumption growth has been developed to explain, the transformation process from low level infor­mation consumption to high level information consumption through a series of stages. Not all information consumers are affected by this transformation process. Four impor­tant stages are identified. They are hierarchical in na­ture. With this theory, it is also possible to explain the emergence of an information society. The following are the four stages:     

i)                     Backward or Low Level Information  Consumption  Stage: The user or the society, as a whole consumes and produces low level information, at a low rate, too. Information has no value or importance, even if available. Information consumption is quite casual and not purposive. Information illiteracy is the do­minant feature of this stage. Use of books and libraries, if any, is for entertainment or for elemen­tary information. For the society, knowledge has no practical value in the material sense, except for spiritual or personal enlightenment.  

ii)                   Pre-condition to Take-off Stage: Consuming low level information at a higher rate; developing rea­ding habits; using libraries in a primitive or tra­ditional sense; inculcating awareness of the value of information and information skill; feeling the need for advanced library services and simple in­formation technology are the basic characteristics of this stage. From the societal point of view, there emerges a mass awareness of information consumption, even though at a low level.  

iii)                  Critical or Take-off Stage: Consuming fundamental and basic information in depth, increasing specia­lization in selected areas, familiarization with the state of the art, attaining full mastery in informa­tion skill, increasing dependence on advanced libra­ry or documentation services and information techno­logy are some of the essential features of this stage. Here information is considered as an input or resource. At this stage, the user acquires essen­tial skills, including the techniques of presenting or writing technical notes, reports, papers, etc. in standard style and format and in an effective manner. This is a critical stage in the sense that only by entering this stage can one survive as a sustained high level information consumer. The society at this stage starts to give top priority to the informa­tion sector and to build up an informatics infrast­ructure, and high level information producers are recognised as a socially important class.  

iv)                 Advanced Stage or Stage of Affluence in Information Consumption: At this stage, the user is noted for  developing his information production capacity and  ability to assess the present trend, of information growth and visualize future trends, too. The high level of information consumption already attained has resulted in high level information production. The major activity of life has been reduced to high level information consumption and production. Information technology has become part and parcel of day to day life so as to minimise the com­munication gap at both the national and international levels. The society at this stage can be termed an information society or information age.  

Policy Implications  

A careful understanding of the various stages of in­formation consumption growth will definitely help policy­makers to formulate appropriate strategies and policies for developing an information society within a short pe­riod of time. Massive and well planned efforts help the society to make a great leap towards the advanced sta­ges within a specified time. On the otherhand, if a traditional society is allowed to develop along its own path, it may take centuries to reach the higher stages. The basic task of developing countries like India is to enter the take-off stage and, later, the affluent stage by the beginning of the 21st century.  

Policy Recomendations  

The governments in the. TWC, including India, should redesign their educational systems, government administ­ration and the whole planning and development process, so as to informatize the whole society. Massive prog­rammes for information literacy and information awareness should be implemented, along with an informatics infra­structure throughout the nation, which should be linked to international or global networks and structures. Effective application of information technology, advanced library services, specially designed user education prog­rammes and positive reward system help a user enter the take-off stage within a short period. This is more true in the case of university students and researchers. Top level government officials must be well equipped in the art and techniques of information handling.  

4. INFORMATION FLOW  

In analysing the social aspects of information con­sumption and production, account should also be taken of both the internal and the external information flow, which has a direct bearing on ICP. Attaining a greater internal flow of information is a necessary condition for ensuring transborder information flows. Mathew (1984) has also developed the concept of the two-way flow principle for trans border data flow, especially with regard to development information. It can be seen that the velocity or speed of the information flow is higher in advanced societies than in traditional societies. Further, in an information society, the gap between information consumption and information production is nil or negligible, whereas it is high in both traditional and developing societies.  

5. CONCLUSION  

In this short study of information consumption and production, emphasis has been given to the problems of Third World Countries. Yet the analysis may be helpful in understanding the basic problems of advanced count­ries, too. It is the basic responsibility of advanced nations and societies to help attain an equitable distri­bution and use of the total information resources of the world for the benefit of the Third World Countries. Advanced level study and research are required in under­standing the full implications of modern informatics, arid information technology in the 21^st century. By taking into account the strategic role of information in global development theoreticians, and researchers in information science ­should assume the responsibility of developing and interpreting new theories and trends at a border level for the benefit of humanity as a whole, rather than confining themselves to some minute technicalities. We have to formulate sound theories so as to develop effective strategies and policies in the various aspects of information, ICP and informatics.  

REFERENCES

1. Bell, Daniel. Coming of a post-industrial society. New -York: Basic Books Inc. 1973
2. Bruner, Jerome. Beyond the information given. Ed.             J.M. Anglin. New York: Norton, 1973.
3. Foldi, Tamas. Economic information: Demand and or­ganization. International Social Science Journal, 28,               3: 518-530, 1976.
4. Gagne, Robert M. Essential of learning for instruction. Hinsdale, III: The Dryden Press, 1974.
5. Kitagawa, Tosio. Knowledge engineering approaches to generalized rational ecospheres of knowledge information processing systems and their implications to creative societies. In: Information Science and New Information Technology. Moscow: FID/RI, Com­mittee. 1984, p. 29-61.
6. Mathew, Raju M. End user and approach to the non­user in recently started university libraries in de­veloping countries with special reference to India. In Proceeding of the 42nd FID Congress. Amsterdam: North Holland, 1984, p. 151-159.
7. Mathew, Raju M. Informatics for development: Strategi­es and policies for developing informatics in Kerala ­approach to seventh five-year plan. Seminar paper, Development perspectives of Kerala during seventh five-year plan. Trichur: Dr. John Matthai Centre, 1984(a).
8. Mathew, Raju M. Marketing of social science informa­tion and documentation: The challenges of the the world countries with special reference to India. Discussion Paper. Hungary: FID/SD Committee, 1984(b).
9. Mathew, Raju M. Transborder data flow policies for third world countries with special reference to In­dia. Conference paper, Second World Conference on TDF Policies. Rome: IBI, 1984(c).
10. Outlook on Research Libraries. 6, 11 N ov.84: 9-1l.
11. Toffler,Alvin. The third wave. New York: William Morrow, 1980.