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Will the information society be sustainable? Towards criteria and indicators for a sustainable knowledge society

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  • Joachim H. Spangenberg

Abstract

It is posited that the information society is not sustainable because information alone is meaningless. Information requires a context to convert it to knowledge – only the context adds the meaning. A knowledge society can be sustainable, but this depends on the context: in a normative neoliberal framework, the knowledge society represents a concept of individualisation and of dismantling social structures. However, in the context of a (just as normative) sustainability strategy, the meaning of 'knowledge society' is different, focused on supporting active citizenship. For this reason, criteria for a sustainable knowledge society cannot be restricted to access to information, but must also cover the kind of information, the provision of content as much as the infrastructure. Whereas a plethora of sustainability indicators has been developed in the last decade, the work on integrated systems of indicators is rather new, particularly for the sustainable knowledge society, so that no more than first suggestions for indicators can be presented. A positive evaluation demonstrates that the current trend towards a knowledge economy is not yet sustainable.

Suggested Citation

  • Joachim H. Spangenberg, 2005. "Will the information society be sustainable? Towards criteria and indicators for a sustainable knowledge society," International Journal of Innovation and Sustainable Development, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 1(1/2), pages 85-102.
    • Handle: RePEc:ids:ijisde:v:1:y:2005:i:1/2:p:85-102
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Xiaoxu Dong & Cheon Yu & Yun Seop Hwang, 2021. "The Effects of Reverse Knowledge Spillover on China’s Sustainable Development: Sustainable Development Indicators Based on Institutional Quality," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-17, February.
    2. Rodica Minciu & Delia Popescu & Mihaela Pădurean & Remus Hornoiu & Andreea Băltăreţu, 2010. "Commercialization of Holidays in the Protected Natural Areas - Form of the Sustainable Development in Tourism," The AMFITEATRU ECONOMIC journal, Academy of Economic Studies - Bucharest, Romania, vol. 12(27), pages 83-98, February.
    3. Sharma, Ravi & Fantin, Arul-Raj & Prabhu, Navin & Guan, Chong & Dattakumar, Ambica, 2016. "Digital literacy and knowledge societies: A grounded theory investigation of sustainable development," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 40(7), pages 628-643.
    4. Jarkko Saarinen, 2013. "Critical Sustainability: Setting the Limits to Growth and Responsibility in Tourism," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 6(1), pages 1-17, December.
    5. Spangenberg, Joachim H. & Settele, Josef, 2016. "Value pluralism and economic valuation – defendable if well done," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 18(C), pages 100-109.

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