En lösning som söker problem : Hur och varför lokala IT-policyer utvecklas i landsbygdskommuner

• Information and communication technology (ICT) is regarded as an increasingly important factor of change. Geographically peripheral areas are said to gain most by using ICT, since it could make people feel that they are closer to the centre of society. Many rural municipalities inSweden are therefor taking initiatives to develop local ICT -policies related to their specific circumstances and local problems.The aim of this study is to analyse how and why local ICT policies are developed in small rural municipalities. Qualitative field studies of local ICT -policy processes were performed in three Swedish rural municipalities: Fargelanda, Valdemarsvik and Are. The analysis theoretically is based in policy analysis and the time-geographical concept Pocket of Local Order. Three analytical perspectives are utilised: local enthusiasts, policy networks and the local agenda.The study shows how local ICT-policies developed as solutions to various local problems. In Färgelanda, the local problems were all related to the risk of not being competitive. In Åre initially the competitiveness of local firms was the central issue of ICT -policy, but later on the shortage of democratic influence in the villages was the prime problem handled. In Valdemarsvik the problems were related to high unemployment rates, and ICT focused educational schemes were the solutions.In all municipalities ICT was seen as an opportunity to give the citizens similar opportunities to experienced by citizens in urban areas. However, people in rural areas still are in the geographical periphery, and experience other forms of every day life than people in urban areas.ICT can improve people's opportunities to participate in business activities and might improve their position on the labour market. ICT, hence, may develop new opportunities in peripheral areas, but ICT alone will not solve any problems since people's active engagement and use oflocally embedded resources is the main prerequisite for success.

Ämnesord

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Annan samhällsvetenskap -- Tvärvetenskapliga studier inom samhällsvetenskap (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Other Social Sciences -- Social Sciences Interdisciplinary (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

usage of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT)

ICT-policy

local policy-processes

time-geography

Pocket of Local Order

local enthusiasts

policy network

local agenda

public buildings for ICT -activities

Informationsteknik

Lokalförvaltning

Datorer och databehandling

Kommunal förvaltning

INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH AREAS

TVÄRVETENSKAPLIGA FORSKNINGSOMRÅDEN

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