Policy approaches to developing the region in the information age: Evidence from Ireland and Europe

This paper interrogates the use and application of the term 'Information Society' in policy-making circles and beyond. It analyses how the concept has been employed both in Brussels and Dublin as a catchall term in relation to social and economic transformations bought about by new technologies. It traces the co-evolution of theory and policy making from its origins in industry to its more recent application in the social sphere. The European Commission's Regional Information Society Initiative was seen as a significant shift in EU policy of enabling regions to adapt to the information age. The institutional approach to developing the region from the 'bottom-up' came from 'Brussels-down' and ran in conjunction with other regional and national programmes. This approach is then contrasted with the Irish development model which is characterised by the presence of large foreign-owned technology operations and what can best be described as a neoliberal-inspired approach to development in the information age.