Developing technological capability from an information perspective: is the Internet the answer Pacific Island Broadcast engineers have been waiting for?

Citation

Tibben, W. (1998), "Developing technological capability from an information perspective: is the Internet the answer Pacific Island Broadcast engineers have been waiting for?", Internet Research, Vol. 8 No. 5. https://doi.org/10.1108/intr.1998.17208eaf.002

Developing technological capability from an information perspective: is the Internet the answer Pacific Island Broadcast engineers have been waiting for?

Developing technological capability from an information perspective: is the Internet the answer Pacific Island Broadcast engineers have been waiting for?

Researcher: William TibbenSchool of Information Technology and Computer Science,University of Wollongong, Australia.Tel: +61 2 4221 4316;Fax: +61 2 4221 4170;E-mail: wjt01@uow.edu.au

The working title of this research project reflects two significant development issues for the South Pacific region ­ the creation of the requisite skills to productively use imported technology; and telecommunication-based strategies to assist in this process.

The underlying principle driving these strategies is the belief that technological development leads to economic and social development. The factors leading to development are many, and the variety of research approaches which go under the general title of "development studies" mirror this fact. Technological capability has long been an issue of importance for developing countries, and the significance of this is now becoming more apparent to those undertaking innovation-related research in developed countries (Cooper, 1995; Silverberg and Soete, 1994, pp. 2-3). The need for the development of technological capability is demonstrated by the characteristically "lop-sided" nature of technology transfer, in which much of the knowledge required to productively use new technology is not transferred with the technological artefacts.

The complexities of technology transfers to the Pacific region resonate with the more general themes expressed in the literature (e.g. Marjoram, 1994; Reddy and Zhao, 1990). Technological change is an uncertain process where effects and second-order effects are hard, if not impossible, to predict (Rip, 1995). Certainly, there is little to suggest that the Internet, as part of the broader range of other imported communication technologies, is any different. However, the focus of this research is on studying the issue of capability development in one technology, broadcasting, with the view of deriving principles which may inform Internet-related strategies for the South Pacific region (and hopefully reduce some of the complexities Internet service providers experience). The choice of broadcast engineers as case study subjects is designed to further focus the study to an occupational group which, arguably, represents a foundational element of a country's technological capability.

The development of technological capability is viewed as essentially a learning process, aimed at ensuring people are able to gain, and exercise, control over technologies. As stated, this is seen as being particularly important for engineers by virtue of the instrumental role they play in ensuring the technical operation of new technologies. As information is a necessary component of learning (Macdonald, 1995), provision of Internet access appears as a significant step forward in developing technological capability in these engineers. However, evidence from the literature and from broadcasting organisations in the Pacific region suggests that technological capability is characterised by its local specific nature (Antonelli, 1997; Bell and Pavitt, 1993; Orr, 1997). That is, theoretical knowledge needs to be strongly complemented by organisation-specific and tacit knowledge. The literature suggests that intra- and inter-organisation networks are of critical importance in the development of the tacit and localised component of engineering knowledge. The adoption of an information perspective in this research seeks to reveal the information needs of these engineers and to, ultimately, consider whether the Internet is the best medium for its provision.

More specifically, the relationship between technological capability and information is developed in the following way. This thesis will argue that the economic focus on technological capability has, to varying degrees, been unable to provide a comprehensive account of what factors contribute to the development of technological capability. This represents a serious problem, for it is these same economic perspectives which inform many strategies for development, including telecommunications (Shrum and Shenhav, 1995). An information perspective will provide a more penetrating analysis of the processes leading to capability development.

The information-based approach used in this thesis is derived from studies in both information economics (e.g. Lamberton, 1997) and information research into innovation (e.g. Macdonald, 1998). The distinguishing feature of this approach is the influence accorded to the characteristics of information manifest in the process of technology-related problem solving. In short, these characteristics relate to the structured nature of information and its peculiarities as an economic-styled good. The often asserted "public goods" notion of information is challenged because, within the specific context of problem solving, it appears more as a private good. Emerging from this analysis is the importance of information networks in coping with these characteristics. Information barter through informal networks is given special attention, as it appears to represent a means by which the uncertainties inherent in finding information and getting compensation for providing information are, to a great extent, overcome.

The research was initially directed at ten member organisations of the Pacific Island Broadcast Association (PIBA). Three organisations without engineers still need to be interviewed. The available resources for travel to the Pacific were limited and, consequently, had a significant shaping effect on the research design. A case study approach was adopted for one broadcasting organisation using participant observation for two weeks. As the engineering problems in this organisation are of an extended nature, many data were gathered through informal interviews and are currently being organised on the basis of these identified problems. Formal interviews with related organisations (foreign aid representatives, other local broadcasters and university media units) were also carried out.

A second trip to a regional engineering meeting was organised in which interviews with the nine chief engineers of PIBA member stations were carried out. These data are of limited value for comparative analysis owing to the different circumstances these stations experience. However, they will be used to identify what appear as common themes.

As the research data still need to be fully analysed and integrated into the project, it is premature to state particular findings. However, two factors appear as pertinent:

1. 1.

   There appears to be no shortage of information in the form of publications, journals and magazines but this information appears of limited value to the immediate needs of these engineers.

2. 2.

   In view of the importance accorded in the literature to information networks, notable for its absence among Pacific Island broadcast engineers is not so much local informal networks as informal networks with other broadcast engineers and specialists, locally or internationally.

So, "Is the Internet the answer?" ­ the Internet suggests a number of welcome opportunities for better information access to codified information, particularly for manufacturers of broadcast equipment. E-mail appears to provide a backbone for a more interactive medium for communication, but other important factors need also to be taken into account. What appears as most significant, is not the question of overcoming distance per se, but the degree to which people on an e-mail network are able to share a common understanding of the problems at hand (see, for example Forsythe, 1993; Orr, 1997). Establishing a common view of the world is fraught with the difficulties of human communication (such as establishing trust, professional pride and national identity), so an Internet solution to the engineers' information problems will need to be managed with these factors in mind. Even on this basis, there is some doubt that it will provide a total solution in view of the importance accorded to "face-to-face" communication in the development of technological knowledge (see for example Rosenburg, 1970, p. 570).

My interest in this topic stems from a four-year assignment in the Pacific region as a technical adviser to a broadcasting organisation and conducting technical training courses for PACBROAD's Training and Development Program. With 12 years' broadcasting experience in Australia previous to this assignment, the contrast between the experiences of working in Australia and the Pacific intrigues me. Contrary to some perceptions, engineering in the Pacific is very difficult, the reasons for which are still, to some degree, a mystery.