Information index: an analytical study of some theoretical and empirical issues

Abstract

Information is, and has always been a vital component of every activity. It is the uninterrupted flow of this vital resource, which keeps alive the entire society as we know today. Although it is omnipresent, the fact that it is unseen and intangible makes it difficult to recognize or define. The term information is used both as an object and a process, and can exist in different forms. Information is resource in itself and as a resource is pervasive and different from other resources in fundamental ways, in kind from the use of information. Similarly Consensus regarding the concept of development is hard to achieve. Till decades it was equivalent to economic progress only, but with changing times it was realized that development is some thing more than mere production of commodities and services hence the concept of development was widened to include human development and it was also admitted that the capacity for development is enhanced through the simultaneous cultivation of material and nonmaterial resources. Human survival and development and hence world’s economy and development, over the centuries, in a broad sense, have evolved around two principal axes, namely the energy axis and the information communication axis. The connection between the developments along the two axes has become obvious in the recent past. The discoveries, inventions and innovations in one domain have accelerated the discoveries, inventions, and progress in the other domain, like a synergistic effect. Therefore, economists, sociologists, and futurologist have been studying the impact of information technology (IT) on society, and trends in national economies centred on access to and use of organised information. These two factors – energy availability and use and information availability and use – are now included among the indicators of socio-economic development of nations. Availability and use of information plays an important role in development process. However it is pointless to ask whether information “causes” development or, conversely, development “causes” information. Information and knowledge have conventionally supported and underpinned all developments be they social, economic, scientific or technical.