Abstract
Industrial revolutions have changed and transformed humanity and society over time and continue to advance development with evidence across disciplines and professions. The purpose was to explore where the information profession and discipline fit in the broad spectrum of digital transformation and development. It aimed to examine the extent to which digital transformation has enhanced information management in organizations; find out real case applications of the digital transformation and development in information organizations; establish emerging digital technologies in the context of data, information, and knowledge in organizations; and determine professional dimensions and directions imperative for sustaining future digital innovations in organizations. Digital transformation, sustainable development, and the information profession are triple principal forces of human and societal change. The information profession and discipline has influenced and advanced digital transformation through data, information, knowledge, technology, people, and services.
TopDigital innovations and emergent technologies have radically impacted and changed human life, industries, organizations and professions. The fourth industrial revolution (4IR) introduces avalanche of digital technologies that include Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence, big data, additive manufacturing, 3D printing, blockchains and droves (African Development Bank, 2019 & World Economic Forum, 2019). With the potential to transform societies and economies, these disruptive technologies are digital innovations that have transformed industries, organizations and homes across the world. Fourth industrial revolution also known as industry 4.0 birthed and invented the digital transformation in 2016, while the sustainable development practices began in 2015 in order to change and transform societies. Most important, the driving forces for the growth of the knowledge society include education, new technologies, faster and more wide-reaching dissemination of information, globalization of the economy, and political, cultural and human relations (Johannessen, 2019; Abd, 2017; Ford, 2016). Sustainable development goals is the overall plan for positive change and improvement in any given society as related to individual progress, which covers wide range of interrelated issues in environmental, economic, social, and political, whose aim is to ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity in 2030 (Nicholas & Perpetual, 2015).
Information is the dominant logic in the emergence of the 4IR in the knowledge society (Johannessen, 2019). In equal measure, the information profession as the fundamental resource for sustainable development and societal transformation manages data, information, knowledge, technology and people. Domain economies and sectors have embraced the potential realities of the 4IR, sustainable development policies and information perspectives as exemplified in industries and manufacturing, businesses, health and wellbeing, energy and agriculture. According to Ex Libris A ProQuest Co (2019), first, in the world of finance, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning are used to analyze large number of disparate data sets to identify risk and help investors make smart decisions. Second, in health care, the technology is used to design the best treatment plans and recommend personalized care based on patient information. Third, businesses use artificial intelligence to analyze massive amounts of data on customer preferences and behaviors to know the products to market. Fourth, the potential of artificial intelligence among research libraries has remained largely untapped, with only about five percent leveraging the technology. These principal causes form the underlying perspectives of the information profession and discipline whose focus is to reshape humanity through digital innovations and disruption technologies. Evidently, this indicates that the information science field brings together human values and opportunities of digital transformation, sustainable development and knowledge.
Purpose and Objectives of Research
The aim was to explore where the information profession and discipline fits in the broad spectrum of the digital transformation and development. Objectives are to:
- 1.
Examine the extent to which digital transformation has redefined information scope in information organizations.
- 2.
Find out real case applications of the digital transformation and development in information organizations.
- 3.
Establish emerging digital technologies in the context of data, information and knowledge in organizations.
- 4.
Determine professional dimensions and directions imperative for sustaining future digital innovations in organizations.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Digital Revolution: Transformation and advancement of technological systems and solutions together with the participation of people that began with the information age and the internet. Equally, referred to as the third industrial revolution.
Information Profession: Professionals and experts that transform and advance and manage data, information, knowledge, technology, people and services in organizations and institutions. Ultimate focus is to create value, new products, and services in addition to increased opportunities and prospects for the customers.
Information Organizations: Organizations, institutions, and agencies involved in production, dissemination, and management of knowledge. These integral systems provide innovative products and services that favour the desires of the customers.
Fourth Industrial Revolution: Advancement and development of digital systems and solutions for humanity and societal transformation. This represents entirely innovative and new ways to upend sustainable development and human values through digital economy and Internet of Things applications.
Delphi Research: Method and technique for underpinning and forecasting research process through questionnaires with the help of professionals and panel or group of experts.
Digital Transformation: Strategic transition and adoption of technologies to innovate and change organizations and institutions for effective and high-quality services to the customers or clients. This is the process of re-engineering business opportunities to create customer value for new products, services, and competitive advantage.
Information Science: Discipline that advances human knowledge and transformation through data, information, knowledge, technology, people, and services. Information professionals and experts work in different social, economic, political, cultural and technological aspects.
Industrial Revolution: Transition, change and innovation in industries and machine manufacturing that dominated Great Britain, Europe, and the United States of America in the late 1700s and early 1800s. Upend features that fuelled this historical process and period were technological, socioeconomic, and cultural aspects.
Digital Technologies: Electronic systems, solutions, devices, tools, and applications that generate, share, and manage data and information resources.
Digital Innovations: Continuous process of development, disruption, implementation and application of new technological products and services to transform and bring real and positive change in people, organizations, institutions, and communities.