This chapter considers the literature relevant to a study of the impact of digital convergence upon governance that impinges the overall manifestation of ICTs in the public sector today. In addressing the issue, the discussion is made within the conceptual evolution and the changing paradigm of ICT and convergence, policy networks, and the related issues, locating them at the centre of network governance literature. The central theme of this chapter is to highlight the proliferation of ICT agenda, in particular reference to digital convergence and eventually how the mode of ICT governance is affected by three important factors: first, policy network; second, new legal or regulatory environment; and third, institutional reforms. Thus, to put things into perspective and as an indication of the genuine contribution of the study of knowledge in the field, these three important domains of analysis in line with the research questions are considered to be most relevant.
TopIntroduction
The first section reviews the theoretical background of digital convergence, network governance and its relationships to the context underlying the practice of policy network. Section two clarifies digital convergence and its interfaces with industry or private self-regulation. Section three provides systematic explanations of interactions and outcomes of policy processes by which, that institutional convergence has affected the state and society relations and new mode of governance. Following this, the discussion tries to strengthen the framework on these three dimensions, analysing them in the context of policy network to link the analytical, empirical and normative consideration of network governance. The review, using an interdisciplinary analytical framework, will provide a comprehensive understanding of how a range of scholarly debates from contending backgrounds perceive and interpret the same issues.
For the purpose of establishing the perspective in this chapter, our evaluation of framework is based on two crucial questions stated as follows:
Following discussion of these two broad issues, the analysis will then consider the notion of a new self-regulatory regime which is already in existence in Malaysia as the most appropriate model towards an ideal form of ICT governance policy.
TopPolicy Networks And New Mode Of Governance
How exactly do technological innovations, in particular digital convergence, enhance the governance process? In order to respond to this question, it is worth examining the various categorical domains of technology itself. Digital convergence can be generally classified as the synchronisation of “voice, data, text, and images, and transmitted in vastly greater volume and at far higher speed” (Humphreys, et al., 1992, pp.3-4). The means of delivering public interest content must be defined in regulatory terms which do not unduly restrict the competitive communications environment operating on a global scale (Jacobs, 2000). In other words, this simply means that through the sophistication of new technology, users will have access to a wide ranging information, entertainment, communications, and transaction services in a single interface point. Policy network is one of the most important features in determining whether a new mode of governance can be successfully achieved by a nation-state, or by supranational bodies. In this section, various elements concerning policy network and its implications for the search for a new mode governance are highlighted from a variety of academic perspectives.