The Role of Public Policy in Enhancing the Design and Diffusion of Information Systems and Technology for Human Benefit

Technologies for human benefit, such as information systems and information technology, have a key role to play in the realization of quality of life for all citizenry by modern societies. New forms of IS and IT can be developed and used creatively to improve education, health, social equity, environmental conditions, social and environmental sustainability, government and not-for-profit services, participation in government , and enjoyment of life in general. However, potentially valuable new technologies for human benefit may not be utilized due to barriers inherent in capitalist economies, including barriers to design and development of new technologies and barriers to adoption and diffusion of those new technologies. Some barriers to development stem from the profit motive, including lack