Pierre Rossel

Conceptualizing e-Governance

In this paper, we aimed at conceptualizing the notion of e-governance, as there is a need to explore the new configurations and knowledge issues having emerged out of such pressures as globalization, economic competitiveness, the evolution of the State and the development of information and communication technologies (ICTs). In fact, we postulate that there is a constant and necessary readjustment to be made between the trend towards technological innovation and the need for regulation and institutional acknowledgement and transformation. This co-evolutionary process goes far beyond the mere extension of government action onto non -State actors, as e-governance is too often understood. We see this process rather as a collective problem-solving dynamics, involving several types of stakeholders, among which, often, the State and its diverse representatives, but not only and by far, have to operate in a multi-level and open-ended space ICTs, in that type of process, are multi-faceted, sometimes just tools for productivity or communication, but sometimes also an industrial sector of its own, that has to be supported and regulated, as part of a critical series of structural change factors impacting our society. In this evolution, administrative services have been thought of, too often, as the main objective of e-governance, but we see now the need for an enhanced capability framework in policy-making and regulation, involving a broader mindset when it comes to use and regulate ICTs.

Weak signals as a flexible framing space for enhanced management and decision-making

This paper revisits theories of weak signal analysis using the concepts of ‘framing’ and ‘meta-framing’ to provide an enriched methodological environment for management and decision-making in turbulent contexts. This attempt takes place within the effort that futures studies have deployed to cope with the need to be ‘early’ in change processes, and is intended to improve firms’ preparedness regarding uncertainties, threats and opportunities. The weak signal notion is one of the metaphors coined to accomplish that, thanks to the seminal role played by Igor Ansoff in the 1970s and 1980s, and the inputs of more recent continuators who have shaped a wide methodological environment. After over 20 years of weak signal exploration, some pending issues suggest the need to re-open some basic hypotheses as well as the use of a wide-angle lens to review the Ansoff legacy and its relevance for management and decision-making. The concepts of framing and meta-framing are the means that will allow us to do this by adding a more reflexive dimension to weak signal analysis, taking account of analysts’ and commissioning organisations’ own biases, and enhancing firms’ robustness against possibly disruptive futures. Pragmatic managerial orientations of how to make use of methodological blends involving reflexive steps will be outlined, also suggesting diverse tracks for further research on weak signal theories and their contributions to both futures studies and strategic management.

From Practice to Theory and back to Practice: Reflexivity in Measurement and Evaluation for Evidence-based Policy Making in the Information Society ☆

This article presents a comprehensive review of literature and practice on the measurement and evaluation of ICT impact in general and of selected public eServices (eGovernment, eHealth, and eInclusion), within the context of the Information Society paradigm. It calls for a sustained meta-level analysis, in which it is important to have a self-reflexive layer where we evaluate and measure how we evaluate and measure, and what the implications and the trade-offs are. The analysis justifies the call for reflexivity as a necessary step towards advancing our understanding of the impact of ICT within the Information Society domains observed. The article concludes presenting some possible ways of re-coupling the conceptual and technical dimensions of the measurement process and linking the production of measurement data more closely with impact evaluation causal models and hypotheses. It suggests that this could be achieved by refocusing on the micro level and stimulating a gradual micro-macro link through an intermediate (meso) level, which effects need to be described using different measurements and evaluation paradigms. In order to do so it is required to refine and test our theories and models to find out where it would be most feasible to scale up to the global (macro) level and to shape and inform the production of more valid measurement indicators for better informing evidence-based policy making in the Information Society

Making anticipatory systems more robust

– When coping with complex, but also possibly disruptive and open‐ended social dynamics, the anticipatory system idea, which was developed by Rosen in the realm of physical and biological system observation, remains a reference framework, but one that may need to be reinforced by other theoretical considerations. This paper aims at using a debate that took place in a specific foresight discussion arena on early detection and weak signal analysis, as a constructive epistemic detour to eventually contribute to such a reinforcement of Rosens anticipatory system proposal., – The author aims at revisiting Rosens framework with stimulating inputs drawing upon the early detection debates, by first assessing the original concepts brought up by Ansoff in the 1970s and 1980s and its further enhancements by contemporary scholars. A rather constructivist approach is then developed to weak signal analysis, aiming at emphasising the need, in analytical situations involving social system features, for reflexive stages and capacities. Bearing this requirement in mind, the productive value of the “framing” and “meta‐framing” notions is explored, in order to apply them to Rosens anticipatory systems and possibly contribute to enriching his original concept., – How effective the framing and meta‐framing couple can be for a series of anticipatory issues is described in a detailed manner and, then more specifically, Rosens anticipatory system concept is revisited in the light of those inputs, aiming at putting into perspective new options for research and anticipation activities in general., – The paper is essentially conceptual and based on a rich but disputable detour by early detection and weak analysis issues so as to emphasise key reflexive references and method. However, most of this material is taken from domains rather untypical of Rosennean debates and in addition would need to be completed by a series of supportive cases, but that is beyond the scope and scale of this paper., – The paper sets clear distinctions and boundaries for when and when not to apply reflexive steps in a foresight exercise, including in the context of rolling out a Rosen type of approach. Research decision making both in the corporate and policy‐making contexts can benefit from such clues and supportive framework conditions., – Social systems are typically complex and involve multiple perspectives and viewpoints; they concern a series of major challenges to be coped with locally or more globally, at environmental, political, cultural or technological level, and in that category of anticipatory endeavor, the framing/meta‐framing epistemic couple may be of great usefulness., – Although rather conceptual, the detour proposed by the paper aims at creating a reflexive distance and enriched capability to evaluate ones potential biases and blind spots in anticipatory modelling activities.

Exploring the future of Wi-Fi

Reference EPFL-CHAPTER-187797 URL: http://www.cambridge.org/us/academic/subjects/management/entrepreneurship-and-innovation/innovation-journey-wi-fi-road-global-success Record created on 2013-08-05, modified on 2016-08-09