Electronic Support for the Practice of Research

Abstract Developments in information technology services during the previous and current decades are argued to have very significant implications for the conduct, and even the nature, of research. These changes should not be thought of as predictable, linear developments, not even as mere discontinuous functions. They constitute a revolution, challenging established notions of the research process. Conventional economics is not appropriate as a means of understanding these changes because it is presaged upon resource scarcity, whereas data and processing power are not in short supply. Other inadequacies include the heterogeneity of research activity and research tools, and the chameleon character of many information technology services, which are what each user perceives them to be. To cope with the revolution, policy developers and research managers must resort to the blunter instruments of political economy, strategic and competitive theory, innovation diffusion and technology assessment, and be nimble....

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