The British national information strategy

Many countries have developed frameworks of policies to guide their transition into information societies. The approach is consistent and systematic. In Britain we have not attempted to develop policies in this way. Rather they have emerged as a result of disparate initiatives. The current policies are analysed using a matrix which identifies three levels of policy: industrial, organisation and social; and four cross-cutting themes: information technology, information markets, human resources and legislation and regulation. Together, the various initiatives add up to a national strategy but it is one that lacks coordination and cohesion.