ABSTRACT
This chapter is concerned with the role of policy networks in shifting power relationships in local, regional, national and supra-national governance, together with the impact of such networks upon the promotion of innovative policies on information and communication technologies (ICTs). At the policy-making level, the perceived importance of ICTs to the future development of localities has engendered a range of responses to try and harness the new economy for the benefit of local populations and the local economy. Thus several cities, towns and regions have developed their own policies on ICT to try and foster the development of new sectors and the take-up of ICTs by existing sectors. One response has been to encourage the development of institutional capacity within areas to develop ICT initiatives, as part of broader arguments about the potential of “associationist” development and “learning regions” (Amin and Thrift 1995; OECD 2001).
