ABSTRACT
The development process remains a 'mystery' to development specialists despite a growing body of literature over the decades. The 1980s was a 'lost development decade' for much of the Third World. The frustrations of underdevelopment are exacerbated by tragedies and disasters caused by natural and human-induced calamities that drain human and infrastructural resource investments in less developed countries. This chapter describes an information dimension to development studies that takes into account the electronic-based information economy and recent experiences. It suggests a flexible, multidisciplinary knowledge- and information-based development paradigm. The new framework conceives development as constituting behavioural and institutional changes in a country. A proactive information and knowledge-seeking posture makes it possible to conceive policies that take stock of national capabilities and are able to advance national learning. Alertness to internal and external changes among a country's institutions makes it possible to take advantage of opportunities in an international arena.
