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Evolution of information technology in Singapore
Author
Ng, Jocelyn Suu-lyn
Supervisor
Corbett, P. Scott
Abstract
Since the beginning of the So's, Singapore has moved her way decisively into the Information Age. The pervasive presence of computers, facsimile machines, cellular phones in one's society and the concomitant trend of more people in the business of handling information are evidence of this Age. While there may not seem to be anything extraordinary about the concept of handling information, the phenomenal speed and efficiency with which the above mentioned devices allow information to be processed, stored and disseminated however have revolutionised information handling. This has caused many to regard Information Technology (IT) a a productivity tool and Information as a resource -- as highly valued as physical resources like land or fuel.
This thesis first examines why and how IT took root in Singapore? What was the combination of factors which created conditions favourable for the propagation of IT? In an attempt to computerise Singapore, the Singapore government implemented a series of IT plans to further the nation's efforts to move up the value-added chain by driving IT into all sectors of society. These plans are divided into three distinct phases; the goal of the first phase is to computerise the government; the goal of the second phase is to computerise the nation; and the goal of the third phase is to turn Singapore into an Information Society. These plans serve as useful reference points for assessing Singapore's progress at different stages of her development. While the Multinational Corporations had been instrumental in the beginning of the 80's in providing the requisite technological know-how for foundation laying, by the mid 80's however, it was the Singapore government which was the driving force of lT propagation in Singapore, nurturing and pushing Singapore to the forefront of the Information Age.
This thesis first examines why and how IT took root in Singapore? What was the combination of factors which created conditions favourable for the propagation of IT? In an attempt to computerise Singapore, the Singapore government implemented a series of IT plans to further the nation's efforts to move up the value-added chain by driving IT into all sectors of society. These plans are divided into three distinct phases; the goal of the first phase is to computerise the government; the goal of the second phase is to computerise the nation; and the goal of the third phase is to turn Singapore into an Information Society. These plans serve as useful reference points for assessing Singapore's progress at different stages of her development. While the Multinational Corporations had been instrumental in the beginning of the 80's in providing the requisite technological know-how for foundation laying, by the mid 80's however, it was the Singapore government which was the driving force of lT propagation in Singapore, nurturing and pushing Singapore to the forefront of the Information Age.
Date Issued
1996
Call Number
HC79.I55 Ng
Date Submitted
1996