Information technology policy trends in the world

This paper analyzes worldwide information technology (IT) policy trends development using technology-diffusion, policy-making models. After reviewing various types of technology transfer, the authors identified a framework based on the approach of “Hanna”. The policy trends of 55 IT programs in 11 countries were positioned in the framework using a bottom–up approach. The authors analyzed IT policy-making initiative trends, and our findings show a sharp increase in the number of hands-off programs in the past 10 years and a considerable increase in the number of bridging programs since 1990. It also shows that before 1990, IT was not yet considered an independent program in the policy-making arena. Programs that use a hands-on method prefer the “generation” policy group rather than the “diffusion” policy group, but hands-off methods are neutral. The authors make recommendations and offer guidelines for IT policy makers. The study opens up new lines of research possibilities for IT researchers.