Modeling IT for Growth: How China's Informatization Index System Informs its Development Policy

摘要

China's information industry has now become its most powerful industry, and this intended result is a consequence of China's strategic informatization policy. This paper focuses on the informatization process of over two decades. It introduces the background and strategy; the implementation and challenges facing China; and the emergence of a paradigmatic view that frames cultural background, assumptions, and basic principles. The aim of this paper is: i) to provide a framework to understand China's perspective on the impacts of information technology, and ii) to describe the methodology being used to direct China's informatization. The paper's primary emphasis is on China's "Informatization Index System," (IIS) which is its most important tool for measuring the achievement of current informatization development, and for setting goals for informatization in the future. Consistent with the Chinese belief that change should be good and the understanding that informatization is an on-going incremental process, evolving step by step, this paper raises some questions for further improving the model for China's IIS. The opinions expressed are solely those of the authors and do not represent their institutions or any other person or entity.