Information technology in a transnational environment

Information technology (IT) has substantially altered societies, economies, and politics, and in the process has transcended state boundaries to form a global environment. Based on an extensive literature review, this paper examines the specific character of IT in a transnational environment and its effects on different societal units in order to understand IT-related issues and their resolution by means of national and international policy. Three dimensions of IT are proposed: the characteristics dimension, the effects dimension, and the issue area and policy dimension. The characteristics dimension refers to the salient characteristics of IT; the effects dimension considers the impact of IT on the individual, the transnational organization, and the state. The interaction of the above two dimensions create different issue areas and a demand for regulation and public policy; this is referred to as the issue area and policy dimension. Finally, harmonizing the differences in national policies is accomplished through bilateral, regional, or multilateral negotiations