Exam Paper - 2009

Question 1

Critically evaluate the impact of the Internet and other digital technologies on ONE of the following issues by considering organizational responses and policy implications.

Creative practice in arts and design
Consumption of fashion, leisure and lifestyle products
Branding and competitiveness of cities


Question 2
Discuss national models of information society with reference to information and communication technology infrastructure and socio-economic development.


Question 3
“In heterarchies, friction can be bountiful because complex coordination is a function not only of the values we share or of the language we have in common but also of our creative misunderstandings.” Discuss with particular reference to power relations and control regimes in "new organizational forms‟.


Question 4
Discuss online social networks and communities in terms of user behaviour and social relationships. Use an example such as that of social networking sites, user created contents (UCC) or Second Life.



Question 5
Evaluate the role of open source software (OSS) and creative commons licence (CCL) in bridging the digital divide in developing countries.



Question 6
Compare and contrast the theories on social inequality, power relations and democracy in the information society. Draw on at least two theorists among Manuel Castells, Henri Lefebvre, Jurgen Habemas, Anthony Giddens and Roberto Unger.