The information and communication society: how people will live and work in the new millennium

This paper analyses information and communication technology (ICT) and its relation to work organizations, human communication, stress, allocation iss ues, knowledge transfer and global villages. An interdisciplinary research programme on 'Computer technology and work life' was initiated and led by t he author at Stockholm University in 1974, followed by many programmes in S weden in the held. A theoretical framework was developed including two theo retical models, one more general, the other where the concepts and their in terrelationships were specified. The models were tested empirically in thre e large work organizations in Sweden, representing three main historical pe riods of computer technology. It was also used as a model in discussing wha t might be desirable goats in the information society. The present fourth p eriod, the 'Network period', is characterized by a convergence of three mai n technologies: computer, telecommunication and media. TCT is used in almos t every activity and is embedded in many things. The author proposes a supe rimposed theoretical model reflecting 'ICT and the psychosocial life enviro nment', a revised model of her initial models. Finally, future research is discussed with reference to theoretical models revised, and conclusions add ress major psychosocial processes, psychosocial life environments and a cal l for synthesis.