The concept of knowledge society

 

the knowledge society

Technology has meant a great development in societies, since the world has become a small village without cultural, geographical and even temporal barriers, and contemporary society has come to be described as an information or knowledge society; Since information flows into it easily, effortlessly and without high costs, it is worth noting that knowledge in turn contributed to changing societies in general and economic societies in particular, and thus became important in the construction of effective decisions and, therefore, of wise behaviors that made it a vital component in the progress of countries and their development.  Hence, it was necessary to shed light on the concept of the knowledge society and its most outstanding characteristics, dimensions and foundations for its construction.

The concept of knowledge society

Knowledge is the source of the verb (arif), which is the opposite of the familiar, and its plural, that is:

 It is said: He looks at a thing as it is: He teaches it what is right. That is, he knows it well, and it means self-knowledge: a person's understanding of the nature, capabilities and limitations of him, his awareness of the properties and characteristics that make him up.  For his frequent transformations to understand what is happening around him.

 Given the previous concept of knowledge, it can be said that the knowledge society is a modern term. Studies have not resulted in a clear and precise definition of it, but there are specialists who have tried to define it; In order to give a complete definition related to it, some of these definitions are as follows:

•   It is defined in (UNDP Report 2003 CE) as: “That society that is based mainly on the dissemination, production and efficient use of knowledge in all areas of social activity: economy, civil society, politics and the private sector.  to constantly improve the human condition, establish Human Development.
•  He (Al-Turkmani) defined it as: "A society that takes knowledge as its main goal, planning and applying it in various areas of its life, and benefits from knowledge in managing its affairs and making decisions. rational and accurate.  It is this society that produces information; knowing the background and dimensions of things of all kinds, not only in their country, but throughout the world.
•  The 2002 European Regional Conference defined it as: “A society in which all people, without discrimination of any kind, can exercise their right to freedom of opinion and expression, including the freedom to hold opinions without interference, and the freedom of seeking, receiving and disseminating information, through any means Connection and beyond geographical 

 From the above definitions, it can be concluded that a knowledge society means: a society that allows its members the freedom to possess, transfer, transfer and exchange information through computers, information technologies and multiple satellites and their use.  Improve the standard of living and human service.

Characteristics of a knowledge society

The features and characteristics of the knowledge society differed according to the views of researchers in this field, and some of these features are mentioned below:

•  Availability of infrastructure that depends on information and communication technologies. Share information easily, so it's available to everyone.
•  The ability to innovate, where the use of reason contributes to the production and generation of knowledge.
•  Participation is provided by broad audiences and knowledge-producing individuals, such as scientists, researchers, innovators, and others.
•  Shift towards e-learning instead of the prevailing stereotypes in education.
•  Knowledge is constantly renewed.
•  Dominate the information industry, its dissemination, distribution, exchange, use, etc.
• Rely on electronic management systems, creative management, and knowledge management, as these methods are considered atypical in organizations.
•  Increase the number of trained and distinguished human cadres characterized by creativity and innovation.
• Availability of research and development centers with human and material capacities.
•  The growth of a culture of self-learning and lifelong learning.
• Develop the ability to make the most effective decisions.
•  Focus on mental work, through problem solving, developing opportunities for the individual, and other things.

Dimensions of the knowledge society

• Technological dimension: where technology is applied in all the different areas of life.
•    The economic dimension: where knowledge is the cornerstone to rationalize the economy, generate job opportunities and add value. This means that a society that uses information in all its economic activities is a self-imposed and competitive society.
•    The political dimension: where everyone has a role in rational decision-making based on the effective use of knowledge, and this is achieved by expanding the circle of freedom in the exchange of information and achieving the concepts of justice, democracy and equality, and active political participation. 
•    The social dimension: where the interest in raising the level of awareness of the importance of knowledge and information technology in the daily life of the individual, paying attention to the rate of renewal, quantity, quality, speed of development and others. Stuff.

Foundations of building a knowledge society

The Arab Human Development Report mentioned a set of essential foundations. Build a knowledge society, namely:

•  Create a model of public knowledge that is open, informed and authentic. Attention to the construction of our own capacities for research and technological development in all community activities and the localization of science.
•  Address and guarantee freedom of expression and opinion, as it leads to the production of knowledge, that is, creativity, development, technological innovation and others. 
•  Pay attention to the full spread of higher education, with an interest in lifelong education, giving priority to initial education, and improving the quality of education at all stages, in addition to paying attention to the development of higher education and education basic .  It must be generalized so that it is available to everyone, increasing its period to a minimum of ten rows.
•  Interest in moving to the intensive production of knowledge in the economic and social environment, through the diversification of markets, based on self-knowledge, technological capabilities and the development of renewable resources.