Information technologies in the transition to a market economy: The case of latecomers

During the transition to the market economy, Eastern European countries face serious problems in the implementation of information technologies. There are many constraints holding the information threshold to a low level. Constructed on centrally-planned principles, Eastern European economies created rather ineffective information industries, despite relatively extensive rates of informatisation. During the current transition, privatisation, new hierarchial structures, and information policies are expected to improve the economic performance of information technology. Some short and long term aspects of the problem are outlined, taking into account the formation of new trends, government measures to stimulate informatisation, and foreign aid intended to bring Eastern Europe to world levels of information technology.