The phrase “information society” is one so ubiquitous it has become passé, but its continued use, even in academic spheres, indicates a shared acknowledgement: that information, in its myriad mercurial forms, has become so integrated into every facet of modern life that it must be considered first and foremost when making any attempt to describe the character of the age.

TheHandbook of Research on Cultural and Economic Impacts of the Information Society brings together an international and interdisciplinary forum of scholars and researchers to provide a comprehensive understanding of the role that information plays in all aspects of modern society. Through case-studies and empirical analyses, this volume provides an audience of academics, researchers, students, and professionals with a timely and straightforward reference source on the role that information technology plays in such spheres as law enforcement, democracy, governance, finance, rural development, and more.

Featuring empirical research and real-world case studies, this handbook explores concepts including, but not limited to, consumer culture, the impact of information and communication technologies on business innovation, cloud computing services, open and unrestricted data, and the potential value of affective computing.