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Information Technology in Italy |
by Agnese de Leo & Rosa Gabriele | |
Who uses IT?Once introduced Italian cellular phone usage skyrocketed almost immediately, while the Internet has been slow to take off. In fact, by 2001 the number of cell phones is is expected to exceed the total number of traditional lines. Italians are not technologically averse, if they are interested they can be very quick to adapt. One author points out that the key to their interest lies in the answer to the question, �What is in it for me?� http://gandalf.it/dati/dati4.htm Another possible twist on the story of Internet interest is that Italians are skeptical of outsiders and guard their privacy. Italy is a country in which personal relationships form the cornerstone of life and its daily transactions. The Internet is a global communications network for both individuals and business, where the personal loses its priority. In fact, perhaps some Italians don't trust the Internet because it takes away that local level. The anonymity of the Internet would render them almost powerless and be counter to their culture. Additionally, there are major linguistic, cultural and economic regional differences among Italy's fifteen regions.Even today, in a world presumably shrunk by the mass media the typical Italian has a distinct way of identifying himself or herself, usually beginning with his/her city of origin. Perhaps as a result of late unification and late industrialization, compared to the rest of Europe, Italians still feel a profound attachment to the town or even village of origin. Ironically, in this environment as more people begin to use the Internet to communicate long-distance with family and friends, it may strengthen the existing regional cleavages. These cultural idiosyncrasies and other many other issues ranging from financial backing of information technology to the available labor pool and Italian thoughts on immigration are explored in other sections of the site. Although Italy is one country, it is important to note that there are major differences among the regions in their circumstance and ability to adapt technology. In other words, as Luigi Barzini suggests in his book The Italians, " there is not one reality but an infinite range of realities�" (Barzini 1964, 201) Wherever possible we will try to illuminate the differences and to determine the reasoning behind those differences. Italy will only be able to bridge the gap between the old and new if the abilities and special qualities of the whole country are harnessed and used to their full potential.
Source : www.forbes.com* See links for Davide Gallino�s book.
ITALIANS WHO SPEAK ENGLISH |
