Information intensity; let's make it more than an intuitive concept

Information intensity is a concept referred to by academics in theorizing, by businessmen in decision making, and by governments in reporting and regulating. The authors discuss some possibilities for developing the concept of information intensity into a communication tool for all three parties. The concept applies to all three levels of information-technology application: for efficiency in automation, for effectiveness in productivity, and for innovation in strategic management. The authors agree that it is necessary to mount a program of applied research which (1) generates and enables a better understanding of the issues; (2) develops a usable set of metrics for results-oriented measurement of information intensity; and (3) raises the degree to which economies benefit from the continuing innovations stemming from information technology.<>