Recent developments in information and communication technology (ICT) have paved the way for a world of advanced communication, intelligent information processing and ubiquitous access to information and services. The ability to work, communicate, interact, conduct business, and enjoy digital entertainment virtually anywhere is r- idly becoming commonplace due to a multitude of small devices, ranging from mobile phones and PDAs to RFID tags and wearable computers. The increasing number of connected devices and the proliferation of networks provide no indication of a sl- down in this tendency. On the negative side, misuse of this same technology entails serious risks in various aspects, such as privacy violations, advanced electronic crime, cyber terrorism, and even enlargement of the digital divide. In extreme cases it may even threaten basic principles and human rights. The aforementioned issues raise an important question: Is our society ready to adopt the technological advances in ubiq- tous networking, next-generation Internet, and pervasive computing? To what extent will it manage to evolve promptly and efficiently to a next-generation society, ado- ing the forthcoming ICT challenges? The Third International ICST Conference on e-Democracy held in Athens, Greece during September 23–25, 2009 focused on the above issues. Through a compreh- sive list of thematic areas under the title “Next-Generation Society: Technological and Legal issues,” the 2009 conference provided comprehensive reports and stimulated discussions on the technological, ethical, legal, and political challenges ahead of us.

Recent developments in information and communication technology (ICT) have paved the way for a world of advanced communication, intelligent information processing and ubiquitous access to information and services. The ability to work, communicate, interact, conduct business, and enjoy digital entertainment virtually anywhere is r- idly becoming commonplace due to a multitude of small devices, ranging from mobile phones and PDAs to RFID tags and wearable computers. The increasing number of connected devices and the proliferation of networks provide no indication of a sl- down in this tendency. On the negative side, misuse of this same technology entails serious risks in various aspects, such as privacy violations, advanced electronic crime, cyber terrorism, and even enlargement of the digital divide. In extreme cases it may even threaten basic principles and human rights. The aforementioned issues raise an important question: Is our society ready to adopt the technological advances in ubiq- tous networking, next-generation Internet, and pervasive computing? To what extent will it manage to evolve promptly and efficiently to a next-generation society, ado- ing the forthcoming ICT challenges? The Third International ICST Conference on e-Democracy held in Athens, Greece during September 23–25, 2009 focused on the above issues. Through a compreh- sive list of thematic areas under the title “Next-Generation Society: Technological and Legal issues,” the 2009 conference provided comprehensive reports and stimulated discussions on the technological, ethical, legal, and political challenges ahead of us.

Leaders from academia and industry offer guidance for professionals and general readers on ethical questions posed by modern technology.

Structural change is an evolutionary process that is often cumulative within territories, improving the quality of life and achieving higher development levels. At the same time, smart cities, education and social innovation are essential to promoting sustainable development. This book examines regional and entrepreneurial development as a creative and dynamic concept by considering the role of these dimensions in promoting a virtuous cycle for long-term sustainable development.

In the ongoing evolution of Asia's economy and society, there is a crucial need to explore innovative conceptual frameworks, empirical studies, and case analyses. These endeavors aim to unravel the intricate relationship between digital transformation and the imperative for fostering a greener, more circular, and climate-neutral Asian economy. Strengthening Sustainable Digitalization of Asian Economy and Society explores the intersection between digital technologies, knowledge management, and sustainable development. The book addresses the challenges and opportunities the digital age poses, examining how advanced information technologies, including artificial intelligence, IoT, and machine learning, coupled with practical knowledge management, can catalyze a transformative journey. Strengthening Sustainable Digitalization of Asian Economy and Society unravels how these digital tools and solutions impact the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, offering invaluable insights for academics, researchers, industry players, policymakers, and stakeholders. This book emphasizes the ASEAN region, providing an understanding of the regional nuances in the digital transition by presenting comparative regional studies, including Asia, Europe, the USA, Latin America, Africa, and the Gulf Region.

Untangling Smart Cities: From Utopian Dreams to Innovation Systems for a Technology-Enabled Urban Sustainability helps all key stakeholders understand the complex and often conflicting nature of smart city research, offering valuable insights for designing and implementing strategies to improve the smart city decision-making processes. The book drives the reader to a better theoretical and practical comprehension of smart city development, beginning with a thorough and systematic analysis of the research literature published to date. It addition, it provides an in-depth understanding of the entire smart city knowledge domain, revealing a deeply rooted division in its cognitive-epistemological structure as identified by bibliometric insights. Users will find a book that fills the knowledge gap between theory and practice using case study research and empirical evidence drawn from cities considered leaders in innovative smart city practices. - Provides clarity on smart city concepts and strategies - Presents a systematic literature analysis on the state-of-the-art of smart cities' research using bibliometrics combined with practical applications - Offers a comprehensive and systematic analysis of smart cities research produced during its first three decades - Generates a strong connection between theory and practice by providing the scientific knowledge necessary to approach the complex nature of smart cities - Documents five main development pathways for smart cities development, serving the needs of city managers and policymakers with concrete advice and guidance

Drawing on the thought of Max Weber, in particular his theory of stratification, this book engages with the question of whether the digital divide simply extends traditional forms of inequality, or whether it also includes new forms of social exclusion, or perhaps manifests counter-trends that alleviate traditional inequalities whilst constituting new modalities of inequality. With attention to the manner in which social stratification in the digital age is reproduced and transformed online, the author develops an account of stratification as it exists in the digital sphere, advancing the position that, just as in the social sphere, inequalities in the online world go beyond the economic elements of inequality. As such, study of the digital divide should focus not simply on class dynamics or economic matters, but cultural aspects - such as status or prestige - and political aspects - such as group affiliations. Demonstrating the enduring relevance of Weber’s distinctions with regard to social inequality, The Third Digital Divide: A Weberian approach to rethinking digital inequalities explores the ways in which online activities and digital skills vary according to crucial sociological dimensions, explaining these in concrete terms in relation to the dynamics of social class, social status and power. As such, it will be of interest to social scientists with interests in sociological theory, the sociology of science and technology, and inequality and the digital divide.