Investigation of the Predictions and Decisions about Information and Communication Technologies in the Development Plans in Turkey

Conscious and balanced use of information and communication technologies (ICT) is one of the main foundations of the concept put forward as new economy. Studies on the forming process of new economy in Turkey are conducted, but failures are also experienced in forming an accurate policy in terms of information, technology and innovation. The aim of this study is to investigate the predictions and decisions with regard to information and communication technologies (ICT) in the development plans of Turkey and make an investigation in parallel to this. For this purpose, document analysis technique was employed in the research, and content analysis was used for the data analysis. Themes emerging from the data analysis were analyzed in terms of problem, purpose and application policies in the development plans. In this context, the results of the study revealed that problem, purpose and application policies with regard to technology production, technology development, technology policy, technology plan, and information and communication technologies were not included at all in the 1st and 2nd development plans. Moreover, it was found out that technology policies were first emphasized in the 3rd Development Plan in terms of purpose and application, and a technology plan was first emphasized in the 5th Development Plan as purpose. As for the information and communication technologies, it was first involved in the 8th Development Plan. Therefore, it was concluded that Turkey has latched on to the policies still valid today in the Information, Technology and Research field from the very beginning; however, failed to practice them in real life. The findings of the study are discussed with their causes and effects in Turkey. (Contains 5 tables.)