Dissolving the digital dilemma: meta-theory and intellectual property

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Singer, Alan E.^a | Calton, Jerry^b

Affiliations: [a] Department of Management University of Canterbury Christchurch, New Zealand, Tel.: +64 3 3667001; Fax: +64 3 3642020; E-mail: aes@mang.canterbury.ac.nz | [b] University of Hawaii, Hilo, Hawaii, USA, Fax: +1 808 974 7685; E-mail: jcalton@pahuleka.uhh.hawaii.edu

Abstract: The contemporary worldwide dissensus and dilemma concerning the nature and enforcement of intellectual property rights, can be informed by metatheory. Policy in this area can be depicted as a resultant of narrowly-defined interests of stakeholder groups. It can also be described in terms of rational deliberations, that span scenarios and strategies, as well as the spectrum of social science theories and metatheories. The case for weaker IPR policy regimes then becomes quite compelling. Such regimes institutionalise relatively tight limitations on the scope, duration and applicability of patents and copyrights. They can be understood and justified in terms of cautious policy-level interventions in an ecology of knowledge. They are also oriented towards human development and higher ideals. More generally, such contributions from metatheory to public policy and business strategy have been rather sparsely documented, yet they are very timely.

DOI: 10.3233/HSM-2001-20105

Journal: Human Systems Management, vol. 20, no. 1, pp. 19-33, 2001