Unleashing innovation: making the FCC user‐friendly
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to describe a case study of the FCC, dealing with relieving the tension between technical innovation and the regulation of applications of technology.
Design/methodology/approach
The author's experience as Chief Scientist of the FCC is used to show how the innovations of the information age were accommodated under the procedures governing the regulation of communications.
Findings
The success of the rapid introduction of digital information technology and networking, replacing analog telephony and inflexible technical rules governing the use of the electromagnetic spectrum, resulted from relatively minor modifications in staffing of a technical planning office lacking currency with the innovations in the technology supporting the communication and broadcasting industries. The support of the chairman, the commissioners, and their confidence in the leadership of the office were critical to success.
Originality/value
Leading a regulatory agency to helping rather than hindering progress speaks for itself.
Keywords
Citation
Lukasik, S.J. (2009), "Unleashing innovation: making the FCC user‐friendly", info, Vol. 11 No. 5, pp. 76-85. https://doi.org/10.1108/14636690910989342
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2009, Emerald Group Publishing Limited