onal structures, processes, and technologies provide them with the necessary flexibility to change in ways which will make them compatible with the changing societal environments (Boulding, 1988, p. 111). Beyond these two general areas of agreement, however, there are wide differences as to just how the postindustrial society and economy will be shaped.
It has been pointed out that, in the current period of transition, society and its institutions are in the process of exploring new goals, values, technologies, and processes (Huber, 1984, p. 930). Certainly, not all of these new goals, values, technologies, and processes will prove to be acceptable, and will survive into the postindustrial age. It is this very uncertainty which is the cause of the disagreement as to the eventual shape of the postindustrial society. It has also been pointed out that many of the alternative goals, values, technologies, and processes which will be rejected during this period of transition may well be resurrected and implemented at some point during the postindustrial society (Drucker, 1980, p. 81). Thus, whatever characteristics are projected today may well change tomorrow.
The essential characteristics which will define the differences between industrial and postindustrial society and economy will likely exist with respect to four factorsavailable and accessible knowledge, societal complexity, economic turbulence, and the impact of technology (Huber, 1984, pp. 931932). Available and accessible knowledge, and the impact of technology are the factors of greatest interest in this current research.
...