What aspects of today\'s information economy have influenced the importance of building partnerships? Solution A revolution in information and communications technology is transforming the way we live and work. Information Communication Technoloy is becoming the largest distribution platform of providing public and private services to millions of people in rural and poor areas. It is changing the way we deliver education and business services, design buildings and cities, and manufacture engines and cars. Market information, financial services, education and health services had largely been unavailable in those areas in the past due to lack of connectivity of any kind. Increases productivity and makes the market work more efficiently reaching population with low levels of income and literacy. A recognisable new dynamic force – the information economy – has emerged, and is transforming every other sector. The principles of business strategy are being transformed from focusing on physical assets and economies of scale to the drivers of success which reside in connectivity and intangibles. Businesses need to develop and manage complex ecologies or organizations around themselves so as to succeed. Barriers between companies, which used to be solid and absolute, are now permeable. Through virtual integration, the walls between enterprises crumble. Cyber security underpins the information economy. Without it businesses and consumers would not have the trust and confidence to use the internet and other digital technologies. People and businesses expect the right information to be available, all the time, and anywhere. Through trends such as cloud computing, software services and data are hosted away from users but are accessible on demand, any place or time.