The world needs a socioeconomic strategy--a set of interrelated policies that recognize that social and institutional changes at all levels of society are necessary to realize fully the technical and economic potential of new technologies. An assessment and dissemination of how different countries in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) have successfully adjusted their institutions and labor market practices is also needed. Effective implementation of change requires management commitment to deepen the involvement of those affected by new products, processes, and systems. Technological change cannot be realized without changes in the education and training system to produce a more highly skilled and educated work force. Social innovations are required to translate technology-induced productivity gains into higher employment. Having all society members equipped for making a useful contribution to economic and social life should become an objective of public policy. An investment climate should be created in which decisions to augment physical capital accompany decisions to augment intangible capital. An expanding world market is necessary for the socioeconomic strategy to succeed. Technological innovation and social change must be seen as an integrated process and should be managed as such. Technological assessments should be developed and maintained on a continual basis in order to contribute to informed public debate. This report by a multinational group of experts examines the national and international implications of new technologies in five chapters which discuss, respectively, the new structural challenge, the impact on employment and productivity, workplace flexibility, human resource development, and effects on society as a whole. A bibliography containing 196 entries concludes the document. (CML)