This thesis is the case study of a young and unique international organization, the Pacific Telecommunications Council (PTC or Council). The study is in three parts: First, the history of the Council was developed, second a two-round international Policy Delphi was conducted, and third, three scenarios were created depicting alternative futures of the PTC. The history was plotted by systematically examining the available documents leading up to the incorporation of the PTC and its activities since that time. The Policy Delphi study was conducted to initiate discussion on sensitive policy questions. The issues explored included Council activities, Council membership, Council information services, and the future plans of the Council. The PTC Board of Trustees were chosen to respond to the Policy Delphi. The study began in July, 1980 and was completed in December, 1980. The Policy Delphi is a future and policy oriented method based on the use of expert opinion. It is a method which supports the use of subjective expertise to reduce uncertainty about the future. This method is one of the several new methods which has been developed to improve our ability to examine the future. The scenarios project possible future roles of the Council including a Council with high activity, moderate activity and diminishing activity. They are based in part on the data gathered in the Policy Delphi.

Abstract

This thesis is the case study of a young and unique international organization, the Pacific Telecommunications Council (PTC or Council). The study is in three parts: First, the history of the Council was developed, second a two-round international Policy