Information and Communication Technologies: Growth, Competitiveness, and Policy for Developing Nations

Bastos, Maria-Ines and W Edward Steinmueller ()
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Bastos, Maria-Ines: United Nations University, Institute for New Technologies

No 11, Discussion Papers from United Nations University, Institute for New Technologies

Abstract: This paper surveys what can be said in response to three major questions: What are the contributions of ICTs to economic growth, how do ICTs influence competitiveness, and what can public policy do to affect the contribution of ICTs to growth and competitiveness? Current knowledge is limited, precluding definitive conclusions, particularly in relation to the magnitude of effects that ICTs may have over any relatively short time period, but recently available data on international production and apparent consumption of electronics equipment are explored. The conclusion is not optimistic: ICTs do not offer an immediate solution to many of the problems developing countries face. At the same time, however, developing countries cannot afford to ignore the role of ICTs in their plans for industrialisation or for improving public infrastructure.

Keywords: ICT; Economic aspects; Developing Countries (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 1995
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Persistent link: http://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:dgr:unuint:199511

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