India's Information Technology Sector: What Contribution to Broader Economic Development?

Nirvikar Singh

No 207, OECD Development Centre Working Papers from OECD Publishing

Abstract: What contribution can information technology (IT) make to India’s overall economic development? This paper provides an analytical framework centred around the concepts of comparative advantage, complementarities, and innovation. There is strong evidence that India has a strong and sustainable comparative advantage in software development and IT-enabled services. Complementarities — in particular some form of domestic hardware industry as well as growing demand for software within the domestic market — are also important to sustain the growth of the IT sector, as well as to broaden its developmental impact. The paper also reviews innovative experiments of IT use to improve interactions between citizens and governments, farmers and corporations, and students and teachers in rural areas. The paper concludes with a brief discussion of opportunities for future growth in IT-enabled services, constraints to such dynamics, and possible policy responses. India faces existing and potential ... Quelle contribution les technologies de l’information peuvent-elles apporter au développement économique de l’Inde dans son ensemble ? Ce Document technique propose un cadre analytique fondé sur les concepts d’avantage comparatif, de complémentarités et d’innovation. Il est clair que l’Inde possède un avantage comparatif important et durable en matière de développement de logiciels et de services informatiques. Les complémentarités — en particulier une industrie nationale de composants informatiques ainsi qu’une demande croissante de logiciels sur le marché national — sont également importantes pour maintenir la croissance dans le secteur informatique, ainsi que pour élargir son impact sur le développement. Cet article examine également les expériences innovantes d’utilisation de l’informatique visant à améliorer les interactions entre citoyens et gouvernements, agriculteurs et entreprises, et entre étudiants et professeurs dans les zones rurales.Un bref débat sur les perspectives ...

Date: 2003-03-01
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:oec:devaaa:207-en

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