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The Role of Information and Communication Technologies in Economic Development: A Partial Survey

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  • Bedi, Arjun S.

Abstract

The diffusion of information and communication technologies (ICTs) and their potential as a development tool have generated a wide array of views. The variety of views suggests that the role and impact of these technologies are still obscure and that the debate regarding them suffers from a lack of unambiguous evidence. Recognizing the need for clarity, the author endeavors in this paper to answer three questions: first, what features distinguish these technologies from those invented in the past; second, what are the channels through which ICTs are expected to promote development, and finally, what justifies the confidence placed in ICTs as a development tool, that is, is there empirical evidence supporting the claims made for or against the use and spread of these technologies?

Suggested Citation

  • Bedi, Arjun S., 1999. "The Role of Information and Communication Technologies in Economic Development: A Partial Survey," Discussion Papers 279848, University of Bonn, Center for Development Research (ZEF).
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:ubzefd:279848
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.279848
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    Cited by:

    1. Ofori, Isaac K. & Osei, Dennis B. & Alagidede, Imhotep P., 2022. "Inclusive growth in Sub-Saharan Africa: Exploring the interaction between ICT diffusion and financial development," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 46(7).
    2. Ezinne M. Emeana & Liz Trenchard & Katharina Dehnen-Schmutz, 2020. "The Revolution of Mobile Phone-Enabled Services for Agricultural Development (m-Agri Services) in Africa: The Challenges for Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-27, January.
    3. Lal, K., 2004. "E-Business and Export Behavior: Evidence from Indian Firms," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 32(3), pages 505-517, March.
    4. Ofori, Isaac Kwesi & Asongu, Simplice A., 2021. "ICT Diffusion, Foreign Direct Investment and Inclusive Growth in Sub-Saharan Africa," MPRA Paper 107757, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    5. Karen Eggleston & Robert Jensen & Richard Zeckhauser, 2002. "Information and Communication Technologies, Markets and Economic Development," Discussion Papers Series, Department of Economics, Tufts University 0203, Department of Economics, Tufts University.
    6. Tasneem Zafar & Khalid Aftab, 2007. "Digital Divide: An Econometric Study of the Determinants in Information-poor Countries," The Pakistan Development Review, Pakistan Institute of Development Economics, vol. 46(1), pages 63-96.
    7. Kaushalesh Lal, 2007. "E-business and Manufacturing Sector: A Study of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises in India," Palgrave Macmillan Books, in: Information and Communication Technologies in the Context of Globalization, chapter 2, pages 16-33, Palgrave Macmillan.
    8. Ofori, Isaac K. & Osei, Dennis B. & Alagidede, Imhotep P., 2022. "Inclusive growth in Sub-Saharan Africa: Exploring the interaction between ICT diffusion, and financial development," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 46(7).
    9. Charles J. Kenny, 2002. "The Internet and Economic Growth in Least Developed Countries: A Case of Managing Expectations?," WIDER Working Paper Series DP2002-75, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    10. Charles Kenny, 2003. "The Internet and Economic Growth in Less-developed Countries: A Case of Managing Expectations? 1," Oxford Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 31(1), pages 99-113.
    11. von Braun, Joachim & Grote, Ulrike & Jütting, Johannes, 2000. "Zukunft der Entwicklungszusammenarbeit," Discussion Papers 280888, University of Bonn, Center for Development Research (ZEF).

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