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Growth and Transformative Effects of ICT Adoption : A Survey

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  • Vergara Cobos,Estefania Belen
  • Malasquez Carbonel,Eduardo Alonso

Abstract

This paper provides a compressive synthesis of the most recent and widely cited literature onthe economic effects of information and communications technology adoption at the country, firm, and individuallevels. The study surveys and analyzes the available literature on the topics of economic growth andtransformation, and highlights the main conclusions drawn by scholars, areas of ongoing debate, and remaining researchquestions that need to be addressed in future work. Over 85 percent of the reviewed papers are of quantitative nature, and approximately 32% of those show causal effects. Themajority of the studies find a positive relationship between the adoption of information and communications technologyand country economic growth, firm level growth, household/individual welfare, or labor conditions, with mostshowing statistically significant results. The paper shows that, for policy making purposes, the effects of informationand communications technology adoption should be thoroughly evaluated at all levels to ensure that the benefits outweighany potential negative consequences.

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  • Vergara Cobos,Estefania Belen & Malasquez Carbonel,Eduardo Alonso, 2023. "Growth and Transformative Effects of ICT Adoption : A Survey," Policy Research Working Paper Series 10352, The World Bank.
    • Handle: RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:10352
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