Access of Technology and IT applications in Developing countries
Description:
A short description of the driving force.
IT and technology are only ways to improve the society, and in particular, of the weakest sections. Timely access to appropriate information and knowledge is important to development, for both the individual and society. Therefore, technology is key in the following three areas: information access, communication and economic transactions.
Usually, when we talked about technology, we usually consider the development and usage of it in the first world; but in the context of the Globalization, there is a wide potential market that can be reached physically and virtually. For instance, applications of IT in such areas as in entertainment and electronic shopping are critical components of the information economy where market forces have a leading role to play, but within the framework of a fair and equitable society.
In order to increase the global trade and create wealth, it is important to spread technology and IT applications, but in developing countries it is not done, because of the little budget they manage, government and members of urban societies are more concerned about first necessities (food, housing and cloth); and additionally, because of the fragmented society, some rural areas are really away from any change in the economy and customs of the rest of the world.
Enablers:
Factors which weaken this driving force. (these are actually other driving forces, and you can link to them in the wiki!) 1. Investment of local government 2. Emerging middle class and increasing expenditure capacity of the society 3. Lower cost of technology and appliances 4. Foreign investment in developing countries, via government or foreign companies 5. Increase of urban density 6. Economic development of countries 7. Globalization
Inhibitors:
Factors which weaken this driving force. (these are actually other driving forces, and you can link to them in the wiki!) 1.Wide gap between rich and poor 2.Social fractures and differences 3.Corruption and political situation in developing countries 4.Poor economic situation of developing countries 5.Push from multilateral financial organizations to developing countries
Paradigms:
Old: Developing countries always will be several years back in technology compared to the first world.
New: Technological gap is currently not so broad between the first world and developing countries, part because of globalization.
Experts:
Timing:
Begining of 1900's: american and european technology is spread to rest of the world (first industralisation)
Cold War: Many third world countries began industrialisation under the influence of either the United States or the USSR during this period.
1980's: Automation in developing countries
1990's up to now: Introduction of IT in developing countries
Web Resources:
http://econ.worldbank.org/journals/36720/