ABOUT
There are two ways of looking at ICTs: as an instrument,
and as an industry. As an instrument, affordable and usable
ICTs can indeed transform the way societies work, entertain,
study, govern and live - at the individual, organizational,
sector, vocational and national levels. As an industry, ICTs
represent a major growing economic sector covering hardware,
software, telecom/datacom and consulting services.
Through both lenses - industry and instrument - the
performance of developing nations lags that of developed
nations, but interesting patterns of variation and pockets
of excellence are emerging. For instance, countries like
India and the Philippines have ICT industries that are
exporting software and attracting outsourcing contracts -
but they also have looming digital divides where ICTs are
not accessible or affordable as instruments for a majority
of the population.
This paper charts the industry and instrument aspects of
ICTs in developing nations, using a comparative framework
developed over the years by the author called the "8
Cs" of the digital economy (words beginning with the
letter C): connectivity, content, community, commerce,
culture, capacity, cooperation and capital (see below).
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Table 1. The 8 Cs
of the Information Society
|
ICTs
as an instrument
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ICTs
as an industry
|
Connectivity
|
How
affordable and widespread are ICTs (eg. PCs,
Internet access, software) for the common citizen?
|
Does
the country have ICT manufacturing industries for
hardware, software, data communication solutions and services?
|
Content
|
Is
there useful content (foreign and local) for
citizens to use in their daily lives?
|
Is
content being generated in local languages and
localised interfaces? Is this being accessed/used
abroad?
|
Community
|
Are
there online/offline forums where citizens can
discuss ICT and other issues of concern?
|
Is
the country a hub of discussion and forums for the
worldwide ICT industry?
|
Commerce
|
Is
there infrastructure (tech, legal) for e-commerce
for citizens, businesses and government? How much
commerce is transacted electronically?
|
Does
the country have indigenous e-commerce technology
and services? Are these being exported?
|
Capacity
|
Do
citizens and organisations have the human resources
capacity (tech, managerial, policy, legal) to
effectively harness ICTs for daily use?
|
Does
the country have the human resources capacity (tech,
managerial, policy, legal) to create and export
ICTs?
|
Culture
|
Is
there a forward-looking, open, progressive culture
at the level of policymakers, businesses, educators,
citizens and the media in opening up access to ICTs
and harnessing them? Or is there nervousness and
phobia about the cultural and political impacts of
ICTs?
|
Are
there techies, entrepreneurs and managers pro-active
and savvy enough to create local companies and take
them global?
|
Cooperation
|
Is
there adequate cooperation between citizens,
businesses, academics, NGOs and policymakers to
create a favourable climate for using ICTs?
|
Is
there a favourable regulatory environment in the
country for creating ICT companies, M&A
activity, and links with the diaspora population?
|
Capital
|
Are
there enough financial resources to invest in ICT
infrastructure and education? What is the level of
FDI?
|
Is
there a domestic venture capital industry; are they
investing abroad as well? How many international
players are active in the local private equity
market? Are there stock markets for public listing?
|
For each of the above "8 Cs," the paper will
identify trends, issues, potential, and examples in
developing nations. Recommendations will be made for
policymakers, ICT players, businesses, academics, civil
society organizations, and individuals. A literature review
will be provided (which will also cover the recent reports
published by UNCTAD, ITU, UNDP, ITAA, Markle Foundation, and
Digital Opportunity Task Force), and notable organizations
addressing and acting on these issues will be identified.
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