ICT diffusion trajectories and economic development: Empirical evidence for 46 developing countries

Abstract

In economic theory, technology is treated as a crucial factor contributing significantly to economic development. Seminal works of Schumpeter (Theory of economic development. Transaction Publishers, New Brunswick, 1934, J Econ Hist 7:149-159, 1947), Baumol (Am Econ Rev 76:1072-1084, 1986), Gerschenkron (Economic backwardness in economic perspective. Belknap Press, Cambridge, MA, 1962) or Abramovitz (J Econ Hist 46(2):385-406, 1986) emphasize the special role of technological progress in the process of economic development. The objective of the study is twofold. Firstly, using panel data, we analyze diffusion trajectories of ICTs in developing countries, assessing dynamics of the process. Secondly, we hypothesize about the existence of quantitative links between the adoption of ICT and economic development. The time framework for the analysis is the period 2000-2011. Statistical data are derived from the World Telecommunication/ICT Indicators Database (2012), World Development Indicators (2013), and Human Development Report (2013).