Social Science Research Council

Catherine Mann, project leader

Even as the media and stock markets in industrial economies over-hyped the dot.com boom and collapse, changes in economic activities coming from effective use and diffusion of the Internet and information and communications technologies are real and on-going. In developing economies, policymakers wonder whether the hype was just that, or whether there is a under-current of change to which they must respond, or even better, that they can channel into growth opportunities.

Research makes clear that the development benefits can be large and widespread when information and communications technologies are used effectively and widely. But, effective use requires changes in the way governments, businesses, and individuals invest, produce, and use information. And, effective use is influenced by initial conditions in economies as well as by policymaker and private sector response.

This project is creating a Latin-Asian dialogue on challenges in the uptake and diffusion of technology for business activity and growth. My experience suggests that there is new insight to be gained by comparing Latin and Asian situations, not because they are the same, but because they are different. By focusing on differences, this project and the dialogue moves away from the "shared experiences" genre, which has been the common approach to assessment and research.

The dialogue is being initiated through four papers on specific themes. Each team, comprised of a Latin and an Asian researcher, has a specific lens through which to compare the policy challenge facing their economy in using and diffusing technology. The four lenses are: financial system, education and skill building, innovation and entrepreneurship, government and fiscal systems (e-government). More details on the Dialogue researchers and the scope of work of each project is in accompanying notes.