Bridging the Digital Divide

The impressive advances of information and communication technologies (ICT) in some Asian countries have led some people to proclaim a fundamental change in the world economy. The authors and editors have made an admirable contribution to make such an evaluation and fill a big gap in our knowledge..One of the many good features of this evaluation is that it takes into account the specific relationship of ICT with the wider social and economic system and the national system of innovation of each country. Christopher Freeman, Emeritus Professor and Founding Director of the Science Policy Research Unit (SPRU), University of Sussex, Brighton, UK. Running across the informative chapters on the diverse experience of several important countries with ICT is a unifying theory of what it takes for successful economic development in today's globalized economy... The case studies show different countries wrestling with the problem, some doing better and some worse. This is a fascinating and important book. Richard R. Nelson, George Blumenthal Professor (Emeritus) of International and Public Affairs, Business, and Law, Columbia University, New York, USA. This book is important because it gives insight into the role of ICT and ICT policy in the most important emerging economies in the world. Bent Åke Lundvall, Professor of Economics, Aalborg, University, Denmark. This book was selected as Book of the Month in March 2006 by the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at John F Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, USA. It has been endorsed by some of the leading thinkers in the field, including two Nobel prize nominees in economics. It is also listed as a resource on the world Bank's website. A section of it has been licensed by the Open University UK for its worldwide course on technology.