The Institution-ICT-Economic Development Nexus:Two Cases

摘要

ICT projects and institutions in developing countries superimpose in a complex interaction. The acceptance of an ICT projectby various stakeholders and the contribution to economic development are functions of such interaction. In general, asuccessful implementation of an ICT project undertaken in a developing country requires significant institutionaladjustments. Drawing upon institutional theories, this paper investigates how regulative, normative and cognitive institutionsin developing countries influence the ICT-economic development nexus. We use a multiple case study research design. Thefindings of this paper suggests that the root causes of success or failure of ICT projects are nature of institutionalcomponents such as sanctioning and monitoring power, social norms and cognitive programs of stakeholders. We haveexamined interrelationships among orientation of an ICT project (economic elite centered vs. socially disadvantaged groupcentered); the nature of institutions and institutional adjustments associated with the project; diffusion pattern of thetechnology and resulting contribution to development.