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on Information and Communication Technologies |
| By: | Simplice Asongu (Yaoundé/Cameroun); Jacinta C. Nwachukwu (Coventry University, UK) |
| Abstract: | This study investigates how the mobile phone can complement knowledge diffusion in order to influence CO2 emissions in 44 Sub-Saharan African countries for the period 2000-2012. The empirical evidence is based on Generalised Method of Moments. Three knowledge diffusion variables representing three of the four pillars of the World Bank’s Knowledge Economy Index are employed: educational quality, information and communication technology (ICT) and scientific output. Six CO2 emission variables are used, namely: CO2 per capita, CO2 from electricity and heat, CO2 from liquid fuel, CO2 from manufacturing and construction, CO2 from transport and CO2 intensity. In the assessments, a decreasing tendency in these variables translates into positive conditions for environmental sustainability. Based on net effect from complementarities, the following findings are established. First, the mobile phone complements education to have a net negative effect on CO2 emissions per capita and CO2 emissions from the consumption of liquid fuel. Second, where some positive net effects of knowledge diffusion are apparent, corresponding marginal effects are negative. Corresponding mobile phone penetration thresholds at which the positive net effects on CO2 emissions can be dampened and reversed are largely within policy range. Practical and theoretical implications are discussed. |
| Keywords: | CO2 emissions; ICT; Economic development; Africa |
| JEL: | C52 O38 O40 O55 P37 |
| Date: | 2017–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:agd:wpaper:17/025&r=ict |
| By: | Kibae Kim (Technology Management, Economics, and Policy Program; College of Engineering; Seoul National University) |
| Abstract: | In recent studies, Information and Communication Technologies have been key drivers of innovation and economic growth throughout the world. Because the Information and Communication Technology products and services require intensive knowledge, leading countries invested in their innovation systems to operate more effectively and efficiently. Studies on innovation have investigated the knowledge base of countries and their respective relationships with their national institutions, and subsequent economic growth to identify factors which have led to success. However, the approaches of previous studies omit the constituents of the knowledge base while focusing on quantitative aspects such as size. In this article, I propose a novel approach to exploring the knowledge base at a global level by undertaking a network analysis of patents. In this framework, the global knowledge network is defined as a set of countries and respective technological similarities between countries as vertices and edges. Applying this framework, the research questions are addressed qualitatively by identifying the structure of the network and how it has evolved. The analysis results indicate that the global knowledge network consists of a cluster of developed countries, and the cluster is linked with developing countries through Japan, U.S.A. and China. They also show that the Information and Communication Technology leaders changed from Great Britain and France to U.S.A. in 1920s, from U.S.A. to Japan in 1970s. The framework is expected to be applied to economic studies of innovation and knowledge bases at a global level. |
| Keywords: | Global Knowledge Network, Information and Communication Technology, Technology Leadership, Network Analysis, Patents. |
| JEL: | A12 O33 O34 O53 |
| Date: | 2015–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:snv:dp2009:2015124&r=ict |
| By: | Naudé, Wim (Maastricht University) |
| Abstract: | The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) is impacting on the industrialization options for Africa inter alia through three interrelated sets of technologies, namely automation, additive manufacturing and the Industrial Internet. In this paper I set out the case for why Africa should industrialize. I then explore the opportunities and threats the 4IR pose for Africa. Threats include job-losses and the re-shoring of manufacturing to advanced economies. Among the opportunities are products-as-services, the sharing (collaborative) economy, and digital services and digital exports. These are markets that are currently underdeveloped in Africa but have substantial potential given Africa's geography, demography and on-going urbanisation. In order for the continent to benefit from the 4IR more needs to be done to improve entrepreneurship and education. A number of policy recommendations for 4IRcompatible entrepreneurship and education policies are made. |
| Keywords: | industrial policy, entrepreneurship, education, Africa |
| JEL: | O55 O25 O14 O33 L26 J24 |
| Date: | 2017–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iza:izadps:dp10855&r=ict |
| By: | Schiff, Maurice (World Bank) |
| Abstract: | This paper examines the impact of education, trade, governance and distance on technology diffusion and TFP in Latin America – specifically South America and Mexico (SAM) – and East Asia, over the 32 years preceding the Great Recession (1976–2007). Findings are: i) TFP rises with education, trade, governance (ETG) and trade's R&D content, and falls with distance to the (closest) North; ii) the East Asia – SAM education gap's impact equals that of trade plus governance; iii) an increase in SAM's ETG to East Asia's level raises TFP by over 100 percent and fully accounts for its TFP gap with East Asia; and iv) South America's TFP loss relative to Mexico due to its greater distance to 'US–Canada' (Europe and Japan) is 9.30 (0.02) percent. |
| Keywords: | East Asia and LAC, technology diffusion, productivity, education, trade, governance, distance |
| JEL: | F22 J61 |
| Date: | 2017–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iza:izadps:dp10843&r=ict |