1. ICT for Development Shirin Madon Information Systems & Innovations Group, LSE BCS London Regional Event, Thursday 12th July 2007

2. ICT for Development - theoretical underpinnings • Neo-classical economic reasoning • ICT leads to economic development via the market mechanism • ICT sector growth • Productivity and competition • The information society – ‘information’ as engine of growth • Earlier ‘development communication’ model • Today’s World Bank Development Gateway

3. Neo institutional economic reasoning – UNDP 2001,WB • 2002, Stiglitz, 2002 • As more ICT  economic divergence between developed and ldcs • (Heeks, R. & Kenny, C. (2002) ICTs and Development: Convergence or Divergence for Developing Countries?) • Important role of institutions and policy environment • e.g. for growth in the ICT sector – GSO activity • e.g. for improved productivity in organisations • Structuralist reasoning • Castells 1996-8, Wade (2002) • Focus on who controls the production & consumption of ICTs • In developing countries

4. Constructivist argument A more open-ended theoretical linkage between ICT and development Accepts the rich diversity of global, national, local players in IT diffusion in ldcs and debates the consequences in an interdisciplinary fashion depending on application area Macro environment IS Development Agency of individuals, groups, communities • Development administration • Outsourcing • Health policy • NGO management • Governance

5. My Research eGovernance Linkage between front-end projects and back-end reform Telecentres – Gujarat and Kerala Health informatics in Karnataka