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T Technology Leapfrogging for Developing Countries Category: Global Information Technology 3707 Technology Leapfrogging for Developing T Countries Michelle W. L. Fong Victoria University, Australia INTRODUCTION BACKGROUND Information and communication technologies (ICTs) have “Technology leapfrogging” refers to the adoption of ad- been acknowledged, in research works on developed and vanced or state-of-the-art technology in an application area industrialized countries, for their potential in opening up where immediate prior technology has not been adopted. development opportunities. At firm level, ICTs can facilitate Discussions of ICT leapfrogging have largely focused on communications and coordination of processes within a firm developing countries, which generally lag behind on tech- or between firms in a supply chain such as through e-col- nology adoption, and unlike the developed countries, are laboration (Fong, 2005; Hammant, 1995; Jin, 2006; Porter, not inhibited by entrenched intermediate technology. New 2001; Porter & Millar, 1985). These technologies can also and advanced technology provides developing countries improve management decision-making process through bet- with the opportunity to accelerate economic development ter and faster marshalling of information. Gains from these (Hanna, Guy, & Arnold, 1995; Prayag, 2001; OECD, 2005; applications may be in the form of scale economies, cost-sav- UNDP, 2001b). In addition, the advancement of ICTs has ings, increased productivity, and improved competitiveness reduced costs and imposed lesser demands on the skill (Bourlakis & Bourlakis, 2006; Farrell, 2003; Hammant, 1995; of the users due to user-friendly features (Ensley, 2005). Howgego, 2002; Pilat, 2004; Porter & Millar, 1985). At in- The possibility of achieving significant economic growth dustry level, ICTs can improve the functioning or governance through advanced and less costly technology thus seems of market (James, 2000; Malone, Yates, & Benjamin, 1989; exceptionally attractive to developing countries. It has also Matsuda, 1994; OECD, 2005). From the social-economic been suggested that developing countries do not have any perspective, ICTs can improve quality of life of communi- alternative in technology adoption, except to leapfrog to new ties, provide greater access to health and education services, and advanced technologies (Choucri, 1998; Mansell & Wehn, and create economic opportunities for any underprivileged 1998; Davison, Vogel, Harris, & Jones, 2000). population groups (Mercer, 2001; Oberski, 2004; Reisman, The concept of technology leapfrogging for ICTs first Roger, & Edge, 2001; The World Bank, 2001; UNDP, 2001a; emerged in the early 1990s (Antonelli, 1991; Lamberton, United Nations, 2006). All these improvements in efficiency 1994; Mody & Dahlman, 1992). However, research works and access are likely to be aggregated at the national level in in this area were still limited, hindered by a lack of clear the form of economic growth or sustainability, and welfare empirical data from developing countries, measurement gains (Madden & Savage, 2000; OECD, 2005). difficulties, the relatively short-time span of newly emerged Developing countries are generally latecomers to the ICT and advanced ICTs, and the long time span involved in gath- revolution, but if they can emulate industrialized countries ering reliable data to understand technology leapfrogging in their adoption of ICTs, they will be afforded the same in developing countries (Alzouma, 2005; Ausubel, 1991; technological opportunities. Successful exploitation of such Prakash 2005; Sharif, 1989; UNESCO, 1996). opportunities by developing countries can significantly nar- As a result, technology leapfrogging remains a contro- row the economic gap between them and developed countries versial concept. For example, in the case of Africa, Chisenga as they catch up in economic development. (2000) believes that the implementation of this concept would In ICT’s advancement trajectory, the opportunities offered facilitate global integration of businesses, and provide a by a newly emerged ICT tend to be superior to those of prior better learning environment for African children, all to the versions of technology. If a developing country leapfrogged benefit of the economy. Ochieng (2000), on the other hand, to a newly emerged ICT, it would then be exposed to un- believes that investments in ICT compete with the provision precedented potential in alleviating poverty and securing of basic necessities for the poor. One of the general argu- economic growth, as well as the possibility of surpassing ments against leapfrogging has been that it might turn out developed and industrialized countries in economic develop- to be an expensive trajectory in the short run for developing ment. Thus, technology leapfrogging is an attractive notion countries, which tend to bear a high burden of debts (Chen, to developing countries, but is it a realistic goal? Farinelli, & Johansson, 2004). In addition, investment in a Copyright © 2009, IGI Global, distributing in print or electronic forms without written permission of IGI Global is prohibited. Technology Leapfrogging for Developing Countries new technology is likely to involve a long payback period with close ones because of mobile phone communications for developing countries because of the nascent conditions technology (Vodafone, 2005). In all these cases, however, the of their market. It has been further argued that the worst actual benefits from leapfrogging were yet to be ascertained possible outcome from this exercise would be when the new at the aggregate level. investment was displaced by a major breakthrough before Technology by itself does not solve problems, but the these developing countries geared up in their capabilities availability and use of ICTs are a prerequisite for economic to sufficiently harness their technology investment. Some and social development in developing countries. In other commentators believe that the developmental effects of ICT words, ICTs are not a standalone solution to development applications have been greatly exaggerated and caution that problems. Developing countries characteristically lack many advanced technology makes little difference and can even of the conditions needed to harness and sustain leapfrog- inflict harmful effects, such as creating a digital divide, in type development offered by new and advanced technology. the lives of people in developing countries (Mansell, 1999; Because the conditions in developing countries are usually Sussman, 1997; United Nations Commission on Science weak or inadequate, cultivating, building, and deepening for Technology and Development, 1997; Van Dijk, 1999; these conditions to support the mastery, applications, diffu- Wang, 1991). sion, and innovation of leapfrog technologies are unlikely Kojima (2003, p. 1), however, highlighted that the to prove easy or straightforward. It is therefore anticipated concept of technology leapfrogging requires selective and that developing countries would not be able to fully utilize discerning application. She noted that technology leapfrog- or exploit the potential of advanced technology at the early ging is applicable to certain technologies such as ICTs but stage of leapfrogging due to their limited infrastructure. not to emission control technology, a field where developing Despite this, there is no point for developing countries to go countries should wait for developed countries to test out the through the fiber optic building process for their telecom- emerging technology before adopting it. munication infrastructure when they could start out with wireless telecommunications. Leapfrogging to wireless communications technology is a valid strategy based on the LEAPFROG TO WIRELESS ICTs promising technology’s potential for economic advancement, and the lower costs and resources involved in setting up a It has been claimed that leapfrog technologies are largely telecommunication infrastructure. It has been estimated those that do not rely on tangible grid. These include mobile that wireless technologies cost about 20% of traditional phones, satellite communications, and decentralized power wired installations (United Nations General Assembly and sources like solar power (Article 13, 2005). Wireless ICTs, Economic & Social Council, 2000). Developing countries such as mobile phones, have emerged as a leading leapfrog should develop and strengthen their infrastructure within the technology (BBC News, 2002; Nkwae, 2002; Cascio, 2004). framework of advanced technology rather than time- and Mobile phone communication technology has even substi- resources-consuming intermediate technology that is likely tuted the traditional fixed networks in developing countries to prolong their subservient position in development. In ca- such as China and many African countries. pabilities development and learning processes for example, Leapfrog wireless communications technologies (ICTs) developing countries should be exposed to and educated in have often generated significant benefits for communities. the skills required by higher-level technologies. For example, villages in Robib, Cambodia, were reported However, technology leapfrogging may pose very high to have leapfrogged from an agricultural to an information risks to developing countries if immature or unproven economy through wireless network (oneworld radio, 2006). technologies are involved. Despite this, the risks can be The villagers were able to access medical and health services, managed and minimized by
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