Crossing the digital divide

A Monash University economist is showing how developing countries can accelerate through stages of the information economy.

Professor Mehendhiran Nair

Professor Mahendhiran Nair has developed a model that shows exactly what building blocks need to be assembled for a developing country to become a leader in the new economy.

The foundation conditions are the "infostructure" necessary to connect to the global economy -- information and communication technologies such as computers, software and the internet.

The second set of factors is harder to develop, but are where one economy could leap ahead of another by stimulating development in areas like governance, rule of law, regulation and the development of highly-skilled and knowledge-intensive workers.

These factors are vital for sustained economic and social development and Professor Nair's model will let government and business plan their investment strategies.

Rapid developments in these conditions were causing change at "warp speed" in the global environment.

Professor Nair, from the School of Business at the Sunway campus in Malaysia, is a chief investigator of a large research grant from the Malaysian government that looks at the level of ICT awareness and diffusion in rural communities in Malaysia.

This study will examine the factors that hinder ICT takeup and the factors that will help these communities leapfrog to the new economy.

Results from this study will not only benefit rural communities in Malaysia, but also other ASEAN countries.

More information

• Research at Monash University Malaysia
• Monash University Sunway campus, Malaysia
• School of Business, Monash University Malaysia