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Book Cover
E-book
Author James, Jeffrey

Title Institutions, Technology and Development in Africa
Published Milton : Routledge, 2018

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Description 1 online resource (143 pages)
Series Routledge Studies in Development Economics Ser
Routledge Studies in Development Economics Ser
Contents Cover; Half Title; Series Page; Title; Copyright; Contents; List of figures; List of tables; Acknowledgements; 1 Introduction: theories of institutions; PART I Non-digital technologies; 2 Scaling up pilot projects in Africa: four cases; 3 The changing institutional environment for technology in Africa; 4 An institutional critique of measures to compare technological capabilities between rich and poor countries: the case of Africa; PART II Digital technologies; 5 Internet use, institutions and well-being: evidence from Africa
6 Institutional and societal innovations in IT for developing countries7 The macroeconomic consequences of the One Laptop per Child program; 8 Sharing mechanisms for IT in developing countries, social capital and quality of life; 9 A sequential analysis of the welfare effects of mobile phones in Africa; Index
Summary An extensive literature has demonstrated that technologies in sub-Saharan Africa are largely inappropriate: that is, that they are typically capital- and import-intensive rather than labour- and local input-intensive. These technologies have created a pattern of development that is highly unequal, with widespread unemployment and under-employment. In this literature, however, relatively little attention has been paid to the institutions that govern the generation, adoption and use of technology. This book draws on historical analysis and case studies to evaluate how institutions in different countries, including those in Africa itself, generate technologies that vary in their characteristics and suitability for the region. Through these case studies, insight is gained into the characteristics of 'appropriate' institutions that might underlie a more balanced pattern of technology and development than currently exists. The findings of the book clearly confirm a major tenet of institutionalist theory: namely, that institutions developed in one set of circumstances are unlikely to be appropriate to conditions in a markedly different set. This book will be of interest to economists, social historians and anyone with an interest in modern African development
Notes Restricted: Printing from this resource is governed by The Legal Deposit Libraries (Non-Print Works) Regulations (UK) and UK copyright law currently in force. WlAbNL
Print version record
Subject Appropriate technology -- Africa
Technology -- Developing countries.
Appropriate technology.
Technology.
appropriate technology.
BUSINESS & ECONOMICS -- Development -- Economic Development.
BUSINESS & ECONOMICS -- Economics -- General.
african institutions.
african technology.
ICT in Africa.
institutionalism.
institutional economics.
mobile phones in Africa.
m-Pesa.
technological capability.
technology for development.
technology policy.
welfare economics.
Appropriate technology
Technology
Africa
Developing countries
Form Electronic book
ISBN 9781351001915
1351001914
9781351001908
1351001906