María Verónica Alderete

Examining the ICT access effect on socioeconomic development: the moderating role of ICT use and skills

ABSTRACT This paper examines the role that Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) play in the socioeconomic development of countries. The proposed model analyzes the relationship between ICT access (available ICT infrastructure and individual’s access to ICT), ICT use (ICT intensity and usage, and ICT skills), and socioeconomic development. The methodology employed consists of a Structural Equation Model (SEM). To achieve this goal, country-level data across 163 countries for the year 2013 is used from developing to developed countries. Results obtained indicate the moderating role of ICT use and skills in the relationship between ICT access and the socioeconomic development. The ICT usage and ICT skills enhance the effect of ICT access on the socioeconomic development. The model is robust with respect to the development level.

From traditional transactions to B2B: a contract theoretical analysis

This paper extends Alderete (2009) model of screening contracts to build electronic commerce between a large firm and a small and medium sized enterprise (SME) supplier. The large firm (principal) must choose among SME suppliers (agents) that differ in costs and utility for the ICT technology (network good). The method is based on Compte and Jehiel (2008), whose main insight is that when several potential candidates compete for the task, the principal will in general improve the performance of her firm by inducing the member candidates to assess their competence before signing the contract (through an appropriate choice of contracts). In the presence of different preferences for the network good, we show that social surplus increases.

Mobile Broadband: A Key Enabling Technology for Entrepreneurship?

This article examines whether mobile broadband can be viewed as an enabling technology for entrepreneurship in developing and developed countries. Evidence shows that mobile telephony is becoming more affordable worldwide. Contrary to fixed broadband, mobile broadband ensures better reach and lower costs and has become the most dynamic platform for bringing ICT benefits to entrepreneurship. A six period panel data analysis, 2007–2012, is estimated for 58 countries. Using the Global Entrepreneurship Monitors Total Entrepreneurial Activity as the dependent variable, a positive influence of mobile broadband on the entrepreneurial activity is observed. Linking ICT and entrepreneurship is an area in need of more research.

DETERMINANTES DE LA ADOPCIÓN DE LAS TIC EN LAS TRAMAS PRODUCTIVAS AUTOMOTRIZ Y SIDERÚRGICA DE ARGENTINA

This paper contributes to the literature on the determinants of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) adoption from manufacturing industries at the firm level in Argentina. On behalf of this objective, we estimate a model about the determinants of ICT adoption. The results indicate that the factors that positively influence on ICT adoption are belonging to an economic group, the level of global innovation and the internal level of learning

Do information and communication technology access and innovation increase outsourcing in small and medium enterprises

In this paper we present an econometric model to determine whether an SME (Small and Medium Sized Enterprise)’s probability of outsourcing depends on their levels of innovation and information and communication technology use. The predictions of the econometric model are tested by means of a LOGIT model using a cross section sample of an Argentinean SME for the year 2006. The model predicts that the level of innovation of an SME will significantly influence its probability of outsourcing. Besides, it stresses the negative incidence of the information and communication technologies (ICT) access on the outsourcing decision.

Local Productive Arrangements and local development in non-metropolitan municipalities of Sao Paulo, Brazil

[EN] The objective of this paper consists in analysing whether Local Productive Arrangements (APLs) - the Brazilian version of a cluster- can improve the local development of their host municipalities. Most studies concern about the identification and mapping of APL but only a few examine their effects on the socio-economic development of their regions. The major challenge to identifying lessons learned from APL is the lack of robust tools to measure whether or not such policies are successful at local development level. In this line a quantitative research is made to compare the local development among municipalities from the Sao Paulo State, in Brazil by using data from SEADE (Fundacao Sistema Estadual de Analise de Dados). Local development is measured by a composite index (IDL) built by the authors and the Sao Paulo State Social Responsibility Index (IPRS). The former includes health and demographic dimensions which are not included in the latter. Municipalities with APL represent about 19% of the total. Based on analysis of variance, results suggest they have a better local development than municipalities without APL. Since most APLs are relevant for economic local development reasons, they play an important role both for the sectorial policies and for local development policy. This finding would validate the Sao Paulo State policies towards building and consolidation of APL.

The Age of Prosumerism: Some Micro-Economic Analysis

Many users or consumers now operate the two sides of the market as consumers and producers. They are known as prosumers. Their presence is changing the economic dynamic. This paper develops two models, the prosumerism model that determines the prosumer equilibrium; the amount of the private good and prosumer good. The second one is the customization model based on the principal agent framework, where the principal is the manufacturer innovator and the agent the user. Results obtained predict abundance of the prosumer good in the prosumerism model and that the most innovative users will have a higher level of participation in the value creation process than the less innovative ones in the customization model. Hence, policy should encourage users’ participation in the value creation and innovation processes to achieve a higher social welfare.

ArtículoGestión estratégica de tecnologías de información y comunicación y adopción del comercio electrónico en Mipymes de Córdoba, ArgentinaStrategic management of information and communication technologies and electronic commerce adoption in MSME from Córdoba, ArgentineGestão estratégica de tecnologias de informação e comunicação e adoção do comércio em PME de Córdova, Argentina

This paper analyzes the causal factors of the level of electronic commerce adoption (ECA) among Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). Contingent Theory is used as the basis for building a structural equation model. The model assigns a mediating role to the ‘ICT strategy and management control’ variable. The study is based on a survey of 139 MSMEs from Cordoba, Argentina. Results show that the mediating variable positively affects ECA, and therefore, the organizational performance. Besides this, the e-readiness of a firm directly and indirectly influences ECA.

Strategic management of information and communication technologies and electronic commerce adoption in MSME from Córdoba, Argentine

This paper analyzes the causal factors of the level of electronic commerce adoption (ECA) among Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). Contingent Theory is used as the basis for building a structural equation model. The model assigns a mediating role to the ‘ICT strategy and management control’ variable. The study is based on a survey of 139 MSMEs from Cordoba, Argentina. Results show that the mediating variable positively affects ECA, and therefore, the organizational performance. Besides this, the e-readiness of a firm directly and indirectly influences ECA.

Is There a Better Local Development in Municipalities with Clusters: The São Paulo State Case in Brazil

This paper analyzes the contribution of clusters to local development. The case of the Local Productive Arrangements (APL) in the non-metropolitan municipalities of the Sao Paulo StateBrazil is examined. Using the Oaxaca Blinder decomposition technique it is examined if there is a gap in local development gap or if there are better “living conditions” in municipalities with APL compared to those without. Results obtained indicate that municipalities with APL exhibit better development levels than municipalities without APL. However, such difference responds to demographic and economic factors rather than unobservable ones.Este articulo analiza la contribucion de los clusteres para el desarrollo local. Se analiza el caso de los Arreglos Productivos Locales (APL) en los municipios no metropolitanos del estado de Sao Paulo (Brasil). Mediante la tecnica de descomposicion de efectos de Oaxaca Blinder se examina si existe una brecha de desarrollo local o “mejor calidad de vida” en los municipios con APL respecto de aquellos donde no hay. Los resultados obtenidos corroboran que los municipios con APL presentan mejores niveles de desarrollo que aquellos sin APL. Sin embargo, tal diferencia responde a las caracteristicas demograficas y economicas de los municipios con APL, mas que a factores inobservables.