scholarly journals The dawn of the information age in least developed countries (LDCs): lessons learned from four case studies

2008 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 77-87
Author(s):  
Robert M. Bichler
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Information Age ◽  
Lao Pdr ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Central Research ◽  
Least Developed Countries ◽  
Scientific Discussion ◽  
Micro Level

The emerging information age is characterised by the ubiquitous availability of information and communication technologies. While in highly developed countries, due to heavy investments in the telecommunication infrastructure, the public and scientific discussion more and more focuses on the so-called digital divide 2.0, i.e. the lack of ICT skills, for developing countries both, the access to and the use of ICTs still remain a huge challenge. The goal of my dissertation thesis is to highlight these challenges, as well as the opportunities that occur for Least Developed Countries (LDCs) on their way towards an information society. The study examines ICTs in four geographically and culturally diverse regions, including the countries Yemen, Guatemala, Malawi and Lao PDR, on the macro and on the micro level. The research on the macro level is guided by the central research question: Are ICTs in LDCs used to foster societal development or are they reinforcing imperialistic patterns of Western hegemony?On the micro level the project aims to investigate the users’ demographics, their habits of ICT use, as well as the barriers and opportunities for the citizens emerging from the upcoming information age. The findings from the macro and the micro level will be correlated on the basis of the five dimensions of society (ecological, political, cultural, economical and technological) to assess the state of the art and to formulate strategies to counter the current eColonialism tendencies and to foster a sustainable implementation of ICTs in LDCs.

scholarly journals What is a Green Economy? Review of National-Level Green Economy Policies in Cambodia and Lao PDR

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (16) ◽  
pp. 6664 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marketta Vuola ◽  
Mika Korkeakoski ◽  
Noora Vähäkari ◽  
Michael B. Dwyer ◽  
Nicholas J. Hogarth ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Resource Management ◽  
Natural Resource Management ◽  
Natural Resource ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
National Level ◽  
Lao Pdr ◽  
National Development ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Green Economy ◽  
Least Developed Countries

A green economy that simultaneously promotes environmental sustainability, social inclusiveness, and economic growth is expected to benefit the heavily resource-dependent least developed countries. Yet, internationally, there is very little empirically based research on how the “green development” agenda translates into natural resource management policies in the least developed countries. This paper examines the implementation of green economy policies at the national level in the energy and forestry sectors in the Lao PDR and Cambodia. Both countries have adopted green growth targets; however, in terms of natural resources management, two contradictory processes have taken place during the past decade. While there have been some initiatives to decentralize natural resource management by enhancing the role of local communities role, such as community-based forest or fishery management, the far greater trend has been the opening up of the economies of the Lao PDR and Cambodia to large-scale investments by multinational enterprises. Large-scale hydropower projects and increasing deforestation pose challenges to more sustainable natural resource management efforts. This article is based on an analysis of the national green economy strategies and expert interviews with the government, academia, private sector and international and national development organizations. Focusing on the energy and forestry sectors, but also analysing the national green economy strategies as a whole, our analysis sheds light on the choices made in the national development versus green economy strategies. While green economy thinking rests on strong state regulation, the policies are often formulated within a complex dynamic of donor and investor interests. The achievement of a green economy depends on the state; thus, it should steer investments to ecologically less harmful industries and ensure social inclusiveness in land-use decisions. Our results show, however, that implementing a green economy is far more complex. Despite the quest for synergies, at the sectoral level there are still many unaddressed trade-offs between, for example, energy sources and forms of land use.

scholarly journals Micro-level adaptation strategies by smallholders to adapt climate change in the least developed countries (LDCs): Insights from Afghanistan

2020 ◽  
Vol 118 ◽  
pp. 106781
Author(s):  
Najibullah Omerkhil ◽  
Praveen Kumar ◽  
Manisha Mallick ◽  
Lungyina B. Meru ◽  
Tara Chand ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Adaptation Strategies ◽  
Least Developed Countries ◽  
Micro Level

scholarly journals IT-Enabled Sustainable Innovation and the Global Digital Divides

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (17) ◽  
pp. 9711
Author(s):  
Farid Shirazi ◽  
Nick Hajli
Keyword(s):  
Digital Divide ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Critical Infrastructure ◽  
Environmental Parameters ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Global Scale ◽  
Least Developed Countries ◽  
Sustainable Innovation ◽  
Digital Divides ◽  
The Impact

This article investigates the impact of information and communication technologies (ICTs), human capital, institutional settings, socio-economic, and environmental parameters on sustainable innovation (SI) using archival data for 127 economies from 2008 to 2017. We developed an econometrics research framework for investigating factors influencing SI on a global scale. We found that ICT variables, such as ICT access and ICT broadband network, positively influence sustainable innovation in conjunction with the socio-economic and political parameters. Despite differences among economies in terms of ICTs, socio-economic development, and educational attainment, ICTs are the significant drivers of sustainable innovation and economic growth. We observed a growing digital divide among nations within the context of the knowledge-based economy and the expansion of digital commerce, particularly in the least developed countries and Africa, a phenomenon impeding sustainable innovation growth. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that empirically investigates the global digital divide from sustainable innovation perspectives. The results of this study suggest that to tackle the digital divide issues, policymakers and educational institutes need to perform constructive educational reform in higher education curricula, particularly concerning STEM programs, which should reflect the necessary skills and competencies for deploying emergent technologies. In addition, ICT should be considered part of a country’s critical infrastructure, particularly investment in the broadband networks regarded as the backbone of today’s innovation.

scholarly journals Rural Electrification and Its Impact on Households’ Welfare

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ajmal Haidari
Keyword(s):  
Regression Models ◽  
Target Population ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Hydropower Plant ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Least Developed Countries ◽  
Small Hydropower ◽  
Remote Areas ◽  
Dependent Variables ◽  
Micro Level

Electricity is the key input for urban and rural development which directly effects households’ welfare in micro-level. Least developed countries policy focus on electrifying rural area through off-grid electricity because of high cost in connecting remote areas to national grid. This research estimates the welfare effects of Shorabak small hydropower in Fayzabad city of Badakhshan province, considering the wellbeing of residences in Taliqan city of Takhar provice that obtained from imported electricity from Tajikistan. The dependent variables of education, saving, health, employment, information and environment used as determinant of welfare in linear regression models. Residences of Fayzabad and Taliqan cities constituted the target population, who interviewed through 400 questionnaire using purposive samplings. For the purpose of analysis, regression models run in SPSS version 25. It was found that full access to electricity in Taliqan city positively changed study hours, saving via cheap per kW fee, decreased illness caused by utilizing wood, fuel for cooking and heating purposes. Furthermore, the level of information increased because of access to media particularly TV. A positive notion seen in keeping environment green by removing wood in households as result of using electricity instead. Generally the findings show, by Shorabak hydropower plant inauguration which is 90% completed the same welfare increase will be felt in Fayzabad city as well.

scholarly journals Rural Electrification and Its Impact on Households’ Welfare

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ajmal Haidari ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Regression Models ◽  
Target Population ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Hydropower Plant ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Least Developed Countries ◽  
Small Hydropower ◽  
Remote Areas ◽  
Dependent Variables ◽  
Micro Level

Electricity is the key input for urban and rural development which directly effects households’ welfare in micro-level. Least developed countries policy focus on electrifying rural area through off-grid electricity because of high cost in connecting remote areas to national grid. This research estimates the welfare effects of Shorabak small hydropower in Fayzabad city of Badakhshan province, considering the wellbeing of residences in Taliqan city of Takhar provice that obtained from imported electricity from Tajikistan. The dependent variables of education, saving, health, employment, information and environment used as determinant of welfare in linear regression models. Residences of Fayzabad and Taliqan cities constituted the target population, who interviewed through 400 questionnaire using purposive samplings. For the purpose of analysis, regression models run in SPSS version 25. It was found that full access to electricity in Taliqan city positively changed study hours, saving via cheap per kW fee, decreased illness caused by utilizing wood, fuel for cooking and heating purposes. Furthermore, the level of information increased because of access to media particularly TV. A positive notion seen in keeping environment green by removing wood in households as result of using electricity instead. Generally the findings show, by Shorabak hydropower plant inauguration which is 90% completed the same welfare increase will be felt in Fayzabad city as well.

scholarly journals Mapping Bioenergy Supply and Demand in Selected Least Developed Countries (LDCs): Exploratory Assessment of Modern Bioenergy’s Contribution to SDG7

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (24) ◽  
pp. 7091 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dilip Khatiwada ◽  
Pallav Purohit ◽  
Emmanuel Kofi Ackom
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Energy ◽  
Supply And Demand ◽  
Lao Pdr ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Time Frame ◽  
Agricultural Residues ◽  
Least Developed Countries ◽  
Energy Potential ◽  
Technology Infrastructure ◽  
Agriculture Sector

Bioenergy can play an important role in achieving the agreed United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and implementing the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, thereby advancing climate goals, food security, better land use, and sustainable energy for all. In this study, we assess the surplus agricultural residues availability for bioelectricity in six least developed countries (LDCs) in Asia and Africa, namely Bangladesh, Lao-PDR, and Nepal in Asia; and Ethiopia, Malawi, and Zambia in Africa, respectively. The surplus agricultural residues have been estimated using residue-to-product ratio (RPR), agricultural residues lost in the collection, transportation and storage, and their alternative applications. We use a linear regression model to project the economic potential of bioelectricity. The contribution of bioelectricity for meeting the LDCs’ electricity requirements is estimated in a time frame between 2017 and 2030. Our results reveal that the surplus biomass feedstock available from the agriculture sector could provide the total current electricity demand in Malawi alone, followed by Nepal (45%), Bangladesh (29%), Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao-PDR) (29%), Ethiopia (27%), and Zambia (13%). This study also explores the complementarity and synergies of bioelectricity, SDG7, and their interlinkages with other SDGs. Findings from the study show that providing access to sustainable energy in the LDCs to meet the SDG7 by 2030 might be a challenge due to limited access to technology, infrastructure, and finance. Site-specific investigations on how much agricultural residues could be extracted in an environmentally benign manner for bioelectricity and increased investment in the bioenergy sector are key potential solutions in a myriad of options required to harness the full energy potential in the LDCs.

Delay of gratificationand business performancein least developed countries

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 492-514
Author(s):  
Dalivone Xayavongsa ◽  
Piriya Pholphirul
Keyword(s):  
Business Performance ◽  
Lao Pdr ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Delay Of Gratification ◽  
The Self ◽  
Least Developed Countries ◽  
Delayed Gratification ◽  
Developed Country ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Self Employment

Purpose Does delay of gratification affect the probability of engaging in self-employment and does it contribute to business performance? This paper aims to quantify impacts of delay of gratification on engaging in self-employment and business performance. Design/methodology/approach Using Lao PDR as a representative of least developed countries, the authors analyze nationally representative survey data from the Lao PDR – STEP Skills Measurement Household Survey and estimate the binary logit/probit model to quantify impacts of delay of gratification on probability of self-employment. And, the impacts of delayed gratification on business performance of the self-employed individuals are also estimated. Findings Those with a lower degree of delayed gratification tend to elect to be self-employed instead of being full-time employees. However, a higher delay of gratification score is found to positively correlate with higher business performance among those who are self-employed. Other control variables such as business characteristics, education level and skills of the self-employed also play an important role in higher business performance. Research limitations/implications Analysis from this paper still shows some weak points and limitations. First, the data set on self-employment has little representation from industry and the service sector and lacks many important variables such as parents’ characteristics and working hours. Second, there is no clear measurement of delay of gratification, as the measurements use only hypothesis money. Finally, there is a lack of studies to back up the result of delay of gratification on business performance, especially in a least developed country such as Lao PDR. The authors suggest that future research be conducted with richer data regarding the self-employed in industries and services. It would be quite interesting to study further the effect of delay of gratification along with grit, another behavioral variable, on business performance. Practical implications Based on the findings, it is therefore crucial that the Lao Government support a policy that helps strengthen both cognitive and noncognitive skills and the delay of gratification along with education to make Lao self-employment more productive. Social implications Providing the self-employed with adequate skills to succeed in their enterprises can lead them and the nation to escape the poverty trap. Family, school and government should promote delay of gratification among young children. Encouraging special activities that foster emotional and behavioral skills learning and practice for children, such as religious learning and meditation, might boost their ability to delay gratification. Moreover, support for skills training, both basic and job-relevant skills, could promote business experience exchange by creating an organization that provides guidelines, information and advice for self-employment. Originality/value Even though there is extensive research indicating that delayed gratification exists in many contexts, there are very few studies investigating the impact of delayed gratification on the business, especially on the decision to be self-employed and the resulting business performance. The delay of gratification could be one factor that influences decisions on job selection or employment status and that influences business performance as well. This paper is also the first one conducted in a least developed country such as Lao PDR.

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