The potentials of ICT infrastructure in a developing economy : the case of small businesses in Kurdistan Region, Iraq

Tar, Usman A. and Lawrence, Japhet Eke (2011) The potentials of ICT infrastructure in a developing economy : the case of small businesses in Kurdistan Region, Iraq. Information, society and justice journal, 4 (2). pp. 101-119. ISSN 1756-1078

Abstract

It is often argued that information and communication technologies (ICTs) can have a leveling effect, giving poor countries access to markets, information, and other resources that would otherwise have been inaccessible. ICTs have the potential to improve efficiency and productivity in many areas and, therefore, have received significant attention and investment in many countries. However, given the underdeveloped and inaccessible nature of developing economies, there has been some doubt about the relevance of this technology. There are concerns that instead of providing a level playing field, ICTs are further reproducing and entrenching underdevelopment in certain developing economies. The paper examines the opportunities offered by ICTs
infrastructure in developing economies with reference to the challenges faced by small businesses in Kurdistan region of Iraq. Currently, there is a limited number of studies in this area. The paper first examines the IT infrastructure in the region of Iraq, and then assesses the potentials opportunities and challenges of e-commerce to small businesses in the region. It is revealed that the region is rapidly catching up ICT development, even though small businesses are yet to exploit fully the potentials of ICTs.

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