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The Internet and the ability to innovate in Latin America

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  • Chong, Alberto
  • Micco, Alejandro

Abstract

In this paper we provide an overview of the situation of the Internet in Latin America and argue that, although latecomers, Latin American countries could in principle catch up at a faster pace and a lower cost. But that will depend on the environment for innovation in the countries; in that respect, the adoption of the Internet may prove to be no different than other technological changes. The paper also discusses how the degree of innovativeness in a country helps explain the extent to which new technologies may be more effectively absorbed. What is surprising about this relationship is that it is valid even when isolating the fact that countries with better telephone infrastructure are also the ones with more Internet hosts. We found that the capacity to innovate and assimilate new technologies is not just a matter of income or infrastructure endowment.
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  • Chong, Alberto & Micco, Alejandro, 2003. "The Internet and the ability to innovate in Latin America," Emerging Markets Review, Elsevier, vol. 4(1), pages 53-72, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ememar:v:4:y:2003:i:1:p:53-72
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    Cited by:

    1. Andrés, Luis & Cuberes, David & Diouf, Mame & Serebrisky, Tomás, 0. "The diffusion of the Internet: A cross-country analysis," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 34(5-6), pages 323-340, June.
    2. repec:gdk:wpaper:17 is not listed on IDEAS
    3. Cuberes, David, 2008. "The Diffusion of Internet: A Cross-Country Analysis," MPRA Paper 8433, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    4. Ewa Lechman, 2013. "New Technologies Adoption And Diffusion Patterns In Developing Countries. An Empirical Study For The Period 2000-2011," Equilibrium. Quarterly Journal of Economics and Economic Policy, Institute of Economic Research, vol. 8(4), pages 79-106, December.
    5. repec:gdk:wpaper:18 is not listed on IDEAS
    6. repec:gdk:wpaper:5 is not listed on IDEAS
    7. Menzie D. Chinn & Robert W. Fairlie, 2010. "ICT Use in the Developing World: An Analysis of Differences in Computer and Internet Penetration," Review of International Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 18(1), pages 153-167, February.
    8. Zhang, Xiaoqun, 2013. "Income disparity and digital divide: The Internet Consumption Model and cross-country empirical research," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 37(6), pages 515-529.
    9. Stier, Sebastian, 2017. "Internet diffusion and regime type: Temporal patterns in technology adoption," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 41(1), pages 25-34.

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