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The informal ICT sector and innovation processes in Senegal

Author

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  • Konté, Almamy

    (Ministry of Higher Education, Universities, Regional University Centres and Scientific Research, and Department of Physics, Cheikh Anta Diop University, Dakar, Senegal)

  • Ndong, Mariama

    (Department of Sociology, Gaston Berger de Saint-Louis University Saint-Louis, Senegal)

Abstract

This paper investigates the informal information and communication technology (ICT) sector in Senegal with a view to developing indicators that could be used to improve the understanding of the innovation process. Three approaches are used to gather the information needed for the analysis: a review of literature; a questionnaire to collect data; and, a life story to provide context to the research. The analysis provides examples of innovation in the informal ICT sector and examines the relationship of social factors to these examples. As the informal sector dominates the Senegalese economy, the paper contributes to the understanding of innovation driven economic growth in that sector, and to the factors linked to transition of economic activity from one sector to another.

Suggested Citation

  • Konté, Almamy & Ndong, Mariama, 2012. "The informal ICT sector and innovation processes in Senegal," MERIT Working Papers 2012-009, United Nations University - Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (MERIT).
    • Handle: RePEc:unm:unumer:2012009
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Camal Gallouj & Faïz Gallouj, 1996. "L'innovation dans les services," Post-Print hal-01111983, HAL.
    2. Rinaldo Evangelista & Giorgio Sirilli, 1995. "Measuring innovation in services," Research Evaluation, Oxford University Press, vol. 5(3), pages 207-215, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Gault, F., 2014. "Where are innovation indicators, and their applications, going?," MERIT Working Papers 2014-055, United Nations University - Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (MERIT).
    2. Avenyo, Elvis Korku & Konte, Maty & Mohnen, Pierre, 2019. "The employment impact of product innovations in sub-Saharan Africa: Firm-level evidence," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 48(9), pages 1-1.
    3. Agyemang Rama & Bekolo Ngoa Celestin & Shuangying Chen & Konan Martin, 2022. "Assessment of Eco-Innovation Drivers within the Informal Sector in Ghana," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-19, June.
    4. Fu, Xiaolan & Mohnen, Pierre & Zanello, Giacomo, 2018. "Innovation and productivity in formal and informal firms in Ghana," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 131(C), pages 315-325.
    5. Avenyo, Elvis, 2018. "Informal sector innovation in Ghana: Data set and descriptive analysis," MERIT Working Papers 2018-030, United Nations University - Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (MERIT).
    6. Avenyo, Elvis Korku, 2021. "Learning and Product Innovation Performance in Informal Enterprises: Evidence from Urban Ghana," MPRA Paper 108839, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 05 May 2021.
    7. Avenyo, Elvis, 2016. "Employment impacts of technological innovations in sub-Saharan Africa: Firm-level evidence," Conference papers 332715, Purdue University, Center for Global Trade Analysis, Global Trade Analysis Project.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Informal economy; innovation indicators; information and communication technologies; ICT; social development; economic development;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O31 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes

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