Classification of countries based on ICT infrastructure, skills and growth: The role of ICT capacity in emerging economies

It is generally accepted that the capacity of a country's information and communication technology capability can potentially bring about development. While this has been true in some countries, the same benefits to economic development from ICT infrastructures have not accrued in other countries. This is particularly the case with emerging economies as their populations with low to middle capita incomes are particularly susceptible to opportunities and risks brought about by ICTs. There is still much to be known about why this is the case. This paper makes a contribution in that direction by classifying a set of countries based on their ICT infrastructures, skills and growth rates. It analyzes a dataset of 183 countries using a k-Means multivariate clustering technique to arrive at a classification of countries. A comparative analysis of the clusters revealed that ICT infrastructure and skills are interrelated and comprise ICT capacity. The analysis suggests that economic growth does not always follow the existence of ICT capacity in emerging economies but skills do effect their ability to grow from their ICT infrastructures. The clusters were mapped based on their ICT capacity and growth to highlight the differences in their ICT capacity. The contribution of the paper is in the development of the ICT Capacity construct and in uncovering two types of emerging economies with two different levels of ICT capacity. This has implications for further investigation of how ICT infrastructures are used to develop and source skills from emerging economies.