ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) and International Dissertation

ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) and International Trade in The Middle Eastern Developing Countries - Dissertation Example This is what this paper’s topic will all be about. This paper will explore the changes ICT has brought about thorough presentation of peer-reviewed literature that contained previous studies of researchers also about the same topics. It will also explore the digital divide existing in developing countries and how ICT has helped resolve this problem. It will also be discussing the status of ICT in three countries in the MENA region, namely, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Dubai. This paper will show how ICT developed in these region and how it helped socially, politically and most importantly, economically. 2.2: Research Questions The research questions in this study are used as a guide to analyze the attractiveness of the Middle East countries as a market for international entry. The industry used in this dissertation is of the high tech information and communication technology. The digital divide and the importance of the distribution channel to the ICT industry are al so studied. The emerging and high growth nature of the Middle Eastern region has attracted small to very large ICT vendors from the world over. This paper will be guided by the following research questions: 2.4.1: What makes the Middle East an attractive destination for ICT vendors to set up sales and marketing ventures? 2.4.2: What is digital divide and how does it figure in the Middle Eastern region, particularly the developed and developing countries. 2.4.3: How ICT has changed the international trade of Middle Eastern developing countries. 2:3 Background of the Problem The fast development of ICTs served only to highlight other technological disparity complexities associated with it. This can happen to both developed and developing nations. It came to the attention of those concerned that such disparity may occur in a developed nation more than between developed and developing nations. Moreover, this disparity does not only pertain to internet and computer use but also other ICT forms such as mobile phones, landlines and even pagers. The awareness of this disparity led to yet another terminology that as of today is not widely used, i.e., â€Å"digital divide†. Digital divide has a broader meaning than simple â€Å"information gap†. This digital divide present in developed or developing countries, particularly those in the Middle East (ME) is going to be the focus of this paper. How ICT either solved or worsen this disparity problem in the ME region will be included in this paper. Likewise, the advantages and changes brought about by ICT to the nations experiencing digital divide in the ME will also be explored. The literature of 3 ME countries that enjoyed the development of ICT in their midst will also be given focus. CHAPTER 2 - LITERATURE REVIEW 2.1: Introduction This paper will make use of academic and peer viewed literature that corresponds to the main themes of digital divide and the ICT industry as applied to the Middle Eastern countri es with focus on three of them, namely Saudi Arabia, Dubai and UAE. The study is based on a qualitative research approach that strives to collect relevant information and data from different available secondary resources. The literature included in this chapter will