Title: Development and assessment of ICT maturity and global competitiveness using a Two-Wheel causality model

Authors: Manal M. Yunis, Kai S. Koong

Addresses: School of Business, Lebanese American University at Beirut, P.O. Box 13-5053, Beirut, Lebanon. ' College of Business Administration, The University of Texas-Pan American, 1201 West University, Edinburgh, TX 78539, USA

Abstract: Most evidence of ICT impact is at the firm level; the global impact of ICT at the country level has not been studied and incorporated within an integrated theoretical framework. This paper contains the development of a model to depict the strategic impact of a country|s ICT resources on global competitiveness. The Two-Wheel model is a symbolisation for a dynamic process where one wheel (a country|s ICT maturity) pushes the other (global competitiveness). The model is based on literature review and study of models provided by previous researchers regarding the impact of ICT on the performance of international firms. Using theoretical frameworks and a quantitative method technique, the model will be both validated and assessed. The application of the model includes: (a) identification of the strategic ICT factors that would help countries attain better ranks in the global competitiveness spectrum; (b) examining the causality relationship between ICT maturity and global competitiveness; and (c) derivation of global competitiveness rankings for countries based on their ICT maturity levels.

Keywords: ICT maturity; global competitiveness rankings; two-wheel causality model; causal relationships; grid analysis; information technology; communications technology; quantitative methodology.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSS.2009.027220

International Journal of Services and Standards, 2009 Vol.5 No.2, pp.135 - 159

Published online: 17 Jul 2009 *

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