ICT in a Transition Economy: The Case of Hungary
Abstract
AbstractThe production and use of information and communications technology (ICT) has been shown to have positive developmental and economic impacts in many countries around the world. This paper examines specifically the impact of economic transition on the production and use of ICT in Hungary, the country that gave us John von Neumann. Firstly, the paper examines the implications of economic transition for Hungary's ICT producing industry (both hardware and software). Secondly, it explores patterns of ICT diffusion and use in the country. The paper shows that while economic transition has led to increasing globalization and the consequent integration of Hungary into the European and the global economy, the impact of such transition for ICT production and use has been more problematic. The paper calls for a renewed role for policies to integrate ICT and economic development strategies with a view to creating an information society for all citizens.