This book investigates the impact of information and communication technologies (ICTs) on development and well-being (beyond economic benefits) and highlights some emerging issues relating to the realities, constraints and digital divides with particular reference to India. It collects a series of novel contributions, studying the Indian experience in an international cross-country perspective. The book also discusses economic, social, and behavioural aspects of well-being as well as access to ICTs across regions, states and individuals to account for the digital divide. The book establishes an aggregate relationship between ICT exposure and well-being at the country level and addresses a number of fundamental issues, such as whether ICT raises the level of transparency and governance. Based on case studies and anecdotal evidence, it then further assesses the effective implementation of service delivery through ICT innovations. The book is divided into four parts: The introductory part surveys the literature and presents background information on the Indian case; introduces the main themes on the relationships between ICT, socio-economic development and digital divides; and provides a summary and roadmap to the chapters of the book. Part II focuses on the impact of ICT on economic performance, including economic growth, productivity and trade. Part III examines the extent of the digital divides in India, including international, regional as well as inter-personal inequality. Finally, Part IV investigates the impact of ICT on governance, users' well-being and social outcomes. Combining insights from analyses of a variety of socio-economic dimensions related to digitalisation, this book is relevant for a wide range of scholars and researchers across disciplines, as well as practitioners and policy-makers. While the book has a main focus on India, various contributions take an international cross-country comparative perspective, and the results have general relevance for digitalisation and development. On the whole, the main message of this book is that the impact of ICTs is contingent upon other assets, capabilities and institutional conditions. National policies should, therefore, not only promote digitalization as such but also ensure its co-evolution and complementarity with a variety of other country-specific factors. Chapter 'Digitalisation and Development: Issues for India and Beyond' of this book is available open access under a CC BY 4.0 license at link.springer.com

The defence sector is a critical industry that is currently undergoing a phase of momentous transformation. Over the last twenty years, market liberalization, the growing instability of geo-political scenarios and rapid technological change have completely reshaped the structural features of this industry. Taking as a starting point the Norwegian case, Fulvio Castellacci and Arne Fevolden provide a very acute analysis of the main trends of evolution of the European defence industry. Their study makes good use of the latest insights emerging from the economics of innovation, international trade and industrial dynamics literature. One of the most innovative features of Castellacci and Fevolden's approach is the construction of an industry-tailored agent based simulation model that permits the systematic exploration of different policy scenarios. Because of its broad scope and its original approach, this book is going to represent fundamental reading for all economists and political scientists interested in the defence industry for a long time to come.' - Alessandro Nuvolari, Sant Anna School of Advanced Studies, ItalyTraditionally, the EU defence sector has been fragmented into several weakly integrated and highly protected domestic markets which often leads to the duplication of innovative efforts, rising production costs and an overall lack of competitiveness. This book investigates the ongoing liberalization of the European defence market and explores how companies can respond to these changes by adjusting their innovation and internationalization strategies. Using a variety of methods including case studies, econometric analyses and agent-based modelling, the authors reveal that liberalization will provide new and relevant opportunities for European defence companies. However, any potential benefits will only be realized if private firms perceive that a full and well-coordinated implementation process is in place. As a whole, the book provides an original assessment of innovation policy in the context of EU defence and security market liberalization. In addition to those studying innovation, European and security studies, this unique book is an indispensible reference for practitioners and policy makers dealing with EU defence and security market liberalization.

This book investigates the impact of information and communication technologies (ICTs) on development and well-being (beyond economic benefits) and highlights some emerging issues relating to the realities, constraints and digital divides with particular reference to India. It collects a series of novel contributions, studying the Indian experience in an international cross-country perspective. The book also discusses economic, social, and behavioural aspects of well-being as well as access to ICTs across regions, states and individuals to account for the digital divide. The book establishes an aggregate relationship between ICT exposure and well-being at the country level and addresses a number of fundamental issues, such as whether ICT raises the level of transparency and governance. Based on case studies and anecdotal evidence, it then further assesses the effective implementation of service delivery through ICT innovations. The book is divided into four parts: The introductory part surveys the literature and presents background information on the Indian case; introduces the main themes on the relationships between ICT, socio-economic development and digital divides; and provides a summary and roadmap to the chapters of the book. Part II focuses on the impact of ICT on economic performance, including economic growth, productivity and trade. Part III examines the extent of the digital divides in India, including international, regional as well as inter-personal inequality. Finally, Part IV investigates the impact of ICT on governance, users' well-being and social outcomes. Combining insights from analyses of a variety of socio-economic dimensions related to digitalisation, this book is relevant for a wide range of scholars and researchers across disciplines, as well as practitioners and policy-makers. While the book has a main focus on India, various contributions take an international cross-country comparative perspective, and the results have general relevance for digitalisation and development. On the whole, the main message of this book is that the impact of ICTs is contingent upon other assets, capabilities and institutional conditions. National policies should, therefore, not only promote digitalization as such but also ensure its co-evolution and complementarity with a variety of other country-specific factors. Chapter 'Digitalisation and Development: Issues for India and Beyond' of this book is available open access under a CC BY 4.0 license at link.springer.com