An annotated list of key on-line sources which focus on how ICTs (Information and Communication Technologies) are being used to benefit SMEs (small and medium enterprises).

Connecting People and Organizationsfor Rural Development through Pilot Multi Purpose Telecentres

http://www.unesco.org/webworld/public_domain/kothmale_docs/Philippines.ppt

Summary:A presentation on Multipurpose Community Telecenters (MCTs) in Selected Philippine Barangays

Employment and income generating activities derived from Internet Access

http://www.idrc.ca/acacia/studies/ir-henlt.htm

Author(s): Georges Hénault

Date of publication: September 1996

Summary: The Internet offers a huge range of employment opportunities. New forms of information intensive enterprises are being created, such as data entry and processing companies, as well as software development and online selling ones. Such businesses could potentially be established in small and remote communities since the new information technologies can be used on a decentralized basis.

Information and communications technologies - a rapidly emerging dimension of development co-operation

http://www.oneworld.org/media/net/undp_ICT.htm

Author(s): Dr. Hans d'Orville, Director, IT for Development Programme, UNDP (http://www.undp.org/info21/program/index.html)

Summary: We are witnessing a new type of poverty - information poverty - as developing countries struggle in vain to obtain the infrastructure, skills and other requisites to partake in that revolution. The gap between the North and the South is growing dangerously. Dr. Hans d'Orville, UNDP's Director, IT for Development Programme explores ways to narrow the gap

Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) for Sustainable Livelihoods:

http://www.rdg.ac.uk/AcaDepts/ea/AERDD/ICTs.home.htm

Author(s): Clare O'Farrell & Dr Patricia Norrish (AERDD) and Andrew Scott (ITDG)

Date of publication: November 1999

Summary: The follow material relates to a desk based study on new communication technologies and existing information systems of small-scale farmers and entrepreneurs in rural communities. The purpose of the study was to enquire and to illustrate using case study examples:

Whether and how ICTs might further marginalise disadvantaged communities, to determine what could be done to mitigate those adverse effects.

Whether and how modern ICTs can be used to strengthen and develop the information systems of small-scale farmers and small-scale enterprises (SMEs) in developing countries and contribute to poverty reduction.

Information and Communication Technologies, Poverty and Development

http://idpm.man.ac.uk/idpm/diwpf5.htm

Author(s): Richard Heeks, As part of the Development Informatics Working Paper Series,

Date of publication:1999

Summary: Can information and communication technologies (ICTs) help to alleviate poverty in low-income countries? The paper investigates this question, focusing particularly on the role of ICTs in assisting the development of small and micro-enterprises. The investigation is based on a systemic understanding of both technology and enterprise.

Information, ICTs and Small Enterprise: Findings from Botswana

http://idpm.man.ac.uk/idpm/diwpf7.htm

Author(s): Richard Duncombe & Richard Heeks As part of the Development Informatics Working Paper Series

Date of publication:1999

Summary: The potential contribution of information and communication technologies (ICTs) to small enterprise development can only be assessed by first understanding current information practices and needs in such enterprises. This paper reports findings from a questionnaire and interview survey of formal sector enterprises in Botswana based on this approach.

Opportunities for Economic Development and Entrepreneurship in Africa

http://www.dse.de/ef/digital/solta1-e.htm

Author(s): Karima Bounemra Ben Soltane, Chief, Development Information Services Division, UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), Addis Ababa

Date of publication:January 2001

Summary: The digital revolution, a reality in the developed world, is also affecting the developing countries. No one can ignore any longer its actual and potential impact on the economic and social development, either positive or negative.
One of the challenges, now, is to ensure that no region is left behind in order to widen further the existing digital gap, and to define ways and means to create opportunities for economic development and entrepreneurship. This is particularly important in the case of Africa.

Other sources and links

Google search on ICT and Small Medium Enterprise

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&safe=off&q=ict+small+medium+enterprise&btnG=Google+Search

A list of search results using the search engine Google.

Lycos search on ICT and Small Medium Enterprise

http://search.lycos.com/main/default.asp?lpv=1&loc=searchbox&query=ict+small+medium+enterprise

A list of search results using the search engine Lycos.

Yahoo search on ICT and SME

http://google.yahoo.com/bin/query?p=ict+sme&hc=0&hs=0

A list of search results using the search engine Yahoo.