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Scaling‐up information services for development: a framework of increasing returns for telecentres
Author(s) -
Tschang Ted,
Chuladul Mathurot,
Le Thuy Thu
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
journal of international development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.533
H-Index - 66
eISSN - 1099-1328
pISSN - 0954-1748
DOI - 10.1002/jid.865
Subject(s) - scaling , business , returns to scale , economics , computer science , regional science , mathematics , microeconomics , geography , production (economics) , geometry
Telecentres are an important type of information and communication technology (ICT) system particularly assisting rural and urban communities in developing countries, but the focus is often put on social development, sometimes on static economic returns, and rarely on dynamic economic aspects. This paper develops a basis for understanding the factors behind financial success in a dynamic setting based on the concept of increasing returns. This is applied to telecentres according to the stage of maturity of their information services. The framework is illustrated with literature‐ and interview‐based cases, and will help an understanding of ways in which telecentres can scale‐up their operation and impact. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.