ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the information and communication technology (ICT) is defined to encompass information technology (IT), both hardware (computers and related equipment) and software (operating systems and application programs), and communication technology. However, due to lack of comparable data, the data mentioned in the tables do not include software, which is available only for the US. Consequently, the data presented underestimate to some extent the crucial role of ICT in the globalization process and the formation of the ‘new economy’ (see Tran 2002).
