The Networked Readiness Index Framework

Since it was first launched in 2001, the Global Information Technology Report has become a valuable and unique benchmarking tool to determine national ICT strengths and weaknesses, and to evaluate progress. It also highlights the continuing importance of ICT application and development for economic growth.


Click here to access the detailed structure of the Networked Readiness Index 2009-2010 (PDF)


The Report uses the Networked Readiness Index (NRI), covering a total of 133 economies in 2009-2010, to measure the degree of preparation of a nation or community to participate in and benefit from ICT developments.


The NRI is composed of three component indexes which assess:

  • The environment for ICT offered by a given country or community.

  • The readiness of the economy's key stakeholders - individuals, business and governments.

  • The usage of ICT among these stakeholders.
 

The Networked Readiness Index Framework represents an effort to untangle the underlying complexity behind the role of ICT in a nation's development. The framework and its components not only provide a model for computing the relative development and use of ICT in countries, but also allows for a better understanding of a nation's strengths and weaknesses with respect to ICT.


The figure below depicts the structure of the Networked Readiness Framework used in this research. The Networked Readiness Framework is based upon the following premises:

 

• There are three important stakeholders to consider in the development and use of ICT: individuals, businesses, and governments;


• There is a general macroeconomic and regulatory environment for ICT in which the stakeholders play out their respective roles;


• The degree of usage of ICT by (and hence the impact of ICT on) the three stakeholders is linked to their degrees of readiness (or capability) to use and benefit from ICT.