Exchange-Traded Funds in Europe provides a single point of reference on a diverse set of regional ETF markets, illuminating the roles ETFs can play in risk mitigation and speculation. Combining empirical data with models and case studies, the authors use diffusion models and panel/country-specific regressions-as well as graphical and descriptive analyses- to show how ETFs are more than conventional, passive investments. With new insights on how ETFs can improve market efficiency and how investors can benefit when using them as investment tools, this book reveals the complexity of the world's second largest ETF market and the ways that ETFs are transforming it.

ICT-Driven Economic and Financial Development: Analyses of European Countries demonstrates the effects of ICT diffusion on economic, social and financial development by examining their impact on the structure and dynamics of national economies. It provides the insight into shifts observed in labour markets, international trade activities productivity factors, education and use of innovative financial products. It combines empirical analyses and data sources stretching back to 1990 make it an important contribution to understanding the effects of ICT diffusion on economic and financial development. The book answers questions such as how will national and regional economies react to upcoming ICT developments and growing usage, and what is the magnitude of impact of new information and communication technologies on various aspects of social and economic life.

Sustainable Investing: Socio-Economic Impacts of Exchange-Traded Funds examines the social and economic effects of sustainable investing ETFs and their impacts on the global financial system. The book presents the key issues with regard to sustainable investing, discussing exchange-traded funds mechanisms and categories in comparison to competing investment funds. The book outlines the theoretical determinants of ETF markets development and the effects of their diffusion, both at the investor and firm levels, as well as financial system, entire economy, and society levels. The book presents various possible implementations of sustainable investing, and covers the methodological aspects of their identification and categorization.

Hybrid investment products-such as exchange-traded funds that combine the investment features of mutual funds with the trading features of stocks-are one of the most rapidly growing categories of investment funds with their total global value reaching almost $5 trillion. The book examines the linkages between ETFs and the FinTech sector in the context of sustainable development, as well as global sustainable development policies in relation to their effects on the popularity of sustainable investing. The book concludes with a discussion of the significance for other entities that may be affected, such as policy makers and recipients of funds invested through sustainable investment strategies.

This book contributes to the present state of knowledge, offering the reader broad evidence on how new digital technologies impact financial systems. It focuses on both macro- and micro-perspectives of ICT influence on financial markets.

The book demonstrates how ICT can impact trading systems or information systems, which are crucial for financial systems to work effectively. It also shows how individuals can benefit from the adoption of digital technologies for everyday financial (e.g., banking) systems usage. The book provides empirical evidence of how digital technologies revolutionize the banking sector and stock exchange trading system and explores the associations between technology and various aspects of firms’ functioning. Furthermore, it raises elements of financial inclusion, ICT-based microfinance service and finance-related gender issues.

The principal audience of the book will be scholars and academic professionals from a wide variety of disciplines, particularly in the fields of finance and economics. It will be especially useful for those who are addressing the issues of new technologies and the financial markets, FinTech, financial innovations, stock markets, and the role of technological progress in a broadly defined socio-economic system. It will be a valuable source of knowledge for graduate and postgraduate students in economic and social development, information and technology, worldwide studies, social policy or comparative economics.

This book contributes to the present state of knowledge, offering the reader broad evidence on how new digital technologies impact financial systems. It focuses on both macro- and micro-perspectives of ICT influence on financial markets.

The book demonstrates how ICT can impact trading systems or information systems, which are crucial for financial systems to work effectively. It also shows how individuals can benefit from the adoption of digital technologies for everyday financial (e.g., banking) systems usage. The book provides empirical evidence of how digital technologies revolutionize the banking sector and stock exchange trading system and explores the associations between technology and various aspects of firms’ functioning. Furthermore, it raises elements of financial inclusion, ICT-based microfinance service and finance-related gender issues.

The principal audience of the book will be scholars and academic professionals from a wide variety of disciplines, particularly in the fields of finance and economics. It will be especially useful for those who are addressing the issues of new technologies and the financial markets, FinTech, financial innovations, stock markets, and the role of technological progress in a broadly defined socio-economic system. It will be a valuable source of knowledge for graduate and postgraduate students in economic and social development, information and technology, worldwide studies, social policy or comparative economics.

The book provides deep insight into theoretical and empirical evidence on information and communication technologies (ICT) as an important factor affecting financial markets. It is focused on the impact of ICT on stock markets, bond markets, and other categories of financial markets, with the additional focus on the linked FinTech services and financial institutions. Financial markets shaped by the adoption of the new technologies are labeled ‘digital financial markets’.

With a wide-ranging perspective at both the local and global levels from countries at varying degrees of economic development, this book addresses an important gap in the extant literature concerning the role of ICT in the financial markets. The consequences of these processes had until now rarely been considered in a broader economic and social context, particularly when the impact of FinTech services on financial markets is taken into account. The book’s theoretical discussions, empirical evidence and compilation of different views and perspectives make it a valuable and complex reference work.

The principal audience of the book will be scholars in the fields of finance and economics. The book also targets professionals in the financial industry who are directly or indirectly linked to the new technologies on the financial markets, in particular various types of FinTech services.

Chapters 2, 5 and 10 of this book are available for free in PDF format as Open Access from the individual product page at www.routledge.com. They have been made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives 4.0 license.

The book provides deep insight into theoretical and empirical evidence on information and communication technologies (ICT) as an important factor affecting financial markets. It is focused on the impact of ICT on stock markets, bond markets, and other categories of financial markets, with the additional focus on the linked FinTech services and financial institutions. Financial markets shaped by the adoption of the new technologies are labeled ‘digital financial markets’.

With a wide-ranging perspective at both the local and global levels from countries at varying degrees of economic development, this book addresses an important gap in the extant literature concerning the role of ICT in the financial markets. The consequences of these processes had until now rarely been considered in a broader economic and social context, particularly when the impact of FinTech services on financial markets is taken into account. The book’s theoretical discussions, empirical evidence and compilation of different views and perspectives make it a valuable and complex reference work.

The principal audience of the book will be scholars in the fields of finance and economics. The book also targets professionals in the financial industry who are directly or indirectly linked to the new technologies on the financial markets, in particular various types of FinTech services.

Chapters 2, 5 and 10 of this book are available for free in PDF format as Open Access from the individual product page at www.routledge.com. They have been made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives 4.0 license.

Since the 1970s, we have witnessed unprecedented diff usion of digital technologies in both speed and geographic coverage. These technologies are pervasive and disruptive, and lead to profound shifts and transformations in societies and economies. Many claim that emerging network externalities are the principal phenomenon driving the process of technology diff usion and determining its in-time dynamics.

This book analyzes the unique role network eff ects play in the process of digital technology diff usion. Using the time span of 1980–2022 and data from over 180 countries, the authors examines the strength and determinants of emerging network externalities in the process of digital technology diffusion across the world. Moreover, using international case studies it traces the process of technology convergence and technology convergence club formation, intending to answer whether cross-country gaps are diminishing or rather growing, and if countries form unique ‘clubs’ within which a rapid convergence occurs.

Global Digital Technology Convergence is written for scholars and researchers in the fi elds of technology and innovation management, information and communication technology, economic development and the economics of innovation.

Since the 1970s, we have witnessed unprecedented diff usion of digital technologies in both speed and geographic coverage. These technologies are pervasive and disruptive, and lead to profound shifts and transformations in societies and economies. Many claim that emerging network externalities are the principal phenomenon driving the process of technology diff usion and determining its in-time dynamics.

This book analyzes the unique role network eff ects play in the process of digital technology diff usion. Using the time span of 1980–2022 and data from over 180 countries, the authors examines the strength and determinants of emerging network externalities in the process of digital technology diffusion across the world. Moreover, using international case studies it traces the process of technology convergence and technology convergence club formation, intending to answer whether cross-country gaps are diminishing or rather growing, and if countries form unique ‘clubs’ within which a rapid convergence occurs.

Global Digital Technology Convergence is written for scholars and researchers in the fi elds of technology and innovation management, information and communication technology, economic development and the economics of innovation.

Despite the rapid and substantial increase in the popularity of exchange-traded products (ETPs), particularly exchange-traded funds (ETFs), some categories remain underexplored in the academic and professional literature. One of the most notable examples is exchange-traded notes (ETNs). This book offers a detailed yet highly focused insight into the ETN market.

The book presents the key attributes and mechanisms of ETNs, such as their number, providers, assets, listing locations, benchmarks, charges, and objectives, and their links with other parts of the financial system. It examines the empirical data connected to all ETNs that are available globally, showing their features at the individual product and country levels. The book merges the topic of ETNs with the ubiquitous trend in the contemporary investing industry – the increased focus on sustainability and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues. It addresses the sustainability compliance of ETNs and their possible utilization in ESG investing, highlighting selected examples as case studies. Their strengths and weaknesses are underscored in this context by comparing them with other solutions and the legal frameworks in the countries in which they are listed.

The book will interest the academic community and a broad range of practitioners, such as retail and institutional investors or asset managers.

Despite the rapid and substantial increase in the popularity of exchange-traded products (ETPs), particularly exchange-traded funds (ETFs), some categories remain underexplored in the academic and professional literature. One of the most notable examples is exchange-traded notes (ETNs). This book offers a detailed yet highly focused insight into the ETN market.

The book presents the key attributes and mechanisms of ETNs, such as their number, providers, assets, listing locations, benchmarks, charges, and objectives, and their links with other parts of the financial system. It examines the empirical data connected to all ETNs that are available globally, showing their features at the individual product and country levels. The book merges the topic of ETNs with the ubiquitous trend in the contemporary investing industry – the increased focus on sustainability and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues. It addresses the sustainability compliance of ETNs and their possible utilization in ESG investing, highlighting selected examples as case studies. Their strengths and weaknesses are underscored in this context by comparing them with other solutions and the legal frameworks in the countries in which they are listed.

The book will interest the academic community and a broad range of practitioners, such as retail and institutional investors or asset managers.

This book is dedicated to examining Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) market in the Asia-Pacific region between 2004 and 2017. It offers a broad examination of the attributes and development of the ETF markets. The book presents a new approach to ETF markets modeling that uses innovation diffusion model. In addition, it explores the empirical links between ETFs and Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). The book also compares ETFs and competing investment options. This book should appeal to both academics and practitioners as it includes detailed descriptions of the ETF markets and prepared projections regarding their future development. As the Asia-Pacific region plays a significant role in the global economy, this book should be useful for international readers beyond this area.

The Emergence of ETFs in Asia-Pacific begins with an overview of the Asia-Pacific economies, focusing on their importance for the global economy and their features. Next, the bookintroduces an analytical framework. It explains major features of ETFs (such as their creation, distribution, and trading) and key categories, which facilitates profound understanding of the book merit even for readers with little knowledge about ETFs. The following chapter explores the role of ICTs in economy and society identifying channels of their impact on financial markets. It discusses how ICTs foster dynamic spread of financial innovations (including ETFs) across financial markets. Next, the book examines the ETF market''s development in different countries in the Asia-Pacific region, by analyzing their level of development in terms of turnover. In this part it also provides brief characteristics of all markets, including their structures and categories of ETFs in various countries. Consecutive part of the book is dedicated to reports on the process of ICTs growing penetration across Asia-Pacific countries, showing the changes observed during recent years. It then continues the empirical analysis of the ETF markets in the Asia-Pacific region by attempting to trace the links between the development of ETF markets and ICT penetration during the period 2004-2017. As complementary material, a methodological annex is included showing major analytical techniques used throughout the research.

This book examines the role that Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) play in growth and economic development promotion, specifically for developing countries. It highlights multiple methodologies for quantifying the impact of ICTs. This includes quantitative and qualitative methods, but also novel, conclusive and informative methodological approaches for measuring ICTs influence on economic development. The book highlights trends, perspectives, and success stories for different developing countries. ICTs bring new business models, innovations, capital-labor substitution, improved goods and services to developing markets. Because they can spread rapidly, with little cost and require minimal skills for usage, ICTs create a solid background for social and economic gains. They enable significant reduction in information asymmetries, which improves access to economic activities for multitude of agents, fostering participation, inter alias in labor market of disadvantaged societal groups. After almost two decades of rapid diffusion of ICT in developing world, this book seeks to assess the real benefits and consequences of ICTs adoption in developing countries. The chapters use broad, real-world based evidence to provide a better understanding of the precise nature of new technologies and their impact of the country`s economy and society. 

Exchange-Traded Funds in Europe provides a single point of reference on a diverse set of regional ETF markets, illuminating the roles ETFs can play in risk mitigation and speculation. Combining empirical data with models and case studies, the authors use diffusion models and panel/country-specific regressions-as well as graphical and descriptive analyses- to show how ETFs are more than conventional, passive investments. With new insights on how ETFs can improve market efficiency and how investors can benefit when using them as investment tools, this book reveals the complexity of the world's second largest ETF market and the ways that ETFs are transforming it.

ICT-Driven Economic and Financial Development: Analyses of European Countries demonstrates the effects of ICT diffusion on economic, social and financial development by examining their impact on the structure and dynamics of national economies. It provides the insight into shifts observed in labour markets, international trade activities productivity factors, education and use of innovative financial products. It combines empirical analyses and data sources stretching back to 1990 make it an important contribution to understanding the effects of ICT diffusion on economic and financial development. The book answers questions such as how will national and regional economies react to upcoming ICT developments and growing usage, and what is the magnitude of impact of new information and communication technologies on various aspects of social and economic life.

Sustainable Investing: Socio-Economic Impacts of Exchange-Traded Funds examines the social and economic effects of sustainable investing ETFs and their impacts on the global financial system. The book presents the key issues with regard to sustainable investing, discussing exchange-traded funds mechanisms and categories in comparison to competing investment funds. The book outlines the theoretical determinants of ETF markets development and the effects of their diffusion, both at the investor and firm levels, as well as financial system, entire economy, and society levels. The book presents various possible implementations of sustainable investing, and covers the methodological aspects of their identification and categorization.

Hybrid investment products-such as exchange-traded funds that combine the investment features of mutual funds with the trading features of stocks-are one of the most rapidly growing categories of investment funds with their total global value reaching almost $5 trillion. The book examines the linkages between ETFs and the FinTech sector in the context of sustainable development, as well as global sustainable development policies in relation to their effects on the popularity of sustainable investing. The book concludes with a discussion of the significance for other entities that may be affected, such as policy makers and recipients of funds invested through sustainable investment strategies.

This book contributes to the present state of knowledge, offering the reader broad evidence on how new digital technologies impact financial systems. It focuses on both macro- and micro-perspectives of ICT influence on financial markets.

The book demonstrates how ICT can impact trading systems or information systems, which are crucial for financial systems to work effectively. It also shows how individuals can benefit from the adoption of digital technologies for everyday financial (e.g., banking) systems usage. The book provides empirical evidence of how digital technologies revolutionize the banking sector and stock exchange trading system and explores the associations between technology and various aspects of firms’ functioning. Furthermore, it raises elements of financial inclusion, ICT-based microfinance service and finance-related gender issues.

The principal audience of the book will be scholars and academic professionals from a wide variety of disciplines, particularly in the fields of finance and economics. It will be especially useful for those who are addressing the issues of new technologies and the financial markets, FinTech, financial innovations, stock markets, and the role of technological progress in a broadly defined socio-economic system. It will be a valuable source of knowledge for graduate and postgraduate students in economic and social development, information and technology, worldwide studies, social policy or comparative economics.

This book contributes to the present state of knowledge, offering the reader broad evidence on how new digital technologies impact financial systems. It focuses on both macro- and micro-perspectives of ICT influence on financial markets.

The book demonstrates how ICT can impact trading systems or information systems, which are crucial for financial systems to work effectively. It also shows how individuals can benefit from the adoption of digital technologies for everyday financial (e.g., banking) systems usage. The book provides empirical evidence of how digital technologies revolutionize the banking sector and stock exchange trading system and explores the associations between technology and various aspects of firms’ functioning. Furthermore, it raises elements of financial inclusion, ICT-based microfinance service and finance-related gender issues.

The principal audience of the book will be scholars and academic professionals from a wide variety of disciplines, particularly in the fields of finance and economics. It will be especially useful for those who are addressing the issues of new technologies and the financial markets, FinTech, financial innovations, stock markets, and the role of technological progress in a broadly defined socio-economic system. It will be a valuable source of knowledge for graduate and postgraduate students in economic and social development, information and technology, worldwide studies, social policy or comparative economics.

The book provides deep insight into theoretical and empirical evidence on information and communication technologies (ICT) as an important factor affecting financial markets. It is focused on the impact of ICT on stock markets, bond markets, and other categories of financial markets, with the additional focus on the linked FinTech services and financial institutions. Financial markets shaped by the adoption of the new technologies are labeled ‘digital financial markets’.

With a wide-ranging perspective at both the local and global levels from countries at varying degrees of economic development, this book addresses an important gap in the extant literature concerning the role of ICT in the financial markets. The consequences of these processes had until now rarely been considered in a broader economic and social context, particularly when the impact of FinTech services on financial markets is taken into account. The book’s theoretical discussions, empirical evidence and compilation of different views and perspectives make it a valuable and complex reference work.

The principal audience of the book will be scholars in the fields of finance and economics. The book also targets professionals in the financial industry who are directly or indirectly linked to the new technologies on the financial markets, in particular various types of FinTech services.

Chapters 2, 5 and 10 of this book are available for free in PDF format as Open Access from the individual product page at www.routledge.com. They have been made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives 4.0 license.

The book provides deep insight into theoretical and empirical evidence on information and communication technologies (ICT) as an important factor affecting financial markets. It is focused on the impact of ICT on stock markets, bond markets, and other categories of financial markets, with the additional focus on the linked FinTech services and financial institutions. Financial markets shaped by the adoption of the new technologies are labeled ‘digital financial markets’.

With a wide-ranging perspective at both the local and global levels from countries at varying degrees of economic development, this book addresses an important gap in the extant literature concerning the role of ICT in the financial markets. The consequences of these processes had until now rarely been considered in a broader economic and social context, particularly when the impact of FinTech services on financial markets is taken into account. The book’s theoretical discussions, empirical evidence and compilation of different views and perspectives make it a valuable and complex reference work.

The principal audience of the book will be scholars in the fields of finance and economics. The book also targets professionals in the financial industry who are directly or indirectly linked to the new technologies on the financial markets, in particular various types of FinTech services.

Chapters 2, 5 and 10 of this book are available for free in PDF format as Open Access from the individual product page at www.routledge.com. They have been made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives 4.0 license.

Since the 1970s, we have witnessed unprecedented diff usion of digital technologies in both speed and geographic coverage. These technologies are pervasive and disruptive, and lead to profound shifts and transformations in societies and economies. Many claim that emerging network externalities are the principal phenomenon driving the process of technology diff usion and determining its in-time dynamics.

This book analyzes the unique role network eff ects play in the process of digital technology diff usion. Using the time span of 1980–2022 and data from over 180 countries, the authors examines the strength and determinants of emerging network externalities in the process of digital technology diffusion across the world. Moreover, using international case studies it traces the process of technology convergence and technology convergence club formation, intending to answer whether cross-country gaps are diminishing or rather growing, and if countries form unique ‘clubs’ within which a rapid convergence occurs.

Global Digital Technology Convergence is written for scholars and researchers in the fi elds of technology and innovation management, information and communication technology, economic development and the economics of innovation.

Since the 1970s, we have witnessed unprecedented diff usion of digital technologies in both speed and geographic coverage. These technologies are pervasive and disruptive, and lead to profound shifts and transformations in societies and economies. Many claim that emerging network externalities are the principal phenomenon driving the process of technology diff usion and determining its in-time dynamics.

This book analyzes the unique role network eff ects play in the process of digital technology diff usion. Using the time span of 1980–2022 and data from over 180 countries, the authors examines the strength and determinants of emerging network externalities in the process of digital technology diffusion across the world. Moreover, using international case studies it traces the process of technology convergence and technology convergence club formation, intending to answer whether cross-country gaps are diminishing or rather growing, and if countries form unique ‘clubs’ within which a rapid convergence occurs.

Global Digital Technology Convergence is written for scholars and researchers in the fi elds of technology and innovation management, information and communication technology, economic development and the economics of innovation.

Despite the rapid and substantial increase in the popularity of exchange-traded products (ETPs), particularly exchange-traded funds (ETFs), some categories remain underexplored in the academic and professional literature. One of the most notable examples is exchange-traded notes (ETNs). This book offers a detailed yet highly focused insight into the ETN market.

The book presents the key attributes and mechanisms of ETNs, such as their number, providers, assets, listing locations, benchmarks, charges, and objectives, and their links with other parts of the financial system. It examines the empirical data connected to all ETNs that are available globally, showing their features at the individual product and country levels. The book merges the topic of ETNs with the ubiquitous trend in the contemporary investing industry – the increased focus on sustainability and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues. It addresses the sustainability compliance of ETNs and their possible utilization in ESG investing, highlighting selected examples as case studies. Their strengths and weaknesses are underscored in this context by comparing them with other solutions and the legal frameworks in the countries in which they are listed.

The book will interest the academic community and a broad range of practitioners, such as retail and institutional investors or asset managers.

Despite the rapid and substantial increase in the popularity of exchange-traded products (ETPs), particularly exchange-traded funds (ETFs), some categories remain underexplored in the academic and professional literature. One of the most notable examples is exchange-traded notes (ETNs). This book offers a detailed yet highly focused insight into the ETN market.

The book presents the key attributes and mechanisms of ETNs, such as their number, providers, assets, listing locations, benchmarks, charges, and objectives, and their links with other parts of the financial system. It examines the empirical data connected to all ETNs that are available globally, showing their features at the individual product and country levels. The book merges the topic of ETNs with the ubiquitous trend in the contemporary investing industry – the increased focus on sustainability and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues. It addresses the sustainability compliance of ETNs and their possible utilization in ESG investing, highlighting selected examples as case studies. Their strengths and weaknesses are underscored in this context by comparing them with other solutions and the legal frameworks in the countries in which they are listed.

The book will interest the academic community and a broad range of practitioners, such as retail and institutional investors or asset managers.

This book is dedicated to examining Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) market in the Asia-Pacific region between 2004 and 2017. It offers a broad examination of the attributes and development of the ETF markets. The book presents a new approach to ETF markets modeling that uses innovation diffusion model. In addition, it explores the empirical links between ETFs and Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). The book also compares ETFs and competing investment options. This book should appeal to both academics and practitioners as it includes detailed descriptions of the ETF markets and prepared projections regarding their future development. As the Asia-Pacific region plays a significant role in the global economy, this book should be useful for international readers beyond this area.

The Emergence of ETFs in Asia-Pacific begins with an overview of the Asia-Pacific economies, focusing on their importance for the global economy and their features. Next, the bookintroduces an analytical framework. It explains major features of ETFs (such as their creation, distribution, and trading) and key categories, which facilitates profound understanding of the book merit even for readers with little knowledge about ETFs. The following chapter explores the role of ICTs in economy and society identifying channels of their impact on financial markets. It discusses how ICTs foster dynamic spread of financial innovations (including ETFs) across financial markets. Next, the book examines the ETF market''s development in different countries in the Asia-Pacific region, by analyzing their level of development in terms of turnover. In this part it also provides brief characteristics of all markets, including their structures and categories of ETFs in various countries. Consecutive part of the book is dedicated to reports on the process of ICTs growing penetration across Asia-Pacific countries, showing the changes observed during recent years. It then continues the empirical analysis of the ETF markets in the Asia-Pacific region by attempting to trace the links between the development of ETF markets and ICT penetration during the period 2004-2017. As complementary material, a methodological annex is included showing major analytical techniques used throughout the research.

This book examines the role that Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) play in growth and economic development promotion, specifically for developing countries. It highlights multiple methodologies for quantifying the impact of ICTs. This includes quantitative and qualitative methods, but also novel, conclusive and informative methodological approaches for measuring ICTs influence on economic development. The book highlights trends, perspectives, and success stories for different developing countries. ICTs bring new business models, innovations, capital-labor substitution, improved goods and services to developing markets. Because they can spread rapidly, with little cost and require minimal skills for usage, ICTs create a solid background for social and economic gains. They enable significant reduction in information asymmetries, which improves access to economic activities for multitude of agents, fostering participation, inter alias in labor market of disadvantaged societal groups. After almost two decades of rapid diffusion of ICT in developing world, this book seeks to assess the real benefits and consequences of ICTs adoption in developing countries. The chapters use broad, real-world based evidence to provide a better understanding of the precise nature of new technologies and their impact of the country`s economy and society.