information resource sharing models in developing countries a.pdfVIP

INSPEL 35 (2001)1, pp. 9-26 INFORMATION RESOURCE SHARING MODELS IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES: A NETWORK EMERGING FROM THE WORLD BANK SUPPORTED ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT CAPACITY BUILDING PROJECT* By Surekha Kaul Abstract: Managing environmental knowledge, disseminating it and building capacity for its efficient use is as important as creating knowledge. The paper aims at examining the use of information resource sharing networking in the area of environmental studies in developing countries. The paper has been divided into five sections. First section discusses the concept and rationale of information and resource sharing in the modern society. Second section identifies linkages between the information and communication technology, information resource sharing and the networking models. Third section explores the differences in the developing and developed countries in information resource sharing and networking. Fourth section deals with the networking in environmental studies in India, a developing country. Fifth section examines the building up of Information Sharing System which is vertically and horizontally integrated across institutions working in the area of Environmental Economics under the World Bank Capacity Building Project. It is our contention that this is an important component in the area of Environmental Economics. Sixth section presents the concluding observations. Introduction Knowledge is critical for development. Poor countries differ from rich ones not only because they have less capital but also because they have less knowledge