Abstract: In 1980, the Indian software industry was practically non-existent. By the 1990s, the industry was one of the largest employers in manufacturing. Similar patterns of growth can be found in other emerging economies. Given that the software industry is commonly viewed as a high-tech industry, how is it that such spectacular growth has occurred in countries where high-tech industries would not seem likely to develop? This book examines the reasons behind this phenomenon, and asks whether it suggests a new model of economic development. The contributors explore the implications of the rise of these newcomers to the software market for the global industry, and whether there are things to be learned about the role of human capital in economic growth, firm formation and capabilities, business and managerial models, and industry structure.

Keywords: software, Indian economy, Brazil, China, Ireland, Israel, high-tech industry, global industry, human capital, economic growth