Strategic Tacit Knowledge-Based Competitiveness

Introduction

The industry of information technology and communication (ICT) in Tunisia has experienced in recent years a profound change through the implementation of a coherent strategy for the development of the industry in line with technological and economic developments occurring on a global scale. Thus, strategic plans have developed in the context of five-year plans for economic and social development (see Table 1). The industry of information technology and communication in Tunisia is regulated by the Ministry of Communication, Technology and Transport, which is responsible for the establishment of a regulatory framework governing the industry, its planning and control. I.T.C industry is composed of more than 1,800 companies (800 SSII, 500 systems integrators, 600 distributors and resellers), 219 shared service centers employing 17,500 people, 3,000 to 4,000 jobs created per year, 12 internet service providers serving the entire country, 8 development centers serving multinationals, a teledensity of 98.8 lines per 100 inhabitants, over 3 million internet users with an annual growth of 38%, 184 certified auditors in computer security, 7 cyber parks spread across several regions and 7 others nearing completion (Source: API: Agency for the Promotion of Industry and Innovation). Hence, Tunisian ICT industry is amongst sectors with high mobility of knowledge and strong competitiveness.