Information And Communication Technology Indicators Research Articles

Information communication technology and manufacturing industry exports based on technology intensity in OECD and non-OECD countries

Studies on the effect of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) on the export of the manufacturing industry, as disaggregated into the low-, medium-, and high-technology intensity, were lacking. However, the trade impact of ICT is mixed and relies on countries’ development and adoption of technology. To this end, this study explicitly contributes to this strand of literature. By using some key and popular ICT indicators we examined the comparative influence of ICT on the manufacturing industry exports defined by their technology intensity/adoption in OECD and non-OECD countries. A panel data technique with the PPML (Pseudo-Poisson Maximum Likelihood) covering the period 2010–2018 was applied for the analysis. Our empirical strategy indicates that internet use only promotes manufacturing exports of high-technology intensity in OECD countries. Low-technology intensity manufacturing exports were negatively affected by an increase in the use of the internet in all the samples of non-OECD and OECD economies. Except for high-technology, an increase in mobile phone subscribers is associated with increased manufacturing exports in all categories of industries and all sample countries. Broadband subscriptions only positively affect exports of low-technology intensity in OECD countries and negatively affect exports of medium-technology in non-OECD countries. The economic complexity index shows a positive influence on exports in OECD and non-OECD countries except for low-technology intensity. Human capital has been found to influence manufacturing exports in OECD countries and reduce exports in non-OECD countries. In both the OECD and non-OECD countries, positive and significant effects of GDP and trade were observed in all categories of technology adoption. These findings imply that in OECD and non-OECD countries ICT is an important aspect worth considering in trade policy making due to its significant influence on exports. ICT services need to be checked by the government to ensure quality, efficient, and effective delivery for better export. Findings also support the practical significance of ICT especially in developing OECD countries.

Towards Green IT: Assessing the Environmental Impact of Public Administration

The Public Administration (PA) in Portugal is impacted by the constant acceleration and evolution of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), where the Portuguese State, transposing European Union directives, has legislated and encouraged their use as instruments of added value for the PA. Establishing rigorous and sustainable governance is crucial, ensuring that the organization’s strategic objectives are aligned with ICT and, preferably, with Green IT practices. In this context, it is necessary to be able to estimate and subsequently evaluate the impact of strategic and operational choices on improving environmental quality. For such, this article presents a framework developed to optimize ICT management practices and indicators that, in this environmental area, support the forecasting and assessment of the impact of the choices made in the search for technologically advanced solutions in the Barreiro municipality. These choices enable, among other things, a reduction in energy consumption, implying a reduction in financial costs, resulting in environmental benefits, such as a reduction in CO2 emissions into the atmosphere or less deforestation. The results presented, obtained in a real-world context, make it possible to assess the progress of alignment with Green IT in this area, as well as the overall result.

Fuzzy Geographically Weighted Clustering Method for Grouping Provinces in Indonesia Based on Welfare Indicators Aspects of Information and Communication Technology (ICT)

The welfare of the people is a task and goal that must be realized by the Republic of Indonesia. To find out the condition of the welfare of the Indonesian people, it can be seen from 8 areas of Indonesia's welfare indicators. Indicators The welfare of the Indonesian people is undergoing a digital transformation of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in 2021. However, there was a gap in ICT development due to geographical conditions and the distribution and dynamics of each region's society. Cluster analysis is a solution for target setting for better future decisions. Fuzzy Geographically Weighted Clustering (FGWC) is one of the cluster methods with fuzzy logic that considers geographical and population elements in grouping targets. The results of the research resulted in 3 optimum clusters with different characteristics of each cluster based on indicators of ICT aspects of people's welfare. Cluster 1 has a low status of ICT indicators of people's welfare and is located in the middle or at the end of the island, provinces from cluster 2 have a medium status of ICT indicators of people's welfare with a medium area, while cluster 3 has a high status of ICT indicators of people's welfare with a large area or dense populations.

Unravelling Income Inequality in Indonesia

This study aims to analyze the effect of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) on income inequality in Indonesia. The analytical method used includes linear regression to evaluate the causal relationship between the dependent variable (Gini Ratio) and ICT indicators. Furthermore, the k-means clustering algorithm is used to group provinces based on ICT characteristics. The results of the regression analysis show that the ICT variables have a significant influence on the Gini Ratio, illustrating the close relationship between ICT and income inequality. In addition, clustering produces two regional groups: Cluster 1, with better access and use of ICT, and Cluster 2, with lower ICT characteristics but advantages in telecommunication infrastructure. This research shows the importance of inclusive and sustainable ICT development to reduce income inequality in Indonesia. Appropriate policies for increasing the accessibility and use of ICTs can have a positive impact on social and economic development throughout Indonesia.

Unlocking the Synergy: ICT, Global Trade, and Growth in the GCC Region - A Panel-Causality Analysis

This study investigates the intricate relationship between Information and Communication Technology (ICT), global trade, and economic growth in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region over the period 1990–2022. The study Utilize a panel data framework covering the GCC member states over a significant time span, and employing an advanced econometric technique to assess the causal and cointegrated relationships among these key variables. Three tests, [1], [2], [2] Cointegration tests are applied to check for Cointegration. Additionally, fully modified least square (FMOLS) and dynamic ordinary least square (DOLS) will be used to test the magnitude of the long relationship among variables. The analysis integrates a comprehensive dataset that includes ICT indicators, trade flows, and macroeconomic variables, allowing for a robust examination of the synergy among these critical elements. The results reveal multifaceted relationships within the GCC context. While ICT is found to have a positive and significant impact on global trade and economic growth, the study also identifies bidirectional causality between ICT and global trade, indicating a reinforcing loop. Furthermore, evidence suggests that global trade plays a pivotal role in enhancing ICT diffusion within the region. The findings of this paper have several ramifications. First, they highlight the necessity for GCC governments to give priority to digitization and ICT infrastructure development activities in order to promote international commerce and economic diversification. Second, Policymakers should also consider crafting trade policies that facilitate the exchange of ICT-related goods and services, further fostering economic growth.

Impact of COVID-19 on the readiness of enterprises for employee training with the use of ICT

This paper examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the readiness of enterprises for employee training using ICT. It first examines Eurostat's secondary data, mainly comparing 2019 and 2022 for medium-sized enterprises (50-249 employees, all sectors excluding the financial sector) from the Visegrad four countries. It then examines two specific Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) indicators: Human Capital and Integration of Digital Technology. The paper concludes with an analysis of these indicators using the Kruskal-Wallis test to confirm or reject the assumed positive relationship between the indicators, and data about enterprises that provide training in order to develop the ICT skills of their employees. Data on ICT usage in enterprises were collected from Eurostat. Data on the Digital Economy and Society Index were collected for comparative analysis. COVID-19 was found to have had no significant effect on enterprise readiness for employee training with ICT. The results also suggest no positive relationship between ICT employee training and indicators from the DESI index. Learning and development practitioners should take greater account of changing and unpredictable realities, as well as the evolving nature of information and communication technology (ICT). The COVID-19 pandemic may yet help to modernise existing development offerings in organisations and foster a culture of lifelong learning.

The effects of financial development and technological progress on environmental sustainability: novel evidence from Asian countries.

This research is an endeavor to improve the literature on information and communication technology (ICT)-financial development-environmental sustainability nexus by conducting an aggregated and disaggregated analysis on the role of financial development and technological progress in attaining a sustainable environment. By employing a unique and comprehensive set of financial development and ICT indicators, this study offers an in-depth analysis of the role of financial development, ICT, and especially their interactions in maintaining environmental sustainability in 30 Asian economies from 2006 to 2020. Results from the two-step system generalized method of moments indicate that separately, both financial development and ICT are detrimental but together, their joint effects are beneficial to the environment. Several policy implications and recommendations are made to help policymakers to craft, design, and implement appropriate policies to improve environmental quality.

Empirical Analysis of the Relationship Between Financial Development and ICT Infrastructure Development in Sub-Saharan Africa.

This study investigates the impact of financial development on information and communication technology (ICT) in sub-Saharan Africa. The analysis utilizes a panel dataset comprising 48 countries from the region and employs the bootstrap ordinary least squares (OLS) technique to ensure accurate and robust results. The findings reveal a significant and positive relationship between financial development and ICT indicators. Panel unit root tests indicate a combination of non-stationary behavior and stationarity after differencing the variables. Panel cointegration tests confirm a long-run, continuous cointegration between financial development and ICT infrastructure. The empirical results demonstrate significant cointegration between financial development and various ICT indicators, including internet usage, mobile subscriptions, telephone subscriptions, and fixed broadband subscriptions. The bootstrap OLS method further reveals that financial development has a statistically significant impact on the development of these ICT indicators. The results are robust, as confirmed by the Driscoll-Kraay standard errors regression. Based on these findings, policy recommendations are provided to enhance the synergy between financial development and ICT in sub-Saharan Africa, including promoting financial inclusion, investing in ICT infrastructure, strengthening financial sector regulations, fostering public-private partnerships, investing in digital skills and education, and supporting entrepreneurship and innovation.

Technology and control of corruption in Africa

AbstractThe study assesses the impact of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) on the control of corruption in Africa from 2002 to 2020. The fixed‐ and the random‐effects models are employed as strategies of estimation. Due to the weaknesses of the fixed‐ and the random‐effects models, the two‐stage least square (2SLS) is adopted as a strategy that addresses the problem of potential endogeneity. For robustness checks, we adopt Lewbel's technique as an alternative instrumental technique to address the concern of endogeneity. The findings reveal that mobile phones penetration, internet penetration and the composite indicator of ICT contribute positively to the enhancement of corruption control in Africa. Though, other ICT indicators such as fixed telephone and fixed broadband negatively affect control of corruption. The composite indicator that encompasses four proxies of ICT shows a significant positive effect on the control of corruption. From the findings of the study, growth in technology infrastructures can help to build a surveillance system that can help to monitor and control corruption. We recommend that African economies accelerate e‐government to ensure transparency in public sectors.

Investigating the impact of ICT-trade nexus on competitiveness in Eastern and Western European countries

PurposeSince competitiveness is crucial in international trade, this paper contributes to the literature by interrogating the information and communication technology (ICT)-trade nexus on competitiveness in Eastern and Western European countries. Does ICT usage promote or hinder the impact of trade openness on competitiveness? This study attempts to answer two questions: (1) is the interaction of trade and ICT significant in promoting competitiveness? (2) Is the effect significantly different by European classification?Design/methodology/approachWith data on 17 European countries from 2007 to 2020 and using mobile phones and fixed telephone usage as ICT indicators, the study engages the bootstrapped ordinary least squares (BOLS) and method of moments quantile regression (MM-QR) techniques to probe the discourse.FindingsThe empirical findings reveal that (1) the interaction of trade and ICT boost competitiveness; (2) the effect of mobile phone is consistent across the full, East, and West European samples; (3) the interaction effect is also significant across the conditional distribution of competitiveness and (4) mobile phones and fixed broadband usage reveal “leapfrog” effect across the quantiles. Overall, the study submits that ICT usage will enhance the impact of trade, and thus, ICT is a critical enabler of competitiveness in Europe; policy recommendations were discussed.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first study examining the interaction effect of trade openness and ICT usage on competitiveness in Europe. In other words, the authors attempt to analyze how ICT usage influences trade-competitiveness dynamics. To fill the gap in the literature, the authors' use a sample of 17 European countries from 2007 to 2020. The variables of interest are the competitiveness index, trade openness, and four ICT indicators (mobile phone, fixed telephone subscriptions, fixed telephone subscriptions, and Internet users).

Revisiting Cluster Vulnerabilities towards Information and Communication Technologies in the Eastern Island of Indonesia Using Fuzzy C Means

Design/methodology/approach: In the present digital era, technology infrastructure plays an important role in the development of digital literacy in various sectors that can provide various important information on a large scale. Purpose: The use of information and communication technology (ICT) in Indonesia in the last five years has shown a massive development of ICT indicators. The population using the internet also experienced an increase during the period 2016–2020, as indicated by the increasing percentage of the population accessing the internet in 2016 from around 25.37 percent to 53.73 percent in 2020. This study led to a review of the level of ICT vulnerability in eastern Indonesia through a machine learning-based cluster analysis approach. Implications: Data were collected in this study from Badan Pusat Statistik (BPS) through SUSENAS to obtain an overview of the socioeconomic level and SAKERNAS to capture the employment side. This study uses 15 variables based on aspects of business vulnerability covering 174 districts/cities. Practical implications: Cluster analysis using Fuzzy C Means (FCM) was used to obtain a profile of ICT level vulnerability in eastern Indonesia by selecting the best model. The best model is obtained by selecting the validation value such as Silhouette Index, Partition Entropy, Partition Coefficient, and Modified Partition Coefficient. Social implication: For some areas with a very high level of vulnerability, special attention is needed for the central or local government to support the improvement of information technology through careful planning. Socio-economic and occupational aspects have been reflected in this very vulnerable cluster, and the impact of the increase in ICT will provide a positive value for community development. Originality/value: From the modelling results, the best cluster model is two clusters, which are categorized as high vulnerability and low vulnerability. For each cluster member who has a similarity or proximity to each other, there will be one cluster member.

Examining the effect of information and communication technology, innovations, and renewable energy consumption on CO2 emission: evidence from BRICS countries.

The increasing use of information and communication technology (ICT) in this digital era and its interlinkage with other economic and environmental factors have gotten considerable attention from researchers. ICT tools are considered very important in economic activities such as international trade, the financial sector, and foreign direct investment. ICT is also interlinked with innovation and energy consumption. However, ICT with these activities influences ecological footprint, especially in emerging economies such as BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) countries. Therefore, this topic has got considerable attention from researchers and policy makers on the impact of ICT and economic growth activities on environmental quality. Consequently, this study investigates the impact of information and communication technology, renewable energy consumption and innovation on carbon dioxide emission in BRICS countries from 1990 to 2019 using cointegration, generalized least square, and panel corrected standard errors models. The findings show that two ICT indicators, mobile cellular subscription and fixed broadband subscription, negatively affect carbon emission along with economic growth and financial development. Innovation and renewable energy consumption also significantly reduce emission in presence of ICT indicators, while trade openness and fixed telephone subscriptions increase it. In the case of the ICT index model, all variables are positively associated with carbon emission except renewable energy consumption, however, the square and interaction term of all indicators significantly reduce carbon emission and evidence the environmental Kuznets curve hypothesis except trade openness. ICT growth should be considered in the energy sector, innovation, and financial development to enhance environmental quality. The findings of the study have considerable policy implications for the sample countries.

The Long-Run Relationship Between ICT Indicators and Stock Market Indexes for G7 And E7 Countries

Since the late 1990s, information and communication technology (ICT) has caused changes in all fields, particularly in the stock markets. By using ICT technology, stock market investors had a chance to get information, reduce the trading cost and make optimal investing decisions. This study aims to examine the long-run relationship between stock market indexes and ICT indicators for G7 and E7 countries. The stock market indexes are taken as dependent and ICT indicators as independent variables,

The digitization of the society of the European Union in 2018 and 2021

From year to year, an increase in the availability and use of information and communication technology (ICT) is observed. Therefore, it is important to reduce the imbalance in the use of ICT, which will contribute to the improvement of life and development of the society. The article presents the application of the k-means method to classify European Union (EU) countries in terms of the use of ICT by natural persons living in the EU in 2021 compared to the situation in 2018. The empirical material used in the analyses came from the resources of the European Statistical Office (Eurostat). The obtained results of the classification research of EU member states showed that the awareness of the society as well as knowledge of ICT and digital skills increase every year, however, the dynamics of this growth turned out to be significantly different in terms of territories. Germany turned out to be a surprise, as in 2021, compared to 2018, a significant decrease in all examined ICT indicators was recorded, which resulted in the shift of this country from the first to the third – the weakest class.

The Impact of ICT on Terrorism in African Countries

Although the macroeconomic effects of information and communication technology (ICT) has been a topic of many debates in the literature over the past 20 years, the effect of ICT on terrorism is still largely unexplored. Using the Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) technique, this paper investigates the impact of ICT on terrorism on a panel of 49 African countries over the period 1998-2012. Two ICT indicators (Internet and Mobile) and four different but linked terrorism indicators (Domestic, transnational, unclear and total terrorisms) are used. The paper finds a significant positive effect of ICT on terrorism.

The Role of Information and Communication Technology in Transport Industry Development

Information and communication technology (ICT) has been a part of global life and also has a positive impact on human welfare. ICT involves activity, hardware, and electronic software that execute processing, transmission, and displaying information. This study aims to investigate the impacts of ICT on economic welfare. The data used were from the World Development Indicators of the World Bank for 82 countries during 2009 through 2017. The dependent variable was GDP per capita and the independent variables were ICT indicators, measured by the number of automated teller machines (ATMs), fixed broadband subscriptions, and mobile cellular subscriptions. The data were analyzed employing a random effects regression model for panel data. The results of study indicate that the number of ATMs, fixed broadband subscriptions, and mobile cellular subscriptions had significant effects on GDP per capita statistically. Higher economic welfare was associated with higher number of ATMs, fixed broadband subscriptions, and mobile cellular subscriptions.

The Latin American and Caribbean digital divide: a geospatial and multivariate analysis

ABSTRACT This paper examines spatial patterns of information and communication technology (ICT) adoption and utilization and seeks to understand underlying reasons for the digital divide in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). Five distinctive clusters of technology adoption and use factors are identified, characterized, and geographically mapped. Disparities in adoption and utilization in ICTs in 36 LAC countries are examined Using a Spatially Aware Technology Utilization Model, fifteen socioeconomic, innovation, business efficiency, infrastructural, affordability, and societal openness indicators are posited to be associated with six ICT indicators. Human development, civil liberties, political rights, urban population, and electricity access are found to influence ICT adoption and use in LAC indicating socio-economic, urban, societal openness, and infrastructural dimensions of the digital divide in this world region. For a sub-sample of Latin American nations, regression findings point to human development and infrastructural factors. Spatial bias in confirmatory analysis is diagnosed, and policies are recommended.

Geographical approach of Industry 4.0 based on information and communication technologies at Hungarian enterprises in connection with industrial space

In the short history of Hungarian industry there were relevant changes several times, which had a great impact not only on industrial production and employment, but also on the spatial pattern of industry. After the regime change and latest economic crisis Industry 4.0 or/and the fourth industrial revolution mean(s) newer challenge. Due to information and communication technologies (ICT), which can be considered the basis of Industry 4.0 radical changes can be expected in all fields of life and numerous questions will emerge. The primary aim of this paper is to reveal the geography of older and newer information and communication technologies and their relationship with the spatial pattern of Hungarian industry. The main question is whether the digital divide follows the industrial divide in the Hungarian economic space or not. According to the analysis based on different ICT and industrial indicators, there is no close correlation between the digital and industrial spaces. The geography of Industry 4.0 is characterised by a sharp north-south division.

Readiness for ICT Based B2C Information Flow – Case Study of the Hungarian Food Sector

The complexity of information flow and cooperation among enterprises operating in a supply chain is growing. This process has a significant impact on the economy and the objective is that both traditional and new ICT (Information and Communication Technology) solutions meet the pressing needs for more efficient business processes. The current paper focuses on enterprises belonging to the food supply chain and analyses some indicators supporting the information flow within the company and with partners (being either a partner enterprise or the final consumer). Our Institute has prepared a survey to examine the ICT usage and attitude by enterprises operating in the agri-food sector. The importance of business processes supportable by ICT had to be assessed by companies. In this study we evaluated the importance of some ICT indicators supporting information flow in the chain. The main objective of the current article is to determine the difference between food enterprises divided by different grouping factors regarding their evaluation of the chosen indicators. In our opinion, competitive advantage may be reached using ICT solutions for widening and maintaining relations through a more effective information flow with partners and consumers.

Confirming the links between socio-economic variables and digitalization worldwide: the unsettled debate on digital divide

Purpose This study aims to statistically verify the links of income and education with information and communication technology (ICT) diffusion across 191 countries of the world taking into account a total of 9 indicators best representing the socio-economic variables. Design/methodology/approach Multivariate regression analysis was used as a prime method to rigorously test the relationships of income and education with ICT diffusion across 191 countries. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (V. 22) was used to analyze and predict patterns in the data. Findings The results support the hypotheses that income and education are positively related to ICT diffusion. The findings statistically confirm that poverty is a leading cause of digital divide worldwide. Research limitations/implications Academic, policy and practice groups should work in collaboration to fight against digital divide. Present results also imply that digital divide shall never end but rather it can be controlled to an extent with multiple collaborative efforts. Originality/value Prior research assignments on the digital divide concentrate on exploring the links between few socio-economic and ICT variables in select few regions theoretically. The present work addresses this literature gap by developing and testing two hypotheses to statistically investigate the relationships between a broad set of socio-economic and ICT indicators.