Information and communications technology: a non‐income influence on economic well being

Abstract

Purpose

This paper tests the hypothesis that more information via higher levels of diffusion of ICT: a non‐income influence, leads to an improvement in societal well being using data from a large sample of low‐income countries.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical procedure utilises a pooled cross section time wise autoregressive model to test the effects of information and communications technology (ICT) on economic well being.

Findings

The findings here provide strong support that the diffusion of the new ICT positively contribute to societal economic well being.

Practical implications

The implication of the findings is that low‐income countries, in particular, should quickly move to seize the opportunity to develop their ICT infrastructure given its beneficial welfare effects.

Originality/value

The paper examines the effect of ICT on well being.

Citation

Gani, A. and Clemes, M.D. (2006), "Information and communications technology: a non‐income influence on economic well being", International Journal of Social Economics, Vol. 33 No. 9, pp. 649-663. https://doi.org/10.1108/03068290610683431