Are we ready to assess digital readiness? Exploring digital implications for social progress from the Network Readiness Index

Diego S. Silva, Gabrielli Harumi Yamashita, Marcelo Nogueira Cortimiglia, Priscila G. Brust-Renck and Carla Schwengber ten Caten

Technology in Society, 2022, vol. 68, issue C

Abstract: Extant literature has increased our understanding of the multifaceted nature of digital technologies; nevertheless, scholars and policymakers still strive to understand their implications for society. On this account, the Network Readiness Index (NRI) emerged as one of the main reports to support governments in leveraging digital technologies for economic development and social progress. However, which individual indicators have more influence than others on impact subindices for socio-economic development? And considering recent debates around the digital divide, does the NRI address major concerns to comprehensively assist policymakers in leveraging ICTs for inclusive development? This study reveals the indicators that most significantly influence the NRI's economic and social impact pillars based on the Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) analysis of NRI for 2013–2016. Furthermore, we draw on extant literature to discuss gaps and limitations in the NRI in terms of scrutiny of populations with access to digital technologies, and we set out an agenda for future research and policy to address digital divides more comprehensively.

Keywords: Information and communication technology; Digitalization; Digital divide; Policymaking (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:teinso:v:68:y:2022:i:c:s0160791x22000161

DOI: 10.1016/j.techsoc.2022.101875

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