The effect of mobile phone penetration on the quality of life

Ibrahim Osman Adam and Muftawu Dzang Alhassan

Telecommunications Policy, 2021, vol. 45, issue 4

Abstract: Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) have a tremendous potential to enhance individual, business, and government efficiency and improve general quality of life. However, the role of ICTs has brought with it numerous legal and regulatory challenges as well as an exacerbating criminal enterprise through cybercrime. Despite this, the evidence on the role of ICTs in improving the quality of life (QoL) is mixed and the exact nature of this relationship is not yet well understood especially at the global level. Existing information systems research has examined generally the effects of ICTs on the QoL at individual country level but there remains a gap in the understanding of the association between specific ICTs such as mobile penetration and QoL. In this study, we examine the effects of mobile penetration and QoL on one hand, and the mediating effects of ICT regulation on the other. We rely on the capability approach and archival data from 114 countries whilst employing Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modelling as the data analysis method. Our results show support for only the association of ICT regulation and QoL and prove that the mediating effects of ICT regulation is not significant. Our findings suggest that to enhance the QoL, practitioners and policymakers should emphasize ICT regulation to protect the privacy and security of individuals online to achieve the needed benefits. The study provides recommendations for future research.

Keywords: Mobile infrastructure; ICT regulation; Quality of life, Mobile phone penetration (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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DOI: 10.1016/j.telpol.2021.102109

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