Digitalisation in Italy: Evidence from a New Regional Index

Andrea Benecchi (), Carlo Bottoni (), Emanuela Ciapanna, Annalisa Frigo (), Aldo Milan () and Elisa Scarinzi ()
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Andrea Benecchi: Bank of Italy
Carlo Bottoni: Bank of Italy
Annalisa Frigo: Bank of Italy
Aldo Milan: Agcom
Elisa Scarinzi: Bank of Italy

Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, 2023, vol. 169, issue 1, No 2, 23-54

Abstract: Abstract The geographic digital divide has a relevant, though largely unexplored, within country dimension. This paper proposes an index of digital development for the Italian NUTS2 regions (rDESI) based on the European Commission’s Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI). The rDESI monitors the regional digital divide along five dimensions: (i) the infrastructure and the network usage (connectivity), (ii) the population’s digital skills, (iii) the use of internet services by households, (iv) the integration of ICT by firms, and (v) the level of digital services offered by the local government. According to our findings, southern regions tend to lag behind in most of these dimensions, even if infrastructures and the quality of connectivity appears rather homogeneous across the country. We also propose a methodological discussion of the DESI index, highlighting some limitations and possible solutions. The rDESI represents a useful policy instrument, providing a regional mapping of the shortfalls and strengths of digital development, which could be referred to as a guideline for policymakers when deciding about funds allocation and public investment, fostering a more inclusive diffusion of digital technologies all over the country.

Keywords: Digitalisation; Connectivity; DESI; Regional divergence (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C43 C80 L96 R10 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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Working Paper: Digitalisation in Italy: evidence from a new regional index (2021)
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DOI: 10.1007/s11205-023-03153-2

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