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on Information and Communication Technologies |
| By: | Kunz, Johannes (Monash University); Propper , Carol (Imperial College London); Trinh, Trong-Anh (Monash University) |
| Abstract: | The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has highlighted the crucial role of Internet access in pandemic prevention and response. Internet access has facilitated the rapid dissemination of vital information, provided telemedicine services, and enabled remote work and education. This study uses a wide range of data sources to investigate the geographic variation of Internet access proxied by 3G mobile broadband during the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia. We employ several approaches to account for potential confounding factors, including using lightning strikes as an instrumental variable, to confirm the significant role that the Internet played in the spread of COVID-19 cases. Our findings suggest that increasing Internet access could positively impact pandemic prevention and response efforts, particularly in regions with limited connectivity. Therefore, improving Internet infrastructure in developing countries may be crucial in preventing future pandemics. |
| Keywords: | health emergencies; Internet access; information; COVID-19 spread |
| JEL: | H41 I12 I15 I31 L96 O18 |
| Date: | 2024–04–26 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ris:adbewp:0723&r=ict |
| By: | Hideo Akabayashi (Faculty of Economics, Keio University); Shimpei Taguchi (Graduate School of Economics, Keio University (Graduate student)); Mirka Zvedelikova (Institute of Social and Economic Research, Osaka University) |
| Abstract: | During the COVID-19 pandemic, schools switched to online education. Using Japan' s nationwide administrative data, we examine the impact of schools' ICT equipment and teachers' IT skills on the provision of online classes, communication with students' families, and teachers' working hours in early 2020. To isolate supply-side effects, we exploit differences in ICT resources between public elementary and junior high schools at a municipality level, the level at which ICT resources are decided. We find that basic ICT equipment was critical to implementing online classes, but IT skills were not. However, IT skills were associated with teachers f working hours. |
| Keywords: | COVID-19, remote education, teachers' skills, school resources |
| JEL: | I20 J22 H75 |
| Date: | 2024–04–11 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:keo:dpaper:2024-010&r=ict |
| By: | Leogrande, Angelo |
| Abstract: | In the following article I analyze the determinants of regular internet users in the Italian regions. The data is analyzed both in terms of static analysis and also through the application of the k-Means algorithm optimized with the Elbow method. Subsequently, an econometric model is presented for estimating regular internet users in the Italian regions based on variables that reflect the state of technological innovation and digital culture. The results are analyzed and discussed in light of the implications that digitalisation has for triggering economic growth. |
| Date: | 2024–04–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:osf:socarx:86yb7&r=ict |
| By: | Alessia Lo Turco (Department of Economics and Social Sciences, Universita' Politecnica delle Marche (UNIVPM)); Alessandro Sterlacchini (Department of Economics and Social Sciences, Universita' Politecnica delle Marche) |
| Abstract: | In this paper we consider firms involved in two waves (2019 and 2021) of the French ICT survey to distinguish between early and late adopters of AI technologies and to highlight some relevant antecedents that facilitated the former to keep and the latter to start adopting them. The implementation of data security systems, the training and recruitment of employees for ICT, and the use of websites and social media for collecting information on customers, increase the probability of keeping and starting the AI adoption. We also show that the impact of these factors differs according to the business function AI technologies are used for. They appear to be more relevant for the administration and marketing functions. Furthermore, the usage of AI for marketing is also fostered by the antecedent use of e-commerce and CRM applications. These findings support the hypothesis that the AI adoption by firms is shaped by a hierarchical trajectory, from less to more complex and demanding technologies in terms of complementary investments in ICT and skills. |
| Keywords: | Artificial Intelligence, Digital technologies and skills, IT security systems, French firms. |
| JEL: | O31 O33 |
| Date: | 2024–04 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:anc:wpaper:486&r=ict |
| By: | Elvis K. Ofori (Zhengzhou University, Henan, China); Simplice A. Asongu (Johannesburg, South Africa); Ernest B. Ali (Ural Federal University, Russia); Bright A. Gyamfi (Istanbul, Turkey.); Isaac Ahakwa (Hefei, China) |
| Abstract: | Since the industrial era, the selection of energy sources to facilitate economic advancement has been criticized because of the resulting ecological calamity. This has prompted the introduction of radical approaches such as ISO 14001, which tackles the drivers of pollution. Therefore, this study analyses the ISO 14001 - environment nexus from three distinct points of view BRICS, MINT, and G7 countries from 1999-2020. Also, our work fills an extant gap in assessing structural change and innovation's role in augmenting the relationship. The Driscoll and Kraay (DK) estimator is employed as an analytical tool for cross-sectional dependence and slope homogeneity, while the fixed effects approach provides sufficient robustness checks on the findings. While some outcomes vary per bloc, others are relatively similar across the three (3) blocs. That is: (1) ISO 14001 shows an abatement portfolio for only the G7 bloc, and the Full sample. (2) Structural change showed potential for abating carbon emissions in all blocs. (3) Technology led to an increase in Pollution in all blocs except for the MINT economy. (4) ICT in the form of mobile phones also help reduce carbon emissions in all three blocs except for their composite. (5) Renewable energy helps reduce carbon emission in all blocs except for G7. ISO 14001 shows the potential to encourage green growth. As a result, policymakers should work to enhance ISO 14001 certification, which might serve as a management tool to promote sustainable development. |
| Keywords: | ISO 14001, Sustainable development, Structural change, Technology, BRICSMINT, G7 |
| Date: | 2024–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:agd:wpaper:24/014&r=ict |