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on Information and Communication Technologies |
| By: | Laura Bisio; Valeria Cirillo; Matteo Lucchese; Andrea Mina; Stefania Scrofani |
| Abstract: | This study investigates the impact of new digital technologies on the resilience of firms to external shocks. Using rare comprehensive data on both the adoption of single and multiple new digital technologies, we employ a Difference-in-Differences methodology with propensity score matching to evaluate how digitalization influenced firms' ability to withstand the COVID-19 crisis. We isolate the effects of adopting 1) a single technology, 2) multiple technologies (the breadth of adoption), and 3) technologies that are complementary to one another. The findings provide novel insights into how firms can shape their investments in new digital technologies to increase the benefits of digitalization, and enhance their ability to navigate future crises. |
| Keywords: | digital technologies; resilience; technological complementarities |
| Date: | 2025–05–26 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ssa:lemwps:2025/21 |
| By: | Elodie Carpentier; Alexander Cuntz; Alessio Muscarnera; Julio Raffo |
| Abstract: | Scientific progress relies on access to prior knowledge, yet costly access to academic literature can hinder researchers, particularly in marginalized positions of academia and developing economies. This paper examines the impact of free or lower-cost access to scientific literature on gender representation in research. Leveraging the staggered adoption of the Hinari program, which provides digital access to health science research, we analyze its effects on women’s participation in research production and academic publishing across more than 600 institutions in 80 countries. Using a triple difference approach, we find that improved digital access to knowledge increases the share of women scientists in publishing faculty and enhances their research output. The program's effects are most pronounced in countries with lower gender balance in educational attainment, where it appears to help overcome attainment gaps and activate women's potential in academic labor markets. Our study contributes to the literature on digitization, access to knowledge and gender disparities in academia, while also helping to inform science and innovation policy and human capital development. |
| Keywords: | Open science, Development, Health Science, Gender studies, Triple difference, Impact evaluation |
| JEL: | J16 L17 O31 O33 |
| Date: | 2025–05 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wip:wpaper:88 |
| By: | Morshed, Monzur |
| Abstract: | This paper explores the dynamics of mobile money adoption and satisfaction in Kenya, using household survey data from the Research ICT Africa (RIA) series. The study examines demographic and socio-economic determinants of M-Pesa ownership and user satisfaction through logistic and Poisson regression models. Results suggest that traditional barriers such as gender, age, and education have limited influence on M-Pesa adoption and user satisfaction, indicating a narrowing digital divide. Although the intensity of mobile money usage is proxied by self-reported satisfaction scores rather than transaction frequency, the analysis highlights the platform’s widespread acceptance and usability. These findings carry important implications for the design and rollout of central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Kenya’s experience with M-Pesa provides a valuable reference point for future digital currency innovations that are inclusive, trusted, and infrastructure-ready. |
| Date: | 2025–05–28 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:osf:osfxxx:msbz4_v1 |
| By: | Song, Myungkoo (Korea Institute for Industrial Economics and Trade) |
| Abstract: | Roughly speaking, blockchain is a digital ledger that records transactions in a distributed database spread across multiple computers. Its decentralized nature enhances security, making blockchain-based platforms or applications highly resilient. In addition, by enabling a permanent, immutable, and transparent record of transactions, blockchain has the potential to foster trust without the need for intermediaries, especially in environments where trusted third parties are scarce. There is also growing interest in blockchain in the manufacturing sector. Manufacturers worldwide are currently navigating a complex landscape of challenges, including intense global competition, supply chain disruptions, and increasing demands for sustainability. South Korean manufacturers in particular are facing substantial headwinds due to the rise of Chinese manufacturers, global trade tensions, and a demographic crisis driven by low birth rates and an aging population. To address these challenges, firms are looking intensely at adopting emerging technologies such as blockchain, artificial intelligence (AI), and quantum computing. Manufacturing interest in blockchain owes to the technology’s ability to enhance data integrity and foster trust among parties. Firms also view the technology as a key to unlocking innovative solutions to the aforementioned industry challenges. In this paper, I explore the growth of the blockchain industry in South Korea and examine the potential of blockchain technology in the country’s manufacturing sector. First, I examine the current state of the country’s blockchain industry and its adoption in the manufacturing sector. Next, I analyze use cases and assess how blockchain can improve competitiveness in the sector. Finally, I discuss the role of government policy in facilitating blockchain integration to strengthen the competitiveness of the manufacturing sector further. |
| Keywords: | blockchain; ICT; digital technology; cryptocurrency; industrial blockchain; Bitcoin; manufacturing; decentralization; digital ledgers; Korean blockchain industry; advanced digital industry; South Korea; Korea Institute for Industrial Economics and Trade; KIET |
| JEL: | L60 L86 |
| Date: | 2025–04–30 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ris:kieter:2025_007 |
| By: | Lee, Sora (Korea Institute for Industrial Economics and Trade) |
| Abstract: | In recent years, digital transformation has emerged as the most significant issue in the Korean economy. During the COVID-19 pandemic, non-face-to-face economic activities suddenly became critical to everyday life. Around the world, people began to adapt to digital technologies that enabled remote communication and the ability to carry out daily living tasks without having to physically interact with other people. And it was at this same time that governments turned to innovation through digital transformation to revitalize economies hit hard by the pandemic. The governments of most major economies, including Korea, have been focusing heavily on digital investment. Now, several years into the trend, it is essential to assess how far Korea has come in its digital transformation journey. This study opens with a cross-country comparison, examining the current state of digital transformation in Korea and its comparable countries. It also reviews how the digital transformation is unfolding across various domestic industries and proposes a strategy for enhancing the nation’s digital maturity and competitiveness. |
| Keywords: | digital transformation; DX; AI; Internet of Things; advanced software; Industry 4.0; Korea New Deal Comprehensive Plan; South Korea; Korea Institute for Industrial Economics and Trade; KIET |
| JEL: | L86 |
| Date: | 2025–04–30 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ris:kieter:2025_008 |
| By: | An, So Hyun (Korea Institute for Industrial Economics and Trade) |
| Abstract: | Technological advances change the industrial environment. Due to the development of digital technology, different markets are connected in real time and information and data travels over physical boundaries of markets. On top of that, the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the pace of the digital economy’s expansion. In the highly online paradigm that emerged in the pandemic’s wake, digital technology enabled firms to adopt new ways of providing goods and services. Digital transformation has since progressed rapidly across all industries. Firms now view the digital transformation not as an option, but as a prerequisite to doing business. Digital transformation creates many opportunities for microenterprises. For one, it enables them to embrace opportunities to expand their markets and create new business models. Online storefronts and digital advertising, for example, are stepping stones to accessing the global market, and modern firms sell products utilizing diverse platforms. In this process, firms are able to gain a customer base and improve efficiency. However, microenterprises still lag in terms of digital transformation in almost all areas, and we know little about how they are adapting to the digital transformation. Most microenterprises face difficulties dealing with technological barriers and high initial costs and often lack necessary digital skills. Moreover, microenterprises often fail to understand the benefits of digital transformation and are slow to invest in digital transformation and adopt digital technologies. Furthermore, the current status of digital transformation among microenterprises is not being properly monitored as OECD (2021) pointed to a substantial lack of data and analyses on digital uptake by micro-firms. In this article, I examine the importance of microenterprises in the South Korean economy and analyze some of challenges they face in their pursuit of digital transformation. I then describe some of the implications carried for microenterprise policy. Finally, I briefly examine the current status of digital transformation among microenterprises, focusing on the adoption of e-commerce technology. |
| Keywords: | e-commerce; online shopping; digital transformation; DX; microenterprises; small-scale online retail; online retail; online retail platforms; South Korea; Korea Institute for Industrial Economics and Trade; KIET |
| JEL: | L81 |
| Date: | 2025–04–30 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ris:kieter:2025_010 |
| By: | Abdelaziz, Fatma; Abay, Kibrom A. |
| Abstract: | Digital innovations hold significant potential to address multiple forms of market failures. However, their adoption remains low and heterogenous across Africa. Smallholder farmers face significant barriers in accessing essential information, limiting their ability to seize market opportunities and enhance profitability. While numerous digital tools have been developed for farmers in the region, most are still in pilot phases. The landscape of digital agricultural innovations in Egypt, the focus of this study, presents a similar outlook, whereby the Egyptian market has an array of innovative digital study, presents a similar outlook, whereby the Egyptian market has an array of innovative digital agricultural tools that offer different services to farmers (including digital advisory agricultural and market services). Several demand and supply-side factors contribute to the low adoption of these digital innovations and their disparities among smallholder farmers in Africa and Egypt. On the supply side, the most important challenges include inadequate public and private investment in complementary infra-structure, unsustainable business models, and a misalignment in the pace of innovation. The most important demand-side challenges include lack of digital literacy, insufficient context-specific needs assessments, digital divide, and accessibility, usability, and user trust. User confidence and trust in digital tools is another important but understudied topic.. However, we lack empirically grounded evidence on alternative supply and demand-side interventions to enhance the adoption and scaling of digital innovations in various contexts, including Egypt. |
| Keywords: | agricultural technology; digital agriculture; digital innovation; smallholders; Egypt; Africa; Eastern Africa; Northern Africa |
| Date: | 2024–09–30 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fpr:masprn:152495 |