ICT diffusion, E-governance, and sustainability in the digital era
Saba Khana, Saif Ullahb, Haitham Nobaneec d e✉
- aPhD scholar, School of Public Administration, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- bPhD Associate Professor at College of Management and Applied Sciences, Ziauddin University Karachi, Pakistan
- cCollege of Business, Abu Dhabi University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- dFaculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- eOxford Centre for Islamic Studies, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- ✉Corresponding author
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Abstract
This study analyses the impact of information and communications technology (ICT) diffusion and e-governance on sustainability in 148 Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) partner countries. It considers control variables such as institutional quality, urbanization, research and development (R&D), and the COVID-19 effect as dummy variables. Two step-generalised method of moments analysis of a panel dataset of 148 BRI partner countries from 2013 to 2021 reveals that ICT diffusion and e-governance benefit sustainability, with R&D and institutional quality also making positive contributions, while urbanization and the pandemic negatively impact sustainability. The findings were validated through D-K regression checks and support the technology spill-over effect, innovation, triple bottom line, endogenous growth , and stakeholder theories . They highlight the significance of investing in ICT infrastructure and digital literacy programs , improving institutional reforms and governance practices, putting sustainable urban planning into practice, and supporting R&D projects to advance sustainability in BRI partner nations. This study clarifies the potential problems brought forth by the pandemic and makes suggestions for reducing its negative effects on sustainability. It contributes to evidence-based decision-making, guiding sustainable practices in BRI partner nations.