Digital inclusion and sustainable development goals

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to investigate the empirical linkages between information and communication technologies (ICTs), digital inclusion and sustainable development. This research aims to address a gap in the existing literature by exploring how ICT policies and digital inclusion efforts contribute to sustainable development outcomes across countries in developed and developing regions. Governments around the globe are increasingly relying on ICT policies to promote development in societies. Specifically, access and use of ICTs have been found to promote sustainable development across countries. Studies further argue the need for countries to bridge the digital divide to reap the full benefits of sustainable development. However, the empirical linkages between ICTs, digital inclusion and sustainable development have seldom been explored. This study is conducted to fill this gap in the literature.

Design/methodology/approach

This study relies on the capability approach and archival data for 130 countries from the network readiness index for 2021 to examine the nexus between ICTs, digital inclusion and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), using partial least squares structural equation modelling to validate the study’s hypotheses.

Findings

Findings show the positive effects of ICT access and ICT usage on digital inclusion. Digital inclusion was found to be significantly associated with SDGs. Furthermore, mediating effect results show the significant effect of digital inclusion on the nexus between ICT access and SDGs as well as ICT usage and SDGs.

Originality/value

To theory, this study uniquely shows through the capability approach how access and use of ICTs empower individuals to engage in information accessibility, sharing and communication and how it promotes safe and sustainable societies to achieve SDG11. To research, this study’s outcomes provide new insights into the links between ICTs, digital inclusion and SDG11. Unlike past studies investigating the nexus between ICTs in general and SDGs, this study shows how ICT access and use propels digital inclusion and SDG11.

Citation

Alhassan, M.D. and Adam, I.O. (2024), "Digital inclusion and sustainable development goals", Journal of Science and Technology Policy Management, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/JSTPM-09-2023-0152