•We build a theoretical framework for the socio-economic impacts of ICT.•A model to describe the socio-economic impacts of ICT on citizens is developed.•The study uses the interpretive approach and ...the narrative research method.
There is a widespread belief that information and communication technologies (ICTs) can play a significant role in the socio-economic development of a developing country. ICT has the potential to affect many aspects of economic and societal activities such as GDP growth, employment, productivity, poverty alleviation, quality of life, education, and healthcare. While the literature provides a myriad of definitions and elements of socio-economic development, the focus tends to be on theoretical conceptualizations from various disciplines and impacts from isolated individual projects. In particular, the impact of ICT on socio-economic development has not been carefully examined from the viewpoint of the ultimate stakeholder, the citizens of a country, who are the final consumers of the technology. This study fills this gap by focusing on the citizens’ view in describing ICT-driven socio-economic development in a developing country. A theoretical framework influenced by the “capabilities approach” was developed to guide this research, and the interpretive stance was used to conduct the study. More specifically, the narrative research method, which is seldom used in IS research but is appropriate for this study, was used. Narratives allow deeper and profound insights into social representations and participants' beliefs about the role of ICT in socio-economic development. Using this methodology, a model of the impact dimensions of socio-economic development is presented.
Excessive differentiation of socio-economic development of regions leads to the collapse of a single socio-economic space and the emergence of socio-economic inequality. This study assessed ...socio-economic inequality in Kazakhstan and its impact on regional development management. It analyzed interregional disproportion of socio-economic development of regions through the index approach using statistical data from the Bureau of National Statistics for 2011–2019. A comprehensive study of the socio-economic development of Kazakhstan and its regional differences employed the proposed index of social and economic development. It was revealed that Kazakhstan has a high level of interregional differentiation of socio-economic development, which indicates the existing socio-economic inequality, requiring the development of new and improvement of existing mechanisms to create an inclusive economy. There are significant gaps in socio-economic development between Kazakhstani regions. According to the proposed index, Kazakhstan is at the above-average level (42, B). From 2011 to 2019, the index was practically at the same level (39-42). The average social and economic development was shown by Almaty (61.1, B++), Nur-Sultan (59.9, B+), Karaganda (53.1, B+), and East Kazakhstan (51.0, B+). Low social and economic development was shown by Akmola (29.8, C+) and North Kazakhstan (22.4, C+). The difference in the socio-economic development of the regions is directly interconnected with the regional economic and social policy. According to the results, to implement state policy in inclusive development and overcome socio-economic inequality, respective measures should promote economic integration, including the mechanisms of regional, industrial, and research policy, comprising all levels of state regulation.
AcknowledgmentsThis study is supported by the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan within the project “The science impact on Kazakhstan’s socio-economic development: methodology, assessment models and development scenarios” (IRN AP08052745).
Aims
Terrestrial biodiversity is threatened by land use change. Modelling suggests that the remaining, potentially arable areas of natural intact vegetation (rNIV) of 9 of 35 global biodiversity ...hotspots may be converted to agriculture by 2050, committing their endemic species to extinction. Studies have shown that if the global population adopted a healthy, mostly plant based diet, agricultural area expansion can be reduced. We want to examine to what degree this applies to the regions covered by biodiversity hotspots.
Location
Global.
Time period
2020–2050.
Major taxa studied
No particular taxa.
Methods
For every biodiversity hotspot, we simulate climate change impacts on agricultural productivity, and estimate food demand shifts from 2010 to 2050 by processing population and income growth projections. We quantify the net change in rNIV by 2050 in all hotspots by calculating the agricultural area necessary to meet the food demand under a business as usual, a healthy diet, a healthy diet plus agricultural intensification, and a healthy diet plus agricultural intensification plus crop change scenario.
Results
In the healthy diet scenario, the rNIV of 16–21 hotspots can be preserved entirely, but 5–6 hotspots in less developed regions may lose all rNIV to agricultural area expansion. In these regions, a healthy diet implies an increase in consumed calories and no change in the already high share of plant‐based calories. When combined with agricultural intensification, these hotspots will still lose 7%–92% of rNIV. Only an additional change in crop mix patterns may preserve all.
Main conclusions
While a change in dietary habits may be sufficient for preservation of rNIV in many hotspot regions, a healthy diet actually puts more pressure on rNIV in other hotspot regions. Intensifying agriculture and optimizing crop selection should be priorities in those regions to mitigate the expected loss of rNIV to agricultural expansion.
This paper explores the scourge of infrastructure vandalism in South Africa and Zimbabwe, with a particular focus on electricity and rail transport companies within the two countries. The paper ...sought to document the manifestation of infrastructure vandalism; identify the socio-economic impacts of infrastructure vandalism; and explore the challenges of curbing vandalism. The paper reveals that vandalism mainly manifests through copper cable theft; vandalism of transformers, pylons and rail infrastructure; theft of transformers; and tampering with railway points machines. Vandalism of infrastructure comes with direct and costs to the utility companies, as well as negatively impacting the economy, essential services, and the overall community safety. Involvement of employees in the criminal activities, corruption, incessant power cuts, well organised crime syndicates and a weak legal framework were identified as the current challenges to anti-vandalism efforts. The paper also proffers mitigatory measures to deal with the scourge.
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The article presents a spatial analysis of the St. Petersburg agglomeration. A classification based on calculations of the proposed socio-economic development index confirms the hypothesis that in ...developed urban agglomerations such as the St. Petersburg agglomeration, the level of socio-economic development of peripheral administrative divisions (taxonomic units) does not depend on their distance from the core or location relative to it, but is a function of utilization of in-demand competitive advantages (externalities).
International technical assistance (ITA) is gaining more and more importance in the international economy. International technical assistance becomes an integral element of the international economic ...system, a significant factor influencing its development. The article identifies factors affecting the effectiveness of international technical assistance. The external factors of influence include: adequacy of the volume and urgency of providing assistance; increasing transparency and awareness of assistance programs; conducting joint analytical work by donors; increasing the amount of assistance provided through programmatic approaches (planning, budgeting, implementation) that exist in Ukraine. Internal factors of influence include: the presence of a strategy of international technical assistance as part of the national development strategy; modernization of the state management system of ITA; improvement of the legal framework; active involvement of civil society in the planning, implementation, monitoring and control of ITA; improvement of the system of monitoring, control and evaluation of the results of implementation of ITA. It was established that the main conditions for increasing the effectiveness of ITA are: the introduction of new tools for assessing the impact of international technical assistance on the socio-economic processes taking place in the country; changes in the methodology and methods of implementation of projects and programs of ITA in accordance with the needs and limitations of the recipient; development of the potential of assistance recipients; transparency and accountability in management; interdepartmental and public-private cooperation and partnership. Increasing the effectiveness of ITA will be facilitated by: the transition to joint financing of solving urgent problems by both donors and recipients; increasing the level of responsibility of recipients for the use of received resources of ITA; constant communication between donors and assistance recipients; availability of highly qualified specialists; constant cooperation with state authorities in the country.
► System of indicators for the Greater Thessaloniki Area, Greece. ► Guidelines for the development and use of a set of indicators. ► Important tool for decision makers in urban areas. ► Accurate, ...reliable, bias-free and scientifically robust set of indicators.
The use of indicators constitutes internationally an important tool for assessing the progress achieved towards sustainable development. Measuring the sustainability in urban areas – which are crucial engines of local socio-economic development, but at the same time present concentration points of environmental decay – is a major challenge for environmental managers and decision-makers. This paper aims at the development and utilisation of a system of indicators as a dynamic tool for the management of environmental, social and economic information in order to evaluate sustainability in urban areas. In this context, guidelines for the system’s development and use are proposed, together with a suggestion for its communication among local stakeholders. An application of this system is demonstrated through a case study using the Greater Thessaloniki Area, Greece, a domain with considerable socio-economic development, which is also encountering significant environmental pressures.
Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO) occupies the entire eastern part of Tajikistan, being the largest region of the country in terms of area. Almost the entire territory of GBAO is occupied by ...highlands, where the Pamir highland system is located. The article highlights some of the causes of the problems that caused the crisis in the region. A review of investment projects of international organizations on the territory of GBAO was carried out. It has been established that the leading sector of the region’s economy is agriculture and industry. The problem of attracting investments for the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region remains relevant and periodically rises at all levels. Nevertheless, no signifi success has yet been achieved. Experts associate barriers to investment in the region with economic, geographic and political characteristics, as well as the lack of capacity of local entrepreneurs to work with large-scale funding.
Digitalization gives people access to a vast network of untapped data, which has the potential to help society and the environment. Smart systems connected to the internet can systematically provide ...a unique opportunity to solve difficulties related to long-term sustainability. The goals are to create an egalitarian, ecologically sustainable, and healthy society. Technological resources are envisioned as game-changing instruments. Three key concerns integration benefits are highlighted here: (i) sustainable development goals, (ii) socio-economic development, and (iii) the role of digital technology in environmental sustainability. This viewpoint describes the potential that digitization can create a future sustainable society. The technological network would unite the urban and rural worlds under a shared banner of sustainable development, keeping all social elements in the loop. Nations that take a comprehensive strategy will be able to provide equitable growth and an efficient, sustainable, and digital existence for their citizens. As a result, digitization provides better living conditions, active public involvement, clean governance, and transparency in public welfare programs and processes. People who are well-informed, self-aware, and digitally equipped will be better learners, thinkers, reformers, participators, and change and growth agents, marching forward on sustainable progress. The advantages of digitization in hastening the transition to sustainable industrial processes and improving people's health and happiness are explored. Finally, the perspective encapsulates the advantages of digitization by offering a holistic vision of how technology could aid in addressing major challenges such as endangered world biodiversity and climate change.
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