IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/ags/thkase/344194.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Can ICT Diffusion Reduce Income Inequality for a Better Life? Evidence from Indonesian Provinces

Author

Listed:
  • Kustanto, Andi

Abstract

This study examines the potential of ICT development to impact income inequality and economic development. While enhancing ICT infrastructure can broaden economic opportunities, it also has the potential to exacerbate wealth disparities among individuals with limited access. Utilizing panel data from 34 Indonesian provinces between 2012 and 2022, the study employs fixed effect and system GMM estimation methods to assess the relationship between ICT development and income inequality. The findings suggest that while ICT readiness tends to increase income inequality, the use of ICT and associated skills can mitigate it. Additionally, control variables such as wages and small/micro-enterprises show promise in reducing income inequality, whereas factors like life expectancy, population, and density tend to exacerbate it. The study concludes with implications for policymakers and stakeholders, emphasizing the importance of incorporating the social and economic benefits of ICT development into strategies aimed at reducing income inequality in Indonesia.

Suggested Citation

  • Kustanto, Andi, 2024. "Can ICT Diffusion Reduce Income Inequality for a Better Life? Evidence from Indonesian Provinces," Asian Journal of Applied Economics, Kasetsart University, Center for Applied Economics Research, vol. 31(01), January.
  • Handle: RePEc:ags:thkase:344194
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.344194
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://ageconsearch.umn.edu/record/344194/files/Andi%20Kustanto.pdf
    Download Restriction: no

    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.22004/ag.econ.344194?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    Other versions of this item:

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Lars-Hendrik Roller & Leonard Waverman, 2001. "Telecommunications Infrastructure and Economic Development: A Simultaneous Approach," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 91(4), pages 909-923, September.
    2. Marcelo Soto, 2009. "System GMM Estimation With A Small Sample," UFAE and IAE Working Papers 780.09, Unitat de Fonaments de l'Anàlisi Econòmica (UAB) and Institut d'Anàlisi Econòmica (CSIC).
    3. Harald Gruber & Pantelis Koutroumpis, 2011. "Mobile telecommunications and the impact on economic development [Discussion of “Why is infrastructure important?” in Alicia H. Munnell, (ed.), Is there a shortfall in public capital investment?]," Economic Policy, CEPR, CESifo, Sciences Po;CES;MSH, vol. 26(67), pages 387-426.
    4. Arellano, Manuel & Bover, Olympia, 1995. "Another look at the instrumental variable estimation of error-components models," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 68(1), pages 29-51, July.
    5. Daoqin TONG & Sandy DALL’ERBA, 2008. "Spatial Disparities In The Chinese Ict Sector: A Regional Analysis," Region et Developpement, Region et Developpement, LEAD, Universite du Sud - Toulon Var, vol. 28, pages 111-129.
    6. David Roodman, 2009. "How to do xtabond2: An introduction to difference and system GMM in Stata," Stata Journal, StataCorp LLC, vol. 9(1), pages 86-136, March.
    7. Krugman, Paul, 1991. "Increasing Returns and Economic Geography," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 99(3), pages 483-499, June.
    8. Romer, Paul M, 1990. "Endogenous Technological Change," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 98(5), pages 71-102, October.
    9. Henri Njangang & Alim Beleck & Sosson Tadadjeu & Brice Kamguia, 2021. "Do ICTs drive wealth inequality? Evidence from a dynamic panel analysis," Working Papers 21/057, European Xtramile Centre of African Studies (EXCAS).
    10. repec:oup:ecpoli:v:26:y:2011:i:67:p:387-426 is not listed on IDEAS
    11. Carl Dahlman & Sam Mealy & Martin Wermelinger, 2016. "Harnessing the digital economy for developing countries," OECD Development Centre Working Papers 334, OECD Publishing.
    12. repec:idn:journl:v:22:y:2019:i:1f:p:1-20 is not listed on IDEAS
    13. Horst Albach & Heribert Meffert & Andreas Pinkwart & Ralf Reichwald, 2015. "Management of Permanent Change—New Challenges and Opportunities for Change Management," Springer Books, in: Horst Albach & Heribert Meffert & Andreas Pinkwart & Ralf Reichwald (ed.), Management of Permanent Change, edition 127, chapter 1, pages 3-21, Springer.
    14. Henri Njangang & Alim Beleck & Sosson Tadadjeu & Brice Kamguia, 2021. "Do ICTs drive wealth inequality? Evidence from a dynamic panel analysis," Research Africa Network Working Papers 21/057, Research Africa Network (RAN).
    15. Wang, Di & Zhou, Tao & Lan, Feng & Wang, Mengmeng, 2021. "ICT and socio-economic development: Evidence from a spatial panel data analysis in China," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 45(7).
    16. Kami Richmond & Russell E. Triplett, 2018. "ICT and income inequality: a cross-national perspective," International Review of Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 32(2), pages 195-214, March.
    17. Acemoglu, Daron & Autor, David, 2011. "Skills, Tasks and Technologies: Implications for Employment and Earnings," Handbook of Labor Economics, in: O. Ashenfelter & D. Card (ed.), Handbook of Labor Economics, edition 1, volume 4, chapter 12, pages 1043-1171, Elsevier.
    18. Rosenberg, Nathan, 1972. "Factors affecting the diffusion of technology," Explorations in Economic History, Elsevier, vol. 10(1), pages 3-33.
    19. Celbis M.G. & Crombrugghe D.P.I. de, 2014. "Can internet infrastructure help reduce regional disparities? : evidence from Turkey," MERIT Working Papers 2014-078, United Nations University - Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (MERIT).
    20. Henri Njangang & Alim Beleck & Sosson Tadadjeu & Brice Kamguia, 2021. "Do ICTs drive wealth inequality? Evidence from a dynamic panel analysis," Working Papers of the African Governance and Development Institute. 21/057, African Governance and Development Institute..
    21. Meyer, Laurence H., 1998. "The present and future roles of banks in small business finance," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 22(6-8), pages 1109-1116, August.
    22. repec:bla:ecpoli:v:26:y:2011:i:67:p:387-426 is not listed on IDEAS
    23. Kustanto, Andi, 2020. "Dinamika Pertumbuhan Penduduk dan Kualitas Air di Indonesia," OSF Preprints hmavr, Center for Open Science.
    24. Robert Sparrow & Teguh Dartanto & Renate Hartwig, 2020. "Indonesia Under the New Normal: Challenges and the Way Ahead," Bulletin of Indonesian Economic Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 56(3), pages 269-299, September.
    25. Uma RANI & Patrick BELSER & Martin OELZ & Setareh RANJBAR, 2013. "Minimum wage coverage and compliance in developing countries," International Labour Review, International Labour Organization, vol. 152(3-4), pages 381-410, December.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Kustanto, Andi, 2025. "Socioeconomic Determinants and Tuberculosis Burden: A Panel Data Analysis of Indonesian Provinces," MPRA Paper 126466, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 12 Oct 2025.
    2. Andi Kustanto, 2024. "Bridging the Digital Gap: Analysing the Impact of ICT Diffusion on Income Inequality in Indonesia," Economic Thought journal, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences - Economic Research Institute, issue 3, pages 323-352.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Andi Kustanto, 2024. "Bridging the Digital Gap: Analysing the Impact of ICT Diffusion on Income Inequality in Indonesia," Economic Thought journal, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences - Economic Research Institute, issue 3, pages 323-352.
    2. Njangang, Henri & Asongu, Simplice A. & Tadadjeu, Sosson & Nounamo, Yann & Kamguia, Brice, 2022. "Governance in mitigating the effect of oil wealth on wealth inequality: A cross-country analysis of policy thresholds," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 76(C).
    3. Hermann Ndoya & Simplice A. Asongu, 2022. "Digital divide, globalization and income inequality in sub-Saharan African countries: analysing cross-country heterogeneity," Social Responsibility Journal, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 20(1), pages 1-19, October.
    4. Nchofoung, Tii N. & Asongu, Simplice A., 2022. "ICT for sustainable development: Global comparative evidence of globalisation thresholds," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 46(5).
    5. Abdulqadir, Idris A. & Asongu, Simplice A., 2022. "The asymmetric effect of internet access on economic growth in sub-Saharan Africa," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 44-61.
    6. Samba Diop & Simplice A. Asongu, 2022. "Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) as catalyst for the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs) at the local level in Africa," Working Papers of the African Governance and Development Institute. 22/084, African Governance and Development Institute..
    7. Myovella, Godwin & Karacuka, Mehmet & Haucap, Justus, 2020. "Digitalization and economic growth: A comparative analysis of Sub-Saharan Africa and OECD economies," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 44(2).
    8. Nchofoung, Tii & Asongu, Simplice & Tchamyou, Vanessa & Edoh, Ofeh, 2021. "Political inclusion and democracy in Africa: some empirical evidence," MPRA Paper 111838, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    9. Ouinsou, Christ Arsène & Chabossou, Augustin Foster Comlan, 2024. "New technologies and income inequalities into Sub-Saharan Africa: Using a new technological indicator," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 48(9).
    10. Ward, Michael R. & Zheng, Shilin, 2016. "Mobile telecommunications service and economic growth: Evidence from China," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 40(2), pages 89-101.
    11. Abdulqadir, Idris & Asongu, Simplice, 2021. "The asymmetric effect of internet access on economic growth in sub-Saharan Africa: Insight from a dynamic panel threshold regression," MPRA Paper 109904, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    12. Tii N. Nchofoung & Simplice A. Asongu & Vanessa S. Tchamyou & Ofeh M. Edoh, 2022. "Gender political inclusion and democracy in Africa: some empirical evidence," Working Papers 22/051, European Xtramile Centre of African Studies (EXCAS).
    13. Asongu, Simplice & Biekpe, Nicholas, 2017. "Mobile Phone Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Sub-Saharan Africa," MPRA Paper 81703, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    14. Bianka Dettmer, 2012. "Business services outsourcing and economic growth: Evidence from a dynamic panel data approach," Jena Economics Research Papers 2012-049, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena.
    15. Toyo Amègnonna Marcel Dossou, 2023. "Income Inequality in Africa: Exploring the Interaction Between Urbanization and Governance Quality," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 167(1), pages 421-450, June.
    16. Daniel Ştefan Armeanu & Georgeta Vintilă & Ştefan Cristian Gherghina, 2017. "Empirical Study towards the Drivers of Sustainable Economic Growth in EU-28 Countries," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(1), pages 1-22, December.
    17. Simplice A. Asongu & Nicholas M. Odhiambo, 2020. "Insurance Policy Thresholds for Economic Growth in Africa," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 32(3), pages 672-689, July.
    18. Thomas H.W. ZIESEMER, 2012. "Worker remittances and government behaviour in the receiving countries," Eastern Journal of European Studies, Centre for European Studies, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, vol. 3, pages 37-59, December.
    19. Lamar Crombach & Frank Bohn, 2024. "Uninformed voters with (im)precise expectations: Explaining political budget cycle puzzles," Economics and Politics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 36(1), pages 275-311, March.
    20. Davide Consoli & Francesco Vona & Francesco Rentocchini, 2016. "That was then, this is now: skills and routinization in the 2000s," Industrial and Corporate Change, Oxford University Press and the Associazione ICC, vol. 25(5), pages 847-866.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;

    JEL classification:

    • D63 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Equity, Justice, Inequality, and Other Normative Criteria and Measurement
    • I24 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Inequality
    • O10 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - General

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:ags:thkase:344194. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: AgEcon Search (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://edirc.repec.org/data/darkuth.html .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.