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The Impacts of ICT on Economic Growth in the MENA Countries: Does Institutional Matter?

Author

Listed:
  • Mohammed N. Abu Alfoul
  • Reza Tajaddini
  • Hassan F. Gholipour
  • Omar Bashar
  • Fouad Jamaani

Abstract

This study investigates the effects of information and communications technology (ICT) on economic growth. Our study focuses on 16 MENA countries from 1995 to 2018. We examine not only the impact of ICT usage and investment but also the moderating role of the quality of national institutions shaping this relationship. The results obtained using the panel ARDL method suggest that while ICT usage drives economic growth, ICT investment alone has a limited effect. Moreover, our research confirms that higher-quality institutions boost the impact of ICT use and investment on economic expansion. These results are essential for policymakers who want to boost ICT's contribution to GDP growth.

Suggested Citation

  • Mohammed N. Abu Alfoul & Reza Tajaddini & Hassan F. Gholipour & Omar Bashar & Fouad Jamaani, 2024. "The Impacts of ICT on Economic Growth in the MENA Countries: Does Institutional Matter?," Politická ekonomie, Prague University of Economics and Business, vol. 2024(3), pages 446-477.
    • Handle: RePEc:prg:jnlpol:v:2024:y:2024:i:3:id:1409:p:446-477
    DOI: 10.18267/j.polek.1409
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Feng, Yi, 1997. "Democracy, Political Stability and Economic Growth," British Journal of Political Science, Cambridge University Press, vol. 27(3), pages 391-418, July.
    2. Hassan O. OZEKHOME, 2022. "Do Regulatory Quality, Government Effectiveness and Rule of Law Matter to Foreign Direct Investment in Nigeria?," Journal for Economic Forecasting, Institute for Economic Forecasting, vol. 0(1), pages 160-175, April.
    3. Edquist, Harald & Goodridge, Peter & Haskel, Jonathan & Li, Xuan & Lindquist, Edward, 2018. "How important are mobile broadband networks for the global economic development?," Information Economics and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 45(C), pages 16-29.
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    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    ICT usage; ICT investment; institutional quality; economic growth; panel regression; MENA;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C23 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Models with Panel Data; Spatio-temporal Models
    • E02 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - General - - - Institutions and the Macroeconomy
    • O43 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - Institutions and Growth
    • O47 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - Empirical Studies of Economic Growth; Aggregate Productivity; Cross-Country Output Convergence
    • O53 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - Asia including Middle East

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