This study examines the interrelation of ICT diffusion and financial development with economic growth in SAARC economies, by employing data for the time period 2000–2017. The empirical analysis is carried out using granger causality and cointegration techniques. First generation panel unit root tests namely LLC, IPS, ADF, and PP test were employed for this purpose. All the variables were found to be integrated of order one at first difference. Pedroni's cointegration test along with Kao's residual‐based cointegration test was used which reveals the presence of long‐run relationship among the variables. Further, cointegration coefficients are computed with the help of fully modified ordinary least squares and dynamic ordinary least squares method. While financial development, ICT diffusion, and trade openness were found to increase the growth rate, inflation exhibited negative impact on growth. Both short‐run and long‐run causality were examined using panel granger causality test which revealed unidirectional causality running from ICT diffusion and financial sector development to economic growth. However, the result of causation between financial sector development and the ICT diffusion was statistically insignificant.

PurposeThe main purpose of this paper is to analyze the role of information and communication technology (ICT) diffusion in women empowerment and in fostering the process of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries using panel data from 2005 to 2020.Design/methodology/approachAn ICT diffusion index was constructed using principal component analysis (PCA). Further, the study uses econometric techniques robust to cross-sectional dependence (CSD) which include Pesaran's CSD tests, second-generation unit root test, Pedroni, Kao, Westerlund cointegration test, FMOLS, DCCE, Driscoll–Kraay (DK) regression, and D&H causality tests.FindingsICT diffusion and economic growth have a significant and favorable impact on women's empowerment. However, fertility rates and trade openness harm women's empowerment. In addition, the causality test results depict a bidirectional causal relationship between ICT and women empowerment and between growth and women empowerment. In addition, unidirectional causality is detected between education and women's empowerment. Overall, the findings indicate that expanding ICT and bridging the digital divide, particularly among women, can be effective in achieving empowerment-related SDGs.Originality/valueTo date, there are hardly any studies in SAARC context that empirically evaluate the link between ICT, women empowerment, and the issue of sustainability in a unified framework. Therefore, this study is unique in terms of conceptualization and methodological robustness in this context. The study will benefit policymakers and regulatory bodies to formulate appropriate policies to empower women and thereby attain the SDGs by 2030.

PurposeThe present study aimed to examine the relationship between information and communication technologies (ICT) diffusion, financial development and economic growth in the panel of developing countries for 2005–2019.Design/methodology/approachThe study employed the principal component analysis (PCA) to extract the index of ICT diffusion. First-generation panel unit root tests such as Levine Lin Chu (LLC), Im Pesaran Shin (IPS), Augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF) and Phillips and Perron (PP) were employed to check the stationarity of the variables. Pedroni and Kao co-integration techniques were used to examine the existence of the long-run relationship, and co-integration coefficients were estimated using FMOLS and dynamic ordinary least squares (DOLS). The panel Granger causality approach examined the short-run and long-run causality.FindingsThe results confirmed that ICT diffusion, financial development and trade openness accelerate growth, whereas inflation dampens economic growth. Further, the causality test showed bidirectional causality between ICT growth and financial development growth but a unidirectional causality from financial development to ICT diffusion in developing countries.Originality/valueThe study recommends synchronizing public and private sector investment for a synergistic effect on ICT infrastructure and adequate investment in the financial sector to increase the growth rate in developing countries. Economic policies should be adopted toward incentives and subsidies to ensure affordable ICT services for disadvantaged communities. Also, training programs focussing on enhancing digital literacy to enable all segments of the population to use digital platforms for financial services are recommended.

The present study aims to explore the relationship between ICT diffusion and poverty reduction in SAARC countries using panel data from 2005 to 2020. This study uses econometric techniques robust to cross-sectional dependence (CSD) including Pesaran's CSD tests; secondgeneration unit root test; Pedroni, Kao, Westerlund cointegration tests; CS-ARDL, Driscoll-Kraay (DK) standard error approach; and D&H causality test. The investigation is based on the ICT diffusion index constructed using principal component analysis (PCA). The study's major finding shows that ICT diffusion reduces poverty both in the long and short run, indicating the favorable impact of ICT on the development process in SAARC countries. Further, economic growth, financial development, and remittances all serve to minimize the poverty level. The causality test reveals bidirectional causation between ICT diffusion and poverty reduction. The study highlights the crucial role of ICT diffusion and selected economic variables in reducing poverty. The findings of the present research shall benefit policymakers to formulate appropriate policies and programs to improve the well-being of people and enhance macroeconomic performance, which impacts both the societal and environmental development of a country.

Modern-day economic growth is focused on productivity and innovation, which puts information and technology integral to economic policy issues. In this context, ICT has a significant position as it increases efficiency, promotes information dissemination, and enhances innovation, resulting in a global shift in social and human development processes. The purpose of this research is to examine the significance of ICT diffusion in fostering human development in the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries from 2005 to 2019. ICT diffusion is measured using a principal component analysis (PCA)- based composite index that combines telephone, mobile, broadband, and internet usage. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) created Human Development Index (HDI) serves as a proxy for human development. To adjust for any confounding bias, macroeconomic indicators, such as gross domestic product (GDP), inflation, and trade are also included. Utilizing econometric methods robust to cross-sectional dependence (CSD) such as the dynamic common correlated effect (DCCE) estimator, Driscoll-Kraay (DK) regression, and the Dumitrescu-Hurlin (DH) causality test, the study highlights the strong positive relationship between ICT and HDI. In addition, GDP boosts HDI owing to productivity gains. Similarly, trade expansion, in addition to its direct effects, also influences HDI by boosting economic growth. Inflation, on the other hand, has a negative impact on the HDI. Consequently, the study recommends a cohesive setting that unifies ICT with human development in this modern framework.