Do ICTs drive wealth inequality? Evidence from a dynamic panel analysis

The Kuznets Curve, Information and Communication Technology, and Income Inequality in Malaysia

“…Consistent with recent ICT literature (Canh et al, 2020;Njangang et al, 2021), this study uses three indicators to proxy ICT, namely, internet usage (Internet), mobile phone usage (Mobile), and fixed broadband usage (Broadband). These ICT variables are added one by one into equation ( 4) to avoid multicollinearity in our estimations.…”

“…On the other hand, the second spectrum of literature examines the determinants that influence the economic growth-income inequalities. These determinants include a variety of economic drivers that are synchronised with the growth process and contribute to income inequalities indirectly (for details, see Njangang et al (2021)). Many studies have addressed income inequality with respect to trade openness, foreign direct investment (FDI), education, and urbanisation.…”

“…Recently, Canh et al (2020) and Njangang et al (2021) included ICT as a determinant of income inequality for a global sample of 87 economies and 45 developed and developing countries over the 2002-2014 and 2000-2017 period, respectively. Both studies conclude that technology diffusion is evidenced to be one of the paths to narrow income disparity.…”

“…Therefore, identifying the determinants affecting income inequality would assist policymakers in deciding on the best measure to close the rising inequality gap. Studies on income inequalities have highlighted several important determinants including income growth, trade openness, education, human capital, and others (for details, see Njangang et al (2021)). Despite ongoing efforts to understand the determinants that may influence income inequality, the role of information and communication technology (ICT) has often been overlooked.…”

Political inclusion and democracy in Africa: some empirical evidence

“…Compared to autocracies, there are time and level contingencies associated with the benefits of democracy in boosting financial development (Asongu, 2014). Democracy equally improves the health of the population (Rosenberg, 2018) and helps in mitigating the negative effect of information and communication technology (ICT) on wealth inequality (Njangang et al, 2021). Besides, literature has it that democrats spend more in providing social amenities than autocrats.…”