ICT infrastructure for rural community sustainability

ABSTRACT

This article attempts to determine the effect of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) on rural community sustainability by comparing digital literacy, degree of community economic vitality, and online activities between villages with well-equipped ICT infrastructure and typical villages. Digital literacy was measured with a weighted personal informatization index. Community economic vitality was analyzed with annual income and economic opportunity. Community online activities were examined with three themes: media utilization status, online activity, and degree of online participation in community issues. The results show that ICT infrastructure improved digital literacy and invigorated community economy and community activities. Nevertheless, this study exposed a few problems. These include (1) inefficiencies to enhance individuals’ ability to use computer hardware and software, and (2) reduced income levels below average national farm household income.

KEYWORDS:

• Digital literacy
• ICT infrastructure
• Information Network Village (INVIL)
• Personal Informatization Index (PII)
• rural community sustainability

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.